Controversial Christmas Opinions

[cliffdiver]

Here's mine:

1. Elf isn't that good. Engaging at the beginning, but once he's in the US it gets pretty boring

2. Turkey has an awful after taste

That piles of presents are gluttonous but fun

*"Something to wear
Something to read
Something you want
Something you need

Is the most joyless poem or rule I've ever heard of"*

^^God yes.

That’s how we do it as well. And when I was a child it was only a couple of days before Christmas that my mum put the tree up.

But this is a controversial opinions thread. For US, Christmas starts on 1 December and ends on 27th. The tree and decorations are down before the New Year.

It is nothing to do with having decorations up too early or advent. It’s about the start of seeing family and friends, good food, wine, shopping, parties, time off work and school.

leaving the house on xmas day is dire... I have zero urge to ever go for a foggy morning stroll in the icy cold and those that do aren't 'better' than us or 'enjoying' their day more as they always so smuggly seem to think.

Also to those same people hot chocolate and a film is shit when you have kids, theres no such thing as cuddling up on the sofa and relaxing with kids under 5 running around and too many people to fit on the sofa... doing that instead of gifts doesnt make you 'humble' and us 'commericalist tat'.

I mean we can walk and watch TV any day, its not special or unique or 'xmas' its just plain depressing.

@wewishyouamerrychristmas you are correct but may I venture that in 21st Century Britain it's more controversial not to put the tree up much before Xmas Eve than to put it up at the end if November.

It's not just about Jesus, it's also a secular break for many who see family and eat well.

I used to love the children's eyes light up when they saw their presents.

There is nothing wrong having chocolate for breakfast on Christmas morning.

Not mine, my mums:

"I wish Elf on the Shelf was around 30 years ago so I could have done it for you when you were a child."

I offered to let her come round every evening to do the sodding thing for DDs.

Also agree... only know one person in real life that does it an when she first showed us (long before I knew about mumsnet) I was horrified that she was passing of her parental responsabilities as gifts and that he kid only got 1 'toy' thing.

I still think its really sad, It can work for adults or maybe teens etc... but kids shouldnt get 'needs' (and clothes are needs unless they are things like dress up costumes, books walk the line between want and need depending on a persons personality) as 'gifts' they are expected to be grateful for.

Home Alone 2 is better than Home Alone.

That sounds interesting; tell us more about the Tudor decor and music.

My controversial opinion: Christmas is more fun without little kids around. Champagne, canapes, dressing up, no mess. We love it.

I do really dislike blue lights though. They remind me of police and ambulance lights. Nothing says Christmas quite like the emergency services.

I completely agree! I also hate Christmas lights on the flashing setting. Just horrible.

Mine are:

The people who can least afford it are the ones that are most likely to overspend on a pile of presents for their children. The consumerism and getting into debt for Christmas is ridiculous.

Stuffing, roast potatoes and gravy are the best part of Christmas dinner and everything else is superfluous.

It's better to eat on Christmas Day around 12.30/1pm then you have time to get out for a walk afterwards.

My decorations are garlands Holly berries a snow capped tree so no decorations on it, my music is a cd of Tudor carols hope to get advent music as well if I can. Warm white fairy lights though not just for Christmas they’ll help me get through January and February once the night gets light I won’t need them of course. Bedding very dark green.

ThreeRingCircus I'm inclined to agree about a walk but we have been known to climb a sizeable mountain on the 25th, have a couple of sandwiches at the trig point, then eat in the evening. DH doesn't really do strolls....

Christmas isn’t “just for children”

Socks are a fantastic gift

Oh, and parents should not get priority for Christmas leave. Child-free people have families too!

This.... there’s always someone that has to comment on the amount of presents. I used to go nuts for dc then soon realised it was too much and so cut it down. But I’m never gonna apologise for spending my money that I’ve worked hard for, on my own children. No one gonna make me feel guilty for that. I feel for those that struggle I really do but everyone should have the right to use thier money how they see fit.

I never know what to do with myself tbh, I’m usually working but I always seem lost 🤔🤭

Sn0tnose "Nothing says Christmas quite like the emergency services", 😂😂
You are so right, those blue lights are awful.

Hampers.

Just give me one nice thing, not a mismatch of bits and bobs that I've probably already got in the cupboard.

Saturnalia lives on in Chester and its fabulous.

I bet. Must look this up the traditional stuff etc.

Christmas is a great time for an affair
This is interesting because I’m pretty sure it’s the most busy time of year for most people

Routines are all over the place so it's easier to disguise, and everyone's so busy/frazzled, they are less likely to notice.

That Victorian Christmas sounds wonderful as well.

Sounds like lots of folks here on MN are doing an Oliver Cromwell Christmas....😅

Yeah of course everything bad is “the boomers” fault! FFS! We didn’t embrace that, it came after us!