To hate Xmas?

[WinoTime]

Things I hate about Christmas:
Obligation to cater, host and see family
Enforced jollity
No time alone to just sit and read my book or watch crappy movies

Things I like about Christmas :
Day Drinking

YANBU - Same here - I too am wishing for a cosy space with a tv and a wine fridge to hide away

YABU - shut up you misery guts and appreciate that you have family who want to see you

You're being unreasonable because you don't have to see anyone. We don't go anywhere on Xmas day. We go over to relatives on boxing day instead. Day drinking and books a plenty!

You don't have to see any one you can sit and drink till you can't see your book if you want.

Quite.

Lots of people do have a genuinely shitty time at Christmas, but that doesn't sound like what's going on here - so stop being a misery/martyr.

Agree.

Elderly relatives who wold be home alone are the reason we have to.

obligation

You could minimise it though i get you feel obligated but you can reduce expectations.

YANBU, OP, but you're also allowed to say "no" to things you don't want to do. Try it, and then you'll realise how liberating it is not to conform!

I would be upset to think any younger relative had me out of “obligation”. I would far rather have a relaxing day at home, however old I am!!!

Yes this.

I am with you on day drinking tho!

All alone here. Well, apart from the dog. It is a bit miserable but hey ho.

You can opt out you know
Regardless of anyone being on their own

This

I don't hate Christmas, but I do find all the preparation really draining, and that's despite cutting it down as much as I can without upsetting or disappointing anyone. I have a large family and two kids, so there is a lot of planning, buying, decorating, wrapping and visiting that happens every year. What this means is that for the whole month of December I just don't get any downtime and it's bloody exhausting!

Hard agree unless there is some back story then honestly OP be grateful for what you have. It will be over in 2 days.

Yes. But we do it because we love people. And in amongst the busyness there's genuine moments of pleasure.

OP either opt out, minimise, or chuck a face on & realise it's only one day. There's plenty time for books after Christmas- that's kind of the point of them, they're there for whenever we pick them up- and programmes can be recorded. Stop being a martyr and misery.

Yes. But we do it because we love people. And in amongst the busyness there's genuine moments of pleasure.

Of course! Which is why I do it every year. I do have a sinking feeling though when I realise the C word is hoving into view again. But here I am pretending to work, listening to Chris Rea (RIP) and wrapping stocking presents 😁

YABU to martyr yourself.

I love Christmas because I do the things I want to do, and don’t do the things I don’t.

This !! ❤️

I hear you OP. For various reasons, I wouldn’t dream of leaving my elderly relative on their own but I wish they lived closer so I could come and go in a day (well, arrive Christmas Eve evening and leave Boxing Day morning).

No time alone to just sit and read my book or watch crappy movies
Do you work? This year I booked a day off to do exactly this. Lush.

YABU

Of course YABU to martyr yourself and complain about it. No one forces you to cater , host and do anything.

You can still see relatives at some point if you want to be kind.

You can also book a lovely AI holiday and read in peace for a week to 10 days 😂

You don't have to do it you know? I don't celebrate it so I can sit and read a book.

I’m with you OP, but I also don’t day drink so there’s really nothing in it for me except 2 days off work and masses of stress.
I always work the week in between Christmas and new year as well so my team can have the time off.
I hate the waste and excess, the FOMO that results in 35 different boxes of chocolates and cakes, the mountain of plastic tat and gifts no one wants or needs.
The stuff that is purchased just to be rubbish: cards, crackers, wrapping paper. Waste food because God forbid the supermarket is closed for a day.
I know there is joy in Peace on Earth, small happy children, and family time, but for me it’s just humbug.