How should I get my boyfriend into the festive spirit?

@beki710 (949)
December 20, 2011 6:54pm CST
My boyfriend really does not enjoy Christmas he works in retail in a big supermarket and he relates the whole idea of Christmas to stress and horrible customers. He hates Christmas music because they play it constantly in the shop and he finds it hard to buy presents. He only has Christmas day off he has to work Christmas eve and boxing day so work is always on his mind. I want to cheer him up because Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I wish he could enjoy it as much as I do. Any ideas?
4 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
21 Dec 11
It sounds like stress is what's turning him off Christmas, so make his Christmas one of comfort and ease. Concentrate on things like sitting down by the tree (and the fire if you have a fireplace), drinking hot chocolate or something soothing that he enjoys. If you live where it snows, enjoy the snow either from inside or outside. Ask if it's okay if you don't exchange gifts this year. I wouldn't try to push him into the active part of Christmas, but show him that Christmas isn't all about gifts and hustle and bustle.
1 person likes this
@beki710 (949)
21 Dec 11
Thank you so much I think these are some great suggestions. I'm going to suggest to him that we just chill out and enjoy each other's company and try and help him forget about the stress of work even if it's just for a few hours.
• Bangladesh
21 Dec 11
Give him some gifts and send him some cute messages. Tell him is that christmas is a festival that come only for 1 time in a year an you are excited about that. Or you can tell him just to pass a sweet moment with you on that day. I think he will understand as I would understand and give time to my girl friend if she would act like that.
@beki710 (949)
21 Dec 11
I think he understands why I enjoy it so much he just finds it hard to even feign the enthusiasm I have for it. I guess maybe I just have to accept that he doesn't enjoy it rather than have him force enjoy it for me.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
21 Dec 11
oh, that's pretty bad for him to be traumatized because of the experience he had with "christmas" celebration. I think what you can do is bring him to a peaceful place where he can enjoy just celebrating, either with your or his family alone... not in a place packed with people and that is noisy that also reflects the setting of the supermarket. I am sure if he sees that side of christmas - the one that is solemn and just peaceful, he will realize that Christmas is not so bad after all.
1 person likes this
@beki710 (949)
21 Dec 11
He is coming to my family for the actual Christmas day as because of his work he doesn't have time to travel to see his. Thank you for the advice I will try and create a calm atmosphere for him.
@hvedra (1619)
21 Dec 11
It is hard for retail workers because of the extra work and people seem to turn into angry zombies when they get inside a supermarket. I don't even like shopping in supermarkets this time of year, it must be a nightmare to work in one! If you want Christmas music that he won't be fed up of then go for some medieval style music (the Mediaeval Baebes have a Christmas album and there are other artists out there), it feels festive without being Slade, Roy Wood or Cliff Richard! Let him have a very relaxing day if it is his only day off and tell him not to worry about presents - could he could get you a token gift and then treat you in the New Year when he has more time to choose something.