When I was a kid, like most kids, I liked Christmas because of the surprise under the tree (little did I know this was mainly a big sales promotion for crap we don't need). But I also liked Christmas because it was colorful, it brought family and friends together, it was a time my parents seemed fairly happy and it always smelled good. I don't remember being very thrilled with the Santa thing. In fact, I pretty much avoided the big man with the fake beard and the bad breath and I felt sorry for the overworked reindeer.
As an adult I still enjoy the closeness of family and friends but I have little patience for the consumer aspect of it. I'll admit I sell more books around Christmas time but I'm infinitely more passionate about selling an inexpensive copy of a good paperback in the middle of summer to a college student who wants to enrich her life or learn how to make the world a better place than I am for all the extra books I sell around Christmas time that are purchased merely out of Christmas Present Obligation Syndrome. The extra sales at Christmas time help pay the bills, it's true, but its the affordable treasures that open the mind that I sell any time of the year that thrill my soul.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Christmas ranks a five with me. I see the pro's and con's to the event. Pro: Brings people together Make a lot of kids happy Great food and drink....sex too Con: The people coming together usually feel trepidation about all the money spent. Makes even more kids feel left out Many will not eat well that day Jesus never existed and the celestial celebration was hijacked by the zealots. Making the whole facade cringing and bothersome at times.
I remember when, yeah. I swore I knew everything, oh yeah.
Not religious and I don`t really care about it, but I give it a 10 because I come from a family who really cares about it and gets together for holidays and it makes them happy. Personally I love being off work and the fantastic NBA matchups from noon until I fall asleep.
It all depends on what kind of family that you have. If you have family dysfunction and conditional feelings whether it be politics, Trump et al, you're gonna have a not too positive view of it compared to others. I say this with family experience since there have been grudges on my mom's side and a crazy aunt who buzzkilled a Christmas gathering at my late Uncle's house a couple decades ago. Hell, it took the recent death of my maternal grandpa to reunite my mom's cousins that I never saw or haven't seen in years. They all drifted apart when my grandma died 18 years ago.
It's been better now that I've become an uncle for the past 2-3 years. Got my niece some doll set of Frozen from The Disney Store since she loves that movie and Let It Go.
Gets a 10 just for the music alone. I like Bing Crosby and I purchased a copy of Dylan's Christmas In The Heart a couple years ago that I listen to quite often this time of year. It's really the only time of year that I break out the record player and listen to vinyl.
The elf on a shelf is a one. My kids make it a ten. Nothing in the world like Christmas morning and seeing the magic in your kids eyes. What a great time of year!
Yeah, no children and no bias. Guess we dig these things on our own terms and within our own lifelines.
And really it's not even about the day itself for me. Just the whole wide-open window of it all before it closes. I need to - and should - breathe it in and enjoy it while it's here.
Smellyman, enjoy your trip to Thailand. I've heard it's beautiful in many ways.
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
...but that's the main thing that blows it for me...
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
By I almost wonder if by now they've got a little pipe line that goes down there with oil pumping through it to keep the tourists coming back. I saw that same oil leak back in around 1964. Kind of freaked me our standing on that platform over that sunken ship.
Christmas in Hawaii- what a trip! Are there Christmas lights on the palm trees? Hope you're having a good time, Thirty. Post some pics!
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Smellyman, enjoy your trip to Thailand. I've heard it's beautiful in many ways.
Been there many times and always great.
Christmas is a time when everyone is that little bit kinder and the world seems a little bit more hopeful. Families get together and everyone makes an extra effort to get on with each other. Say what you like about commercialism but I think the gift-giving aspect is lovely. It is what you make of it, I choose to view it as an opportunity to show my appreciation for the people in my life
Christmas can be tough if you're lonely, I certainly understand that aspect of it but I feel the positives far outweigh the negatives.
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
...but that's the main thing that blows it for me...
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
By I almost wonder if by now they've got a little pipe line that goes down there with oil pumping through it to keep the tourists coming back. I saw that same oil leak back in around 1964. Kind of freaked me our standing on that platform over that sunken ship.
Christmas in Hawaii- what a trip! Are there Christmas lights on the palm trees? Hope you're having a good time, Thirty. Post some pics!
Cheers, Bri!
I'm actually back to Canada on the 24th. I'm here coaching my basketball team.
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
...but that's the main thing that blows it for me...
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
By I almost wonder if by now they've got a little pipe line that goes down there with oil pumping through it to keep the tourists coming back. I saw that same oil leak back in around 1964. Kind of freaked me our standing on that platform over that sunken ship.
