AIBU to hate Christmas?

[AylesBuck]

That's it. I've reached the point where I just can't bear the thought of Christmas anymore. We're only in October and I'm already stressing about hosting, logistics, shopping, cooking, the lot.
I've been saying for years that I don't want to do it anymore. All our family lives overseas, so Christmas always means either travelling to them or having them come to us. Mostly they come to us. Either way, it all falls on me, and I'm done.
So this year I've told the family I'm not hosting and I'm not travelling either.
Not sure if it's perimenopause, middle age or just years of Christmas fatigue, but I can't stand the whole thing anymore. The endless consumption, buying stuff, eating too much, travelling, organising everything. I just don't get it anymore, especially when it's making me miserable.
I can't stand buying stuff for the sake of stuff. I can't eat anything more than a carrot now without getting indigestion. I can't bear the thought of being stuck in a house full of people for days on end. Just thinking about it makes me feel claustrophobic.
It just doesn't work for me anymore. I don't want presents, elaborate meals, guests or a packed schedule. I just want a few days to chill, do absolutely nothing and not feel under pressure to make Christmas magical for everyone else.
AIBU? Has anyone else reached this point, or am I turning into the Grinch?

Love pp's idea about reducing christmas to every four years like the Olympics!
It's so much hassle and if you feel forced into it, which I suspect a lot of people do, it's not particularly enjoyable.

Most people love Christmas but it’s not compulsory

Good for you, op.
Do what you want from now on x

I hate the way the build up to it now starts in October. I’m sick of it by the time it actually gets here. I enjoy seeing my family but I’m lucky because they host now, or if we’re at home my OH does all the cooking. I hate buying presents for the sake of it though, I’ve cut back on that as much as I can.

The local Tesco started putting out its selection boxes, mince pies and chocolates in August. It's just so excessive.

How have you simplified it- I need help to do this!

Just don't do as much.
Drop all the stuff you think you should do/feel like you must/see others doing.

The Elf on the shelf is a pain? Stop it.

The cost of your family to go to a Christmas Lights Trail is £80 and you have to still drive there and there's a gift shop and you just know the kids will pester for a hot chocolate and you're already worried about how much you've already spent... Don't book those tickets.

Think about what is important to you and your family, and do that.

And if that's everyone eating mince pies for dinner in Christmas Eve whilst watching crap TV in your pyjamas.... Do that.

If it's going for a walk round the woods on boxing day with a packed lunch of turkey sandwiches and the last of the after-eights and a football to kick along.... Do that....

If it's all of you listening to carol's and reading in the living room, do that

If it's spending an afternoon working together on a jigsaw puzzle and listening to Christmas songs on Spotify.... So that

If it's not getting out of bed on Christmas morning and letting the kids eat the chocolate they find in their stocking whilst you all sit and watch The Snowman in your bed until 10 am
... Then crack on!

There's no laws or rules about how to do Christmas.