Am I the only one who dreads Christmas periods ?

[joseline]

its Something I’ll never admit to my family because it may offend them but I never look forward to Christmas.

when I think of Christmas, all I think is lots of endless chore lists, including installing decorations,
having to pose for family photos with relatives who does not care to give you a call year around to check on you but you expected to suck it up and pose next to them for family photos with forced smiles.

and then the part that is the most dreadful. Having to clean up after the guests, having to take down the decorations that’s all around the house.

one last reason why I can’t stand Christmas.

people on the internet with smug superiority complex. I see tik tok videos about bashing random peoples houses when there is no outside decorations and praising peoples homes that has the most overtop Christmas outside decorations.

as if you are expected to show off and be extravagant when Christmas comes around.

anyone else hates Christmas or am I a grinch ?

Stop doing it then. I hate Christmas too so I simply ignore its existence and do whatever I want instead whether that’s going abroad, going to the pub with friends on Christmas Day or staying at home doing nothing.

Make a plan now to have the Christmas you want next year.

Exactly this. You're an adult, OP, so you can do as much or as little as you want. You don't have to follow the herd.
Why not book a trip away for next Xmas?

It’s not that easy when you are the host every year.

Stop being the host then. It really is that easy. Why are people incapable of saying no and standing up for themselves?

Just go on holiday

we booked flights to Thailand next year

pulling kids out of school 2 days early and off we go for 2 weeks

spent this year just us 4 in our flat -so relaxing - ate a curry and didn’t bother worth the big stressful roast

see my family loads other times of year.

anyone else hates Christmas or am I a grinch ?
You're not a ginch, whatever that is, but on no account watch TikTok videos feeling as you do. My house had a single string of coloured lights on a small tree in the front garden and I was impressed by my hard work putting it up. Next door was so garish it hurt my eyes walking past. Each to their own.

I haven't spent Christmas here since Covid restrictions were lifted, and won't either as long as I'm able. I know that may not be possible for everyone, but if you can (and hate the shite around Christmas like me), don't hesitate, don't dither, don't procrastinate, do it.

It is great to be away from it all.

If you can't get away, plan now. Tell everyone you are NOT buying gifts for adults. You are not visiting anyone on Christmas Day/Boxing Day. You will see people the week before or not at all. Don't go crazy buying enough food for a month, keep it simple. Then get into the PJs and vegetate for the duration. A string of fairy lights around the fireplace or up the banisters is plenty.

I don’t understand why you are ‘doing Christmas’ in a way that doesn’t suit you.
Write a plan of exactly what YOUR perfect (happy, fun, meaningful, relaxed) Christmas would look like and give everyone advance notice that this is his it’s going to be in December 2026.
Start by:

1. Reminding yourself that every single family/ person/ household does a unique thing
2. Committing to not comparing what you do to anyone else. What thru do is right for them. What you’re going to be doing from now on is what is right for you.

It’s a bit early for the Christmas threads isn’t it 😆

I don't like it either. I pretend to for my DC sake. I do love Twixtmas, that lovely quiet down time between Christmas and new year when the fuss is all over, there's loads of nice food, and I'm off work.