Bah humbug!!

Tooyoung? Why? embrace the Spring, embrace a birthday....embrace the joy that is an ordinary cup of coffee on an ordinary day, but why must we all go berserk on the 25th December?

Another Christmas hater here. Enjoyed the day itself when the children were young, but never enjoyed the headache of present buying and wrapping, writing cards, buying extra food - such a huge fuss for just one day, and it's not like we're religious either, so it has no religious meaning for us. Nowadays I would quite happily cancel Christmas forever, such a waste of time, effort and resources. Saw a great saying the other day - "There are twelve days of Christmas, and none of them are in f*****g November!" Roll on January

Littleannie, only read page one and my thoughts on your post are surely you have very good reason to celebrate. If you have had serious health issues and have survived to see C then that is good reason to embrace it?

The next generation has the responsibility for festive preparations nowadays. I am the granny sitting in the corner with a glass of something and a good book.

Hymnbook … I think your Christmas spent with friends and family sounds perfect!

Doramarr

Me too, we had a little paraffin heater, which was moved between kitchen and bathroom, Christmas for me, was the smell of paraffin and the smell of my dads and grandads Christmas cigar

Brilliant Bradfordlass!!! ?
I didn’t see you at our table last year....did you hide behind the Christmas pud???

Don’t enjoy yourself too much, though or the fun police will be after you!

No Davidal1968 it is gearing up here now. But you are right about Halloween. It is the second day where the USA spends the most. I think that has gotten out of hand. But, still fun.

I'm American! and I try to remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. We have angel trees sponsored by The Salvation Army and I always get presents for children or seniors. Going to church also helps and a lovely evening sitting by the tree calms me.

Dora, I love your anecdote about the heating being on!

DoraMarr I do like your description of your childhood Christmases. It really rang a bell with me. For us it was the only time we had a fire in the little grate of our 'front room'.

I think C ........... is difficult for anyone coping estrangement from loved ones. That is the case for me. Years ago, I retreated under the duvet in bed by the afternoon of the day in question, having struggled through the (long) lead-up and part of the day. I have become stronger. There is always some sadness associated with the estrangement, but for the most part, I’m okay on that front. Nevertheless, it’s about families, so it’s never going to be an enjoyable time for me. Hubby and I go to my daughter’s for the day, but other (adult) children are missing.

In addition, I loath the consumer fest that it has become, and it’s terrible for the environment!

I don't like Christmas or this time of year. Unhappy memories for my family. Can't wait for spring. I'm hoping to move soon so l will have no spare money for Christmas. It would just be nice to be together with family and friends.

I love Christmas, but I wish it didn't start so early.

Several of us kept waiting in the checkout queue this morning whilst an assistant, with no sense of urgency, sauntered off to find a barcode - for a cheap Christmas tree ornament! I just wanted to scream -'Get a grip, it's only October'!!?

My DS’s two children, 14 and 11, live near us. We do a car boot sale once a year, and the last couple of years have taken various books, games, toys which they have outgrown.
Pleased to get rid of stuff for 50p or £1, but personally I think what a waste. Most have been Christmas presents from DIL’s family, she has four siblings plus ten nieces and nephews.
Why don’t they just stop the cycle and concentrate on giving a few decent things to their own children, as I’m sure her family chuck a lot of it away eventually.
I suggested this to DS once, only to be likened to the title of this thread!

Once a year for 6 months.

It only comes once a year and it up to you how you spend it . You can spend as much of as little as you like . We always buy to much food , so we are cutting down there . I shop early for presents and pick things up throughout the year if it's a bargain . That way there is no rush and I can sit back and enjoy the festive time .

i like christmas but not all the mass media/buying rubbish.christmas time for families to get together.and give gifts .this year just my close family. dairy diary for friend in australia been doing this 25 years now.calendars for brother and sister.and maybe dvds(used) for friend in ipswich. niece/great niece ,daughter and grandchildren. outlaws think i forget.last year they returned my gifts .so no way .just a card...c/cards well homemade as usual.....

Going back to DoraMarr's post yesterday - oh how I would like to think that my children were having a 'Who's having Mum?' conversation. They won't be - they all expect to come to me every year (except when DS and family go to in-laws). I shall look through the C---- decorations mid-December and hope that my 'C---- spirit' is still lurking there.

A couple of years ago my friend and I decided not to send any Christmas cards at all, I caved at the last minute and rushed out and bought some, when we started receiving them, my friend stuck it out, but gave in last year, under pressure from her husband,

I think the problem is that we have so much all year now. When I was a child Christmas was a bright interlude in a cold, rather dull winter, with chicken ( a rare treat,) tangerines, sweets, toys, new clothes, visiting, and a break from the usual routines. It was also the only time of year we had heating upstairs ( a smelly, smoky paraffin stove.) So there is a need to ramp up the festivities to make it even more extraordinary. The origins of Christmas as a midwinter celebration, ( if we’re taking the bible literally, Jesus was a summer baby,) make sense when most people lived frugally, often saving scant resources for a few days of feasting to break up a winter when food was running low and the days where cold and short. In fact, it marks the winter solstice, with the “ renewal” of the sun as the days get longer. Last year the adults in our family made a contribution to the charity of choice of the receiver, while the children, all under three, had a very small present. We’ll probably do the same this year, and just have a nice time together, with everyone contributing to the Christmas dinner.

I adore Christmas, but hate how commercial it's become and HOW EARLY it's starting! I think there should be a rule that no seasonal music should be played until at least December. And no merchandise on sale until November (I'd rather it was December but I know some like to be prepared or have to send things overseas)

I have a friend plus a grand daughter who start posting on FB and sending messages in August about how long it is until C and how many 'sleeps' there are. Really winds me up .
I do shop for gifts throughout the year as I can't afford to buy it all at the same time. I tell them end of November is early enough to start talking about it. Also charities that send catalogues for C items and raffle tickets in Sept go straight in the bin.

Got the wrong end of the stick here, I thought you meant a completely different ‘c’ word, more of the Old English variety! Whoops.