Opting out of Christmas
Discussion
Whatsmyname said:
I request every single year for all things xmas / birthday / anniversary / fathers day that I dont want anything yet people buy me s
t - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing.
So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with st, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.
t - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing. So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with s
t, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.
What a w
ker.
I’m not into the sorts of gadgets and trinkets that some people do seem to want and like, but if it makes someone happy to give me such things, because they think I’ll appreciate them, that’s fine, I’ll accept them graciously, then flog them to someone who does appreciate them. If the person giving me the ‘whatever’ gets butt hurt about that, that’s their lookout. surely Once it’s been given ( mistakenly or not ) it’s mine to do with what I want.
Alucidnation said:
Whatsmyname said:
I request every single year for all things xmas / birthday / anniversary / fathers day that I dont want anything yet people buy me st - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing.
So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with st, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.
t - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing. So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with s
t, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.What a w
ker.
FerdiZ28 said:
Opting out totally this year, going to buy my niece whatever she wants (16) and then spend the rest of what I'd normally spend on others on a couple of massive LEGO sets, cheeselets and posh beer and have an awesome day on my own.
Select mates are welcome to join me for a pint up the road on Boxing Day.
Ferdi sounds cool, I'd never get away with it, but beer , cheese , and Lego, what a way to spend the day. Top bombing SirSelect mates are welcome to join me for a pint up the road on Boxing Day.
Toaster said:
Alucidnation said:
Whatsmyname said:
I request every single year for all things xmas / birthday / anniversary / fathers day that I dont want anything yet people buy me st - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing.
So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with st, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.
t - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing. So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with s
t, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.What a w
ker.I haven't done Christmas for a few years now, and not bothered. No family as such and, falling into the category of not particularly wanting 'stuff', I've persuaded friends to spend the money on themselves or give it to charity.
if I never had another Christmas dinner I don't think I'd miss it. I may still have some Christmas puddings in the cupboard 'maturing'.
if I never had another Christmas dinner I don't think I'd miss it. I may still have some Christmas puddings in the cupboard 'maturing'.
Nanook said:
Toaster said:
Alucidnation said:
Whatsmyname said:
I request every single year for all things xmas / birthday / anniversary / fathers day that I dont want anything yet people buy me st - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing.
So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with st, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.
t - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing. So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with s
t, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.What a w
ker.t, and either tells them to send it back, or just throws it straight in the bin?He certainly doesn't sound like a bundle of joy!
I'm sure a lot of people would prefer if their relatives found a bit more time for them rather than unwanted gifts.
Nanook said:
Toaster said:
Alucidnation said:
Whatsmyname said:
I request every single year for all things xmas / birthday / anniversary / fathers day that I dont want anything yet people buy me st - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing.
So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with st, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.
t - all the time I struggle to understand why people feel the need, like my Mrs kicked off after buying me an Apple Watch 3 I told her to send it back and she went loopy. I said if you wanted me to be happy you should have got me what I asked for i.e nothing. So I ask for nothing and still the house gets filled to the brim with s
t, I get it sent back or its landfill if its cheap, this will probably be the 15th year Ive wanted nothing and told people so, I dont think there will ever be a time when people will listen. I want less in my life not more.What a w
ker.t, and either tells them to send it back, or just throws it straight in the bin?He certainly doesn't sound like a bundle of joy!
No means No!
The commercial side of it kills me, really can't stand it.
I like the 'old fashioned' Christmas values, gathering together with family and having a nice meal and maybe a few drinks. After that I can do without it all.
We have two works xmas parties here every year, I've already declined both, people think I'm miserable but it just doesn't interest me.
So yeah, another low key one for me this year. There are 365 days in every year, seems madness to me to waste two/three months planning for just one of them that you could do on any day of the week. Enjoy your lives NOW, don't wait for someone to tell you when to spend time with your family, or buy a gift for a loved one, just get on with it if you want to.
I like the 'old fashioned' Christmas values, gathering together with family and having a nice meal and maybe a few drinks. After that I can do without it all.
We have two works xmas parties here every year, I've already declined both, people think I'm miserable but it just doesn't interest me.
So yeah, another low key one for me this year. There are 365 days in every year, seems madness to me to waste two/three months planning for just one of them that you could do on any day of the week. Enjoy your lives NOW, don't wait for someone to tell you when to spend time with your family, or buy a gift for a loved one, just get on with it if you want to.
Just to keep costs down, I mainly only buy for the kids. The exceptions being my parents, my other half and my cousin as it's always been a tradition. I don't buy for my best friends but just their kids and vice versa, It works well and I still get gifts from my folks and other half. I do get in trouble now and then when one of the kids passes 18 as they are adults but I couldn't just buy for the younger ones and leave one out just because they are over 18.
The best thing we introduced was the plastic tub. This lives in the garage and every gift we receive that we don't like or isn't suitable for us, we put in the tub. A year later when we draft up the Xmas present list, we normally have a decent starting point of unwanted Xmas and birthday gifts that are perfectly fine for others. This year, before spending a penny, we have 11 gifts sorted! My other half takes care of remembering what we got off who so we don't give them the same stuff back.
