Christmas on a 1-10 Scale of Dumbness

even flow - question mark

Fresh smell of pine in the house for at least a month = 10
Cocktails at 6am = 10
Malls/Consumerism = -10
Friends = 10
Calls from people I don't see because they live too far away = 10
Cards around the house from people who love us = 10
For the people who believe: Don't take the Christ out of Christmas = 9
In the good old days, midnight mass = 8
Seeing snow on Christmas eve and all day Christmas day = 12
Walking around the streets in the neighbourhood or driving around other neighbourhoods looking at the lights and decorations = 10

This time of year rocks!

EdsonNascimento

polaris_x wrote:

EdsonNascimento wrote:

Giving feels so good.... You haters should try it some time instead of spouting off like you're the "smartest guys in the room." (You know what happens to THAT group).

did you just insult some people in this thread while at the same time showing you don't really understand what they are saying!? ...

anyways ... i think the notion of christmas has definitely evolved ... i am not christian and do not celebrate any of the religious aspects ... i do feel that as a society we should have periods of time in the year where work is not the most important thing and we all can spend time with whomever we please ... so, if it has to be done under the guise of religious significance and the turn of the calendar - i'm all for it ...

like every other trap of excess and consumerism - one ultimately should have the free will to participate or not ... i am anti-consumerism and so, i'm not a full fledged participant although we do do a secret santa at work and i do buy from my significant other (which in this particular year - i made the gift) ...

soo ... to answer the question - i would put participating in the pressure to buy stuff and getting stuff is a 1 on the scale but spending quality time with friends and family a 10 ...

Why is there pressure to buy stuff? Only you do that to yourself. I do participate in the "commercialism," but to me that's not Christmas (and believe me, I'm no defender of religion). But, I don't feel pressure to do so. I like doing that. So, if one feels pressure to buy stuff, that's on them, not the holiday. The holiday is the 10 you put there. The rest is just noise.

LloydXmas

Christmas is only as commercial as one makes it. I tend to ignore all of the madness and go about my own family business.

I give it a 10. Excited for a nice 5 day weekend and some rockin around the christmas tree.

polaris_x

EdsonNascimento wrote:

Why is there pressure to buy stuff? Only you do that to yourself. I do participate in the "commercialism," but to me that's not Christmas (and believe me, I'm no defender of religion). But, I don't feel pressure to do so. I like doing that. So, if one feels pressure to buy stuff, that's on them, not the holiday. The holiday is the 10 you put there. The rest is just noise.

... i did say that we do have the free will to participate or not ... but you can't deny that there is a societal pressure to participate - however light or heavy one may perceive it, it's still there ...

hedonist

LloydXmas wrote:

Christmas is only as commercial as one makes it. I tend to ignore all of the madness and go about my own family business.

I give it a 10. Excited for a nice 5 day weekend and some rockin around the christmas tree.

"as one makes it" - excellent thought, and applies to much aside from Christmas.

Me, I don't celebrate the holiday itself but love the sensory sides of it, of this time of year.

Plus, it's always nice when people get into that "let's be kind to each other" mindset. Too bad the impetus would be a specific holiday, but hey, it's a start.

EdsonNascimento

polaris_x wrote:

EdsonNascimento wrote:

Why is there pressure to buy stuff? Only you do that to yourself. I do participate in the "commercialism," but to me that's not Christmas (and believe me, I'm no defender of religion). But, I don't feel pressure to do so. I like doing that. So, if one feels pressure to buy stuff, that's on them, not the holiday. The holiday is the 10 you put there. The rest is just noise.

... i did say that we do have the free will to participate or not ... but you can't deny that there is a societal pressure to participate - however light or heavy one may perceive it, it's still there ...

But, that's not Christmas. That's my point. So, we'll agree to agree...

JimmyV

I understand the sentiment of the OP but to me Christmas has not become dumb at all. I am not bothered in the least by how commercial it has become, in large part because that has been the case for decades at least.

My family has shrunk considerably in recent years, We lost both my father suddenly and my grandmother not as suddenly during December 2007 and 2008 respectively. Since then it has been very hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit, but I do try. One thing I have found does help me each year is the buying, wrapping and giving of gifts. I really am never as in the spirit as I am when I wrap those gifts. Does it have anything to do with Christ? No. Is it Christian? No. But I believe Christmas has become something much larger than just a religious holiday and to me that is a positive, not a negative.

