Unpopular Opinions: Holiday Edition

WinstonsGirl · December 2013

I love Christmas, but I hate Christmas concerts. We're a K-9 school, and I work in the gym, so I get to sit through all rehearsals. Kinder's can't sing. Or stay in tune. And they suck. I totally get parents wanting to see their little SS sing 2 Christmas songs, but I could care less. I'm so happy I don't have to actually show up to the real concerts too.

jdluvr06 · December 2013

I love giving presents but I hate getting them. If there was a way to pull off giving gifts but not getting any back that would be awesome. I also hate Christmasy smells. I mean they smell nice but they make my allergies flair up something aweful.

pumpkinsandturkeys · December 2013

@tmclawchick Christmas proposals generally feel a little cliche, IMO. Also, a lot of people (myself included) feel as though it's a cop out in terms of not needing to bother buying the person an actual Christmas gift. If they proposed on any other day, you'd still get a Christmas gift. But when they propose on Christmas, you get shafted (not to sound greedy). Ditto birthday proposals. However, I have no issue with anniversary proposals because that's an occasion that really is solely about your relationship.

smalfrie19 · December 2013

pumpkinsandturkeys said:

smalfrie19 said:

doeydo said:

smalfrie19 said:

Having been proposed to on Christmas (in front of my entire family and therefore essentially taking away the ability to say no without being a total heartless bitch) I HATE Christmas proposals.

I dislike eggnog

I LOVE running around to everyone's placed on Christmas Eve/Day

while I love the smell of real trees...I would still keep my fake one if given the option. Its just easier and less maintenance.
I think you could have said no and I wouldn't judge you, it was his choice to propose in front of people on Christmas.
Maybe, maybe not...I gave the ring back after two weeks and we split..it is what it is, now.

I agree that you should've said no right then, without fear of being judged. Or at least say you're overwhelmed and need time to process it before you give an answer. I would think that would be preferable to letting everyone (including ex-FI) think you're getting married and celebrate that, and then have to tell everyone it's not happening 2 weeks later (and break it to ex-FI that they're not landing a wife this year, after letting them think that married life was on its way).

Probably. But it was two years ago and I am marrying someone else now. Could I have gone about things better, sure. But things were shitty in the relationship before her proposed and I think he proposed because he thought it was a bandage.

monkeysip · December 2013

I'm deeply hurt by the "It's a Wonderful Life" hate up in here. I adore that movie, year round.

I could live without A Christmas Story. It's funny, but I'm not into the 24 hour marathon of it. Ugh.

I love playing Christmas music on Christmas day, but I get SO SICK of it being played solid for two months. OMG turn it off. I don't want to hear "Santa Baby" ONCE let alone 8 times a day. One of the worst things about working retail.

I'm a devout Christian, and even I roll my eyes at all the Christians who complain constantly about people wishing them "Happy Holiday" and how there's a war on Christmas. Gimme a break. Christians are JUST as guilty for destroying the holiday as anyone else. Most of the Christians I know concentrate WAY more on all the gift-buying than on celebrating Jesus. And then they get all huffy about "Happy Holidays?" Just celebrate Christmas the way you want to celebrate, and let others celebrate how they want. I also roll my eyes at all the Christians complaining about "X-mas". X=the greek letter Chi, or the first letter of Christ's name. X was a perfectly acceptable way to write the word "Christ" for centuries until modern day Christians started interpreting it at a secret atheist plot to remove Christ from Christmas.

I like gift-buying, and to a certain degree I do like the shopping hustle-bustle, but lately it's been maddening. People become such selfish, aggressive drivers around the mall, they cut in line at stores, they verbally abuse the poor cashier over the dumbest things, and they fight each other over the latest toys. Grosses me out.

MrsDeRuyter87 · December 2013

I hate white elephant gift exchanges. Both sides of my FI's fam does this with a spending amount of 35.00 each. so since there are 2 of us and 2 celebrations we end up spending 140.00 in gifts not even for immediate family members. This year I tried just doing one gift as a couple and got ridiculed for it and forced to spend the money. I would rather spend this on our neices and nephew than to a cousin I see once a year.

unpopular opinion: I don't want to tell my future kids that Santa is real. I don't want to lie to my kids and I don't want to break their heart when they find out that we have been lying to them.

monkeysip · December 2013

MrsDeRuyter87 said:

I hate white elephant gift exchanges. Both sides of my FI's fam does this with a spending amount of 35.00 each. so since there are 2 of us and 2 celebrations we end up spending 140.00 in gifts not even for immediate family members. This year I tried just doing one gift as a couple and got ridiculed for it and forced to spend the money. I would rather spend this on our neices and nephew than to a cousin I see once a year.

unpopular opinion: I don't want to tell my future kids that Santa is real. I don't want to lie to my kids and I don't want to break their heart when they find out that we have been lying to them.

