What to do if you hate Christmas?

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”… or so the song says.

As stores blast the unforgettable canon of festive songs and streets line with snow, it’s only a matter of time until you embrace the inevitability of Christmas. From blinking lights to holiday markets to the increasing limpness in your arms from carrying countless shopping bags, it’s a whole, overstimulating affair.

… And you hate it. Can’t stand it. The commercialization, the bitter cold, the relatives you wished lived as far as the North Pole. (Yes, those relatives.) You don’t want to be labelled a Grinch, but you can’t help but think you’ve been born with a heart that’s “two sizes too small” when Christmas rolls around.

If this describes you in all your cynical glory, then you’re in the right place. We at Giftgowns can sympathize with your seasonal loathing. Not only that, but we’re here to advise you on how to get in touch with the Christmas season… from a distance! (We recommend using nothing shorter than a “thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole”.)

1. Ditch the holiday music.

You hear it on the radio, in the malls and see lyrics stitched into ugly sweaters. It’s a bit overkill and we agree. So, to avoid total Christmas music brain-rot, we recommend queueing your own music whenever you can to drown out the oversung classics. Take walks with your headphones or have a car-concert with all your favourite jams to keep yourself sane this holiday.

2. Stay off of social media.

Regardless of your reason for disliking Christmas, it’ll be in your best interest to avoid social media. It’s just filled with eye-roll-inducing highlight reels, depicting all the warmth and cheer you’re not feeling. So do yourself a favour and take a well-deserved detox from all the noise. Pick up that book you’ve been too busy to read or resume that crocheting project you’ve put off. Trust us, anything will do. Even a good ol’ cat nap (or two).

3. Make an advent calendar… in reverse!

We all know that typical advent calendars count down the days until Christmas with anticipation. So the idea here is to count down the days until Christmas Day and all its festivities have come AND gone. Instead of present boxes, fill your home with little sweet treats and tokens that you love! Each holiday function you survive will end with a much needed pick-me-up tailored just for you.

4. Plan a stay-cation.

It may be too late to book an actual flight so we recommend the next best thing: shutting the doors, turning down the lights and staying inside this Christmas. Grab your partner and kids or closest, like-minded friends and tune out the world. Watch your favourite non-Christmas movies, order takeout or play some board games. Do whatever you want to make the 25th feel like any other calendar date.

5. Be a guest rather than a host. 

On the big day, it’s easy to get roped into last-minute decorating, cooking and children-wrangling. Being the host on top of all those responsibilities only makes matters worse. So if you can’t avoid mingling altogether, we suggest declining host duties and instead grabbing a seat. There’s enough stress in caring for your own little one — on the way or already here. Thus, take the passenger seat this Christmas — better yet, the backseat — and let everyone else do the fussing.

We hope this little list helped you brainstorm some ideas to make the holidays more tolerable. Until next time, we wish you a — just kidding.

Bah humbug!