Does anyone else really hate this time of year ?

I used to feel that way, especially with teenagers/young adults in the house. Now I'm able to avoid the glitz - I shop away from the worst of the commercialism and head for carol services and the like. I volunteer at a nature reserve - there's always lots of Christmas escapees there too!

If only the lead up to Christmas could begin just around 4 weeks ahead of it I think many people would not dread it so much. It seems that hardly the kids are back to school in September that the build up begins. It"s the commercialisation of it all that spoils it for many and starts far too soon. I dislike the way it's rammed down our throats so soon and avoid it where I can. It might be good for the economy but not so good for our general well-being and stress levels. In many ways we are to blame for this, if people did"nt buy their Christmas gifts so early maybe shops might just start later and it would be more enjoyable all round.

Anyone who has ever bought a single item extra, whether it be food, alcohol or presents, at this time of year has added to the commercial aspect of Christmas because it has told companies you are willing to spend more than normal. Why wouldn't companies take advantage of that; their only function is to make a profit. So, unless you are totally blameless in that respect then please don't complain. However, you don't need to worry because I'm sure after Brexit we'll never have Christmas again. Either that or it will be Trump or maybe even Putin 's fault because everything is, isn't it? It seems that way on this website anyway!

There are plenty of ways of avoiding the hype, shop on line to avoid the forced jollity, don't watch telly without a plan to enjoy the best of what suits you, read good books walk in the winter weather. I would also avoid the various 'appeals' for money and help, it is just another day and can be treated as such if you want to. Charity can be dealt with any day.

I wish all the Christians the joy of the day, I wish all the parents who are doing it for the kids, the very best of luck, it's not for me but I will be celebrating the mid winter, Yule.

If you are grieving it is hard, but an essential part of that process and nothing changes your pain but time.

We will be here on GN over the holidays so you will not be totally alone unless you want to be.

As from Christmas, the light will begin to return and spring will be on her way, if that's not a reason to celebrate I don't know what is. No hype needed for that no beliefs, no mince pies, just a time to remember how wonderful it all is.

The foot massage, as I remember, was by Mary Magdalene a symbol of His Death and completely free. If you know your Gospels you will also know that Christ washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper. As indeed the Queen washes the feet of pensioners. I have not been offended by your comment, but I think we should all be careful and accurate when we make references to other people's religion.

I love Christmas, but I think the commercialisation starts much too early. First of December would be soon enough! Whitewave, I know what you’re going through. That was me last year, but with my husband.. This year it will be my first Christmas without him. I’ll try very hard not to be too sad for the sake of my children and grand kids. My DH loved everything about Christmas and he’ll be in our hearts. Happy Christmas everyone!

Since those closest to me moved to another country that takes twenty four hours travelling for them or myself to be together, and some of our older members have passed on, for me as soon as our clocks go back I could happily hibernate and not emerge until our clocks go forward Bliss.
That way I could escape not only from the dark days and nights but what I am being reminded from as early as October with all the delights ? of xmas appearing in our shops is that the Big Day is just around the corner.
What do children see xmas as ? Nothing more than what presents they are going to get.
Who do we visit or invite to visit ourselves without upsetting others in our family.What is it we are actually celebrating?
25 December was 'chosen' by the early Christian church as the day of Christ's birth.This was an attempt to convert those who were, celebrating around that time the pagan festival of light, into christianity.

I used to love, LOVE Christmas (except the commercial side to it!) but now I'm estranged from my family it's a heartbreaking time. I'm 'running away' to spend it in a foreign country with strangers!! I can't bear hearing the Christmas music in shops ... it just makes me very, very sad...

I find Christmas very difficult as it brings back such bad memories of parents arguing whilst I was a child as Mum became a Jehovah's Witness and didn't agree with it and didn't want any of us celebrating it. Consequently the marriage ended but left me feeling that I couldn't enjoy Christmas.
I always made an effort with my own children but found the whole thing so very stressful with working full-time and all the memories. Now that I'm not so busy working I am trying to enjoy it again especially with grandchildren but I've found the best Christmases ever are the one's when I've been away on holiday and the 25th December has just been a normal day with the odd Xmas tree around.

Rolande - my first Christmas without paw too. And I may be a wreck or I may find my way through it with the comfort that comes from all being together (his sisters, brother, our nephew too)
But I will not wish away the days as some might want to.

No, you aren’t alone in hating all the Christmas stuff...and as I’m not religious, it doesn’t mean much to me. But I am happy on the day, partly because there’s family to get together with...and partly because I know it won’t all be rammed down my throat again for another year. The media has a lot to be blamed for! Happy New Year!

