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Bah Humbug!

superawesomeme

Well-Known Member
I'm just not feeling "Christmas" this year. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older, because I have SSRI withdrawal (I've come off my anti-depressants), because of my Aspergers or a mixture of all three but I really wish it would just pass me by.

I want to be excited, but the whole "Christmas" thing is just annoying the heck out of me. The adverts, the over commercialisation, the excessive eating, everything. I've tried to avoid Christmas music on the radio and I've barely started my Christmas shopping - it's usually done on Black Friday. Bosh!!!

But not this year.

Has anyone experienced a similar feeling? How did you end up getting enthusiastic about the holidays? Or is my only hope a Scrooge style revelation?
 
I'm just not feeling "Christmas" this year. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older, because I have SSRI withdrawal (I've come off my anti-depressants), because of my Aspergers or a mixture of all three but I really wish it would just pass me by.

I want to be excited, but the whole "Christmas" thing is just annoying the heck out of me. The adverts, the over commercialisation, the excessive eating, everything. I've tried to avoid Christmas music on the radio and I've barely started my Christmas shopping - it's usually done on Black Friday. Bosh!!!

But not this year.

Has anyone experienced a similar feeling? How did you end up getting enthusiastic about the holidays? Or is my only hope a Scrooge style revelation?


I tended to enjoy it a lot more when I was a young kid;
  • you don't have the pressures of trying to buy stuff for others.
  • The music, movies, tv shows and adverts help get you in the mood as you're not really as focused on commercialism as you are when you're older.
  • You get hyped every time you go past houses and see how everyone has decorated in a similar yet different way.
  • You eagerly count down the days you have left at school, especially as the last day is often more of a 'fun' day.
  • You get excited knowing that soon, Santa is going to be arriving and delivering who-knows what (as Garfield points out below).


As you get older, it gets stressful, your belief in Santa fades - taking a large chunk of the festive spirit away - and how many times does some silly and petty argument break out just because some people try to take over or don't communicate with each other?

That said, it's not impossible to still get in the spirit of the holidays as you get older. I tend to start trying to get into it slowly from between December 1st and December 10th - listening to a song, watching a special I know I like, etc. - so that I'm usually in a more cheerful and festive mood.
Also, I get my shopping out of the way in Late November to lessen the stress and try to learn what everyone is planning to lessen the chance of an unnecessary argument and prepare myself at the same time.
 
Childhood was a long time ago for me (I'm 36) :)

I've taken next week off work so hopefully I can sort my #### out and start feeling a bit more festive.
 
It varies with me. I never had children, so don't have the hassle and expense of dealing with their friends, school events etc, which is a mixed blessing as I actually enjoy those things, but probably am better off without the stress; both my husband's and my parents have died, so it's just the two of us, so no pressure, no arguments.
Seeing all the bright colours does it for me, as do carols, church services etc.
 
I have always loved Christmas. It just gives me a warm feeling. As a Christian I love the story of Jesus birth and the gift of salvation through him that we are given.
I have great childhood memories of Christmas too. Unfortunately my mom died in September so the Christmas songs are sparking some strong emotions that I never even felt right after her death. I was pretty close to her and I was a momma's boy. So this year for me is a mixed bag of feelings.
 
I suppose there are so many factors to the season/holiday that it can be easier (or more difficult) depending on your level of involvement.

I have no partner - therefore I get a bit down/depressed that there is a strong emphasis (especially at my age) on Christmas being a romantic time of the year.

I have no children - a blessing in one way because it reduces the stress but also (other than nieces and nephews) I have no one around me getting excited for Santa, etc.

I'm not a Christian - like the majority of people my country (the UK), I'm not a practicing Christian (only 48% of Britons identify as Christian and less than 18% actually attend church), in fact I don't believe at all. We are taught the stories at school and we do nativities but other than songs and jokes there's not much much Christ left in our Christmas here. It's all about spending and eating.

I hate crowds - this is a problem when Christmas shopping, means I avoid Christmas parties and stresses me out on Christmas day (when all the family are together and squeezed into a small space).

Maybe I should just buy myself a present... A one way ticket to a desert island.
 
i bloody love christmas, the festivity of it makes me feel happy i never get this feeling any other time of the year,i love the free presents,and making other people feel the same by giving them presents.
i am christian but i dont understand the religeon,i just know christmas is a day that jesus was born and he is a important guy in christianity,i dont understand how he could be the son of god though if god isnt human.
i am hoping to go to midnight mass with one of my support staff,she said she would come to mine and take me,i used to love going to midnight mass at christmas its very festive feeling.
 
I'm just not feeling "Christmas" this year. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older, because I have SSRI withdrawal (I've come off my anti-depressants), because of my Aspergers or a mixture of all three but I really wish it would just pass me by.

I want to be excited, but the whole "Christmas" thing is just annoying the heck out of me. The adverts, the over commercialisation, the excessive eating, everything. I've tried to avoid Christmas music on the radio and I've barely started my Christmas shopping - it's usually done on Black Friday. Bosh!!!

