The Onion

i find it far less stressful these days

people know i nether give nor would i like to receive presents - i buy little gifts for people to solve problems for them all the time and give them when i’ve bought them

i don't consume much that has ads so i just don’t see much of the commercial aspect unless i’m physically in a place

not giving gifts means im not often physically in places to see the ultra commercial crap

if someone makes christmas socially stressful for me, they get less time next year… i wont tell them: they’re usually too “busy” (in their own world) to notice, and eventually i just don't see them at christmas… or i see them a tolerable amount

i also do “orphans christmas” with friends, even though im from the city i live in and my family are all still here… my chosen family are just as (more: let’s go with more) important to me as my biological family

christmas is an excuse to catch up with people you don’t see very often… it’s up to you to choose to make it only that. don’t let other people’s expectations stress you out

My whole family decided many years ago that nobody should expect gifts at christmas (children still got some toys but everybody grew up since) and it increased everybody's enjoyment of christmas greatly. Nobody has to waste time trying to get stuff for people that already have everything they need and run around in stores and tick off lists. We just come together and have a good time.

You can just say no to the commercialisation and enjoy christmas as it is actually meant to be.