Anyone else hate Christmas/Holidays...?

livnlite

Agreed .. It seems to me that Christmas is becoming less about the birth of Jesus and more about the celebration of winter.....which is pagan. On the other hand, Easter is also pagan, the Easter bunny and the eggs are pagan symbols of fertility. And even the word "Easter" is a derivative of the name of a pagan God.

LorinaLynn

If at any time I feel like family, situations or the commercialization of the holidays is bothering me I like to think about a duck.

Try this:

1. Go find a duck
2. Get a glass of water
3. Set the duck on the floor and pour the water on it
4. Watch the duck
5. Go get a mop to clean up the floor
6. Notice that the duck is perfectly OK

If you just shake it off, it will be those who pour the water that have cleaning up to do; I'd rather be the duck.

I completely agree. But now I miss my old pet duck. Quackers was wonderful and would follow me around like a puppy!

The greed, the carols, the horrible horrible commercials with jingles based on carols, the insanity of shoppers who'll pepper spray someone if they so much as look at a gift the sprayer wants, the stupid hours employees have to work... I hate all that. And I'm an atheist, so the winter solstice is the only reason for the season for me. :laugh:

Plus, I really miss my Mom and Dad. Mom died three years ago on December 1st, and Dad will be gone two years in February. :brokenheart:

But every year about this time, I love to pick up some little gifts for my younger nieces and nephews, bake some cookies, and look forward to spending time with my family. I avoid the malls as much as possible (unless JCP or Kohls sends me a killer coupon!) and even stocked up on everything I'd knew I'd need from Target (they have better prices than the grocery store on kitty litter, granola bars, protein powder, frozen pizza, fruity snacks) weeks ago so I wouldn't have to go back until the holiday rush was over.

The water has run right off this duck's back. But a word from the wise, if your duck gets really filthy dirty for some reason and you need to give her a bath, and use Dawn dish soap, the water will NOT run right off her. Poor little Quackers was so waterlogged she could hardly walk! :embarassed:

sarahliftsUP

Christmas is what you make it. Sure it's commercialized, and full of fluff out in the big world .. THAT part, I could do without. THAT's not what I choose to make MY Christmas about.

In THIS household .. it's about family and sharing. We are a close family (Myself, my husband, our kids and their partners .. and whooo hooo! .. and baby grand daughter) as it is, and we share our time often, not just at Christmas. But, because we don't visit with our extended families as often as we'd like, this is a time when we make an effort to ALL get together.

Our brothers and sisters (on both my side and my hubby's side) who have families of their own and now that we all have grandchildren, when we all get together it is exhausting, but I absolutely LOVE it. I'm thinking we are going to have to rent a hall to get everyone in the same room for dinner one of these years. It's tradition to share a meal as a family ... no matter how many members there is.

It all reminds me of my Mom, who has been gone but not forgotten for over 25 yrs now. SHE loved when family came converged in her living room. It was NEVER about presents and gifts .. it wasn't about spending money .. it was about spending time. I like to think, I am passing THAT sentiment onto my own kids and they will pass it on to theirs.

We are not a wealthy family, by any means. We work hard for our money. We don't buy gifts .. just to buy gifts. It's not as shallow, cold and calculated as that. We buy gifts which are given from the heart. I buy things that my family might need and will enjoy .. things that they might not purchase themselves and we also dig a little deeper to give to charity at Christmas .. because typically, Christmas comes during a time of the year when temperatures plummet and need is great.

This! I was getting so sad reading all the other posts of people hating the holidays because it is so commercialized. But no one is pushing you to participate in it. My favourite childhood memory is Christmas Eve, where we'd all gather around the table and sit and just chat. Christmas Day we'd be up at 5am, presents opened, and then walk over to my Grandparents at 7am to visit! It's about family and being together and accepting the craziness. Every family has it's own perks and quirks but that's what makes your family unique. These are the people who've known you the longest, who you grew up with, who watched you grow up, or who you have watched grow up! I love Christmas because it's a time to relax with family and brings everyone together. It is what you make of it.

traceracer

Agreed .. It seems to me that Christmas is becoming less about the birth of Jesus and more about the celebration of winter.....which is pagan. On the other hand, Easter is also pagan, the Easter bunny and the eggs are pagan symbols of fertility. And even the word "Easter" is a derivative of the name of a pagan God.

