For those that can’t stand this time of the year, my misery seeks company. What does it for you?
For me: aside from the usual family stuff:
I worked front-end in a post office back when that meant a line-up before I opened the doors to the end of the day when I had to inform the line-up that was still out the door that, yes, I was going to close on time. (Some didn’t take that well. For me it was just another Tuesday…)
It meant a lot of work with little thanks and I had to listen to the same shitty Xmas playlist over and over all day.
Edit/PS: The quick downvote sells it. Perfection. chefs kiss
So I’m going to preface with the fact that I don’t hate Christmas. I thought I did for a long time but forced to actually stop and consider it, that’s not an accurate statement.
However, I do object to a lot of how Christmas is portrayed and celebrated now (UK if that make a difference)
it’s a family affair: every TV program, every billboard, every commercial on the radio is telling you that this is a family occasion, a coming together. For those of us that are divorced or otherwise alone, it’s a really fucking lonely time of year precisely because you’re effectively being told from all angles that if you’re not at the centre of a massive family celebration, you’re a sad loser
too long: it’s one day, maybe one week if you can extend it all. For this we have to have 3 months of build up? It’s too much, builds all the stress and makes the actual day unlikely to live up to the hype
Music: saccharine Christmas music from November onwards. I have a playlist of music that I can stand and I listen to it occasionally (I’m listening to it now). So sorry to anyone working in retail who has to listen to it on repeat
competitive: did you have the most lights? Most people round? Fanciest meal? Tell us all about it. Please, call in to the radio because we really care
unchanging tradition: people who have to have it exactly as it was when they were young and force everyone else to conform to that singular vision
So over the last couple of years I’ve had time and space to focus on what do I want it to be and I’ve decided that for me Christmas is about: light and warmth and love.
I don’t need anything else but pretty lights to look at, a warm house and the love of my family and friends. I now see Christmas cards as a little present, a bundle of love. I send them with a message because I’m saying that I love you with each one.
I’ve told my boys they don’t need to buy me anything, just their presence is all I need to make me happy.
I make sure to focus on seeing my friends and making sure they know that I appreciate them.
This has all helped massively. I still get the lonely feeling - tonight I’ll be by myself on Christmas Eve and that’s hard, but I can concentrate on what it means to me and that helps loads.
I’m right with you, especially all the media centered on big loving family or sad loner stuff. I also resent how long it goes on and got annoyed at the "the best time of the year"song yesterday. It’s just all too much! No other holiday is like this.
I also started sending Christmas cards this year thinking of them as messages of love. I like that and I like warmth and lights and love. It’s still way too long and too expensive.