I started feeling that way some years ago, then I started thinking of Christmas more in the traditional pagan sense that it's a celebration that falls right around the Winter solstice here in the Northern hemisphere.

I see it as celebrations, feasts, music, and general merriment to dispel the darkness and cold. For me it's not about Santa or Jesus, it's just an excuse to celebrate that after the 21st, the days start getting longer instead of shorter- the cycle is turning back to the light.

I have my own little solo party by myself on Solstice eve where I build a bonfire outside, have some mixed drinks and just sit, me and the dog, watching the fire and enjoying the outdoors.

It's tradition so of course it's a thing.

I think it's funny people view it as maybe religious. It's not anymore. Maybe it once was but not in a time anyone alive has seen. It's a commercial holiday made to get us to spend to keep the system going with a strong fourth quarter.

Tradition keeps a country strong. We see each other as one of our own if we share the same traditions and practices.

So ya of course it's a thing. Would probably be much better if it didn't start in May like it does now. It's too much. But other than that I like the Halloween into Thanksgiving into Christmas when it's done separately and not all as Christmas afterthoughts.

I only really enjoy summer. I almost treat my life as a big checklist lately and it’s depressing me

May/June/July: amazing

August: oh shoot summer is almost over

September: ugh Halloween is near

Nov: oh guess it’s Christmas season now

Jan: ugh no more real time off until May

You're not weird for feeling this way, at least your comment didn't get assaulted by the lovers of Christmas.

a reminder of the cyclic and finite nature of life, definitely. it's also in the contrast between people in your immediate environment's joy, and the reality remaining as apathetic and dull as ever, that your own sense of meaninglessness can become more intense than any other time of year.

Interesting, I’ve always felt the opposite.

I lived in San Francisco my first year and a half out of college, and while I like a lot of things about the city, I really hated the weather. It was essentially the same year round. Without a seasonal reference point, the days/weeks/months/seasons bled into one another and honestly made me a bit depressed - I felt like I was living the same day over and over for a year and a half (at least mon->fri that is). I grew up in Boston though which has very distinct seasons, so might have just been unfamiliar.

I’m not a huge Christmas person, but always liked how it spices up December every year with something different than the norm.