Christmas is for the kids

[damsonnatter]

AIBU to find the whole 'Christmas is for the kids' a bit of an eye roll...

Yes it's wonderful for children and I love that they find it magical but Christmas doesn't have to just be geared towards them
It's a good excuse to take a well deserved rest (if you are fortunate enough), see loved ones and treat yourself

If you are part of the 'Christmas is for the kids' gang - why do you think this? Vs Christmas is for everyone

Christmas is for everyone. It’s better when you have children who still believe in Santa and get excited though. It’s not quite the same when there aren’t little ones.

If you’re really running short of ideas - and you must be severely lacking in imagination if all you can think of is sweets and booze - I can help you. I’ve bought my bloke a sailing course, he’s 67. There are plenty more ideas where that came from.

Christmas to me is for love and cheer and a time of warmth and celebration with anyone you love. I've had some amazing Christmases without children. HOWEVER i think it's truly magical if you believe in Santa. And there are only a few years where children are old enough to understand and young enough to believe... for those years for me the children really take priority so yes it is all about them.

God how narrow minded! I've got him a motor racing umbrella and rain jacket as he needs new ones and is a passionate motor racing follower and I've got loads of ideas for me, I'm into yoga, hill walking stuff like that so always a bit of kit to be updated. We also buy each other books, music, used to be dvds etc. That's really sad that you'd only come up with booze or chocolate, do you not have any interests? Or do your relatives not have any? Blimey....

We're on the same page!

My partner is getting music gig tickets.

I very much hope if I make it to 90 I still have interests!

There are though quite a lot of adults who really don't need or want anything much and that's when gift giving becomes pointless. Someone in my family genuinely has no interests in life beyond watching television and buying anything at all for them is just burning money. They don't even view food and drink as anything but transactional energy to stay alive. It's a real pleasure to not have an annual brain wrack to think of anything at all that might add to their life.

Christmas is for everyone of course but I can see a huge merit to presents for children only.

I keep reading people tying themselves up in knots trying to afford and plan presents for a huge number of adult siblings, siblings in law, cousins, parents, grandparents etc. That side of it clearly is ridiculous and can ruin the season completely.

Christmas is for everyone that wants to celebrate but I do think when there are primary-age or younger children in the family that it should mainly revolve around them. There are so few years when they truly believe in the magic of it all so I personally prioritise the youngest members of the family and expect the adults should work around that or do their own thing if that doesn’t work for them.

That's really sad that you'd only come up with booze or chocolate, do you not have any interests? Or do your relatives not have any? Blimey....

I’m not sure it’s that sad necessarily. It can well the case that adults just buy themselves things relating to their interests at any time of the year and not Christmas? My DH is very into the gym and sport generally but there is no gym kit I could buy him for Christmas as he upgrades his kit as and when he wants to / feels the need.

I absolutely LOVE Christmas, but yes I find food and drink type presents the best as they’re enjoyed then and there. Books are also good I suppose as people can treat you to a book you wouldn’t have heard of otherwise.. but honestly, yes - I have interests, my DH has interests, my friends have interests but we all tend to peruse those interests over the year and spend money on those interests over the year too.

I don’t think it’s fair to brand everyone boring who struggle to buy presents for adults.

I think it's for people who enjoy Christmas, whatever their age or reason.

My mum (80) loves it because everything pauses and rests

My DD loves it because she's 5.

I used to love it but then had an awful one when I was 25 and realised it's only great if things are going ok, so the magic all suddenly stopped and now I find it a bit stressful managing schedules and gifts.

Also, since my awful one, I realise how bad it must be for people not having great times or not excited about Christmas. It's like you're watching a show that you hate and want it to be over because you can't / don't want to participate.

So I think there is a balance perhaps.

Wearing my Bah-Humbug hat; I don't understand why we continue to celebrate the incorrect birthday of someone who didn't exist.
However, taking it as just a Father Christmas - based few days comprising eating, drinking and presents, they yayyy! But not just for kids - everyone needs a bit of a break.
However, whichever way it is looked at, so many people are stressed about hosting/visting/feeding/keeping everyone happy, and in some cases, going into massive debt to get a certain toy, that few really enjoy it

It’s a midwinter festival. Most cultures have one. Ours is pegged to Christmas but it’s fine to just enjoys food, lights and time off on your own terms.

The "Christmas is for kids" and "adults should only have small, token presents" people can fuck all the way to fuck in my book.

I'm 38. I'm child-free. I fucking love Christmas. Me and DP buy shit loads of presents for each other. The house is like a grotto. The cupboards and fridge are overflowing. Every December day is a Christmas jumper day. We do Christmas crafts. We watch Christmas films. It's insane. It's wonderful. It'd be absolutely ruined with children anywhere the fuck near it.

There's a lot of historical evidence that Jesus did exist

@Thistimearound that's it exactly. I really miss being able to buy media stuff.

DH is a nightmare buys what he needs when he needs it other than ski stuff which doesn't need replacing very often.
Cash rich time poor.

My own mums stock answer is chocolates and a book. Her hobbies aren't really needing anything.
Knits, does an exercise class, and various bits of volunteering.

I can't think of anything I really need. Gym and walking. I faff with a guitar but don't need anything.

I want to spend Christmas at yours, please! (Am not a child. :D)

Christmas is a magical time, that warm, festive, feel good feeling is from the wonderful Christmases I had growing up, thanks to my parents (and older siblings who used to play along re: Santa) They all made such an effort to make each one special. Christmases as a child are some of my most vivid and happy memories.

Of course, Christmas for everyone,
family & friends being together, spreading cheer and goodwill, but dh & I do centre it around our children.
As others have said, there’s not many years they believe in Santa and the magic of it, so, yeh, I think it is more for kids & if you celebrate it, you should prioritise them.

I don't think Christmas is for kids - I think kids love Christmas (as they should) because its a magical time of holiday, Christmas spirit, tradition, family, friends, parties and beautiful, sparkling decorations and lights. Adults love it (or hopefully do) because it means a break from the norm, seeing your children open presents, eating lovely food and just generally having a great time. Sadly it isn't like that for everyone though and my heart breaks for people who find it a sad time of year. I am very lucky that I still have most of my nearest and dearest but I am aware that with every year that passes this could be the last - that's why I try to make it the best for everyone. Christmas is for everyone, even if it does take a different turn as you get older!

As a preacher, yes. The son of God/Messiah element remains more in debate, and that is rather the focus of the Christian celebration.

Well you suit yourself, but for me, Santa might last a few years, Jesus much, much longer!

Christmas is a major festival for Christians; the rest is frippery.

Christmas is for everyone. One of the plus sides of it being such a big , commercial time period, is that people can pick and choose which aspects to participate in. Even those who aren't Christian.

I do think Christmas with small children is a different kind if magic . I'm going to miss that when my dc are too old .

I don't have children and there are none in my family. I enjoy the downtime at Christmas, time off work, eating nice food and swigging amaretto whenever I fancy.
I'm not religious but I do try to give a bit of secular moral weight to Christmas by donating to a homeless charity, extras and treats to the food bank etc.

That's really sad that you'd only come up with booze or chocolate, do you not have any interests? Or do your relatives not have any? Blimey....

People have plenty of interests. But they also have money and want to choose their own stuff or buy something when they need it or see it at a good price. They aren't children waiting for Santa to bring them presents.

Exactly.

People buying me gifts related to my interests is the WORST! They get beginner-level shite that I either already have or entirely useless to me.

I'd much rather have something generic that isn't a waste of money.