Does anyone else really hate this time of year ?

Why are people so nasty about other people's beliefs? I call myself, as Thomas Hardy did, "a questioner". He would have liked to believe, as I do. Read his poem " The Oxen". Do you still want to make hurtful sarcastic comments? If you do then you could never be someone I should like to associate with.

Much as I love Christmas I do agree with the feeling that it's great when it's over. I always have gardening books on my 'wish list' and as soon as I open one I get that lovely uplifting feeling that spring is on the way and soon the evenings will be getting lighter.

Not bah humbug but I've always been a 'looking forward' kind of person.

That really IS the biggest problem with christmas, imho. It dominates more than 10% of every year with decorations and xmas music - probably 15% if you count the thinking ahead and planning. And the easter month is getting to be the same with all the closely spaced bank holidays. No fewer than 3 bank holiday weekends in a 4 week period. No one can really get up to speed before it's another long weekend.

Namechange2016 you are so right it is unbelievably liberating , this is my first year of not doing Christmas , it has nothing to do with God or Jesus . Those poor people that are getting into financial difficulty for it , it's not worth it . The worse time of the year for some folks is Christmas

Yep, you're right, NotTooOld, this thread's like a chill Winter wind. It's brought back memories of DH's aunt, who took herself off to the Salvation Army lunch rather than share our family Christmas Day with "all those noisy kids running round" (all three of them).

My condolences to those of you missing loved ones this year.

Over never really liked it. It leaves me with a very melancholy feeling which I've never really understood. I've felt like it since I was a teenager. I think it's something to do with one year coming to an end before another begins yet we've always had happy christmases at home. Now my children are grown up I miss them being small but have beautiful grandchildren and we will all be together so I have absolutely no reason to feel low. I don't like the build up - it starts weeks before, then it's basically one big day and we all go back to normal! Crazy. I think I would like it better if it was maybe every two years. Anyway enough moaning - I will enjoy the day and know how lucky we are to be,able to do so especially when many can't. Will raise a glass to to all the people we love and miss that are no longer with us. Best wishes to everyone.

Floradora9.....a woman after my own heart.... I couldn't have put it better. I always start looking forward to January around the middle of November!! My birthday however is on the 30th December which everyone around me always seem to forget! The best day of December for me is the 21st, as slowly but surely the nights start to get brighter....hoorah!

I totally agree with you, Floradora9. Christmas really does bring out the ' greed ' in people!

Yep, I now hate it too. My lovely Mum died unexpectedly last Christmas Eve so I am actually praying for the 27th to follow me round. I used to love Christmas but that date can't come soon enough.

We go away either over Christmas to a country that does not celebrate Christmas. This year we have come home 10 before the big day so I am just getting into it. The local youth band was just inside Waitrose yesterday playing Christmas Carols and it was lovely. I only shop locally at this time of the year so it’s not full on.

no its wonderful with the equinox on the 21st and by rule of thumb its supposed to get lighter in the evening by, again rule of thumb, 15 min per weeks
Its not quite that simple but it'll do me, time to rejoice spring is on the way
oh yes you asked about Christmas - sod that - I've volunteered to work Christmas days- but spring is on the way

I remember being totally unimpressed by Christmas from the age of 12. Just feeling it was overhyped and I didn't enjoy it.

We were a secular family and I didn't enjoy any religious celebrations through school either.

I also felt claustrophobic over the holidays because we were shut in the house with relatives, and couldn't go out or get away.

This feeling grew and grew, and it was ONE of several reasons I eventually decided to convert to a non-Christian faith.

Now when people go on obsessively about Christmas, I say I am pleased for them but I am a Xxxxx (my new faith) and don't celebrate Christmas. It is unbelievably liberating!

Don’t wish your life away - for all you know there may be people on here whose loved ones will not see the end of this year.

Roll on 1st January I say

I work in retail...Christmas music started on November 1st on the USAF base where I work...the day after the Halloween music stopped. It does not help that I am allergic to Poinsettias which seem to be everywhere..sighs

Thankyou Iam64, MawBroon and others for your positive posts. Real Christmas spirit. Sympathy for all those who have lost loved ones and for whom this time of year is so hard.

There's not much Christmas spirit on here, is there?

Wow now that made me think thank you u xx

Well I like Christmas! I like putting up decorations (not too early, only just done it, and they stay up until Epiphany which is a Saturday this year, so handy). I like my Christmas dinner with my DH and DD, and we're going out again this year - so, great! The other DD's in Dubai, so we'll Skype. I like giving presents and opening them too and finds it a nice, happy time. I don't pay attention to the commercial aspect, no need, and I like the Christmas songs in the supermarket. Just glad to be here and able to share it with the people I love best.

My Christmas tree is now decorated, sitting in the hall, with its lights twinkling. I love switching them on in the morning and coming home to them in the evening.

I am not religious but still enjoy some glitter, decoration, meeting up with neighbours, sending cards etc. I love the chats with people.

Winefride I assume you agreed for YOU to meet your nephews and brother, and didn't agree for your husband to do so also? In which case it's none of his business lol.

I am a full-up member of the bah humbug club. Used to throw everything at it when kids were young. Now they’re adults and it’s just me making the effort, so I do effort with food etc. But that’s it. Presents are small. Dodgy old tree bought from Asda. Doesn’t help that my mother died shortly before Xmas when I was a child. So has hard memories for me.

My husband hates socialising and has just blasted me for agreeing to meet my nephews and brother for tea next week. It makes me so sad . What to do ?

So sorry harris, its really painful time of year to be having such worries While everywhere there seems to be so much jolity. Make the best of this christmas , make it one to remember, take a few photos or videos. I wish i had done that 4 christmases ago because my dear mum died a few weeks later.

The advantage of celebrating a festival - whatever we call it - at midwinter, is that most major religions celebrate the winter solstice - so we can all enjoy it together.