Christmas...not again

Post Reply New Topic

I have one relative who only turns up for holidays and acts like they are just putting in face time the entire time. I resent it. I think, if you don't like us enough to stay in touch the rest of the year, why bother visiting at Christmas?

Those people ringing bells for donations at stores really drive me up the wall. Not only does the noise itself bother me but just the way they look at me, it makes me wonder are they going to say something to me, are they going to ask me for money and expect a response? I am not going to give money just because they are standing there ringing that damn bell.

I merely tolerate Xmas. Currently, I am visiting family in Los Angeles this week. It's been such a dreadfully long week for me. I hate being out of my regular routine at home. Also, I hate this city, it's so big, noisy, dirty, crowded and all this sunshine is sooo oppressive.
Xmas day, I get to hang out with my brother-in-law's family, (yay?) A bunch of people I barely know, whoo-hoo! fun! (not)

I'll be glad when this is all over.

I love my family. If I could spend time with my kids without all their sidekicks it would be great.

My son and his wife are great, even with 4 kids. My beautiful, beloved daughter in law is clearly not representative of her family. They are throwbacks from somewhere. Must I spend an evening looking at butt cracks?

My daughter (the eldest daughter) is terrific. Her...long term boyfriend is ok, but I'm not fond of football. His kids are ok. He has a large extended family with lots of kids. Eek.

My youngest son still lives with his dad. The place smells like cat pee. He can come here.

We suffered through x-mas with husbands family last weekend. it was horrible as usual. But what it does do for us is solidify how perfect of a match the two of us are as we have the exact same problems and complaints about his family.

It feels like the three of us against the world when we are with his family. (my husband, son and I)

We spend most of the time protecting our Aspie son from their torments, they don't get it and don't want to hear reality from us, so we just 'get through it'.

for the actual holiday it will just be us, my brother coming over for a little bit, and my oldest son who is away at college. Nice and calm! Very casual, no big meal just a ham and some sides for people to pick at when they want, it's my day off, lol.

But we have to do it due to our youngest being 6 and it's so hyped up at his school it wouldn't be fair to deny him. Even though we are Buddhist, so we treat it as a day to honor the earth (hence the tree in the house) and all she gives us and show special appreciation to those we love with gifts.

For those that get angry at non-Christians who celebrate consider this: How are we to ignore it and deny our children who see and hear nothing but "christmas" all over t.v. and public places? It's not like there's any escape from it, so join in we must or our children won't understand why Johnny sitting in the desk next to him gets presents and he doesn't. It's kind of crammed down our throats, if you can't beat them, join them.

You celebrate Winter Solstice instead. It just happens to be at the same time as Christmas. The tree, the wreaths, and a bunch more of the traditions are pagan in origin. I'm not sure about Buddhist traditions around Solstice.

Wow just come to WP to ask a similar question and saw this thread.

I'm absolutely dreading tomorrow, I live at my parents and they're having my mum's brother here for lunch (notice I didn't say "my uncle"). Last year I lasted about 5 minutes at the dining room table. It's a bit more awkward this year though because my 92 yo grandmother had a stroke last Tuesday and is still in hospital. So I feel like I should just fake it as always to pretend I give a s**t. But that's just lying to myself and makes everything worse in the long run. For me anyway.

I have a feeling tomorrow I may go postal. Already people are making fun of the way I speak and are teasing me. Normally I can shrug it off but I've just had enough, so I'm in my bedroom getting drunk but can still hear them.

[quote="pensieve"Normally I can shrug it off but I've just had enough, so I'm in my bedroom getting drunk but can still hear them.[/quote]I'm doing the same. And hopefully if luck's on my side tomorrow won't be perceivable to me.

I don't mind it. I like the food and quite like visiting my in-laws and watching TV but don't feel "Christmassy" at all. It seems arbritrary putting up decorations. There is no point to present buying as it is pretty much for the sake of it and no-one ever knows what they want when you ask-so can't particularly want anything. The shops are crowded, so I get anxious/miserable if I need to go and plan ahead to go as few times as possible. The restaurants are full of work dos all December and our usual chinese restaurant changes its menu and has karaoke and we can't just walk in somewhere and have a meal as it is booked. The postal system comes to a standstill. Then there is working out who to buy cards and presents for and how much to spend to fit that relationship. Then who I should visit over Christmas as technically they won't invite me but people will expect to see me. Then there is the annual cold I get as it is cold and I am stressed and run down. Saying Happy Christmas in a cheerful way to people you barely know e.g. at work as if they are your best friend.
I'm a bit of a scrooge - quite a long rant Don't start me on New Year!
Looking forward to a holiday and a few days in a cottage with just my husband

P.S. fed up of noticing all Christmas shows play some bells over their normal theme tune and play a computer graphic of snow over the titles, started looking for shows that are more creative