[Babayaro.]

The food.

[AnnieK]

All of it...although almost have said the build up is better than the actual day. I love all. The preparation, wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, seeing people I may not have seen all year, now I have a 5 year old who truly gets it...the excitement of Christmas Eve, looking forward to his first nativity....I could go on and on.

Downsides are missing a special person...and the fact that it's soon over and then it's back to bleak, depressing new year / January

[MTVN]

Day itself is crap. Build up is great though: the music, everywhere lit up, last minute shopping, the sense of occasion,everyone piling into the pub on Christmas eve

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Lostie!

I just love the whole atmosphere. The day itself, while lovely, is a tad bittersweet because the excitement and buzz of the build-up is over. I honestly prefer the whole Christmas season over the day itself.

Sums it up for me, I've always preferred Christmas Eve to Christmas Day

[Jason.]

I agree with most that the Christmas period is better then the actual day itself. The day itself can often be an anti-climax. I much prefer the build up to Christmas.

[Ammi]

...all of it..like others have said, the whole build up..when you think that you've found just the right gift for someone is lovely and you can't wait to see them open it...having your family and just being silly../playing silly games.....we usually open gifts quite late/in the afternoon just to keep that part there a bit longer because when that's all done, it can be a bit....oh, ok then...and working in a school, the whole build up to Christmas in November/December is exhausting but just gorgeous......

[Natalie.]

The only build up I really like is Christmas Eve and what I like is that people are happier

[Ashley.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...all of it..like others have said, the whole build up..when you think that you've found just the right gift for someone is lovely and you can't wait to see them open it...having your family and just being silly../playing silly games.....we usually open gifts quite late/in the afternoon just to keep that part there a bit longer because when that's all done, it can be a bit....oh, ok then...and working in a school, the whole build up to Christmas in November/December is exhausting but just gorgeous......

All of this <3

[Josy]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

All of it...although almost have said the build up is better than the actual day. I love all. The preparation, wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, seeing people I may not have seen all year, now I have a 5 year old who truly gets it...the excitement of Christmas Eve, looking forward to his first nativity....I could go on and on.

Downsides are missing a special person...and the fact that it's soon over and then it's back to bleak, depressing new year / January

Definitely the only thing I don't like about Christmas and special occasions.

Originally Posted by Ammi

...all of it..like others have said, the whole build up..when you think that you've found just the right gift for someone is lovely and you can't wait to see them open it...having your family and just being silly../playing silly games.....we usually open gifts quite late/in the afternoon just to keep that part there a bit longer because when that's all done, it can be a bit....oh, ok then...and working in a school, the whole build up to Christmas in November/December is exhausting but just gorgeous......

I bet those months really are exhausting with lots of kids around Ammi especially the last couple of weeks when they are getting all geared up for Santa coming, they must be bouncing off the walls with excitement

[Suze]

Just the whole feel of Christmas and how it can bring people together and and thaw a few of the harder of hearts, plus it gives us time to reflect and maybe even help those less fortunate than ourselves. I love trying to choose just the right gift for others, you don't have to spend mountains of money if you just put the thought into a gift I even like going to Church at Christmas, it just feels so right. A little bit of Snow at Christmas would be nice for a change also.

[Kazanne]

The kids faces when they get that special present,seeing family,and the story behind Christmas ,the nativity plays,and those cheesy Christmas songs

[lostalex]

Celebrating our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

[Locke.]

Michael Buble

[mooo]

Trying to come up with reasons to avoid it

*i do love the food and that, just not the extended family that you only see once a year :/

[Kizzy]

The decorations and lights, they make it look so cosy and twinkly

[lostalex]

seriously though, what i really love about christmas despite it's being more politicized by the right wing religious freaks...

i love that during the darkest days of the year (literally, it is the time of year that we get the least sunlight) that humanity has organized a day where we all provide light from within ourselves, and make light to warm each other. It really does show that humanity is able to organize around a simple idea and make an effort to be generous towards others even when we are suffering the most (back 100 years ago, christmas was a time when there was very little food, people struggling to survive the cold, but people decided this was the perfect time to give to others)

christmas is based on the time of year where people are at most danger because of the weather in the northern hemisphere, and so we created a holiday where people focus on giving to others and welcoming others into their homes and being as generous as possible. it's actually a beautiful thing.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by lostalex

seriously though, what i really love about christmas despite it's being more politicized by the right wing religious freaks...

i love that during the darkest days of the year (literally, it is the time of year that we get the least sunlight) that humanity has organized a day where we all provide light from within ourselves, and make light to warm each other. It really does show that humanity is able to organize around a simple idea and make an effort to be generous towards others even when we are suffering the most (back 100 years ago, christmas was a time when there was very little food, people struggling to survive the cold, but people decided this was the perfect time to give to others)

christmas is based on the time of year where people are at most danger because of the weather in the northern hemisphere, and so we created a holiday where people focus on giving to others and welcoming others into their homes and being as generous as possible. it's actually a beautiful thing.

..that might just be the most beautiful thing that I have ever read, Alex....

[Johnnyuk123]

Bad Santa.

Youtube video

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Josy

Spending time with family and friends, having time off work, decorating the Christmas tree, chilling out in our pj's and watching Christmas movies all cosy with the fire and the Christmas lights on, days out to winter wonderlands, carnivals, Christmas markets, fairs etc and the general cheery feelings all round it's even better if we get some snow, I could actually sit for hours at the window with a cuppa watching the snow .

all of the above plus Mulled Wine on Christmas Day

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Johnnyuk123

Bad Santa.

Youtube video

..I've still never watched that all the way through../I always fall asleep..not because it's boring, just that I'm tired at the time...

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by LemonJam

when my extended family leave and me and my family get wrecked and talk shit about them.

[Gusto Brunt]

Left alone in peace.

[rubymoo]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Sums it up for me, I've always preferred Christmas Eve to Christmas Day

This for me too, i love watching Christmas movies on Christmas Eve, this year will be the first year we're letting the girls open 1 present on Christmas Eve night, and we're also having a few friends round for a drink Christmas Eve this year so i'm looking forward to it.

Christmas day has always been a bit of a strange day for me, although i do love watching the girls open their presents, and come Christmas night it feels like i've been awake for a week.

[Xtopher]

The food is nice. Overall the holiday is ****.