As a Kid, I used to hate Christmas

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I hated Christmas as a kid. The other night I tried to recall why I hated Christmas so much, and I found the answer to my question. As a kid living in the Philippines, private schools hold Christmas parties before Christmas break. The parties usually would have pot luck for the food and refreshment and the kids would exchange gifts. I was in first grade and had just transferred from Manila to a school in the province. We would be assigned to bring something for the party and I remember that I was assigned to bring ice cream for the party. I told my mom and I don't know if ice cream was expensive at that time, but I know she wasn't thrilled to buy the ice cream for the party. By second grade, we had fallen into hard times. Our family business wasn't doing good but I had no idea since I was a child at that time. I don't remember what was assigned for me to bring, but I recall that I never brought anything except my plate. We were asked to bring our own plates so that it will lessen the need to buy paper plates which I know were expensive at that time. I remember my teacher haughtily asking me why I had not brought anything. I don't remember everything clearly but I recall that I was not allowed to eat, or was just given puto(rice cake). But the incident certainly left a traumatic experience for me that I began to hate Christmas. The following year I recall not attending the party. I had nothing to bring because we were really going through tough financial strain and I also had nothing to contribute for the exchanging of gifts. I transferred to another school in Manila by fourth grade and I also did not attend our Christmas party because I had no gift to give my "baby". I was so ashamed that the kid who drew my name always had something for me because our teacher thought it would be cute to have something given everyday. You know, the something sweet, something funny, something long, etc. I hated the whole process. I transferred again the following year but this would be the last of my school hopping. I do remember always skipping the Christmas party for the same reason that I could not bring any food for the party, or afford a gift. I only enjoyed Christmas when I working and our company held the party and raffled gifts instead of us bringing the gifts. But the whole experience as a kid, I really hated Christmas and always dreaded the season as it drew near. And my family also did not celebrate Christmas, not because we didn't want to, but rather we could not really afford it. How about you, did you enjoy Christmas as a kid? Happy mylotting!