The best thing we introduced was the plastic tub. This lives in the garage and every gift we receive that we don't like or isn't suitable for us, we put in the tub. A year later when we draft up the Xmas present list, we normally have a decent starting point of unwanted Xmas and birthday gifts that are perfectly fine for others. This year, before spending a penny, we have 11 gifts sorted! My other half takes care of remembering what we got off who so we don't give them the same stuff back.
Gary29 said:
The commercial side of it kills me, really can't stand it.
I like the 'old fashioned' Christmas values, gathering together with family and having a nice meal and maybe a few drinks. After that I can do without it all.
We have two works xmas parties here every year, I've already declined both, people think I'm miserable but it just doesn't interest me.
So yeah, another low key one for me this year. There are 365 days in every year, seems madness to me to waste two/three months planning for just one of them that you could do on any day of the week. Enjoy your lives NOW, don't wait for someone to tell you when to spend time with your family, or buy a gift for a loved one, just get on with it if you want to.
I like the 'old fashioned' Christmas values, gathering together with family and having a nice meal and maybe a few drinks. After that I can do without it all.
We have two works xmas parties here every year, I've already declined both, people think I'm miserable but it just doesn't interest me.
So yeah, another low key one for me this year. There are 365 days in every year, seems madness to me to waste two/three months planning for just one of them that you could do on any day of the week. Enjoy your lives NOW, don't wait for someone to tell you when to spend time with your family, or buy a gift for a loved one, just get on with it if you want to.
I like the family time. I cannot stand the commercial nonsense.
j4ckos mate said:
mince pies are out!
middle of October,
do other countries do this?
Be grateful it's just mince pies...middle of October,
do other countries do this?
In Australia Christmas has been in full swing in stores for a month now. Non-stop jingles start in November at the latest. Compared to Oz, the Christmas antics and paraphernalia here is quite toned down. Hot Cross Buns and Easter Eggs will be out by mid January too.
I cant stand Christmas, forced cheer, forced platitudes, forced to spend time with a lot of people you don't like. Having to buy gifts for people I hardly know, who when asked "what do you want" say "oh, get me anything" (was nothing, until the day I actually got them nothing), having to put up with racist distant relatives I cant stand sober getting drunk, pointless questions like "when are you going to settle down and get married" that I would eventually get tired of and answer "well I've got no plans to have 5 kids I cant support to a deadbeat partner, Karen" and then be told that "you ruined Christmas" as Karen's unruly brood shouted, squealed and demolished yet another cake bought by someone else (usually by me or my sister as we had careers, ergo were not on the dole).
Moving 9000 miles away was one of the best things I've done for which I am grateful for around the festive season.
Long ago I adopted the policy of not doing Christmas, on the evening before the day before the day with the big cricket match, I'd lock myself in the "vault" away from other people with enough food and liquor to last. Phone was switched off, internet disconnected, TV unplugged, doors locked, I separated from the world as best I could. It also helped that up until about 4-5 years ago, absolutely everything had to be shut on Christmas (by law) in Perth, W.A. Most stuff still is.
Edited by captain_cynic on Wednesday 17th October 15:05
Can’t stand the commercialism and sense of expectation. My perfect Christmas is at home, snowed in on a cold, crisp, sunny day. No presents but good food and wine, roaring fires, shared with people I want to spend time with. This has happened a few times and was just great.
When you see the Jeremy Kyle types saying they are in debt because they have to spend thousands at Christmas, I count myself very fortunate on a number of levels.
When you see the Jeremy Kyle types saying they are in debt because they have to spend thousands at Christmas, I count myself very fortunate on a number of levels.
j4ckos mate said:
mince pies are out!
middle of October,
do other countries do this?
I saw this on the news today - £4mill of mince pies sold already! middle of October,
do other countries do this?
However, it can't just be us. Our local Italian Deli has just been advertising that it's had it's Xmas delivery of panettone in, so I was thinking of popping down to get some just because I love the stuff and would have it any time of year.
We ordered about £700 of wine "for Xmas" last month, I'm concerned we're going to need to re-order in November as we have had a couple of heavy weekends and we're half way through it already!
I love Christmas, it's a good laugh with the kids now, and I like having time off work. I could do without the pain of rotating round and travelling to parents and step parents, and peeing off one part of the family as they aren't seeing us on Christmas day. My favourite is spending christmas day at home, have people come to us. The best bit is when all the guests go home so we can just chill out for the rest of the day!
What I really hate is on boxing day, all the adverts and radio music changes as if it's like Christmas didn't exist when it was wall to wall only 24hrs before. However I usually enjoy the week off afterwards, last year we had a couple of great afternoons in a nearby pub after walks with friends, log fires, ale, nice food.
RC1807 said:
fking hell! I thought I was a lush! 
Ok, perhaps only about 1/4 way through the 80 bottles i had delivered last month (we've had a couple of big dos with friends so not just my wife and I drinking it) but I'm still worried I won't have enough come Christmas!king hell! I thought I was a lush! Looking on Amazon at what Bourbon/Brandy/Rum I'd like to treat myself now. I got some good deals on some Woodford Reserve Diplomatico and armanac last year.
Me? I get through the pain of Christmas by being completely plastered from 1 Dec to 1 Jan!
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