Christmas Badges how I wish I had them .

I love Christmas I do have a hubby and family but sometimes they just do their own thing. I’m retiring this Christmas and a bit nervous of my new adventure that lies ahead. But I did choose Christmas to retire as it’s a nice time of year!

I don't much enjoy Christmas either, though it isn't so bad as when I had all four children living at home. It has just turned into an expensive present buying spress for most people, children being given loads of stuff that they don't need and won't play with much. However I think that wearing a badge might be a step too far!

While I understand the inclusiveness, I really hate the "Happy Holidays" or Winterval

Sorry, mistype which I can't correct on my computer, should read "present buying spree".

I saw a t-shirt I wanted to buy which said 'I think I might jingle only part of the way, I'm tired' under a string of fairy lights. It summed it up for me.

reading through here, perhaps part of the problem for those of us who struggle to get through "the festive season" is that the shops (lets blame them) start it all too soon?

I’m finding I enjoy it more now I’ve cut out the “overdoing everything “. Best thing is, no one cares, I send less cards, cheat on all the food prep, and have cut back massively on gifts. We still see as many people, do the family meals and parties. But I no longer emulate Nigela, or feel my table has to groan under the strain of fresh caught salmon, glazed sprouts and hand raised veal and ham pies. Well, you get the idea.😉

Barbadosbelle

Being on your own at Christmas sucks. All those pictures of 'happy' families only serve to remind those who are estranged or without family how alone they are.
Many many people struggle with their mental health at Christmas time and the Samaritans are overloaded with calls.
So please spare a thought for those who don't have much to celebrate when you say to lighten up, join in, smile.
Wishing you well at this time of year

BlueBelle

You’re not alone Flora it’s the worst time of the year for me I can’t stand it can’t wait for it to be all over

I am totally with you, don't actually do anything much anyway, visit my late husband's family for Xmas lunch and buy 3 presents, that is it for me.

Being estranged which also means no contact with our only GC makes Christmas the most difficult time of the year for us but we still make an effort for one another, and I don't expect others to not share their plans and excitement just because we don't have any ourselves.

The trouble with Christmas is that it’s compulsory. If you decide not to join in, someone will feel sorry for you and jolly you along into some sort of ‘fun’. I’ve always wanted to have Christmas on my own, but have only managed it once. Oh, the bliss! Choose your own food, watch your own choice of TV - or not - it’s heaven. I suppose, though, that one only feels that way if it’s a choice.

At least in our family one of my sons suggested we only give presents to the children. That relieved a lot of stress, trying to think of presents for the adults who (fortunately for them) need nothing.

I hate this time of year too Floradora. The over-commercialisation is just horrendous, persuading people - many of whom can ill afford it - that they have to buy expensive presents, food etc. Christmas junk in the shops for months, everyone droning on about what they will do and wishing you a happy Christmas. Really awful. I have to keep telling myself 2nd January will roll around soon enough and then it will all be over for an entire year. We have been saying for ages we will go on holiday to escape, but we would need to be away for at least the whole of December and we certainly cant afford that.

Lighten up, join in, smile

People can struggle with Christmas for many reasons. In my case memories of an abusive situation resurface, the feeling of being outside of/ different from and SAD.
I also find it hard to reconcile what's going on in the world with greed and overindulgence.

So no we can't all lighten up. We do our best.

Something I have become used to. We do our own Christmas is only one day, two days at the most. I love Christmas, good memories of Christmases as a child, not expecting anything, church services, natural decorations. Today is over commercialised but it doesn't mean I have to join in. I know what I want to do and am not influenced by the adverts. The best Christmases where as a child plus spending time with my parents and making it a happy day. We should be doing that all the time.