But not this year.

Has anyone experienced a similar feeling? How did you end up getting enthusiastic about the holidays? Or is my only hope a Scrooge style revelation?

I feel the SAME way! I'm so frustrated. I want to be included in social events but don't know how. I want to enjoy the lights but it send me into sensory overdrive. I want to be in the spirit but I'm just not. I don't know how to get passed it either. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way!
 
I'm just not feeling "Christmas" this year. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older, because I have SSRI withdrawal (I've come off my anti-depressants), because of my Aspergers or a mixture of all three but I really wish it would just pass me by.

I want to be excited, but the whole "Christmas" thing is just annoying the heck out of me. The adverts, the over commercialisation, the excessive eating, everything. I've tried to avoid Christmas music on the radio and I've barely started my Christmas shopping - it's usually done on Black Friday. Bosh!!!

But not this year.

Has anyone experienced a similar feeling? How did you end up getting enthusiastic about the holidays? Or is my only hope a Scrooge style revelation?
I'm just not feeling "Christmas" this year. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older, because I have SSRI withdrawal (I've come off my anti-depressants), because of my Aspergers or a mixture of all three but I really wish it would just pass me by.

I want to be excited, but the whole "Christmas" thing is just annoying the heck out of me. The adverts, the over commercialisation, the excessive eating, everything. I've tried to avoid Christmas music on the radio and I've barely started my Christmas shopping - it's usually done on Black Friday. Bosh!!!

But not this year.

Has anyone experienced a similar feeling? How did you end up getting enthusiastic about the holidays? Or is my only hope a Scrooge style revelation?
I feel the SAME way! I'm so frustrated. I want to be included in social events but don't know how. I want to enjoy the lights but it send me into sensory overdrive. I want to be in the spirit but I'm just not. I don't know how to get passed it either. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way!


thanks for your bah-humbugness.....Christmas sucks. period. Maybe when I was 5 or 6, but that's about it......I used to drink at our Christmas family thing but I am sober now so that 4 hours feels like 50, more or less. maybe if I was a social human being it would be different, but I WILL NEVER KNOW FOR SURE.......kind of sad actually.
 
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. I feel like my heart is a burned out cinder with no Christmas spirit at all. And the SAD I also suffer from is not helping.

First, my MIL is coming to town. This is usually not a problem, but both she and my wife are going berserk because Sick Hillary lost the election and they are convinced Trump is going to ruin the country. (Nor can I give an honest reaction, which is, "Now you know how all we sane people felt for the past eight years of Obama, whom I would like to see met by the FBI at 12:00:01 and be told, "Mr. Obama, you are under arrest on charges of conspiracy to violate federal firearms regulations and malfeasance in office with regard to misuse of the IRS granting nonprofit status to organizations. You have the right to remain silent ..." as they put the cuffs on him.)

Second, my wife and I are not "doing" Christmas because in November we had to replace the washer, the dryer, and the dishwasher all at once when their electronics stopped working and could not be repaired. Junior is getting Christmas presents, but we aren't.

Third, I have been informed that we simply MUST go and visit her BFF on Christmas Eve, so the gals can have a reunion. The fact that BFF's husband is as sociable as a hibernating bear, her kid and ours will be raising holy hell, and I'm expected to drive both ways so cannot even have a drink, and I can't even settle down with a good book there is beside the point.

Fourth, I have been informed that BFF and son are coming to visit US on Christmas, as are MIL's brother and sister. That is more tolerable because if it gets to be too much, I can at least lock myself in the bedroom with a good book -- it IS my house, after all.

And finally, it is winter, and I really HATE winter.

I know other people have problems and problems far worse than mine, but I still can't shake this feeling of sadness.
 
I try to help make a traditional Christmas for my Grandchildren.

I have a personal trauma or legacy related to the Christmas holiday and those memories override everything else. I do not decorate or participate in holiday activity if I can avoid it. My wife passed a few days before Christmas [a lot of years ago]; she loved "Christmas." The emotional strain on me is severe this season. In spite of the limited "emotionals" of being an Aspie.

I do not believe in "religion(s)." No, I am not an atheist. I believe there is a God or force in the Universe that makes 'life' exist and function. Just not a God like the one or ones in all the 'religions' that I am aware of.

Music: Since I do not believe in Religion, "Christmas" music is either of no interest or too silly. When I want to listen to music I depend on the MP3 library in my cell phone.

Here in The Republic Of North Texas, Winter begins at Christmas. I am 'heat treated' from decades of residing here and hate the cold. When the Cold turns solid and makes a coating of white slippery mess on the ground and on the roads it is even worse. This is another reason to not want to have anything to do with "Christmas": It is the start of the annual Eight Weeks Of Miserable Cold. Also it is the primary marker that Financial Events are about to Reset and all the fees [insurances; officialdom's licensing fees; other kinds of fees and charges that start over every year] that were paid and done with are about to be due again.

