[Closed] Does anyone actually enjoy Christmas?

Pretty indifferent to the whole thing, we don't have kids, not religiouos so it's pretty meaningless really - just a few days off work when the weather is normally pretty poor!

Yes enjoy it now we have children, it's become fun again!

Do hate Christmas shopping though. OH! The despair! Spending hours walking up and down the high street and going home with a pair of slippers!

I think I’d like it more if it didn’t start in November.

It doesn't have to. You start when you want to start. It's amazing how many people here don't seem to be in any sort of control over their lives.

I like Christmas because I like my family, so I go and see them and we eat a lot, drink, watch films and chat. We could do that any time, and we do, however we can't have a massive feast every time we do it, that would be detrimental 🙂

. It’s the fakery and expectations and having to spend time with people you’d rather not,

All the more reason to spend it with people that you rather would (even if that’s just Jack Jones)

For the last 12 years or so we’ve celebrated Winter solstice (21st) with about 10-15 (by now) dear old friends and it’s chilled out. Love it.

No gifts generally expected or given (although some get sneaked into bags/cars/pockets once in a while) just the company, warmth, music, food and drinks.

Immediate family are now reduced, also scattered far and wide. Usually meet up around before xmas eve in a pub with the carrier-bags of seasonal birthday and xmas cards and gifts, eat some grim carvery and then split as soon as. Always makes me feel sad and sort of empty because of dysfunctional family dynamics.

Xmas day is spent with v different friends (another couple) and their (now grown) kids. We are more like a big semi-functional family and a proper traditional old time is had with all food, crackers, trappings, silly gifts, games. Even a flaming pudding. Usually wind-up blitzed on suspiciously-named drinks before passing out in front of a wood fire sleeping on cushions. Three of us later go MTBing on Boxing Day if the hangover allows. Which is nice.

Some proper miserable self pitying sods on here. Dear me, I thought I was a misery but after reading the doom and gloom merchants on here I've realised I'm not even close.
People saying things like they "hate the excessive eating and drinking", well newsflash, don't do it then. And why would what other people do make you hate a holiday period? Very weird.

I would like to register my token Christmas grump for the 2021 season.

The John Lewis advert.... I just want to punch the little ****er and his little alien friend.

It's sooooo long aswell I swear it's longer than the bits of bakeoff between adverts!

All the more reason to spend it with people that you rather would (even if that’s just Jack Jones)

That's what I was thinking too, a lot of people seem to be making Christmas really hard on themselves here. The best thing I found is just to set your stall out early, leave no question marks over what you are planning to do. Gives people plenty of time to make their own plans. And if you don't like the food - change up for what you do like. Religion certainly doesn't even come into it in this house

People saying things like they “hate the excessive eating and drinking”, well newsflash, don’t do it then. And why would what other people do make you hate a holiday period? Very weird.
Posted 9 minutes ago

if you meet up with people that have the expectation of over indulging you get puyt under huge pressure to join them in the overindulging

I like the time off work and I'll go up to my mums for a few days which is good to spend some decent time with her. My g/f goes to her folks so there really is no pressure on either of us. I have enjoyed it more the last few years since I have scaled down on presents (get my mum something, my g/f, and any of my mates kids - feel christmas is for the kids and I don't want them knowing I'm a miserable bar-steward)

I don't like the fact that it has become a commercial thing, for one day it starts in about October, already getting sick of the adverts and shiny Xmas music. Also like has been stated the pressure to be happy when I know some of my mates really struggle at this time of year. Then the day after everybody goes out to by more tat in the sales and bloats out on food and drink like its going out of fashion.

you get puyt under huge pressure to join them in the overindulging

"That does look super, but no thanks, I couldn't I'm completely stuffed, you have my...Glass of wine, whiskey, crisps, sweeties" delete as appropriate.

I found Christmas got much better for me when I was about 19, everyone was skint and my mum set a £10 limit on presents, one present each. It immediately removed most of the stress of present buying, and changed the focus of the day away from material goods, and back towards just hanging out with family. We've kept present buying modest ever since - I'd recommend it if you can.