Christmas in Hawaii- what a trip! Are there Christmas lights on the palm trees? Hope you're having a good time, Thirty. Post some pics!
Cheers, Bri!
I'm actually back to Canada on the 24th. I'm here coaching my basketball team.
Cheers, Thirty!
This evening we're going to our annual friends Christmas party. A few of us (myself included) think it's a better idea to just draw a name and get one gift for that person but the majority want us all to exchange presents which during a busy time of year gets to be difficult at the very least. But that part is done and so now the best part of this gathering will happen later today- being with friends. That, I can get into! I'm always up for getting together with good friends, good food and drink, and having a good time.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Smellyman, enjoy your trip to Thailand. I've heard it's beautiful in many ways.
Been there many times and always great.
Christmas is a time when everyone is that little bit kinder and the world seems a little bit more hopeful. Families get together and everyone makes an extra effort to get on with each other. Say what you like about commercialism but I think the gift-giving aspect is lovely. It is what you make of it, I choose to view it as an opportunity to show my appreciation for the people in my life
Christmas can be tough if you're lonely, I certainly understand that aspect of it but I feel the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Hahaha not when you work retail in the Midwest of America. People are meaner and more selfish and rude than any other time of year!
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
A hug to you from across the miles, Thirty. In a good place too, and thankful for it.
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
A hug to you from across the miles, Thirty. In a good place too, and thankful for it.
And a big hug back to you, Hedo!
* I've gotten a few video texts from home- my cat is going nuts at home and amusing the hell out of me while I watch them here in Waikiki.
I hate Christmas. The endless, needless, inane trading of JUNK with social repercussions enforcing it as a dogmatic law is too much for me. I give everyone jars of jam, jelly, pickles, and salsa that I make in the summer...I think some people think I am a cheapskate, but I wish they would give me something wholesome instead of another damn hooded sweatshirt or knockoff PJ tshit.
What I hate the most is Santa. Yeah, I am dead serious. I think encouraging children to believe a little bit of magic exists in the world is a wonderful thing, but parents take it way too far. It becomes a a several-year active deception where the child is getting closer and closer to the truth and the parent comes up with more exotic lies and rouses to convince the child. Everyone knows someone who believed for too long and was shattered when someone finally told them Santa isn't real. It's the dumbest fucking tradition we have in America, and if you tell people you aren't interested in actively deceiving your child for half a decade, they look at you like you are some kind of goofy, radical hippy or something. Burns my balls.
it must suck going through life with such at attitude. lighten up Francis and learn to enjoy the things that don't need to be stressed or annoyed about.
Not at all, there's nothing that sucks about knowing and keeping close to your heart the things that really matter while you watch people who live their lives asleep rushing to and fro to honor traditions which they think little about and follow through rote devotion. Since I don't give a shit about indoctrinated commercialism and backwards rituals, I have less stress in the holidays than you, I'd bet my farm on it!
yet you say you don't follow the traditions yet you admit above you give gifts...so in reality you do follow the same traditions as the rest of us, just in a way that satisfies your view of the world and makes YOU feel good about yourself as opposed to doing something to make others feel good. kind of misses the point of the whole season doesn't it?
I hate Christmas. The endless, needless, inane trading of JUNK with social repercussions enforcing it as a dogmatic law is too much for me. I give everyone jars of jam, jelly, pickles, and salsa that I make in the summer...I think some people think I am a cheapskate, but I wish they would give me something wholesome instead of another damn hooded sweatshirt or knockoff PJ tshit.
What I hate the most is Santa. Yeah, I am dead serious. I think encouraging children to believe a little bit of magic exists in the world is a wonderful thing, but parents take it way too far. It becomes a a several-year active deception where the child is getting closer and closer to the truth and the parent comes up with more exotic lies and rouses to convince the child. Everyone knows someone who believed for too long and was shattered when someone finally told them Santa isn't real. It's the dumbest fucking tradition we have in America, and if you tell people you aren't interested in actively deceiving your child for half a decade, they look at you like you are some kind of goofy, radical hippy or something. Burns my balls.
it must suck going through life with such at attitude. lighten up Francis and learn to enjoy the things that don't need to be stressed or annoyed about.
Not at all, there's nothing that sucks about knowing and keeping close to your heart the things that really matter while you watch people who live their lives asleep rushing to and fro to honor traditions which they think little about and follow through rote devotion. Since I don't give a shit about indoctrinated commercialism and backwards rituals, I have less stress in the holidays than you, I'd bet my farm on it!
yet you say you don't follow the traditions yet you admit above you give gifts...so in reality you do follow the same traditions as the rest of us, just in a way that satisfies your view of the world and makes YOU feel good about yourself as opposed to doing something to make others feel good. kind of misses the point of the whole season doesn't it?
