Now we don’t want to get all George Bailey here, but there’s something about Christmas that speaks to our cynical side.<\/p>\n
Sure, we love a Mince Pie and the dulcet tones of Wham! as much as the next hedonist, but the relentless churn of Christmas messaging can get even the merriest soul down.<\/p>\n
Maybe it’s the disconnect between the hype (Joy to the world! Rosy cheeks! Carols!) and the reality (Irate relatives. Hangovers. Feeling broke).<\/p>\n
Read more: Why women revel in the ritual of being single<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps it’s the fact that the Christmas gravy train sticks stubbornly to the notion of mistletoe and love, when actually many of us are a.) arguing, b.) breaking up, or c.) flying solo.<\/p>\n Whatever the reason, suffice to say that Christmas isn’t always the season to be jolly.<\/p>\n So if you, like us, start to feel your festive spirit run thin, come take solace with our alternative Xmas messages and gripes, below.<\/p>\n The random romance merch<\/strong><\/p>\n While Christmas is generally a period of latent irritation between couples (“No I told YOU to turn the oven on”), the High Street \u2013 like Hollywood \u2013 ignores this fact, and plugs Christmas romance with all the veracity of\u00a0 Love Actually<\/em> on steroids.<\/p>\n Brave the festive shopping crowds and you will inevitably be swept up in a barrage of Christmas mush, from his ‘n’ hers stockings to pillows merrily embossed with the words “Mr\/Mrs Right” (yes, really) and thoughtful tat such as the Little Box of Date Nights.<\/p>\n It’s like the world’s manufacturers have colluded with movie producers to say that Christmas as a couple is The Only Way To Be.<\/p>\n If you find it all just a little galling, you’re not alone: Instagram’s\u00a0@notengaged<\/a>\u00a0has got your back…<\/p>\n\n