I enjoy Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I also like the 27th because we take all the decorations down.

What I hate is the hypocrisy. Season of goodwill? People would step over each other for the last bag of sprout in Tesco if it came to it.

The greed, be that for ourselves or to prove we love our kids more than everyone else.

The stress, every year seems slightly worst than the last, the competition starts when we've still wearing our tan lines from our summer Hols when the pubs put their trees up advertising for the office Xmas 'do' and continues to ramp up from there. We'll spend as much on stuff we ready don't need at Christmas as we will for the rest of the year. It's become so fundamental to our economy that even in a pandemic, closing the shops in December would be catastrophic to the physical retail sector.

I envy those of you that have a modest Christmas. I'd be far happier enjoying company on the 3 days, as we do now, but without the greedy excess, I know it seems I might have a free choice in this, but social and family pressure means, I don't really.

I'm normally a scrounge, don't like the consumerism, the way lots of people are left or even made to feel lonely or low, and hate that it, along with Halloween and Easter, gets bigger and bigger and longer each year. This year I am really looking forward to it! I want to get my tree up early ! It helps having 3 young kids and the eldest 2 now understand the day at least, plus I'm really looking forward to a few days seeing mum, last year was ****, this year has been better and I am keen to see loved ones lots!

Makes a big difference not having a TV. We try and have a nice walk or ride in the snow (if we're lucky), distribute some cash, see the kids on Boxing Day then it's all over. We do have a Christmas tree. It's just a pleasant if quiet time.

Barring last year, I’ve enjoyed the past few Christmases

For me and the boss, the trick is to ignore everyone else, just spend the day together and do the stuff we want, then do family stuff another day.

I figured nothing about the standard Christmas with family etc is actually that enjoyable

I don't want to hear any nonsense about 'overindulging' from anyone who has more than one bicycle
😆

if you meet up with people that have the expectation of over indulging you get puyt under huge pressure to join them in the overindulging

Huge pressure? really?.

All the people saying they like because of the food and seeing family, you do know you can eat good food and hold family gatherings at any moment, right?

Absolutely: you could have a special meal, give presents and decorate the house at any time of the year. I wonder how many of the moaners on here do that?

I loved it as a little kid - disliked it in my 20s/early 30s until i had kids.

I love it now - i've got a full two weeks off work and have already started prepping (i've made some mince with spiced rum and cold smoked a batch of cheese so far)
I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, and having nice dinners with friends/family.

I hate the consumerism, tat, etc but we just try and avoid it as much as possible these days. You'll not find me fighting over the last pack of pigs in blankets in ASDA on Christmas eve.

However, my younger brother died 8 years ago which changed the dynamic a fair bit, its taken a while (and some counselling) but i'm at peace with it now.

The only thing which sours it for me these day is having to see the in-laws, its a very one-way relationship, they're self-centred selfish toads* with minimal interest in us or our kids but i can grin and bear it for a few hours on boxing day just to be the better person.

*This includes both parasitic sister-in-laws who never invite anyone over to their respective houses but are quite happy to turn up at mine with their badly behaved kids and a £3 bottle of wine and eat/drink everything in sight.
....And breathe....

Wow, there’s a lot of people who let externalities rule their life! Christmas doesn’t have to start in November, you don’t need to buy a million plastic presents, you don’t need to attend massive family gatherings and you don’t need to overeat and drink. Or you can, if that’s your thing.

As for me, I love Christmas and as an expat ‘stuck’ overseas due to COVID, I’d love the chance to spend too much time with my family. Instead it’ll be a bbq and beers on the beach then hanging out with other ‘orphans’. As low key as you like.

Huge pressure? really?.

yes really

" have another drink its christmas"
" go on - have some seconds of this very ricgh food - its chritmas"

ETc etc

Its also the presents - this need to give folk stuff. Everyone in my family is well 0ff middle class - they have everything they want and need

Also my mother continually buys me small pressies - most of which go straight to the charity shop. I am trying to clear my flat not fill it up with tat.

