I fucking hate Christmas

[RandySF]

I’m supposed to make everyone happy while nobody in the family gives a damn about my well-being and doing it with a smile.

[PJMcK]

1. Well, I'm sorry to hear that

Your daily Tweet of the Day is a staple in my internet life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, RandySF!

[MontanaMama]

2. Expectations can be so high...

Almost seems like a set up sometimes. Hugs to you RSF.

[tblue37]

15. I quit Christmas once my kids grew up. nt

[Generic Brad]

3. I used to feel that way too

Now I just don’t care. It’s just another day.

I’m actually looking forward to taking long walks with my wife over the next few days. No one will be in the park and the weather will be gorgeous. I hope you can find something to do that makes you happy.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. That sucks, but do you have a choice. You can opt out of Christmas altogether.

You are not required to participate in order to make everybody else happy. When I finally figured out I was just the fifth wheel on the family wagon - I was usually just ignored and talked around and nobody seemed to give a crap whether I was there at all - I stopped showing up. I said I had other plans. Sometimes I do have other plans; when I don't, I just spend a pleasant, relaxing day at home (which I guess really are other plans, too). I highly recommend avoiding situations that you know will just make you unhappy and resentful. You could stay home and listen to music you enjoy, or volunteer to serve Christmas dinner to needy people, or go to a Christmas church service if that's your thing, or go for a walk in the park. Give yourself the Christmas present of not doing something that makes you miserable.

Merry Christmas!

[nocoincidences]

6. It isn't really necessary to acknowledge Christmas.

Every year I ignore it and in 24 hours, it is gone. The run-up is harder, but it can be done.

I just don't like it. I stopped being a Christian in my teens. It hasn't meant anything but a big fricking hassle since then.

YMMV

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. If your family expects you to participate, though, and you don't enjoy the interaction,

the problem isn't going to be that the event is Christmas in particular. I didn't gather that religion is the problem for the OP at all, but their relationship with their family. Maybe they'd observe and enjoy Christmas if their family circumstances were better or more comfortable. That's why I suggested opting out - not necessarily of Christmas per se, but of celebrating it (or pretending to celebrate it) with an unappreciative family.

[MaryMagdaline]

5. Unless you have minor children, walk away from Christmas

I did years ago. Christmas is just way over the top. You have good reason to leave it behind.

[safeinOhio]

7. Me too

but have no family.

[frazzled]

8. I know the feeling, but it's what we do

We try to make everyone else happy, and sometimes it feels like you get little in return for the exhausting efforts. But they do appreciate it: maybe the payback will come later (when we’re in our walkers).

I labored over Thanksgiving dinner for 11, with all the regular dishes and desserts as well as vegan options. Then rushed to get Hanukkah presents for the grandkids and Christmas presents for all the necessary other people in our lives. Then made and froze a ton of meals to stick in the freezer of my son and daughter-in-law for when they went to the hospital to give birth to twins (twins!) Then while they were gone giving birth I babysat for three days with their two other kids (reading Llama Llama Red Pajamas at least 34 times). Then I came home and baked 4 dozen Hanukkah cookies, all elaborately iced, followed by a six-layer Dobos torte with caramel topping to take to my mother for her 94th birthday, which is on Xmas. All this in the space of less than a month. And I’m way behind on work.

The one thing I didn’t do was bake the 4 kinds of Christmas cookies to give to the neighbors on our floor, which I’ve done for the last 13 years. Sorry, no can do, and I’m sure no one cares.

But I’ll probably do it all again next year, and wonder why. Or maybe someone else will do it for me.

[pbmus]

10. Blessings to you

Your motto is better to give than receive

[pressbox69]

11. I would count down

the days till Christmas when my Mom was alive. Now I count down the days till the Academy Awards.

[Fragment]

12. I do too

I used to love it, but now it makes me sick; it is just teaching selfishness and consumerism.

Who is thinking about peace and goodwill? Instead of giving and receiving gifts that most of us don’t need (and many can’t afford), we should be teaching the children to give gifts to those among us who need it the most.

[diva77]

13. I think you just celebrated Festivus with your post! Hallelujah!

Seriously, I'm sorry Xmas is such a source of angst for you. FWIW, I'm sure a lot of DU'ers appreciate you very much 365 days/year!!!

[braddy]

14. A chance to remember what all this is really about.

[NurseJackie]

16. Well, I care about you. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Season's Greetings!

[Marthe48]

17. Get through it for you

I get along fine with my family, I have money for gifts and holiday food, and I have faith, but I don't like Christmas, and it is a relief when it's over.

[Brainfodder]

18. You aint alone!

2020 has to be better!

Good luck to us!

[StarlightGold]

19. I am so with you.

December 26 is my favorite day of the year.

[Collimator]

20. Randy, you have my sympathies.

Christmas can be very stressful. When my siblings and I were children, there was always some sort of fight between my parents. When we were adolescents and just beyond, things got worse. Somebody in the family was usually in the hospital and/or jail during the holidays. One year was so stressful, I broke out in hives.

My standard joke was that my idea of a good Christmas was one without bloodshed.

If the only way to achieve "Peace on Earth" is to have a peaceful day alone, then do what strengthens you most.