For me, xmas underscores all that's wrong with my life and with me... and well the whole world. Cheery, eh? ;-)

I'm so tired and pissed off with having to put up with xmas sh!t while trying to maintain some semblance of good mental health.

Happy Holidays, my arse.

It's snowing right now. I hate snow. Especially where I live. People see a few snow flakes and drive off the edge of the road. Or worse yet, they stop in the middle of the road, get out of their car and start walking. What is wrong with people? If you're that frightened of bad weather, stay home.

Christmas is a lot like tscc. Lots of forced "happiness". Thanksgiving is O.K. Little preparation and only lasts one day. No incessant Thanksgiving music, gifts, stressful shopping/returning, etc. I have to remind myself that kids love it and not spoil it. A kid's experience is very different from an adult's.

The stress could be greatly reduced if adults would agree not to exchange presents, and if they do to give CASH. It's just overkill. Christmas songs are fine for a day or two, so I change the station and boycott radio stations that play lots of Christmas music.

I think most of the problems with Christmas can be traced back to the retailers who over-promote the holiday to squeeze out every dollar they can.

Aside from that, I LOVE Christmas.

Part because the holidays with my family growing up was not fun, part because I get Seasonal Affective Disorder. Then came the delightful years of working retail and serving and I came to truly hate most of humanity, Xmas music, and the ridiculousness of it all. I hate crowds, commercialism, greed, and insane expectations.

This is the first year I've "been in the Xmas spirit" since BF and I get to spend it with my sister and her family in CO. No cult activities involved.

Ironically, Christmas is SUNNY in the southern hemisphere. I hate cold and snow as well. They make it way too stressful indeed. I'd say Christmas was really fun up until about 14 years.

was the year we lived in Yuma, AZ. It was rather pleasant.

"I choose to focus on the positive"

I agree. Delighted little kids and enjoying the company of true friends. That's why I try to minimize the negatives as described by Itzpapalotl and others.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2013 02:34PM by wastedtime.

I choose to focus on the positive, even when there are problems around me, in my life and in the world.

I also choose to not hate anything or anyone.

Why? Because life is so very, very short and I want to enjoy all of it as much as possible.

This the first year for me in over 50 years that I do everything without my husband. And I'm doing it!
It's OK. Life has changed, and I'll be fine!

Should we take that as a no, then? :)

I'm glad you're in good spirits, Susie. Best wishes to you.

You seem to be stuck in the moron thinking which says you have to follow whatever the current program is. But, alas, you have a choice.

Ignore the whole thing. Listen to non-Christmas music, read non-Christmas books, watch non-Christmas tv or movies. Do things that have nothing to do with the holidays. If you are in a snowy part of the country, go skiing or snowshoeing. If you are in milder weather go hiking or biking. The exercise will make you feel better.

Plan a big three day project for the days before the 25th so you don't have time to deal with the holidays.

You see, you have a choice in what you do and what you accept. You may have been a cult member for some time or maybe a lifetime and it takes a few tries to gain the confidence that you have a choice in what you do and how you react.

try it and see what happens and report back. winning and complaining just feeds depression and reinforces cult behavior.

cheers

Being called a "Moron" cheers me up!

"winning and complaining just feeds depression and reinforces cult behavior"

I don't know who you are addressing, but myself, I am saying how I minimize the negatives.

"Winning"! Yeah!

No, not going skiing or snowshoeing. Don't like cold.

December becomes overwhelming for me. I love to decorate, but by the time Christmas Day arrives, I'm starting to feel claustophobic and just want everything down already.

Being responsible for buying and wrapping gifts for a very large extended family ON DH's side is expensive, time-consuming and stressful. Do they appreciate it? NO, never. We barely get a thank you from those we gather with every holiday. 40 people, all talking over each other at once--some have shrill, whiny voices that grate on my damn nerves; brat kids running around screaming and wreaking havoc. My MIL ready to just throw in the towel and finish off that bottle of wine (or Bailey's or whatever else is handy because she's going as batsh!t crazy as I am...UGH.

I abhor driving during this time of the year because there are way too many DOOSHES on the road.

Christmas Eve is lovely and calm at our house. We have family traditions that we treasure and for one night in the entire month, it's wonderful. Other than that......

Good one!

I am fine because I try to ignore Christmas but can't escape having to watch others do it.

So, I hate this time of year because I see all the have-nots having it spotlighted just how much they "have not" as the 'haves' buy too much and gift too much and show off their 'perfect' families in newsletters, leading all the 'relationship have nots' to feel depressed and hopeless.

Then the have-nots try to compensate by going heavily into debt to try to give those they love the feeling that they are a 'have' only to feel even worse as they face the bills in the new year and see that the gifts they gave really weren't appreciated and were returned.

I avoid giving gifts except to those who could REALLY use one. I think home made cookies and brownies and candy gifts are heaven. I don't like expensive gifts from anyone. I like get-togethers, and eggnog toasts with friends or by myself if that's what it is.

