What are some things you dislike about the holiday season?

[Akathist]

Here is a place to vent about the things you find annoying or negative about the holiday season.

[Akathist]

I will go first. I absolutely hate shopping during this season. I hate the crowds, but I also hate the news stories about people being physically hurt by crowds rushing and literally walking over others to get to the things on sale the day after Thanksgiving.

[EricTheRed]

I hate how christmas is not a christian holiday anymore.

[Maximus]

I really dislike all the gift-giving pressure and how even those of us who can ill afford it must spend a lot of money or be thought selfish.

If I had my way, no one over the age of 12 would be eligible for a Christmas present unless he or she is homeless or ill or in a nursing home.

That is why I like Thanksgiving so much. We just get together to eat and drink. Not a lot of pressure.

[GlendaJoanne]

I don't like the crowds.. or the way Christ has been taken out of Christmas in so many ways..

[gzt]

I agree with Maximus. Though if you really feel like getting somebody a gift, go ahead. Otherwise, it's http://www.buynothingchristmas.org for me. Gifts should be just that: gifts. Voluntarily given of one's own free will.

[Akathist]

I really dislike all the gift-giving pressure and how even those of us who can ill afford it must spend a lot of money or be thought selfish.

If I had my way, no one over the age of 12 would be eligible for a Christmas present unless he or she is homeless or ill or in a nursing home.

That is why I like Thanksgiving so much. We just get together to eat and drink. Not a lot of pressure.

I agree with Maximus. Though if you really feel like getting somebody a gift, go ahead. Otherwise, it's http://www.buynothingchristmas.org (http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/) for me. Gifts should be just that: gifts. Voluntarily given of one's own free will.

My priest did a sermon on this last week. He said that really, when we buy for others who already have so much we are really buying for ourselves, we are buying the good impression of others for us... He went so far as to suggest that we ourselves are being selfish to buy for others... trying to win the approval of others. He called for us to increase our almsgiving instead.

I decided to challenge myself with this issue. I have decided to cut way way back on gifts. In fact, I am refusing to buy for my cousins children. They have way too much. And there is this pressure to buy for them. It is as if I would be a scrooge to refuse to buy them yet another toy for their already overwelmed toy collection.

Instead, I am giving to food banks and incrasing my gift to the church. (Our church really has some unmet needs right now, far more than my family members who already have too much.)

[Maximus]

My priest did a sermon on this last week. He said that really, when we buy for others who already have so much we are really buying for ourselves, we are buying the good impression of others for us... He went so far as to suggest that we ourselves are being selfish to buy for others... trying to win the approval of others. He called for us to increase our almsgiving instead.

I decided to challenge myself with this issue. I have decided to cut way way back on gifts. In fact, I am refusing to buy for my cousins children. They have way too much. And there is this pressure to buy for them. It is as if I would be a scrooge to refuse to buy them yet another toy for their already overwelmed toy collection.

Instead, I am giving to food banks and incrasing my gift to the church. (Our church really has some unmet needs right now, far more than my family members who already have too much.)

Wow, your priest is a wise man. Sounds like an excellent sermon. Very very true.

I like your ideas. We have already decided that most of the relatives are getting a box of candy and a card. Only the little kids get actual gifts.

Almsgiving is an excellent idea. That is the kind of gift-giving that Christmas should be all about.

It is interesting that the word Gift means poison in German.

[eoe]

News reports of people tampling others in order to save 10% on some stupid toy that will be played with for a week and then put into a closet.

1 - hurting someone to gain an advantage over them so that you can
2 - give less money (ie keep more for yourself) to get the an item so that
3 - a toy that is at best irrelevant and at worst psychologically damaging can
4 - be totally wasted sitting in a closet.

And then to take all of this and associate it with Christianity in a very public way.

It really makes me want to hurl.

[Tsarina]

I dont like how Christmas is so chermecialized now. Another way for the gov'nt to make more money.

I also dislike Santa, i think he smells funny and lies to all the children when he says he will give them gifts on Christmas day when he comes through the Chimney. :( Filthy liar Santa!

In addition, i also dont like people asking each other "how they are going to spend their holidays".. you always get the same responses that have nothing to do with the actuall Christmas.