I loathe the over commercialisation of Christmas. We have allowed the mighty hand of capitalism to virtually destroy this festival. The constant advertising aimed to make people spend more than they can afford and the picture painted of some unrealistic ideal of how everyone else spends their day only adds to the pressure. How lovely to simply enjoy the company of our families and friends without paying homage to the retailers.

I can't stand the dirgy music. The worst is the xmas pop songs specially the old ones like Dean Martin's White Christmas. Some carols are ok, specially if done by the salvation army brass band (for short periods however). But the way it takes over the broadcast media means there is nothing to watch or listen to for weeks. And it's not just Christmas - after that is the old year/new year stuff like all the programs about "what happened this year?" I watched the news at the time I don't need a revision course!!! And then Nick Abbott's (LBC) alphabet of the year. 3 hours per night for a whole week of people calling in saying "J for Juncker" and "M for Meghan Markle" etc. One year I felt so guilty, there was a news event, and while it was tragic that people's lives were destroyed, in a way it alleviated the Christmas Groundhog Day feeling. If only it wasn't exactly the same every year and for so long. The world goes into limbo for a whole month.

Absolutely loathe and detest it. I wish I could hibernate f
from mid December to mid January.

Scrooge got it right.

Anniebach Feel free to joke about atheism. Know any good ones?

People who take in the lonely for 1 day a year , however well and good their intentions may be, can make the situation worse, because there are 365/366 days in the year. What about the other days? In my experience when you have been in a jolly environment and you return home and shut the door behind you, the contrast makes the feeling of loneliness and isolation worse.

Our childhood Christmases were dreadful (enough said) so when I had my own children I made a huge effort to make it a special family time.

I now find it all toooooo much in every respect and would love to hide away for a few days.

Though I did thoroughly enjoy my GS's first school Carol concert last Friday. A wonderful atmosphere, lovely music, gorgeous children .... Brought a lump to my throat. Followed by a pantomime at a local theatre. Was such fun, my GS was mesmerised and laughing so much I thought he might explode!

So will buck myself up and remember to keep smiling!!!
Happy Christmas to everyone x

Jaycee, I have respect for people of faith and no faith , why on earth would I want to mock them. I made one comment on the Morning Star to an atheist and you jumped in pretty damn fast . And I do not need your permission to joke about anything I choose .

I have never hated Christmas and will enjoy my time with the DC and grown up DGC but it is the arrival of cards that throws me so many people we knew gone, a single name on the card where there have always been two, or a recital of illnesses suffered over the past year its not easy to deal with and brings back times long gone.

The foot washing by the monarch has been replaced by the giving of the Maundy money.

It is perfectly true that this is not the birthday of Jesus. We are not told when this was, but the best guess is end of September/beginning of October. passes etc. [Read the story of the massacre of Glencoe to see the parallel, the chief of the clan McDonald was late because the pass was blocked by snow] The Romans would not have people trolling about the countryside at this time of year, giving them half an excuse to be late registering because of blocked passes Another indication of the fact that it was not in winter is that the shepherds were in the hills tending their sheep. Not at this time of year.

With regard to the wise men, nowhere in the Bible does it say how many, and Jesus must have been at least 18 months old. The only mention of Herod massacring the children is in Matthew's gospel, if this ever happened at all as there is no other historical record of this.

Anniebach Of course you don't need my permission to make jokes. I was responding (in what I thought was a light hearted way) to your comment that you couldn't laugh at atheism. You can if you wish, or not if you wish. As can people about religion or pretty well anything else.
I only 'jumped in' because Friday was being unfairly pilloried.
Let's calm it down now.

I like Christmas really, but cant get into the Christmas mood this year, I love carol services etc and even buying and wrapping up presents, but this year we havent put up any decorations and not bought a tree, I feel a bit sad not having done this, but I havent been well, had a virus of some sort and really havent the energy to get involved, I am sure Christmas will be fine without the decorations.

I agree that Christmas starts much too early nowadays, and Christmas is certainly different when your own children grow up, but times change,and I enjoy seeing my children with their children, and enter into the spirit of things because I have grandchildren who are quite young. If you think old, you act old and then you get old....a saying of my dear mum's...so I will be going to midnight mass, donning the Christmas jumper, visiting Santa, but will avoid the bits I don't enjoy.

Haha that made me laugh Friday

I see Christmas as the highlight of the darkest, coldest time of the year. I know that some people can't celebrate because of bereavement, loneliness or family separations, but Christmas is what you make of it.
No one has to buy, buy, buy. You don't have to put up decorations. You can avoid Christmas adverts on TV nowadays by recording the programmes you choose and missing out the adverts.
Our family is constantly trying to reduce the present giving aspect, with charitable donations instead, or very strict price limits for presents to adults.
We still have a good time and it is a good excuse for a big family get together.