Anyone else dislike/hate Christmas?

thomil

At the risk of being branded an elitist snob, Christmas in the english speaking world in general seems to be a lot more tacky, for lack of a better word. Maybe it's the way I was raised, but I've always found the multicolour flashing lights that seem to be the standard in the UK and here to be over the top and garish, ditto for the overly intricate Christmas decorations that seem to try to handle every Christmas cliche at once. What's the problem with simple, steady warm white lights and keeping decorations, ornaments, etc. simple? I feel like, even with everything else still in place, Christmas would be a much more pleasant affair if Ireland took some cues from the nordic countries in that regard.

jacool

Not taking sides, but wondering how people would get through the long winter without something there to "spice it up"? Otherwise, its a long way from Halloween to Easter. (and with no Christmas, no Easter, really)

looksee

Not a fan of Christmas for all sorts of reasons that are now in the past, wouldn't say I hate it, and I go along with the decorations and Christmas dinner - so long as it is not turkey. I think I would enjoy it more if it were the original mid-winter festival, I think the religeous bit is what really bugs me, I go along with it even though I don't believe any of the reasons for it. I am not prepared to do an upheaval of the family just to allow me to have a pagan festival though, its only one day after all the fuss and bother, I can live with it.

whisky_galore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124038767#Comment_124038767

It's because we've been taking our cues from Victorian Britain and more recently and overwhelmingly the US, where it's all about the garishness, consumerism basically buying sh1t no one asked for or wanted cos those are the rules.

I find a lot of the pro Xmas people to be annoying kidults at best and pushy name callers (grinch, scrooge, etc) at worst if you don't subscribe to their beliefs. Mix that with alcohol and you get the insufferable xmas jumpered 12 pubs set.

FortuneChip

A lot of people's grievances with Christmas are pretty easy to avoid

Brown Thomas or Penney's setting up their Christmas stalls early really shouldn't be impacting you too much - unless it's just the awareness of these set-ups that bothers you. In which case… why?

Christmas songs on radio? Use Spotify or something else.

Christmas songs in shops? Shop faster, less often.

I do think excessive consumerism and waste are getting more and more out of control around Christmas.

I like the last few days before Christmas, work is on a wind-down (after the organised-fun) and you get to spend less hurried time with friends and family.

I like Christmas Markets - even if they sell a lot of tat, there's usually a good vibe and I enjoy food and drink outdoors if weather allows.

kowloonkev

I like that time on Christmas eve at twilight when everything starts to wind down and go quiet. It's a nice feeling that everyone is at home with their family doing the same things they do every year. And I like that kind of nostalgic reflective feeling I get on Christmas eve night. Going to bed. The idea of the candle in the window. That's what all the generations did that went before. Like a connection with the past.

I don't buy anything for anyone and don't want anything from anyone. My family have accepted that, and I'm sure they'd accept it from any one of you guys too if you tell them.

Padre_Pio

Seems like all the common issues here are easily avoidable.

...Ghost...

I hate the decorations side of it. Burning through cash too. Otherwise it’s all lovely as long as the Turkey comes out proper on the day!

In reality, it’s the only time of year I take off work with any certainty. So that’s good all round.