Same in Ireland. I grew up in Cork and Christmas Eve was a special night. My mother made a special meal like a buffet and I always remember the homemade sausage roles.
We opened presents Christmas Eve and many people went to midnight mass.
Christmas Day was the usual Christmas dinner, turkey (American), sprouts etc and we spent the day watching telly. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Willy Wonka, The Sound of Music etc.
I hated every minute of it and still do today. My old man was an abusive alcoholic. He actually died on Christmas Day. Good riddance to bullying scum.
My girlfriend is going home to France to spend Christmas with her family. It will be just another day for me. I will probably go swimming. I use a heated Lido, it’s open 365 days of the year. I will then spend the day watching Netflix movies and go to bed.
The idea that so many people can be brainwashed into this nonsense sickens me. Anything connected with religion is about making money. There will be freezing, homeless people on the streets of oLondon and the Catholic Church, the biggest paedophile ring on the planet will sit on its £200 billion and not help them which ironically contradicts the teachings of Christianity.
I would rate Marcus Aurelius a more significant man than Jesus and Marcus Aurelius really existed. His writings and medications are real.
I am pleased when it is all over and I can look forward to spring, my favourite time of the year.