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Do You Hate Christmas And All The Fuss That Goes With It?

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    #152
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users Posts: 30,354 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    natashaob6 wrote: »
    Going way back when I was a young fellow our local Brass Band would go around our neighbourhood on Christmas Eve playing Christmas Carols and we would all join in and sing it really was amazing to see all our neighbours out on a cold Christmas Eve enjoying the festivities. Unfortunately that doesn't happen anymore and it was my favourite old tradition also we used to make our own Christmas Logs another tradition that has died a death because of commercialism. You can now by them in most stores so people don't make them any more.

    Your should come to my local town. I was in town last Christmas Eve and they kept on following me around!


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    #153
    _Dara_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,971 ✭✭✭_Dara_


    Atoms for Peace wrote: »
    I starting to feel an urge to **** something at the TV due to those fake maudlin ads about grannies Christmas diner etc..

    Ever since the John Lewis ad became a “thing”, other retailers have been tripping over themselves to emulate them. So many ads with a mawkish story as the centre piece.


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    #154
    h7nlrp2v0g5u48
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,544 ✭✭✭h7nlrp2v0g5u48


    freshpopcorn wrote: »
    Your should come to my local town. I was in town last Christmas Eve and they kept on following me around!

    Unfortunately we don't have a Brass Band in our town anymore but when we did my parents would give us some money to put in the collection box they would be carrying to keep them going. They would never chase or ask for a donation it was usually up to the people to donate if they wanted to.


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    #155
    SusieBlue
    Registered Users Posts: 8,029 ✭✭✭SusieBlue


    I love Christmas, simply for the reason that my family situation isn't the most conventional or happy but we all make an effort to spend time together and enjoy each other's company for the sake of the few days.
    Not that we don't get along, but there are several issues/pressures on my family that means we end up bickering more frequently than we intend to. Things can be tense at the best of times but all that gets forgotten about for the few days.
    I have a big family and it's a rare occasion for my brothers and sister all to be in the same house at the same time so I guess that's why I love it so much.
    This is my first year living with my boyfriend, but we'll both be going to spend Christmas Eve/Day with our respective families. However, he hates Christmas and doesn't even want to buy a tree for our place. It makes me so sad :(


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    #156
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users Posts: 30,354 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    Louie Small Tailspin wrote: »
    Unfortunately we don't have a Brass Band in our town anymore but when we did my parents would give us some money to put in the collection box they would be carrying to keep them going. They would never chase or ask for a donation it was usually up to the people to donate if they wanted to.

    I don't think the band in my town collects money they just go out and play for music from shop to shop for a few hours on Christmas Eve!


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    #157
    h7nlrp2v0g5u48
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,544 ✭✭✭h7nlrp2v0g5u48


    freshpopcorn wrote: »
    I don't think the band in my town collects money they just go out and play for music from shop to shop for a few hours on Christmas Eve!
    Our Brass Band collected money just to rent our local community hall for band practice and to pay for the up keep of their instruments. They were all voluntary giving up their time to keep the tradition going. As I said It's one tradition I really miss about Christmas.


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    #158
    TheChosenOne_
    Registered Users Posts: 264 ✭✭TheChosenOne_


    Have to say I enjoy the few days before Christmas Day and then I love the week between til New Years. Specifically for the buzz and the countless great nights in pubs with all the mates.

    Stephen's Day is the best day of the year. Down to the local for 11am in front of a warm fire, pints of Guinness, racing and football on the TV. Can't bate it


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    #159
    skylight1987
    Registered Users Posts: 350 ✭✭skylight1987


    YES


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    #160
    MadDog76
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,162 ✭✭✭MadDog76


    I don't get all the people who say "my mam/dad/favourite aunt/whoever is dead so I'm miserable at Christmas ........ ", like your all full of the joys of life in July!
    We all lose people, that's life and certainly no reason to "blame" Christmas for your grievance.

    Also, to those who say "it starts the day after Halloween" like that's a bad thing ........ it isn't, get over it.

    And I'll admit it ......... I love the commercial aspect of Christmas too!!!


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    #161
    Pac1Man
    Registered Users Posts: 4,394 ✭✭✭Pac1Man


    MadDog76 wrote: »
    I don't get all the people who say "my mam/dad/favourite aunt/whoever is dead so I'm miserable at Christmas ........ ",

    I think it's because it is a family orientated occasion. Everywhere you look are big smiley families and constant reminders that you may have lost some of yours.

    "Look at us all so happy and alive."


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    #162
    Clonmel1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,047 ✭✭✭Clonmel1000


    Like a lot of things in Ireland ultimately it’s down to alcohol really.


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    #163
    MadDog76
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,162 ✭✭✭MadDog76


    Pac1Man wrote: »
    I think it's because it is a family orientated occasion. Everywhere you look are big smiley families and constant reminders that you may have lost some of yours.

