Is it wrong to hate xmas?

[Donor]

I can see my family any time I want.

I can buy token gifts any time I want.

I can eat a lot any time I want.

I can love anyone I want, anytime I want.

I can be thankful for what I have anytime I want.

So what the hell is xmas about?

The churchies tell us it's all about the birth of Christ - well, according to what I have read, it's actually nowhere near when his calendar date of birth should be, has been sprinkled like most other christian celebrations with multiple pagan ideas and rituals, and is SO BLOODY COMMERCIALISED!

It really is "just another day" to me, and though I try to be christmassy for my kids, I find myself hating xmas more and more every year. In me younger years, I'd try to spend the day sleeping off a hangover, just to avoid seeing people waffle on about what a wonderful day they were having, and how great it was to see dear old Aunt Mavis (you know, the one that smells like cabbage and mothballs...)

These days, I just want to go postal every time I am forced near a shopping mall, I want to destroy my TV whenever a xmas special or charity show is broadcast, I want to hack the NZSE and cause the Warehouse share price to plummet, breaking the bastards, for hammering us with xmas ads 4 months out.

I just want everyone to get along EVERY day, so that schmucks like me who don't have time nor inclination to feign the empty happiness the rest of the populace do, can just get pissed and enjoy the sun.

Rock on New Years though!

[riffer]

Perhaps this site will make you feel better …

[Flyingpony]

I started buying Christmas presents in June and finished early last month. Not sure what I spent but it's less than $70 and that includes the one for next door neighbour. None of my gifts are rubbish, they either have practical uses or are food. Christmas is the one day in the year, well two, when I throw caution to the wind and eat what ever food I want in the pantry.

Do love going for a ride/drive on Christmas day. There's not much traffic but have to keep an eye on the go-go juice level encase stations are closed. Normally have Christmas with family, but this years gathering location hasn't yet been decided. Going near shopping centres around now is okay, my shopping has been done.

Put up my Christmas tree last Saturday. Keep it stored in the garage so enjoyed my 3hr adventure to fetch it (got side tracked and did some tidy up and cleaned some garden tools ).

[Goblin]

Is it wrong to hate christmas? No, not at all! It has to be the most stressful time of year with pressure on everyone to "buy" your loved ones gifts. I don't fall for it myself....christmas day for me has nothing to do with gift giving and being with loved ones. It has everything to do with packing my bike and fucking off to Wanganui to watch the racing! Selfish eh!

[Paul in NZ]

Its up to you but try not to hate things - it warps your thinking and makes life harder.

Just don't buy into the commercial crap and make it into a fun day for your family. Try a family jigsaw, board game or anything like lawn cricket etc if the weather is good. We try not to go stupid on the pressies but make an effort to invite someone for lunch or just generally do 'something' selfless - it is about giving but not just in the physical sense..

There are bugger all times of the year where it's great to make an effort, just don't buy into the mall christmas idea.

If you really don't want to participate - don't ruin it for you kids - 'cos kids love the idea of chrissie or perhaps you can pop down to the salvation army and help with lunch?

Cheer up - it's only one day...

[Donor]

I started buying Christmas presents in June and finished early last month. Not sure what I spent but it's less than $70 and that includes the one for next door neighbour. None of my gifts are rubbish, they either have practical uses or are food. Christmas is the one day in the year, well two, when I throw caution to the wind and eat what ever food I want in the pantry.

But why buy anything? Isn't that what birthdays/anniversaries are for?

Do love going for a ride/drive on Christmas day. There's not much traffic but have to keep an eye on the go-go juice level encase stations are closed. Normally have Christmas with family, but this years gathering location hasn't yet been decided. Going near shopping centres around now is okay, my shopping has been done.

I hate going anywhere. Sick of almost running down idiot kids half prepared with ill fitting safety gear on dangerous bikes/scooters/rollerblades that don't know how to use them, and think the road is a testing ground.

Put up my Christmas tree last Saturday. Keep it stored in the garage so enjoyed my 3hr adventure to fetch it (got side tracked and did some tidy up and cleaned some garden tools ).

