What do you like best and least about Christmas?

Worst thing = capitalist holiday that encourages and celebrates obscene consumption

Best thing = some of us have no work/school

I like everything, except perhaps that where I live it gets cold in the winter. I am not much into cold.
But everything associated with Christmas is good with me. Including the fact that money changes hands which is good for everybody one way or another.

The cultural mandate to buy, give and decorate. It’s a tradition and many family members have fond memories of waking up Christmas morning. But the preparation is horrible, and worse if you have to pay for it. And then there’s the aftermath, which involves all the cleanup and what do you do with all the junk you didn’t want?

To top it off, I’m a Christian, and I’m supposed to love it. Nope. There’s nothing Christian about the practice of buying and presenting gifts, decorating, baking, etc, ad nauseam.

Best: I love the lights, and the songs, and the decorations. I love to give people gifts and this time of year gives me a good excuse.

Worst: I also get depressed this time of year due to my relationship with my family, or lack there of. Being with my wife’s family tends to remind me of how fucked-up my family is.

@hmmmmmm
Where does one cross the line of acceptable consumption to obscene consumption.
I was going Christmas shopping tonight.
Would hate for the gift recipients to think I was obscene. Assuming they don’t already!

^ Edit: I know you’re not seriously asking. But your feigned confusion combined with arrogance is cute.

Best: nothing.

Least: everything.

Best: Decorations, time off work, rainy weather, being with my family, receiving gifts, watching Christmas movies

Least: Can be pressure to buy gifts for people who are difficult to shop for, don’t always get to do everything I want to do, season passes by too quickly

Best: Having some laughs with my family.
Worst:They are divorced now so all is good XD

Later in life I find it peaceful and not filled with stressful preparations that out weigh the real reason to celebrate?

I used to go all out cooking, cleaning, decorating,locating the perfect Christmas tree, gifts etc

Then as the kids left I simplified it as long as I had a Christmas tree decorated and food on the table and opted for Cornish hens ( for each plate) rather than a huge turkey.

Lately I created a Christmas winter scene in an old aquarium from the thrift store and found it easier to take down and store than a tree every year.

This year I simplified it even more since I live alone.

I created a Christmas wreath for my door ( customary) with 3D mini houses ( cutouts online)
and one string of lights ( blue) with small wreath, on my living room window and that is enough for me.

Its a time of year where I like to create something simple yet different every Christmas and that is enough for me.

I stopped going to Christmas Dinners except only one and that works out great for my waistline too as well as easy on my budget.

Best: Finding the perfect gift for someone.

Least: Having to find gifts for everyone within a limited time frame. And having to settle when you don’t find the perfect gift.

I’d rather not give them anything at all. And give them something better at some later time. :/

@raum Hey, I am patient and can wait for that gift.

@raum
Maybe give a gift card and let them buy what they want?

@lucillelucillelucille Christmas in April? :D

@Inspired_2write I like giving gift cards for teachers and neighbors. But love finding something more personal for close friends and family. :)

@raum Done!

@hmmmmmm

Do I detect a tiny, almost imperceptible hint of the Christmas spirit?

Best: All of it!
Worst: When It’s over!

I’ll answer my own question.

Best:

I like the lights and decorations, and I’m happy I don’t have to do them. Lol.

I like dressing up in Christmas colors or Chanukah blue, and Christmas light necklaces for zumba class, and Christmas music, and parades. It’s over the top where I live now. Zumba classes and dancing at the town squares at night have people in red tulle skirts and Christmas shirts and it’s like “Halloween” Christmas.

I have about 3 parties a week to go to for about 3 weeks straight.

People being charitable.

Worst:

The gift giving aspect. For children it’s fine, but among adults, I find it annoying and wasteful for the most part. Even for kids, if your family is poor then you’re left out, unless a charity touches your family.

@ucme

Exactly!

I like the decorations and I like seeing other people’s décor, in real life and on the internet and magazines.

I like a few parties but at work it gets overwhelming.

What I don’t like is feeling obliged to buy gifts for people and knowing that I don’t need anything and am going to receive some stuff which I don’t need or want but someone felt obligated to buy it for me.

I love most of the music, I love making wish lists, and I love how happy people become. Especially children. Capitalism aside, I think it’s generally healthy for a society to spend some time thinking about what might make others happy. I had a great time picking presents I think my husband might like, for example. And I’m giving my young cousins the very wholseome gift of a trip to the snow, because there is never enough of that where we live.

Least, I like the songs that feel rushed and repetitive (“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and “Santa Baby” come to mind, but there’s lots). I dislike the anxiety that accompanies gift-giving. And the sad thought of everyone who’s lonely during the holidays.

Ugh, just went to my monthly breakfast with a few zumba friends, it was just 6 of us this time, and 4 of them were ready with gifts for everyone. The one other woman and I had no idea we would be exchanging gifts. It’s very nice, but now I feel bad, and I barely have time to get gifts for people. I was given items I don’t need at all, but two of the things I will use. Plus, two of the things were a small cake/bread and a chocolate bar. Eventually, they will get eaten but now I have 3 chocolate bars and a box of chocolates I’m trying not to eat. I really rather not get any gifts like this.

@JLeslie: I really like knowing when someone is going to get me a gift so that I can have one to give them, also. I dislike receiving a gift and not having one to give the other person. It makes me feel awkward and stupid.

Some people like giving gifts and that’s great. My boss, who is also my friend, will say “I just like giving gifts. It makes me happy to give gifts.” That’s great and lovely but as a recipient, it’s hard to compete with that.

I have so many things like candles which are lovely to receive but it’s really just clutter at this point. I have a whole dresser drawer full of candles. More than a dresser drawer full of jewelry. A car full of crap. I’m trying to get rid of crap. It’s overwhelming.

I’m not trying to sound like bah, humbug because I really enjoy the whole Christmas and holiday season, but the gift giving part is stressful and I think, for adults, a lot of it is unnecessary.

@jca2 That’s basically how I feel.