I hate the commercialism worse than the token nod to religiosity that the TBMs conjure. So few people know how to celebrate inclusively with style. It's a lost art that only a few are keeping alive.

Yes, exactly.

Good points. Yeah people use Christmas as a time to show off. I hadn't thought of that one.

Fuck it, nevermind.

I asked if anyone else hated this time of year. I didn't ask for armchair psychoanalysis.

I was looking for empathy... not comments that infer that I'm the problem.

I agree with you. I think wondering is one of those defensive attacking types.

This time of year really does grate many people. It's annoying and unhelpful when someone can't understand that.

Not everyone is equipped with the holiday cheer mode and there's nothing wrong with that.

Well, spaghetti oh, I do know exactly how you feel. Not this year but in the past I had some pretty bad Christmases. I do know loneliness and I feel deeply for anyone who has to have theirs ramped up this time of year. I will raise a glass of egg nog for you this year if you will raise one for me. There will probably be a lot of gin in mine, but feel free to make your's however you like it.

I hate it, too, spaghetti-o. In fact, this year I'm not putting up a tree, no decorations, no lights. Nothing. My husband and I can't afford to buy presents for anyone and I feel horrible about that. But we're trying to keep from losing our home and that's more important.

Also, I work in retail. I've been listening to that darn Christmas music since Thanksgiving and I'm weary of it now. I've been putting up christmas decorations and trees and everything else you can possibly imagine since September. So over it all.

Really, I'd rather give gifts year round to people I love for no reason other than I think they'd like to have them instead of that one day a year when it's expected and really not appreciated much.

spaghetti oh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For me, xmas underscores all that's wrong with my
> life and with me... and well the whole world.
> Cheery, eh? ;-)
>
> I'm so tired and pissed off with having to put up
> with xmas sh!t while trying to maintain some
> semblance of good mental health.
>
> Happy Holidays, my arse.


I don't hate it -- just look on with some irritation,
mixed with appreciation of family and friends, who
seem a little more inclined to remember me as the
year draws to a close.

I've spent the last three decades away from mainland USA,
largely in "foreign" cultures where Christmas and New
Year celebrations are not the norm, so my thoughts
about this time of the year are in that context.

I understand that there are a few folks who hate Jesus
and all he stands for in Western society. I try to respect
their views, knowing that they would hate such celebrations
no matter if they were in summer, spring, winter or fall.

Hearing 1950s recordings of Bing Crosby singing White
Christmas, and Gene Autry singing Rudolph the Reindeer
grate upon my ears, when I visit the local shopping mall,
but I know it will all be over in another week or so.

I would rather that people had an opportunity for some
happiness, now and then -- whether they choose to call
it a holy-day or not. I'd rather see that, than the pain,
suffering, starvation, torture and despair I've so often
seen in poverty stricken South Asia and elsewhere.

So -- my year end greetings to all.

I sincerely hope you do find some happiness these days.

Uncle Dale

I find it a nuisance mostly.

Everyone is running around like crazy trying to get their Xmas stuff done so they can all do the expected thing on the required day during the most dangerous time of the year (potential icy roads).

The human error mistakes where I work have increased this week since people are all distracted and rushed. Holidays can really impact the focus of people where I work, I've noticed. Traffic is congested which makes even the essential errands a pain.

Plus, my refrigerator picked now to stop working. It has been a giant pain in the rear trying to arrange a delivery since everyone is shopping or vacationing. I'm not fond of crowds.

Other than that, I'm indifferent. I hope people get to enjoy family, the season, etc. however they wish, but I sure wish it wasn't all on the same day. :-)

I'll be glad when it is over so things settle down.

Can't wait for it to be over.

I don't hate Christmas, but I hate the snow.

I am an atheist and I don't celebrate it. And it doesn't bother me that I'm missing anything. I LOVE not spending a crapload of money at this time of year.

I have no family (orphan and estranged from dysfunctional siblings) so as a teacher this is like a mini-summer in the middle of the school year. I LOVE it!

I would LOVE to be getting snow, though.

Tomorrow is the first day off for the next 16. I will finally get my butt out there and do the damn leaves as the city is coming very soon to pick them up.

God, I'm so excited about my break!

I normally like Winter. But it's not raining right now when it's supposed to. So it's extremely harsh & dry & cold as hell.

& I hate the Holidays with a passion. I have never been able to celebrate them the way I want to. I have never been able to celebrate them like an adult. I've decided that for me, they are a complete waste of time, money, & energy, & I won't be celebrating them ever again.

apropos:
> "I'm so tired and pissed off with having to put up with xmas sh!t while trying to maintain some semblance of good mental health.
Happy Holidays, my arse."

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/305307_10151364772484066_1788648718_n.jpg

;-)

So that's how they make those cookies. Good to know.

I tend to feel anxious and sort of blue throughout December. I love to be with my family over Christmas, but the lead up has always been stressful for me.

It's the time of year when I make the least money, and am expected to spend like a drunken sailor. >:(

I'm not sure what to think about it all. I just see it as a time to indulge in cookies and booze. :)

My wife does. With a passion.