Feelings about Christmas

Well you and I have had a goodly share of Christmas's so what are your views on this festive time.

Do you hate Christmas (like me) or do you love this time of year.

Do tell and please give some of your more colourful reasons for your likes or dislikes.

Re: Feelings about Christmas

With the exception of food and a few cards, Christmas will be a minimal affair in my house and all the more enjoyable for it with no rushing around facing the pre Christmas hoards in the shops.

Re: Feelings about Christmas

I'm with you there I don't like Christmas at all . My main reason is originally it was a Pagan festival adopted by Christians & not the true birth date of Jesus. I think it's so commercialised now with people spending beyond their means & eating & drinking to excess !!! I'm a real party pooper !! LOL

Re: Feelings about Christmas

I like Christmas!

We get to spend more time with our son and daughter and I'm 100% certain that they are not doing it just out of duty

I suppose we are fortunate enough to have grandchildren who are still of an age where they find Christmas magical and Santa is someone special. It is lovely to share their excitement, join in their games and accept their offers of help when Nanny is preparing the food

Saying all that, I'm not all that keen on the hustle and bustle with shopping that leads up to the event...... I hate crowds!

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I think everyone should have the Christmas they want - quiet, party-filled or plain morose.
As a child I loved the magic
as a teen I generally worked (in a riding school)
as a young mum it was all toddlers, tantrums and Santa
with older kids it was scraping and scrounging to be able to affird it
Now the family are all growed up we tend to just relax and let it wash over us. Nice food, not many gifts - just something small to show we care - lunches with friends and indulgent treats for the pets. All pretty laid back really.
Some of my friends seem to spend all Christmas driving from one end of the country to the other, for the obligatory visit to parents etc. Not my cup of tea - so I don`t.

Re: Feelings about Christmas

I hate the terrible pressure it seems to put on people and I dislike the way it seems to affect everything from 1 Dec to New Year.
I love the way it affects small children - but having no easily-accessible small children in the close family I don't participate in that side
It's my birthday - I really have grown to resent not having a 'real' birthday ... but it's really not so much of a big deal

Re: Feelings about Christmas

I'm ambivalent when it comes to Christmas. I love the getting together and just love to give gifts that might make people happy but today there is way too much stress and that part I can live without. Try adding a wedding to that which we have this year and Holy Moly.

We have everything in order and finished for both occasions so thank heavens we are organized this year.

Re: Feelings about Christmas

I so agree that each to his own as far as Christmas goes, unfortunately it is a very tough time for the old, vulnerable and recently berieved. Christmas is difficult to withdraw from if you don't particularly like it. The television adverts are just forcing this 'happy' time down peoples throats even puppies are getting to see their long lost brothers and sisters.

I find the whole idea that Christmas is magical and no body actually wakes up alone and cold without a dinner to look forward to or family to visit a bit hard to swallow.

I also find this 'Go on it's Christmas' urging people to drink too much and break good eating habits is daft we can eat and drink anything we like every day of the year.

Re: Feelings about Christmas

I agree, have you seen the thread 'Happy Train' in General Chat. You should come join us.

Re: Feelings about Christmas

..absolutely though as Claire says many people are pressured by family 'commitments' into doing things they would prefer not to do. I spent years driving my family hundreds of miles to visit relations when I just wanted to be at home.

When my son was in his teens and old enough not to mind about Christmas too much, I used to spent part of Christmas day on duty with a large voluntary organisation where we had an open door for anyone and many homeless and vulnerable people came for a cup of tea and a chat .

It was a very rewarding experience and it felt as though I was sharing in the real meaning of Christmas.

Well wishes dropped in with little gifts, things like tins of biscuits for branch members to have when they were on duty and this all added to the general feeling of kindness and generosity .