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.
