I am always happy when it is all over. I could go without the whole Christmas thing and not miss it at all. The only thing I do like about it, is that it is often the only time I get to see some family members. And, the one I enjoy seeing most is my nephew who is also an atheist. We love being able to talk about things we have to avoid talking about with other family members.

I always get a little sad. It only brings back memories of those family members who are no longer here. I don't enjoy a minute of it.

Christmas is always low-key for us, even this year when one of the kids was home with us for a change. He cooked us a fantastic Christmas dinner of roast duck and sage dressing and scalloped potatoes. We ate like kings and avoided the malls. We had already done our typical family gift exchange at what we jokingly call "Chrisgiving" (Thanksgiving with presents). We do this because my surviving child is hundreds of miles away and my wife's children are typically with their biological Dad for Christmas and with us for Thanksgiving.

So my feelings are pretty ordinary, neither relieved nor depressed or any of the post-holiday letdown stuff. If there's anything I don't look forward to it's hunkering down for three plus solid months of no holiday breaks and the worst weather of the year, but even that is not too bad really.

They’re not over yet… But this last one is far less intrusive, and sometimes fun I’m always relieved, though feeling as if the month of December had been stolen from me.. And, I wonder what reason most will find to continue with life ..as it appeared to have been centered around that one day?

As I’ve totally disconnected from the C-mass stuff, and to most, The Winter Solstice represents ‘only 3 more shopping days,’ once the Solstice is over, it’s all over, for me. Sure, there’s the media blackout on the 24 & 25, for sanity's sake. Even ‘new years day,’ there’s no significance to the tenth day past the Solstice, as it’s ‘any other day’ as well.

Got a serious project completed on Dec. 24 & 25th -- and another one the following day - the weather was magnificent - rode 60 unplanned motorcycle miles! Even with some rain yesterday, helped a friend burn two massive piles of brush on his farm… The days are getting longer - that’s what it’s all about!

Stories? As much as most pretend to be having miraculous gatherings with loving family.. ..what I’m already hearing is how glad they are it’s over. My significant ones checked in on the Winter Solstice -- the Reason for the Season - after that, it was all mine

The holiday in the UK does not really end until new year, Jan 2 usually, so the main effect on me is that I start to get bored.