So this is Christmas?

he still standshe still stands Posts: 2,835
edited December 2006 in A Moving Train
Its not like I'm ultra-religious or anything... but this is sickening. We're all just appendices in the process of production and consumption. People don't even know why we put up a tree, or the significance of the star on top of the tree, etc, etc. When I was walking around the mall last night I envisioned myself getting sick because people (who look like they make about $10K/year) are buying thousands of dollars worth of shit they don't need... and they'll spend all next year working to pay off their debt for this shit they don't need... and since everyone is so blind to the stupidity of it all it makes me fucking ill.

I'm very close to disassociating myself with society. I just don't have the balls to do it.

Merry Christmas.
Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Its not like I'm ultra-religious or anything... but this is sickening. We're all just appendices in the process of production and consumption. People don't even know why we put up a tree, or the significance of the star on top of the tree, etc, etc. When I was walking around the mall last night I envisioned myself getting sick because people (who look like they make about $10K/year) are buying thousands of dollars worth of shit they don't need... and they'll spend all next year working to pay off their debt for this shit they don't need... and since everyone is so blind to the stupidity of it all it makes me fucking ill.

    I'm very close to disassociating myself with society. I just don't have the balls to do it.

    Merry Christmas.

    Yep - the commercialism of Christmas is disgusting. I stopped participating several years ago.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • qtegirlqtegirl Posts: 321
    I'm not going to get into a whole debate about the christmas spirit. But I do buy presents during christmas for the people that I love. I try not to buy them useless shit that they don't need. I try to focus on things that they've expressed would make their lives better.

    Also, waiting for christmas time to buy things that I need (like a new pair of black shoes) is just sound economics.

    So, you might've seen me at the mall too. Don't judge all of us the same.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,447
    qtegirl wrote:
    I'm not going to get into a whole debate about the christmas spirit. But I do buy presents during christmas for the people that I love. I try not to buy them useless shit that they don't need. I try to focus on things that they've expressed would make their lives better.

    Also, waiting for christmas time to buy things that I need (like a new pair of black shoes) is just sound economics.

    So, you might've seen me at the mall too. Don't judge all of us the same.

    No shit. I enjoy buying thoughtful presents for my loved ones. I enjoy it when they love what I get them. I'm selfish but that's what I enjoy about christmas gift giving.

    I also enjoy they way my almost 80 year-old gramdmother always ends up getting me some if the most interesting, awesome presents ever. Every year. She doesn't spend much money and still ends up getting me the coolest stuff every year. I love that she thinks about me everyday all year so that she knows exactly what to get me come Christmas time. I don;t get to see her as often as I would like and I love the feeling of christmas.

    So take your anti-commercialism, megative, lokk at me I'm cool because I'm against the establishment attitude elsewher, ,m-kay?

    Merry Christmas.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • hsewifhsewif Posts: 444
    There was a woman on Letterman the other night... she was showing Dave some of the toys out this year.

    She stated that people will spend over 21 BILLION on toys this year and that figure doesn't include video games.

    Video game sales will exceed 25 BILLION dollars.

    It's just mind boggling....
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    hsewif wrote:
    There was a woman on Letterman the other night... she was showing Dave some of the toys out this year.

    She stated that people will spend over 21 BILLION on toys this year and that figure doesn't include video games.

    Video game sales will exceed 25 BILLION dollars.

    It's just mind boggling....

    But yet people all the time say that the GOVERNMENT needs to do more to help the poor, etc. Perhaps they need to put their money where their mouths are.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • I guess the gift-giving tradition is synonymous with the three gifts the three kings of orient gave to baby jesus. Maybe people should just give each other gold, frankinscence and myrhh type things instead of the usual tat. That way at least people will remember what its supposed to be about!
    "We have to change the concept of patriotism to one of “matriotism” — love of humanity that transcends war. A matriarch would never send her own children off to wars that kill other people’s children." Cindy Sheehan
    ---
    London, Brixton, 14 July 1993
    London, Wembley, 1996
    London, Wembley, 18 June 2007
    London, O2, 18 August 2009
    London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 31 July 2012
    Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 July 2014
    London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 06 June 2017
    London, O2, 18 June 2018
    London, O2, 17 July 2018
    Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 09 June 2019
    Amsterdam, Afas Live (Ed solo), 10 June 2019



  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    As I get older I find I differentiate more between the secular parts surrounding Christmas and the religious aspects of Christmas. I'm more private about the religious celebrations but they are more prominent.

    The secular gift giving I try not to get too caught up in, though the going out for drinks and get togethers with friends are fun and fully endorsed. I try to keep the gift givign with friends to "here's a shooter/beer for you" or "I got his/her number for you". These gifts seem to go over well.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • I work part-time at Macy's, which took over Marshall Field's to my regret, and I've never seen such whoring of Christmas in all my life.

    As I have been studying Buddhism for a year and a half now, I am scaling back on all the pomp and bs of christmas/holiday seasons, but I have 6 nieces and nephews and I do look forward to buying them small token gifts that they can use and have fun with. I find myself baking more goods for other family members instead of buying.

    Basically, I'm not one of those people who are going into debt to give people material bullshit for Christmas. I send out cards to those faraway and that's the extent of it.

    I look at all the fools coming into the store spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on shit and lining the pockets of Mr. Macys and the other stores.