You are absolutely right! I do not celebrate jesus death with any pagan rituals. I completely stay away from any of that!

reharvrun

I somewhat understand what you mean. I have a in-law I don't get along with but I just keep my distance and I end up having a great time with everyone else. What I don't like most about the holiday's is that I have no self control. I have no trouble staying under calorie goal any other time of year except this time. Too many treats and yummy food. UGH!

traceracer

I quit celebrating holidays about 5 years ago. Nowhere in the bible does it tell us to celebrate Jesus birth. His death yes but not his birth. Also, if a person researches all holidays origin, they will find that they are all a crock. I do fun stuff with my kids on holiday breaks but I make sure it has nothing to do with any National holiday.

You are right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I found that out too last year. I thank God for revealing His mystery to me. All of the traditions we've been brought up on are indeed pagan. God wanted us to follow His FEASTS as listed in Leviticus 23. Scriptures are there to back this up, too. Jeremiah 10:1-4, Matthew 6:33, etc. Thanks for posting...the truth!

It is a beautiful feeling knowing the truth and being able to break free from falsehood.....congrats!!

traceracer

Christmas is what you make it. Sure it's commercialized, and full of fluff out in the big world .. THAT part, I could do without. THAT's not what I choose to make MY Christmas about.

In THIS household .. it's about family and sharing. We are a close family (Myself, my husband, our kids and their partners .. and whooo hooo! .. and baby grand daughter) as it is, and we share our time often, not just at Christmas. But, because we don't visit with our extended families as often as we'd like, this is a time when we make an effort to ALL get together.

Our brothers and sisters (on both my side and my hubby's side) who have families of their own and now that we all have grandchildren, when we all get together it is exhausting, but I absolutely LOVE it. I'm thinking we are going to have to rent a hall to get everyone in the same room for dinner one of these years. It's tradition to share a meal as a family ... no matter how many members there is.

It all reminds me of my Mom, who has been gone but not forgotten for over 25 yrs now. SHE loved when family came converged in her living room. It was NEVER about presents and gifts .. it wasn't about spending money .. it was about spending time. I like to think, I am passing THAT sentiment onto my own kids and they will pass it on to theirs.

We are not a wealthy family, by any means. We work hard for our money. We don't buy gifts .. just to buy gifts. It's not as shallow, cold and calculated as that. We buy gifts which are given from the heart. I buy things that my family might need and will enjoy .. things that they might not purchase themselves and we also dig a little deeper to give to charity at Christmas .. because typically, Christmas comes during a time of the year when temperatures plummet and need is great.

This! I was getting so sad reading all the other posts of people hating the holidays because it is so commercialized. But no one is pushing you to participate in it. My favourite childhood memory is Christmas Eve, where we'd all gather around the table and sit and just chat. Christmas Day we'd be up at 5am, presents opened, and then walk over to my Grandparents at 7am to visit! It's about family and being together and accepting the craziness. Every family has it's own perks and quirks but that's what makes your family unique. These are the people who've known you the longest, who you grew up with, who watched you grow up, or who you have watched grow up! I love Christmas because it's a time to relax with family and brings everyone together. It is what you make of it.

But wouldnt you agree, that we should have this feeling all year round at any time of the year?? After all, life is what we make of it!

OLFATUG

It is the worst possible time of year for me. You can read about it in my latest blog post if you'd like, but it isn't a fun story.

gingersd

I couldn't agree more with Traceracer. I used to get very stressed about making sure I had a little gift for every one I was close to and even more stressed because I knew I couldn't afford everything I wanted to get for everyone. so I avoided everyone at Christmas. Then I realized the real reason for the season had nothing to do with buying gifts and seeing people that I really didn't like. and wow what a change I no longer feel stressed this time of year.

y_53kg

People, the reason we celebrate Christmas is because JESUS was born on this day. How could you possibly hate it?
I know that many of us don't get along with their families but still it's a happy season.
Spend it with the ones you love the most.

