Sick of it already

I'm not a fan of Christmas either. I'd just become a teenager when my beloved father died just before Christmas, & from then on mother was always crying. Sis & I dreaded December. It still makes me sad, especially for all those who are alone or grieving. It's different now, I have a lovely daughter & gd, & I enjoy shopping for them & planning meals, but that residual sadness never leaves you. And mother still cries (sigh).

As I said, it's different for us all. But then so are most things. I love so much about Christmas and that overshadows the personal down sides, but that doesn't mean I can't understand that not everyone shares my views. We probably all carry some 'if only' about Christmas, whether for ourselves or others.

I've always thought of people who are on their own during Christmas, and wondered how that might feel. This year I'll actually be on my own, in as much as it'll be my first Christmas in 32 years as a newly single person. I can't believe that it'll soon be a year since exP left.

However, I'm fortunate enough to have been invited to enjoy Christmas day with other people, so I do have a choice and I choose to do just that. I'm not dreading Christmas, but am not sure how I'll feel either. I'll definitely set out to enjoy it and if a little sadness creeps in that'll be ok, as I won't let it ruin the day.

I think if you don't let the commercialisation of Xmas overwhelm you, just see it for what it is, then you'll enjoy it all the more.

Let's hope we all have a peaceful holiday, anyway.

I don't find November too early for Christmas threads at all it helps forum members with ideas for presents and recipes that they may not have thought of and we must remember that some people will now only have 2 paydays before the big day so need to budget their salaries accordingly,also people on some benefits will have to budget carefully,if you see a Christmas thread you can ignore it can't you no one is forcing you to partake in the discussion.

These past three years Christmas preparations have started in September. Not for our family Christmas - which will get fitted in somehow and be very relaxed - but for our Pop-Up Christmas Shop which will open on first December and close on Christmas Eve with the aim of collecting and reclycling pre-loved but outgrown toys, party clothes, decorations etc and making them available on a 'pay what you can' basis to families in our area (which has 25% of the children 'living in poverty', with the aim of giving parents the opportunity to provide a good Christmas for their children without landing themselves with a load of debt. Money raised is donated to the 2 local foodbanks to fund special Christmas parcels for families in need. It is hard work both before, during and after but all the team feel it is the most rewarding thing they have ever done.

For anyone railing against the commercialisation of Christmas, I can recommend doing something for others (home or abroad) as the best antidote.

I thought that both of your posts are spot on radicalnan

I understand the OP point of view, the lead up to Christmas starts too early, I'm always amazed at people who ask back in September "what are you doing for Christmas?", "I don't know I'm still savouring the last days of summer" says me. I'd rather have a European type of Christmas less driven by consumerism, although of course the economy benefits from the wholesale spending that goes with Christmas, nevertheless it's very in your face in this country imo. I think the momentum by December has cranked up the spend, spend, spend aspect putting a hell of a lot of pressure on those who can't really afford it. I also feel for those who are bereaved and alone, every advertising campaign depicts the family having loads of fun, awash with food and drink.

Shan perhaps you have personal reasons for loathing it all, or is it mainly the commercialism?
on the latter, shops only have a small window of opportunity to sell Festive goods, so they do need to advertise, having said that, it is sad to see people get into debts spending the earth on their families when they don't have that kind of money.We spend only a little, and always have done, through choice as much as circumstances,yet have always managed a good Christmas.

I do agree with most of the OP.
Shops filled with overpriced "gifts". People getting stressed not knowing what to buy. Wasting money on unwanted/unneeded gifts. Buying too much food. Grossly over excited children with ureasonably high expectations.
As I get older, much of it seems a nonsense and a waste. Ask a child what Christmas means and see what their answer is!!!
The media hype is sometimes insane. That's what I hate most!!
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and I feel answers could be given without a personal attack on the poster. Some people on here are too personal and patronising. That's my opinion!

And mine lillhu

I think most people have forgotten why we celebrate Christmas, unfortunately it has become another excuse for commerce. Christmas is lovely for Grandchildren, the build up is so exciting for them, for us, shopping for presents, I love, then the food preparation, I also love, but this year will be best of all, spending Christmas in beautiful Cornwall, how good is that for a change.

I start picking up little presents throughout the year if I see something appropriate. Christmas cards are written ready for posting by 3rd week in November, post early December.

