Anyone else dislike/hate Christmas?

thomil · 03-12-2025 01:04PM

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 · 03-12-2025 01:05PM

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 · 03-12-2025 01:16PM

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 · 03-12-2025 01:18PM

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 · 03-12-2025 01:23PM

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 · 03-12-2025 01:35PM

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 · 03-12-2025 01:44PM

Seems like all the common issues here are easily avoidable.

...Ghost... · 03-12-2025 01:47PM

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.

silliussoddius · 03-12-2025 04:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124038777#Comment_124038777

It's almost as if the pagans needed something between samhain and imbolg.

JupiterKid · 03-12-2025 05:18PM

I still like many aspects of Christmas including a nice dinner, the lights and tasteful decorations, the welcome break off work and catching up with friends and wider family, but as I get older (I'm 50) the sad loss of family and loved ones over the years means Christmas is also a time of missing them.

Then there is the vile hyper-consumerism associated with Christmas, with packed out shopping centres, traffic jams, pushy crowds etc - I utterly loathe that!

Hippodrome Song Owl · 03-12-2025 05:43PM

I've always loved Christmas, but had gone off it and found it a struggle due to difficult family circumstances in recent years. I had stopped decorating and doing anything beyond the social obligation of gifts. I would never be negative about Christmas outwardly though, as I absolutely hate how people bring others down as they try to enjoy the season.

But since I have my own home the past three years, I'm enjoying it again - enjoying it alone and in peace. I love the decorations, the excitement of children, the songs and films, a nice dinner, time off work. I hate the presents, though - both giving and receiving. Apart from children, none of us need anything, and if we do, we're better off getting exactly what we want ourselves. I dread having to find "stuff" for people within my budget - knowing they won't really be happy with it, and I dread the unnecessary clutter of the "stuff" I receive. I don't want gifts, and I dearly wish extended family would accept me opting out.

black & white · 03-12-2025 05:59PM

I used to volunteer on a crisis helpline and on one occasion was on duty during for a few hours in the early stage of Christmas morning. Almost all calls I had that day concerned the coming day and were equally split between those dreading being with family on the day and those dreading being alone. On the lead up to it it becomes obvious that many people have a difficult time in December.

Leg End Reject · 03-12-2025 06:06PM

I'm not religious and Christmas doesn't hold any magic for me anymore but I love the time off work, the lights, food, drink, presents and socialising aspect of it.

It breaks up the monotony and dreariness of winter and before you know it it's spring.

littlefeet · 03-12-2025 06:14PM

I like Christmas, we're not consumerists, and none of my family is either. I associate it with rest, peace, quietness, nice food, a few drinks, and walks. I am lucky I have a lovely family. The older you get you relaise more Christmases are behind you than before you.

Cyclingtourist · 03-12-2025 06:53PM

If I may summarise my impressions so far it is that most dislike/hate the excess of Irish Christmas and would welcome something more low key.

freshpopcorn · 03-12-2025 07:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124039652#Comment_124039652

Well the title of the thread is basically for those who dislike/hate Christmas.

It's not exactly inviting to those who like it.

Christmas is what you make of it.

If you want a low key Christmas have one, if you want to go over the top go over the top. If you want to do nothing then do that.

I've family who go all out and others who do nothing.

Christmas to me is a bit like a wedding some spend thousands and others don't.

You should do what you want and not what others want you to do.

You shouldn't be obliged to do anything.

You also shouldn't be made feel bad for doing little or nothing.

You shouldn't be made feel bad for going over the top.

Tombo2001 · 03-12-2025 07:17PM

Generally I like it a lot. I loved it when I was a kid, and I loved it when I was in my early 20s, all the work parties and so on.

These days I still really like it - however, if I've had a bad year, or I am feeling low in self esteem then it can be a bit challenging.

Especially the part where you meet up with people you only see once a year. Its difficult to do if you are feeling low.

Cyclingtourist · 03-12-2025 07:21PM

@freshpopcorn

A bit of explanation, I stumbled into the 'Christmas Forum' yesterday evening not having read the 'MOD notes' but soon realised that posting about 'Christmas crap' in shops was strictly forbidden. Negativity about the Nativity not allowed apparently.

So I started this thread in 'After Hours' as a safe refuge for those who aren't fans of the Irish Christmas as it has become.

cnocbui · 03-12-2025 07:26PM

Yeah, I hate it. For some reason, bad things happen around this time. It's absolutely jinxed. Just had an email from B&Q cancelling a black Friday purchase, with no explanation. A Makita drill, battery and charger. I only bought it for the battery and charger to power something else I also bought, which I now cant use without further expenditure that extinguishes the original value proposition that would have made it worthwhile.

Also today I had a problem with the health system, I wont go into.

