It’s no secret. I hate Christmas. No, I’m not a Scrooge or a Grinch. I’m down with the “spirit” of Christmas. I like spending time with my family and giving them gifts. I like quiet cozy evenings at home with my husband and cats. I really like the food.
What I’m not down with is busyness, obsession over finding the perfect gift, shopping until my feet riot and burn my shoes, drop kicking people out of my way at the sales tables, lines in the food court like cattle waiting for slaughter, green and red everything, cutesy commercials that rhyme, CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYED AD NAUSEAM!
I could take some moral high ground and declare that we’ve lost the “real meaning of Christmas” to “corporate greed” and “commercialism” but the fact of the matter is this: I find the season stressful and full of pressure that’s inflicted not by corporations but by events, decorations, and to-do lists demanding more of my time and attention every year.
When one party used to suffice there are now eight. Can’t arrive empty handed. There goes another 20 bucks I don’t have for a bottle of wine. And that guy at the office who’s name you don’t know and you’ve spoken to once insisted on buying you a gift so now you have to dash out and buy another present. Don’t you just hate that guy? And what do you buy for Chuck? Err, Todd? What was his name?
Didn’t Christmas used to come once a year? Now it seems like it’s here every six months. My mother assures me that I’m wrong. She says it comes every three months. Something to look forward to. I keep trying to persuade her to let us skip it just one year. I used to like Christmas and I think I could again if I could only catch a break. I doubt I’ll convince her. She has two young granddaughters who don’t have enough stuff in their playroom.
If I can’t convince my own family to dial it back I doubt I’ll convince the rest of the free world. If we could just skip that damn music for one year I might make it. I’ll play along with your obnoxious Christmas game world but don’t expect me to like it!
Online shopping. Click-click, all done! I’ve quit going to stores completely to find gifts. I hate the “I’ll cut you for this scarf!” attitudes. Online, it is!
I hate Christmas too, and for all the reasons you noted. Completely off the intended meaning.
I do not like Christmas. It’s too much stress. It’s also too much money. I have 6 grandkids aging in range from 6 to 19. Those kids have parents (my own kid and their spouse) and try buying anything for that many people without spending a ton of cash. And that’s just the beginning. We have neighbor’s kids. We have a couple of friends who we buy “little things” (think $20 range) for. We have each other.
My husband although a pagan really loves Christmas. We get the outside lights, the two trees, the garlands with twinkle lights, the wreaths, the little sparkly stuff all over the house. It’s all really tacky. Then we entertain family and friends and they entertain us back. That’s a lot of booze and food.
My favorite thing is Christmas Eve. We go out to dinner, just the two of us, and then come home and bring all the dogs into the parlor while we open presents. We usually have a nice brandy or cognac and go to bed early. We play Hendel’s Messiah and call it a night. The dogs eat or tear up their new toys and everybody is happy and content.
I like your Christmas Eve. I would love to get an evening alone with my husband during the holidays. We’ve so much family it’s nearly impossible. Maybe I’ll just tag along on yours in spirit!
I would gladly have the feeling of the season, the coziness, the decorations, the food, the spirit, even the weather, if we could just do away with the shopping, the stress and 3/4 of the work parties.
Oops, meant to say “…even the weather, all year ’round, if we…..”
I have always loved Christmas. When I was younger Christmas wasn’t all about greed and commercialism. It was a time for family, small gifts and the hot chestnut man out in the street
People were happy – strangers would wish you a happy Christmas as they walked past. The lead up to Christmas started in December and we looked forward to seeing the first signs.
Now we have it thrust at us for months beforehand. Advertising is aimed at kids, so they can put the pressure on their parents, who get into debt on their cards. The pressures on people are horrendous. I’m glad we made a rule in our family years ago. We only buy for our parents and the kids in the family. It became lighter on our pockets as each year ticked by. Now there are no ‘kids’ left to buy for. No parties, no invitations to have to squeeze into our busy schedule, no unexpected gifts from anyone……..I think I’ll go eat worms.
Nora, I love how you put this. That you are into the spirit of Christmas, but not with the pressure to DO Christmas. I couldn’t have expressed this better myself. When someone asks me why I’m “such a scrooge” I’m just going to give them your post, OK?
p.s. I once canceled much-needed chiropractor appts. until January because my doc’s office insisted on a radio in every exam room playing a station that went “all Christmas all the time” for December.
Go for it! I know what you mean about much needed chiropractor appointments. On my way to one now!
BAH! HUMBUG!…for me it lost it’s luster years ago…other than a paid day off part..I could pass no problem
Even as a non-Christian, christmas and new-year was always a special time for us all back in India. Though celebrated on quite a small scale compared to other 364, festivals we looked forward to our winter holidays – and admire the Christmas lights and laugh at Santa Claus – he was always funny looking !
But now Christmas is one confusing time of the year for me. Instead of looking forward to holidays, I too am making a list of things to buy in deals to grab for boxing day — all for myself.
“Happy Holidays” indeed
I think Christmas in India sounds nice. Maybe I should try it out in another country?
I refuse to succumb to Christmas pressure. I buy presents for only my husband, kids, and close extended family (parents, siblings, niece, nephew, my grandmother), and I stick to a budget for each person. If someone is kind enough to give me a gift, I say a heartfelt and genuine “Thank you.” Receiving a gift does not obligate one to give a gift, it just obligates the recipient to thank the giver. Who gives a gift expecting to get one back? If I give someone a gift, it is because I want to do something nice for them, not because I expect a gift in return. My daughter likes decorating so I let her do it. I don’t worry if it isn’t perfect as long as she has fun doing it. I like baking so I do that part. My kids wrap any presents that are not theirs. I send out Christmas cards when I remember. We keep Christmas pretty laid back in my immediate family. I think the secret to a relaxed and happy Christmas is to keep your expectations low. I really enjoy the Christmas season because I don’t expect perfection or even something close to perfection.
I’m going to embrace your gift giving philosophy. I think I’m guilty of needing to return the gift too often. As for the day itself, I’m the queen of laid back. If only I could get the rest of the family to chill we might be ok!
I love Christmas, however, much like you, I am not prepared [or willing] to deal with all the pressures that come along with this holiday. Nor am I looking forward to the credit card debt.
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I love so much about this post, but especially about Christmas coming more often every year. That seems to apply to so many things these days. It’s beginning to freak me out! I’m looking forward to reading more of you.