I've always hated Christmas even as a kid. I wish there was a place where dec 25th was just a normal working day

Once more posters of DS show how terrible their lives are and how they struggle with the most basic of social situations.

I loved xmas when my kids were little, it was so exciting planning it all and seeing their excitement build. Precious memories.
It's a quieter affair these days but I like cosy evenings on the sofa with something good to watch and just the light from the xmas tree and a mug of hot chocolate and a big slab of stollen. It makes the dark cold dreariness of winter a bit more bearable.
Same with walking the dogs, it's much nicer traipsing the cold dark streets when there is xmassy lights adorning houses.
On the plus side I haven't heard Wham once

Japan ?? Israel ??

Also a lot of Eastern Europe are Orthodox and won't be celebrating until January

Having lived in the US, Christmas Day is pretty-much all over and done with by Noon you can go and hang round with your Jewish friends, have Chinese food and celebrate how quickly you can cross Manhattan

It's bollocks. I'm looking forward to the the time off but not sitting around bored Christmas Day with people I don't really want to be with. And she always does Aunt Bessie yorkshires and doesn't make her own!

Hey, my birthday is on Christmas Day.

What would you rather do instead?

Just for you - a nice little Christmas panto song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StZcUAPRRac

I put on a brave face for my children put personally I hate Christmas. The pointless gifts i don't want or need, relatives I'd rather not see or be forced to visit where I once again have to be all smiles, tv is crap unless you're into soaps, the list could go on. Time off from work is the only plus point.

The point is to buy things and then pretend an immortal fat man in a red costume put them under a tree which has inexplicably appeared inside the house. You then eat a turkey which was sacrificed to Jesus, a man who impregnated his own mother with himself.

It's also a perfect match to the set - we had a similar thread last week, it's always good to have the matching one this week

I used to love Christmas but last years was hell and I don't see this one being any better. If I come out alive the other side it will be a miracle.

And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true ? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare -
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.

Yep, that's exactly the point of it