Autistic Bingo Holiday Edition 🎄25 Autistic Traits

This video explores 25 commonly shared autistic holiday experiences displayed on a BINGO card as a fun way of connecting to others in the community. This bingo card is not intended for use as a diagnostic tool.
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[@kensears5099]

My first reaction to "responding with a blank stare" was, "No, I'm too polite to do that." Then you described the context and I went, "Oh my God... yes, that IS me."

[@subnormality.]

"I don't want to go but I want to go" is like my entire life lol... ACCURATE

[@jenbloom6848]

When I host a holiday gathering, my favorite time is one hour after guests have left. The house is quiet, extra clean, and the anticipation is over!

[@shaedlaer]

Since both me and wife are on the spectrum, we decided against celebrating holiday with all the rest of family (which COVID made much easier). We explained to them that it's not our belief system and we don't celebrate coming of christ, saturnalia or winter solstice... Since then we enjoy our alone time in our couch with our cats, treating ourselves to foods we both like instead of traditional dishes, don't stress over parties and watch movies we want to watch instead what's a 'family tradition' to watch. Not even mentioning not having to kiss and hug all grandparents and aunts while reciting prepared scripted wishes. We've never been happier in our lives.

[@outsideoftimeandspace]

I always felt like I was putting on a show for the gift givers in my life, even as a small child I have vivid memories of 'crafting' the perfect response. Never knew odd-response-gift-receiving was an autistic trait. I feel more whole every time I watch your videos. Thank you for creating this content.

[@johnnycrash_]

“I just like to smile!Smiling’s my favorite!”

[@suzannelebeau4503]

I don't even decorate any more, now that my kids are grown. Christmas is my MOST panicky holiday for so many reasons. When you mentioned about the dishes clanging, and the tv going, a shudder ran through me because I could practically feel it! Then I got a laugh when you said "go straight to the dog" and I was thinking "or the kids" and that was the next block!

[@leenaparsons9876]

It's so validating to hear that I'm not the only one who doesn't always know how to respond to receiving gifts. I had a family member cut me out of their life a few years ago, and one of the incidents they brought up before doing so, was the way I responded to them telling me they had a Christmas gift for me. It still hurts, and it's comforting to know I'm not alone, and I'm not a bad person for not knowing how to respond.

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Wow. I’m so sorry to hear you went through this. How awful! But yes you’re definitely not alone 💞

[@nryane]

My favorite thing to NOT do is participate in the gift exchange where you get a number and pick a gift. If someone after you likes your gift, they take it. Nope. Nope. Nope. Last time my family did this I sat and watched them pretend to enjoy this “game”. I thought they were all stupid for pretending. I truly HATE this “fun” activity! Not just at Christmas. ANY time!!!

[@flowmovementtherapy2096]

Gift opening actually hits on lots of these at once. It's a tradition we all complain about (except one person) and nobody gets anything they actually want. We have to guess what the right reaction is. We hate the act of buying and wrapping the gifts. And it's overstimulating being perceived by so many people sitting in a circle staring at each other and the kids running around shrieking. I was actually successful at ending this tradition in my ex's family. So many people thanked me for speaking up about it.

[@MomontheSpectrum]

oh im glad to hear you were able to make some changes to this tradition! it can definitely be exhausting and overwhelming

[@Yannispawn]

Every year at T-giving, I suggest picking names from a bowl and people make a list of what they want. Those who wish to participate can. But every year it falls on deaf ears.

[@kadinaator]

Yes to everything on the card - well, apart from the coffee bit. People always describe being alert/awake/jittery after drinking it and I have never felt anything like that, quite the opposite in fact. Coffee has always made me sleepy, no matter how strong it is.

[@Caprabone]

My autistic husband has the same reaction to coffee. 😂

[@lawy3077]

Not going to the company Christmas party, and don't want to go 😊

[@chiarastaples3368]

25, and it made me a little teary that so many things that always made me feel odd are listed. Thank you.

