No interest in Christmas

Jeanwah

Am I alone here?

The older I get the less I like Christmas time. I don't get depressed or anything, I just see it as a diversion and an obligation to spend money. It's what it's become that bothers me; the need to go shopping, the obligation to giving lots of gifts which is usually a bunch of stuff that no one needs. The media shoving the commercialism down our throats. The radio stations playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I've resorted to calling the holiday "Giftmas" because that's how society has exploited the holiday.

If we could just get back to the basics of being kind, respectful and peaceful; what the holiday is supposed to mean, I may be more in the spirit.

polaris_x

definitely ... there are far reaching societal implications ...

all in all tho - i like the idea of "business" shutting down for a few days so people can do and be with who they want ...

i love this time of year because i spend it with loved ones and we all look forward to it

but yeah - the christmas songs in november ... the materialistic nature of gifts ... that i can do without ...

BinauralJam

i really look forward to the time off more than anything, some times my company gives us the whole week inbetween christmas and new years off, pretty awesome for a corporation now a days. It also makes me spend time with my family, which i probably wouldn't do on my own. It's pretty magical when your a kid, once that wears off...

my wife like the music, i don't claim to understand, just accept.

dignin

I enjoy the family time also.....once you stop buying presents (which I almost have, except for nephews) it becomes alot more enjoyable.

pandora

Christmas is what one makes of it

some like tinsel

some like to give

some like the music

some feel it is a duty

some love the memories it brings

some love who's birthday it is

some just wish it was over

Christmas lives in the heart the older one gets
I have found this to be true for myself my family and peers

It grows in meaning each year for me ... I am thankful for that and the loving
time of the year it is.

I love Christmas

polaris_x

BinauralJam wrote:

i really look forward to the time off more than anything, some times my company gives us the whole week inbetween christmas and new years off, pretty awesome for a corporation now a days. It also makes me spend time with my family, which i probably wouldn't do on my own. It's pretty magical when your a kid, once that wears off...

my wife like the music, i don't claim to understand, just accept.

i work for a big corp. - they give us xmas to new years off every year ... and we are a 365 day a year retail business ...

Nami

Throw on some Bing... turn the tree lights on and enjoy.

Ive had my lights up for almost two weeks, on every night, i love Christmas! Putting up decorations gets me in the mood for Christmas everyyear. I love the partys and family get togethers.

I could care less for the shopping crap too, not what it is suppose to be about. But, as my son is 2 now going on 3, seeing his face light up with a truck/car is priceless for me atm. so i have to give in. For me, just get me a case of beer, a happy wife, some tunes, and im happy.

Jeanwah

polaris_x wrote:

all in all tho - i like the idea of "business" shutting down for a few days so people can do and be with who they want ...

Not every business shuts down for the day though. Just ask my husband.

StillHere

There was a time
Not that long ago
When the kids were grown
And I felt all alone
That I didn't care much whether Christmas came or went
But as the family grew
With babies anew
And eyes shine bright with Christmas delight
I look forward to Christmas
And count down the nights

I Love Christmas (again) too!

The most important part of Christmas to me
is not the gift-giving
but the giving of one's self to those we love
and those less fortunate.
Granted it should be that way all of the time,
but fact is that life gets in the way.
Christmastime reminds us all
of what's really important in life...
our hearts are just a little bit bigger and just a little bit softer.

Together, all warm and fuzzy by the fireside.....what better feeling is there than that?

pandora

StillHere wrote:

There was a time
Not that long ago
When the kids were grown
And I felt all alone
That I didn't care much whether Christmas came or went
But as the family grew
With babies anew
And eyes shine bright with Christmas delight
I look forward to Christmas
And count down the nights

I Love Christmas (again) too!

The most important part of Christmas to me
is not the gift-giving
but the giving of one's self to those we love
and those less fortunate.
Granted it should be that way all of the time,
but fact is that life gets in the way.
Christmastime reminds us all
of what's really important in life...
our hearts are just a little bit bigger and just a little bit softer.

Together, all warm and fuzzy by the fireside.....what better feeling is there than that?

beautifully said!

"Christmastime reminds us all
of what's really important in life..."


perfect!

F Me In The Brain

I absolutely love the x-mas time and the x-mas spirit. It is one of the few times of the year my wife and I fly back to be with our families - we split time and see both groups in contrast with T-giving where we pick one family or the other to fly back and be with.
Everyone is pleasant and nice about things in our families -- which cannot be said of other times throughout the year.
I agree that the Christ part and the Commercial part lick my fucking ass but I cannot help but get excited on December 1st every year knowing that I soon will be with those I love best and enjoying drinks, tall tales and family love.

Jason P

I love Christmas because of the colorful lights and cheer it brings to our newly snow-covered landscape.

Bogey Man

Christmas is what you make it.

As I got older and went to university and started a career, Christmas became even more enjoyable than what it was when I was a kid. Because now, all the friends that work and live away come home for Christmas, and we get to party and spend time together like we used to, before "life" happened. That's a huge part of Christmas. Getting to spend time with people you don't normally because you can't.

