Thanks to everyone for letting me get that out of my system before I head off to do my Christmas cards.

Oh, and btw, anyone else who hates spending a whole month on this Christmas thing, feel free to post here too. (Btw, I agree with Lois. Arbor day is a nice holiday)

Hi

Sometimes I hate Christmas too.
I have to spend my time with my InLaws and they are not great people.

I wish I would take control of Christmas but as Lois discovered that is not always possible.

I liked Christmas when I was a little girl but now is not that special for me.

I like the song "no more blue christmas" I wish I could say the same about my life, I am married but I dont think my Christmas are white now, so sad, I know but that´s the way it is.

The good thing is that I have my 2 daughters with me and they do love Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone...hope you have fun on this huge celebration.......that controles us all....Right Lois? You were right, but so was Clark and I try to think on what he always says and that makes me feel better....avery time.

Okay. I like Christmas. I like the week, or even two weeks before Christmas. But seeing Christmas stuff out on shelves barely after Halloween is over...that I do not like. I just want to say, let me make it through Thanksgiving first! So I feel like I've been Christmas-ed out even before December finally hit.


JD

We don't celebrate Thanksgiving or Halloween here - aka "down undah", so the stores pounce on the Christmas bandwagon in late September.

That, I hate.

I used to like Christmas, I really did. But then I started working in retail. Ordinary decent people completely and totally lose their minds during the Christmas season! When you tell them you're out of an item (that retails for $2.49), it can be really ugly. I have to duck into Walmart once in a while to hear 'Oh Holy Night' and other religious classics.

Irene
who is not religious, but who absolutely loves secular music....

Okay, now you've done it. You've made me feel really, really bad about posting a Christmas story early in December. The problem is that people disappear for the holidays well before Christmas itself. (I have to leave the place where I am staying a good week before Christmas and won't be back again until sometime after new year. Thank heavens for a friend who needs a cat sitter, else I'd actually be homeless this year! )

I'm not a fan of Christmas.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a female Scrooge. I like the idea of Christmas very much. I just don't like the stress that goes with it. I can't take Christmas seriously until December, but then I realise that I've already managed to miss the last posting date for North America. (It was last Monday. )

I still have shopping to do, cards to write and...

I'd feel stressed if I went to visit family this Christmas. I'll feel guilty when I don't. I just can't win!

And I still can't take it seriously because there are more important things to get sorted before the holidays happen.

ARGH!!!!

Chris (who has managed to find sources of stress in the closest she has ever been to a stress-free environment)

Okay, the 'idea' of Christmas beyond the secular meaning, is still a good one, but it, inherently, is set up to fail.

In the high stress environment that most people live in today Christmas is just another stress manufacturing machine.

Most people will tell you they love their 'family' and they most likely do. But a lot of people don't 'enjoy' spending a lot of time with them. I have a pretty small extended family, and I do love them, but when we get together the truth is it's a pretty boring day. Thus the 'family' aspect of Christmas becomes a 'duty' that must be carried out rather than a looked forward to gathering.

The whole notions of giving presents and what it says about out materialistic society is really at the core of a lot of problems with Christmas. Since I'm not a religious person, I'm not going to argue about 'the true meaning of Christmas'. I'm going to stay in the day to day world.

I really like giving presents, but it is what I hate worst about Christmas. Mainly because of the stress levels and guilt levels which the whole present thing entails. For me, I hate the fact that I can't give the kind of presents that I want to. The instances where I'd been able to spend time and effort on someone's present (such as making, or building them something) have been the most satisfying. Unfortunately, I don't have the time for that anymore. And I don't have the resources to 'buy' the kind of gifts that I'd like to give.

I know, I know. It's not the gift, but the thought that counts. Well, that's baloney. What people forget is; presents aren't about the receiving they're about the giving. I truly believe that most people are satisfied, and grateful for anything someone gives them. People aren't stupid. They don't expext their friends and loved ones to 'break the bank' in order to buy them gifts. But gift giving isn't about how it makes the person getting the present feel. It's about how giving the gift to someone makes *you* feel.

