“Am I A Jerk For Skipping Christmas With My Parents Since They Won’t Treat Me Like An Adult?” (2024)

FAQs

Why don't I enjoy Christmas anymore? ›

Things going on the outside world, and society's expectations, can make Christmas harder to cope with. For example: Feeling pressure to enjoy yourself and look happy. Media, adverts and representations of Christmas feeling upsetting and hard to avoid, and looking different to your experience of Christmas.

Is it okay to dislike or even hate Christmas? Yes, one can dislike or even hate Christmas. There are many valid reasons why someone may not enjoy the holiday, and we need to respect how people feel and what they are experiencing without judgment.

Half (52%) of Americans say they like Christmas a lot, according to a recent YouGov poll of 12,929 US adults. A quarter (23%) of Americans say they somewhat like the holiday, while 13% say they neither like nor dislike Christmas.

You should have the conversation as early as possible so they have time to adjust and manage their own feelings. Talking about it early is a kind way to be honest — it saves you from having to lie when they bring up the holidays — and gives them time to process your absence before the holidays come around.

So if you're struggling to feel festive this Christmas, try not to beat yourself up about it. Not feeling merry, positive and upbeat isn't some kind of failure – it's a completely normal response to the circ*mstances we've faced over the last nine months.

Skipping Christmas can be a great idea, allowing you to do what it is you want to do. If that's to stay in pyjamas all day, go for it. Get away to a peaceful camp spot, even better. If Christmas is a day spent with just loved ones and no stressful daytripping to relatives, you can do it.

However, not everyone enjoys it. Some people dread the entire thing, and every year they think, “If I didn't have to buy Christmas presents, I wouldn't.” If that's the case, if you really don't want to buy presents, then don't purchase them.

Financial Strain: The expectation of giving gifts and the financial strain that comes with it can cause significant stress. Family Dynamics: For some, family gatherings might bring up unresolved tensions, triggering anxiety about conflicts or uncomfortable conversations.

Money worries, anxiety, loneliness, grief, difficult family relationships – these are just a few of the issues people tackle during the festive season.

Around the world, Christmas is known as a season filled with joy, happiness, and generosity. Everyone genuinely seems to be happier at Christmastime.

Why don't some people believe in Christmas? ›

Judaism and Jehovah Witnesses have their reasons for not participating in the world-wide celebration of the Christmas festivities. Jehovah Witnesses believe that Christmas is not a religious holiday. On the other hand, Judaism does not celebrate Christmas because their religion does not believe Jesus to be the Messiah.

In 2022, Statista reported that 85 percent of people in the United States stated they were joining in the festivities. That percentage is down from 2019 when Gallup reported that 93 percent of Americans said they celebrate Christmas.

Remember that you have a choice in how you want to spend your time. Maybe your family will be disappointed, but you're an adult with the right to make your own decisions. Christmas is supposed to be about celebration and if you feel like the only way you can celebrate is by staying away from home – do it!

Be Honest and Kind

For instance, start with something like "I've been thinking about the holidays and I've decided that we're going to stay home this year and not travel." From there, you can go into your reasons, but don't make this part terribly long.

As we get older, our lives become more complicated. More responsibilities arise, and it can make the jolly holiday season turn into stress. “I think we forget to take the simple enjoyment in holidays,” said Carina Pascucci '26.

Why don't I feel festive this Christmas? There are a variety of reasons why you might not be feeling as festive as you'd like. "It could be that you've experienced grief, sadness or trauma during these last 12 months and so things just aren't coming as easy as they have done before," says Trent.

That's okay. You don't have to. The world is built for normal people, but you don't have to join in or feel bad when you are different from the norm. Christmas is optional.

Listen to Christmas music, decorate a tree, make cookies and watch a Christmas movie. What things can I do to keep my Christmas spirit? Be intentional about doing something to celebrate Christmas every day. Read the Christmas story and other related scripture to keep the true meaning of Christmas.