Does anyone else really hate this time of year ?

Oh boy.... one moment we were all having an interesting discussion comparing the different and varied reasons some of us don't like xmas, then next moment someone smugly lectures us on lightening up and going with the flow and next moment a war has broken out about which reason for not liking xmas is the most worthy one. The internet specialises in this sort of escalation :D

Well said Iam,

MawBroon - you get my award for Woman of Courage of the year (and many previous years). You have been inspirational as a loving carer for Paw and you have come to the aid of Anniebach who was obviously distressed by some comments.
Thanks for bringing this back to faith, by referring to Paw's love of Christmas and his attendance at Mass over the Christmas periods, even when you were away from home and walking was a challenge for him.
I know many people don't share the Christian faith, or indeed any faith and that's entirely up to them. For those for whom Christmas is more than a period of huge indulgence, stress and resentment I say, Happy Christmas one and all xxx

No paddyann, anniebach did NOT bring it all back to HER, but yet again somebody sees fit to kick a person (figuratively speaking) when they are down
The reference to being a long time dead and in the ground ranks as one of the most ill-chosen and insensitive I have heard in the circumstances.
Hattie and I have just come back from our daily walk up to our village churchyard to “see Daddy” in the ground as you so charmingly put it, but I am not bitter, nor will I say I “hate this time of year” because I know all too well how life can turn on a sixpence. I will not wish the weeks and months away, I wish I could relive the Christmases of the past and perhaps I would have treasured them more.
To rant against the razzmatazz of Christmas is a personal CHOICE and there are some who are only too willing to moan and groan like Marley’s ghost.
For some of us it will be a time of reflection, of memories, of joy we have known and yes, of hope for the future, in my case embodied in the happy smiling faces of my grandchildren.
Paw was a man of faith, he loved Christmas and if we were away from home I would have to find him a Mass, usually on Christmas Eve and sometimes miles away if we were in the country, even when he needed 2 sticks to walk the shortest distance.
I gave THANKS for those Christmases and I am sure I am not alone.
Christmas will be what YOU make it - for some the hardest one they will know, to others I would just say do not take it for granted. ? ?

To Annie, to Maw, who are recently bereaved and to the many others less recently. Please ignore ignorant posts

Thank you I named myself but was thinking of others who are grieving too, it wasn't for me to name them. X

to Annie and all the others who have lost a loved one, it doesn't take too much imagination to understand that such a bereavement will be harder to bear at Christmas.

I have to be doing something I enjoy for it to be fun. No point telling me to go out drinking because it would be fun. It wouldn't be for me, likewise other things that people enjoy. My not liking it doesn't stop them from loving it. Just the same for Christmas. Not my idea of fun, apart from the dinner. It's not compulsory to enjoy it.

Some don't understand having fun is not a law , some choose a quiet time. And I think everyone here knows they will die so don't need telling as if it's breaking news n

Honestly paddyann, I can't believe you've just posted such an insensitive comment - words fail me!

And some people just need to realise they have no business telling anyone how to react to Christmas

not everyone who said they hate christmas is recently bereaved Annie but well done for bringing it all back to you ....we know you've had a tough time but some people just need to realise how lucky they are and have some fun

And hugs to you niggly, nah have a Welsh Cwtsh x

Hugs that is.

Me too annie.

There are several posters who are grieving, one has to wait until 27th December for her husbands funeral, one whose husband died in March is not looking forward to the day, one whose husband died just weeks ago , several have buried their beloved children, damn insensitive to speak of being in the ground and it is more than sad , it rips you in bits and there are moments when you want to join them

No more to say, thank you niggly and cornergran for remembering some of us are grieving x x

Hugs annie.

Pity my dead daughter hadn't read your post before she took her life Paddyann

Living a little and enjoying yourself isn't always that easy paddyann for people who have recently or even not so recently lost loved ones, particularly in tragic circumstances. For a lot of people Christmas can be a very trying time of year, that's why for some, the Christian Christmas message can be be very comforting and soothing, much more than the obligatory 'jolly box'.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned that Christmas is such a sad time for all those grans denied contact with their grandchildren.(Over 1 million children in UK)

Many grans are not even allowed to send cards /presents to their grandchildren.

Well, it all kicks off in mid-August and by the time we're in mid-November I'm absolutely hating it!

And as for the so-called "Christmas Music"....it seems any old junk can be passed off as long as it's got bluddy sleigh bells on it.

And then afterwards.......I've worked at the C.A.B. and January is one enormously long parade of sorry souls who've accumulated (several) credit card debts that make your eyes pop out on stalks.

For.Just.One.Day.

You are not alone - I loathe it & have zero family now alas... I'm more a New Year person - new beginnings, hope and all that... Do enjoy good food & a few treats but that's about it for Xmas here.. I made a meme
Seasons Greetings all & a Very Happy New Year

Well, it seems that Christmas is over already. Today, my Inbox is being flooded with emails from companies promoting their sales.

Time to do some cut-price Christmas shopping maybe?

I love christmas,the lights, the presents, the food the crowded house ,the noisy grandchildren, watching my OH relax with all the people he loves after yet another tough year.I hate having to take down all the outside lights in January they literally brighten the dark evenings and make me smile .Its sad so many cant appreciate these things life as some realise is too short ...you'll get all the peace and quiet you need when your dead and in the ground so go on LIVE a little ...you might find you enjoy it

I am a Christian and love Christmas, but I hate the way some retailers use it to exploit and rip off their customers. I am also a musician and more than once this year I couldn't wait to get out of a shop because of the excruciatingly badly performed Christmas music they were playing! Absolutely love home-made mince pies too!