If you can't be excited about what you are getting someone, it doesn't matter what that person says about it. You feel guilty, and cheated out of the pleasure of giving the gift. For me, that's the crux of my dislike for Christmas.

Too often the presents I give are ones that I have to 'settle' on. Either they are based mostly on my ability to spend, or the time I have to search out something I think the person would like. Too often you are giving gifts that are 'okay', but not something you know that the other person would really like, and thus make it more enjoyable for you.

I don't know if what I've tried to say has made any sense to anyone, but I do know that no matter how the Holiday season goes each year, I'm always relieved when it's over.

Tank (who thought he had his 'list' finished off yesterday only to find out that the store was out of the item)

I love Christmas. But I just loathe writing Christmas cards, so thanks, ML, for giving me the opportunity to say that. <G>

Don't know what it is about writing cards, but usually I drag my heels over it until the very last minute and half the time end up missing important posting deadlines as a result. This year, I've been very, very good and at least gotten my overseas FoLC cards off in good time. Still haven't done the rest though. :p Usually I try to forget I need to do them, until various cards from neighbours pop through the door and tweak my guilty conscience.

Something else I was never a huge fan off was jostling through the packed stores looking for gifts. Listening to the same carol tinnily wafting through endless stores, standing in massive queues...<shudder>. Not my idea of fun.

So thank you to the inventor of the internet. It's just so much more fun to go gift buying with a glass of wine and a few After Eights, while my choice of carols plays. Very relaxing.

And while I'm on the subject - whoever thought up Amazon wish lists deserves a medal!

LabRat (all for making life easier...)

Sorry to say, I absolutely love Christmas. Sure, trying to think of gifts to give can be trying (Does Dad have *this* game? Do I really need to give my older brother anything since he got his christmas present early? It's not my fault he's already finished the game..), but I enjoy seeing their faces as they open the presents. Even when I can't be there, I like to think they're enjoying them. I'm the person who starts listening to Christmas music in November (October gets me odd looks) and immersing myself in the season. It cheers me up. Of course, I don't get things done quickly, but I like doing it....

Since this is an "I hate Christmas" thread, I had to try to think of something I hate about this season. Then I remembered. I live right behind the local mall. Sure, there are at least 3 other malls in the Charlotte area, but this one gets a fair amount of traffic, too. And that means anytime I come home from work, any time I need to get groceries, or to run to K-Mart for something I need, I have to brave the traffic. *sigh* At least there are backways to go.

Now, to get my hubby's butt in gear so I can get my Christmas tree and decorate it.. then cut out and decorate Christmas cookies... and finish addressing my Christmas cards.. and see what Christmas movies are on tonight.

Since so many people have posted things that they love about Christmas in an 'I hate Christmas' thread , I figure I have to come up with something that I like about the season.

Let's see... Not being able to find a parking space when all you want at the local grocery store is some milk... Nope. That's not it. Hmmm... I know, the piles and piles of snow that are building up by the minute and the number of cars you see piled in the ditches as you make your way... Uh, no. That's not it either.

Hey, I know. As a divorce/criminal lawyer, I tend to make lots of money this time of year. Taking mothers to court so that dad can have Christmas access to his children (btw, at noon on Christmas day, say a small prayer for all the kids who are being transfered from one parent to the other - especially among parents who are screaming at each other the whole time). Bailing people out of jail for drinking and driving. And then, of course, there is the divorce rush that ALWAYS follows Christmas - where the stress, financial problems, alcohol problems, inlaw problems, religous differences, etc, always seem to come to a head. Okay, I've found my thing to like about Christmas. Lots of work

ML (who will now go and wrap Christmas presents :rolleyes: )

I can't say I hate the meaning of Christmas (though traditionalists have the whole idea entirely wrong) but I DO hate the commercialism of the season and I hate getting the shopping for the inlaws dumped on me. Don't get me wrong, my inlaws are great people and have really helped us out through the 13 year journey my hubby have been on, but I somehow get the responsiblity of doing all the cards and shipping for both sides of the family on both ends of the country (Tennesse and Arizona). Here's the good part,...my hubby bought me a shredder for Christmas this year. JUST WATCH all that paper(receipts and such) in our junk drawers go away !!YIPPEE!!!!