” have another drink its christmas”
” go on – have some seconds of this very ricgh food – its chritmas”

The reason I only have a small group of friends is because I don't enjoy being with people who do that sort of thing. Life's too short to spend time with people you don't really like.

I loved it as a kid, but that was because we had a long string of Christmases where we had loads of family around who were all great, the adults all got merry (but not too much) and had a great time, and that rubbed off on us kids.

Its also the presents – this need to give folk stuff. Everyone in my family is well 0ff middle class – they have everything they want and need

This is why I just tell people to get me things I can eat or drink. I HATE getting stuff that I just feel obliged to keep for a bit before sending it to the charity shop. But get me a jar of some stuff soaked in olive oil from the local deli that I would never buy for myself, and I'm happy as larry.

Makes a big difference not having a TV.

Really agree with this - I don't really watch TV and it's therefore very easy to avoid most of the Xmas run-up. And a whole load of consumerist shite at other times of the year too

While it's nice to catch up with family, some of which I've not seen for at least six months, I've found Xmas a struggle for years because of SAD and finding socialising very mentally draining. But in the last ~5 years since internet shopping really took off, the impossible workload as a postie makes me despise Xmas and often leaves me completely drained, at least this year my final pre-Xmas shift by luck is on 21st and gives me a chance to recharge a bit before family get-togethers at the weekend. Plus substitute bank holidays on 27th and 28th gives me recharge time afterwards.

Makes a big difference not having a TV.

Yep, no TV so not seen a single Ad for anything for years!

Also, have no idea who any of the celebrities are in the Sunday Times magazine.

I'm lucky that I get the nearly 2 weeks off work, so from that perspective yes. And if its dry and I can ride, double yes! Love the crisp morning rides through winter.

I'm not so lucky that both me and MrsReady have quite large extended families, and I struggle with social situations (even family get togethers) I find the whole thing quite depressing unfortunately.

It's fine if you have the money to stuff your face over christmas. Many don't.
And that's without considering how unfit and fat we are as a nation. Christmas doesn't help.

Nope. One of the most singular depressing periods of the year.

i love it, a chance to chill out and catch up with folks, appreciate seeing the olds knowing that their time is limited and a chance to remember those loved and lost.

if putting some extra sparkly lights up and making an effort to be festive and happy can bring some extra joy and support to my wife who loves it, then why would i choose to be a grumpy bugger and make her time cack.

the big thing is not to care about what others are doing, if someone wants to go crazy buying crimbo tat let them,likewise if you want to sit on the top of a hill with a thermos and a butty,that's equally awesome.

we are all a long time dead, and letting the behaviour of others and how they choose to celebrate or not, cause you unhappiness or stress is just silly and pointless.

merry festive bollocky whatnot to one and all

I love it! Christmas day, I'll go for a run around my local woods early on....long hot shower, have some breakfast, good coffee, start cooking....move on to presents with the family.

It's great, some time off work, some riding, the odd drink (which is a big treat for me!) and catch up with a few mates. Moreover, i think it's the rest and change in routine i enjoy.

I've never gone mental with presents and i keep it stress free as i can, i ean, it's one turkey meal with some extras a coupe of days either side!

Quite like Christmas - time off with the kids, lots of time to cook, lots of chilling, peanuts, Bailey's etc.

We're really not into running ourselves ragged visiting family/friends, buying tat we don't need or overindulging. I find it pretty easy to refuse a drink or more food if I don't want it. And anyone who's an arsehole or just hard work doesn't get to come round.

Christmas jumpers are a definite no though. As are those crappy paper hats from out of crackers. And Bradley Walsh. He can piss right off.

If tazzy likes it and I like it.

Is a beard thing?

