I hate christmas

[In234Out23456]

Things I hate about Christmas …

the routine.
things we have done for the last 30 odd years. Not because any of it is pleasurable but because that’s What We Do. Any suggestion there is a comfortable change is met with absolute horror. Fuckers.

the expectation that we have to see everyone on one day. Most of these people I don’t see from one year to the next. Some of them I don’t even like. Hundreds of them. and they try and hug or kiss ffs. Why? Why would they do that?

In the car, out, sit cramped and loud, exchange presents nobody gives a shite about and are destined for the charity shop. On to the next house and repeat.
this sounds nasty and ungrateful but really, what shit can you buy for a tenner for someone you don’t like much? WHAT’S THE POINT????
Too many people in each house. So many.

Too many presents. I get it. He likes it. He’s passed on this to the DCs and they like it. Everyone is kind and generous but I hate it.
Too. Much.
and then it sits in piles for days and days. And the expectation that I join in and do the same.

ancient in-laws with dementia. Crankier by the year. I do love them but why do they always have to come to us when there are numerous other relatives they could go to. But no, This Is What We Do. Again. And FiL will bang on about the dead dog again (and again and again).

The timings.
because He does the cooking he gets to decide what happens when.

I DO NOT WANT TO EAT A FULL MEAL AT 3 PM.

That is neither lunch nor dinner. I will be hungry at a normal time. That means I either have to stay hungry and drink on an empty stomach, or eat and then I’m not hungry for the feast.

somebody will leave chocolate out and the dog will eat it resulting in yet another vet trip. Again. FiL I’m looking at you.

after a day of merriment He will proceed to drink too much. Mostly in response to having to deal with the ancient relatives. And then he will peacefully go to sleep in a chair while I clear up.

NOBODY LIKES SPROUTS

the last 10 years I have volunteered to work. Which is shitty but an excellent reason to bugger off for a few hours. This year I haven’t got work as an excuse. On the other hand no work means I can drink myself into oblivion but then risk actuallly murdering people.

You csnt be the only one who hates that!

That sounds awful to be fair. Could you be having to 'work' last minute, but actually spend it with a friend? Or develop a migraine which means you can't go out visiting people? I'd push back in some way this year, even if it's just disappearing into a different room for longer than you previously had to avoid listening to the in laws. Tiny acts of rebellion!

”hundreds” of them?

How old are your children? If you say you’ve been doing it for 30 years it sounds like they may already be adults. If they’re 21 or over just say you’re not doing it next year as you’ll be away. They will make excellent plans of their own. You also say “hundreds “ people. If you have a big family can’t someone else take the heat one year? Why is your family always hosting?

Yes thats my plan last year i went to japan for 3 weeks.
I dont do xmas at all, i was going to go away this year, but thought id better get my flat painted out.
So i shall be painting and spring cleaning all of december.
Netx year im planing to go vietnam or somewhere far away from all the xmass crap, i`ll come back in the new year when its all over.

That does sound shit. I'd hate it too if it was like that. You need to have a frank discussion with DH, let him know it isn't working for you and you aren't doing it anymore.

Not a fan either. Too much pressure. This year it’s just me, youngest DD (nearly 18) and dog. We are doing what we please. Neighbour will pop over for a drink, and i’ll be working apart from bank hols.

Quite right too! Your house, you’re in charge. Too late for this year but remind yourself of the bitter lessons and make a plan for next year. Write it all out - the arrangements, the food, the presents etc etc etc. ALL the details. A playbook for yourself for next year.

Talk, after Christmas, with your husband about the changes you want to make next year and get him on side. I don’t know how old your kids are but, if appropriate, bite the bullet and pave the way with them too.

From summer on, engage with your campaign - so anyone who needs to know has bags of notice - and stay strong-minded.

