Christmas unpopular opinions.

[Kickinthenostalgia]

Can we try to keep this lighthearted as I know some people can pretty savage on this site.
I was on the bus earlier today and I overheard a conversation between 2 ladies about thier Christmas shopping they needed to get. One said she needed to get wrapping paper and another said she doesn’t wrap presents but uses gift bags instead, how it’s saves so much time etc. Now don’t get me wrong obviously everyone’s situation is different but for me gift bags are so anti climactic. For me opening presents isn’t even really about the actual present it’s the anticipation of what’s underneath the paper as your opening it. I couldn’t imagine giving my kids or anyone for that matter, an unwrapped gift. To watch kids faces opening thier present on birthdays or Christmas makes me feel excited for them, even if I know what’s under it.

People not letting thier kids help decorate the tree, this leaves a bitter taste, trust me, as someone whose dad would change the tree around after we went to bed and thought we never noticed. It’s actually a bit soul destroying.

I often see on social media people absolutely ripping into people about how much they do and don’t spend. Christmas isn’t a competition. You do what suits your family. You don’t have to break the bank but equally people should be free to spend whatever they want on thier friends and family. I’m not sorry my kids get more than thier friends. I work hard for my money. I’ll spend it how I want, on who I want.

I LOVE bread sauce - got to be home made though!

You really don't have to do any of those things. If you have young children at school, they can write a Christmas card message, and draw a picture inside for the teacher. Let the other mothers run around collecting money for the teacher present, that they most likely don't even want. Just do what you want to do. At work, I never, ever gave anybody any presents, they got a card. It's enough.

My family rarely write on the tags, which is good so I can give them back to them to re use.

I love Christmas! I love trifle, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake. I love to have a real Christmas tree. I love a muppet Christmas carol and wrapping gifts. But I hate how commercial it has become and how it now seems to start in Nobember

Dont forget the Easter eggs!

We left a glass of milk out for Santa when I was young (a long time ago!) because dad was a milk drinker…a carrot of course and a sandwich (dad’s supper, not the carrot obviously!)

@pictoosh I think little gifts are nice to show appreciation? Nice box of biscuits for the bin men and teacher, a tip for the window cleaner...its the. Christmas spirit ✨️ I appreciate it at work if people bring food in! I'm a grinch with secret santa at work though and don't take part

I don't eat the eggs but I love the buns! Coop Finest are best by far and we're doomed, a new store opened 200 metres away from us last year!

'It's not what's under the tree but who's around the table that matters'. Instant guilt for everyone whose family is overseas/can't be with them or people on their own or having to work that day.

My new workplace have said they want to do it and I have loudly opted out! I did suggest Robbing Santa instead which is much more fun but was roundly booed!!

My unpopular opinion is Santa (or Father Christmas if you prefer) isn’t real.

I won’t pretend he’s real for my children or GC either. Or anyone else’s for that matter. I would never say to someone else’s child he isn’t real though- I just hate that so many adults are so invested in building up this lie when children would find the magic in the myth themselves and then gently figure it out and Christmas would remain magical for them forever. As it is, people peddle the lie so that Santa becomes central to their magical experience thus when they know the truth things get less magical and exciting. When they become parents they want to recreate that magic so we get the situation we have now with parents overdoing Santa. And the cycle continues.
i never believed in Santa but rather saw him as like I would a fairytale character. Christmas has always been magical for me and it still is.

Yeah I agree, a carrier bag looks shitty and gift bags are a good invention, it’s just that I’ve had so many over the years, its overkill.

It's definitely not a new trend to leave milk and cookies for Father Christmas, but thanks for making me feel young! I've been doing milk and cookies for Father Christmas for 40 years.

Now that I don't have young children, I could happily skip Christmas altogether.

Christmas ads and everyone talking about them. Who cares what the mercenary retailers and their ad agencies have come up with?!

Our work do it, but we are a very kind bunch and it is always something small but thoughtful, nothing crude etc. We only do a £10 limit.

I dislike all the Xmas parties you feel obligated to go to and the expense of it all. I would much rather the emphasis was on donating to a charity.

Send your invitations my way, you misery! You can go to a party and make a charity donation, you know…

I agree. It's an awful saying, painful for the bereaved, or those having to spend christmas apart from loved ones,

I hate the phrase ‘the big day’. To me Christmas is a season. As a Christian of course I appreciate the significance of Christmas Day but I also feel a need to celebrate the winter period or else it could be a miserable dark and cold month. I like the whole of December really- baking, crafting, decorating, meeting friends, winter walks. I guess it’s the commercial aspect I hate.

Going to the Tip and seeing all the landfill on 3rd Jan

I agree - this is me and Christmas 100%

Same! I love a Christmas party. Maybe because I’m a freelancer so don’t have to to any cringey office ones though!

People who put their tree up in November berate all and sundry for being a humbug and not getting into the spirit then rip their tree and cleanse their house of Christmas on boxing day when my Christmas has just started! I just don’t get it

I also really hate joke presents - you know the sort of stuff - a mini book of cat thoughts, a fart machine, toilet golf set, grow your own man etc. just utter shite that ends in landfill. MIL buys hoke presents every year even though we have asked her not to.