Christmas on a 1-10 Scale of Dumbness

Enkidu

hedonist said:

JWPearl said:

hedonist said:

I like jam and food gifts

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.

hedonist

Yes, E - the original black and white. It's sacrilegious (ha!) to have colored that - same goes for It's a Wonderful Life.

JWP, I celebrate the spirit and the time and atmosphere, all of that...but the holiday itself? Nope.

SD48277

hedonist said:

Yes, E - the original black and white. It's sacrilegious (ha!) to have colored that - same goes for It's a Wonderful Life.

Agreed.

hedonist

I had to look up how to spell sacrilegious. You'd think it'd be sacreligious but noooo.

(sack religion has a certain je ne sais quoi to it though :whistle: )

rollings

hello this is Richard dreyfdreyfus

rollings

JjUST KIDDI G!!!

rollings

HughFreakingDillon said:

jnimhaoileoin said:

Smellyman said:

jnimhaoileoin said:

Christmas is magic, embrace it

How so?

hedonist said:

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?

hedonist

rollings, you're missing an N up there

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!

rollings

i need a hard drive real quick around here . .

hedonist

That's what she --- ah, never mind

PJ_Soul

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

mrussel1

PJ_Soul said:

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

I have three kids... 17, 14, 7. The older ones no longer believe. They both figured it out in 2nd or 3rd grade. The 7 year old believes. And it's totally harmless. My older ones have nerver talked about being damaged and they are careful not to say anything to spoil it for the 7 year old. Who cares. No one's been angry at us for perpetuating the myth. Let them believe. Life is hard. let them be young, innocent and believe in magic as long as possible.

rgambs

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

I have three kids... 17, 14, 7. The older ones no longer believe. They both figured it out in 2nd or 3rd grade. The 7 year old believes. And it's totally harmless. My older ones have nerver talked about being damaged and they are careful not to say anything to spoil it for the 7 year old. Who cares. No one's been angry at us for perpetuating the myth. Let them believe. Life is hard. let them be young, innocent and believe in magic as long as possible.

The longer they believe, they harder it is to learn the truth. I spoiled it for a girl in grade school and she cried...for days lol. If I ran into her today she would probably jokingly call me a dick, she always held it against me.

mrussel1

rgambs said:

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

I have three kids... 17, 14, 7. The older ones no longer believe. They both figured it out in 2nd or 3rd grade. The 7 year old believes. And it's totally harmless. My older ones have nerver talked about being damaged and they are careful not to say anything to spoil it for the 7 year old. Who cares. No one's been angry at us for perpetuating the myth. Let them believe. Life is hard. let them be young, innocent and believe in magic as long as possible.

The longer they believe, they harder it is to learn the truth. I spoiled it for a girl in grade school and she cried...for days lol. If I ran into her today she would probably jokingly call me a dick, she always held it against me.

Lots of kids have stories of other kids spoiling it for them. It happens. I figured it out when I noticed that my mom and Santa had the same crappy writing. I like Christmas for lots of reasons. On 1-10 for dumbness (presumably 10 being the most dumb), I'd give it a 2... at worst.

ldent42

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

I have three kids... 17, 14, 7. The older ones no longer believe. They both figured it out in 2nd or 3rd grade. The 7 year old believes. And it's totally harmless. My older ones have nerver talked about being damaged and they are careful not to say anything to spoil it for the 7 year old. Who cares. No one's been angry at us for perpetuating the myth. Let them believe. Life is hard. let them be young, innocent and believe in magic as long as possible.

Well said. I figured it out around 7-8 years old as well, for the stupidest reason. Frankly, I think I figured it out too young. I can understand the "damages their trust" argument but I happen to firmly believe in imagination for kids, cuz I think it helps with creative thinking.
Pro tip: if you're telling the kids that Santa comes in through the fire escape, don't put the tree in front of the window blocking the fire escape do that he can't get in without knocking the tree over! Also maybe don't block the only fire exit just because?

PJ_Soul

ldent42 said:

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

I have three kids... 17, 14, 7. The older ones no longer believe. They both figured it out in 2nd or 3rd grade. The 7 year old believes. And it's totally harmless. My older ones have nerver talked about being damaged and they are careful not to say anything to spoil it for the 7 year old. Who cares. No one's been angry at us for perpetuating the myth. Let them believe. Life is hard. let them be young, innocent and believe in magic as long as possible.

Well said. I figured it out around 7-8 years old as well, for the stupidest reason. Frankly, I think I figured it out too young. I can understand the "damages their trust" argument but I happen to firmly believe in imagination for kids, cuz I think it helps with creative thinking.
Pro tip: if you're telling the kids that Santa comes in through the fire escape, don't put the tree in front of the window blocking the fire escape do that he can't get in without knocking the tree over! Also maybe don't block the only fire exit just because?