[@emilybelzer5773]

Picking just the right gifts is my favorite part! And yes, I totally get burnt out by it, too! I also love wrapping and get so pre-burnt out by it at the same time.

[@kensears5099]

I uniformly respond to all gifts with utter delight, a gleeful smile. It's my way of coping with my agony over the whole gift-exchange ritual when my whole "viscera" are writhing with the need not to be there, to be somewhere else. Therefore the best I can do is respond with homogenous "it's what I've always wanted" joy to every present, whether it's a bowtie or a Mercedes. It's all the same, "Thank you sooooo much, I LOVE it." Later when I am finally alone in my room I go catatonic.

[@kensears5099]

Yet at the same time I give my loved ones unique gifts, things they'd never have expected and that they find very touching and thoughtful. That brings me pleasure. It's a paradox. I love giving, but the ritual, the convention, the expected motions and the underlying ocean of implications, leaves me quietly desperate inside.

[@maggierestivo5256]

The blank stare, the food issues, the crowds, the lights twinkling, the family traditions that don't make sense, the overwhelm... (I remember one Christmas in my early 20's, standing in my aunt's small kitchen and silently counting 9 different conversations, and then swiftly leaving out her side door, to stand outside with the sheep who were worshipping the Giant Tree God at my aunt's farm)... all of that resonates. Gift giving is very stressful (just finished ordering most from Amazon, yay), and having to train my face to register happiness was always difficult. ("Oh, wow. Another umbrella. JUST what I always wanted!") Lastly, I just want to say that I LOVE your Christmas sweater. SO pretty.... and now I want to go back to Amazon and order the Christmas song cds that I lost in the move from house to apartment. Ha!

[@zacharieletter7457]

I am the cat and dog whisperer at every family gathering/party at a friends house. Animals are so loving and nonjudgemental. Petting them is an excellent stim and talking to them gives you somewhere to look and something to do when you're in a large group of people you're not used to talking to. Shout out to all the pets at every get together I've ever had to slog thru. 🙏 I was at just such an event this past weekend and had a meltdown in the bathroom. Its even harder to get thru when your trying not to be too loud, but it did prevent me from hyperventilating. 🥲

[@kensears5099]

This really helped me--yet another aha-moment to add to the THOUSANDS since my ASD discovery in May--to identify what's going on there when I am viscerally repelled and feeling inwardly panicky and wanting to escape whenever I'm interacting with even the least bit tipsy person. It's quietly terrifying.

[@NikkiVelazquez]

I learn more about autism in every video. I relate to almost all of these.

[@duikmans]

My favorite holiday movie quote is "Yippee-Ki-Yay MF".... great way to start a discussion...

[@smjbr79]

The traffic deal has always been a deal and drives my partners crazy also I always park further back so I can get in and out of a parking lot without much "drama" where people often fight over parking spots or walk behind your car while you're backing up etc. Also chilling in the slow lane and having people ride your backend drives me nuts. Actually, all these hit home. Thanks for this

[@MomontheSpectrum]

You’re welcome! Thanks for your comment. Totally get the parking lot choices!!

[@Yuffie13]

I can relate to so many of these items. * Scheduling around traffic/crowds: I tried to do this yesterday. I went to the mall with my dad to shop for my mom's gifts, thinking, "It's raining, there shouldn't be many people out shopping, right?" And, yeah, it wasn't the busiest I've seen it, but the number of people who nearly walked into us was ridiculous. Usually my dad and I try to go right when the mall opens, because it's less crowded and the sales associates at the perfume counters haven't started spraying yet. (As well as my being autistic, my dad is particularly sensitive to scents. We're both glad that Yankee Candle left our local mall, although there's still Bath & Body Works and a NEW candle store to contend with. LUSH is the only bath/body place we can both tolerate.) * Quoting your favourite holiday movie: so much yes. Another kind of echolalia I'm fond of lately is singing "War Pigs" to the tune of "Deck the Halls", based off a meme I saw 😆 * Overthinking gifts: all. the. time. * Overstimulated by decorations: I adore the decorations in the malls, but boy, do I pay for it later. I think it's less exhausting to look at them when it's early in the day. * Not knowing how to react to a gift: lately, I get this weird feeling of embarrassment and shame when I get an extravagant gift, and then I get accused of being "ungrateful". I could go on, but I'm already writing a novel here. Oops.

