I hate saying this every year!  

Sorry to hear things are kind of bad between you and your dad. Horse manure? Bleah! Will be praying that things get straightened out between you and your dad.

Well, we don't often do anything special on Christmas day and, like you, there will be a family get together on 1/02/10. Well, let me clarify something, I'll give my wife a gift on Christmas day so I guess that is something special. But, other than that, unless something strikes our fancy it might just be like any other day.

lol! horse manure is pretty gross (not that I've tried it or anything). Maybe you should get a t-shirt printed saying, "XMAS SUCKS!!!!" I hate it when people talk about getting presents and what do I want for christmas. I don't want anything and I really don't have it in my budget to buy, buy, buy. I'd rather just cook them dinner or something. Why do we have to buy people presents on xmas? Anyways, I really don't like christmas either, never have. I'm not a scrooge or anything, its just that it reminds me of christmas in my house as a kid - everyone getting drunk, one person usually ends up in hospital and at least 3 go to jail. every year. Bah Humbug back at ya!

Hi, blue65packer! There is nothing wrong with the way you and your family decide to celebrate the holidays, or when you decide to celebrate them. I feel that it evry persons on decision and how they want to do things. No, you should not have to repeat yourself every year. I know that can be very frustrating. It is a shame that no one listens to you though, and i know that is even more frustrating. I do hope things get better for you, and that you don't have to keep repeating yourself.

blue65packer well thats a lot like me when people ask me if I am going home for christmas, damn, how can I go home when I do not have a home and that is the reason I am stuck here in this retirement center.It is okay but if my son had found a job after being laid off, and we had been able to keep our rent paid, we would not have been evicted, thus homeless, and I am supposed to tell all this over and over, no.We maybe should print it out on a banner, show it once to all who ask then tell anyone else to just get lost. I dont dislike Christmas per se just dont like explaining why I cannot do what everyone else is doing.

I'm sorry this is a bad time of year for you. You are not alone in this. For some it is not a good time of year at all. As for celebrating the holidays on a different day, it isn't all that odd really. For years, quite often my work days fell on various holidays. I could not afford to take the day off being a single mom so I worked and we would celebrate Easter Monday or whatever. I do work on Christmas because I get paid double time and we really could use the money. As for explaining to people, just keep it simple...say you celebrate after the holiday...it's most convenient for your family. No need to say any more than that. As for your dad...do people really ask you about him? I'd tell them that it is not a subject that I care to discuss and hopefully they'll get the hint. I know you don't care for the holiday but I'm still going to hope that someone gives you a reason to smile for the holiday.

easy and that's part of life. sometimes we really did much things what we do not like or even hate daily.but we have to. since the christmas is the very important festival of the year and we have to share our opinion with others or learn from other's experience. i do not think that's boring.

get a little button that says "Bah Humbug" and wear it but don't bother trying to explain any more - people just don't get it

my family always does Christmas Eve, since neither day is Orthodox Christmas, it doesn't make any difference to me - not that I'm still PRACTICING my beliefs, but that's because I can't find a Western Rite church...

hi blue65packer, I understand you so well. And somehow I envy you a little bit for being able to stand up for what YOU want and enjoy for these special days and not bowing down to what others think you should do cause its Christmas time.
Okay I went to church today, not because I had to but cause I wanted to and had a desire to be in church for Christmas Eve.
I will also take that 3,5 hour trip to my mother tomorrow with my husband as she is old and in ill health. I do that so no one can accuse me of not seeing her on Christmas and not taking time for her. But it will be emotionally draining to get there and I am so glad that then I still have Dec26 and 27 to emotionally unwind before its back to work.