    "Look at us all so happy and alive."

    Fair enough ......... but I've lost quite a few really close people over the years (one not too long ago actually) and I still love/enjoy Christmas whilst also missing my loved ones no less than I did 6 weeks ago ...... some people just like being miserable/negative and need something to "blame" ....... Christmas is an easy target for these people.


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    #164
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users Posts: 9,574 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    When I was single and living alone I used to leave the big family do to go home. There was concern for my wellbeing. I assured them I was very happy to go home, turn on the xmas tree lights, light the fire and have some excellent wine, cheese, maybe some brandy and a cigar with an absolute, epic classic film on the TV.

    Women still worried about me.

    Men were insanely jealous.


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    #165
    Berserker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,046 ✭✭✭Berserker


    MadDog76 wrote: »
    I don't get all the people who say "my mam/dad/favourite aunt/whoever is dead so I'm miserable at Christmas ........ ",

    I would be like that. Every death in my family, during my lifetime, has been in late December.


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    #166
    thedeere
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 63 ✭✭thedeere


    Anyone who has a hard on for Christmas outside of the twelve days of Christmas has a mental illness or something.


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    #167
    splinter65
    Registered Users Posts: 9,420 ✭✭✭splinter65


    MadDog76 wrote: »
    Fair enough ......... but I've lost quite a few really close people over the years (one not too long ago actually) and I still love/enjoy Christmas whilst also missing my loved ones no less than I did 6 weeks ago ...... some people just like being miserable/negative and need something to "blame" ....... Christmas is an easy target for these people.

    If your suggesting that someone who has lost their partner or child should still love and enjoy Christmas 6 weeks later, and if they don’t then they’re a misery guts who just wants something to complain about, then may I say you have a very very poor grasp of what being a human being is, and you really need to talk to someone.


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    #168
    Beanntraigheach
    Registered Users Posts: 789 ✭✭✭Beanntraigheach


    WhiteRoses wrote: »
    This is my first year living with my boyfriend, but we'll both be going to spend Christmas Eve/Day with our respective families. However, he hates Christmas and doesn't even want to buy a tree for our place. It makes me so sad :(
    On Christmas Eve, at the stroke of midnight, he shall be visited by three ghosts....


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    #169
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users Posts: 30,354 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    MadDog76 wrote: »
    I don't get all the people who say "my mam/dad/favourite aunt/whoever is dead so I'm miserable at Christmas ........ ", like your all full of the joys of life in July!
    We all lose people, that's life and certainly no reason to "blame" Christmas for your grievance.

    Also, to those who say "it starts the day after Halloween" like that's a bad thing ........ it isn't, get over it.

    And I'll admit it ......... I love the commercial aspect of Christmas too!!!
    splinter65 wrote: »
    If your suggesting that someone who has lost their partner or child should still love and enjoy Christmas 6 weeks later, and if they don’t then they’re a misery guts who just wants something to complain about, then may I say you have a very very poor grasp of what being a human being is, and you really need to talk to someone.

    The first Christmas/Birthdays/etc can be hard for some people after when somebody dies can be hard on people but some people never seem to enjoy events again in their lives!


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    #170
    MadDog76
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,162 ✭✭✭MadDog76


    splinter65 wrote: »
    If your suggesting that someone who has lost their partner or child should still love and enjoy Christmas 6 weeks later, and if they don’t then they’re a misery guts who just wants something to complain about, then may I say you have a very very poor grasp of what being a human being is, and you really need to talk to someone.

    You've missed my point completely but I'm ok with that .....


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    #171
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,679 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    freshpopcorn wrote: »
    The first Christmas/Birthdays/etc can be hard for some people after when somebody dies can be hard on people but some people never seem to enjoy events again in their lives!

    Are you for real? Losing someone close can have a life changing impact on a person. You may be made of stone but thankfully most people are not.


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    #172
    _Dara_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,971 ✭✭✭_Dara_


    MadDog76 wrote: »
    Fair enough ......... but I've lost quite a few really close people over the years (one not too long ago actually) and I still love/enjoy Christmas whilst also missing my loved ones no less than I did 6 weeks ago ...... some people just like being miserable/negative and need something to "blame" ....... Christmas is an easy target for these people.

    Such empathy.
    freshpopcorn wrote: »
    The first Christmas/Birthdays/etc can be hard for some people after when somebody dies can be hard on people but some people never seem to enjoy events again in their lives!

    The dastards!

    Give me strength. Most people will eventually enjoy the season again but they shouldn’t be on some kind of countdown after which people judge them for not being jolly enough. There are all kinds of variables.


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    #173
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users Posts: 30,354 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Are you for real? Losing someone close can have a life changing impact on a person. You may be made of stone but thankfully most people are not.