[@cultivatingself5618]

I will drop Home Alone quotes year-round, but the holiday season is the only time where it makes me look "normal" 😆

[@tmbboehmke]

My version: "I don't want to go, but I want to be there!" 17/25

[@ADHDhistorian]

I go to work at 7am to beat Nashville traffic and you will NEVER catch me going out on a Friday night if I have any choice in the matter.

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Oof yeah I’ve been to Nashville before and that traffic is ROUGH

[@aellalee4767]

I got 18 of those. Christmas is for me and my mom when we celebrate, so any traditions are what we make it (my mom's also likely on the spectrum) so we only do the things we want. I make the same desserts I've had for Christmas my whole life, we plan what movies go watch months ahead, and sit cosy at home, spending one night looking at Christmas lights if we're not too tired.

[@kroo07]

That last one so resonates with me. I have so many good memories (yes, lucky me) associated with the season that I still want to experience more, but it is so hard stressful and exhausting. I'm 70 by the way.

[@kodycrabb5820]

And that’s my imposter syndrome gone 🤣🤣 That bingo card is pretty much how I would sum it up if I had to explain the holidays

[@jliller]

Christmas (and Birthdays) was probably my first list-making exercise. Every year my mom wanted a ranked Top Ten list of gifts I wanted. She wanted to take the guesswork out of getting gifts for my sibling and I. (We never received everything on the list due to cost or my mother simply not approving of the request.) Christmas routine was really important to me and as the routine started to become less and less followed when I was an adolescent (for reasons outside my control) it bothered me more and more while making Christmas matter to me less and less. By the time I was an adolescent I had also come to dislike most Christmas music, especially because it's thematically narrow and played incredibly repetitively for an entire month. In my 20s I went through an extended phase where I just didn't feel wrapping presents was worth it. I also had come to see most of the gift-giving process as mostly pointless. Parents giving to kids makes sense because of the unequal financial relationship. Exchanging gifts with friends often made me think "I could have just bought this for myself and you could have just bought that for yourself; this was pointless" - especially if gift cards were involved. Or it led to awkward situations of unequal exchange: gifts of disproportionate value, you got a gift for someone who hadn't planned to get a gift for you (or vice versa), or simply unwanted gifts ("I got you something awesome and you got me something lame!"). Some of my friends were lousy at picking out gifts I'd like. One year a friend got everyone at our annual Christmas brunch a dollar scratch-off lotto ticket; nobody won anything. I would have preferred just being given a dollar. I was actually a pretty good gift giver for awhile because a friend would mention something in passing that I would mentally file away as useful information with a birthday or Christmas rolled around. Nowadays, I don't know what to get for a gift for most people because I don't spend enough time around anyone to do sufficient info gathering.

[@estherfriesen2175]

You may as well have described my life. Lol

[@AlexisTwoLastNames]

this comment is so me except your experience with gifts from your mom. i also cannot relate to not wanting to wrap gifts. i love to wrap things as a hobby so i think that’s why i don’t get burnt out. but the gift-giving process is dumb to me. i really cannot stress to my family more to write me a nice letter or card. i don’t want some last minute item you felt obligated to buy.

[@karinedit1]

Almost every one as well😅. I grew up in a larger city, moved for work to a small town and been living here now for 15 years. Best thing is that here is never any traffic jam and all errands gets done fast. When going back 'home" to visit relatives I almost cant stand all the traffic/noise/mess to do everything 😅.

[@laurabusch7067]

Hahahaha I have been listening to Michael Buble’s Christmas album almost exclusively for ten years 😂 it drives my husband nuts but it’s what my brain most associated with the cozy feeling of Christmas because it came out the year I was first married in my own home and putting up my own tree etc.

