What do non religious people get out of xmas

Frell

libitina wrote:

alcohol

Amen to that

In all seriousness now the past few years I didnt really do the xmas thing as I was living on my own single etc but this year I am now living with my partner so going to be doing all the cuddling up etc. I am not a church goer etc but still understand what some of the meaning is all though every one has their own views on it etc. Now what do I get out of it?? Time to reflect on what the year ment to time whats happened and plan my goals for the coming year.... And of course have a drink my excuse for the that wetting the babys head :rotfl:

mustrum_ridcully

oldMcDonald wrote:

This is what I meant when I (rather flippantly!) said 'pressies'.

I hate the comercialisation of Christmas. The message of peace and goodwill seems to be lost under a mountain of massive garden inflatables, tacky pressies and adverts on kids tv.

It seems that so many people get into so much debt in order to buy the things that they are brainwashed into believing are needed in order to have a 'perfect' Christmas.

Well to paraphrase what a member of the general public said when asked about Christmas "It's such a great time of the year that even the religious people are trying to muscle in on it" - sadly I kid you not!

madauri

I feel all the festivals that there are exist now to lure people to spend. Such a a shame.
Apart from that, what attracts me from Xmas is the fact that there will be some holidays, more things to do, and an excuse to socialise. The feeling that from then on days will begin to get longer again is a plus, of course

Sarahsaver

I used to be a vegan and my xmasses never sucked! Depends what you choose to eat!
I also used to be a Christian, was brought up that way and did like all the ritual of church, the smell of the candles and the incense (high Anglican), the singing and the concerts (i was in school choir and orchestra)
I am not a Christian any more, and even so I agree with what other Christian posters have said, Xmas sort of became Christian, and in fact the crucifixion is the major event but it is a bit gory, and would not suit the greeting card manufacturers.
What I get out of the season now is parties, several excuses to go out and dress up, presents, seeing the kids beside themselves with excitement, creating our own family winter traditions. The stress and awkwardness of whose house will we be at this year... Too many chocolates from well meaning folk trying to fatten me up;) The OH's works do on the expense account (YAY!) I do feel like there is an expectation to 'do christmas' when really I feel hypocritical celebrating something I do not believe in! Why is it that people assume that you would be miserable or have nothing to do on Xmas day if you didn't celebrate it!

Stompa

I pretty much ignore Christmas.

Jay-Jay_4

Sparkly stuff, twinkly lights, excited children, lots of food, permission to drink a little more than usual, Father Christmas, Elves, Reindeer, shopping for gifts and seeing people's faces light up when they open them.

That's all

consumermonkey

For a number of years I have been a real "Bah-Humbug". I dislike christmas with a passion. We all tend to eat too much and recieve gifts we don't want and have to fake a smile and say thanks come what may.

I much prefer to work right through christmas ( I am a carer), but definately NOT for the money, but really because I would prefer to be with people I work for than to see the extended family turn up at the house for the only time in the year to get a good feed and a gift.

I must admit, I do enjoy giving gifts, and do tend to put a lot of thought into what I buy and for whom. Even if people do not really want my gift, I don't care. I try and buy the younger ones something that will keep them amused during the holidays that is more interesting than the box it came in, and very rarely buy the latest BIG THING as I have found it is played with for five seconds, then it is back to last years toys.

nellis10

Bah-Humbug to the Humbugs...I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT CHRISTMAS!!! :xmastree: :xmassign: :santa2: :snow_laug :xmassmile :rudolf: :snow_grin

I'm not advocating debt...been there done that...but putting thought into giving something special to someone is great...I love overeating on CHristmas Day, watching the same old TV programmes...decking the halls with bows of holly!!..EVERYTHING!!! It's the one time of the year you can really go back to being a child!! :T

smsmasters

wigginsmum wrote:

I'm a Christian, and Christmas has nothing to do with Christianity - it was just a church establishment decision to tack a Christian theme onto the old Pagan concept of the wheel of the year.

That's true; no one knows the exact date Jesus was born, the December 25th date was just chosen.

Anastacia

I love it all. We get chance for some family time. We dont spend a fortune on presents but they are still fun to receive, we all chip in for the food & take it in turn with the cooking. I like that everyone is so much nicer.

The family are loosely Anglican High Church aswell, and I love the ceremonies, traditions, incense and all the rest of it (if i was going to have a religion then this is the one I would have) but we are all atheists or agnostics and OH is is a muslim, nonetheless Christmas is the highlight of the year.

Perhaps I am just keeping my options open. Who knows I might get to heaven one day & find out i was wrong about it not being there!