To think it's ok to not like Christmas?

[Whatthecluck]

I can't ever remember loving Christmas as a teen/adult. But it's gotten worse each year, nothing specific i can pinpoint although have unfortunately had deaths in the family who have passed away leading upto/just after christmas.

I just don't enjoy any of it, decorating the house/buying and wrapping presents/christmas songs. Probably the one thing i do enjoy is the excuse to eat more chocs but then regret that as it leads to an extra half a stone around the waist!

As a family we only buy gifts for the children which is a longstanding decision as we were all stressing ourselves out and making ourselves skint from having to buy everybody something.

I have 2 DC and of course i do my best to make christmas memorable for them and i do enjoy it on their behalf but for myself i'd rather just treat it as another day and get it over and done with.

My DP (been together just over a year) thinks im such a scrooge and he enjoys buying gifts for all his family and me etc.

Is it normal not to like Christmas?

Not everyone likes everything. Of course it's okay to not like Christmas!

Now my children are adults, I've created the kind of Christmas that suits me. I only give gifts to my children, I don't do Christmas cards. It's a pretty laid back, relaxed affair with no huge roast dinner.

I'm sure lots of people would hate my version of Christmas, but it suits us. Do what works for you!

I don't like it but I do my best for that not to come across and ruin everyone else's.
I feel myself going through the motions and if I lived alone I wouldn't do any of it but if it makes other family members happy I do the tree etc.

This year I feel a bit better about not liking it because I won't have to do much at all and the DC are grown up.

Nah, I hate xmas too. Happy, fake, hollow family gatherings on tv/ ads / films, enforced cheeriness, the xmas spirit being a reason to try to force people into things they don't want, so called "perfection" and how it all has to be just so or everything's ruined, stress, pressure, and it all being constantly rammed down everybody's throats.

I do it for the kids sake with gritted teeth.

It can come with a lot of intense emotions, stress and memories so I can see why some people wouldn't. I'd fake it for the kids as much as I could though.

Under normal circumstances I would much rather bugger off and sit in the sun in spain for a week...

I am not a fan of Christmas either. The only thing I like about it is that it’s a holiday, but I don’t do anything Christmassy and my children are not interested either. We usually go away and stay in a spa hotel somewhere in the U.K. and just relax.

I love Christmas, I would give up my birthday if the world could have a second Christmas six months after real Christmas I love it so much but YANBU. Lots of people don't like it for various reasons and that's fine. I don't like lots of things other people like because everyone is different. I wouldn't try and talk someone into loving Christmas or call them scrooge.

@lazylump72 that is my ideal christmas, when the DC are grown up that is where you will find me!

I'd really rather completely skip Christmas. It's just stress and hassle to me. I'd rather fly somewhere hot for the week and lie on a beach and ignore the whole thing.

I'm not keen. It's become a merry go round of stressful shopping and cooking, trying to please everyone.

Add to that some significant bereavements and an empty nest it just makes me feel like life is over

I think Christmas can be very hard for a lot of people. Especially if there has been bereavement around that time. A friend of mine lost her husband suddenly on Dec 23rd a few years ago and the only way she can cope is to go away on holiday and ignore the whole thing.

There is also a lot of pressure to make it all perfect for the kids, #makingmemories.
Yuck!.
Your kids will be happy just to be at home with presents and food. try to relax, enjoy spending time with the family, watching movies and indulging in whatever you fancy.

YANBU, lots of people don’t.

Personally I love it, but I can completely see why it’d be an unhappy time if deaths in the family etc coincided.

My DM’s friend’s mother died on Christmas Day, which compounded the fact that as a Christian she already felt Christmas had become OTT and commercialised so it generally isn’t a happy time for her.

She has four DC, and growing up she and her DH would get them gifts, but nothing extravagant or materialistic, then after church they’d take a picnic to the beach or go out on their boat. As it was Christmas Day they had the beach to themselves. They’d have a small tree at home and send cards, but other than that didn’t make a huge fuss. Their DC never felt deprived as it was a very loving family, and it was their ‘normal’.

