I try, I really do but by the time Christmas day gets here I am SO over it. Too much family that stays too long, talks too loud, makes ma mess (grown daughter) lives in Germany visits for three or four weeks... that is just part of it.. it all sort of piles together and I just want to hide or want it to all go away... then later I feel bad. I feel like I should like it all more. Like I should like being disrespected. Like it when grandkids ask for presents that cost 250 bucks, grown kids take everything the wrong way.. like walking on eggshells. Too many women in the house I think. I'll be glad to see January but at the same time I feel guilty for feeling this way.
Sometimes I just want to hide. Is anyone else like this or is it just me? Christmas wasn't like this when I was a kid, or even when I had little kids. I think maybe it is kids that never seem to act like adults... IDK. I really don't. Maybe it's just a mixture of everything.
Oh well, nothing I can do. At least the Falcons won a game, and the Lions are winning! It's not all bad.
 
Sorry...
J Eyore

Don't feel bad Julien.
 
I stopped 'doing' Christmas altogether 11 years ago - no family, no friends.
 
I don't call anyone. I don't go to parties.
 
I don't buy any gifts anymore.
 
I don't even wish people Merry Christmas anymore.
 
I also remember how it was really great when I was a kid too.
 
But things have just gotten way 'too mental' with it all. Now it even starts way before Halloween, [of which I think there should actually be a law against].
 
Every year, I just can't help but notice how 'happy' Christmas shoppers are, standing in lines that are way too long, looking hot, tired, miserable, impatient & frustrated, all just to buy things for people they don't really want to buy for, [but 'have to' out of obligation], spending money they don't have on people they don't bother with or just outright avoid the rest of the year.
 
And that's even before everyone gets together for a supposedly 'joyous feast'.
 
Seems Christmas is for the stores and advertising agencies now, more than anything else.
 
Don't feel bad about anything that bothers you, or that you have mixed feelings about, at the very least.
 
I can assure you that you're not alone.
 
Sounds to me what you're 'not feeling so good about' is the attitude & behavior of others.
 
That's my main complaint and trouble with society in general these days - and that's all year long.
 
 

I wanted to add that when Christmas day comes and everything's closed, I just go into my music room and work on some tunes - and I'm happy.

Thank you! (BTW, you have friends.. here)
 
Julien

Yes I do. I was referring to the real world of actual people. Not the virtual world here were all is good.

Due to a decision by the Aria direction to put the focus on conventions, they've announced last week that they were closing their theatre - meaning that Cirque will be pulling the plug on my wife's show April 30th.
 
As you may guess, no one around here feels really Christmassy.
 
That being said, we have tons of projects and lots of openings. But, even though there had been rumours ever since we arrived here, getting the actual new not even 10 days before Christmas was quite a blow.
 
I can only imagine some of those artists and acrobats who've just bought a house and have newborns and or babies on the way, w/ no green card or nothing... At least, we only have ourselves and our pets to think of, and we have the green cards and all.
 
As for the rest, I'm looking forward to a quiet Christmas eve with my lovely lady and a dinner and party with a couple of dear friends the 25th. I'm really not a family type of guy, anyway.

I go in the laundromat about a week before Thanksgiving and the radio station they have on is playing non stop Christmas hits already. What is there, about 4 or 5 decent Xmas songs in existence? The very idea that people want to listen to endless Yuletide chuff 24/7 in November is just ridiculous, yet the media is convinced that it's what we want. By December I feel about as Christmassy as Osama Bin Laden. 
 
I have to admit I haven't felt the Christmas spirit since I was about 16. There's something about being expected to be jolly just because of the date that rubs me up the wrong way. And since I'm not religious, what exactly am I supposed to be getting out of it? Besides, I have a strong aversion to party hats. They rustle. 
 
So every year I go into hiding for a few days and make sure I have plenty of work on. My girlfriend goes out to her cousins on Long Island and I keep the business going. Sometimes I will use the excuse of Christmas Day to get stoned since I don't smoke for the rest of the year, and tbh that's the only highlight! 
 
Now let's talk New Year's Eve. I hate that too. 
 

Rain
Due to a decision by the Aria direction to put the focus on conventions, they've announced last week that they were closing their theatre - meaning that Cirque will be pulling the plug on my wife's show April 30th.
 
As you may guess, no one around here feels really Christmassy.
 
That being said, we have tons of projects and lots of openings. But, even though there had been rumours ever since we arrived here, getting the actual new not even 10 days before Christmas was quite a blow.
 
I can only imagine some of those artists and acrobats who've just bought a house and have newborns and or babies on the way, w/ no green card or nothing... At least, we only have ourselves and our pets to think of, and we have the green cards and all.
 
As for the rest, I'm looking forward to a quite Christmas eve with my lovely lady and a dinner and party with a couple of dear friends the 25th. I'm really not a family type of guy, anyway.

Wow that sucks, but as you say, at least you have the green cards. The US is your oyster!

Rain, I am sorry to hear that news. I can understand why you are not in a Christmas mood. I hope all goes well with you and family. 
I like Christmas because it has religious significance for me. My son Alex is home from his first quarter at college and our house is bright and cheery. Just had my company party at a nice old restaurant by the ocean.
I am in the local Rotary club and I actually rang bells for the Salvation Army last week! Never did that before. 
I think it is a time for giving. The presents are fun but the family part of it still moves me.
To each their own. I just had a birthday and am grateful to be alive and healthy. So many things to be grateful for actually. 
Christmas is good in my world. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and that next year brings you peace, love, and opportunities. 
 
Rimshot

sharke
I go in the laundromat about a week before Thanksgiving and the radio station they have on is playing non stop Christmas hits already. What is there, about 4 or 5 decent Xmas songs in existence? The very idea that people want to listen to endless Yuletide chuff 24/7 in November is just ridiculous, yet the media is convinced that it's what we want. 
 

Christmas music is to music as Santa Claus is to Christianity.