Does anyone else just not really like Christmas?

[Plantmum2047]

I don't hate Christmas, I'm just not a fan 😂 I'll likely spend it with one parent and/or my sibling and their family and we're close so the actual day will be nice enough (bar usual family disagreements/mild tension) but I really dislike:

• everywhere being so busy
• the way people flood the supermarkets buying a ridiculous amount of food and like it's the last time they'll ever get to shop ever
• how tacky a LOT of the events/decorations are
• the amount of money and plastic completely wasted
• the massive divide between the rich and poor which seems even more evident while people freeze on the streets and the rich spend and spend
• the stress of trying to find good presents for families and friends, stuff they actually want/need as opposed to wasting money on rubbish

I'm not a scrooge (promise 😂) I just find the whole thing a bit unnecessary!

I hate it. It brings back horrific memories each year and if not bother with it at all of it wasn't for DS(8).

My sister was psychotic when I was growing up. One year she set fire to the tree. Trees were banned after that. Another year she ate all the chocolate in the calendars. All calendars were banned after that. Another year she jumped on all the presents to destroy them (whether they were hers or not). Presents were banned after that.

One year we (mother, me, two youngest sisters) were invited to my aunts house for the day. I refused to go as I was terrified of my sister. So I was left completely on my own at home on Christmas Day. I found a hedgehog on the drive. I took it in. Put it in a box, put some dog food and water in there for it with a bit of the rabbits hay and looked after it. A few hours later it died. That was my Christmas. No tree. No decorations. No presents. Chicken nuggets and chips from the freezer. And a dead hedgehog.

I enjoy it but I absolutely don't go overboard with all the consumerism ... just focus on what it means to you ... I enjoy the Church services, sending and receiving cards, I concentrate on just the two days ... and avoid anything I don't want to do like pantomimes or paid for entertainment. And absolutely no presents ! So no angst about what to buy etc.

Xmas hater here too. I used to working all the days when the office was open so I could take time off when the weather was better. Also when my parents were alive it was OK. Now I am Mrs misery on Xmas Day we have a meal, walk the dog and drink! Next day back to ride my horse!

I find it sad, it reminds me of grief and lost loved ones, and people sitting on their own or homeless or in DV situations and so on There's too much expectations on people and also drunkeness, violence and disappointment. I reckon it's actually good for around 25 percent of people and the rest feel a bit crap.

I'd happily swap it for year round nice weather. I find the cold and dark really difficult.

I feel exactly the same. So many people I loved so much are no longer here, so many people struggling with so many things. I know I have to put on a smile a ‘do’ Christmas for my family, but it’s really lost much of its meaning. Maybe it will return if there are grandchildren.

So many people I loved so much are no longer here, so many people struggling with so many things

Same here. Our family is shrinking, not getting bigger.

@Needmorelego i felt a bit indignant on behalf of paperchase to be singled out like that, until I had a look at their website. My god can you imagine a tree covered in all those decorations. Who needs a purple aubergine on their tree?

I like the idea of it but it just seems to come around faster and faster every year. And emotionally it’s very bittersweet - neither of my parents are in my life and seeing everyone else celebrating with their wider families is quite sad for me, although of course I don’t show it. That said DD’s excitement will carry me through and I don’t want to waste her childhood christmases being hung up on my parents/the state of the world/money etc.

I love Christmas but I agree people buy stupid amounts of food. I once heard a silly woman grabbing loaves of bread tell her partner “shops not open Christmas Day, and my kids ain’t going hungry”…like they live on bread ?! Stupid . She probably has a house full of bog rolls as well now after Covid .

I hate it, too much trauma happened around it during my childhood, and you can't escape it. It makes me horribly depressed every year.

Yes. Don't like it. Underwhelming. Two weeks off work. Silver lining. On own Christmas day through choice. Not sure whether to cook summat special or just eat cheese,crackers and sliced apple. Decisions decisions🤣

Same here , not in my childhood but early/mid 20's

It just brings it all back year after year .

I've come away this year to Lanzarote and it's so far the best decision I've ever made. I find Christmas so stressful for all you've said and the fact I have a really really difficult relationship with my family and find the pressure around Christmas to play happy families so horrendous and triggering! Here with my boyfriend and my two kids and having the most chilled time, no stress drama pressure boozing / socialising wasteful spending.

Sounds great

@laurwalsh
what is the weather like? Is it beach weather?