Tree now goes up begining of December as every-one here puts theirs up & I'm going to be away for a week in December

I am going to DD's for Christmas Lunch, arrive about 9.30/10.00 to see DGS open Presents, we all exchange presents before Lunch (in total only 5 of us). DD & her OH will cook a lovely Lunch.

3.00 - time to go home, leave DD, her OH & DGS to enjoy relaxed afternoon. Home, feet up, sort out good tv & have nibbles later when I'm hungry (always treat myself, smoked salmon, nice bits cooked in oven etc).

I love Christmas but wish it didn't start so early in shops. I worked as a Waitress in my Teens & we were always relieved when it was all over

Yipee, only 49 sleeps until Christmas!!! I love it, it's my favourite day of the year. I love all the preparation, I even love making the Christmas dinner. This year it will be even more special, as all my family will be here with us. Bring it on, I can't wait, November is just the beginning.

I will be spending Christmas alone but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy Christmas. I have always loved it and will be decorating the tree and buying presents as always. I am always invited to spend Christmas day with my in laws but prefer to spend it alone with my memories of all the wonderful Christmas' my DH and I spent together. Christmas is what you make it.

I have to start early not only because of money issues but also I hate the spend, spend, spend build up to Christmas. That said I love Christmas. Whether you celebrate it as a religious festival or as a means of bringing light into a dark, dismal time of the year it lifts the spirits and helps us get through the dark, cold days until Spring arrives.

I know it's not a good time for everyone but when is?

I love Christmas, always have. I love the church services, the carols, seeing family, talking to friends/ relatives on the phone, the decorations and lights in towns. I like the feeling of goodwill and the friendliness of strangers at Christmas. I love Christmassy food. Not to worried about presents. Good to give surprises to family but harder as they get older to replicate the excitement of years ago. Wishing everyone on GN a happy and peaceful approach to Christmas. ' Unto us a child is born.Unto us a son is given'.

Well said mumofmadboys especially the bit about not getting too hung up about presents.

Xmas midnight service on board is very good. ( think the celebrant gets free ride for it)
There's usually a carol service and sometimes a philipino choir.
The ship is beautifully decorated with marvellous food etc. And I don't have to lift a finger! Bliss!

sunseeker what a lovely post.

Also VQ and mumofmadboys
My thoughts exactly.

mernice,

Hear! Hear!

I too believe we create our own reality from our words, thoughts and actions.

If we don't like what is happening around us then we need to change what we are saying, thinking and doing in order to create a better life for ourselves.

At the very least, we need to know what battles to fight and what battles to ignore.

The Christmas hype being one of those best ignored and simply do what you love to do with family and friends at this time of year.

Byron Katie says there are three types of business, my business, your business and God's business.

And it pays in dividends to take care of your own business, let others take care of theirs, and let God take care of the rest.

Best wishes for you all this coming holiday.

I also spend Christmas on my own but I buy food and wine which I enjoy and there is usually something watchable on TV on Christmas Day. I cannot really go anywhere for the day because I cannot drive in dusk because of my Macular Degeneration but I am happy staying here with memories of past happier times.

This list starts 3 months before i.e. October.
www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/christmas/ultimate-christmas-countdown-checklist
I enjoy Christmas and generally start my celebrations off by buying a nice medium sized poinsettia in November. Then its pack the parcel for Australia etc.

Christmas I too commercial but I still love it and love preparing for Christmas. I find religious holidays and festival day give me something to look forward to

Interesting answers, firstly to Absent, telling me to ignore what I find uninteresting, and janeainsworth asking why start another. For one thing I didn't say I found the post uninteresting, and my post is not really about Christmas, more about why people get so hyped up about it, and so early on.

Lillie. You say I put the damper on another post. That is not true and very unfair, I know it was the post about someone having about 14 People at a rented house over the Christmas period. I said it sounds a nightmare, and to me it does. I would hate it, that is not going to detract from the poster's pleasure, it is merely my opinion, on a similar note I think it was juggernaut who says I like to agitate, that is laughable. Am I to understand then that I should only post if I agree sweetly with everyone else?
Many on here have now taken a patronising approach to me, and made personal remarks, well sorry Girls I have as much right to post my opinions as the rest of you. To those who asked if I had sad memories regarding Christmases past, no I don't.

One of the things I dislike about it is that People seem to think they all need to get together, lovely Family times etc. It doesn't need to be Christmas for that .