I have grown a beard and still lothe it - as much for what it symbolises ( unrealistic expectations, huge pressure to conform and spend, waste, rampant consumerism )

as much for what it symbolises

That not what others think it means at all.

It’s fine if you have the money to stuff your face over christmas

Well that’s just it. You don’t need to go mad (or go without) if

1. cook things and/or
2. all contribute.

We (as a couple) have all year to save up enough to each contribute a little something for the Solstice.

One year I saved enough to buy £18 worth of proper giant veggie samosas (from a city grocery), which was enough to feed 18 people. That was an extravagant year for me as it’s more typically a bottle of Lidl red, some homemade dips and some posh crackers. About a tenner all in.

Each of the 12 or so guests (most are couples) also bring something they had either made or purchased (ie crackers, dips, pizzas, quiche, cheese, cakes, beer, wine etc) then for as little as £1 - £2 a month per-person/couple we have an annual feast for at least a dozen of us. The hosts normally make a big pot of some winter root veg soup and warm rolls as meal.

Last year being Covidmas just the two of us had a nut roast and roast veg and a posh gravy. I made spiced rice pudding with dried fruit. It didn't cost any more than a regular Sunday dinner except for the wine, so an extra £5. There was more than enough for boxing day. ‘Stuffed face’ is also subjective. For me if I’ve had a few extra roast tats and gravy as seconds then I have to leave it for a few hours for the pud!

I have grown a beard and still lothe it – as much for what it symbolises ( unrealistic expectations, huge pressure to conform and spend, waste, rampant consumerism )

Thats not what it means in this household at all - it's a chance to have a couple of nice drinks (not to excess), cook a really tasty roast for close family and generally be together.

Boxing Day is up and and out for a nice walk somewhere.

I have grown a beard and still lothe it

Shave it off.

Love Christmas. There's a point in early December when it clicks with me that it's Christmas time and from then on I'm all in. Love spending time with my family with us all off work and school at the same time. Love the events throughout December in the lead up to it - to us Christmas has become more of a season than a single day, just a time of wintery warmness and happiness. Always spend an evening driving around looking at everyones light displays. None of us are Christian and yes Christmas has lost most of it's original meaning, but it just a time to try and bring some joy in to the misery that is everything else in the world that seems to be going on and brightening up the otherwise dark, short and miserable days of winter. A chance to forget about the overwhelming pressures and expectations of life and just see joy on the kids faces.
But then it's perfectly OK to not enjoy it if it's not your thing, just don't try and bring others down if they're having fun.

Last year being Covidmas just the two of us had a nut roast and roast veg, and a posh gravy. I made spiced rice pudding with dried fruit. It didn’t cost any more than a regular Sunday dinner except for the wine

Yes that us too, last year we have a bit of roastie, but nothing special, I bought a wee Xmas pudding and as my partner is celiac and hates custard (the weirdo), I got to eat it all myself, and couple of glasses of a nice red. Perfect.

None of us are Christian and yes Christmas has lost most of it’s original meaning

If we were being Really controversial, we could argue that Christmas has re-gained its original meaning in the dropping of Christianity and returned to a midwinter celebration filled with warmth, lights and feasting! 😎

But then it’s perfectly OK to not enjoy it if it’s not your thing, just don’t try and bring others down if they’re having fun.

^ Says it all

I feel generally a bit meh about the whole thing, but i tolerate it as my wife loves it.
I don’t really watch much tv though, don’t read newspapers, and on the occasion that I listen to radio, i listen to bbc, fewer adverts that way.
I’ve told the inlaws every year since I’ve known them that I don’t want any presents, but i ended up with tat that went straight to landfill, so what i do now is state exactly what i want, those that can do make a contribution, if there’s a shortage i pay it.
Last year i got a lovely little pure dab radio, which I actually use.
It is what you make it.
I absolutely loathe the ‘Christmas Classic’ music though, it genuinely traumatises me.
I feel genuinely sorry for people who work in retail, it must be absolutely insufferable for them.