So "Bah!!! Humbug!!!" Indeed. I have met that guy with the bones for hands under his black cape, touched and tested the sharpness of the edge on the blade of his scythe several times: Combat in the war in which I was a participant; Again when I was scheduled to die from medical problems and was pulled back [Vivid dream of the check-in station on the way to "eternity." Plenty of time to look around. They called my name on the PA System to get my assignment for whatever is next and I woke up as I was listening to my name being called.]; a couple more times of holding hands with the guy in that black cape in all of my years. If I had a "Scrooge" encounter with that last ghost all I want is to read the dates on the gravestone so I can plan a little better.
 
I think most adults find the holidays more stressful than fun. A few things I do to make it less of a burden:

--If you feel comfortable enough to raise this, agree to donate to a charity of the other's choice. It saves hours at the malls searching for "the right" gift, and most charities will send a card or email to the person to notify them that the donation has been made.

--You can't get out of every holiday party, but this is one of the few seasons when you can say "I'd love to come but I've got another obligation" and people will believe it. Be choosy about where you spend your energy.

--Photo Christmas cards from any of the big photo-storage websites. People generally like these, and you don't even have to sign them, just stuff them in envelopes.

--For people you know well, you can agree that your Christmas gift to each other is to not exchange gifts. You'd be surprised how many people are relieved to have one less task on their list.
 
I'm just not feeling "Christmas" this year. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older, because I have SSRI withdrawal (I've come off my anti-depressants), because of my Aspergers or a mixture of all three but I really wish it would just pass me by.

I want to be excited, but the whole "Christmas" thing is just annoying the heck out of me. The adverts, the over commercialisation, the excessive eating, everything. I've tried to avoid Christmas music on the radio and I've barely started my Christmas shopping - it's usually done on Black Friday. Bosh!!!

But not this year.

Has anyone experienced a similar feeling? How did you end up getting enthusiastic about the holidays? Or is my only hope a Scrooge style revelation?
Absolutely agree-last xmas I spent completelt on my own-LOVELY!
 
I really enjoy Christmas, I just do not have the energy to decorate the way I did when I was younger. I just enjoy what everybody else does these days. We do put up a small tree and I run my train that goes around the ceiling more this time of year. I also take one of my trains with us to my parents for my neice and nephews to enjoy on Christmas day. Mike
 
This may sound inane, it's just a thought. If you love the colours of lights but can't cope with brightness, flashing, etc. as it sends you into overload, you could put up pictures of coloured lights instead. Choose ones that you like, whether they're Christmassy or not. That way, you get to see the colours, but without the flashing and/or glare of "live" lights.
 
I know that feel. This year though I have an excuse to skip Christmas - that being my economic situation while I'm in the middle of moving and out of work. I've promised to make it up to my family next year, but until then - BAH HUMBUG!
 
'Humbug' means fraud or phony so I agree with the majority of it. Except I have a tradition of either reading the original Dickens work of A Christmas Carol or watching the Alastair Sim version of the movie. (The boy is Ignorance; the girl is Want.)
I find the forced frivolity a humbug. I find the overwrought sentimentality a humbug, but I have tended to see the good works done by altruistic people as more genuine as I grow older.
 
I know what you mean. As a Christian, I think the birth of Christ should be celebrated, but nowhere in the Bible does it say you have to.

I know what you mean about sentimentality. Christmas cards, and some carols, are lovely, but they've sanitised what actually happened all those years ago. I wouldn't do without them myself, but as I get older, I do find myself querying some of the theology of the carols, even allowing for stuff like rhyme and metre; for example, in "Once in Royal David's City", one version ends a verse, stating we'll wait around! For what, exactly, a bus?!

I love Christmas cards, but they do depict a perfect, idyllic setting, when the reality was anything but! There's a triptych (a 3-piece picture, basically) in the Lady Chapel of my church, showing Mary in a 4-poster bed! It is a medieval picture, but even so, given that Mary & Joseph were poor, they would not have slept in such luxury even if they were alive when the triptych was painted.

It's funny you've written that, Oleg Steptoe, as we had our carol service this evening, and I read out a poem I wrote turning all the sentimentality and sanitisation in their heads! It's a bit long to post on here though.
 
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I suppose there are so many factors to the season/holiday that it can be easier (or more difficult) depending on your level of involvement.

I have no partner - therefore I get a bit down/depressed that there is a strong emphasis (especially at my age) on Christmas being a romantic time of the year.

I have no children - a blessing in one way because it reduces the stress but also (other than nieces and nephews) I have no one around me getting excited for Santa, etc.

I'm not a Christian - like the majority of people my country (the UK), I'm not a practicing Christian (only 48% of Britons identify as Christian and less than 18% actually attend church), in fact I don't believe at all. We are taught the stories at school and we do nativities but other than songs and jokes there's not much much Christ left in our Christmas here. It's all about spending and eating.

I hate crowds - this is a problem when Christmas shopping, means I avoid Christmas parties and stresses me out on Christmas day (when all the family are together and squeezed into a small space).

Maybe I should just buy myself a present... A one way ticket to a desert island.
 

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