Why is everyone so obsessed?

[zbw565]

I don’t celebrate Christmas but I really don’t understand the appeal. Is it because most people celebrated it as children so it’s nostalgic? You got toys and spends some time with family member you rarely see otherwise?

I don’t get how you can do things with zero meaning behind any of it except “it’s tradition”. Yes but what’s the significance of any of it? All I see is pure commercialism.

The majority of people who celebrate are not religious at all. Some agnostic, some atheists. Yet they still insist on celebrating Christmas. They will put a tree up and tinsel and lights and make up some story about Santa - what’s the significance of any of it? Aren’t these pagan rituals? What do they have to do with Jesus? Just doing it because the adverts on tv tell you it’s time to?

I could just never live my life this way. Doing things like a sheep with no idea why I am even doing it. When I read some posts some people honestly seem to revolve their whole lives around it. I have no idea how much money they end up spending.

How people just rinse and repeat the same crap every year. No wonder most people are miserable and depressed.

Of course after Christmas we are told we have to get excited about New Year, then Valentine’s Day, then Easter, then summer holidays, then Halloween, bonfire night and Christmas again. They’ve added some more gems along the way - Mother’s Day, st Patrick’s day- you get the jist. It’s all load of commercial crap and I can’t stand this time table the west has made up that we all seem to be obsessed with living our lives by with zero meaning behind any of it.

rant over

That you, Mr Scrooge?

Because the months from November to March are dark, dreary, cold and dull. We need something to brighten it up in the middle.

For lots of people it means some time off work, seeing family, nice food, parties, presents (and the Boxing Day sales), pretty lights, fun events, and yes, nostalgia about the magic of being a child and believing in Santa etc.

Because most people enjoy it. It's nice to give presents and spend time with people.

If you don't want to do it then don't

Have you only just noticed Christmas ?

I don't care about the gifts and the made up religious aspects of it is absolute nonsense to me.

I celebrate it because I enjoy the family time, the twinkling lights, it's a bit of joy during the cold gloomy months.

Do you celebrate anything?

ever have a reason to feel a bit special? Nice food, exchange gifts, spend time with family?

because that’s it really.

I’m not massively fussed for it other than love having a couple of weeks off work to relax on the lead up to it and really enjoy all the good food and alcohol on the day

I love giving people gifts and seeing loved ones happy, spending time together, enjoying food, Christmas films, board games, cold winter walks, Carol service in the cathedral… what’s not to enjoy?

There has been a midwinter festival since long before Christianity - it brightens up the long, dark winter and gives everyone something to look forward to.
I agree, Christmas does become more consumerist and start earlier every year, and some people spend a ludicrous amount of money, but the idea of decorating the house with lights, feasting, gift giving and spending time with loved ones is what makes Christmas for me.

Oooh and the lights! Our town has gone all out this year and they look amazing.

You say you don't want to live your life this way but others do. No one is right, no one is wrong. We are all different. People may not want to live their lives like you do. That's fine.

For me it’s simply time off, getting to sit down and family being forced into spending time together because nothing else can be done!!

Wow, you're a Christmas grump!

I like Christmas because it's fun! Meeting with friends, mulled wine, singing carols, lights, delicious foods, swapping presents with my favourite people - what's not to love??

Merry Christmas to you op!

It’s not a religious festival for most people, it began as a winter solstice celebration, so I’m not sure why you would need to make up anything in order to celebrate it. It’s a time where most people have the bank holidays off so easy to see family and friends and celebrate with a meal and/or drinks.

It’s not really that complicated, I think you might be overthink it all!!

Because you get to spend time with family, it's joyful, decorations are pretty, lights are pretty, it's magical to see young children be excited about something out of the ordinary, the food is yummy, most people have time off work, memories are made and.....I don't know, I'm not a miserable git?

And no, it's not because 'tv adverts tell me to'

Because the kids enjoy it.
You usually get time off school and work.
Nice food.
Seeing family.
Get to treat your loved ones.

Because it brings some joy to a dark and hard time of year. Because, joining with friends and family, stopping normal life for a brief period of time, lighting houses and streets, eating rich and sweet food when it's cold and damp, and just spending some time reflecting about the year is hugely important to your soul.

I was at a carol service last night. I'm not religious, but just listening to the traditional story, and singing the carols year after year just gives me a sense of peace.

Buying presents that will make people happy, makes me happy.

Taking my staff out to lunch, pulling a few crackers, just resets everything at work for a while.

I love Christmas.

Having regular festivals, celebrations and events throughout the year gives people something to look forward too. Life would be a dull if we literally lived every day the same.
For some people that may be religious events.
Others cultural. Others simply something they enjoy and like organising and arranging (like an annual music festival).
I like parts of Christian because it brightens up dreary winter. I like the sparkly lights and tree decorations.
Although not a Christmas I do like the religious side of it and the traditions that come with it (Nativity plays, Christmas carols etc).
I like getting new stuff.
Not that interested in the food.

If they gave a prize for being mean, the winner would be @zbw565.

No cheeses for their meeces, neither.

You probably feel as you do because you don’t have anyone to celebrate with…

This The Christmas story is lovely whether or not you believe, and whi doesn't want to eat , drink and be merry?

Wind ‘em up and watch ‘em go, eh, OP…

I don't mind Christmas but it does annoy me year after year when people overspend and stress themselves out over one day and then end up in debt in January moaning about it.

baaaaaah humbug you old misery guts

Putting religion aside...I don't understand adults who get excited about Christmas.