This is the best Christmas song for all you miserabilists. Also anyone that likes drone music (me)

Saw them play this live about 5 years ago at ear-splitting volume - was awesome 😀

i appreciate many of the bad points mentioned, but i have slowly learnt to exclude those negatives. i wont spend the day with people (blood relatives incl) i dont like. i wont go to work xmas parties, i wont cook or eat disgusting sprouts just because society says i should. i dont really have to do any shopping, and I dont let the mrs drink Gin...

everything else is brilliant. love it

I am wondering if ill appreciate the time off as much having worked from home all year1!?

Christmas songs aren't too bad

I like the Christmas season in general but pretty indifferent to Christmas Day itself as I don't have kids and not keen on sitting inside watching TV and eating all day really. Or more accurately I am, but on my own terms.

But I do enjoy the season in general. Lets be honest though, most of the people pointing out how they dislike it are making valid points. Its not difficult to see why many aspect of it wind people up and no its not possible to ignore 3 months of aggressive commercial promotion.

With age and no kids, all very meh. I like seeing family though.

I'd rather it was more like thanksgiving in US. All about family and friends and a nice meal. Less of the commercial crap and stress and expectations.

Dreaded words on TV and film ads... "This Christmas..." (occuring from October).

I think also it's a signal that another year is ending and (with age again) it comes round too quick. When you're a kid, you think life is endless. When heading towards 50 you're realising time is precious both for yourself and more elderly relatives. Spending it with family is good though, but spending it shopping for gifts, going to awful work events etc, is just time wasted.

I work both Christmas and New Year these days. Used to have a massive with family and friends lasting about 3-4 days at New Year now can't wait to get to bed just to escape the dire tv shows . Those who spend christmas or new year with family and friends have it right. There's too much pressure both to spend money you often can't afford and to have the stereotypical "good time".

I have grown a beard and still lothe it – as much for what it symbolises ( unrealistic expectations, huge pressure to conform and spend, waste, rampant consumerism )

Bloody hell, I'd never read so much into facial hair! Eye-opener for sure.

I used to be quite Christmas-averse, mostly because of years of (well-meaning, exceedingly mild) family strife when I was growing up about which household we'd spend it in made it something of a chore. And when you're a kid you can't just opt out of it, or at least you feel you can't.

Since meeting my Mrs, who always loved Christmas, I have come around to it, in that it can be just a nice chance to hang out with family, have a few drinks, and big meal.

In the latter kidster-years, it's OK: we've had the day itself at our house for a few years now, sometimes hosting for other family members, sometimes just us and the kids. I find it quite hard work, but also quite enjoy it being a bit of a do. Try to avoid the excess consumerism since that tends to depress me a bit. Always think there will be much more time to ride my bike than there actually is, although that could probably be a synopsis of life in general 😀

I think like others have said, we've mostly been able pick and choose the bits we like, but I can see how that's a fairly lucky position to be in.

and no its not possible to ignore 3 months of aggressive commercial promotion.

Sure, but it's also not a surprise, it happens every year, you know it's coming so the trick is to not let it get under your skin. Once you've squared away the idea that all this stuff has nothing to do with you, it's surprisingly easy to ignore, I find.  Sure; there's an argument to be made that it's an over-commercialised spend-a-thon for some folks, but frankly that shipped sailed ages ago, it is what it is, just make your peace with it and move on.

Quite happily swerve it completely - perhaps in isolation on a sun kissed beach. Nothing more than an exercise in rampant consumerism & indulgence.

im ambivalent at best about christmas. i have to take a load of days off, which i would rather save for something interesting. we generally have to drive up and down the country visiting various relatives. the rampant consumerism is a bit jarring too. having nice food is great, but it somehow seems terribly wasteful when the table is groaning under the weight of it and i've only had a plateful. you think you will get a couple of weeks to go do all the stuff you have been meaning to, like go for lots of pedals, but it never happens does it.

on the plus side my inlaws are actually lovely people, and that side of the family ask you want you want as a pressie which seemed a bit strange to start with but its much better as you dont just launch the tat straight into the bin as soon as you get home.

and no its not possible to ignore 3 months of aggressive commercial promotion.