Plus, I have a 5 month old daughter and a 1 year boxer pup, Christmas should be insane this year. Looking forward to it.

MayDay Malone

F Me In The Brain wrote:

I absolutely love the x-mas time and the x-mas spirit. It is one of the few times of the year my wife and I fly back to be with our families - we split time and see both groups in contrast with T-giving where we pick one family or the other to fly back and be with.
Everyone is pleasant and nice about things in our families -- which cannot be said of other times throughout the year.
I agree that the Christ part and the Commercial part lick my fucking ass but I cannot help but get excited on December 1st every year knowing that I soon will be with those I love best and enjoying drinks, tall tales and family love.

"The Christ part licks your fucking ass"?

wow.

F Me In The Brain

MayDay Malone wrote:

F Me In The Brain wrote:

I absolutely love the x-mas time and the x-mas spirit. It is one of the few times of the year my wife and I fly back to be with our families - we split time and see both groups in contrast with T-giving where we pick one family or the other to fly back and be with.
Everyone is pleasant and nice about things in our families -- which cannot be said of other times throughout the year.
I agree that the Christ part and the Commercial part lick my fucking ass but I cannot help but get excited on December 1st every year knowing that I soon will be with those I love best and enjoying drinks, tall tales and family love.

"The Christ part licks your fucking ass"?

wow.

I apologize if that was insensitive toward those who see this as a special spiritual day. It is my personal opinion and I have nothing against others being able to celebrate the Christ part. (Just like it was the OPs personal opinion that they had no interest in Christmas.) Was not trying to offend, just sharing my response to the OP. Enjoy life as you like it (so long as you dont hurt others) and take no interest in what others think of your beliefs.

eddiec

This country is in a financial tailspin as is the whole world. There will be less gifts bought this year than 20 years ago. Time with family has always been the most important thing about Christmas. (Although I've only been home once in the last eight years)

Cosmo

A few years ago... I offered up the idea of just buying for Mom and the kids. I hated the fact that my sisters stressed out in shopping malls, looking for something I do not need.
Since then, Christmas time has been much, MUCH better. The kids got tons of really great toys when they were little and now that they are young adults... I've been giving them the gift that is always the right size and always the perfect color... CASH.
For our get together, we buy a honey baked ham as the main dish so Mom or my sisters don't spend the day slaving over a hot stove. They still make those great cookies and pies and have more time to bake ahead of time and spend together.
We're at a time in our lives where we pretty much have what we need... and less that we want. Time spent together is the main thing.

Electric_Delta

From a personal point of view, I will take the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Whom I believe to be the Son of God.

From the societal standpoint, I am absolutely sick of the crass commercialism associated with this holiday. I am tired of the endless barrage of commercials suggesting how I need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on all those I love to ACTUALLY PROVE my love and care for them. I am sick of hearing Christmas music in Wal-Mart on November 1st.

The list goes on and on. Suffice it to say, I would be satisfied if neither I nor my family/friends exchanged gifts and we had a good meal instead!

Electric_Delta

Jason P wrote:

I love Christmas because of the colorful lights and cheer it brings to our newly snow-covered landscape.

I would agree with you if it would get cold enogh to snow in Pennsylvania again at some point...

Cosmo

Electric_Delta wrote:

From a personal point of view, I will take the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Whom I believe to be the Son of God.

From the societal standpoint, I am absolutely sick of the crass commercialism associated with this holiday. I am tired of the endless barrage of commercials suggesting how I need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on all those I love to ACTUALLY PROVE my love and care for them. I am sick of hearing Christmas music in Wal-Mart on November 1st.

The list goes on and on. Suffice it to say, I would be satisfied if neither I nor my family/friends exchanged gifts and we had a good meal instead!

...
Merry Christmas, dude.

Electric_Delta

Cosmo wrote:

Electric_Delta wrote:

From a personal point of view, I will take the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Whom I believe to be the Son of God.

From the societal standpoint, I am absolutely sick of the crass commercialism associated with this holiday. I am tired of the endless barrage of commercials suggesting how I need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on all those I love to ACTUALLY PROVE my love and care for them. I am sick of hearing Christmas music in Wal-Mart on November 1st.

The list goes on and on. Suffice it to say, I would be satisfied if neither I nor my family/friends exchanged gifts and we had a good meal instead!

...
Merry Christmas, dude.

Same to you, Cosmo.

Godfather.

Jeanwah wrote:

Am I alone here?

The older I get the less I like Christmas time. I don't get depressed or anything, I just see it as a diversion and an obligation to spend money. It's what it's become that bothers me; the need to go shopping, the obligation to giving lots of gifts which is usually a bunch of stuff that no one needs. The media shoving the commercialism down our throats. The radio stations playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I've resorted to calling the holiday "Giftmas" because that's how society has exploited the holiday.

If we could just get back to the basics of being kind, respectful and peaceful; what the holiday is supposed to mean, I may be more in the spirit.

yes the real meaning of Christmas has been lost for so many people and that's a drag.
I have been calling it "greedy seasons" for a few years now.

and by the way Merry Christmas to all of you.