MissMisery1313

I just hate the holidays, the crass commercialism, everyone unloading their extra cookies and candy in the workplace kitchen. I haven't even wrapped a present in years--Xmas shopping consists of asking everyone for their Amazon WishList.

Bah Humbug.

traceracer

People, the reason we celebrate Christmas is because JESUS was born on this day. How could you possibly hate it?
I know that many of us don't get along with their families but still it's a happy season.
Spend it with the ones you love the most.

Please do your research. Jesus was not born on this day. I thought everybody knew this!

Diary_Queen

I hate this time of year because I feel like such a failure. There's so much food, stress, kids are out of school with no reliable babysitter and often this time of year I can barely keep the lights on and food in the house. I dont want to put up a tree because my house is so small that we have to move a bunch of stuff around to get it to fit (someone gave us the tree and we're grateful to have it, but it's a pain in the butt to set up). My kids spend all day long either trapped in the house with my Mom who worked all night and is home with them all day and cranky/pissed off by the time I get home. No other family will watch my kids without getting paid. My kids aren't that bad, but it's tough with 6 yr old twins that are very active. My family and I have never seen eye-to-eye and I would rather be home by myself... just hanging out with my boys than anywhere near them. They are all so stuck up and money focused that it's disgusting. If you aren't rich, you aren't 'in' with them. I don't get down with that. Sure, I want to provide for my family, but we don't have to have the finest things to be happy. My family disagrees and talks badly about me directly to my face telling me that I should have given my kids up for adoption when I found out I was pregnant and that I'm just not the motherly type and capable of taking care of myself much less taking care of them. This year, we're staying home and we'll be just fine.

OLFATUG

People, the reason we celebrate Christmas is because JESUS was born on this day. How could you possibly hate it?
I know that many of us don't get along with their families but still it's a happy season.
Spend it with the ones you love the most.

Not everyone believes in god...

traceracer

People, the reason we celebrate Christmas is because JESUS was born on this day. How could you possibly hate it?
I know that many of us don't get along with their families but still it's a happy season.
Spend it with the ones you love the most.

Please do your research. Jesus was not born on this day. I thought everybody knew this!

Although no one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, there is evidence that he was not born in the winter: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night" (Lk.2:8). This never could have occurred in the month of December in Palestine. The shepherds usually brought their flocks from the mountainsides and fields and corralled them no later than the middle of October to protect them from the cold, rainy season that followed. The Song of Solomon 2:11 and Ezra.10:9, 13 show that winter was a rainy season during which shepherds could not have remained in open fields at night:

TheFitHooker

I usually love the holiday's but this year I can't wait for it to all be over with. It has nothing to do with my new way of life or anything, because I have proven to myself that what is more important is my body then the food I sometimes desire. It's more about how broke we are and how it just doesn't even feel like Christmas. We can't do for our kids what we normally do. My son pretty much gave me a slap in the face though, because he looked at me and my husband when we told him to not expect much this year he said "It's not about the gifts, it's about Jesus." Still makes me feel a little sad that we can't do more for him, but I guess it's not all bad.

Edited to add:// Jesus might not have been born in the winter, but we celebrate Christmas to celebrate Jesus, regardless of what his real birthday was, this is when we celebrate it.

heresmyinsidevoice

In general, I would hate Christmas, but I know that if I put too much effort into the thought of it, I would make myself feel like a complete mess and take away from my son's enjoyment of his Christmas.
For the days that have been a bit of a Christmas damper for me, I listen to this song on my own and then I feel better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsZu3A7hlm0

traceracer

I usually love the holiday's but this year I can't wait for it to all be over with. It has nothing to do with my new way of life or anything, because I have proven to myself that what is more important is my body then the food I sometimes desire. It's more about how broke we are and how it just doesn't even feel like Christmas. We can't do for our kids what we normally do. My son pretty much gave me a slap in the face though, because he looked at me and my husband when we told him to not expect much this year he said "It's not about the gifts, it's about Jesus." Still makes me feel a little sad that we can't do more for him, but I guess it's not all bad.

