I hate Christmas. Who's with me?

aggypanthus

Lily-Rose wrote: »

That's OK.. Glad you're both OK with your own company, and I guess it is only big family times that you feel

But as your circle of siblings have expanded into further extended family and grandchildren, I guess they have moved on to new chapters in their life, and are unintentionally leaving you behind a bit. I doubt they're doing it on purpose though. I have a friend with no kids and 5 siblings, where the same thing has happened to her. And like the post above, she and her hubby go away for Christmas too, with other child-free couples.

I guarantee that people with few close family members in their lives (at Christmas - and in life in general - ) is far more common than people think. This big happy family Christmas that is promoted so much, is the exception, rather than the rule.

I suppose you could liken me to one of your aunts who you see infrequently.
What you say above is very astute re our position in the wider family.
we were main carers for one neice, but when she got to 11, her gran retired and took over. It was very painful for me as we had a great bond. Since then I protect myself from it happening again, closing off whilst wanting to love the other kids.

aggypanthus

raven83 wrote: »

Another thing I don't like about Christmas is the fact that some people spend it all alone and have no one to celebrate it with, I always think of people like that, it must be really lonely for them and they must dread it.

I was in hospital overnight, one xmas, it was dec 23rd, another lady had a hysterectomy and due to be home for xmas.She was adamant that whilst she would be all alone, she would be fine. Very sad as you say.

purpleshoes_2

raven83 wrote: »

Another thing I don't like about Christmas is the fact that some people spend it all alone and have no one to celebrate it with, I always think of people like that, it must be really lonely for them and they must dread it.

Ive spent Christmas on my own on a few occasions just by default really, I always see my mum around Christmas, tend to go up Christmas Eve and back home Boxing Day, but there have been a couple of times due to weather, also times due to work (in years gone by Ive worked in jobs where working over Xmas and New Year was necessary) that Ive ended up spending Christmas Day/night on my own.

To be honest, its the same as spending a day on your own any other day of the year. The hype and the feeling that everyone is doing something, have people in their life to spend it with maybe doesn't help, but Ive gone through times in my life where Ive had extended periods of feeling and being lonely, Christmas didnt make me feel any worse or better.

It was actually a thread on these boards last year that made me decide that 2014 was going to be the year that I got out of the house and meeting new people. I was a member of meet up for ages, but didnt really bother with it. I joined a new group, I now run it and I havent organised meets this year for Christmas Day, but I have organised one in the week between Christmas and New year and one for a few hours on New Years eve (daytime).

I think for someone like me (mid 40s with no kids) even if I have felt lonely, its probably much easier than older people who have had families and maybe dont have much contact, but again, something like volunteering with age concern might be something I consider in the new year.

It also must be hard for people who have very little money wise (I dont have much but more than a lot of people) and I always try and donate a toy or two to these appeals.

lostinrates

CH27 wrote: »

That sounds lovely.
My elderly Dad is very traditional & has a canary if I dare mention changing anything about xmas day, boxing day or new years day.

I've cut back massively on the sweets, biscuits, nuts & cheese that I used to buy.

Yes, this is what my parents felt. They aren't obliged to spend it with us ( they are separated, so its always a bit political) but actually, its been ok.

We have a cheese plate any way, but don't buy biscuits and sweets, yep, not even one box of sweets here. tHOUGH, a big treat is DH sometimes buys me a box of stuffed prunes, which it love.

If we want or need biscuits or candy we make them. Not only does this limit what gets consumed but it burns some calories in making them, and we don't have that much time to do it. Last year I think we made marsh mallows and Florentines.

growler834

Usually love Christmas with all the family around to ours for dinner etc. However this year I'm dreading it as we lost my mum in May, my aunt last year & my mum-in-law is in the last stage of her life in a care home & not expected to be with us by Christmas. If it was just me & hubby we would go away on holiday but I can't leave my elderly dad & uncle alone.

Georgiegirl256

You don't like Christmas yet you started a thread about it in September! You could have waited until at least November! It's as bad as going into the shops in Summer and seeing Christmasy stuff.

Homeownertobe

I must be in the minority because I've never heard Christmas music in September or even October, and it wasn't so long ago that I was a student and working part-time in a supermarket.

I've never found it particularly difficult to avoid Christmas in shops either before I want to - just swerve the dedicated areas. Surely doing that would be easier than allowing yourself to get so worked up by a bit of tinsel? I suppose some folk just like to moan.

Post-Halloween, I LOVE Christmas. I love the build-up to it as the Christmas Markets arrive and how the air gets charged with the chill and how the lights go up in the city. And then when people start decorating with lights on their houses and in their windows before the proper decorations go up. It just makes everything seem magical.

1886

I have no time for christmas and distance myself from it as much as possible. I think the reason I don't like it is mainly down to the shops, radio and just advertising in general pushing it in to your face months before the actual event every year so that when it eventually arrives I'm really sick of the sight of it.

My family are not close at all so from as far back as I can remember it's never been a time for seeing aunts, uncles, cousins etc. A few years ago I made the effort to drive down and see an aunt and uncle and two cousins with my bro, mum and wife and when we got there they had already eaten even though they invited us down for a buffet. Needless to say I have'nt been back since.

For me events like christmas, mother's day, father's day, valentines day etc are all purely about the shops etc harping on about it and the actual meaning of the day has been lost.

picklekin

pleasedelete wrote: »

No-one wants a last year left at the end of the sale reduced by 75% in Boots gift set. Honestly they don't. They will only regift them (to spread the misery for further years) or send them to a charity shop.

I very much agree with some of the posts, but can I just say that I like the 75% off boots sets. I get all excited about smellies and usually end up buying them in the sale for myself. There is something about the pretty packaging that just makes me feel all happy.

dandelionclock30

aggypanthus wrote: »

I was in hospital overnight, one xmas, it was dec 23rd, another lady had a hysterectomy and due to be home for xmas.She was adamant that whilst she would be all alone, she would be fine. Very sad as you say.

Why is it very sad? she might prefer that as opposed to being stuck with people she just sees once a year, grasping kids, and food she doesnt like anyway.
I think if people do or dont want to celebrate it then its upto them and if they dont then fair enough.
I personally think its mainly about the shops making as much money as possible. I think its more important for people to be genuinely supportive and kind to family and friends throughout the year. Not in terms of money, but in terms of being there for them etc.