anyone else get down this holiday? I seriously dislike this holiday.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

I have never liked christmas, even before was I was aware enough to be disgusted by the crass commercialism. I never believed in some sweet baby jesus, nor some weight-challanged santa claus. About the first week of December I find myself in a blue funk. Not full-blown depression, mind you, just an unhappy curmudgeonly feeling of minor malaise. I have work coming in. (important for the self employed) I have my fair share of success for my clients. I have money to pay bills. I have a book about to come out in print. But, merry? Happy? naw, not mois.

It seems to me that people try too hard to be "merry" only to be let down. Those high expectations only make it worse. These days, I don't even bother with the expectations, I just let myself be miserable from the start.

Anyone else hate christmas?

Bah. Bah, Humbug.

Now, if we renamed it Winter Solstice. . . .

[Callalily]

1. I don't really hate

Christmas, I just don't do any of the "Christmasy" type things. (tree, lights, etc. - well, expect for a few gifts to friends). But I do enjoy going to all the extra parties and get-togethers. In our busy lives, sometimes these are the only times to get re-acquainted with those we rarely see at other times of the year.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I love Christmas.

I love everything about it. Yes, it is stressful to get 'everything' done, but when all is said and done, I love it.

The thing I absolutely love the most is buying gifts for kids who will have nothing Christmas morning. That is what Christmas means to me.

[BobEPeru]

3. I would quit this holiday

if I didn't have the social pressure from family to take part.
My immediate family isn't particularly religious, and I am not at all. There are no little kids around, so I see no reason to blow hard earned cash when this whole thing seems to be taken as a stressful chore for myself, and everyone else around me that takes part.
The SO and I will be celebrating the beginning of winter next Wednesday with some boozy revelry, a warm fire, and maybe a late night walk to our favorite pub. A calm respite before the travel hell the following weekend is sure to be.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. maybe we should gather fellow chicagoans in the drinkie bit.

which is your fave pub?

[BobEPeru]

6. It's one that's right in my area

It's called Floyds...it's stumbling distance from my place.

[Hugin]

5. It's very common to "not like Christmas (or the Holidays, if you prefer)"

There are many reasons to be down... Less daylight, cold temperatures, feeling
pressured by others to participate.

[Deep13]

7. Used to like Christmas. Not anymore.

My father always made such a big deal out of it. Even when he was in retail, he never lost the Christmas spirit. In 1998 he retired from his retail management career to work his Christmas tree farm. He died a year later from a stroke at age 52. That pretty much killed the holiday. I tried to keep it going, but had to give it up last year. This year, I'm going to Vegas for Christmas.

NB: I'm not trolling for sympathy, so there is no need to post any.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. But there is want to post some...That can wreck Christmas for anyone.

My grandmother lost her husband the day after Christmas, and her daughter the week before...so Christmas is not the once wonderful holiday that she put her all into.

I am sorry for your loss Deep. And I didn't take it as trolling. Sometimes we have to realize that people want to reach out and just care. :hi:

[Deep13]

9. Thanx, I don't understand your post title.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. "so there is no need to post any"....but there IS want.

Thought I made that clear...There is WANT to post sympathy.

[Deep13]

11. I see.

I was reading it in conjunction with the second half of the title and did not realize you were referencing my concluding remarks. Thanks for claifying. I'm a little slow in the morning.

[Pool Hall Ace]

12. I used to have terrible holiday depression.

After my mother died, my oldest brother stopped speaking to me, so I no longer was pressured into celebrating their uber-religious gift grab. When I got married, I just leveled with my husband about the holiday, and he was more than okay with it.

It is important to celebrate the holiday the way you want to. If you want it to be about the solstice, then it is. If you want it to be about good food and a few good friends, then do it that way. Pick out the elements you enjoy and celebrate in your own style.

I remember people trying to convince me that there must be something terribly wrong with me because I didn't feel like playing Santa and buying little toys for all the neighborhood kiddies, or I didn't want to go to all the holiday parties, blah blah blah. If you have people in your life like that, now would be a good time to avoid them.

I enjoy the lights, tree, and decorations, so that's what I do. I have a few gifts for those closest too me, and that's it. Lowered expectations are perfectly okay. They will help you maintain your sanity. :hug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. I feel better already. Seriously A nice sane viewpoint!

But, Bah humbug, anyway.
(grumble grumble grumble)

[imperialismispasse]

14. I get down during the holidays. Get down and get funky.

[Skittles]

15. I don't get excited the way so many people do

the "good will" stuff disturbs me because, well, people should be that way all year around and not just during the "holidays"

[Deja Q]

16. I hate living too but you don't see me wrapping a plastic bag over my head

You just keep pushing along the best you can with what you've got.

[Loonman]

17. From my experience, being depressed about it is common

But unless you're Keats, Yeats, or Shelley, nobody cares.

[Ellen Forradalom]

18. I have some horrible anniversaries on the holidays

so I hate them.