Sure, but it’s also not a surprise, it happens every year, you know it’s coming

I'm 53. Guess what people complained about when I was a kid? Yes, it was Xmas being too commercial, adverts on TV too early and stores pushing Xmas tat in September. (My first job, in 1984, was as Xmas staff in a WH Smith - we were all hired in September/October, the same as my mates who worked in other town centre shops as Xmas staff.)

The difference back then was that Halloween wasn't such a big thing. These days shops want you to spread your spending over the 2 events so don't push Xmas as heavily before November as they used to.

I might just do nothing this year. No presents, given or received, and just go out in the bike. Is there anywhere that I could do a multi day ride away from everyone?

I feel genuinely sorry for people who work in retail, it must be absolutely insufferable for them.

It's the main reason I left retail, Christmas planning starting in April is just ridiculous. Add on the abuse from the customers, pressure from management and lack of any time off and I feel for the workers who still have to do it.

i wont spend the day with people (blood relatives incl) i dont like.

That would mean I never see my parents! My mum insists on inviting her brother over every year as he would be alone otherwise. Yeah, that's because he's a bigoted racist who won't listen to anyone else's viewpoint and thus has no friends. He only turns up in time for the food and presents and is stingy too so always gets way more given to him than he spends on everyone else.

My kids love Christmas, therefore I love Christmas. My 10 year old found the Heart Xmas radio station on my car radio in September and it's been playing ever since!

Agree with nickc, ignore the bits you don't like. I used to hate the fact that I am forced to use holiday days to take time off over Christmas, until I realised that I actually like taking that time off because it means I get to spend time with my family. Life is so busy sometimes that I don't often get to sit and play games or watch movies with the kids.

But then it’s perfectly OK to not enjoy it if it’s not your thing, just don’t try and bring others down if they’re having fun.

I agree with this 100% I try to avoid that at all times of year, for the record getting involved in the annual 'I hate Christmas' thread doesn't count.

The problem is, it's nearly impossible, how many times have my fellow scrooges been told "oh come on, join in, it's CHRISTMAS!" or "We've got to go to see Aunt Beryl, it's CHRISTMAS!" "Oh have another drink, it's CHRISTMAS!".

It's seems unless you're will to pretend to be all giddy about it, then you're ruining it for everyone else simply by existing.

I'm not fussed about trees, carols or decorations etc but enjoy food (curry!), mulled cider, giving gifts, seeing friends and family.

Just need to do it on your own terms and enjoy other folks' enjoyment of it

Bike rides are nice but none of that Festive 500 nonsense

Makes a big difference not having a TV

Agreed. I wax quite surprised when I opened the thread to find that all the shit had actually started. I was blissfully oblivious to it all.

I've yet to figure out why you'd have the biggest get together of the year at the worst time of year... The whole Pagan/Christian festival thing is a long way in the rear view now so surely we can move on from December 25th? The Aussies have it right, Christmas in the middle of summer. We should move ours to summer and then i could get onboard, but late December? I'd rather be at work TBH. It's a waste of perfectly good time off having it at that time of year.

Well that version of little drummer boy was disappointing. Was expecting about 10 seconds of that then a Ramones ort of 1,2,3,4 and something similar to Babymetal.
or this
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+stiff+little+fingers+white+christmas&view=detail&mid=996DD0683949B88D270B996DD0683949B88D270B&FORM=VIRE0&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dyoutube%2bstiff%2blittle%2bfingers%2bwhite%2bchristmas%26FORM%3dAWRE

I’ve yet to figure out why you’d have the biggest get together of the year at the worst time of year…

BECAUSE it's the worst time of year. It's not difficult to work out is it?

How do we make these bleak, long winter nights a bit brighter? Let's have a party! Oh no we can't do that, it would be better in 6 months time, carry on being miserable..