Cosmo

Watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. It says what Christmas is supposed to be... and what Christmas has become so simply and eloquently.

cincybearcat

9.

Only not a ten because of the pressure to visit 3 different houses with a trip back home so all of the local G'parents get to see the G'kid (divorce sucks...and I mean the g'parents not me!).

Love it. Love the thought of finding a special something for those you love. Love the idea of buying gifts for children in need and knowing how they will feel on xmas day because you see the same look from your own daughter. And as I've said elsewhere, an opportunity to teach about sharing and giving that can carry over into the rest of the year!!!!! Yeah Xmas!!! (Oh, yeah, that's right, I tool the Christ outta christmas and still love it!!!)

jimc3

Love
Peace
Family
Giving
Good Cheer

seriously? on a scale of 1 to 10, Christmas is through the roof. to the moon. It's infinity.

yeah, many people have fallen into the commercialism trap. you're saying the thing to do about that is complain and not participate, as opposed to practicing the true spirit and trying to spread that to those who have lost (or never had) sight of it?

CH156378

10

blueandwhite

The fact that I get a few weeks off at Christmas to spend with family and friends makes it a 10 for me. The pomp an ceremony that surounds the season isn't really important to me, but it's nice to see relatives every now and again (just not too often) . I certainly won't besmirch anybody for their religious feelings around this holiday but that aspect of the season isn't important for me.

usamamasan1

Dear Santa,
How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? I hope everyone, from the reindeer to the elves, is fine. I have been a very good boy this year. I would like an X-Box 360 with Call of Duty - Black Ops II and an iPhone 5 for Christmas. I hope you remember that come Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas,
Timmy Jones

* *
Dear Timmy,
Thank you for your letter. Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves are all fine and thank you for asking about them. Santa is a little worried about all the time you spend playing video games and texting. Santa wouldn’t want you to get fat. Since you have indeed been a good boy, I think I’ll bring you something you can go outside and play with.

Merry Christmas,
Santa Claus

* *
Mr. Claus,
Seeing that I have fulfilled the “Naughty vs. Nice” contract, set by you I might add, I feel confident that you can see your way clear to granting me what I have asked for. I certainly wouldn’t want to turn this joyous season into one of litigation. Also, don’t you think that a jab at my weight coming from an overweight man who goes out once a year is a bit trite?

Respectfully,
Tim Jones

* *
Mr. Jones,
While I have acknowledged you have met the “nice” criteria, need I remind you that your Christmas list is a request and in no way is it a guarantee of services provided. Should you wish to pursue legal action, well that is your right. Please know, however, that my attorneys have been on retainer ever since the “Burgermeister-Meisterburger” incident and will be more than happy to take you on in open court. Additionally, the exercise I alluded to will not only improve your health, but also improve your social skills and potentially help clear up a complexion that looks like the bottom of the Burger King fry bin most days.

Very Truly Yours,
S Claus

* *
Now look here Fat Man,
I told you what I want and I expect you to bring it. I was attempting to be polite about this but you brought my looks and my friends into this. Now you just be disrespecting me. I’m about to tweet my boys and we’re gonna be waiting for your fat ass and I’m taking my game console, my game, my phone, and whatever else I want. WHAT EVER I WANT, MAN!

T-Bone

* *
Listen Pizza Face,
Seriously??? You think a dude that breaks into every house in the world on one night and never gets caught sweats a skinny G-banger wannabe? “He sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows when you’re awake”. Sound familiar, genius? You know what kind of resources I have at my disposal. I got your sh_t wired, Jack. I go all around the world and see ways to hurt people that if I described them right now, you’d throw up your Totino’s pizza roll all over the carpet of your mom’s basement. You’re not getting what you asked for, but I’m still stopping by your crib to stomp a mud hole in you’re a_ _ and then walk it dry. Chew on that, Petunia.

S Clizzy

* *
Dear Santa,
Bring me whatever you see fit. I’ll appreciate anything.