I shouldn't complain, but this has been a nice bout of steam to blow. Thanks for the outlet.

TEEEEEEEEEEEEJ

As long as we're venting our complaints...

I can't say I hate Christmas, but as part of the non-Christian minority, I'm not exactly a fan. It kind of gets to me sometimes, seeing it at every turn. Christmas music is in all the stores and on just about every radio channel for a month and a half. Quite a few dvertizements on TV and elsewhere are Christmas-themed, too, not to mention a batch of movies.

Down here in Florida, people sometimes don't even stop to realize that not everyone celebrates it. Sometimes, you'll see a little menorah off in the corner, but that's about it.

Even here on the boards, Cristmas currently dominates the poll section.

Sure, I understand. 85% - 90% of the country clebrates Christmas (not sure of the world figure, but it's fairly high, I think). It's just that, as one of the remaining 10 - 15%, I'd prefer not to have it everywhere. I don't really enjoy the music, because it means nothing to me, other than a reminder that I'm not with the majority.

Actually, that sort of left-out feeling is exactly why Chanukah was changed (here in the US, at least) from a minor holiday with a few symbolic coins (often chocolate) as the only traditional gift to the larger production it is today.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't hate Christmas, it's just that, since I don't celebrate it, I'd kind of prefer to have some space without it.

Paul

I am not a fan of Christmas at all. I don't really like anything about it. I don't like the music -- every station is playing all Christmas all the time. It makes me crazy. I don't like Christmas decorations -- all the putting decorations up and taking them down. I don't like trying to figure out what to get people. I am totally the Grinch. Maybe it comes from my having a December birthday or something.

I just had to point this out -- in all my grinch-ness:

'Secular' actually means "not religious'. So the music they are playing is actually secular music.

When I worked at Party Place when I was younger, there was this one Christmas CD they would play over and over and over and over and over on infinite repeat. It was like the disco-world-party christmas CD. There was one song that drive me crazy! Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, the very next day you gave it away. This year, I'll give it to someone special . . .

The only thing that may make me see the magic of Christmas is if my mom can be out of the ICU and possibly home by Christmas.

- Laura

Awwwwww - Wham's Last Christmas. I love that song (and I'm not a huge George Michael fan). Although think if I was force-fed it fifty times a day I might change my mind...

LabRat (who has this stuck in her head now and will probably drive Stuart crazy by singing it repeatedly all day...)

MLT your post cheered me right up, does that somehow make me evil

Paul, you should do what Seth does from the O.C. - celebrate Chrismukah!

Personally, the fun of Christmas is kinda fading for me. However I absolutely love Boxing day (the day after Christmas Day). It's my second favourite day of the year behind Australia Day. You don't have to worry about food because there's plenty of leftovers, you don't have to spend the day with family, you don't have to worry about gifts or anything like that. It's just an awesome relaxing day. My boxing day's usually involve a bbq with friends, plenty of beers to go round, and the boxing day test match (cricket) on the TV.
I feel sorry for people who have to spend their christmas in the middle of winter. I hate winter, I think its so depressing. I love having christmas in summer.

Yeah, me too.

Sure, the snow thing sounds fun from a distance. However, I'm doing just fine with the 70 degree weather. Although, we had a cold front come through; I actually had to put on a long sleeved shirt tonight. *gasp*

JD

I have mixed feelings about Christmas. I was raised in a religious family, and even though I'm not as religious as I used to be anymore, it's still a tradition my family celebrates.

So on one hand, I like visiting relatives I otherwise don't get to see all year round. On the other, I don't like the over-commercialization of the holiday. It's like the Ferengi taking over our planet for a month, or something. I really don't like the stress it creates.

IMHO, the only other holiday this stressful in America is Thanksgiving. There's not even this much stress around Easter (at least, not with my family), which is a comparable religious holiday. Is it that Christmas has become more secularized? Or does Santa have more clout in the U.S. than the Easter Bunny?

At least, my Christmas will be better this year than it was last year with the fire. I am lucky to be celebrating it at all.