    My advice is just look at it for what it is, consumerism at absurd levels and just don't be a part of it. I'm certainly not letting these fools bother me.
    ~*~Me and Hippiemom dranketh the red wine in Cleveland 2003~*~

    First PJ Show: March 20, 1994 | Ann Arbor | Crisler Arena
  • cornnifercornnifer Posts: 2,130
    i totally agree that Christmas has been waaay to commercialized and would probably prefer to just duck out of it, but, with three small boys, its simply not an option.
    "When all your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse... better find yourself a place to level out."
  • kenny olavkenny olav Posts: 3,319
    I'm very close to disassociating myself with society.

    Your hippie commune awaits!
  • just finally figuring this out?
    Its not like I'm ultra-religious or anything... but this is sickening. We're all just appendices in the process of production and consumption. People don't even know why we put up a tree, or the significance of the star on top of the tree, etc, etc. When I was walking around the mall last night I envisioned myself getting sick because people (who look like they make about $10K/year) are buying thousands of dollars worth of shit they don't need... and they'll spend all next year working to pay off their debt for this shit they don't need... and since everyone is so blind to the stupidity of it all it makes me fucking ill.

    I'm very close to disassociating myself with society. I just don't have the balls to do it.

    Merry Christmas.
    I'll dig a tunnel
    from my window to yours
  • just finally figuring this out?

    that is an absurdely insightful and value-adding comment to this thread.

    fuck you very much.
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • Urban HikerUrban Hiker Posts: 1,312
    know1 wrote:
    Yep - the commercialism of Christmas is disgusting. I stopped participating several years ago.

    This year I finally bowed out of the gift exchange competition. It feels totally liberating.

    I say "What, isn't my smiling face gift enough!" :D

    Although, some of my family takes offence to me not spending my bill money on gifts for them (okay, this year I was spending my extra cash on a trip to Hawaii instead of gifts for them), I imagine that over the years they'll just get used to it.
    Walking can be a real trip
    ***********************
    "We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
    ***********************
    Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    This year I finally bowed out of the gift exchange competition. It feels totally liberating.

    I say "What, isn't my smiling face gift enough!" :D

    Although, some of my family takes offence to me not spending my bill money on gifts for them (okay, this year I was spending my extra cash on a trip to Hawaii instead of gifts for them), I imagine that over the years they'll just get used to it.

    Didn't anyone tell you that Christmas is about giving, not receiving? Commercialism aside, it's not just about giving material gifts, but about thinking about loved ones and giving the best of oneself. I see that you love yourself very much, and have cut your family off. Priorities, priorities...
  • Urban HikerUrban Hiker Posts: 1,312
    Jeanwah wrote:
    Didn't anyone tell you that Christmas is about giving, not receiving? Commercialism aside, it's not just about giving material gifts, but about thinking about loved ones and giving the best of oneself. I see that you love yourself very much, and have cut your family off. Priorities, priorities...

    So it would seem, but...

    Hawaii was a fluke. I received a retro pay check right when the concert was announced. The concert fell right around my & my husband's birthdays.

    Really, I've wanted out of the family gift exchange frenzy for quite some time. Hawaii gave me an easy excuse this year.

    A little bit about the gift exchange - it is a competition. Maybe you would have to be there to see it, but it is a frenzy and there are people taking score. We get to find out who is that years favorite by how many gifts they receive. How's that for Christmas spirit?

    I have expressed my concern and asked to have things given to charity, etc. The family won't have it. They love the "excitement" of the gift exchange. To me they are celebrating the commercial side of the season & nothing more.
    Walking can be a real trip
    ***********************
    "We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
    ***********************
    Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
  • hsewifhsewif Posts: 444
    So it would seem, but...

    Hawaii was a fluke. I received a retro pay check right when the concert was announced. The concert fell right around my & my husband's birthdays.

    Really, I've wanted out of the family gift exchange frenzy for quite some time. Hawaii gave me an easy excuse this year.

    A little bit about the gift exchange - it is a competition. Maybe you would have to be there to see it, but it is a frenzy and there are people taking score. We get to find out who is that years favorite by how many gifts they receive. How's that for Christmas spirit?

    I have expressed my concern and asked to have things given to charity, etc. The family won't have it. They love the "excitement" of the gift exchange. To me they are celebrating the commercial side of the season & nothing more.

    You don't owe anyone an explanation.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours.
  • christmas is about the birth of jesus christ and nothing more.

    Kind of a shame that gift giving has taken precedent over sacrifice.
    All I know is that to see, and not to speak, would be the great betrayal.
    -Enoch Powell
  • I love Christmas, and I'm not even Christian. I'm in it for the presents, and not the Jesus.
    "So, you must really love Led Zeppelin. That’s the oldest shirt I’ve ever seen on someone who wasn’t a bum."
    "Hey, if God didn’t want me to wear it so much, he wouldn’t have made them rock so hard."
  • I like giving people stuff. Its cool and fun.

    I think everyone stresses way too much though.

    Chill out people.
    They're gonna tell you where to walk
    When to smile and just what to say
    They say have your own fun...

    Need vinyl, doggs.
  • drivingrldrivingrl Posts: 1,448
    know1 wrote:
    But yet people all the time say that the GOVERNMENT needs to do more to help the poor, etc. Perhaps they need to put their money where their mouths are.

    Word.

    At this point, I welcome Christmas as a reason to take off from work and visit my family and friends. As far as the commericalism? Don't get me started - my birthday is within a week of Christmas.
    drivingrl: "Will I ever get to meet Gwen Stefani?"
    kevinbeetle: "Yes. When her career washes up and her and Gavin move to Galveston, you will meet her at Hot Topic shopping for a Japanese cheerleader outfit.

    Next!"
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