Shaping up to be a typically sh1t season of woe.

dxhound2005 · 03-12-2025 07:28PM

Our English Puritan rulers banned Christmas after they abolished the monarchy. It happened here in 2020 to some extent when the country went on Level 5 Covid restrictions. The same grumbles we hear now, are similar to what is recorded from ancient Rome during their midwinter revelry. No doubt some of the pagans from before that also found the whole hoo-ha a bit annoying. Nothing new under the solstice sun.

freshpopcorn · 03-12-2025 07:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124039711#Comment_124039711

Yes, that's my point. You weren't exactly looking for those who liked it.

The Christmas forum is for those who like Christmas. I think it's in the charter.

I don't like GAA, Soccer, etc. So, I stay out of those threads.

Oscar_Madison · 03-12-2025 07:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124038512#Comment_124038512

I don’t get “stressed” anymore- as you get older it means less and less and essentially I dial in the prep work and whatnot - would love to go back to the “December thing” and I do in the main but very hard to ignore all the sh01te that goes on way too soon in advanced.

I still do my own personal Christmas things in December like I’ve always done and that makes Christmas for me - keeping personal traditions and just trying to shut out and ignore the sh01te up to that is probably the best way to approach it

littlefeet · 03-12-2025 07:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124039711#Comment_124039711

I get that, I wouldn't be a fan of those who go mental over Christmas, the spending and the consumerism, its hard for those who have difficult situations with their families, and its hard to disengage from the consumerism if that is all you have known.

Cyclingtourist · 03-12-2025 07:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124039731#Comment_124039731

I accept your point but never was suggesting this thread is representative. I was summarising what I've seen here so far.

yagan · 03-12-2025 07:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124038777#Comment_124038777

Usually we have a week in the Canaries booked for January/February which means we have something to look forward to during the bleakest months. The lengthening of daytime really speeds up in February so there's a noticeable change when we arrive back.

Another thing I do is have a countdown app on my phone set to the 22nd of Dec. It really does help.

moscowflyer25 · 03-12-2025 09:50PM

Jesus Christ was born!

Vita nova · 03-12-2025 10:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124040329#Comment_124040329

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day.
And man will live for evermore because of Christmas Day…

Not a fan of the excessive plastic tat that's produced for Christmas that just ends up in a bin in January. It's not that difficult or time consuming to make more of your own decorations and there's always lots of holly in the hedges at this time of year.

One thing I'll always like about Christmas is the choirs and carols in the churches and on TV and radio, that never changes.

Duvet Day · 03-12-2025 10:19PM

I was never a Christmas fan, these days I just look forward to a break from work, the nights out with close friends and drinking and eating as much as I want when I want, I do go to mass on Christmas day because I like it, basically I do the things I enjoy, nothing more.

Maybe it's just me but I feel it's a little different (better) this year. I didn't notice as much hype starting early, I'm not hearing as much chat or stress about it, it seems like it's almost here very quickly and the weeks have just flown by recently. Very few houses with visible lights etc, only one car with those ridiculous reindeer ears and nose..maybe it's just me but I feel a change in it all this year and for the better. I'd love if it was just about resting and enjoying ourselves after a long year.

TLDR I think we might be going back to simpler Christmas times.☺️😁🎅

taxAHcruel · 03-12-2025 10:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124038151#Comment_124038151

No interest in religion or Santa stuff in our house. Always been very against the idea of doing Santa in our house.

We have always made Christmas and new year a family affair, no over the top consumerism and very kids orientated. You'd probably quite like it actually.

Most of what you list here was already in your OP and as I pointed out exists most of the year in one form or another. So I won't repeat myself on any of it.

The only thing you added here that was not in your OP is the youths pouring out onto the street on a Christmas Bender. Again this exists at other points in the year though. That picture or one very like it could just as easily be re-taken on Paddys Day, the last day of the leaving cert / junior cert, or the day the results of those two exams come out.

It just seems odd to me and my weird brain that these things would bother so much at Christmas but not all the other points in the year where they happen. Then again my brain always finds it odd at the notion of getting bothered at other people's behavior in general. I'm mostly a live and let live extremist and the idea of driving past that busy bar and being in ANY way bothered by it is quite alien to me. Let alone to the degree where I would stop and take a photo and risk looking like I was some pervert taking home pictures of all those girls in short skirts.

What skin is it off my nose what other people do with their evening or their holiday? Human's are fascinating to me at what gets them riled up :)

Cyclingtourist · 03-12-2025 11:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124040562#Comment_124040562

Well I certainly seem to have gotten you 'riled up'. LOL

BTW I wasn't driving and had to walk in traffic to get past them as they were completely blocking the pavement. But sure aren't they young and just out having some fun, what's it matter if an elderly pedestrian gets run over. 🙄

Anyone else dislike/hate Christmas?

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