A Christmas-free 25th December

[Hashi]

My family celebrate Christmas and it's part of my culture but I don't like it. I've done all my obligations now (work parties, seeing the family members I do see, well-wishing neighbours etc) and I'm free on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (the national holiday on the 26th).

I was hoping to get some practical things done. I like the idea of using the holiday to "work" for myself and achieve something. But I've got a cold so that might be a bit too ambitious. I'll probably be mostly resting and snoozing.

I'm not sure about watching TV. There might be some good things on but I don't want the inevitable onslaught of Christmassy-ness. I positively like the lack of it. It might sound odd but "non-Christmas" is special to me. It's something of a personal Independence Day, because it represents being free and not controlled or obliged to do things I don't want to.

Anyone else with the day off but not celebrating Christmas? What do you plan to do?

Anyway, I wish everyone a good 25th December, however you spend it.

 

[Ghostybear73]

I am not a big fan of Christmas either. Unfortunately, I have a 7 year old so I am not going to be Christmas free in a long time, but I envy your Christmas free day and will have to just live that dream through your eyes (or posts). :)

 

[digger]

I hope you have a happy non Christmas @Hashi and that your cold clears off. I have to admit to feeling quite envious, sounds like the perfect way to spend the next few days to me but my obligations are not over yet unfortunately. My own house is blissfully trimming and tree free though:)

 

[Lucycat]

It's something of a personal Independence Day,

That is such a good idea. I struggle with Christmas and do feel that I am only doing what everybody else wants. However we will have a non-traditional Christmas dinner tomorrow with friends here, one of whom has Alzheimer's so it is just another day to her. That actually makes it easier for me as I can pretend that it is simply any day.

Christmas time is an anniversary of my being diagnosed with PTSD and being very unwell. However I was unwell because I had finally faced the truth of my past, and the beginning of my journey into recovery - so yes, Personal Independence Day it is!!

 

[littlelostchild]

@Hashi have a wonderful day and congratulations on getting all of your visiting over with!

Christmas Day for me is really double edged. I enjoy it with my own children and hubby, but can't stand the politics involved with other extended family. When I was little, I was given gifts that reflected what others wanted me to be, not what I was or wanted, so this is a huge trigger for me. I would rather not get gifts at all, seriously. This year my mother is unhappy with me, so she signed the Christmas card 'from' instead of 'love'. It just reminds me that she can only love conditionally. This is what happens when I see her for Christmas.

But I love giving the right gift. I am so happy when I can find just the right thing to give to my loved ones and I will always sign the card 'love'. Turning love on and off shouldn't be a kind of punishment.

 

[littlelostchild]

Oops, Hashi, I got off on a different track from your question.

If I could do something entirely different on Christmas Day, I would go and see a movie. I bet the movie theatre isn't too busy and there are lots of new releases. :)

 

[therisa]

@Hashi , I am there, with you. I will be spending most of tomorrow, sleeping or playing with my cats. If lucky, may try to write some poetry or watch a DVD. After I look in, on another tentant's dog, whom I am dogsitting for her. Otherwise, I have no familiar ties to worry about.

 

[arfie]

I had to look up "Boxing Day." I was kinda disappointed to learn it is not an official blessing to wear my kick boxing gear in public. Got a few doors I was hoping to knock on...

Christmas had little to no traditional meaning in my childhood. My husband has excused me from his family's rituals. It is pretty much another manic December in my world. The long nights do strange things to the human psyche.

Enjoy your day.

 

[franciemarnie]

For 20 some years, my father and brother were in faraway states at Christmas and I spent the holiday alone and so very relieved to have a couple days without seeing anyone and not working. Living alone, there was nothing to remind me of the holiday. There used to be TV stations that would have marathons of Cops, etc., which I would trance out watching.

Years before that when I wasn't reclusive and had friends who did not celebrate Christian holidays, they would always go out to the movies.

I cancelled the get-together with my relatives with an apocryphal story (Yay!), tho I am supposed to see my husband's daughter of the same age as me, and her son. When nine years ago she learned her widowed father was dating me, she didn't talk to him for months. (She didn't know me so it wasn't my personality! And then when he married me, she wouldn't speak to me. I "wasn't there" if I was in the same room. She's better now, but there is no love lost. I met her son once who refused to speak to me too. Some kind of insane loyalty to my husband's deceased wife I guess. Who knows. There was certainly no inheritance I was taking over.) Anyhow seeing her and her son tomorrow is on the menu here, but you never know. I might become "ill", and then I will contentedly watch pre-recorded movies. Only today and tomorrow to go.

The good news - the days are getting longer!

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I'm staying in too!

Just going to watch some more of my favorite series with a blanket on. I don't have television (I seriously hate most of what gets on there, specially at times like these) so I download them. Currently watching the first season of ice pilots (I'm a big time aviation enthusiast), and my new flying handbooks are in!

Also I'll be doing some work for my courses at university just like any other day. I hope you recover from your cold soon :D Maybe make some nice hot soup!

 

[Candleflames]

I'm working on the 25th!

I clean offices and I'm going to take advantage of the office being closed to work mid-day instead of evening.

 

[Philippa]

I don't celebrate christmas either Hashi. Haven't for a few years now. Before I decided to block all contact with my family I had stopped going home for xmas, so this year is not the first...but in a way it has been the hardest day so far. I've been so sad, all day. I've been looking up funny stuff on you tube to help me, and am about to make some porridge, which is the best comfort food.

I lit a candle to send love to my blood relatives, and to release pain and grudges so I can feel better, and am about to get around to painting soon. Just hanging out with the cat and listening to some soothing music. My anxiety has been epic though.

I miss having a family to spend the holy day with. Or maybe it is just seeing friends on facebook post pics with all the food and family around them, or friends, and presents. I do love the giving side of the day and all the food of course, and I miss having people to give gifts to and share food with, which is the real meaning of the day for me.