Christmas. Love it or hate it?

[Nucks]

Or not bothered?

It's that time of year when the shops start putting out the seasonal tat. Mostly it makes me think, "Shit, is it that time already?" I don't hate it but I do think it's pushed at us way too early. Don't care much for the shopping rush as it draws nearer. I'm scaling back this year.

[Random]

Yeah I like the feel of Christmas. The songs, the pantos, and I love the German market in Birmingham, you can have a hot dog at one stall, a beer at another, and then go and buy a candle in the shape of a flower, Xmas tree or what ever at another. There are usually street dancers or acrobatics or some sort of entertainment. Some buskers ( if that's what they're called are really good.

I won't buy tat. I can shop all day and if something doesn't really grab me I won't buy.

[ambient]

Enjoy it while you can, the leftards want to rename it "Winterfest" to avoid upsetting memebers of the religion of special needs

[malamute]

I am Mrs Bah Humbug! we have a quiet day ... Maybe six of us and I cook a gorgeous meal with all the trimmings and we just give token gifts. Other than that I couldn't care less.

I hate all the plastic tat, all the corny Xmas music, hideous Xmas sweaters, neighbours who don't bother with you all year stuffing a card through your door, all the TV Xmas specials, the bloody adverts, parents going mental because they can't get a certain toy their kid wants.

At the moment we have to be at home for Xmas but if circumstances change then I'd love to go abroad for Xmas and get away from it all.

[Nucks]

Enjoy it while you can, the leftards want to rename it "Winterfest" to avoid upsetting memebers of the religion of special needs

I haven't heard of any movement to rename the holiday. Got any links?

I have a back and forth with family members every year about mostly conservative-thinking people believing that wishing someone "Seasons Greetings" instead of Happy/Merry Christmas means they are trying to "ban" Christmas. It's such hokum though, it's merely an expression which reflects that many cultures have a seasonal celebration at this time of year. I have never heard of anyone being "offended" by Christmas, except in their imagination.

[Random]

I am Mrs Bah Humbug! we have a quiet day ... Maybe six of us and I cook a gorgeous meal with all the trimmings and we just give token gifts. Other than that I couldn't care less.

I hate all the plastic tat, all the corny Xmas music, hideous Xmas sweaters, neighbours who don't bother with you all year stuffing a card through your door, all the TV Xmas specials, the bloody adverts, parents going mental because they can't get a certain toy their kid wants.

At the moment we have to be at home for Xmas but if circumstances change then I'd love to go abroad for Xmas and get away from it all.

No your not. Cooking a meal for 6 people is a big responsibility. Lots of preparation. Doesn't sound like much of a rest to me. Others maybe. But not for you.

Years ago we always had to have Xmas day at the Inlaws, and my mother in law used to want it that way so that she could have Xmas day with her grandchildren. I used to hate it. I'd be there until about 7 o fucking clock and be exhausted from it by then. The kids used to get up, have a few hours with their presents and then I'd have to sit with her all fucking day!

And then the day after it was my turn and I'd have to contend with her all day again!

One year she was whinging about all the work that was involved into putting the meal together and having everyone around, so I said something to to the tune of I never wanted to go and all those years we had missed out on our own Xmas day trying to make her happy.

Maybe you should not do that this year and maybe all that are there are only doing it from politeness.

[Stooo]

Peak period, I'm going to be busy as hell on the run up

I don't mind the day itself and I have started to cook roasts again and even put up a little tree

It's a few days off and time spent with family and friends down the pub

[malamute]

I am Mrs Bah Humbug! we have a quiet day ... Maybe six of us and I cook a gorgeous meal with all the trimmings and we just give token gifts. Other than that I couldn't care less.

I hate all the plastic tat, all the corny Xmas music, hideous Xmas sweaters, neighbours who don't bother with you all year stuffing a card through your door, all the TV Xmas specials, the bloody adverts, parents going mental because they can't get a certain toy their kid wants.

At the moment we have to be at home for Xmas but if circumstances change then I'd love to go abroad for Xmas and get away from it all.

No your not. Cooking a meal for 6 people is a big responsibility. Lots of preparation. Doesn't sound like much of a rest to me. Others maybe. But not for you.

Years ago we always had to have Xmas day at the Inlaws, and my mother in law used to want it that way so that she could have Xmas day with her grandchildren. I used to hate it. I'd be there until about 7 o fucking clock and be exhausted from it by then. The kids used to get up, have a few hours with their presents and then I'd have to sit with her all fucking day!

And then the day after it was my turn and I'd have to contend with her all day again!

One year she was whinging about all the work that was involved into putting the meal together and having everyone around, so I said something to to the tune of I never wanted to go and all those years we had missed out on our own Xmas day trying to make her happy.

Maybe you should not do that this year and maybe all that are there are only doing it from politeness.

THanks. You've just reminded me of another Xmas thing I hate .... People feeling under pressure to invite or visit others. I believe this causes more rows than anything else.

I have me and hubby, son, daughter and her boyfriend and my Mum. I always say please come for lunch but if you are invited elsewhere and you want to go, do so because I won't mind in the least.

Hubby and daughter do all the veg the night before .... Spuds, Brussels, carrots, parsnips, leeks,etc. The boyfriend sets the table beautifully and does the drinks, son loads dishwasher and they all muck in with pots and pans. I make fresh breadcrumbs the night before for bread sauce and stuffing balls.

[Random]

I am Mrs Bah Humbug! we have a quiet day ... Maybe six of us and I cook a gorgeous meal with all the trimmings and we just give token gifts. Other than that I couldn't care less.

