They used to be awesome

Dec 24, 2021 12:54 PM

When I was a kid Christmas was my favorite holiday. The music, the presents, the lights, being with my family. Now it's just obligations and stress.

I have a large family that I love dearly but all the young kids have plenty of gifts and I just want to enjoy having the day off. The presents I buy for my immediate family always feel like an unnecessary obligation. We tell each other what to buy and then buy it. No surprises, no wow factor, just a required exchange.

I don't decorate or put up a tree. I do the obligatory family dinner and get out as quickly as possible. I feel guilty and like the black sheep but there's just no joy in it for me, only stress and annoyance and I can't wait for them to be over.

Holidays suck. I try not to ruin it for anyone else and enjoy the time off from work doing my hobbies, talking to friends, and so on.

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yes being an adult absolutely sucks. I agree!

4 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Try volunteering. There's usually places running Christmas parties for people who would be alone - they're a hoot and desperate for help.

4 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

I'd roadtrip if I was single on Holidays. I'd hit diners just to meet that diner staff who needs Holiday Pay. Volunteer also

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have no opinions on the holidays now that I am single and have no kids.

4 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

For years now my husband & I have just been buying the adults in the family a 20 pack of AA & AAA batteries. Just to give something, but

4 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

When I need to get a gift for an adult, I usually go with something consumable, like booze or candy or fancy snacks.

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

it seems ridiculous to give adults anything really. What do you get your grandpa/uncle/brother etc that has everything he wants.. batteries.

4 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

oh, so you are like every other adult in the world. got it.

4 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Your dismissive comment actually made me feel better. +1. Thanks.

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

dismissive is "good for you, kid". what i did was point out that you are in a very, very large boat with many, many others.

4 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Gift giving for adults in families shouldn't be an expected thing. Most of the time it's pointless with no surprises like you pointed out.

4 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

My family's doing white elephant gifts this year, we'll all probably just get a bunch of crap, but I still think that's better.

4 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I love white elephants but my immediate family is spread out too far.

4 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

1/ I love giving adults gifts. I pay attention all the time for anything I see that someone I know would really like, and I buy it. It goes

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

2/ in a box of gifts, and when there's an opportunity - usually Christmas or their birthday - I wrap it and give it to them. It means that

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

3/ any adult getting a gift from me is getting something really thoughtful, really suited to them. If you're always looking out for gifts

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

4/ for people, over a year you can build a warchest of really relevant gifts. I love giving someone a gift for the warchest.

4 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0