YANBU to dislike it, or to make it low key. As long as your DC still enjoy themselves then it’s fine.

Christmas is shit

I love NYE though

Only loved it when we could afford Tenerife for a fortnight. They celebrate the true meaning of Christmas not our commercial rubbish!!!

I'm not a Christmas fan. I'd like it, if it was just a week like in some countries. It's forced fun as far as I'm concerned. If we don't want to listen to Slade from January to November, why would we want to in December? DH loves it so I keep a brave face.

Perfectly normal, it seems to highlight the good and bad in anyone's life, and if a lot of deaths of loved ones have been in December, totally get why.

Can't stand Christmas. I just don't enjoy anything about it. I usually ignore it and go away but going to have to suffer through I this year.

I started to like it less and less as more and more responsibility to arrange it all and host family members etc fell to me.

I don't moan about it as teen DD loves it so I make it as memorable as I can for her and I remind myself that this phase is not forever and one day I'll be wishing that we had a full house again!

I don't like it. I often feel I get 'punished' by others - they call me a humbug/Grinch etc. I hate the stupid xmas songs, I don't believe in it religiously and it's so commercialised it kind of makes me sick. My mother ruined xmas for me as a child by getting herself so ridiculously stressed at trying to please everyone and taking it out on me. Stuff it. Don't like turkey either. The telly has crap all on (seriously, they're advertising the film Elf on Sky - it's almost 20 years old) and I don't like travelling about over the festive period.

YANBU

I don’t like Christmas, either. I'm not religious, I strongly dislike throwaway consumerism and I hate greed and waste, so it’s hardly surprising that Christmas isn’t my favourite time of year.

Christmas should be like the World Cup & Olympics. Once every four years.

It's absolutely fine. And I say that as someone who loves Christmas time.

The only time when it may become a problem is if you were waking around with sour face on, ruining it for others. People shouldn't be forced into the celebration either. My DH is indifferent to them but always in the end enjoys it. Because in my house it really is just about having fun and good food with few presents. And no more than 5 guests at one time if any. I don't get people moaning about it for being too much stress and too much to do. Just do it your own way which you enjoy. Christmas are not supposed to be all stressy.

I do, however, get people who are just "meh" about it all. Just hold on for a bit and as soon as they are out of the house, book a cruise😂 Is there any non Christmassy tradition you could implement which will make it more enjoyable for you? A Christmas day walk to have a break? A board game session (which can lead into a tradition of new board game under a tree) or anything YOU enjoy. Unless it's a Christmas tree burning😁

YANBU, I never understand people who seem to think we should all like the same things. I don't mind Christmas, it's not my favourite time of year but I'll make an effort for the kids. I'm glad other people enjoy it, and don't see how my lack of enthusiasm does anything away for them?

I much prefer Halloween, and I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. I don't expect it to be, and as long as they aren't moaning at me for enjoying it, then it's all fine.

Argh, I get you! I don't dislike it but would happily cancel it. Pre DS, I enjoyed having 2 weeks off work and just slobbing around at my mum and dad's house like a teenager.

The 2yo is too young for Christmas yet, we are going to my mum's house this year but will not get to slob about 😂.

I went into Asda at lunchtime and am already sick of seeing piles of Christmas tat. Who buys these gift sets? And I don't want to see Christmas adverts on TV.

I have done 90% of my shopping, the Asda delivery is booked for the 22nd, Turkey booked, cards written, Christmas bubble negiotiated. So I can just forget about it til actual Christmas.

@MedusasBadHairDay

YANBU, I never understand people who seem to think we should all like the same things. I don't mind Christmas, it's not my favourite time of year but I'll make an effort for the kids. I'm glad other people enjoy it, and don't see how my lack of enthusiasm does anything away for them?

I much prefer Halloween, and I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. I don't expect it to be, and as long as they aren't moaning at me for enjoying it, then it's all fine.

I love Halloween, I'd swap my birthday for a second Halloween or a second Christmas.

TiaandTamera Oh definitely, birthdays can fuck off as far as I'm concerned