TBH I'd prefer it if it was closer to about 14 minutes long but you can't have everything!

There is some fabulously ludicrous Christmas music out there if you fancy an hour on Spotify. The Death Row Christmas album usually gets a spin here at some point....

BECAUSE it’s the worst time of year. It’s not difficult to work out is it?

Sorry but that doesn't wash for me. If you're only going to have 1 major holiday period a year, December into January isn't the time to do it. The French have it right - shutting down for basically the whole of August. Thats how to do time off.

Once again we brits have been duped - taking a big bunch of time off when it is historically the least productive time of year. Don't want to pay for heating at the factory? Nothing worth toiling over in the fields? Lighting costing you a bit much? How about we have a basically compulsory holiday where you can send all your staff home and they not get paid so that they can pick up the tab for the heating and lighting at the darkest/coldest time of the year?

Clearly its evolved a bit beyond the Victorian workhouse mentality of closing up shop when it suits the factory owners, but somehow we've never moved on from it.

Love it

It doesn't need to start at the end of October though

Of course this time of year always resurects a dilema. Do I saturate the kids at school with the Phil Spector Chrismas albumn and risk the wrath of some over sensitive mum?

It’s seems unless you’re will to pretend to be all giddy about it, then you’re ruining it for everyone else simply by existing.

There’s always a Christmas tyrant. In my case usually a girlfriend, but sometimes a family member. “Have a bloody drink. Stop bloody drinking. Why aren’t you wearing the plastic Christmas jumper I bought you from Sainsbury’s?! You’re SO ungrateful! You HAVE to wear it, it’s CHRISTMAS. You’re ruining MY CHRISTMAS”.

So, all the posters saying you’re a miserable old git if you don’t love Christmas can balls. I’m not miserable, I party all year round. I just hate three months of sleigh bells and tyranny.

Its mixed for me. Daughter lives with her mum and has a big family on her side and bugger all on mine. So she does xmas day at mums then boxing day at mine. We try and make boxing day into xmas part two but as such a small family on our side its not quite the same. Hearing people moaning about large families full of tyrants actually makes me feel better as its something i always feel ive missed out on.

But its what you make it. On xmas day itself me and my partner go to the pub, eat what we want (veggies, so i sometimes do pizza) and have the xmas we want not what we are told we should have. And its fine.

I dislike Christmas and all its religious and conspicuous consumption connotations. I can understand its a great opportunity for familiies to get togther, but being single and with no close family I find the constant reminders to have a jolly good festive time with your family every time you turn on the commercial TV channels, go into a shop or pub, or use social media quite disheartening - especially when the build-up to Christmas seems to happen earlier every year.

Rather than spend the day on my own being miserable, I have spent the last few years volunteering: firstly on a farm which supports people with learning disabilities (although they are spending the Christmas with their families) doing the jobs that need doing on a daily basis on a farm - mucking out, feeding the animals, taking the horses out to pasture, egg-collecting etc.; and for the last two years volunteering with a homeless charity which provides food and a range of activities and support services over the Christmas period. I shall be signing up tomorrow for this year's programme of support and activities.

I'm thankful in a way for Covid and moving to permanent work from home. No more over enthusiastic younger office staff who decide they must do festive activities for the whole of December and you are required to "join in the fun". Bad enough as an introvert being asked to be involved and enjoy work social activities at any time of the year.

Humbug

three months of sleigh bells and tyranny.

That would make a good album name - get it done, try and get to xmas No.1 next year...?

if you meet up with people that have the expectation of over indulging you get puyt under huge pressure to join them in the overindulging

Crikey what do they do to you?

Just say no. One little word. Or don't meet them at all if it bothers you that much. They're probably just trying to get you to smile to be fair.

Particular the geezer who didn’t get past his dog taking a piss on the M-I-L’s lawn 🤣

Thats my Christmas highlight scuttler… see i am already cheering up.

