Bah Humbug

[rowanwitch]

Moaners here...form a queue. The too soon and the can't be bovvered. Let the Christmas fairies do their thing in peace.
If I can start.... I really dont like the blue and white non Christmas lights put up this time of year by local councils either because those LEDs are cheap or the designs say nothing

[ummmm]

That's what I really dislike, Pasta, the amount of pressure put on people especially those with young kids.

Even if you have money to spare you're still pressurised to buy things you don't want to buy.

I'm calm about Christmas now as I don't buy presents (I do if I see something they might like, but they are token gifts)

[douglas9401]

I'll be spending it with the family including my wee lassie who's been away in Australia this past year having all sorts of adventures.
The boss has been over there for a month as a significant birthday present so the stag house will be back to normal by about this time next Monday.

Apart from the utter crassness of the modern feast I'm looking forward to a few glasses and bottomless sprouts. :-)

[Canary42]

It's no longer Christmas, it's Greedfest, and as such appeals to me not at all. It also brings back sad memories on a personal basis. The sooner it's over the better.

[ummmm]

I don't find it unhappy, I just hate the hype. I don't think people are greedy, I think it's pressure put on them by never ending ads and what other people are doing/buying for their kids.

[Theland]

Its a great success for Madison Avenue, and sadly the gullibility of people to conform and perform to order, is like any other addiction and needs a deep breath, a step back, and a refusal to follow the flock and be manipulated into dancing to the corporate tune.

That does not stop personal enjoyment, provided some common sense prevails, and a refusal to be caught up in the Melee.

More, but later if appropriate.

[TheDevil]

I’m not overly fussed with Christmas I just go along with it for those around me who enjoy it

[Netty7]

I hate it with a vengeance, everything about it is so stressful, the shopping, the cooking, I just hate it all. My mum asked me the other day what I want for Christmas, my reply...........January!!

[Cloverjo]

Don’t do it, Netty. Wait for someone to invite you to theirs or just spend the day doing your own thing.

[Netty7]

If only Cloverjo!

[anneasquith]

There is no obligation to join in the frenzy of Xmas . No obligation .

[ummmm]

No obligation, just pressure.

[anneasquith]

Do you feel pressure ummm?

[Mamyalynne]

We set out years ago to relieve that pressure and obligation, my Daughters felt guilty after their Father died that I shouldn't be alone.


We had a good talk and now we simply do what feels right and suits as each year rolls through - if they want to go away on holiday for example they aren't haunted with guilt etc.

[brainiac]

Martin Lewis puts it really well here, and I totally agree with him.

[Canary42]

Thanks brainiac, wise words and food for thought indeed.

[maggiebee]

I was having a chat with my neighbour today and she is absolutely dreading Christmas day. Her family are all coming to her so she will be cooking for 9. She has a very small kitchen and her living room is not large either. She told her son that her table wouldn't seat 9 but he said he would bring a larger one and some chairs with him! He's the one with a large house and conservatory that could easily seat 10/15. Poor neighbour (almost 80) says she can't sleep at night for worrying about it. I know what I'd tell them.

[ummmm]

Anne - Pressure, Yes. I hate shopping, I hate crowds and walking about town looking and looking and looking for something for my mother, father, nieces & nephews and grandparents. I had no idea what to get them and I found it very stressful. Zapped any fun involved.

I just decided one Christmas that I wasn't doing it anymore. Then I got thinking. I could afford it, imagine the pressure on people who can't. No one wants their kids to be left out and not on trend. People get into debt year after year for a commercial day. A day we are bombarded with for months beforehand.

I enjoy the time off work and the time spent with family but that's it. TV is crap over xmas :-)

[ummmm]

I've never bought my kids an Easter egg either :-)

[MrsLadyBug]

I love Christmas but I stoppped listening to the Hype and pressure a long time ago.
My lot are all grown with their own families and in total I have 14 grandchildren and 6 great grand kids. Can't be buying for all of them any more. I spend the year making little things like personalised christmas ornaments for them.
I do my own thing for Christmas dinner. Always have. To me it's just a glorified Sunday dinner. Why buy food and stuff you wouldn't normally eat. I have a daughter still living with me and we cook for ourselves and her partner. Just get visits from others over the days.
One thing that really bugs me big time is the inclusion of cranberries into normal food just to make it "Festive"

[david small]

Can’t stand the commercialism, and false bonhomie tripe.
I used to volunteer to work over Christmas to avoid the row and clutter. Now retired and am ordered to be festive. Kids demand to come for Christmas dinner even though I say no. Though I like the thought of midnight mass even though I’m not religious.
Happy Easter everyone, silly being early isn’t it?