Am I the only one who cannot stand Christmas?

[dave50]

It has lost all it's meaning. I bet there are a lot of children who have now idea of the true meaning. All that happens is families all over the country are blackmailed and bribed into spending money on ridiculous overpriced gifts they cannot really afford, so end up going into debt so as not to appear miserable or 'tight'. A small gift as a gesture is all that's needed, especially if money is tight, instead of this rampant commercial bullying. I will be glad when it's over.

[Ric.ror]

Oh your a barrel of laughs arent you:-))

[mungbeanz]

I'd recommend living in Iraq. They don't go in for Christmas over there.

[redcrx]

im sure you wont be the only one, dave.

[RATTER15]

http://www.plim.org/1225Pagan.html

[Philtaz]

Ditto the OP.

[mccfluff]

i don't celebrate xmas as i cant see the point for me, murphs happy as long as she gets fed and i'm happy with 4 days of work lounging about in my pjs watching rubbish on telly and reading, i cant wait!

i do feel for parents who are under huge pressure to provide all the pressies, the kids want, esp when you have kids thinking a magic being is going to fly in from the north pole and give them everything they ask for

[mccfluff]

*off*

[Frank97]

I try to get into the swing of things (note the Christmas avatar) but if truth be told I feel a bit hypocritical about it all really being as I'm an atheist.

[micmak]

We don't celebrate Christmas as most people do. There is only me and Mrs MM, we have no family. We don't decorate the house or have a tree. Mrs MM will prepare some nice food and that will be it. Christmas is a very sad time for us.

[cazzz1975]

I enjoy christmas, I dont go mad on buying, I think that is just media hype to get people spending, the high street is reporting a slump so the ridiculous overpriced present buying does not seem to be manifesting on a grand scale, though some people like to believe it to bolster their anit-christmas sentiment.

[cazzz1975]

anti*

[VHG]

I think the retail trade has "spoilt" Christmas.

Constant bombarding in the shops and on TV and radio about "what to buy for Christmas".

Pages and pages in the newspapers and magazines about "the best things to buy" for different members of the family.

Plus we have a HUGE obesity problem in this country (sorry for the pun) but all the supermarkets have shelves full of Christmas sweets, cakes, biscuits etc., as if we werent all fat enough.

And if the Xmas build up were not enough, they all open again Boxing Day to get us to spend more money. I think opening Boxing Day should be banned.

I think we are all being "conned" by the retail industry to think that you MUST spend lots of money at Christmas or you are some sort of miser.

I think it is about time we rebelled against the retail industry and did not all rush out and buy everything as though the world was coming to an end.

[albaqwerty]

It has been becoming commercialised over the past 30 or so years.
Also, it's the parents who are putting themselves under pressure to compete with other parents as when the little darlings go back to school, no doubt the teacher will be asking who got what and some of the other kiddie-winks will be snorting at the others.

[rowanwitch]

For me this year as last year christmas will be about making the holiday special for someone who didn't have many happy family christmasses that means my Christmas will be warm and full of meaning.... gifts are part of it...nice food ditto but knowing Christmas is now about loving someone and being loved back can't wait... But I also will stop to think of those facing Christmas without someone precious to them I can't make their losses any less but I can make sure I cherish the one I am with for however long we have (thats the trouble with Autumn relationships..)

[ummmm]

I don't really celebrate it.

[trionam]

If people the money to spend then fair enough spend away it wont do the economy any harm if they dont they shouldnt feel pressured into spending more than they can afford I live in Ireland we just had our fourth austerity budget yesterday and I still see people borrowing money for christmas its madness. Im just buying for my kids everyone else will just have to go without or we will do a kris kindle in the family.It is possible to have a good christmas without going mad with money.

[Old_Geezer]

You make a lot of good points. However it's more for the children, but surely even the adults can appreciate an excuse to eat & drink what they like much more than they should once a year ? Did you not agree gesture gifts with the rest of your family ?

[pusskin]

Xmas can be a sad time of year. Not looking forward to it at all yet, as I too have lost 2 members of my family recently, and I still feel very sad for losing them. But I will put a smile on my face when i get a knock on the door or have to make any visits to family or friends x

[Rodge2]

Nice to get a holiday. I would agree the secret is not to overdo anything. Moderate eating & drinking, moderate present buying and enjoy the break.