Christmas is a difficult time if you allow it. I have bought myself and my husband presents through the year, made notes about various things happening around me, treating ourselves to a nice meal, perhaps salmon, perhaps rib eye with sides. I am not following the supermarkets as they just want to make money however I am noting what they are promoting, but I am not tied into buying expensive stuff. I think can I do this easier etc and be happy with it.... my childhood Christmases were full of build up and excitement.... going out and picking the holly and mistletoe, making the Christmas puds and cake but we can do it in a different way now! yes we used paper decorations when I was a child and when I was a mum, but the spirit of Christmas is now commercial. I love the music at Christmas, reminds me of past Christmases, but I don't expect miracles. We choose what we want to eat, what we want to listen to, what we want to do. I feel the spirit of Christmas is with us... not the supermarkets.
However I wish I was brave enough to pop up to shops on Christmas Eve and take what is on the shelves that have been reduced to make a Christmas.

My husband and myself found faith in Christ some years ago and it did change our perspective and the emphasis at Christmas time. Somehow it made the need for a perfect meal and a perfect day with presents everyone is thrilled with far less important.

Fortunately our 4 children and their partners, none of whom have a faith, also feel Christmas is over commercialised when people are pressurised, by advertising,
to overspend. We do a 'secret santa' so only buy for one person and one grandchild (through choice we do buy for each of our grandchildren🙃). This means far less pressure and panic and the approach of Christmas is far more enjoyable.

Look at it from another perspective. If people are trying to make conversation with you (albeit with small talk) then they are making a conscious effort to make a connection with you (which they don't have to do) and surely connection is one of the core meanings of Christmas?

Seapebble

Seabear -
"People open their mouths and nonsense comes out. Not an original thought in their heads."
Original thought (an idea that not one of the billions of people on earth or the billions that came before has ever had) is extremely rare. Sometimes if someone asks "Alright?" with a smile I could be thinking "I woke at 3am with a feeling of existential angst, wondering if religion might truly be the opium of the people." Would I say that? No because I try not to be a pompous ass or a misanthrope. I don't need to go around proving that I've got a few brain cells - so does everyone else. They are just trying to get through the day with a few social niceties. No harm done. My answer is "yeah, you?"

Enjoyed this comment, particularly the bit about the existential angst😁

Mamasperspective

Look at it from another perspective. If people are trying to make conversation with you (albeit with small talk) then they are making a conscious effort to make a connection with you (which they don't have to do) and surely connection is one of the core meanings of Christmas?

Yes, human connection is to be welcomed.

What a lot of miseries many of the posters here are. You don't have to 'celebrate' Christmas, but don't put a complete downer on people who do. You may have a change of heart when we end up with 'other' religious entities ruling the roost as we appear to be on a collision course for. The prevailing attitude seems to be "I don't want to join in, but I also want to tell other not to" Grrrrr!

Make one

@SaxonGrace. I work in retail and we don’t have a script . I do often comment on the gifts people have bought or the fancy food and this can evolve into a discussion about Christmas . I have been searching for nice religious Christmas cards which seem to be in short supply .

"All set for C_?" = "Are you? Must be difficult, working in retail."
"Looking forward to C_?"m = "Are you? Must be difficult, working in retail."

Answer the question with a question. Deflects attention from you and lets them prattle. Plus they'll remember you as a nice lady who asked about their life.

Dilys

What a lot of miseries many of the posters here are. You don't have to 'celebrate' Christmas, but don't put a complete downer on people who do. You may have a change of heart when we end up with 'other' religious entities ruling the roost as we appear to be on a collision course for. The prevailing attitude seems to be "I don't want to join in, but I also want to tell other not to" Grrrrr!

We are allowed to have our feelings and people like you who tell us we are miseries are actually making it worse.

Ah, I see you are fearful of change and diversity.

OK, no problem.

My own little Christmas is a time for some walks out and about hopefully and some extra food. I enjoy the Christmas tree festival at our local Church and I have managed to secure funding for a trip to a pantomime for people who have very little.

I'm SO pleased to hear I'm not the only one! I hate the whole thing.