Christmas on a 1-10 Scale of Dumbness

hedonist

jnimhaoileoin said:

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

Aw Jenny. I hope that feeling passes and your holiday is as happy as you hope it to be

mrussel1

I like Christmas.. It also gives me a reason to spin my Charlie Brown Christmas green vinyl.. which is just a beautiful jazz record.

2-feign-reluctance

10 - Christmas is awesome! My little girl will be 3 years old next spring and watching her get more excited about it has been an overwhelming and unexpected joy I'd not felt before she came into this world.

hedonist

Well these last two posts made me smile!

Bentleyspop

The only reason I like christmas is December 26th.

Winter gear goes on sale
And
Chocolate is 1/2 price!!

chadwick

christmas kicks ass
i would not mind at all if christmas lights were up all year

there's a pile of christmas lights hanging from someone's house in a tangled mess, i'd guess something like 200 feet of lights is in this glob of shit just dangling there. now that is cool looking in the dark

PJ_Soul

Wouldn't it be cool f every single person loving in every single high rise apartment building put up Christmas lights, no matter what religion and no matter how cranky otherwise? I think that would look soooo cool.

hedonist

PJ_Soul said:

Wouldn't it be cool f every single person loving in every single high rise apartment building put up Christmas lights, no matter what religion and no matter how cranky otherwise? I think that would look soooo cool.

Oh I would love that!

There's a condo across from us with a tree in the window and it's just so pretty. Our by-laws prohibit lights on the balcony, railing, etc. but inside, hell yeah!

Of course, there are the cats and their potential damage to said year-round lights to consider

rgambs

PJ_Soul said:

Wouldn't it be cool f every single person loving in every single high rise apartment building put up Christmas lights, no matter what religion and no matter how cranky otherwise? I think that would look soooo cool.

Typically Mother Nature decorates for us, but this year we are still doing yard work in shorts! Crazy.

hedonist

Full moon this Christmas should look gorgeous on snow-fallen ground, gambo.

rgambs

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1724714204421007&set=a.1605153993043696.1073741831.100006473325896&type=3&src=https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10418229_1724714204421007_5658110549765881740_n.jpg?oh=910e29fd866b63807e0da0440b307f32&oe=56D4FB9C&size=960,540

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1790266637865763&set=a.1605153993043696.1073741831.100006473325896&type=3&src=https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/11021100_1790266637865763_329634742150338914_n.jpg?oh=3fbe6701db869acc45dba2e253f3170a&oe=5717A2CE&size=960,540

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1942804242612001&set=a.1605153993043696.1073741831.100006473325896&type=3&src=https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12348010_1942804242612001_8153541503016889623_n.jpg?oh=34bb467dfccfa5f6d9ea61de920571f6&oe=56D8FE7B&size=960,904

Merry Christmas everyone, may your glasses, bowls, glass bowls, bellies and hearts be full!!

rgambs

hedonist said:

Full moon this Christmas should look gorgeous on snow-fallen ground, gambo.

It's one of my favorite sights, but we haven't had snow yet this year!

hedonist

That first shot was just beautiful, gambo! Other two wouldn't load for me.

Still, no snow but full moon? Should be nice, no matter

rgambs

hedonist said:

That first shot was just beautiful, gambo! Other two wouldn't load for me.

Still, no snow but full moon? Should be nice, no matter

Yeah, I don't know what the chit is happening... Might as well try again!


https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1942804242612001&id=100006473325896&set=rpd.100006473325896&source=49&refid=17

hedonist

Ain't working, brother!

JUST A GIRL

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 - 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!)

Good lord.

I never understood who might actually complain about the Starbucks coffee cups.

Now I think I do

mcgruff10

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 - 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!)

Just wondering, do you have kids? I think christmas changes completely when you have your own kids.

PJ_Soul

JUST A GIRL said:

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 - 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!)

Good lord.

I never understood who might actually complain about the Starbucks coffee cups.

Now I think I do

I guess not? Certainly not me. And that is exactly the kind of unimaginative, boring response to what I'm saying that I was complaining about. I would expect nothing else for you.

PJ_Soul

mcgruff10 said:

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 - 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!)

Just wondering, do you have kids? I think christmas changes completely when you have your own kids.

I don't (and don't intend to), but I have many kids close to me in my life, including a niece and nephew. Not sure what that has to do it anything though, since I was raised this way myself, so I do know what the options are. Imparting this idea on kids is not impossible or unrealistic, and certainly not something that ruins Christmas. I loved Christmas as much as the next kid when I was young, and parents and relatives don't have to lie to me for that to be possible.

mcgruff10

PJ_Soul said:

mcgruff10 said:

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 - 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!)

Just wondering, do you have kids? I think christmas changes completely when you have your own kids.

I don't but have many kids close to me in my life, including a niece and nephew. Not sure what that has to do it anything though, since I was raised this way myself, so I do know what the options are. Imparting this idea on kids is not impossible or unrealistic, and certainly not something that ruins Christmas. I loved Christmas as much as the next kid when I was young.

I think if you had your own kids you would change your opinion on christmas.