[@Yannispawn]

Wow. I resonate with so many. My husband always ‘jokes’ that I’m a bad gift receiver, even when I like it. Sometimes it takes me a second to figure out the use/practicality in every day life. The word dumping The clinking dishes Stomach issues …I can’t even remember the other things, lol.

[@leslieyancey5084]

I HATE opening gifts with everyone watching! It’s so awkward! As a kid, my family opened the gifts all at the same time, and it seemed more enjoyable that way. But now, someone has mandated that we go in order. It takes a lot longer and is not as fun!

[@ceralith942]

I get all the overthinking and oversimulation ones. I go to ONE noisy family party for more than 2-3 hours, and it takes 2 days after to recover.

[@Yannispawn]

Same!

[@summermazur3064]

My favorite autism holiday tradition is watching Home Alone on Christmas Eve. It came out when I was a toddler, so I've never known Christmas without it. Love the second one, too, and John Williams' soundtrack.

[@emilbirb]

Ah this one is a bit hard to relate to for me; I don't find myself in most of these situations. If you don't really leave the house/socialize, that already cuts out at least 14 of them. I'm trying to find a respectful and empathetic way to tell people to stop torturing themselves by going to holiday or family parties, but in a way that also communicates that I do understand that it's not that simple. Obviously, with that attitude, I'm also only in contact with 1 single family member. But, I'd rather be happy alone than be "loved" by people who don't respect my needs and boundaries though.

[@CJ-xg6ii]

YES to the majority of them. Thank you for the time and effort you put into making meaningful content.👌🏾😄💚♥️

[@cziegle3794]

I checked off several of these.

[@kunibob2]

23, wow another relatable bingo! Also I thought it was interesting that you mentioned Crohn's, as that's my disease. 💜 -quoting your favourite holiday movie: I don't do this one, although I might join in if other people are doing it. -Overstimulated by decorations: I'm totally sensory-seeking when it comes to Christmas decorations, so that seems like a pretty autistic reaction to me, too, haha. Everything else is SO bang-on. I love that I've found my people ❤

[@suzannelebeau4503]

I really can't handle the stress of actually decorating, but i LOVE holograpgic bows or wrapping paper, and the lights- I become rather zombie-like! Lol

[@MomontheSpectrum]

haha yes good point!! sensory-seeking is totally part of the autistic experience too. Thanks for bringing this up!! I hope others see it - I know it will be helpful

[@ricopags]

Blackout! This is so comforting, actually. I got stuck baaad in a why loop about Christmas and it has alienated me from a lot of people I love.

[@BCSchmerker]

+momonthespectrum *Responding with a blank stare: I do so **_all_** the time, not just on sojourn - autistic shutdown, including involuntary mutism.*

[@dawnlivingston6236]

First of all thank you for your videos I appreciate all that you do to help the artistic community. I scored 22, and everything on that list. Everything that you mentioned also goes along with the rest of my life and everything I do and so many different ways.😊

[@whitneymason406]

Love this I can relate to many! Happy Holidays! 🎄

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Happy Holidays Whitney!

[@aniE1869]

I keep thinking that I don't have food aversions because I'll eat most things and try them at least once. And then I remember pasta salad and pecan pie. 🤢 I wouldn't do well in the south.

[@JulieB-yc5il]

🤣 I live in the south and I’ve had many discussions about why a certain dish just doesn’t appeal to me. I try to be nice and hopefully my face matches my words 🤣 but truly some of it is repulsive. Pasta salad is meh but Pear salad 🤢 it turned my stomach just looking at it 🤣 No thank you. Give me plain green beans, turkey and mashed potatoes and for goodness sake don’t put boiled eggs in the gravy 🤮 🤣🤣🤣

[@suzannelebeau4503]

Lol! I married into a deep south family. At New Year's, we had greens, black-eyed peas, and stuffed mirlitons (imagine a mushier, slimier stuffed bell pepper!) Then, there are grits! Eek!

