Did you really enjoy Christmas when you were a child?

[Cardinal_Fang]

I see a pattern. The people make the difference. Those with large families and extroverted party parents/relatives seem to have had the most fun.

I’ve got five brothers and sisters, but every single one is an introvert, as is my mother and as was my father. We had wonderful Christmases together.

[MotherOfDragons]

I don’t think it has anything to do with being an extrovert or an introvert-I consistently come up as INFJ, my husband as an INTJ, and we absolutely dread going to parties. However, once I get home from said party, I’m almost always glad I went and connected with people. So, I make myself go to parties, and I’m always glad I did when I get home.

My SIL tried to kibosh birthday parties for the adults in the family and I fought it fiercely because it would reduce the occasions we all meet up, leaving us more disconnected than we already are. She no longer goes to family birthday parties, but they still happen.

People drive me crazy, but I still like them Christmas gives me a really good excuse to get everyone together over good food and good music (I like hosting, although I do get stressed about doing it right and making people happy).

[Torveaux]

I would agree. I am like the SIL above. I have no interest in parties as a general rule and would be considered an introvert by most. That did not take away my fond memories of Christmases. My experience would be different than that of my extrovert sister, but we all have fond memories of things as they were. I cannot remember a Christmas that did not include some things I would rather forget and others that I will always cherish.

This year, I found a single point of agreement with @Cardinal Fang. We may disagree on every other post on this board but Christmas brought us together. Merry Christmas. (3rd day of Christmas)

[Nrdsb4]

As a child, I just loved everything about Christmas. It was really magical for me. My mother went to a lot of trouble to make everything festive and perfect. I never realized how much work she did until it was my turn to take up the hostess mantle.

Isn’t that the truth!

[MomofWildChild]

We didn’t have a large family. No cousins nearby. My grandparents were very involved while they were healthy.

[pugmadkate]

I loved Christmas as a child. My father is one of ten children and I am one of two dozen cousins, so we really had a big, festive crowd to celebrate.

Having said that, I find the whole thing a bit overwhelming as an adult, even though we celebrate on a much, much smaller scale than I did growing up. I don’t like that Christmas effectively “starts” the day after Thanksgiving.