Anyone have a 'glad when it's all over' festive attitude?

[schmalex]

I thoroughly enjoy Christmas. It's the only time of year my wife, son and I get to see both my wife's and my family in the same place and share some good humour. We've got 15 people, ranging from 18 months to 92 years coming to our house this year and it's going to be great fun. We'll, no doubt, drink far too much red wine & port, eat far too much food, play some stupid games and generally have a wonderful time.

Everyone is leaving by 11am Boxing Day and I have hidden a bottle of Champagne that my wife and I shall enjoy the moment they've all gone before the three of us go for a big walk around the village, following by a few pints around the fire in the pub.

In short, I enjoy Christmas.

[HewManHeMan]

It's the enforced joviality that gets on my nerves. As if I should be beaming just because it's an event that has no relevance to me (despite it also being my birthday. Which doesn't happen because everyone's always busy, which I don't mind at all)

I don't want people to not enjoy it. I love the time off work. I just find 'it' a chore.

[WestyCarl]

HewManHeMan said:

It's the enforced joviality that gets on my nerves. As if I should be beaming just because it's an event that has no relevance to me

I don't see it as "enforced jovality" more a good "oppotunity for jovality".

[Hoofy]

chryslerben said:

Hoofy said:

This time last December, my dad was in the final stages of terminal cancer. So I now tend to associate Christmas with death.

Oddly I'm off to a funeral this afternoon and the year before the wifes grandad died on boxing day so I can see where your coming from.

Can't wait to get back to work.

Oddly? It can only be odd if you don't know the deceased.

Feel for your wife's grandma. Must have been awful to lose someone that near to Christmas.

[AlasdairMc]

HewManHeMan said:

It's the enforced joviality that gets on my nerves.

I don't mind Christmas but I hate Hogmanay with a passion. Enforced fun and the inevitable drunken phone calls just after 12 celebrating plus one on the calendar...

I generally don't live my life on such a year on year basis so it has no relevance to me whatsoever.

[98elise]

I'm currently standing in a queue to get into a shop, because my wife wants an overpriced silver bead for a braclet. Including the day off work this is costing me many hundreds of pounds, and my sanity.

[AndyClockwise]

AlasdairMc said:

I don't mind Christmas but I hate Hogmanay with a passion. Enforced fun and the inevitable drunken phone calls just after 12 celebrating plus one on the calendar...

I generally don't live my life on such a year on year basis so it has no relevance to me whatsoever.

I'm the opposite, New Year is the best bit for me.

After all of the visits, presents etc, New Year's Eve is just the two of us staying in with a nice few drinks and something nice to eat. It is a period of tranquility which is very welcome

[soad]

With all the hype and festivities, it's hard to believe that all this fuss goes on over one day.
No Christmas is perfect, but when you look back on the day, it will most likely be with fond memories.

[Impasse]

soad said:

No Christmas is perfect, but when you look back on the day, it will most likely be with fond memories.

Ermm, no. No it won't. There won't be any memories of note. What an odd thing to assume.

[Mutley]

HarryW said:

You lot of miserable gits, I love Christmas, the more the merrier its a great family time, I don't give a st about the commercial aspects, rarely even turn the box on, stagger from one meal and drink to the next, sad when it's over.......

Yes, I agree, a time for family, but my full family live in the US and Canada, my direct family is now me and 3 others, and I just about tolerate them for the other 364 days of the year. I used to love it, but the thrill has worn off, as a family we get on, but we're chalk and cheese. They just want to watch TV all day and can't see whats wrong with that, whereas I would prefer to go for a walk or play board games during the day. I even get called anti-social if I dare pick up a book while they watch soaps.

So, as last time I hosted, I will be hiding the TV remotes until after dinner, so we have to interact, and will be enjoying the beer I bought.

Edited by Mutley on Tuesday 23 December 13:25

[dfen5]

I look forward to the 21st (shortest day). After that, couldn't give a flying.

[Cotty]

ApOrbital said:

No it's time to visit what family and friends we have left and enjoy it.

Nope

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/million...

[Foliage]

Sort of, im looking forward to family meal and drinks etc but its too commercial and id like that side of things to just be over.

[Pixel Pusher]

I don't mind Christmas. Don't visit anyone and discourage visitors. Happy with the company of the Mrs. & kids.

New Year's Eve? I'm normally asleep by 10pm.

[Yazar]

98elise said:

I'm currently standing in a queue to get into a shop, because my wife wants an overpriced silver bead for a braclet. Including the day off work this is costing me many hundreds of pounds, and my sanity.

Find a better wife?

[SteveJL]

Add me to the cant stand it group.

I used to really quite like it as saw family etc. 5 years my sister passed away on Christmas Eve evening from swine flu. Left two boys aged 6 & 8 and my cock socket bro in law. Love seeing the boys but cant the stand BiL.

Be glad when its over .

[soad]

Impasse said:

soad said:

No Christmas is perfect, but when you look back on the day, it will most likely be with fond memories.

Ermm, no. No it won't. There won't be any memories of note. What an odd thing to assume.

I was joking, hence the smiley.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

Roads are empty
Office is quiet
Nothing to do except browse PH & buy tat on eBay
Prezzies on Thursday
It's quite nice out

What's not to like?

[lord trumpton]

Having thought about this today, I think my issue with the 25th is that it is built up to be so important that it can affect everyone in a negative way if you let it.

- First Christmas since splitting with wife/bird
- First Christmas since xyz dying
- First Christmas alone
- First Christmas not going out
- First Christmas not seeing the children
- First Christmas I've worked

etc etc

We as people let it become so important in our minds that there is immense pressure for it to be the perfect day.

I just view it as a day that we are all off work and me and the wife can cook for our Family and enjoy our children opening their presents etc.

For all of you that may be dreading this coming 25th - just try think of it as another day and remember its not just you that is having a crap time or not enjoying it. No matter how hard done by you feel, there is ALWAYS some poor person feeling even worse. Last Christmas was probably the last one poor Michael Schumachers family will remember as normal.

The only people who have a truly great Christmas are the retailers as the manage to pry even more money out of our pockets.

[PoleDriver]

I used to love Christmas but then I split up with my (ex) wife, children grew up and left home and my parents died.
Christmas is now no longer a fun time, just an expensive one!
Went to OH's family for the last 4 years but this year her mother has just had a hip operation so I'm stepping back. Will have a few beers at the local then christmas dinner for one this year, followed by a long session in front of the TV.
Visiting my eldest daughter on Boxing day to see grandchildren and both daughters!