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Am I The Only One Who Doesn't Like Christmas?

21/12/2013

6 Comments

 
Grumpy Cat Christmas
This post is probably going to sound like a commentary from an episode of 'Grumpy Old Ladies' but it is true I don't like Christmas. Even as a kid it was only a time of the year when we got presents. I wasn't like other children who woke up at one minute past midnight to see what Santa had left under the tree or stayed up listening for reindeer hooves on the roof. I figured it was another night, I got to sleep-in in the morning, and when I woke up said presents would still be there. You might think this a bit sad but to me there isn't much point.

Firstly, the issue of presents. So you go out, spend all your cash (of which I don't have much) on bits and pieces for relatives and other significant people in your life, most of which they probably don't want. There is the stress of wondering whether the present you give them will not reach the same standard as the present you receive in return or whether the person will not appreciate the gift. Also, how to respond with false excitement when you receive 'another' soap set that you had continually hinted at being allergic to? At the end of the day, this gift giving is merely a customary act. Isn't Christmas time supposed to be about generosity not just because 'we have to do it since we always have'. Instead of giving each other tokens that will end up in a cupboard somewhere, how about truly being generous and giving to a charity. Adopt a World Vision Child or give to the Cancer Foundation or a wildlife reserve for endangered pandas or tigers. Isn't that a better way to spend our money, money that we can apparently squander on expensive gifts which may not go far in actually helping anybody.

Secondly, Christmas Carols. I don't know what it is about Christmas Carols but whenever I hear one I want to destroy the source. I suggest you keep any carolling children away from my doorstep. Joking! But seriously, why are we forced to listen to those terrible tunes every time we walk through a supermarket or turn on the radio? Is it some kind of brain-washing mechanism? I'm not sure why I detest carols as much as I do. Perhaps it is due to being forced to sing them every darn year at school. Or maybe it's because I nearly burnt my hair off at Carols by Candlelight? Whatever it is those carols eat away at my normally very calm centre.

The only things I seem to enjoy about Christmas are being with family and friends and Christmas lights. But honestly, if you want to see family and friends go see them. If you like fairy lights put them up. *shrug*.

Scarlett Van Dijk

Ps. This is only my personal opinion and I hope this post doesn't offend anyone. I still have a lot of fun around Christmas time seeing family and friends it's just the whole tradition that bothers me.

6 Comments
Jesse link
21/12/2013 12:34:28 am

Take solace in that there's at least one person who agrees with everything you've said.

People love Christmas for the same reasons elder people hate new music and gamers (I'm a little guilty of this...) think of some older games as the best ever. You know, that whole "The good old days," nostalgia, coupled with a huge dose of commercialism and branding, sprinkle in some guilt and social pressure, and you've got a holiday.

Christianity has almost nothing to do with it; anyone whose read more than that one certain book could tell you that. Many of Christmas's traditions were adopted from regions to which it spread anyway, you know, like McDonald's or Pizza Hut. No, seriously.

I'm totally a Grinch, but I enjoy giving (non-useless) gifts. I also don't rely on a holiday to do it. That sorta makes me Scroogey I guess, but personally I'm happier not wasting money and not following the crowd.

Kudos to you, madam!

Reply
Scarlett Van Dijk
22/12/2013 04:08:51 pm

Thanks for the comment Jesse :)
You are right. I too enjoy giving gifts when I want to do so. I want to find something that I think someone will like, and buy it for them purely for that reason not because of social expectations.
Enjoy the day even so, my fellow Grinch :D

Reply
Sarah
22/12/2013 03:53:34 am

I agree with you as well. I also dislike feeling like I HAVE to go to everyone's house to celebrate when I would rather be home with my daughter & start our own traditions. When I voice this I am guilt tripped & made out to be a "bahumbug".
I also have extreme social anxiety & hate all the noise & fussing & loudness associated with bring around all the family.
I too would rather send money to a charity in honor of people instead of giving gifts or spend a day with someone serving others. I have brought this up to my family & they again think I'm being a "bahumbug" & not any fun & being negative. I just want to do what I want for once instead of what everyone else wants.

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Scarlett Van Dijk
22/12/2013 04:16:30 pm

No one should make you feel guilty Sarah, and I don't think you're being a "bahumbug" at all for wanting to spend time with your daughter and form special memories. Also, how could you be thought of as such when you want to serve a greater good than just everyone else's social expectations? Perhaps one day you should do just what you want and show others that this is what you're happier doing. They should be happy that you are happier that way. However, I understand it is hard to break free from such firmly set expectations.

I too find all the noise and fussing about stressful. You're not alone there.

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Jesse link
28/12/2013 11:24:52 pm

Scarlett has it right again, Sarah.

Hopefully since the holiday has passed by the time this reply goes up, most of the stress is already over, but Sarah's lament could be translated to many situations, not just Christmas. It can be a rough time.

Chris
1/12/2014 07:17:39 am

I don't like Christmas. Tomorrow is December 1 and I will be counting the days until January 2 and it will all be over for another year. I am 64 years old and the weight of all the bad memories of Christmas past is getting to be so heavy I'm not sure I can carry them for another year. And this year, with a huge rift torn in my family will add yet another weight to the burden. God have mercy and deliver us from Christmas.

Reply



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    A Writer's Tale

    Scarlett Van Dijk

    Writer of young adult, fantasy series, the Sky Stone series, poetry and short stories.
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