Got ours out last night for the wife. Spent 2 hours fetching, erecting, decorating and then an hour cleaning up the mess and listening to how much of a hassle it's going to be keeping the 18 month old away from it, so it doesn't get destroyed. This morning was round one, and we have at least another bloody fortnight of it... *sigh*

[Donor]

Its up to you but try not to hate things - it warps your thinking and makes life harder.

Just don't buy into the commercial crap and make it into a fun day for your family. Try a family jigsaw, board game or anything like lawn cricket etc if the weather is good. We try not to go stupid on the pressies but make an effort to invite someone for lunch or just generally do 'something' selfless - it is about giving but not just in the physical sense..

There are bugger all times of the year where it's great to make an effort, just don't buy into the mall christmas idea.

If you really don't want to participate - don't ruin it for you kids - 'cos kids love the idea of chrissie or perhaps you can pop down to the salvation army and help with lunch?

Cheer up - it's only one day...

Exactly - it's only one day!

We should be doing these things every day we have some time, and if there are those that say they don't have the time, then they are in need of some serious time management training.

Why should I show more love and affection to my family and friends on one over-hyped day than the other 364?

[bobsmith]

What I really hate are the fucking christmas lights they put up everywhere...

I should sue my work for putting them up without consulting occupational safety people and causing me undue mental stress...

[Donor]

What I really hate are the fucking christmas lights they put up everywhere...

I should sue my work for putting them up without consulting occupational safety people and causing me undue mental stress...

Mae sure they have an inspection and safety compliance cert. If they don't rip the bastards down and bin them. Report them to your OSH nazis, and then follow up with a cultural insensitivity complaint.

That'll learn 'em.

[Mr. Peanut]

People die on the road, I have to work harder, listen to stupid christmas music, advertisments, money gets spent on trash... Santa - Satan

I don't celebrate it. Nor would Christ.

[Donor]

I don't celebrate it. Nor would Christ.

I used to be a churchie - I would wake up in the morn, sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, and then go about my day as per normal.

That seemed fitting.

[chanceyy]

I detest xmas with a passion ..

I used to take my horses to the beach & try hide .. a few freinds tracked me down .. & made me come to their place for xmas .. now since olds are no longer young & only see them twice a yr its the obligitory trip up north ... but i detest the whole commercialism of christmas ..


ROCK ON NEW YRS ..

[Bend-it]

Christmas is great!! Only weak-minded people incapable of independent thought and actions get sucked in and so adversely affected by the commercial hype. Tell ya what... You can cancel Christmas for yourself, go back to work, don't go to any Christmas party, pissup, bbq if you hate it so much...

For me, I love it!

[Donor]

Christmas is great!! Only weak-minded people incapable of independent thought and actions get sucked in and so adversely affected by the commercial hype. Tell ya what... You can cancel Christmas for yourself, go back to work, don't go to any Christmas party, pissup, bbq if you hate it so much...

For me, I love it!

I've already put me name forward for overtime through xmas - that's my gift, penal rates!

I don't intend on doing anything out of an ordinary day, because it's just that - an ordinary day!

But do share, why do you love it? Spiritual/religious reasons, or a paid day off?

[ceebie13]

I'm still coming to terms with Christmas being in Summer...I mean, how stoopid is that? But I must admit I know where Donor (interesting handle considering this subject) is coming from. It's strange to be stuffing your face with hot turkey...hot spuds...hot brussels, hot everything on a hot day (well supposedly!) ...makes me feel bloated just thinking about it. Nah, don't actually hate it... just find it a chore to get through the whole Christmas/New Year thing. What makes it worse is that the whole country buggers off on its hols afterwards. When you work for yourself like me it's almost six weeks of "down-time" and that ain't good! We have a pact in our family. "Don't buy me anything cos I ain't buying you anything." (Doesn't apply to Mrs CB of course!)
Then of course there's the other can of worms.... you know, the whole JC thing... I mean, is it hypocrictical to celebrate Christmas if you aren't really a devout Christian?