The little annoyances of Christmas

BritAbroad

I was thinking today about Christmas and all the good bits, plus all the bits that bug me. I know there's usually a fee threads about the big things that upset/annoy folk, like family dramas and the like, but I was wondering what are the little things that annoy you?

For me, the biggest 'minor annoyance has has to be those irritating 'I'm not sending Christmas cards, but giving a donation to charity instead' messages. Does it really take much to show family and friends you've thought about them for a few seconds? Why not send cards and make a charitable donation without making a big song and dance about it?

(On a related note, I hate those work situations where your team decides that they're going to buy a goat or whatever instead of sending cards. Usually it means one person has decided that every should donate to a specific charity and you can't object to their choice without looking like Scrooge.)

Another minor annoyance - why won't the star stay straight on top of the Christmas tree?

Paper hats in crackers - they always fall over your eyes or into your dinner.

Glitter - from cards, wrapping paper, decorations - it gets everywhere!

Realising you've only got one more small present to wrap but you're going to have to burst open a new roll of wrapping paper to do it. Once opened, it seems a roll of wrapping paper can never be tamed!

What are your minor Christmas irritations?

Hermia

The thing that annoys me is when people buy those charity presents (buy a goat etc) and choose a charity they support and not one you support. Surely when you do that you are basically buying those presents for yourself. When you choose presents you are supposed to think of what the recipient would want. In the case of charity presents surely that would mean choosing the recipient's favourite charity.

BritAbroad

Hermia wrote: »

The thing that annoys me is when people buy those charity presents (buy a goat etc) and choose a charity they support and not one you support. Surely when you do that you are basically buying those presents for yourself. When you choose presents you are supposed to think of what the recipient would want. In the case of charity presents surely that would mean choosing the recipient's favourite charity.

Very true - I've always been reluctant to buy these charity presents for that reason, as people are often quite private about which charities they support and it would be very easy to get it wrong!

Brighton_belle

BritAbroad wrote: »

For me, the biggest 'minor annoyance has has to be those irritating 'I'm not sending Christmas cards, but giving a donation to charity instead' messages. Does it really take much to show family and friends you've thought about them for a few seconds? Why not send cards and make a charitable donation without making a big song and dance about it?

My bug bear is receiving cards from people I haven't seen for ages with just their signature in it - what is the point in that?
It doesn't make me feel 'thought of'. It makes me feel they've spent 20 seconds out of a tedious hour or two going through a box of cards and probably finding it a tedious task. I' rather not receive one at all.

paulineb_2

I send two cards, one to my mum and one to my brother and thats it.

I have bought charity gift cards in the past, never had a less than positive reaction, but it wasnt a main present, was an extra.

Christmas songs on a loop in shops, in particular off the wall versions and ive heard a few this year, drive me mad

Trees going up in november, why?

Alchemilla

I really like a donation to charity in place of cards...

Rebecca01

Losing the end of the sellotape. Its so annoying! I can never find it again!

fluffnutter

Rebecca01 wrote: »

Losing the end of the sellotape. Its so annoying! I can never find it again!

You need one of these. A bit pricey but so worth it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotch-Pop-up-Tape-Dispenser-Gift/dp/B000XSPEPA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1387613290&sr=8-3&keywords=scotch+tape+dispenser

Rebecca01

fluffnutter wrote: »

You need one of these. A bit pricey but so worth it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotch-Pop-up-Tape-Dispenser-Gift/dp/B000XSPEPA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1387613290&sr=8-3&keywords=scotch+tape+dispenser

Thank you. I really do!

Tygermoth

I hate Christmas cards.

Full stop.

I hate that people expect them when in most cases i know you from work or in passing..... I will lie and say i have bought a charitable donation instead. My family know i wish them all the best and a blinking hyped up paper product wont change that.

Gets me out paying money i could use elsewhere and from killing a tree for a pointless exercise of a cheesy over glittered faux Christmas cheer to bow to frankly a stupid tradition that has become overblown.

and breathe.....

balletshoes

Brighton_belle wrote: »

My bug bear is receiving cards from people I haven't seen for ages with just their signature in it - what is the point in that?
It doesn't make me feel 'thought of'. It makes me feel they've spent 20 seconds out of a tedious hour or two going through a box of cards and probably finding it a tedious task. I' rather not receive one at all.

thats exactly why I only send a few cards, none to work colleagues at all, only to people I see or am in contact with. Writing cards is probably my most tedious task at christmas - oh, and having to go into town on any weekend in december, as its always busy and i get in a bad mood :cool:.