Why I hate Christmas

[MobilityCat]

Christmas has become a highly commercialized holiday. While originally centered around religious and cultural traditions, modern Christmas has grown to include a significant focus on shopping, gift-giving, and consumerism.

The holiday season is now a major driver of retail sales, with businesses heavily promoting holiday deals, products, and themed marketing to encourage spending.

Bah Humbug!

Why is consumerism bad? What is bad about boosting retail and therefore the economy? Environmental impact of waste I can see is the only downside. That isn't exclusive to Christmas - that is every day. As is getting into debt - I would say instagram influencer Dubai holidays are as much of a problem, it's not just about Christmas.

I don't think Christmas has to be about religion, I think that time with family, joy, pretty lights, nostalgia, sharing a feast, being charitable, a break from work (for some), celebration, all are things that are worthy of enjoyment. We don't have to be worshiping something for it to be worthwhile.

Consumerism seems to be driving a lifestyle that isn't sustainable, that doesn't seem to actually make people happy or contented but drives a desire for ever more which puts people under pressure to do well by making money , a desire to make everything perfect against some artificial standard , probably also leading to mental health issues

However I really like Christmas- I think we have got our Christmas under control - very limited buying , but time spent with family and friends prioritised, get some treat food,

Still like to scrap the remaining family secret Santa but having to buy one gift isn't so bad

Christmas - if you choose to celebrate it - is whatever you want it to be.
You don't have to get caught up in consumer chaos if you don't want to.
If you want to celebrate - just do the parts you enjoy or want to do.

The world is commercialised and built upon consumerism.

Individual celebrations of Christmas aren't solely defined by this however.

Christmas for us is about family, reflection and shared tradition.

We don't have much to celebrate in this country at the moment . Leave Christmas alone . You don't have to spend money to have a nice Christmas. You could do a really pared back celebration. Each to their own .

I think Christmas is what you choose to make it. If you don’t want to engage in the consumerism, then don’t. I have always taken a more restrained approach to gift giving. We focus on the decorations, baking, games, family traditions, rather than how much money we spend or how many gifts.

Exactly !
My Christmas is far from highly commercialised ,do it the way you want to do it, it's only commercial if you let it be.
Mine is about a little break from work with my family in our cosy fairy light lit home with some nice food in the fridge and being very grateful for what we have.

I love Christmas, but can’t believe how many people have there decorations up already. Christmas for me does not start till 1st weekend In December. For us it’s all about the nice food and drink , and lovely Christmas decorations , really cut down on the gifts just a family secret Santa . We go to midnight mass, and always do a Panto. Got a few Christmas party’s to go looking forward to it all.

You can celebrate it in whatever way you see fit.

You don’t have to do shopping or gift giving. There is no rule everyone has to take part, spend the day how you want doing what you want

Well that’s an original opinion.

You don’t have to do any of it. You certainly don’t have to do the commercialised bits- my favourite bits of Christmas are going to a carol service, foraging for holly and ivy for the house, playing games with my family, Christmas morning walk on the beach. Total cost 0p.

This OP is likely a Chatbot thingy. Someone noticed it earlier on a different thread.

You have no idea how many times I hear "Christmas is too commercialised" from my patients , sometimes out of devilment I ask "What d'you mean"? and they fluster on about Americanisms and spending .

Put the Book of Cliches away .

My pet hate - "The Holidays" or "XMas"
. Christmas is Christmas ,

No-one is forcing you to spend money . Yes the shops want to lure you but they cannot make you .

Agree with previous posters that Christmas is what you make of it.

I am a bit religious so I like the carols and church aspect. I also like the more pagan side of lighting up the house at the darkest time of year and bringing in evergreens. I also like seeing my family.

I totally agree there is too much tat for every holiday or event now. I'm personally trying to buy as many presents as possible from vinted/ small businesses or charity shops.

Did AI write the post or have you just woken up from a 40 year coma?

My Christmas isn’t like that. It’s full of candlelight, carol services and carefully chosen local gifts. I use Christmas to say thank you to those around me, and for another year together. Cut back drastically if you don’t like it op. You can choose.

Well OP hasn’t been back to engage with the chat since the original post so that makes sense.

Its also quite formally written and Americanised, so it’s pretty obvious now you say!

I get it.
It's a lot of shopping, then everyone seems to complain that they have too much stuff/ too much food.
Why bother in the first place!!
I try to focus on the other stuff- seeing family, friends etc.

I sort of hate Christmas but that’s because my mum died at Christmas almost 3 years ago and I am struggling to get over it.

But I have truly learned Christmas is what you make of it. Christmas has changed now, but it’s still special and lovely. It’s just different. And I enjoy it, even with the sick feeling of missing my mum at the same time.

I really appreciate every Christmas I get to share with the kids. From Christmas Eve with my kids (20 and 13). Buffet tea, clean PJs, blanket on the sofa and a Christmas movie. I won’t have many of these left.

Christmas morning pastries from Aldi, a roast lunch and chilled afternoon. Sandwiches for tea. Retreat to my room am for half an hour for a cry but overall it’s lovely.

Nothing is overboard. But it’s special.

My Christmas is evolving because I got divorced this year and my child is niw a legal adult so it's up to her what she chooses to do on the day.

I'm not waaay into it. I will put up a tree. I will buy one or two presents per person, depending on what they might like, but I don't spend loads. I don't send Christmas cards anymore. This year I'm going to my brother's for Christmas dinner. But usually I just can't be bothered with all that cooking.

If I was working Christmas week I'd just heat up a load of party food in the oven and watch films on Netflix. People say, Oh You Should Be With People On Christmas Day! but I just see it as an ordinary bank holiday to be honest.

It's also a lot about winding people up and placing massive social expectations on them. We've dialled it right back because my ASD son can't cope with it, and I suddenly feel like I have four extra months in the year to do whatever I want to. It's quite a revelation.

No one’s forcing you to shop like mad at gunpoint, though. Celebrate Christmas the way you like.

It doesn't have to be about over consumption, we usually have a month long Christmas where the special food and drink but we don't overdo the presents.

But it's totally your fault if you buy into all that. You do you and let others do them.
It's almost as if we're all different!