Since H has 4 siblings, each with a spouse, all the siblings/spouses do white elephant, BUT the rule is the gifts must be gifts found at home. It's so much fun! Sometimes they're gag-like gifts, or sometimes really cool stuff found at home.

It's great because 10 people don't have to buy for each other, and no one spends any money on the white elephant game. Point being that you can make white elephant fun depending upon how you play it. This way works for us.

monkeysip · December 2013

We plan to teach our children about St. Nicholas, who was a real person, and to us (since we're Catholic) is a real saint in heaven. I don't want to lie to our kids about some Santa Claus guy who rides around in a flying sleigh either, but we feel that kids can still have fun with and be inspired by St. Nicholas.

MrsDeRuyter87 · December 2013

monkeysip said:

We plan to teach our children about St. Nicholas, who was a real person, and to us (since we're Catholic) is a real saint in heaven. I don't want to lie to our kids about some Santa Claus guy who rides around in a flying sleigh either, but we feel that kids can still have fun with and be inspired by St. Nicholas.

I would say YES to both of your comments. My family does the white elephant as something you find at home. I wish FI's fam would do this but alas no such luck. As for St Nicholas...since we are from Wisonsin and that is HUGE here that is exactly what I plan to do.

chibiyui · December 2013

@monkeysip

Retail high-five!

doeydo · December 2013

I hate white elephant gift exchanges. Both sides of my FI's fam does this with a spending amount of 35.00 each. so since there are 2 of us and 2 celebrations we end up spending 140.00 in gifts not even for immediate family members. This year I tried just doing one gift as a couple and got ridiculed for it and forced to spend the money. I would rather spend this on our neices and nephew than to a cousin I see once a year.

unpopular opinion: I don't want to tell my future kids that Santa is real. I don't want to lie to my kids and I don't want to break their heart when they find out that we have been lying to them.

Yes! I'm not planning on having kids, but if I ever do, I am not lying to them for their entire childhood for my own sick "Isn't that cute, he thinks there is a Santa" bullshit. My kids would get presents, we could celebrate Christmas, but we wouldn't participate in this made up gigantic lie to children.

audubonbride2013 · December 2013

jdluvr06 said:

I love giving presents but I hate getting them. If there was a way to pull off giving gifts but not getting any back that would be awesome. I also hate Christmasy smells. I mean they smell nice but they make my allergies flair up something aweful.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves giving presents, but hates receiving them. I actually really enjoy thinking about what a person might want and seeing their reaction when they open their present, and I like the shopping too. I really don't like receiving gifts though and wish I could just give gifts without receiving any.

jdluvr06 · December 2013

I don't view letting kids believe in Santa as lying to them. There is only a short time in our lives where magic is real and that is when we are children. Santa is part of that magic and IMO it is selfish to deny children that magic.

smalfrie19 · December 2013

monkeysip said:

We plan to teach our children about St. Nicholas, who was a real person, and to us (since we're Catholic) is a real saint in heaven. I don't want to lie to our kids about some Santa Claus guy who rides around in a flying sleigh either, but we feel that kids can still have fun with and be inspired by St. Nicholas.

I love St Nicholas! I love the tradition of putting out your shoes and everything about it. Its what I miss most about being in Catholic school!

banana468 · December 2013

jdluvr06 said:
I don't view letting kids believe in Santa as lying to them. There is only a short time in our lives where magic is real and that is when we are children. Santa is part of that magic and IMO it is selfish to deny children that magic.

I totally agree with this.

And as a parent with a 3 yo who is over the moon excited about Santa, I am reminded that I still believe in him too.

monkeysip · December 2013

smalfrie19 said:

monkeysip said:

We plan to teach our children about St. Nicholas, who was a real person, and to us (since we're Catholic) is a real saint in heaven. I don't want to lie to our kids about some Santa Claus guy who rides around in a flying sleigh either, but we feel that kids can still have fun with and be inspired by St. Nicholas.

I love St Nicholas! I love the tradition of putting out your shoes and everything about it. Its what I miss most about being in Catholic school!