[@HeadsHous]

I’ve checked every box again 😅 Happy Holidays to everyone ☮️💝

[@i3ignorantidelweb43]

18! the things i don’t relate are about food (i’m sensory seeking so for me, except the stomach, christmas food is a good experience), commitments; infodumping; headphones; quoting favorite film (i put it all together because it’s related to masking), chronic illness because i don’t have it and finally the kids because i don’t have kids

[@T1MB05L1C3]

I wear headphones when I'm out and about during December, not because I get overstimulated, but Whammageddon is in full effect and I'm not losing this year.

[@unionunicorn6776]

I could really relate to most of these (except for the food related ones, thank goodness, because those sounds so challenging!) Thanks for making me feel less alone in these struggles. Happy holidays! ❤

[@elvwood]

20 or 21 for me: I'm not bothered by food textures or decorations, I'm not a pet person, and our family traditions provide some comforting structure to Christmas day - who doesn't like a satsuma in the toe of their stocking and knowing what order things will happen? The only stress comes when my family's clash with my wife's (e.g., when we do present opening), and she's been good enough to voluntarily give way on those because it bothers her less. I don't know if I do the blank stare or not; I'll usually take myself off for a short lie down when I'm feeling overwhelmed, as will my kids. I tick everything else. (None of us have a diagnosis - I'm sure my twentysomething kids could get one if they wanted, not sure about me and my wife, though a diagnosed autistic friend reckons we all are.)

[@kristian3564]

15 of 25

[@ashleyien1222]

I can relate to most of them. I think there would be maybe three or four things not checked off. 😅 Though, for holiday traditions... I remember once I had a meltdown (in my late teens or early twenties) over a change in tradition. We always opened our gifts Christmas morning. One Christmas, we got home late from somewhere and my parents and sister all decided they wanted to open them immediately, since it was after midnight and they wanted to sleep in in the morning. I was not happy.... not at all. They went ahead with it because I was out numbered, but I sat there upset the whole time. I just kept staying it wasn't right and there would be nothing to look forward to the next day. To this day, it's one of my worst Christmases. 😅 In the big gatherings we used to have when my grandparents were still around, I remember spending a lot of time upstairs playing with my new toys by myself or reading... away from the chaos downstairs. I'd play with my cousins some... but it was a lot hiding upstairs. (My mom is the youngers of 7 and my dad the oldest of 6... so a big extended family.) For some reason, I was often sick or not feeling well at Christmas. I still have stomach issues (which tend to get worse with anxiety so I've noticed since 2020... I knew I worried a lot but didn't realise I had issues with extreme anxiety until 2020... then looking back a lot of things made more sense).

[@MomontheSpectrum]

i totally relate to spending a lot of time by myself away from the chaos! and yes sounds like you have a very big family! Thanks for sharing your experiences here

[@Dreykopff]

Here late, and turns out I didn't even get close to scoring a bingo. It was a very good Christmas 2023, and I'm legit sad it was over again so fast. But, I guess one thing that absolutely does help is we all aren't seeing too many people during the holidays anymore. Christmas Eve is mother + sister, first day is father + his friend + grandma (+ sister + her friend), second day is empty. Birthdays and similar events are often busier. I don't get to talk to people often, so I actually do appreciate family meetups, in a way. Still not my favorite thing ever because there are occasionally still bothersome things, but you know, can't win em all. I have another one soon, need to remember that I want to try a new answer to the same lame old "how are you" question: "what response are you expecting?" Let's play with the neurotypicals a bit, maybe both of us can learn something cool.

[@lavonnebenson7409]

Wow!

[@michaelvandenheuvel317]

Silly you just wait . Perfectly perfect to me. 🎉❤

[@eleanorwillow9671]

I got multiple bingos on this card.

