Anyone else wish christmas wasn't a thing anymore?

[Tacali]

I like christmas for my DC but I wish it wasn't a thing anymore.

Anyone else feel the same? I know I'm probably the minority.

Absolutely this ^.
We do buy gifts though, but only between myself, my husband, my daughter and her partner - and that's it. We set a budget limit per person and provide each other with a list of things we would like within that budget, so no useless or unwanted gifts. We don't know which of the items we'll receive, but we only get what we like and have asked for.
(We do let the other two know what we're buying for the third person though, to avoid duplication.)I
Works for us.😊

You don’t think your comments regarding the collapse of businesses aren’t passive aggressive?
But my questions about what you think the knock-on-effects on the economy of that would be are passive aggressive?

Perhaps you need to ask Father Christmas for a dictionary in your stocking

It's not really a thing though, it's what you make of it. We have basic picture advent calendars for the dc, put the tree up a week before xmas, have a light xmas eve supper and watch a xmassy movie. On Christmas Day, kids open stockings, we go to church to sing carols, then home, Dh's and my parents come over, presents under the tree, light lunch and cook a full Christmas turkey meal. On boxing day we eat leftovers from day before, watch movies, might do a bit of sales shopping. Christmas is over for us the day after and the tree comes down a week later. It's basically about family and time off work and school. The lead up to Christmas in the workplace can be a bit much and I believe they should get rid of any xmas drinks, xmas jumper competitions, xmas party etc, as it's not really inclusive and can be super stressy and hysterical.

I agree. It’s so boring! We go on holiday for it if we can.

Just create your own Christmas, Easter, Halloween etc. You do have the ability to choose whatever suits you and your budget.

My statements aren't passive aggressive in any way. I'm not implying you don't understand simple economics.

Absolutely not. No.

I do feel conflicted about the Christmas tree tradition though. I personally don't like artificial, reusable ones (not judging, just not for me) but feel awful that real trees are chopped to be a display for people's romantic notions of Christmas. Not sure if there are any modern yet nice alternatives. I'd like to find a more sustainabl way to decorate for Christmas.

No. You’re implying that if theatres, small businesses, large houses, go to ruin it’s just hard luck. Presumably because you don’t think it will affect you (immediately)

I don't think you read my reply properly.

“It's not any one person's responsibility to help a business survive, sadly”

Do you really still think you’re not being passive aggressive? Really? 😂😂😂😂

We now have a plastic one - my plan is to keep it for as long as possible without disposing of it, same with decorations. Best of several crap options.

I do agree with this. We keep it fairly simple. One visit to Father Christmas, evenings walks around the block to see the lights, a stocking and some presents from us. Secret Santa with rest of the family so only have to buy one gift. Roast dinner with all the trimmings and lots of choc and fizz! I really enjoy it and we don’t go overboard.

Which parts about it do you wish would go away? Perhaps you need to scale it back a bit?

I can't stand Christmas. I didn't even particularly like it as a child. I don't feel excitement I just feel dread and am always relieved when it's all over.

My family don't get together at Christmas or exchange presents so at least I don't have the expense, hosting duties or mental load that others go on about. I happily ignore it all!
Watch a bit of telly, enjoy a roast dinner and that's it.

I'm with you on that. However I justify it in that we're only home about 1 in 4 Decembers, and if we're not home we don't have a tree. I'm considering getting a fake one (😫) for the years we travel so we can enjoy our own decorations a bit more. However I'd like a second hand one rather than adding to the problem of new plastic, and the second hand ones are often even more hideous, so haven't taken the plunge yet.

Again just my opinions, to anyone who likes a fake tree please don't take offence. You do you!

That's not passive aggressive.
It's a factual statement.
Do you use every single business or service in your area? Do you feel responsible if they don't survive because you don't need or want the good or service they provide? Of course you don't. It would be passive aggressive for me to suggest you should.

Ah yes, but celebrations can be cultural as well as religious.

In that case, my question wasn’t passive aggressive. It was just a question.

I wish my family (parents and in laws) would get on board with the secret Santa idea. We have suggested it but they don’t like it. We do do it amongst our kids and us (as well as us buying them presents!). So maybe it’s one for the future when they are adults. I do get quite enthusiastic about buying my secret santa present strangely - maybe something about this mystery of it.

Yes completely.

I only go through the motions of celebrating for my parents sake. Once they pass on that will be it.

Every Christmas there’s threads where people are dreading Christmas because the day descends into arguments and now the Christmas thread has descended into an argument…

It’s only out of hand if you allow it. We have specific family traditions and have our own special Christmas. What everyone else does with their families is up to them.

We never have a Christmas roast, always a buffet. Present giving is very low key ( no money issues but not our thing even when DT’s were younger). Both sides of the family stay with us. Everyone helps with food preparation and clearing up but no days of panicking in advance. Very informal - highlight is the annual Christmas PJ competition. We don’t go to church or watch tv.

I have had an argument this morning with DH about Christmas inspired by this thread. At least we can laugh about it afterwards - getting one Christmas tradition in early.

It was a passive aggressive question, in how it was worded.
Do you think I don't understand basic economics?
I know people buying stuff creates employment and helps businesses survive, that doesn't mean I am duty bound to support every business. I don't want anybody to go out of business or lose money, but we live in a fairly free market economy where people are free to choose how they spend. Of course all choices have consequences. I do support local businesses, but not just 'because it's christmas'.

No, I love it. I am very selective about what I do and don’t do though and only do the bits that I actually enjoy and feel good about doing (this is a lot because I love to cook and do crafts etc, but it’s what I’ve chosen).

In- limited presents (we have a strict budget for adults- just a book or similar- and I don’t give to every Tom dick and harry), greenery from the garden as decoration, going for long walks, carol service, candles, lots of baking, ballet and theatre.

Never in- huge piles of tat, elf on the sodding shelf, office parties, Christmas television, buying new decorations every year, Christmas Eve boxes etc etc.

It helps a lot that I’m not on a budget and we all get on pretty well (broader family) and extremely well (immediate family) so no stresses from any of that.