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Christmas

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Original poster

is anyone here NOT all that fussed about Christmas? (Asked in very hushed tones)

32 replies

TheSweetLittleBunny · 26/11/2008 17:35

Since DS aged 5 was born we have made an effort and got a tree etc and it's been fun. But I'm not excited about it or anything - neither is DH. But we do make an effort for DS and our pleasure comes from his excitement about it rather than our own. I just find the whole thing so depressing, the commercialisation, the greediness of some people, the competitiveness, all of it, then the cynicism of the stores, who take your money and then before the Christmas dinner is digested, offer the same merchandise at massively reduced prices

I know it's not just me - because I had a similar conversation with someone today - it's just that people don't want to be labelled as "Scrooge" etc for admitting they don't like this season. FWIW I am a kind and loving generous person, who helps people every day - quite un-Scrooge like actually

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RetiredGoth2 · 26/11/2008 17:46

...unlike the OP, I am stingy, mean spirited misanthrope.

So therefore I too will grimace my way through the Furtive Season. I shall furnish the urchins with gifts that I judge will keep them quiet for a considerable period with the minimum of bickering...

(I have four boys so, if accomplished, this will be a significant achievement)

...it will be just the urchins and me. Though Davids Tennant and Morrissey will be joining us at 7pm....

TeenyTinyTorya · 26/11/2008 17:52

Me. I don't go in for the whole consumerist, commericalised thing. Minimal, thoughful presents. Few decorations. Absolutely NO Christmas music. Family time. That's about it.

dmo · 26/11/2008 17:55

last year i backed down and the tree went up on christmas eve but i took it down on the 28th as cant be bothered with all the mess

do love buying and giving and get joy from that but nobody sends me cards as they know when i have read them they go into the recycle bin as i dont put them up

Original poster
TheSweetLittleBunny · 26/11/2008 18:04

DS gets presents all the time throughout the year, and has lots of toys etc. He's got so much stuff he doesn't even KNOW what he wants for Christmas (but we are getting him a digital camera as his main present) because he has been hankering after one for ages. This year for some reason, it seems so forced trying to find him more toys that he doesn't need.
DH and I usually indulge in something we need for the house like a new TV or something, rather than exchange presents.

God I just want it to be over.

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swingsofglory · 26/11/2008 18:04

I am officially known as Scrooge in our house. I fucking hate Christmas.

It's the PRESSURE.

You WILL have a good time because it's Christmas. You WILL spend all your money on presents for relations you don't like very much because they insist on giving you a load of old tat you don't want and will be offended if you don't return their gift. You WILL have a few drinks for Christmas with people who insist you're having a great time because they've got tinsel on their heads. You WILL be crammed on overpriced public transport trying to get to see your relations. You will spend Christmas day stuck indoors and wishing you were somewhere else... I could go on.

I want to have a good time, give presents, see my family etc when I want to. And I know that I'm lucky and it's a darn sight worse for many people than me. I still don't like it though.

Eugh. On the bright side it will all be over soon.

breaghsmum · 26/11/2008 18:07

you need to make xmas about more than just presents, yes it is extremely commercialised from way too early in the year, but since my son was born i have only purchased "santa presents" for him, and not alot at that. we get everyone else those charity type gifts, e.g; a goat, or a midwives kit. and i ask everyone who i know will buy us gifts not to. we dont need anything. my parents

notcitrus · 26/11/2008 18:09

I really enjoy Christmas. Because I avoid pressure - I will order the Christmas pack from the local butcher, a few bits of food from elsewhere, and we may bother with a few decorations and presents - or not.

Family and close friends are invited. We eat, drink quite a bit so no-one can remember what they asked for as a present anyway, play a few games. End of.

Helps that all the family children are under one...

Original poster
TheSweetLittleBunny · 26/11/2008 18:10

That's exactly how I feel swingsofglory.

FFS my sister even bought a present for her dog WTF

I hate enforced joviality, I hate Christmas music in the shop - to me it's like someone drawing their nails over a blackboard - especially

  1. "I wish it could be Xmas everyday"
  2. "So here it is Merry Christmas"
  3. SImply having a WOnderful Christmas time

(green bile now gushing from mouth Exorcist style)

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Nagapie · 26/11/2008 18:11

Our families live in sunnier climes and Christmas is particularly hard for DH as he seems to have such fond memories of his childhood and big family celebrations with lots of gifts, food and good cheer..