You do the majority of the work so make the Christmas that suits YOU, OP x

aware that next year it’s goingand set up a fresh

PS report back - I’m invested in next years InOut Christmas being a joy for you x

I'm gradually disliking Christmas more and more, and to be honest I think it's the cost of everything. I save every month for Christmas and used to have money left over, now I'm lucky if what I save covers essentials! But I'm reluctant to save more because it really is just one day.
We don't do the visit everybody thing though, we decided many years ago that we weren't traipsing the kids around in the car, so we do spend the day at home which I do enjoy (probably because by that point the stress is over and I can look forward to call the midwife Xmas special and a cheeseboard!)

Well, I love all that stuff but I totally get why you wouldn't and if I allowed myself to get into a different mindset I would hate it all.

You sound a right killjoy OP, its one day.

This is why I don't mind working on Christmas day !

Same. Happily worked Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve and Day. I jump at the chance. I loved the break from family and it was easy money.

This is one of my regrets! Due to rubbish brothers and my parents retiring a few hundred miles away I said no to invites of winter sun or skiing with my fellow single friends throughout my 20's and 30's. Because I felt obliged. Christmas seems to be about obligations to everyone else and rarely to do what we'd all like personally to do... so...

I say, please do it for yourself and do it for me, ha ha, go get your winter sun! Please come back next year though and let us all know how fab it was :-)

ps, as the years have gone by I have disliked Xmas a little more each year. Now I also hate it.

I like Christmas. I go to my sister and brother in law. They cook i buy wine. We eat, drink ,read books, watch telly, maybe go for a walk. We all enjoy it, do what we want and none of the nonsense
What you describe sounds horrible. Yanbu

Sometimes I feel grateful that I don't have any friends !......Hundreds coming around ? Pure hell, I sympathise !

"NOBODY LIKES SPROUTS"

Preach!

Yeah I know, lots of people like them, but for me they're fart grenades.

They also make a good prank during Halloween, by the way. Save up some Ferrero Rocher foils and wrap sprouts in them. It's up there with dipping onions in toffee or dipping chocolate and serving them as toffee apples.

I hear you OP. I hate it. Shopped, cooked and cleaned for the last 20 years. Totally fed up. Elderly parents so can't really get out of it. The thought that I could still be doing the same in 10 years time and my mother could be 100 and my life could be over makes me so depressed.

I don’t like it either. The buying, the excess, the decorating, the elf - all the parties and expectation of #makingmemories. My DH being indignant because I refuse to make a Xmas lunch and don’t want to cook at all on that day. We have a small and dysfunctional family and it’s just a sad time of year for me amidst the cost images of families having a laugh and playing games together.

You’re doing Christmas all wrong! You’re supposed to plan a day full of things/people you love….yours sounds the exact opposite of that

I hate it when people say "I have to do this" or "I really dont know what to buy for xxxxx" if you dong want to do something Just don't do it, if its that much of a struggle finding a gift for someone don't buy them anything! I hate buying tat for buying sake. I buy for my kids and DP and that's it. If I see something nice that my parents might like I'll buy it for them but we dont really exchange gifts so it's not expected.

It does sound awful. My Christmases have usually been very straightforward and at home, no visiting anyone on Christmas Day, no going into debt over it, no tat - requested present only. Thankfully we’re not a family who must have traditions set in stone.

Bloody hell OP this sounds like literal torture. I am not surprised you are fed up and hate Christmas.

We have thrown all routine out of the window and our Christmases are glorious now as a result. Sometimes we go away, sometimes we stay home. Last year we ate pizza for Christmas dinner - it was gorgeous. This year H and I are not buying gifts for each other, we are pooling our money instead for a romantic beach holiday later in the year which we will enjoy far more than some bottle of perfume that I am perfectly capable of buying for myself.

Christmas doesn't have to be this shitty yearly tedious routine - liberate yourself and see how much fun Christmas can really be!

I’m not a fan either but I don’t do any of the stuff you feel obliged to do so not sure what I hate!

I’m also happiest when I can work and ignore it which I’m doing this year. Boxing Day will be chilling out at home and we will have a Christmas dinner but probably evening time and I’ll be off to the gym in the morning. Basically I try to please myself and let it pass me by. My dc are adults and they seem as nonplussed as me!