And oddly enough, we haven't gotten very much snow yet in the Twin Cities, even though it's getting colder.

I have to say I love Christmas. While I am completely non-religious, I love everything about it, including the crowds at the malls. Sure it's annoying to find parking and tough to get anywhere, but I love the fact that people are celebrating, regardless of their reason. It doesn't matter to me whether people consider it a religious holiday, a commercial holiday, or just a reason to put up a tree and cool decorations. It's just a nice festive time. The music is great, religious or secular. The deals you get on Black Friday are awesome, too (provided you can deal with the zillions of rebates).

Ok, there's a couple of things I don't like. I don't like having to take the decorations down after Christmas. I still have lights on the back from four years back that probably don't even work anymore, but I am too lazy to take them down. lol

I also don't like the assaults on Christmas in the public arena. If you don't like it, don't celebrate it. But give us our holidays and stop messing with them. To avoid offending the few who dislike Christmas to the extreme, these people end up offending the majority by attacking the symbols of the holiday. I'm non-religious and I'm offended, not by the holiday but by those who are trying to spoil it for everyone else.

Darn it, I'm going to say, "Merry Christmas," and not restrict myself to just "Happy Holidays." What the heck is Macy's Christmas Day Parade anyway if you take away the Christmas aspect of it?

Catching up... I have to say that I'm having a fabulous time for Christmas this year In years past, it's been more of a stress thing, but that's gotten a lot better after I got onto anti-depressants Last year, we spent a week at my mother-in-law's house, with all the siblings and cousins... and it was really great. I loved watching my kids have fun with their cousins, and it was very relaxing to let them run around in a house with ten adults who loved them. I wish we could do it again this year.

This year, we're staying home. We have a lovely tree, and the presents have been arriving at irregular intervals (sure, most of the gifts are for my kids, but that's fun, too). I agree with LabRat, the Internet and Amazon are a God-send. Check a few wish lists, click a few pages, input a lot of addresses, and voila, your shopping is done. I'm even enjoying shopping for my hubby & kids -- although today, I got caught in some absolutely horrendous traffic around our local shopping complex (not a mall, more of a plaza) -- that place is borderline nuts all year 'round, to start with, but gets much much worse in December... but I still got everything done in good time.

I'm a Christian, so I'm celebrating the birth of my savior, but the present-giving/getting part is fun, too <g> And the kids are 7 & 5, so they're just the perfect ages for innocent enjoyment.

So I'm afraid I'm having a wonderful Christmas this year <g>

PJ

Anti-depressants!!!! What a wonderful idea, Pam!!! That's what I need to do - go on anti-depressants at Christmas time. I'll consider that for next year

lol, glad to help -- but hey, why wait til next year?

PJ

Aw, don't go on anti-depressants; they don't work that well! I'm just not much of a family kind of person; not all of us are as lucky as Clark. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother and one of my aunts, but that's as far as my love for my family stretches. Which is why I end up going out with friends almost every day of their stay, or I stay holed up in my room without even bothering to make up any lame excuses.

Other than that, Christmas can be pretty cool. If you're still having an awful time though, I really hope you feel better. And if you don't - don't worry, be happy, because it's going to be over in a couple days! All the hubbub dissipates on Boxing Day, as long as you don't go shopping.

Cheers!
Mirage

For people who need anti-depressants, they can -- quite literally -- be a life-saver.

So please don't put them down based on anecdotal evidence. :p Especially what sounds like inaccurate anecdotal evidence . . .

Funny, that sounds a lot like I was *before* starting medication Only, of course, I was also permanently pissed off... I like me much better now

But you do have to be careful with any medication -- my husband's had bad reactions to several different SSRI's. And unfortunately, the only real way to find something that works for you is trial and error.

PJ

Maybe I'll just stick to marajuana - it seems less controversial

I just wanted you all to know that I no longer hate Christmas (well, at least until next year ).

The holiday is over and once again I can honestly claim that I lived through it. And so... I wish all peace on earth and good will towards men (and women).

(who is going to go sit down until this unfamiliar holiday cheer passes)