We're joined this week by Hussein Kesvani, staff writer at MEL magazine and author of the book Follow Me Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims. In a special holiday themed episode, Hussein helps us give advice to a man whose deep loathing of Christmas is a source of tension in his relationship.

Hussein at MEL
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Hey Man, 

I’m 40 years old and married to a wonderful woman. We’re compatible in many ways, but completely disagree about Christmas. I’m an atheist and she, while not being religious, loves Christmas. She came from a big Christian family and wants to carry on all of those traditions. Christmas music is playing after Thanksgiving, there are decorations, a tree, cookies, ugly sweaters, tons of cheap presents, holiday parties, traditions with old friends, the whole thing. I hate it. I hate the materialism and consumerism of it, I look at our country and see how it’s run by Christians and resent the influence they have over all of us. I want out! I also see how much it hurts my wife that I’m such a bad sport but I viscerally feel this. I wish we could be married for 11 months out of the year and I could just hibernate in December. What do I do?

Signed, 

Grinch in Greenwich Village