LOL... I never went to Catholic school, but this is my first year teaching at one, and they came on the loudspeaker and announced for all the girls to put a shoe in the hall, and I just died laughing. I'd never heard of this being done at a school! It's great though! The girls love it so much!

Also--after seeing all the crazy lines at the mall and the screaming children, H and I have at least decided firmly against taking our kids to see fake Santa. No. No. No. Not only did all the parents and children look miserable, but then you have to come up with the explanation when your kids start asking how Santa can be at all the malls at the same time, and you make up some BS about how this is actually Santa's representative blah blah blah lol. Just no.

cupcait927 · December 2013

I HATE A Christmas Story with a passion. I hate it even more when it's on for 24 hours straight. I'm also not a huge fan of National Lampoon's Christmas vacation (which I will have to watch on Christmas day with FI's family because his mom just LOVES it).

I also hate colored lights my Christmas tree. I don't mind them on other people's trees, I think they can look great. But when it comes to my own tree, I want white lights (and seem to be in the minority, since I only ever see trees with colored lights, outsides of businesses). Well don't ya know, FI only likes colored lights and hates white. But luckily we've agreed to compromise and I get white lights on our tree next year.

jdluvr06 · December 2013

ckel24 said:

I HATE A Christmas Story with a passion. I hate it even more when it's on for 24 hours straight. I'm also not a huge fan of National Lampoon's Christmas vacation (which I will have to watch on Christmas day with FI's family because his mom just LOVES it).
I also hate colored lights my Christmas tree. I don't mind them on other people's trees, I think they can look great. But when it comes to my own tree, I want white lights (and seem to be in the minority, since I only ever see trees with colored lights, outsides of businesses). Well don't ya know, FI only likes colored lights and hates white. But luckily we've agreed to compromise and I get white lights on our tree next year.

Maybe you can compromise by getting those white LED lights that kind of look blue.

tmclawchick · December 2013

banana468 said:

I don't view letting kids believe in Santa as lying to them. There is only a short time in our lives where magic is real and that is when we are children. Santa is part of that magic and IMO it is selfish to deny children that magic.
I totally agree with this. And as a parent with a 3 yo who is over the moon excited about Santa, I am reminded that I still believe in him too.

Couldn't agree more!

RebeccaB88 · December 2013

I really hate that I can't look at Christmas anymore the same was as I did when I was five.

RebeccaB88 · December 2013

Double post. Sigh.

FoxandBunny · December 2013

I love Santa. My kids will be told about Santa and hopefully believe. My BF has a 4 year old cousin, and seeing him talk and be so excited for Santa is awesome. Plus, I'm excited to be able to put out Christmas gifts in the middle of the night and eat all the cookies. I agree about not taking them to see a fake Santa though. That seems like to much trouble.

Christmas engagements don't bother me much, but Christmas weddings do. I don't care if it's Christmas themed or anything, but when you plan on having a wedding the weekend before Christmas that everyone has to travel to you are making it a huge inconvenience on everyone. You take away what is most likely the last chance anyone has to shop, and you make it so they can't plan Christmas get-togethers then either. I just find it inconsiderate.

ETA: I LOVE real Christmas trees. BF loves fake trees. We haven't resolved this debate, but I'm not going to back down on this one. I love real trees too much. I love going and picking them out and having a different and not quite perfect tree every year. Plus the smell is awesome.

Chipmunk415 · December 2013

I hate shopping for FI and his family. My folks are easy- get Dad a military shirt and a documentary, and make him chocolate chip cookies. For Mom, gift cards to Coldwater Creek (she's been trying really hard to loose weight, and now she needs new clothes!) FI and fam, not so much.

FI does not need or want anything in particular. He is a techie who built his own computer and likes to upgrade parts every few years. I finally told him to order what he wanted, and I would write a check to cover part or all of the item. Items are installed in the computer, I got to wrap the boxes, and there's an envelope with said check under the tree. Also got him a book that was on his Amazon wish list and a book authored by the stars of Shark Tank.

We asked FBIL and FSIL what they wanted for Christmas. The only thing they apparently could come up with was cornhole bags. (I'm serious). We're giving them said bags, but I also bought them a crystal vase (it's tradition in my family to give fine crystal to a newly engaged couple) and we're filling the vase with the bags before putting it back in the box and wrapping. Made FSIL a scarf, made FSMIL a scarf. Other than that, don't have a lot of ideas- I actually bought and wrapped boxes of moose munch for them. Side note- FSMIL has never really liked any Christmas gift we've given her unless it is a)homemade or b) some sort of donation to the animal shelter. Animal shelter was last year, this year its a few homemade things.

