Xmas has been cosy and simple for decades for us as we've used our pets as an excuse not to travel home for Xmas and his parents always stayed in Worcester to be with their daughter and grand-daughter and BIL and senior SIL also stayed at home. Once we moved to Belgium it was just us as the Belgians, like the French, have huge family gatherings on Xmas Eve and nurse their hangovers/indigestion/fatigue or go for invigorating walks on Xmas Day.
Our decs weren't completed till Xmas Eve this year so I'm quite relaxed about their still being up. I'd normally be desperate to pack them away on 12th night but maybe they'll stay up a bit longer this year. Local councils Xmas lights usually stay up till Candlemas which falls half way between the winter solstice and spring equinox and is an old pagan/Celtic festival of lights to herald the start of the farming year so a good thing for gardeners to markand celebrate.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I love Christmas 🎄 and can’t imagine how incredibly dull and dreary winter would be without it. Imagine if that January feeling started in November!
I adore buying presents for the people I love and getting something special in return. Parties are fun! I enjoy all the extra food and drink and Christmas events. My Christmas decorations fill the house for all of December nearly and Christmas music is a feast of nostalgia. I work in a pharmacy so it’s an extra busy time but I don’t mind. I am always excited to start opening my advent calendar. Maybe I am in the minority but I think it’s great.
As an NHS nurse, this time of year does not bring much joy, or time off, so I am known for being in the “Grinch” camp. My Fish finger sandwich Christmas dinner, on my own, on a run of night shifts is a particular ‘highlight’. Having said that, the camaraderie of working over the festive time plus the positive impact we can make to patients during their ‘worst Christmas ever’, is better and brighter than any festive decorations could be.
I really fell out with it all after my Mum died but soon enough, little nieces came along and gave me a reason to see the delight that Christmas brings to little people.
There is an expectation for people to be happy, celebrate, have material trappings and spend time with people. Not everyone wants to be part of that social convention. For some it is too painful, too stressful or just not what they actually want. This year, more than ever, the expense of just getting by adds a sprinkle of distaste to all the Merry-making.
To end on a lighter air - for those who miss the lights and the cosy glow they bring…keep the fairy lights! Even I love fairy lights! Mine are up all year in my snug (plus the LED ones are low energy so cheap to run!).
I think if it causes significant stress, unhappiness or relief that it is over, you should maybe think about doing it differently.
I agree, but it can be just another stress in itself telling others that you don’t “do” Christmas/don’t want to see people/ won’t be participating. It’s sometimes easier to ‘conform’ and do things you don’t want to do for other’s sake. That’s not just a Christmas thing I suspect.
There is an expectation for people to be happy, celebrate, have material trappings and spend time with people. Not everyone wants to be part of that social convention. For some it is too painful, too stressful or just not what they actually want.
But of course you can't simply opt out if you're in a partnership, with two associated families pressing in from both sides. And then there's the TV, radio, supermarkets etc. ramming it down your throat every few minutes from the end of September.
Bah! I'm going to go sow some seeds. I'll just have this little glass of red first.
Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
I get very weary with it. I don't mind a midwinter break to mark the turn of the year. The over-consumption and pressure to conform to a model of how to celebrate is annoying if you don't have the means or the will to do it that way. What is supposed to be uplifting and joyful is made boring and infuriating by the relentless 'push' of the marketing. I'm glad it's over.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Like @debs64 I love Chistmas. I'm lucky as I have a big family and I love seeing the excitement on the grandchildren's faces when we have our family get togethers. I love going to Carol services, putting up decorations, decorating the tree, cooking sausage rolls and mince pies, wrapping presents etc
Now I'm over 70 and have moved to a smaller house I can't host family Chistmasses any more, which is actually a bit of a relief. I've really enjoyed going to my children for Christmas. Last year I had 3 Christmasses. This year we went to my son. A 6 hour drive away but we had a great time.
I haven't always enjoyed Christmas though. My 1st husband died, heart attack, the end of November 1998 when I was 47. Our 4 children were at school and Uni. That Christmas was a nightmare and it wasn't much fun for a few years.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Posts
Our decs weren't completed till Xmas Eve this year so I'm quite relaxed about their still being up. I'd normally be desperate to pack them away on 12th night but maybe they'll stay up a bit longer this year. Local councils Xmas lights usually stay up till Candlemas which falls half way between the winter solstice and spring equinox and is an old pagan/Celtic festival of lights to herald the start of the farming year so a good thing for gardeners to markand celebrate.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I really fell out with it all after my Mum died but soon enough, little nieces came along and gave me a reason to see the delight that Christmas brings to little people.
That's it exactly @AuntyRach!
But of course you can't simply opt out if you're in a partnership, with two associated families pressing in from both sides. And then there's the TV, radio, supermarkets etc. ramming it down your throat every few minutes from the end of September.
Bah! I'm going to go sow some seeds. I'll just have this little glass of red first.
I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Now I'm over 70 and have moved to a smaller house I can't host family Chistmasses any more, which is actually a bit of a relief. I've really enjoyed going to my children for Christmas. Last year I had 3 Christmasses. This year we went to my son. A 6 hour drive away but we had a great time.
I haven't always enjoyed Christmas though. My 1st husband died, heart attack, the end of November 1998 when I was 47. Our 4 children were at school and Uni. That Christmas was a nightmare and it wasn't much fun for a few years.