We’re all good now and back on speaking terms. MIL has calmed the **** down, and accepted that people do thing differently and that I’m not a complete tool.

As I said on page 2, I love it.

Not this year, no. With just me here, I just can’t work up any enthusiasm for it, not having anyone to share it with, and who loved putting up decorations, etc. 😕

I once worked in a country where it was banned. Drove over the border for the weekend before, to get my usual freedoms. On return I have border control checking out my car. Guy picks up a long white box with a picture of a fat man in a red suit on it. He looks confused. Shakes it a bit. Throws it back in the boot. Looks in a carrier bag at two clear boxes of metallic shiny balls and cheap plastic chains of coloured lights. Looks confused again. Slams the boot shut and let's me go through.

I invited a couple of workmates round for a chat on the day, and the food wasn't cooked too well on the single portable electric hob and a small toaster oven, but turkey legs, mash, carrots and gravy was really appreciated. They had assumed the day would pass unmarked.

It's hard as an adult, if your kids are all grown up, and far away, to find the motivation to get into gear. And the last couple of years has put a downer on things. But the effort can be appreciated and things float back to the surface if you look outwards.

no, not at all, i'm no fan

pointless arguments, which side of family to see, what present to buy/receive

the aftermatch annoys me too, people saying how fat they are.. etc
well don't eat 5k and drink 4k calories a day and give up exercise for 2 weeks.

did somebody say MEGASACK? Videos are something to look forward to at Christmas time, despite never winning.

Well I do enjoy a Singletrack Christmas thread of course. It never disappoints! Though the thread does seem to start earlier each year 😂

I like Christmas well enough. Mainly because I'm a foodie, love to cook, love to eat and hate winter so it's a glimmer of joy at a crap time of year and my work is seasonal so I have a lot of time on my hands. I've had all sorts of Christmases from getting on it early with mates in my 20's and forgetting the dinner, full family Christmas with the other half's young nieces and extended family in oz to small Christmas with my tiny family or just me and the other half. We mix it up each year and do a mix of what we feel like or sometimes a bit of sacrifice to visit family who live far away and don't see us often.

No presents but charity donations instead and just spend a bit more than a normal shop on a nice joint and all the trimmings.

I get that some people are trapped into Christmases they hate but maybe this thread could inspire some to consider telling those you are close to you that you want/need to try something different. It's what my Mum did to me when I turned 18. 'sorry love no more presents or decorations but we can still have a nice meal'

I might have been disappointed for about 5 minutes but I've ended up doing the same thing myself now. We had a brief bit of friction from the mother in law who's expectations were for presents but now she knows what to expect if she comes to ours it's fine.

This Christmas we're abroad so will be a basic home cooked meal or restaurant and a long walk with the dog.

I'm loving P7eaven's Solstice celebration ideas and am inspired to do something similar in future years, though probably a smaller group of friends.

I feel genuinely sorry for people who work in retail, it must be absolutely insufferable for them.

Thanks,I'm a Supermarket trucker & we dread it.Years ago I thought it was just me being miserable,turns out pretty much everyone,from the Depot warehouse pickers to the person on the till dreads it..
I actually like Christmas day,as it's a rest day & a chance to recharge your batterys before going back to work on Boxing Day.I try & get out on the road bike or Gravel bike for an hour Christmas day morning depending on how shattered I am from all the overtime & extre shifts we're forced into from early December.It's a parralel world,we're to busy working to go out socialising,yet in mid January when we get back to normal & want to get down the pub etc everyone else is skint paying off Christmas.Not my favourite time of year..

Do I saturate the kids at school with the Phil Spector Chrismas albumn and risk the wrath of some over sensitive mum?

I follow "the MJ rule" - that it's OK to listen to music made before the artist turned into a wrong un'.

Conveniently allows me to enjoy Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad (and the Jackson 5 obvs).

So Spector's Xmas album (1963) appears to be safely before his behaviour became too problematic.

HTH

Used to. Then I became a postie