Now after venting, I feel like a Grinch lol.

mimiphin · December 2013

Wow, you can tell that I live under a rock when I had to google A Christmas Story!
I love Christmas, you can only celebrate it once a year, some of the songs can get annoying but love having the TSO playing in my house for at least the last two weeks before and the week after Christmas. I love how everyone has lights up and the snow just sparkles.
FI and I have started to go and cut down a tree every year and it may not look as 'full' as a fake tree but I love it, the house smells great and if you let the tree thaw a bit in the garage for 2-4 days it doesn't shock the tree and the needles stay on.

But I do Hate(!) eggnog.

Belthil · December 2013

Christmas music - I enjoy it and can listen to it for hours but I'm pretty sick of it after listening to it for 2 months in all the stores. I feel like 2 weeks before Christmas is a good starting time.

I hate A Christmas Story. The thought of it makes me cringe as it was a movie I was forced to watch year after year growing up. Apparently it was bonding family time. Once I got old enough to realize my parents couldn't force me to watch the movie I stopped but I get made fun of because of how much I hate the movie. My parents are getting my brother a full sized replica of the leg lamp for Christmas and he'll love it. To each their own.

I like getting people presents but I'm terrible at figuring out what to get them. My goal is to pay attention to things they want throughout the year but I'm pretty clueless and don't pick up on things like that unless they spell it out for me.

I dislike group gifts. My siblings and I always combine our money to buy for our parents. I'm always the one that has to inquire about their budgets and goes out shopping and then struggles to get their share of the money. This year has been really bad and I've decided it's the last year I'm doing it.

AlexisA01 · December 2013

I hate how my aunt fights expects everyone to have Christmas at her house every single year. This year my parents and siblings would like to come to our place because we finished building our house. I hate those annoying same story line Lifetime movies. If you don't have the "spirit" you are the equivalent of evil in those movies. I hate that people get mad I give them gifts after the holidays.

monkeysip · December 2013

Oh, made-for-TV Christmas movies are the worst. All those Lifetime and Hallmark movies starring someone like Dolly Parton or Melissa Gilbert or something. Yuck.

HaileyDancingbear · December 2013

I hate remixes of old christmas songs. No, teen pop star who's name I don't know because you all sound exactly the same, I don't think "Winter Wonderland" sounds any better when you sing it, and you're lame for trying to make it sound cool. (I guess that's a non holiday related UO I have, if I think someone's trying too hard to be cool I automatically think they're lame. Looking at you, guys who sag their pants and pretend to be "Street Smart" in the outfit mommy bought you at the mall)

The other day at work I heard "Jingle Bells" performed by some dude who thought "Jingle Bells" could be sang as a power ballad. I do not care how many notes you add, or how passionate you try to sound, there is nothing power ballad worthy of "Jingle Bells" ever. Just stop.

cruffino · December 2013

monkeysip said:
Oh, made-for-TV Christmas movies are the worst. All those Lifetime and Hallmark movies starring someone like Dolly Parton or Melissa Gilbert or something. Yuck.

Please refrain from taking Dolly's name in vain. She is an icon.

But I agree about the tv movies. I was getting my nails done last week and they were showing one with Shannon Dougherty where she was some kind of jewel thief who is rehabilitated by Christmas. It was hilarious.

MrsDeRuyter87 · December 2013

HaileyDancingbear said:

I hate remixes of old christmas songs. No, teen pop star who's name I don't know because you all sound exactly the same, I don't think "Winter Wonderland" sounds any better when you sing it, and you're lame for trying to make it sound cool. (I guess that's a non holiday related UO I have, if I think someone's trying too hard to be cool I automatically think they're lame. Looking at you, guys who sag their pants and pretend to be "Street Smart" in the outfit mommy bought you at the mall)
The other day at work I heard "Jingle Bells" performed by some dude who thought "Jingle Bells" could be sang as a power ballad. I do not care how many notes you add, or how passionate you try to sound, there is nothing power ballad worthy of "Jingle Bells" ever. Just stop.

Justin Beiber's little drummer boy is the perfect example of this!!!!!! I'm pretty sure I almost peed myself the first time I heard it because I was laughing so hard!!!

Unpopular Opinions: Holiday Edition

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