[@brettchaney5076]

Not leaving the house without sunglasses, too. My day is absolutely ruined by not being able to find my sunglasses 😆 Finding yourself annoyed with people changing the subject when you're not done explaining what you wanted to explain. Argh, why do conversations go tangent-tangent-tangent... Normies seem to love that shit lol... idk Really, really wanting to play boardgames and no one else seems to be interested, and people are like, why is this guy always obsessed with wanting to show up with 500 boardgames to every family event?

[@joana.en.pyjautiste]

So true ! Hi from France !

[@sarahdaviscc]

You always have such gorgeous earrings. Do you get them online?

[@IllyDragonfly]

I got 20 out of 25 Ever had cotechino or 'salame cotto'? They are pretty popular as end of the year foods. Google them. The inside is a texture nightmare XD And I quote Jim Carrey's the Grinch movie all the time in my mind on December

[@kensears5099]

I do a lot of scripting, but the scripts are all my own. No movie quotes because movies and television are not a part of my life at all.

[@terrykronlage3629]

My name is Terry. I live in Dallas. Traffic 🚦 here seems similar

[@mylissahq4602]

I said bingo multiple times but it’s the Overthinking gifts which hits me first and sends me into a spiral before we even hit December! So much so that I become paralysed and then buy things very late 😬 I’m pretty much in permanent survival mode until January when I can start to breathe again.

[@ChiknNugg3s]

Almost a full card! Do I win something 😂

[@Charlotte-hv6ll]

I feel so called out.....

[@theoldaccountthatiusedtous6767]

I am laughing about these, because it wouldn't be Christmas unless my dad put on the exact same instrumental Christmas music. If I don't hear O Thou That Tellest, and that particular instrumental version of I Saw Three Ships, then it's not Christmas yet.

[@cowsonzambonis6]

17 for me 🎉Not knowing how to react to a gift is my least fave 🫠

[@trekkie-cat]

I'd info dump about minimalism!

[@JulieB-yc5il]

😂 literally all but the earbuds square and that’s just because I haven’t found comfortable ones yet. I just ordered a pair of the Soft Flare ones you recommended so 🤞🏻

[@MomontheSpectrum]

I hope you love them as much as I do! The soft flare calmer earbuds are 🔥

[@claudiamcghin3419]

The soft flares help but mine keep popping out of my ears. My Loop engage earplugs are lifesavers!

[@JulieB-yc5il]

@@claudiamcghin3419 thanks for the feedback! If these don’t work when they come in I’ll give those ones a try. 😀

[@suzannelebeau4503]

I got the regular ones, but they bothered my ears so much, I couldn't wear them more than 1/2 hour at a time. I know they say free returns with shipping only, but it is expensive to England! I couldn't decide if I should try the softer version or the kids' smaller size.

[@JulieB-yc5il]

@@suzannelebeau4503 I’m sorry you experienced that. I’ll try to remember to give feedback on the soft ones cuz usually I can’t stand anything in my ears either. But boy could I have used them yesterday in Walmart! Another commenter suggested Loop engage ear buds. Maybe try them? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Good luck!

[@jamiebbooks]

I always way over-think presents, though usually the people I give them to actually like their presents from me. I get frustrated (not that I'll usually say anything) that almost no one I give gifts to puts anywhere near as much thought into gifts for me. I end up preferring money gifts so I can 'put the thought into those gifts' myself by picking out things they could have bougt me.

[@CajunCraft24]

I know they address food sensitivities but gluten needs it’s own square. There’s no escaping it….and there’s always those relatives that don’t even think it’s a real issue🙄

[@AlexisTwoLastNames]

as I learn more about autism, I become more confused about whether or not it applies to me, but I do think there’s something at play other than bipolar disorder for me. 10:42 i have really bad social anxiety and this is me all of the time. i am really unsure if what i am experiencing is just deep-seated shame, worthlessness, and weird narcissistic ideas presenting as intense social anxiety and social confusion or if i am on the spectrum.

