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.
What's funny is I know some very religious people that feel the same way you do and act on it. No Santa for the kids.
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.
Yeah, it sounds corny, but I love it.
Good stuff and enjoyed all those wonderful memories.
We might get snow for Christmas. That would be cool! This latest storm has been awesome. Yesterday morning our rainfall to date was at 70.4 percent of normal which is better than last year but this morning it is even better- we are at 93.4 percent of normal with light rain still coming down!
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
We might get snow for Christmas. That would be cool! This latest storm has been awesome. Yesterday morning our rainfall to date was at 70.4 percent of normal which is better than last year but this morning it is even better- we are at 93.4 percent of normal with light rain still coming down!
So happy for you.
Almost complained about it raining other day. Then remembered being in drought.
We might get snow for Christmas. That would be cool! This latest storm has been awesome. Yesterday morning our rainfall to date was at 70.4 percent of normal which is better than last year but this morning it is even better- we are at 93.4 percent of normal with light rain still coming down!
We are supposed to be in the upper 60's for Christmas!!
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").
Late-chiming E?
Best. Guest. EVER! Aw Hedo you sweetheart. I am a big fan of delegating lol
We might get snow for Christmas. That would be cool! This latest storm has been awesome. Yesterday morning our rainfall to date was at 70.4 percent of normal which is better than last year but this morning it is even better- we are at 93.4 percent of normal with light rain still coming down!
I saw there was a blizzard in Mammoth so that's good!!! Need that snow up in them mountains!
I've had several work emails lately in which people wished me a Merry Christmas, and I them. And no one took offense. It's more the wishes behind the words than the words themselves.
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.
I'll let you know if this holds true tonight at the mall as I begin my xmas shopping. I find people are so miserable and stressed out at this time of year.
I noticed that I responded to this thread a long time ago, and I said how much I loved it now that I have kids. Well, my kids are a bit older, and a bit more interested in what they get. I don't like that road. I actually dislike lying to them about a fictional being that brings them gifts. who wouldn't wonder why they don't get what they want if he makes the toys from scratch and doesn't have to buy anything? of course that would be hard to understand as a kid, and adults chalk it up to greed, when it really isn't. it's called being misled. "why did my best friend get an ipod and I only got a doll". it's a legitimate question from a kid that age. it doesn't seem fair until you realize who is behind it.
I hate the mass consumerism aspect of it as well. I don't need anything either. I have forced my family's hand to only do a "pick one name" gift exchange, so we aren't all getting each other a load of shit and then stressing about the visa bill in January. I'd rather save up to take my kids on a vacation than get my sister-in-law something she'll just end up returning anyway. But even the one gift.......don't need it.
I don't want to make a list of things I want. It makes me feel greedy. Dammit. Just thought of something. Should have asked for a donation to a charity in my name. Dammit. Next year.
I'm with whomever said making stuff is the best. consumables. jams, casseroles, etc. that's the spirit. my 6 year old daughter cried that she couldn't buy her mom something. I told her that her mom loves it when she makes something for her. I hate that society is teaching her at such a young age that it's not worth anything if it isn't purchased. And I say "society", because those aren't our values.
My wife's side does a $30 gift stealing game. it has turned into nothing but 8 people stealing gift cards or bottles of whiskey. no one puts any thought into it anymore. what's the point?
I just came back to this thread to say I'm sick of all the damn spammy emails - "Ship overnight for $19.95!" Craziness. And I agree with Hugh, making stuff is the best. Silly stuff. Stuff that has meaning. I love it when people make cookies or jam.
My kids are older now - I got 2 of these for Christmas this year. We're going to make sure our daughter opens hers first and we've hidden the one for my son at the back of the tree. (He'll think it's hilarious. We hope.)
I just came back to this thread to say I'm sick of all the damn spammy emails - "Ship overnight for $19.95!" Craziness. And I agree with Hugh, making stuff is the best. Silly stuff. Stuff that has meaning. I love it when people make cookies or jam.
My kids are older now - I got 2 of these for Christmas this year. We're going to make sure our daughter opens hers first and we've hidden the one for my son at the back of the tree. (He'll think it's hilarious. We hope.)
I have found that people appreciate pickles the most for some reason lol
E, the ribbon idea is hilarious (as is the box cover).
Hugh, I get what you're saying. I wasn't raised with Santa or the typical Christmas gift-giving, so from that side, it's hard to imagine it from a kid's perspective, let alone a parent's. Definitely do the charity thing next year!
E, the ribbon idea is hilarious (as is the box cover).
Hugh, I get what you're saying. I wasn't raised with Santa or the typical Christmas gift-giving, so from that side, it's hard to imagine it from a kid's perspective, let alone a parent's. Definitely do the charity thing next year!
why were you not raised with santa ?? neither was i this year im staying with mum over the holidays and she loves jam too and so do i but only as a condiment occasionally its trustworthy stuff thats all..
E, the ribbon idea is hilarious (as is the box cover).
Hugh, I get what you're saying. I wasn't raised with Santa or the typical Christmas gift-giving, so from that side, it's hard to imagine it from a kid's perspective, let alone a parent's. Definitely do the charity thing next year!
why were you not raised with santa ?? neither was i this year im staying with mum over the holidays and she loves jam too and so do i but only as a condiment occasionally its trustworthy stuff thats all..
I was raised Jewish.
Still a sucker for the original Miracle on 34th Street though!
E, the ribbon idea is hilarious (as is the box cover).