Godfather.

pandora

:wave: Merry Christmas!!

there is alot of giving going on too though

catefrances

eddiec wrote:

This country is in a financial tailspin as is the whole world...

not so much financial tailspinning going on here in oz.

Jeanwah

Ya know, another reason I don't care for the season is that people look to one time of the year to be kind, peaceful and in making family a priority. It shouldn't be just one day a year. If we actually made time for each other more often than once a year, life would be a whole lot better for everyone. Without being rude, I feel that everyone jumping on the Christmas holiday is just a status quo thing, and that it's something that we're "supposed to do", rather than a genuine feeling. If it was genuine it would carry over to the rest of the year.

Electric_Delta

Jeanwah wrote:

Ya know, another reason I don't care for the season is that people look to one time of the year to be kind, peaceful and in making family a priority. It shouldn't be just one day a year. If we actually made time for each other more often than once a year, life would be a whole lot better for everyone. Without being rude, I feel that everyone jumping on the Christmas holiday is just a status quo thing, and that it's something that we're "supposed to do", rather than a genuine feeling. If it was genuine it would carry over to the rest of the year.

I agree with your point about annual charity. That having been said, it is nice to see people pour out generosity so plainly, even if it's most obvious this time of year.

...kind of restores my faith in people after pepper-sprayings and tramplings on Black Friday just to save $10 on a coffeemaker.

pandora

the people I know who adore Christmas are always loving and giving...
it's in their nature to be kind, lend a hand, give a stranger a smile or an open ear
365 days of the year.

It's just the most wonderful time of the year! It is so simple!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic

Cosmo

Jeanwah wrote:

Ya know, another reason I don't care for the season is that people look to one time of the year to be kind, peaceful and in making family a priority. It shouldn't be just one day a year. If we actually made time for each other more often than once a year, life would be a whole lot better for everyone. Without being rude, I feel that everyone jumping on the Christmas holiday is just a status quo thing, and that it's something that we're "supposed to do", rather than a genuine feeling. If it was genuine it would carry over to the rest of the year.

...
I hear ya.
Like, during Christmas time... we feel good about adopting a needy family and providing to the single mother and her 3 small children... in the 'Christmas Spirit'.
After Christmas... she is transformed back to a stupid little whore that can't keep her legs together and is bilking off of my hard earned pay.
....
That kind of shit... causes Jesus to weep.

F Me In The Brain

Cosmo wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Ya know, another reason I don't care for the season is that people look to one time of the year to be kind, peaceful and in making family a priority. It shouldn't be just one day a year. If we actually made time for each other more often than once a year, life would be a whole lot better for everyone. Without being rude, I feel that everyone jumping on the Christmas holiday is just a status quo thing, and that it's something that we're "supposed to do", rather than a genuine feeling. If it was genuine it would carry over to the rest of the year.

...
I hear ya.
Like, during Christmas time... we feel good about adopting a needy family and providing to the single mother and her 3 small children... in the 'Christmas Spirit'.
After Christmas... she is transformed back to a stupid little whore that can't keep her legs together and is bilking off of my hard earned pay.
....
That kind of shit... causes Jesus to weep.

LOL.

Jeanwah

Cosmo wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

Ya know, another reason I don't care for the season is that people look to one time of the year to be kind, peaceful and in making family a priority. It shouldn't be just one day a year. If we actually made time for each other more often than once a year, life would be a whole lot better for everyone. Without being rude, I feel that everyone jumping on the Christmas holiday is just a status quo thing, and that it's something that we're "supposed to do", rather than a genuine feeling. If it was genuine it would carry over to the rest of the year.

...
I hear ya.
Like, during Christmas time... we feel good about adopting a needy family and providing to the single mother and her 3 small children... in the 'Christmas Spirit'.
After Christmas... she is transformed back to a stupid little whore that can't keep her legs together and is bilking off of my hard earned pay.
....
That kind of shit... causes Jesus to weep.

Yep. Thanks for proving my point exactly!

chadwick

how about stop worrying about what society does during christmas time and just worry about what you have going on?

if little johnny down the street has parents w/ tons of money and they spoil little johnny something fierce, who really gives a shit? i don't. i will not lose any sleep over 13 million kids all getting shit loads of gifts they do not need and deserve. they're not my problem in regards to parenting. they may be my problem as a whole as how society is when they are grown and running things.

i say mind your own damn business and have a good fucking time however that may be. light a fire. roast a turkey. eat grilled cheese. give a card and letter to someone. do nothing at all but fart and watch ren & stimpy's marathon. i don't know.

i also feel many are scrooge. scrooge is a dick, that is true. but i do not give a shit as scrooge is not my family or friend. if i try being nice to scrooge and scrooge is a dickhead, i move on and stuff. mostly though i keep coming back to fuck w/ scrooge because he makes me laugh w/ his grouchy bullshit and i enjoy fucking w/ him.

not giving a shit when it comes to certain things makes life bearable. so spend your gold, f' your neighbor's wife, drink and be merry. who really gives a damn? lighten the hell up folks.