A woman has dubbed herself the “real life Grinch” as she hates the holiday with a passion and spends the big day alone, eating take-out and watching movies.
Rebecca Maree, 31, used to eagerly count down the days until Christmas, getting into the festive spirit often weeks in advance.
A much-loved tradition of hers involved blasting Mariah Carey’s festive album while putting up twinkling decorations with her mum, Pauline.
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On the big day, they’d gather with family from across the country at her grandparents’ house to celebrate together.
But all of that changed in an instant when her mum passed away.
The PR specialist and comedian wants to share her story to remove the stigma around spending the holidays solo and to open up a conversation about grief.
“I do not like it at all, Christmas is a trigger for me,” the PR specialist and comedian from Australia, who currently lives in London, told What’s The Jam.
“Before my mum died, Christmas used to be my favourite time of the year.
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“But now, it’s filled with trauma.
“I remember us getting all excited to put up the tree, watch films together, and just simply have fun.
“On Christmas Day, we’d get dressed up to go to my grandparents’ house, where we would have lunch and open up presents with my cousins.
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“It was filled with love, laughter, and happiness.
“Now, though, it’s the complete opposite.”
Rebecca lost her mum a week before Christmas, due to a short battle with cancer.
She said: “It’s a bit of a blur now but I just stopped celebrating Christmas.
“I had this sense of constant guilt if I were to have a good time without my mum there.
“There was also a time when I would get annoyed seeing full families with both parents, being happy.
“I spent a few Christmases with my dad and my brother but it was still a little hard due to the fact that my mum was not there.
“I also stopped going to my grandparents’ house, as it was just too hard and I didn’t know what else to do.
“My dad is a very positive man so he celebrates the festive season with other family members, while my brother spends it with my mum’s side of the family.
“Personally, I would rather be alone during the holidays.”
Rebecca lost her mum in 2008.
The following year, she tried to get into the festive spirit and put up some decorations but quickly realised this only made her more upset.
In 2025, there are no signs of tinsel or twinkling lights in her home and she plans to keep it that way.
While she’s nicknaming herself the “Grinch”, Rebecca is not out to steal Christmas from anyone.
But she admits that being bombarded by festive vibes can be difficult and encourages people to be more considerate with friends or family who might not enjoy the holidays.
She added: “It’s easier now, don’t get me wrong, but I still avoid Christmas like the plague.
“Now that I live in a different country, it’s not as bad.
“I don’t want anyone’s sympathy.
“On Christmas Day, I watch cheesy Christmas films and eat takeout – and I love it.
“But I don’t think my feelings towards the holidays will ever change until I have my own children, so they can enjoy Christmas like I did as a kid.
“This year, I will swing by Wales for a small gathering but there is no effort of having a ‘jolly’ Christmas.
“I want others who might be struggling to know that it’s okay if you don’t like the holidays – or if you don’t want to celebrate it at all.”
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