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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you actually enjoy it or do you fake it a bit?

229 replies

MerryChristmasyouarsehole · 21/12/2022 20:32

Christmas…

OP posts:
Flamingogirl08 · 21/12/2022 21:49

I love it but since being married and having kids I find the politics of seeing all the family quite stressful

poppym12 · 21/12/2022 21:50

Can't wait for it to be over.

susiesuelou · 21/12/2022 21:52

Dislike it more and more with every year. Used to really love it. I fake the magic and excitement for my DC, but I'd happily miss it out completely if I didn't have them.

Shodan · 21/12/2022 21:53

I like it.

There have been a few years when I've felt a bit meh about it and had to fake it, but generally I'm a fan.

Not and never have been a fan of NYE though. Having said that, if anyone had ever invited me to a house party or dinner or something that would've been nice, but they haven't so I stay in.

newlysingle1 · 21/12/2022 21:53

TheMoth · 21/12/2022 21:11

Enjoy the downtime. But mainly enjoy it because it's a step closer to spring and, increasingly, I long for the spring and summer months like you wouldn't believe. The only joys in winter are the sunrises and sunsets on cold days.

This !

Goldbar · 21/12/2022 21:56

I love it (although admittedly much less since it's now me who ends up creating most of the 'magic'). Hate NYE though...find it really depressing.

Krustykrabpizza · 21/12/2022 21:56

I love it, the only bit I don't like is the wrapping presents, I'm crap at it, and tidying away decorations after

BrandyandGinger · 21/12/2022 21:59

I like it on balance. I love the food shopping and cooking. I also get great satisfaction out of making nice meals out of the leftovers. I only buy presents for the kids and I don't wrap anything. I like going to church on Christmas Eve. I always buy myself a couple of books that I really want.

On the negative side I put my decorations up as late as possible and I'm sick of them by the 27th. The ridiculous consumerism doesn't sit right with me either, I'm very lucky that the adults in my family don't exchange gifts because I'd hate to be giving and receiving stuff just for the sake of it.

Ivyonafence · 21/12/2022 22:01

I love it! It's so much work but I love it.

My favourite time of the year by far.

As PPs said, I don't participate in the things I don't enjoy. I don't go crazy with presents, my children get a couple of toys each and then practical things I was going to buy them anyway (toothbrush, underwear, school supplies), adults get a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates (I don't stress myself out trying to please everyone), don't do Christmas Eve boxes or the elf etc.

Christmas used to be stressful when we saw my in laws because they would throw tantrums and every special occasion was like waiting for a bomb to go off. I understand how Christmas can be a shitty time if you have a hard family situation. We don't see them anymore so now I get to enjoy it and I don't take it for granted at all.

FancyFelix · 21/12/2022 22:01

Hate the obligation and the shopping and the having to think of gifts to buy people and the washing and cooking for guests and the family politics and the fact that my DH opts out of everything.

Mainly I hate my in-laws and hate that they come to stay with me for days on end every single Christmas.

Christmas without them, I love that

FourChimneys · 21/12/2022 22:03

My winters have vastly improved since the DC grew up and I stopped doing Christmas. None of that intensely irritating preparation, no need to buy junk, no stressing about who goes where or what will everyone eat. No need to buy more food than we need.

I'm happy with the bank holiday though. Time to climb a large hill if the weather is good. If not we will start to redecorate the dining room.

Fairy lights are forever, not just for Christmas though.

TokyoSushi · 21/12/2022 22:04

It's OK, but it's a lot of money and a lot of stress for one day.

I find a lot of it quite boring, sitting about with people that you don't particularly like.

I don't mind the enforced rest, but I'm happy when it's over. I like my routine and am much more of a summer person.

FourChimneys · 21/12/2022 22:05

FancyFelix that's dreadful. Start making plans to go away next Christmas and leave your DH to sort his parents out. Break the mould, tell them it's time for a change.

ProceedWithOptimism · 21/12/2022 22:07

I dunno really.

It's fine. I mean, it's nice seeing the kids get presents they love, but apart from that...a roast? That's something I'd never choose to eat. Spending the day with family? Can do that whenever.

Plus my company shuts down for two weeks and I bloody love my job and my colleagues, and I miss it all and end up bored out of my skull.

Annon1234 · 21/12/2022 22:14

I have always loved Christmas, being a child into my teens and 20s without children. I still enjoy it but now we have our own child I feel like I kind of force it a bit, I don’t know if I have this idea in my head what it should be like and traditions I want to invent but it never happens. Forced fun. I’m hoping as she gets older ‘traditions’ will just fall into place

BlastedPimples · 21/12/2022 22:17

I feel really sorry for my mum who, for years, slaved away to make Christmas special on a very limited budget. She did a super job and I wasn't aware of the graft involved.

I do as much of the work in advance as is possible. It's hard. Kids seem to like it. I don't very much because I think it's a con that stresses out a lot of people into believing they have to spend huge sums of money on many gifts. Why?

OhChristmasTreeOhChristmasTreeFaLaLa · 21/12/2022 22:18

I hate the shit that goes with it, the prep, the shopping, creating the "magic" but then I love seeing the magic in my kids eyes, the excitement and the build up. I went through a phase in my early 20s before I was married (or had kids) where I was a bit meh about it all. People hate it when people say this but christmas is all about the kids, my parents admit they are reliving the best part of Christmas now they have grandchildren.

Aquarius1234 · 21/12/2022 22:18

I used to love Christmas. Then I became sad and lonely.

Andsoforth · 21/12/2022 22:19

I love it when it’s off in the distance. Not so much when it creeps into my now time and I have to do all the stuff. From 12th Dec to the 25th I’m not so keen.

Gwenhwyfar · 21/12/2022 22:19

I get a long time off work and I like that so no faking necessary.

BellePeppa · 21/12/2022 22:20

Now everyone is grown up I could really do without it, or at least all the expense. I’ve kept it pretty basic this year but it’s still costing me money I don’t really have. I’ve only put a tree up this year, no other decorations as I usually do and I haven’t bought or sent any cards (I’ve texted a happy Christmas instead). I’m not a humbug and enjoy the day but hate all the unnecessary expense and faff.

July70 · 21/12/2022 22:21

Totally agree. The build-up, the money, the excess food and drink, chatting to people you don't want to and seeing many being forced into spending money they don't have on rubbish presents they can ill-afford.

Its too commercialised

Gwenhwyfar · 21/12/2022 22:21

"People hate it when people say this but christmas is all about the kids, my parents admit they are reliving the best part of Christmas now they have grandchildren."

As a childless/childfree person I don't mind you saying it's all (well, mainly) about the kids. It's really not the same for adults, but I can usually find something to like on top of the time off I mentioned. Lots of chocolate, for example.

DashboardConfessional · 21/12/2022 22:22

All my best memories from growing up are holidays and Christmases. They are like markers in my memory of each year as it passed, which relatives were around, where we lived.

My mum and dad are now vocal about not liking it and haven't bothered with a tree or presents to each other since I moved out 20 years ago, which makes me a bit sad. Their choice of course, but it does feel strange that they were probably at best indifferent on the Christmas Days where I was living my best life 😁

Aquarius1234 · 21/12/2022 22:24

I think Xmas was best before working properly.

You had no worries and contuine to enjoy up until whenever.
Even tho I get the time off till around 2nd or 3rd January there's been a few years or more where I've not been able to really enjoy cos stressed about going back to work or was too busy before closing down or relationship or family issues.