Christmas Haters?

[addictfreak]

Im I alone or does anyone else in CC land hate Christmas, not just the day itself but the whole build up?

I love it when I check my annual rota sheet and see that im on duty.

 

[NormanD]

Me too .. hated this time of year for many many years ... I love saying "Bah Humbug" to anyone saying "Merry Christmas" to me, love the facial expressions they give 

 

[TVC]

Not so much hate it as let most of it pass me by. I don't believe in a God (That's a whole thread on it's own). I don't fall for the commercial stuff, not buying or receiving gifts. The endless naff songs and garlands of shiny tat speak of a false expectation that the whole thing is going to be better than it actually ever could be. Finally the pressure it puts on people to join in, branding them as Scrooge or miserable if they don't want to conform with the masses, who sheep like follow the same tired formula of food and family gatherings every single year.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

We have a two week shut down at work, so I love it!!!

 

[numbnuts]

I enjoy the church service and all the carols (I'm a Catholic and go every Sunday) but all the rest I don't care a shoot for the true meaning has been lost and to some it is an excuss to over eat, over drink and over spend.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I enjoy the two days, but that's it. All the build up, cards and all that crap leaves me cold.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I can't say I hate Christmas, that would be too strong, but I do wish it would just happen and leave me alone. Mrs A and I enjoy the celebratory meals together, but do not expect nor solicit outside company. We do not buy each other gifts or cards, but rather treat ourselves either after Christmas when the sales are on, or have a couple of days away when hotels are begging for guests.

 

[ThePainInSpain]

I think it would be much better if it was held in July, when the weather's better and the shops are not so crowded.................

 

[just jim]

If you had quite lousy Christmases as a child, there is a certain melancholy about the time of year, perhaps a feeling that it will all go wrong again. I try see it as positively as I can, and concentrate on the worth of it.

 

[potsy]

12 days off work, too much eating and drinking, what's not to like?

Oh and the chance to buy more cycling related goodies too

 

[KEEF]

I don't hate it but the build up just wears me out. I work in retail distribution and the stores must have their deliveries even in this weather!

 

[Fnaar]

Though I'm atheist, I enjoy Christmas for what it means to me... time off work, time with family and friends, bit of overindulgence and generally it's quite fun. I hate the 2 month build up, and refuse to get drawn into panics about not having enough time left to get everything done. Don't get drawn in, just enjoy..

 

[Arch]

Don't get drawn in, just enjoy..

hear hear!

I love it myself - I get to buy stuff for people, which is a lovely feeling when you have just the right idea and you know someone will really like it. And if if you lack inspiration, a phone call normally gets a hint or two. I get to see my nephews, who I adore, and who've grown up another 3 months since I last saw them. I like the food, the little family traditions, the week off, the tinsel, the smell of winter spice.

It's not a religious festival for me, other than a very necessary midwinter boost. Yes, I'll fret about stuff, in my case mostly getting away from work in time for the train on Xmas Eve, but once I'm there, I'm happy.

 

[ColinJ]

I still have vivid memories from my childhood of my mother getting stressed out and crying on Christmas Day because the turkey wasn't cooked properly, or some damn vegetable or other had been overlooked. Even then (despite finding it all very exciting at the time), I felt that it just wasn't worth the fuss. A long, manic build-up to the big day, a present-opening frenzy below the Christmas tree, and days of over-indulgence at the table, and finally, inevitably... a melancholy feeling of "Oh, was that it?"

My ideal Christmas would be to see my family and friends, eat some nice food, but not make a big fuss about it, and squeeze a decent bike ride in if the weather was kind to us, or a long, hilly walk if conditions weren't quite so good. I'd ban presents, cards, tinsel and all that stuff altogether.

 

[taxing]

Since announcing this year that I'm skint so any presents will be homemade, I'm enjoying the run-up to Christmas a lot more. I love knitting and baking and all that crafty crap, so any excuse to spend a lot of time fiddling with wool and Pritt Stick makes me happy.

I think I'm going to do this again next year, whether I'm skint or not.