Edited to add:// Jesus might not have been born in the winter, but we celebrate Christmas to celebrate Jesus, regardless of what his real birthday was, this is when we celebrate it.

There is no command in the whole Bible that tells us to observe Christmas. Under the inspired teaching of Paul and Peter and the other apostles, the Christians of the first century never observed Christ's birth date. Christmas came to us through the Roman Catholic Church, which is where it gets its authority as a religious holiday. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, which is published by the Catholic Church: "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church . . .The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt."

TheFitHooker

I usually love the holiday's but this year I can't wait for it to all be over with. It has nothing to do with my new way of life or anything, because I have proven to myself that what is more important is my body then the food I sometimes desire. It's more about how broke we are and how it just doesn't even feel like Christmas. We can't do for our kids what we normally do. My son pretty much gave me a slap in the face though, because he looked at me and my husband when we told him to not expect much this year he said "It's not about the gifts, it's about Jesus." Still makes me feel a little sad that we can't do more for him, but I guess it's not all bad.

Edited to add:// Jesus might not have been born in the winter, but we celebrate Christmas to celebrate Jesus, regardless of what his real birthday was, this is when we celebrate it.

There is no command in the whole Bible that tells us to observe Christmas. Under the inspired teaching of Paul and Peter and the other apostles, the Christians of the first century never observed Christ's birth date. Christmas came to us through the Roman Catholic Church, which is where it gets its authority as a religious holiday. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, which is published by the Catholic Church: "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church . . .The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt."

And your point? I never said that there was anything in the bible that said anything about that, but I know as a Christian, we celebrate Christmas as Christ's birthday, weather you do or not, I do.

Edithrenee

Well I dont like christmas for a lot of reasons. One was as a child i was taken from my mother, My father and mom got a devorce and he was abusing my sister while i was in the same bed wit them, I was so young it is a first memory and not a good one. Even at that age i knew it was wrong.

My mother married a new man whom then beat her almost everyday, id go to school afraid to leave her or she was going ot die before i could get home to safe her i felt. This went on and on finaly alot of drama and neighbors called and they took me away, I was given custedy back to my mother to give her a chance the judge told her and my step dad that if they fought one more time id be taken back to state custedy well he started talking stupid stuff after only one week of being home beat her up and left, he came back in the middle of the night and my mother had a shot gun under her bed to protect herself for the last time. He came in tried to smother her and thank God she shot the *kitten*. Well needless to say i went back to a group home my mom had to go to jail for five days til he made it out alive. Then man was in comma for five days. Missed his heart by one inch. I dont condon violence but back in the 70's and early 80's there was not much protection for my mom or help. She was a wonderful mother whom i charished.

We stayd in contact the best we could, but she then developed a drinking problem she never drank before, At any rate by the time i got to go home i was 17 but i got my own house to live in, This was in WV so it was cheap rent, and i worked at McDonalds, but i stayed close to my mom. I introduced her to a man i really felt was wonderful and they married one day. He took care of her and made her happy she never drank again.

My mother has past away last nov and once again the Christmas season is a sad time. From the age of 9 years old til i was able to be with her again the christmas and all hollidays stank. It never mattered if i got presents. I went to strangers houses for christmas and i had so much STUFF, but nothing could make me happy i only wanted my family a family that was not wierd or crazy. But as i got older i have my own children i raised them with sooo much love becasue i didnt get much growing up. I wanted them to know everyday how much they meant to me. they are now 21 and 23, they got to be with there grandma my mom when she past they got to know the women she really was. She died in my home in my arms last year. I miss her everyday I feel as if i have lost her again.

But alot of people say they are not religious and i dont try to force my beleifs on others. However I think the people who are not religious or believe in God kinda make me feel like i am not supose to beleive in what i believe in there are so many examples around. I wont get into it here.

