These Are The Main Things That Bug Me About Christmas...
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
November 19, 2010 7:28am CST
...when people you haven't heard from all year round suddenly decide to send you a Christmas card. Why is that? Why can't they write at any other time, have they lost the use of their hands or what?
Uninvited guests..that's another one. When my Uncle Joe was unwell he used to pop into Mum's house at Christmas just to drink the place dry. One year I had to go out for a walk because I could see my Dad tensing up as Joe wouldn't budge and got more drunk by the minute. We realise now that he was EXTREMELY unwell (and he's now on medication) but we didn't know that at the time.
Women (and men) that give cooking a go. They don't bother the rest of the year so why do it at Christmas? I can't understand it.
Christmas cards. My Dad's hand-writing isn't that great so it gives him a good excuse to order my Mum to write them out instead to people he can't stand lol. Not surprisingly, the sentiment isn't shared by the recipients and he wonders why.
It's all so stressful isn't it? Christmas. Having said that though, I DO like buying presents. Granted, I can't be as extravagant as I used to be but that's part of the fun now..acquiring bargains, usually on the internet. Crowds are something else I cannot stand nowadays.
Oh, and another thing, why do some people ONLY buy stuff on the internet at Christmas and, like in "real life" they leave it until the last minute and miss the deadline with the post. Why can't they order their presents earlier? After all, it's not as though the Royal Mail keep it a secret when their deadline dates are.
OK, rant over!!
Women (and men) that give cooking a go. They don't bother the rest of the year so why do it at Christmas? I can't understand it.
Christmas cards. My Dad's hand-writing isn't that great so it gives him a good excuse to order my Mum to write them out instead to people he can't stand lol. Not surprisingly, the sentiment isn't shared by the recipients and he wonders why.
It's all so stressful isn't it? Christmas. Having said that though, I DO like buying presents. Granted, I can't be as extravagant as I used to be but that's part of the fun now..acquiring bargains, usually on the internet. Crowds are something else I cannot stand nowadays.
Oh, and another thing, why do some people ONLY buy stuff on the internet at Christmas and, like in "real life" they leave it until the last minute and miss the deadline with the post. Why can't they order their presents earlier? After all, it's not as though the Royal Mail keep it a secret when their deadline dates are.
OK, rant over!!1 person likes this
8 responses
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
20 Nov 10
I dislike the fact that the commercial side of Christmas starts at the start of November now. 
Seriously, we do not need Christmas decorations everywhere for two months out of the year do we? This takes away from the specialness (is that a word) of Christmas time in my opinion as people have become so used to seeing Christmas stuff everywhere by the time it gets here that they are sick of it and just want to get it over with. That is how I feel anyway. 
The other thing that I think is annoying is the waste of paper and money sending cards to everyone. If people send me a card, then they expect one back. I told most people a few years ago that I do not intend sending cards anymore, so slowly over time and after not getting any from us, family members have stopped sending them to us. We still get them of course and the kids love give them to all their class mates at school and they love to see who can get the most, but I could not care less if I ever got another one! 
Seriously, we do not need Christmas decorations everywhere for two months out of the year do we? This takes away from the specialness (is that a word) of Christmas time in my opinion as people have become so used to seeing Christmas stuff everywhere by the time it gets here that they are sick of it and just want to get it over with. That is how I feel anyway.
The other thing that I think is annoying is the waste of paper and money sending cards to everyone. If people send me a card, then they expect one back. I told most people a few years ago that I do not intend sending cards anymore, so slowly over time and after not getting any from us, family members have stopped sending them to us. We still get them of course and the kids love give them to all their class mates at school and they love to see who can get the most, but I could not care less if I ever got another one! 
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
22 Nov 10
Yes, it is way too early. We actually put our tree up a couple of weeks ago, which is way too early for us, but we had a reason. We are selling our house and had the real estate agent coming around to take photos. We had a vacant corner in our lounge room and there are holes in the carpet there, so we put up the tree and put some fake presents around the bottom of it to hide the holes! 
Luckily this is the same spot that we put the tree each year and the best spot in the room for it, so it does not look out of place at all! 
Luckily this is the same spot that we put the tree each year and the best spot in the room for it, so it does not look out of place at all! @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
22 Nov 10
At least cards get recycled now but I do take your point, they can get a bit much. We don't get many which is a bonus because we don't string them up like my Mum does!
Coming back from Walsall's ground on the coach yesterday I couldn't believe my eyes because I saw CHRISTMAS TREES in people's windows. I know I counted only two but it's not even December yet. Whatever happened to the "Twelve Days of Christmas?"
My friend Sarah made me laugh because she shouted through the coach window (not open of course) "Get that bloody tree down!" to the young lads playing football in the driveway of one of the houses. Their faces were a picture!
Coming back from Walsall's ground on the coach yesterday I couldn't believe my eyes because I saw CHRISTMAS TREES in people's windows. I know I counted only two but it's not even December yet. Whatever happened to the "Twelve Days of Christmas?"
