"I don’t get excited about Christmas as I have SAD- I never celebrate it"

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year with gifts to buy and exchange, homes to decorate and, of course, lots of social events to look forward to.

But for some Christmas can simply be overwhelming.

While a packed calendar fills many with delighted anticipation, the sheer length of those to do lists can, for many, feel like a mountain to climb and as the pressure mounts, the excitement ebbs away.

Here, 41 year old Dalia Hawley from Wakefield, who runs Dalia Botanique, explains why she doesn't celebrate Christmas.

"I celebrated Christmas with my family when I was younger and enjoyed it but as I got older it lost its appeal so now I don't.

As I suffer a lot with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in the winter I don't enjoy this time of year and struggle to feel excited about things because it's cold and dark outside.

Although my SAD has been better this year because I've been working from home and prioritising getting outside, I find 25 December a lot of pressure.

I've felt like an outcast in the past because I've not been excited about the festive season in the same way other people were.

I don't want people to buy me presents just because it's Christmas, we can have meaningful gifts at any time during the year.

My partner Mark feels the same as I do about the festive season, we've been together for seven years and discussed it early on in our relationship.


A few years ago, we decided that instead of celebrating Christmas, we'd get outside and do some exercise, whether that be mountain biking in the Yorkshire Dales or fell running in the Peak District.

It helps me to shut the noise out and gives me an adventure to look forward to. Last year, we did a 40 mile bike ride and this year we're hoping to do a longer one, hopefully 100 miles, or go fell running.

Although I don't feel festive on Christmas Day, there's a different energy and something in the air which is nice when we go out, people are really happy and jolly.

When we've done our exercise, we'll come home, put on the television, and have a nice hearty meal instead of a Christmas dinner.

I don't eat festive food because nothing stands out to me, I do like the snacks but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy something like a Christmas cake.


Although I don't see my family on Christmas Day, I'll see them on another day over the festive season for a get-together. They are very understanding about why I don't celebrate Christmas and we're all close.

My family sometimes does presents but when it comes to cards, I tell them not to send them to me and donate the money they would have spent on mine to charity.

I don't think I'll ever celebrate Christmas unless I decide to have a mega one to be ironic but I think I'd only go all out if I had kids and I am not planning to have them.

"I'm a sun person, my favourite part of each year is when the seasons change to Spring because it signals that warmer weather and lighter days are coming."

Check out Dalia's business here: https://daliabotanique.co.uk/

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