Timmy

* *
Timmy,
That’s what I thought .
Santa

javis el errante

1, my family is very tiny, don't need a special occasion to gather ourselves up, we see each other on a daily basis, for better or worst, most worst lately, all raised as catholic, none of us gives a damn about religion, christ and the such, it's only about the presents, which I hate, and in my country, xmas is during the summer, I hate the hot weather, and I hate the xmas food, basically, because is a tradition taken from the people of the northern hemisphere, so all the food contains many calories and is prepared and aimed for cold weather... I ain't no grinch but give me a break...

Jeanwah

Byrnzie wrote:

I was thinking about this on the way to work this morning. Where does Christmas fall on the scale of dumbness, with 1 being completely dumb and pointless, and 10 being smart and meaningful?
I mean, I'm not completely adverse to Christmas and thought cincybearcat made a pretty good case for it in this post: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=177410&start=195#p4144310, but the way I see it, it's mostly just a Capitalist greed-fest that has nothing to do with Christ at all. Apart from it being a good time for the kids, It's basically just a corporate, glutinous gang-bang, that pours money into coffers of the fat-bellies.

You mean "Giftmas"?

If Christmas had more to do with it's pagan roots, and involved some respect for the Earth, then I'd be all for it. But instead, it's the opposite. We stuff our greedy faces, buy a ton of shit that we don't need, and plunder the Earth in the process.

Yeah, there is a different holiday for that, it's called Winter Solstice or Yule. It's Friday, the 21st. I'll be celebrating.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethe ... t_Yule.htm

Jeanwah

polaris_x wrote:

EdsonNascimento wrote:

Why is there pressure to buy stuff? Only you do that to yourself. I do participate in the "commercialism," but to me that's not Christmas (and believe me, I'm no defender of religion). But, I don't feel pressure to do so. I like doing that. So, if one feels pressure to buy stuff, that's on them, not the holiday. The holiday is the 10 you put there. The rest is just noise.

... i did say that we do have the free will to participate or not ... but you can't deny that there is a societal pressure to participate - however light or heavy one may perceive it, it's still there ...

It's become obligatory to give your kids' teachers gifts. Obligatory to give your parents gifts. Obligatory to make sure that Santa visited your kids. Obligatory when you receive a gift to give one in return from friends. It it was strictly out of love and in the spirit of giving, then perhaps a hug and truly listening to one another and actually being there for people rather than just a day (Dec. 25) would suffice.

Jeanwah

And to those who get (paid) time off at Christmas? Well, of course you see that as a reason to celebrate. Cherish that your company gives you paid time off. Because not everyone gets it off.

g under p

I'll give it a 5 mainly because I have the time to do some volunteer work of various kinds to help others. No need for vacations during this time the children much older now and there's no need to have to go somewhere. We will stay home and chill well not so much here in South Florida.

Peace

catefrances

Byrnzie wrote:

peacefrompaul wrote:

Yeah, for sure... you can say all that... and I agree. It's a time corporations can make some big money...

And...

It's also a time I get to see my parents where, unless my dad is out flying, we are all together. It's a nice break from the University and a time to relax and get ready for the next semester.

It's a time where I get to make some extra money at work...

I give it a 4

Yeah, I'm all for holidays that involve time off work. I also like eating nice food, and drinking beer, wine, and baileys - not always in that order. It's also good to give the kids a time to get excited and have fun. But the rest of it I find pretty irritating, and dumb.

shouldnt this be what ones birthday is all about.. the getting kids excited part.. eating nice food and drinking should be an everyday pursuit as far as im concerned.

adropinthepark

I give it a five as an average. The great parts are a 10, the rest are a one.

I've shared before that I sat out a couple of Christmases with my family, because it got out of control and I was completely overwhelmed. My mom and her then husband were competing with who could give us (very adult) kids the most gifts. And, they were doing it all on credit. It freaked me the fuck out and I couldn't do it.

I suggested drawing names or adopting a needy family for Christmas, but my ideas were met with protest. So, I quit.

My mom has since divorced and now checks with me before giving me anything extravagant. I'm typing on the notebook she just gave me - not purchased on credit.

I love the time off and any day I get to spend with my mom and sister together is special. My mom just moved from WA State to Louisiana for work, but she is flying up for Christmas. Our Christmas won't technically be on Christmas day, since my mom flies back home that day. This is fine with me, 'cause that means I get to keep the tradition I started when I skipped Christmas. That day I'll be enjoying a couple of cocktails at a local hotel lobby with a nice view of a seriously tall Christmas tree.