But only God has given my my whole family back, he changed the hearts of others, he protected me as i went to three foster homes and group homes. I dont like christmas much but it is a time to be with family even if you dont get along with them... It is the only one you have, and all families are wierd to a certain extent. I only think of christmas as a time to give thanks to my God that i have two wonderful boys who are struggling there selfs and to thank him for my hubby of 20 years, and to thank him for givign me a heart to help others and to learn to appriciate my life the way it was and how it made me be the person i am. I dont think Jesus was born on this particular day, i do knwo he was born so if this is the day they set asid eot remeber his birth then yeah I will acknowldge To celbrate his day, but i dont think of what i van get i think of how i can give to Jesus after all it is supose to be his birthday, So i give him my life my troubles my sadness. I pray and talk to him. That is my celebration: I enjoy the family i have that i didnt have in my younger life.

I dont like the way christams is commercialized, i dont like rushing around getting presents, I dont go n debt to do it. I do buy a small gift to show my love to my family but its something they can use not something that means nothing lol.

I hope everyone has a merry christmas or something great comes from it. If you dont beleive in God then fine i hope you have a happy holliday! I hope my story has encourgaed someone to be able to see there family as a gift no matter how weird or irritaitng they are.. so many people are alone. And so many times our lifs are go so fast we are like a blade of grass here today gone tomorrow. Make memories, love your family, they may not, do it back right away but they will do it eventualy.

I mean when I think of it when i am on my death bed i want to be able to say i tried I loved all my family who was around me. I want to not lay there with regreats or hard feelings....when that day comes it matters not if i was the pretty one or if i had a lot o money or alot of things, it dontmatter about the words someone said to me to hurt my feelings all taht will be forotten, what i will think of is how i treated others in between the pain of death.. I will be wanting to make a little more memories while im laying there, I will want to remind all my loved ones of my love and i really dont want them regreting saying anything to me that they would regret. All the things we think of today is so trivial.

Threw it all I have always beleived that my situation I could be bitter or i will make it better, i could not change my situation as a young girl but i could chang my choices and and my future... I choose to get better!

traceracer

I usually love the holiday's but this year I can't wait for it to all be over with. It has nothing to do with my new way of life or anything, because I have proven to myself that what is more important is my body then the food I sometimes desire. It's more about how broke we are and how it just doesn't even feel like Christmas. We can't do for our kids what we normally do. My son pretty much gave me a slap in the face though, because he looked at me and my husband when we told him to not expect much this year he said "It's not about the gifts, it's about Jesus." Still makes me feel a little sad that we can't do more for him, but I guess it's not all bad.

Edited to add:// Jesus might not have been born in the winter, but we celebrate Christmas to celebrate Jesus, regardless of what his real birthday was, this is when we celebrate it.

There is no command in the whole Bible that tells us to observe Christmas. Under the inspired teaching of Paul and Peter and the other apostles, the Christians of the first century never observed Christ's birth date. Christmas came to us through the Roman Catholic Church, which is where it gets its authority as a religious holiday. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, which is published by the Catholic Church: "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church . . .The first evidence of the feast is from Egypt."

And your point? I never said that there was anything in the bible that said anything about that, but I know as a Christian, we celebrate Christmas as Christ's birthday, weather you do or not, I do.

My point was that I find it intersesting that people have made up there own rules and beliefs as History has went along. Thats all. Oh and also that you are celebrating something that Jesus did not ask of you. But each to there own.:flowerforyou:

LuciaLongIsland

People, the reason we celebrate Christmas is because JESUS was born on this day. How could you possibly hate it?
I know that many of us don't get along with their families but still it's a happy season.
Spend it with the ones you love the most.

Not everyone believes in god...

Ane not everyone has a family. My Christmas will be at the cemetery.