    I'm not made of stone and I believe in grieving after a loved one but I also believe in enjoying the stuff I used to in the past as well. We've lost family member over the years and we enjoy Weddings/Birthdays/Christmases again.
    I believe in remembering the good times and grieving after a loved one but I don't think it should put your life on hold for years.


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    #174
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 21,679 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    freshpopcorn wrote: »
    I'm not made of stone and I believe in grieving after a loved one but I also believe in enjoying the stuff I used to in the past as well. We've lost family member over the years and we enjoy Weddings/Birthdays/Christmases again.
    I believe in remembering the good times and grieving after a loved one but I don't think it should put your life on hold for years.

    I don't believe in putting life on hold either but I've seen it happen and can understand why it does.


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    #175
    screamer
    Registered Users Posts: 6,134 ✭✭✭screamer


    freshpopcorn wrote: »
    The first Christmas/Birthdays/etc can be hard for some people after when somebody dies can be hard on people but some people never seem to enjoy events again in their lives!

    I agree with this. I know that it's hard I've lost very close family close to Christmas. But I've also told my family even if I were to be taken out of this world on Christmas Eve to put up the Christmas tree and let it shine brightly. I love Christmas time and I'd hope that making them keep going with the normal Christmas traditions would keep their minds focused and link us in spirit somehow. Life is too short with too few Christmases to go around in eternal grieving.


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    #176
    splinter65
    Registered Users Posts: 9,420 ✭✭✭splinter65


    freshpopcorn wrote: »
    The first Christmas/Birthdays/etc can be hard for some people after when somebody dies can be hard on people but some people never seem to enjoy events again in their lives!

    It’s just human nature . The loss of a child particularly if it was a sudden or tragic death leaves a lot of parents changed utterly forever.
    There isn’t a time limit on grief.
    My husband was able to deal with his mothers death from cancer by being glad and relieved that her terrible pain and confusion was over, and he recalls very happy fun christmases as children with her with gratitude and love.
    His sister however 6 years on is still angry with the cancer and bitter and lonely and longs for her mother and only tolerates Christmas now for the sake of her young family.
    Everyone is different.


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    #177
    Pac1Man
    Registered Users Posts: 4,394 ✭✭✭Pac1Man


    Christmas is a time when things are different. It's not a normal week. Everyone has their weird ways and traditions that reoccur every year. Each one memorable no matter how innocuous.

    When a passed family member no longer fulfils their tradition, it's like a jigsaw piece gapingly missing from a puzzle. It stands out when seemingly everyone around you has their puzzle complete.

    You don't have to be a sobbing mess but it's only natural for them to be in your thoughts more than usual. It doesn't have to be a bad thing either.


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    #178
    freshpopcorn
    Registered Users Posts: 30,354 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    Pac1Man wrote: »

    You don't have to be a sobbing mess but it's only natural for them to be in your thoughts more than usual. It doesn't have to be a bad thing either.

    I totally agree with this!


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    #179
    MadDog76
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,162 ✭✭✭MadDog76


    splinter65 wrote: »
    It’s just human nature . The loss of a child particularly if it was a sudden or tragic death leaves a lot of parents changed utterly forever.
    There isn’t a time limit on grief.
    My husband was able to deal with his mothers death from cancer by being glad and relieved that her terrible pain and confusion was over, and he recalls very happy fun christmases as children with her with gratitude and love.
    His sister however 6 years on is still angry with the cancer and bitter and lonely and longs for her mother and only tolerates Christmas now for the sake of her young family.
    Everyone is different.

    The impact of the loss of a child is felt all year round, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas.


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    #180
    _Dara_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,971 ✭✭✭_Dara_


    MadDog76 wrote: »
    The impact of the loss of a child is felt all year round, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas.

    Read this excellent post if you haven’t already and try to muster some understanding:
    Pac1Man wrote: »
    Christmas is a time when things are different. It's not a normal week. Everyone has their weird ways and traditions that reoccur every year. Each one memorable no matter how innocuous.

    When a passed family member no longer fulfils their tradition, it's like a jigsaw piece gapingly missing from a puzzle. It stands out when seemingly everyone around you has their puzzle complete.

    You don't have to be a sobbing mess but it's only natural for them to be in your thoughts more than usual. It doesn't have to be a bad thing either.


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    #181
    MadDog76
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,162 ✭✭✭MadDog76


    _Dara_ wrote: »
    Read this excellent post if you haven’t already and try to muster some understanding:

    To suggest that the loss of a child feels somehow "harder" at Christmas is to suggest that that loss feels easier at other times of the year and I can categorically tell you that that is definitely not the case ..........

    Understanding? You have no idea what you're talking about ........ Happy Christmas.


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