ChatterBank0 min ago
Ba Humbug - Christmas
Am I alone in not really liking Christmas? I don't like the period leading up to it by the time it arrives I am bored to death with it. I feel elated when 1st January arrives! I don't remember feeling so badly about it years ago when it started in December instead of September, and, of course, it's magic for children - but I just don't like it at all any more.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I would like it more if, as years ago, Christmas started on about 20th December, with people rushing about buying their gifts and putting up trees and decorations. Christmas food shopping was done on Christmas eve and then there were two days of just enjoying yourself with the family (and the Sales didn't start on Boxing Day) People didn't overspend and nobody expected expensive presents.
Nowadays, if you take any notice of the adverts you are even expected to freshly decorate your house (not Christmas decorations - but paint and paper, etc), and even buy a new DFS sofa!! Magazines are full of articles about how to have a stress free Christmas and how you should start preparing now. And you can't buy any clothes in the shops except for Christmas party wear!!
Even Christmas decorations change fashion every year. We get the same box down that we have had since getting married and with decorations that our parents had before us!
I told you I was an Old Fogey! I am off to join Quizmonster on a far away desert island, if he agrees.
As Georgit says, its all turned into a commercial money-making scame.
As a total atheist, I agree. But you have to go along with it. A bit like when I got married, I had to go to church for 6 weeks as I was never christened. I had no choice as my wife's family are believers, and I would never have lived it down if we went the registry office route. Why do half of the country who are atheists celebrate xmas? The whole thing smacks of hipocrisy.
Also, every year my family get together at xmas, and EVERY year we all end up arguing.
Every year my family get together at xmas, and EVERY year we all end up arguing.
Christmas in Thailand is pretty good. You only get Christmas day off, it's hot, everywhere is open, you can usually find someone daft enough to cook the full monty for lunch (for old times sake) and you can sit around drinking cocktails.
The downside is that you get to listen to bootleg carols in the shops ('Jigger Ben'!), and sometimes being cold is good, briefly.
The Christmas experience of my youth can never be reclaimed, but hopefully can be replicated for my kid(s).
I find christmas very depressing. I know the children love the lights and everything else so I make the effort. Being an atheist I don't celebrate it as the birth of christ, but as a time of peace and goodwill to all. This is where it gets depressing, watching everyone spend spend spend with no thought for anyone else. No one seems to be thankful for what they've got any more. Christmas has lost its true meaning and turned into a commercial nightmare.
How can I feel happy at christmas when I turn the telly on and see war and famine? Children suffering whilst I have fun. If only people could spend this time of year helping others and sharing a little of their wealth with those that truly need it.
Nicola_red, I'm sure you would find plenty of people going alone to Church. I think you should try and go along as you are a religious person. You might feel very close to your Nan there. Would your lovely boyfriend go with you, just as support to you?
I am not religious, but it didn't stop me going along to all the Nativity services when my son was little. It certainly brought out more of the true meaning of Christmas that Wraith has put so well.