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

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.

Im interested to know how your life looks if every single thing you do is filled with meaning and significance.

Not just at Christmas, but through the whole year I do LOTS of things with no meaning or significance. I do these things purely because I enjoy them.

Not everything has to “mean” something or be significant. Sometimes it’s nice to just love life and enjoy. Maybe try it.

OP if you hate Christmas this much, why are you posting?
Just ignore the event and move on.
Or book a stay in a non Christian country where Christmas is not celebrated.

Sorry but there’s a lot of inverse snobbery in your post. You don’t have to spend a lot on Christmas or go over the top. It’s nice to spread a bit of joy and spend a bit of extra time with loved ones. Life has been especially gloomy for me this year and I’m looking forward to it. There will always be someone who doesn’t agree though which is fair enough and you don’t have to like it, but why be so judgemental of those that do?

Hi Ebenezer
Step away from the Christmas board

I'm an atheist as are my children, and DH. However Christmas is the best time of year because:

1. I like to spoil my kids and see their joy with the magic of it all. It's one day I get to give them exactly what they wish for without saying no, no, no. And fwiw my eldest has wished from father Christmas for...drum roll...a rubix cube. Maybe we're in the happy stage of not understanding cost but it's brilliant imo.

1. I like to spoil myself. Yup. I buy myself stuff I wouldn't ordinarily buy all year round like little gift sets of posh skincare..it's a shitty time of year and it makes me feel good/pampered.

1. The lights and sparkle. It's an excuse to get up and dressed (albeit in a stupid sparkly jumper/number)

1. It's a bleak time of year. It really is.

1. Time off work and school. I have 3 weeks off this year. Zero regrets.

1. Cheesy movies, loads of snacks. General overindulgence. When the rest of the year is spent doing boring food shops, healthy meal planning for school etc. so what if the kids want chocolate pancakes for a day, all day. They aren't going to self destruct.

Just to point out we gave up buying for adults in our family years ago so it's only buying for DH and I and kids. My kids fwiw are very happy with stuff from Vinted blah de blah.

I think you are a bit boring and missing the point.

Because it’s fun? Because it’s cultural occasion in this country? Because it brightens up the bleak midwinter? Because it’s a reason to eat good food and see friends and family and give and receive presents? Yes, because it’s nostalgic - what’s the problem with that?

OP I get you but I have children! Do it your own way. It is crazy really. But on the plus side at least a lot of people get some time off. I do wish is was scaled back as even if you don't want to celebrate it, you can't get away from it.

Seeing people you love? buying lovely presents 🎁 for them...eating nice food and drink in a convivial atmosphere? Those things are more than enough reason to celebrate 🥳 😊🎄

I remember it all very fondly...

What is wrong with OP doing something different or having an opinion of their own? We aren't all bloody sheep. Just go with what makes you happy, there is no need to slag others off for their choices, ideas and opinions especially as they aren't affecting you.

But that’s exactly what the OP is doing… slagging other people off for their choices.

The OP can do exactly what they want, it has zero effect on any of us. However, it's a bit odd and antagonistic for someone to take to the Christmas board (which tends to be inhabited by people who are celebrating) to say

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.

Frankly, I think they've had an easy ride given this level of self perceived moral superiority.

You do you and I’ll do Christmas whether I’m religious or not! I can’t see that makes me a sheep; if it does I’m a happier one.

Well I bloody love it. It’s the nostalgia; remembering magical Christmas Days of the past and the loved ones that made it so special that are no longer with us. We carry on their traditions with our own children and make Christmas wonderful for them. Christmas time changes people: for a short time we all become a bit kinder to each other. It’s a collective excitement. 🎄🎅❤️

You all kind of proved my point. If tomorrow it was announced that a new festival was added to the calendar celebrating the invention of the toaster you would all happily play along as long as you got your gifts, food and time off. All about greed and laziness and being good little consumers.

In fact if they changed the meaning of Christmas to the celebration of the invention of the toaster none of you would care or notice. Not trying to be mean just thought some of you might want to take a look at yourselves.

enjoy your food, gifts and laying around watching movies!

Far far from having an easy ride

You are not a very good Christian. Most I speak to are horrified by what it has become. Especially all the pagan rituals.

Kind of like Disney adults

enjoy your food, gifts and laying around watching movies!

We will! You enjoy festering in your pit of misery 😘

Well, how judgey of you! 🤣
Merry Christmas! 😘

@zbw565 what gives you pleasure in life?
What do you look forward too? What makes you keen to see the next season evolve as the world keeps turning?
Or do you hate everything?

You misunderstood Op. The previous poster meant you’ve had an easy ride so far on this thread.

As if you talk to any Christians . You’ve just slagged them off saying they’re sheep and celebrating Christmas is pointless and has ‘zero meaning behind it’.

I think you’re on the wind up but on the slight chance you are not, please try and get some help with your depression. I know it’s hard this time of year with everyone having fun and looking forward to Christmas but it’s not normal to seek out the Christmas board and start a bun fight with Christmas lovers. It’s almost a form of self harm - try and stick to CHAT or more likely for you AIBU.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animal 🥰

Who actually cares what the OP thinks or whether they have anything to look forward to or celebrate. Just leave them to their miserable life.

All about greed and laziness and being good little consumers

You can't stop other people enjoying anything which doesn't align with your principles, and how other people choose to spend their time, money and energy is really none of your business.

I'll continue with celebrating Christmas. I'm not greedy, lazy or a good little consumer, I, like many others, enjoy celebrating the season in a mindful and considered way with the people I care about the most.

Stop lumping everyone who doesn't agree with you together, and remember that manners and kindness towards others costs nothing.

“I could just never live my life this way. Doing things like a sheep with no idea why I am even doing it.”

I don’t really do Christmas, but this makes it seem a bit ‘I’m not like other girls, I’m a free spirit’ which is a bit wanky.

Just…..don’t do Christmas, in a quiet way. Lots of us manage it.