I hate all the plastic tat, all the corny Xmas music, hideous Xmas sweaters, neighbours who don't bother with you all year stuffing a card through your door, all the TV Xmas specials, the bloody adverts, parents going mental because they can't get a certain toy their kid wants.

At the moment we have to be at home for Xmas but if circumstances change then I'd love to go abroad for Xmas and get away from it all.

No your not. Cooking a meal for 6 people is a big responsibility. Lots of preparation. Doesn't sound like much of a rest to me. Others maybe. But not for you.

Years ago we always had to have Xmas day at the Inlaws, and my mother in law used to want it that way so that she could have Xmas day with her grandchildren. I used to hate it. I'd be there until about 7 o fucking clock and be exhausted from it by then. The kids used to get up, have a few hours with their presents and then I'd have to sit with her all fucking day!

And then the day after it was my turn and I'd have to contend with her all day again!

One year she was whinging about all the work that was involved into putting the meal together and having everyone around, so I said something to to the tune of I never wanted to go and all those years we had missed out on our own Xmas day trying to make her happy.

Maybe you should not do that this year and maybe all that are there are only doing it from politeness.

THanks. You've just reminded me of another Xmas thing I hate .... People feeling under pressure to invite or visit others. I believe this causes more rows than anything else.

I have me and hubby, son, daughter and her boyfriend and my Mum. I always say please come for lunch but if you are invited elsewhere and you want to go, do so because I won't mind in the least.

Hubby and daughter do all the veg the night before .... Spuds, Brussels, carrots, parsnips, leeks,etc. The boyfriend sets the table beautifully and does the drinks, son loads dishwasher and they all muck in with pots and pans. I make fresh breadcrumbs the night before for bread sauce and stuffing balls.

Are you inviting them out of politeness? It all sounds very happy family but is it?

[malamute]

I am Mrs Bah Humbug! we have a quiet day ... Maybe six of us and I cook a gorgeous meal with all the trimmings and we just give token gifts. Other than that I couldn't care less.

I hate all the plastic tat, all the corny Xmas music, hideous Xmas sweaters, neighbours who don't bother with you all year stuffing a card through your door, all the TV Xmas specials, the bloody adverts, parents going mental because they can't get a certain toy their kid wants.

At the moment we have to be at home for Xmas but if circumstances change then I'd love to go abroad for Xmas and get away from it all.

No your not. Cooking a meal for 6 people is a big responsibility. Lots of preparation. Doesn't sound like much of a rest to me. Others maybe. But not for you.

Years ago we always had to have Xmas day at the Inlaws, and my mother in law used to want it that way so that she could have Xmas day with her grandchildren. I used to hate it. I'd be there until about 7 o fucking clock and be exhausted from it by then. The kids used to get up, have a few hours with their presents and then I'd have to sit with her all fucking day!

And then the day after it was my turn and I'd have to contend with her all day again!

One year she was whinging about all the work that was involved into putting the meal together and having everyone around, so I said something to to the tune of I never wanted to go and all those years we had missed out on our own Xmas day trying to make her happy.

Maybe you should not do that this year and maybe all that are there are only doing it from politeness.

THanks. You've just reminded me of another Xmas thing I hate .... People feeling under pressure to invite or visit others. I believe this causes more rows than anything else.

I have me and hubby, son, daughter and her boyfriend and my Mum. I always say please come for lunch but if you are invited elsewhere and you want to go, do so because I won't mind in the least.

Hubby and daughter do all the veg the night before .... Spuds, Brussels, carrots, parsnips, leeks,etc. The boyfriend sets the table beautifully and does the drinks, son loads dishwasher and they all muck in with pots and pans. I make fresh breadcrumbs the night before for bread sauce and stuffing balls.

Are you inviting them out of politeness? It all sounds very happy family but is it?

Shit ... Do we sound like the Brady bunch?

Daughter still lives at home, son has returned to the fold but always chose to come home for Xmas anyway. Daughters boyfriends family don't seem to do Xmas meals and I'm the only one of Mums kids who invites her. I always tell her that if she gets another offer, to go and I won't mind a bit but she never does get one!

[Random]

How do you know your siblings aren't saying that you always take control of Xmas by inviting your mum? Maybe they'd like to invite her, maybe they have but because you've made it a bit of a tradition, they just presume she's going to yours.

Your kids sound old enough to take care of themselves. Daughter has a boyfriend and son home after 6 years, so he's old enough.

If you really want to go away maybe you should push for it and not take no for an answer. (From your husband) I mean.

[Random]

You could book a holiday and let that be his Xmas present!

SURPRISE!!!

[Keyser]

Find it a very depressing time.

Christmas is great for lovers, couples and parents with children.

Otherwise it is a huge pile of commercialised bollocks where everyone is supposed put on a big shit-eating grin and pretend the world is one big happy joyride.

[PinkSmurf]

I'm looking forward to Xmas, I can't wait. My nephew's little boy is 18 months and I'm looking forward to him opening his presents. I also like seeing the rest of the family.

[Nucks]

Find it a very depressing time.

Christmas is great for lovers, couples and parents with children.

Otherwise it is a huge pile of commercialised bollocks where everyone is supposed put on a big shit-eating grin and pretend the world is one big happy joyride.

That's true, it can be a very depressing time of year for many people. Those who have lost loved ones can often feel like the world expects them to grin and bear it. The constant reminder that it's about family and being together feels like a twist of the knife. Totally get why some give the holiday a miss entirely.