It was never a big thing in our house and if it wasn't for our children and our visiting relly's I wouldn't be making a big thing of it at all..

Trust a cheery DH to get lumbered with the Grinch ...

RetiredGoth2 · 26/11/2008 18:14

I could try purchasing my avaricious 9 year old a goat, or a midwives kit.

I think this admirable, and to be encouraged.

Sadly, he seems to have been born minus the Charitable Altruism gene, so fear he may not share in the joy of giving.

...I imagine this (recessive) gene is linked to that which has cursed him with ginger hair.

breaghsmum · 26/11/2008 18:16

damn, hit return b4 i was finished. anyway, try and make the time you get off special, arrange to do nice things with your son and hubby. even if its just a long walk in some woods, or shutting the curtains, turning the fones off and watching your fave film together. use the time to appreciate each other.

swingsofglory · 26/11/2008 18:16

I have tried in the past to ask others not to buy gifts for me or DP. This was actually seen as even more offensive than not giving them a gift in return.

I think i will buy everyone a goat this year (maybe two for DPs parents) and see how that works out.

Original poster
TheSweetLittleBunny · 26/11/2008 18:24

My sister has invited us to hers the Saturday before Xmas. SHe wants us all to bring a dish. We live nearly 100 miles away, and we have to drive down the fucking M1 with our own food! Pourquoi?

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GentleOtter · 26/11/2008 18:32

I want to hibernate from 1st Dec until April. meh.

SweetLittleBunny - I had never heard the expression 'bring a plate' before and went to a do with just that - a plate. I thought it was similar to the WRI bring your own cup.

Original poster
TheSweetLittleBunny · 26/11/2008 19:20

We used to have big family get togethers on Christmas eve and my mum would make a big spread. Parents emigrated now - far away, but my mum would have never ever asked us to bring our own food

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PuppyMonkey · 26/11/2008 19:27

I like Christmas, but only AT CHRISTMAS! It goes on for so long before now (September was it that the Cristmas topic appeared on MN?) that it spoils the whole special-ness of it.

MilaMae · 26/11/2008 19:33

I know what you mean, I now try to get everything done before Dec so we can hunker down away from the madness. We like to do outdoorsy stuff which helps to keep it all in perspective.

The one thing I hate with 3 dc pretty much the same age is the piles of presents they get. I don't like them having anything the rest of the year and I like them to send thankyou cards so they have to open it all then and there.

I often yearn for "A Little House on the Prairie" type Christmas when they got a piece of maple syrup candy and a peg doll!!!!!

Original poster
TheSweetLittleBunny · 26/11/2008 19:49

That's what it's all about for me - doing stuff with people and for people who you really care about (and who care about you). Hardly see my family all year - despite numerous requests to come down and spend some time with us. I have given up asking now. So what's the point of getting together for one day then not seeing each other for the rest of the year, or calling to say "hi"? Yet everyone does it. If you really care about someone you make the effort throughout the year right? Not just on one day?

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SomebodyandNobody · 26/11/2008 19:51

Ditto OP

Goober · 26/11/2008 19:55

Wash your mouths out.
FGS.
It is christmas.

La la la la la laaaah!

breaghsmum · 26/11/2008 22:59

the point is, its the one time of year were people really do make the effort and if they didnt throughout the year AND didnt at xmas, you just wouldnt see them. its better than nothing. both my parents have large families and every year at xmas someone would have a party and we would all get to catch up and have a good giggle together, now that were all older and people have moved away, i long for those days again. it would be soo nice to see my cousins and reminisce about our childhoods. my son has no cousins and i feel he will be losing out by not having these memories. even if it is just once a year, every year, thats alot of good memories. (i think im just gettin all nostalgic cause im pg. damn hormones)but anyway, im going to enjoy it this year.

sallystrawberry · 26/11/2008 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

serin · 26/11/2008 23:19

PMSL at Gentleotter.

I hate do's like this, if you all come down with food poisoning how do you know who to blame?

Joe90 · 26/11/2008 23:33

I get depressed about the thought of writing Christmas cards from August, does anyone else?

Original poster
TheSweetLittleBunny · 27/11/2008 16:03

Apparently not Joe90. If you say anything anti-Christmas people just think you're either mad, bad or totally sad.

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