[@SecondDraft]

I got the following: Finding Meaningful Gifts/Too Burnt out to wrap Listening to the same Album again and again. Though, I wouldn't say "album", I don't really do albums... but a playlist counts, right? Overwhelmed by Holiday food textures. Things like beans and peas, the textureis just... bleeech, same with stuffing. Can't freaking stand it. Overthinking Gifts: Ok. The gift needs to be something within their personality, budget is an issue, can't be something just picked up at Wal-Mart, that's about as impersonal as it gets, Something unique, maybe off Etsy? Will it arrive in time? Not knowing how to react to a gift: Just act energetic and give a thank you with a smile. Info Dumping: So... let me tell you about cheetahs... Sensitive to Caffeine/Alcohol: Love caffeine, it's the alcohol... I choke down the drinks my boyfriend makes me to make him feel good... Spending time with a pet: Can't really do that with my kitty anymore... she passed... but my close friend has a husky and oh my gosh that dog loves me to bits and I love him! So cute! Responding with a blank stare: This happens mostly when I don't understand what they're trying to tell me, whether it doesn't make sense or I lost focus halfway through and I'm too busy trying to process what I did hear to give an appropriate facial expression. Leaving the Party Early: I will absolutely leave early if it means I'm not preoccupied. Feeling invisible in a room full of people: This happens mostly with my family. I feel like a stranger. Like... they treat me like you would a stranger. I don't want to go but I want to go: I mean... I wanna leave because I'm not doing anything, nothing's happening... but they're my closest friends! It's mean to just leave... but nothing's happening! Sitting at the Kids Table: For the most part, there aren't any kids tables... because there are no kids... but you can bet your bottom dollar that if there were, I'd be there... but maybe we can count the floor? My friends don't have enough seating and I'm one of the more... physically well individuals in the group, so I tend to end up on the floor. XD If we count "Sitting at the kids Table", then I have a bingo, if not... then I loseded. Ultra sad :(

[@Qhartb]

So far the only holiday plans I have are 1) attending the last half hour of a friend's party and 2) rescheduling one day of work. Said party will have most of my closest circle of friends and not many strangers. It's in a familiar setting and it's music-themed, so I can disappear behind the piano to stay engaged in a way I don't find draining. I'm also considering making a bunch of pumpkin rolls and distributing them to friends to get their reactions, but not committed to that. And some of my family will be out of the country, which I a bit of a trade-off, I guess -- fewer holiday expectations but also less support structure available. Reworking a really long paragraph overthinking the pumpkin rolls here, but I would welcome advice on how to encourage people try a piece of an edible gift right away to get an immediate reaction and not the delayed "oh, we got around to eating it last night; it was delicious!" which always feels like a social nicety -- even if it's true, I know they'd say the exact same thing if it wasn't. The immediate reaction to trying something yummy is so much more primal. I'm feeling nicely not-overwhelmed this season, at least not by the holiday and at least not yet. I do need to change my housing situation, though, and that's sure to bring some stress.

[@chrismaxwell1624]

Wife's invited a whole bunch of people over this Saturday and it has me worried. But there will be other ND people there. Sunday is going to be a crash day.

[@wendelleg2002]

16/25 (double Bingo XD)

[@sheri6089]

About 95% relate

[@_xone]

Hmm, family traditions... Christmas is so alien to me! Fun fact: I grew up in a religious cult that doesn't celebrate Christmas. All that childhood confusion and mental scarring aside, I guess I have one family 'tradition' to be thankful for! I am christmasdivergent, you CTs just don't get it 😉 (no lie, really did grow up in a cult 😬)

[@kinpandun2464]

Hope you are doing okay! Fair skies and kind seas to you, friend.

[@MissNikkiDawson]

I limit the commitments to zero LoL

[@jenna739]

I got 20/25 and 5 bingos yay I guess?

[@dallinorr6929]

d) All of the above.

[@mutley74]

Relate to most, around half in a big way. Have had a preliminary diagnosis of ADHD with a possibility of Autism from a psychologist. Can’t afford to be formally diagnosed at the moment, and wondering if it is worth the time & money.