TheFitHooker

I'm sure he didn't Resurrect on same Sunday we always celebrate Easter, it's ok to celebrate things even if they weren't in the bible. We read the birth of Jesus and we celebrate it as a family on Christmas because to us it's important. It's important to remember the birth of a savior. We celebrate Easter to celebrate the gift he gave us, Salvation. So for that is why we celebrate. It doesn't have to be written in the bible. It's not in the bible to celebrate birthday's at all, but we do it. Thanksgiving for Canada or America is not in the bible, but we celebrate it. The meaning is real, the meaning is there, that is why I celebrate Christmas. I don't believe the reason for the season is getting gifts, it's about giving. For me it goes hand and hand with God giving us Jesus. To each their own, but that's why I celebrate it. It doesn't have to be in the bible.

Zombie41

Being with family isn't always a good thing....in fact, can be incredibly depressing. And knowing that there is so much happiness and love in another's house makes it even worse.:frown: This is a very hard time to get through for some.

traceracer

I'm sure he didn't Resurrect on same Sunday we always celebrate Easter, it's ok to celebrate things even if they weren't in the bible. We read the birth of Jesus and we celebrate it as a family on Christmas because to us it's important. It's important to remember the birth of a savior. We celebrate Easter to celebrate the gift he gave us, Salvation. So for that is why we celebrate. It doesn't have to be written in the bible. It's not in the bible to celebrate birthday's at all, but we do it. Thanksgiving for Canada or America is not in the bible, but we celebrate it. The meaning is real, the meaning is there, that is why I celebrate Christmas. I don't believe the reason for the season is getting gifts, it's about giving. For me it goes hand and hand with God giving us Jesus. To each their own, but that's why I celebrate it. It doesn't have to be in the bible.

Thank you for proving my point about people and religions that make up their own rules as they go along and do exactly what the bible does not tell them to. This is exactly what I was saying!! Thank you!!!

SabrinaJL

Yeah, and for kind of the same reason. My brother is a complete POS who takes advantage of my parents. Because of my parents they have a house to live in, a 2nd car, cell phones, internet, washer/dryer, refrigerator, free baby-sitting and maid service. My parents are retired, my dad lost a crap ton of money when the economy tanked, etc... The *kitten* is almost 40. At this point, he should be taking care of them, not the other way around. I spend the whole damn holiday biting my tongue.

apriltrainer

Anyone ever heard of the 100 things? It's about owning just 100 things. The whole materialistic frenzy that seems to overtake a holiday derived from a teen mom and her young husband trying to find a room at an inn with a baby in tow but having to settle in an animal filled manger is just so ironic.

At the same time I love seeing my little boy's excitement about Christmas. For a long time I lost it. I was the Grinch. Then I had my son and it's like experiencing Christmas through new eyes.

I see the xmas lights for the first time...instead of my eyes just glazing over.

I wake up with anticipation and can't wait till he opens his presents when before he was born, I hated having to buy people things out of obligation.

Last Christmas I wasn't a fan. I admit. I was underemployed.

Worried about rent, groceries...a new baby I had just found out I was pregnant with, and couldn't stand watching people shop when I knew trying to get my oldest son one present would be tough. Having my sister who had just been promoted talk about her good fortune when mine was anything but. Having to get WIC for the FIRST time in my life . Feeling ashamed. Hating watching people walk out of stores with tons of presents.

When I was about 10 my father lost his job and that xmas...we were homeless(Way before this economic recession. ) We lived out of our car and surviving on xmas cookies! Ugh. But I remember getting one present that year and will always cherish it. I still have it. One present and I was satisified. Yeah, xmas is a bag of mixed emotions for me.

Plus this xmas my oldest is with his dad(I'm divorced from his father) since he was with me last xmas. So it will be lonely without him...

LuckyLeprechaun

I feel a lot of pressure surrounding Christmas too. It's hard not to. I'm looking forward to getting back to "regular life", it will be a relief.

I'm trying to keep this in mind: these high expectations are self-imposed. I do NOT have to beat myself up if I fail to meet them. Nobody else expects as much from me as I do myself. So I ought to relax as best I can. And pour another drink...:drinker:

LuckyLeprechaun

Double! Merry Christmas you guys

warmachinejt

i dont care for it, but i like christmas music
very likely spending christma alone