My friend Sarah made me laugh because she shouted through the coach window (not open of course) "Get that bloody tree down!" to the young lads playing football in the driveway of one of the houses. Their faces were a picture!
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
19 Nov 10
I guess I like getting Christmas cards. Sure I'd like to hear from them throughout the year, but once a year is better than not at all. I don't really have uninvited guests; people are always welcome at my house. And if Christmas is the only time they can make it, great; it's the only time I decorate. Now, on the other hand, I don't like buying Christmas gifts. I've gotten to the point I just send my nieces/nephews money and let them buy their kids gifts. I've given up trying to figure out what a 12, 10, 5, 3, 1 and 1-year old needs/wants. And for my Mom, sister, brother, etc., they don't want anything, they don't need anything, so what do you buy them? My brother and SIL said don't buy us anything and we won't buy you anything...that works for me. But I still have a sister and BIL (millionaires, by the way) and what the heck do you get them they haven't already bought for themselves (and much nicer than I could buy for them)? I hate buying gifts!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
19 Nov 10
Those are the types of people you'd make cookies for! Even though they can buy themselves better cookies than you can make.. it's the thought that counts, right?
Even though they can buy themselves better cookies than you can make.. it's the thought that counts, right?@hofferp (4734)
• United States
20 Nov 10
Yeah, but now my BIL is back on his diet...no cookies. But great thought. I do make videos for my nephews and nieces. They send me pictures throughout the year and I build "slideshows" -- "2010 in Review". I've been doing that for about four years and they say they love them and that's all they want. Since I love to build the videos, that works for me. But I'm still at a loss for my sister and BIL...
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
19 Nov 10
have to echo KATS here. I like many of those things. Even the attempts at cooking that turn out awful! Those make good stories and memories to be shared later. I do wish it hadn't gotten so commercial! But I love this time of year!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Nov 10
I do like some aspects of Christmas but you're right; it has got too commercial and the message is lost on the young, especially.
@hanni711 (243)
• Philippines
20 Nov 10
People have different notions of CHRISTmas that's why we cannot expect from them what we want to be.We just have to welcome our relatives when they remember us only on CHRISTmas since this is the time where we can share the love of CHRIST. Just keep in mind that no one is alike and we have different outlook in life. Let's not expect from people so that we'll not get disappointed.
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
19 Nov 10
These things only happen because Christmas has lost his main role, and that is celebrating the born of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am not a religious fanatic, but I see that many people celebrate Christmas without knowing why it is celebrated. They only care about material things, like shopping and having a huge meal and everything like this. Of course, it is nice to buy gifts for the beloved ones, but it seems that Christmas is all about running, when it should be the time to relax and have a good time with the family? Don't you think?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Nov 10
I do too.
I'm not saying that people shouldn't come round but I object to those who can't stand other family members but turn up anyway. I think it is hypocritical to do that. Yes, it's only one day out of the year but why can't they come round at other times if they're so bothered about seeing family? If I didn't like my Mum and Dad there's no way I'd turn up at "theirs" for Christmas. Fortunately I love them to bits and visit them more than that one day per year, despite being 100 miles away from them.
@anNiTa (126)
• United States
19 Nov 10
i share you feelings. specially when it comes to the drunks. dont you just hate those christmas parties where family gets all wasted... very unconfortable. specially because it's not like you see them year round and the time you do they are drunk off there behind!
now about those christmas cards... i like sending them out. but just to immediate family, like: mom, dad and grandparents that dont like in the state. i also send some out to my family members who are in prison along with some cash (if possible).
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Nov 10
That's a kind thing you do regarding family members in prison..which is what Christmas is all about..giving. Good for you and welcome to MyLot.
@KarissaAngel (362)
• United States
19 Nov 10
We can never understand why people do what they do, but I would look on the positive side of it and feel good that I am still thought of. As we know, time slips by some of us, and I am one of them. I am not saying that I forget my friends but there are a few that I contact less than others. With email and forwards we do stay in touch, but those people still have touched my lives and always will, even if I don't stay in touch on a regular basis. But I must say, most of my friends live out of state of where I live.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Nov 10
I don't have the same luxury with my friends, unfortunately. There is one, in particular, who I would dearly love to ring up but it's a long time since I saw her last so I guess I should leave her alone..plus the fact the address I have might not even be hers, you just never know!
I once tried to contact another friend who had moved and the person who was in the house instead thought I was from the Council Tax office and hung up. I never did get to find out where she was living and if she's married now (as I suspect) I don't know her bloke's surname..which would help!
I'm glad you are in contact with some of your friends. Good for you!
I'm glad you are in contact with some of your friends. Good for you!
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
19 Nov 10
I don't get it either. People seems to remember you only during christmas. This should be included in natural occuring phenomenon list alongside amnesia and what not.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Nov 10
LOL!
I'm not a big fan of January sales either. I mean, the irony of it. Everyone is skint but they just HAVE to queue up outside Harrods overnight, in the freezing cold.
People never learn!
I'm not a big fan of January sales either. I mean, the irony of it. Everyone is skint but they just HAVE to queue up outside Harrods overnight, in the freezing cold.
People never learn!