[@psyience3213]

I'll admit it, Mariah Carey's What I want for Christmas is my jam. Don't make me break out in song Opening gifts has always been one of my least favorite things. Makes me seem selfless but in reality i dread having to react. If it's something I super wanted like a programming text book i have no problem but any thing short of a 700 page technical manual or maybe a new piece of hardware that's actually good is just like bleh. It's cool, i appreciate it, it doesn't make me react though. It's annoying. I'm not getting any gifts this year anyway.

[@hilarydrake4]

Yes to most of these. Possibly the only one I don't do is movie quoting. I'm not a huge fan of Christmas movies. 😊

[@Caprabone]

Same, but if you quote Lord of the Rings or Monty Python, I'm right there Lol

[@kensears5099]

12/20

[@passaggioalivello]

Hi Tay, can I send you a translation of this new bingo card and the guide to understanding autism? I think it will take just a few days. About this bingo card, I'm lucky because it doesn't apply to me, I have never celebrated any holidays, not even when I was a child.

[@IndustrialQueue]

Did not get enough for a bingo, but I was playing where I only marked the “no”s, so…..

[@kinpandun2464]

Every year my mother in law wraps fake pine rope with multicolor lights in a spiral around the banister. I'm like... but now I can't use it as a banister by sliding my hand along it as I let gravity gallop my goaty but down the stairs! I have to touch the wall instead for balance and the physical sensation of it is SO inferior to the oiled wood of the banister! T^T WHY, mi suegra?!?

[@Gillymomma1225]

I think this just confirmed my suspected autism diagnosis (self diagnosed) lol

[@MomontheSpectrum]

🙌🏻🎉

[@JasonSmith-nb8iz]

i'm autistic and i have diarrhea

[@cindyhuebert1616]

I got 16 out of 25. Where does that put me? Does it count? Can I say I may be somewhat autistic? Or am I just an incurable introvert? Actually, I had more of these when I was a child/teenager (esp the stomach issues). I'm 61 now, so maybe I've just learned to deal better? Now I get anxious, stressed, and close to meltdowns, even when I streamline the holidays. Also, I participated for the first time in a Secret Santa gift exchange this year, and discovered that I loved the secret planning and giving-- and was very uncomfortable at the reveal party with All The People.

[@johannalowe6134]

For me I don’t know how to act when I don’t like a gift 😢 I don’t want to seem ungrateful I got 23 😅

[@lavonnebenson7409]

I lost count but almost all.

[@ninooliastro2285]

What do I do if there is a work Christmas party coming up and I don't want to go? (I didn't want to go last year either) And leaving early and not having a companion to go with.

[@nryane]

I don’t go. I don’t care what people think of my not going. The only thing I do is say I wasn’t feeling up to going, which many people think is that I was “ill”. It’s not true, but I let them think that.

[@kinpandun2464]

The answer depends on spoons and how much you feel you need/want to grease any social wheels. At least the food is usually good at my work's parties. And there's usually only 1 big one, plus a few times bosses bring in pizza for birthdays. Luckily, I can work mostly from home these days.

[@TheDarkjudge1]

...what do I win for a blackout? 😀

[@katerivers6117]

Every. Single. Square.

[@_Simeline_]

What's the difference between unmasking and stopping to people please? Until I found your KZbin Channel a few days ago I thought my childhood traumatised me that much and i just must be traumatized. But now, with all your videos and explanations...everything starts to make more sense...but I'm just...very very confused...and scared. I don't Trust an of my doctors or psychologist or therapist to actually listen to my suspection to be on the autostic spectrum. (I hope you understand my english, I'm german...)

[@sarahferrell5458]

I’m like you-ALL my activities are arranged around the traffic. And there’s a school in every direction, which messes up my preferred time to get out & around, ie 2:30 ish

[@dickottel]

I don't respect any traditions, they're not logical 😂 why should I eat this food on December 25th, why should there be fireworks on 31st, do whatever you want in the moment, and don't be an a$$hole (fireworks should be banned)