I dont do it because of the holiday tradition, I do it because gift giving is a social contract that requires reciprocation, I fulfill my end of the contract in a way that satisfies my moral code. If someone doesn't feel good about handmade, shelf stable organic food made with love, that is a failing of the season, not me. I can tell you that it doesn't sit on a shelf year after year and accumulate dust or lie in a drawer like most Christmas gifts. I think most people far overestimate the "spirit of the season". With children it's different, but among adults there is little of the good will that is sung about to be found. It's been replaced by Black Friday madness and mountains of material possessions that do little to nothing for one's spiritual wellness. My niece and nephew are getting a cardboard castle, dragon cutout, swords, shields, helmets and crowns from me. It cost me 3 hours and zero dollars, and I would say it's far closer to the spirit of the season than the abundance of plastic shit they will open for the holiday, so many plastic shit gifts that they will increasingly bored with each one and rush to open another as the thrill fades.
I hate Christmas. The endless, needless, inane trading of JUNK with social repercussions enforcing it as a dogmatic law is too much for me. I give everyone jars of jam, jelly, pickles, and salsa that I make in the summer...I think some people think I am a cheapskate, but I wish they would give me something wholesome instead of another damn hooded sweatshirt or knockoff PJ tshit.
What I hate the most is Santa. Yeah, I am dead serious. I think encouraging children to believe a little bit of magic exists in the world is a wonderful thing, but parents take it way too far. It becomes a a several-year active deception where the child is getting closer and closer to the truth and the parent comes up with more exotic lies and rouses to convince the child. Everyone knows someone who believed for too long and was shattered when someone finally told them Santa isn't real. It's the dumbest fucking tradition we have in America, and if you tell people you aren't interested in actively deceiving your child for half a decade, they look at you like you are some kind of goofy, radical hippy or something. Burns my balls.
it must suck going through life with such at attitude. lighten up Francis and learn to enjoy the things that don't need to be stressed or annoyed about.
Not at all, there's nothing that sucks about knowing and keeping close to your heart the things that really matter while you watch people who live their lives asleep rushing to and fro to honor traditions which they think little about and follow through rote devotion. Since I don't give a shit about indoctrinated commercialism and backwards rituals, I have less stress in the holidays than you, I'd bet my farm on it!
yet you say you don't follow the traditions yet you admit above you give gifts...so in reality you do follow the same traditions as the rest of us, just in a way that satisfies your view of the world and makes YOU feel good about yourself as opposed to doing something to make others feel good. kind of misses the point of the whole season doesn't it?
I dont do it because of the holiday tradition, I do it because gift giving is a social contract that requires reciprocation, I fulfill my end of the contract in a way that satisfies my moral code. If someone doesn't feel good about handmade, shelf stable organic food made with love, that is a failing of the season, not me. I can tell you that it doesn't sit on a shelf year after year and accumulate dust or lie in a drawer like most Christmas gifts. I think most people far overestimate the "spirit of the season". With children it's different, but among adults there is little of the good will that is sung about to be found. It's been replaced by Black Friday madness and mountains of material possessions that do little to nothing for one's spiritual wellness. My niece and nephew are getting a cardboard castle, dragon cutout, swords, shields, helmets and crowns from me. It cost me 3 hours and zero dollars, and I would say it's far closer to the spirit of the season than the abundance of plastic shit they will open for the holiday, so many plastic shit gifts that they will increasingly bored with each one and rush to open another as the thrill fades.
Suggested pulling names and parents make suggestions for kids. Everyone was relieved. Now the one gift will get some thought. And nieces and nephews wo t each get 30 presents wth 90% requiring false elation.
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
A hug to you from across the miles, Thirty. In a good place too, and thankful for it.
And a big hug back to you, Hedo!
* I've gotten a few video texts from home- my cat is going nuts at home and amusing the hell out of me while I watch them here in Waikiki.
You DO realize that I, personally, would not object to the posting of said videos? And don't forget about the kitty thread.
Just loving this time, these days, so much (plus it's raining in LA, woohoo! Yes, it's sad we celebrate that here) and the goodwill I've witnessed from fellow fans and strangers alike.
I've bought two presents this year. One of them is a box of chocolates. One is mass commercialism gift that I only bought because I got a text asking when we could meet up to exchange gifts. Discussing this with a friend who usually buys me gifts, he said to me "it's hard times all around this year. Our company will be each other's gifts." So, for the first time in 23+ years, I have to pull the table out for Christmas Dinner. Now if only someone wanted to get me "I'll clean up!" for Christmas, that would be the best gift ever!