Hugh, I get what you're saying. I wasn't raised with Santa or the typical Christmas gift-giving, so from that side, it's hard to imagine it from a kid's perspective, let alone a parent's. Definitely do the charity thing next year!
why were you not raised with santa ?? neither was i this year im staying with mum over the holidays and she loves jam too and so do i but only as a condiment occasionally its trustworthy stuff thats all..
I was raised Jewish.
Still a sucker for the original Miracle on 34th Street though!
E, the ribbon idea is hilarious (as is the box cover).
Hugh, I get what you're saying. I wasn't raised with Santa or the typical Christmas gift-giving, so from that side, it's hard to imagine it from a kid's perspective, let alone a parent's. Definitely do the charity thing next year!
why were you not raised with santa ?? neither was i this year im staying with mum over the holidays and she loves jam too and so do i but only as a condiment occasionally its trustworthy stuff thats all..
I was raised Jewish.
Still a sucker for the original Miracle on 34th Street though!
The non-colorized version, I hope. Natalie Wood's face when she sees Santa speaking Dutch (is it Dutch?) - that kills me every 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.
I'll let you know if this holds true tonight at the mall as I begin my xmas shopping. I find people are so miserable and stressed out at this time of year.
I noticed that I responded to this thread a long time ago, and I said how much I loved it now that I have kids. Well, my kids are a bit older, and a bit more interested in what they get. I don't like that road. I actually dislike lying to them about a fictional being that brings them gifts. who wouldn't wonder why they don't get what they want if he makes the toys from scratch and doesn't have to buy anything? of course that would be hard to understand as a kid, and adults chalk it up to greed, when it really isn't. it's called being misled. "why did my best friend get an ipod and I only got a doll". it's a legitimate question from a kid that age. it doesn't seem fair until you realize who is behind it.
I hate the mass consumerism aspect of it as well. I don't need anything either. I have forced my family's hand to only do a "pick one name" gift exchange, so we aren't all getting each other a load of shit and then stressing about the visa bill in January. I'd rather save up to take my kids on a vacation than get my sister-in-law something she'll just end up returning anyway. But even the one gift.......don't need it.
I don't want to make a list of things I want. It makes me feel greedy. Dammit. Just thought of something. Should have asked for a donation to a charity in my name. Dammit. Next year.
I'm with whomever said making stuff is the best. consumables. jams, casseroles, etc. that's the spirit. my 6 year old daughter cried that she couldn't buy her mom something. I told her that her mom loves it when she makes something for her. I hate that society is teaching her at such a young age that it's not worth anything if it isn't purchased. And I say "society", because those aren't our values.
My wife's side does a $30 gift stealing game. it has turned into nothing but 8 people stealing gift cards or bottles of whiskey. no one puts any thought into it anymore. what's the point?
Comments
Almost complained about it raining other day. Then remembered being in drought.
LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
true fact
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
good fucking shit
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Ho Ho Ho!
I noticed that I responded to this thread a long time ago, and I said how much I loved it now that I have kids. Well, my kids are a bit older, and a bit more interested in what they get. I don't like that road. I actually dislike lying to them about a fictional being that brings them gifts. who wouldn't wonder why they don't get what they want if he makes the toys from scratch and doesn't have to buy anything? of course that would be hard to understand as a kid, and adults chalk it up to greed, when it really isn't. it's called being misled. "why did my best friend get an ipod and I only got a doll". it's a legitimate question from a kid that age. it doesn't seem fair until you realize who is behind it.
I hate the mass consumerism aspect of it as well. I don't need anything either. I have forced my family's hand to only do a "pick one name" gift exchange, so we aren't all getting each other a load of shit and then stressing about the visa bill in January. I'd rather save up to take my kids on a vacation than get my sister-in-law something she'll just end up returning anyway. But even the one gift.......don't need it.
I don't want to make a list of things I want. It makes me feel greedy. Dammit. Just thought of something. Should have asked for a donation to a charity in my name. Dammit. Next year.
I'm with whomever said making stuff is the best. consumables. jams, casseroles, etc. that's the spirit. my 6 year old daughter cried that she couldn't buy her mom something. I told her that her mom loves it when she makes something for her. I hate that society is teaching her at such a young age that it's not worth anything if it isn't purchased. And I say "society", because those aren't our values.
My wife's side does a $30 gift stealing game. it has turned into nothing but 8 people stealing gift cards or bottles of whiskey. no one puts any thought into it anymore. what's the point?
www.headstonesband.com
My kids are older now - I got 2 of these for Christmas this year. We're going to make sure our daughter opens hers first and we've hidden the one for my son at the back of the tree. (He'll think it's hilarious. We hope.)
E, the ribbon idea is hilarious (as is the box cover).
Hugh, I get what you're saying. I wasn't raised with Santa or the typical Christmas gift-giving, so from that side, it's hard to imagine it from a kid's perspective, let alone a parent's. Definitely do the charity thing next year!
neither was i
this year im staying with mum over the holidays
and she loves jam too and so do i but only
as a condiment occasionally its trustworthy
stuff thats all..
Still a sucker for the original Miracle on 34th Street though!
JWP, I celebrate the spirit and the time and atmosphere, all of that...but the holiday itself? Nope.
(sack religion has a certain je ne sais quoi to it though
Dreyfuss was great in Jaws, Goodbye Girl and Whose Life is it Anyway (not necessarily in that order).
Actually, I liked him in most roles except when he did coke and had a car accident. Not cool, Dreyfuss!