Does anyone else hate xmas?

[grinchapparently]

I don't like Christmas, in fact I totally dread it.
I used to love it as a child, but now all grown up it makes me feel more alone.
It highlights that I have no family around or who care, it throws in my face that I should be happy when I'm not, and I constantly get bombarded on social media pictures of happy families.
(I do know I shouldn't look)
But seriously why is it thrown down our necks?! Heat xmas radio has literally been an option since pissing September. ( i flick through it).
Every time someone mentions xmas or I hear a xmas song I get a lump in my throat. I literally dread this time of year.
Is it just me?

I don't hate Christmas itself (I love any day I'm not at work!) but I hate the consumerism around it and the fuss lots of people make about one bloody day.

It’s not just you - there are loads of people who feel the same.
But it comes round every year. Is there any part of winter you like? Is there anything you do that you enjoy this time of year? There must be something you can take as a positive thing - good food? A works do? Friends night out? Cosy Sundays on the sofa with a film?

It's not just you, OP.
I have no happy Christmas memories and dread this time of year, not Christmas day itself so much, but the lead-up to it.
This year I have saved some annual leave and will spend 10 days in the Canaries to avoid the worst of it. Could you do something similar?

I don't usually hate Christmas no, but I am absolutely dreading it this year.

I wouldn't think badly of other families loving it though. I don't think it's wrong for TV adverts or shops to promote Christmas with Jingle Bells playing endlessly on repeat, because lots of people love Christmas and I get that.

Yeh I'm hoping to get away from it all maybe on Boxing Day if I can afford it.
I'm not sure running away is the answer but I really don't feel I'm going to cope through another xmas.
Xmas is great when your life is going well but when it's not it's just like climbing a hill of mud, exhausting and draining.

Yes it drives me mental. So much consumerism and the extended build up for one day with a glorified roast dinner. And all the enforced fun we have to endure.

I hate winter though. I’m sure I suffer from SAD as the minute the clocks go back, I go from being a real social butterfly into wanting to hibernate.

I made Christmas fun when my son was young but now he’s an adult he’s turned into as much of a grinch as me

I think it's wrong they promote it so early.
I don't resent people who love it though. My god I wish I felt the same way I really do.

Yes, I do, for various reasons. I really resent the fact that you can't avoid it.

I never enjoyed Christmas as a child, far too stressful. God help me if I liked a gift an aunt or grandparent had given me more than the one my parents gave me. That hell could be played out for days.
Now I tend to just go along with it, smile, and am so glad when it’s over.
Tbh my best Christmases were ones I worked.

Is Christmas a time to reflect and new year is to make promises of change next year?

Refect on how you can make your life to one you want

I have lots of plans for 2024. Just need to somehow get through the next 8 weeks

Thanks all glad it's not just me

Me too. It's like we have no choice.

And anyone not embracing the enforced fun is called a grinch, Scrooge etc.

I’ll go for the team meal as that’s a nice evening regardless of Christmas but other than that I do my best to avoid it. I’m the at the desk without tinsel 🤣

It's not my favourite. So much 'wife work' but I'm a control freak so I Aldi have to do everything myself or it won't be quite right.

Also, most of it is spent doing things I don't particularly want to do, with people I don't particularly want to do the thing with. But you have to, because it's family, and it's expected. I'd love to just go away.

I like Christmas day as I can finally relax and stop stressing about it then forget about it for another year, the build up the never ending list of people to buy for and what to buy I hate.

I get an anxious uneasy feeling and I don't know why.I had lovely Xmasses growing up

I used to because something traumatic happened to me on Christmas Eve about 15 years ago. Just a few days ago I realized I don't associate it anymore. But I'm still annoyed that on Nov 1st the capitalist side of it starts. Even my kids complain about it! It makes me not want to participate as far as buying gifts, etc. It's too much. Since we're not religious and not in contact with most family we might just switch to winter celebrations of our own choosing instead.

I find Christmas very difficult. I hate how I feel at the time. I feel very alone, and isolated even though I do have my oh and dc. I think the lack of a wider family, and tensions within my oh’s family. And guilt due to having to work and no great memories of Christmas past, just make it exceptionally difficult.

Hate Christmas, I lost my son to suicide on Christmas day 2020.

I just want to hide away, but I can't.

I just dont like the fact that everyone is nearly always ill at Christmas! Puts me off the whole thing.

I don’t really like Christmas afternoon after we’ve eaten but I’ve vowed not to do a Christmas like that again.

The consumerism and cost do drive you mad though.

I like Christmas lights and Christmas carols a lot.

I’m so sorry for your lost. I can’t imagine.
Sorry I didn’t see this when I posted as it wasn’t visible yet.

@Goldenboysmum 💐

I like Christmas but agree it starts far, far too early. I mean, there are people putting their tree up. Who has time for that shit? Each to their own though.

I don't hate it but I'm ambivalent. I'm not religious & I think the money spent could go on better things like proper holidays away. I only get one day off too.

This year has been shit with several big changes in my life due to bereavement & seperating from STBXH. I am hopeful I can get a week off next year around the Big Day & eff off to somwhere sunny. As it is now I only gift to immediate family and don't bother with cards. I only decorate because DD expects it.