To be Overwhelmed with the Christmas Tat…

[TheBeaTgoeson1]

Does anyone else get overwhelmed by the sheer level of tat at Christmas, in the shops, and also, being discussed. The absolutely enormous amount of stuff, stuff, stuff! Most of which won’t have any longevity. Not meaning to be a grinch, but just interested to hear if anybody else just finds it completely overwhelming!

Really? If only everyone was more like you 🙄
The reality is most people are not like this in real life, just on MN, where they exist in the imagjnation of posters to enable them to feel superior.

& tiktok its all over tiktok.

Agree
Just stop.
We dont have to keep doing something because its something we've always done.

Oh sweet summer child, what universe are you from? Most people are even worse in real life.

i don’t notice the tat, I more notice all the sequin covered clothes, last year i heard how there was enough sequin clothes and how people should pass them around charity shops etc. this year I’ve seen soooooo many crappy sequins- I mean they’re not nice and if people buy them they won’t become classics, they’ll be dumped

@TheBeaTgoeson1 What is your definition of tat?

Same! I never hear ANYONE say it in the real world. Its just so snobby and obnoxious and meant to signify that the person moaning about the so-called 'tat' is superior to everyone else.

Yes!! The sequins! They seem to be everywhere at the moment!

Ah. I'm with you on sequins. Horrid things.

Not just Christmas. There will be Valentines and Easter tat out quicker than you can say Auld Lang Syne

I also feel bad for the charity shops which are filled to the brim with Christmas stuff which people have obviously offloaded on them- by this week surely no one is buying it? Are they then left to store it all year for next Christmas?!

I agree. We buy a couple of things a year - usually one new bauble and this year some lights but I do know of people who throw everything out and start again every year. Not only a terrible waste but no special decorations for children to grow up with.

Some of us actually give a fuck about the absolute pointless destruction of the planet for bollocks.

The amount of waste is horrible… and so pointless. There are so many ‘disposable’ bits of Christmas crap in the shops… elf clothes, rubbish drinking games, Christmas accessories and toys for your dog, Christmas-themed cushions etc etc. We know it’s bad for the planet and is a waste of money but still carry on buying the stuff.
Christmas is just overwhelming full stop now anyway. Elves, Christmas Eve boxes, crazily extravagant advent calendars, overpriced light trails, Black Friday buying frenzy, social media posts about piles of presents. Each to their own I know but I’m with you, I find it pretty depressing too.

I don't know what 'tat' you are referring to?

I'm not a fan but 'gift sets' are usually usable. What I really dislike are generic gifts e.g. candles but if the people who buy them use them, then they aren't tat.

I buy tubs of cheap chocolates (unnecessary but will be consumed) and nice food.

I haven't bought Xmas crackers this year because I find them wasteful and haven't the time or desire to make my own.

My local shopping centre is chaotic.

I agree with the poster above. Valentines and Easter are complete tat but Christmas gifts are generally requested and used?

No. It holds no interest and I’ve never thought volume over quantity in terms of presents. I’d rather give my kids for three or four good presents than a dozen cheap ones. I only send cards to people I know and care about, I don’t give gifts to those outside the family and we eat any food we buy.

That made me laugh. Thank you

Damn I meant to copy the paragraph about the bauble

Exactly. And one person’s tat is another person’s treasure. Except here, where it seems some believe there’s only one way to do anything and that’s their way

I think the big plastic tubs of cheap chocolates are one of the worst things all that coloured plastic. Why can they not package them in cardboard.

I literally no no one who 'buys piles of tat then sends it to landfill'
Do you?
I think it's a MN myth to make posters feel better about themselves tbh.
It has certainly exercised a lot of posts this year where posters have enjoyed looking down their noses at others while out-doing each other with their tasteful, pared-down Christmases.
The amount of people who have said they only buy one ir two (tasteful) decorations every year while at the same time slagging others for doing the same is hilarious.

Actually i think you may be surprised to hear that I 'give a fuck about the enviroment' too.
My home (apart from food, working on that) has been single-use plastic free since 2020.
I just don't feel the need to share my virtue with others and look down my nose at them from my self-built pedestal.
And it's why i get so annoyed at reusable linens such as cushions, bedding etc are being described as 'tat destined for landfill' by others who have no real interest in environental issues other than shouting loudly about them where others can hear them

Surely no one should care what anyone else is doing.

I’ve wound down my present giving and Christmas tat, but only because my DC are teens now and I buy them things they want and need or can eat. WRT to decorations, I have less but better quality. I had a lot of Christmas gimmicks, and enjoyed them at the time, and now someone else is enjoying them via Vinted.

Judgey people need more hobbies.

Don't you reuse tubs like that, DH uses them in the shed and garage, it saves buying storage tubs

Wow, you and Oliver Cromwell would have a lot to talk about.

I definitely eat and drink more over Christmas and guess what? I bloody well enjoy it! I eat well all year round, keep my BMI to around 19, so like being on holiday, when Christmas comes, I kick back and let loose for a week or two. Big deal.

All these posters saying "But what is this mysterious tat?"

Examples:

I went for a meal with colleagues and someone had purchased flashing red noses, some were already faulty and they were designed to be used then chucked as the batteries were not replaceable. That is tat. However, I have bought my df a cookery book, this is not tat because it can be used many times, register or passed on.

I got out my artificial tree which is now 16 years old and felt pleased with myself, when I purchased it I read an article that said I needed to use if for 30 years to make it sustainable and I am over half way. I stopped myself from buying a mini live tree from the range because it had been sprayed with fake snow and glitter....because that is tat and most of them will end up in the bin or with people washing microplastics down the drain.

Last week we went through dd's cupboards and pulled out loads of tat that she had been brought in the past both for Christmas and birthdays

Basically tat is stuff that you buy and use then chuck out. Novelty rubbers which don/ actually work, novelty pens, fidget spinners etc, massive plasticky craft kits like nail art which involves some sort of spinning wheel, sticker stations, chocolate bar making kits etc. So much stuff comes with loads of added plastic to make it look big and exciting when all you need is some chocolate, a small mould and some sprinkles.