Leaping into this thread - I loved Christmas when I was a kid. Watching Rudolph, A Charlie Brown Christmas, driving around town and looking at Christmas lights. Making Christmas cookies and fudge. Decorating the tree, decorating the house.
Years pass, I'm married, I have kids. And there is nothing in the world like being a parent and watching your kid wake up on Christmas morning. And that look in their eyes as they walk to the living room knowing that Santa's been here. They're too old now to believe in Santa, but it's still nice to be together.
Ident, in addition to that lickered-up bundt cake I offered you on another thread (or this one?), were I there to deliver it I'd also help to clean up (ie, "delegate").
Christmas is fun. I enjoy it because my family gets together. We all chit chat and catch up. I have lots of cousins so it's great to see them all in one place.
Comments
As an adult I still enjoy the closeness of family and friends but I have little patience for the consumer aspect of it. I'll admit I sell more books around Christmas time but I'm infinitely more passionate about selling an inexpensive copy of a good paperback in the middle of summer to a college student who wants to enrich her life or learn how to make the world a better place than I am for all the extra books I sell around Christmas time that are purchased merely out of Christmas Present Obligation Syndrome. The extra sales at Christmas time help pay the bills, it's true, but its the affordable treasures that open the mind that I sell any time of the year that thrill my soul.
Pro:
Brings people together
Make a lot of kids happy
Great food and drink....sex too
Con:
The people coming together usually feel trepidation about all the money spent.
Makes even more kids feel left out
Many will not eat well that day
Jesus never existed and the celestial celebration was hijacked by the zealots. Making the whole facade cringing and bothersome at times.
Personally I love being off work and the fantastic NBA matchups from noon until I fall asleep.
It's been better now that I've become an uncle for the past 2-3 years. Got my niece some doll set of Frozen from The Disney Store since she loves that movie and Let It Go.
All we have to worry about on December 25th is what movie we'll see and then which Chinese restaurant we'll eat at.
I say that to everybody, but mom and mom-in-law can't resist. If I need something I will buy it. I don't need junk.
Need to go back to the Pagan roots like Byrnzie said and it would be a much better holiday.
I will be in Thailand blissfully away from Christmas activities.
I am so loving it all right now.
And really it's not even about the day itself for me. Just the whole wide-open window of it all before it closes. I need to - and should - breathe it in and enjoy it while it's here.
Smellyman, enjoy your trip to Thailand. I've heard it's beautiful in many ways.
Holidays. Festivities.
I get the mass consumerism aspect to it, but my family loves it and so do I. I spend enough time of the year being a curmudgeon. Christmas puts me in a good place.
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
* Visited Pearl Harbor for the first time yesterday. A very somber experience. The Arizona is still leaking oil- you can see it leaking oil-
Christmas in Hawaii- what a trip! Are there Christmas lights on the palm trees? Hope you're having a good time, Thirty. Post some pics!
Christmas can be tough if you're lonely, I certainly understand that aspect of it but I feel the positives far outweigh the negatives.
I'm actually back to Canada on the 24th. I'm here coaching my basketball team.
This evening we're going to our annual friends Christmas party. A few of us (myself included) think it's a better idea to just draw a name and get one gift for that person but the majority want us all to exchange presents which during a busy time of year gets to be difficult at the very least. But that part is done and so now the best part of this gathering will happen later today- being with friends. That, I can get into! I'm always up for getting together with good friends, good food and drink, and having a good time.
* I've gotten a few video texts from home- my cat is going nuts at home and amusing the hell out of me while I watch them here in Waikiki.
I think most people far overestimate the "spirit of the season". With children it's different, but among adults there is little of the good will that is sung about to be found. It's been replaced by Black Friday madness and mountains of material possessions that do little to nothing for one's spiritual wellness.
My niece and nephew are getting a cardboard castle, dragon cutout, swords, shields, helmets and crowns from me. It cost me 3 hours and zero dollars, and I would say it's far closer to the spirit of the season than the abundance of plastic shit they will open for the holiday, so many plastic shit gifts that they will increasingly bored with each one and rush to open another as the thrill fades.
Just loving this time, these days, so much (plus it's raining in LA, woohoo! Yes, it's sad we celebrate that here) and the goodwill I've witnessed from fellow fans and strangers alike.
LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
Years pass, I'm married, I have kids. And there is nothing in the world like being a parent and watching your kid wake up on Christmas morning. And that look in their eyes as they walk to the living room knowing that Santa's been here. They're too old now to believe in Santa, but it's still nice to be together.
Yeah, it sounds corny, but I love it.
Late-chiming E?
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