baaa humbug!

 Hi. I hate christmas too, but not as much as when my kids were little and I felt forced to participate. I let commercialism consume me and my children with greed and guilt.

I haven't done christmas for 10 years and people around me finally "get it".  I hate being forced to do anything. I do what I want to do when I want to do it and sometimes that includes trees, big meals and presents but only when it's coming from my heart, and it's never on christmas day (I work most holidays).

I don't expect anything from anyone on birthdays, holidays etc. and no one expects anything from me. I like it that way because it got to where the kids expected too much and were disappointed with what they got, even after all the work I did.

I give all year long when it's needed and appreciated.

It takes time for the pressure and guilt to go away. Go easy on yourself. Think about what is true. What really matters? Why are you stressing because everyone else does something? Do you always worry what everyone else does? No! Then why this holiday? 

Most people are just caught up in the consumerism/guilt wheel also and think there's no way out. You're doing everyone a favor if you get off the wheel.

Choose peace and forget the rest.