I firmly believe in imagination for kids too. I can't tell you how many times I have been accused of shit like not having any imagination because of my views on Santa in particular. A lot of people think I have a lump of coal for a heart just because I think making children believe that the story of Santa is true by piling lies upon lies for years on end is stupid. I have been accused of being dead inside for not liking the Santa myth. It's ridiculous, and to me that reaction is what shows a lack of imagination. No offense Ident - not saying you are accusing me of this. I just actually think it takes more imagination to enjoy the story of Santa when you know it's fantasy than it does to believe it as true fact. Make believe and pretend is as imaginitive and creative as it gets. Making Santa real requires neither of those things. Kids being spoonfed lies isn't them using their imagination or creativity at all as far as I'm concerned. Frankly, I think it takes more creativity (and intelligence) for a kid to consider the Santa story and piece together that the whole story makes no sense whatsoever.
(Sorry if I sound pissy, lol. It's not directed at you guys at all... I've just been attacked as someone lacking imagination so many times on this over the years, and it's frustrating as hell because it's so far off base and I consider it a huge insult, so am sensitive about the suggestion!)

ldent42

PJ_Soul said:

ldent42 said:

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

I have three kids... 17, 14, 7. The older ones no longer believe. They both figured it out in 2nd or 3rd grade. The 7 year old believes. And it's totally harmless. My older ones have nerver talked about being damaged and they are careful not to say anything to spoil it for the 7 year old. Who cares. No one's been angry at us for perpetuating the myth. Let them believe. Life is hard. let them be young, innocent and believe in magic as long as possible.

Well said. I figured it out around 7-8 years old as well, for the stupidest reason. Frankly, I think I figured it out too young. I can understand the "damages their trust" argument but I happen to firmly believe in imagination for kids, cuz I think it helps with creative thinking.
Pro tip: if you're telling the kids that Santa comes in through the fire escape, don't put the tree in front of the window blocking the fire escape do that he can't get in without knocking the tree over! Also maybe don't block the only fire exit just because?

I firmly believe in imagination for kids too. I can't tell you how many times I have been accused of shit like not having any imagination because of my views on Santa in particular. A lot of people think I have a lump of coal for a heart just because I think making children believe that the story of Santa is true by piling lies upon lies for years on end is stupid. I have been accused of being dead inside for not liking the Santa myth. It's ridiculous, and to me that reaction is what shows a lack of imagination. No offense Ident. I just actually think it takes more imagination to enjoy the story of Santa when you know it's fantasy than it does to believe it as true fact. Make believe and pretend is as imaginitive and creative as it gets. Making Santa real requires neither of those things. Kids being spoonfed lies isn't them using their imagination or creativity at all as far as I'm concerned. Frankly, I think it takes more creativity (and intelligence) for a kid to consider the Santa story and piece together that the whole story makes no sense whatsoever.
(Sorry if I sound pissy, lol. It's not directed at you guys at all... I've just been attacked as someone lacking imagination so any times on this over the years, and it's frustrating as hell because it's so far off base and I consider it a huge insult, so am sensitive about the suggestion!)

yea dude you sound properly traumatized.
But what are your thoughts on blocking the fire escape window with the christmas tree, which is the bigger issue here, really :hug:

Smellyman

believe in Santa until told

ldent42 said:

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

I think actually convincing children that Santa is truly real is super stupid. What a massive lie. Yes yes, I understand the magical argument, creating winder for kids, etc... but i think this huge fabrication about Santa takes it way too far. I think keeping the Santa story a STORY is totally adequate. Children love fairy tales, and I think Sana should be kept a fairy tale. Just make it fun for kids to pretend Santa is real. Make believe is magic enough IMO.
Hank god my parents never tried to make me believe in Santa for real.... how many fucking lies does one have to tell to convince an otherwise reasonable and intelligent child who is getting older year after year that Santa is actually possible?? A LOT of lies. Along with a good dose of brainwashing. I would have been furious at my parents if they'd done that to me. It would have made me feel like a total idiot.

I have three kids... 17, 14, 7. The older ones no longer believe. They both figured it out in 2nd or 3rd grade. The 7 year old believes. And it's totally harmless. My older ones have nerver talked about being damaged and they are careful not to say anything to spoil it for the 7 year old. Who cares. No one's been angry at us for perpetuating the myth. Let them believe. Life is hard. let them be young, innocent and believe in magic as long as possible.

Well said. I figured it out around 7-8 years old as well, for the stupidest reason. Frankly, I think I figured it out too young. I can understand the "damages their trust" argument but I happen to firmly believe in imagination for kids, cuz I think it helps with creative thinking.
Pro tip: if you're telling the kids that Santa comes in through the fire escape, don't put the tree in front of the window blocking the fire escape do that he can't get in without knocking the tree over! Also maybe don't block the only fire exit just because?

I figured it out early too....about the same time as I figured out church, religion and Jesus

PJ_Soul

Oh, I'm all for it. Forces the kids to use their imaginations when trying to escape!

jnimhaoileoin

Well this thread is making me even more depressed than I already was...