I remember last year, a bunch of people gathered at an event i was at around Christmas time, and were asking each other.. "So what you doing this holiday".. Some replied they were going out of town to party, some were going shopping and others were going out drinking and clubbing. Only one person stood up and said, "I'm going to Church". I later learned that she was an Orthodox Christian, she sure did shut them up.

[Melethiel]

All the Christmas carols played over the speakers in stores, starting right after Thanksgiving. If I had my way, they'd be played ONLY during the 12 days of Christmas. As it is, by the time Christmas actually rolls around, I'm absolutely sick of it. As for gifts, we've pretty much avoided that in our household...we wait until the after-Christmas sales, and then splurge. ;)

Of course, we celebrate Advent in Church, but it's really quite impossible to get away from the idea that Christmas starts right after Thanksgiving in this commercialized culture.

[OnTheWay]

I honestly cannot stand the hyper-commericalized department store Christmas so many people chose to celebrate. It's odd to me that during a time of year when everyone is supposed to be joyful we have the highest rates of suicide.

It's maddening when going to Target for some toothpaste and a couple of household items is a trip that requires 90 minutes because of crowds. Western Christmas is rapidly becoming a holiday that is so unrecongizable as a Christian celebration anyone from Hindus to Buddhists are becoming comfortable celebrating it.

What's really depressing is going to Germany and seeing how the department store Christmas is gaining so much ground there. I'm hardly anywhere near approaching old, but every year we go I am reminded more and more of the Christmas here than the Christmas I remember as a younger child.

I find it so absurd to see family members spends literally thousands of dollars on uselss junk, most of it going on credit cards. So they can spend an entire year paying it back down just to turn around and do it again.

I do like to exchange gifts with people I care about, but the gifts need to be meaningful beyond the mere price of the gift.

[MrJim]

Hey, I pretty much hate everything about it. Best part about the "holidays" is when it's over and we can settle in and battle winter.

If I hear "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer" the radio again I fear I shall drive off the road.

The music, ugh, I once called the local Christian radio station. They used to taper in the Christmas music but one year, right after Thanksgiving, SLAM-100%. I called them on it and they said they have lots of variety. I told them that 18 versions of "Oh Holy Night" does not constitute variety.

Come on January!

[Akathist]

I hate "The little drummer boy" song.... dum dum dum dumb dumb dumb...........

[Matrona]

I hate nearly all Christmas carols just because they are so overplayed. The radio stations around here started playing 100% carols on November 4th!

I think presents are good to exchange, if only because in the US it helps the economy. But I really hate those perfunctory gifts like little bath sets and perfumes--they're so useless, and they say absolutely nothing about the recipient... except maybe "you stink" :D I'd rather have a plain text email expressing appreciation for my presence in a family member's life, than another piece of junk I don't need.

[OnTheWay]

I hate nearly all Christmas carols just because they are so overplayed. The radio stations around here started playing 100% carols on November 4th!

I think presents are good to exchange, if only because in the US it helps the economy. But I really hate those perfunctory gifts like little bath sets and perfumes--they're so useless, and they say absolutely nothing about the recipient... except maybe "you stink" :D I'd rather have a plain text email expressing appreciation for my presence in a family member's life, than another piece of junk I don't need.

It helps a sector of the economy, retail, for a breif boost in sales. However, sales in Jan, Feb, and March are so slow that it really only balances out.

[Theophorus]

eggnog.

but since my conversion I have been spared from that horror taking up space in my refrigerator.

[Tsarina]

I hate "The little drummer boy" song.... dum dum dum dumb dumb dumb...........

OMGOSH, I love that Drummer Boy Song! :D

[ufonium2]

It helps a sector of the economy, retail, for a breif boost in sales. However, sales in Jan, Feb, and March are so slow that it really only balances out.

I wouldn't say it balances out. I mean, my husband and I will probably spend $400 total on Christmas gifts this December. That money doesn't come from the "light bill" or "car payment" envelopes, but from the "Christmas junk" envelope, which only exists in December. So in January, we're still gonna pay the light bill, the car note, and buy toothpaste. We don't spend nearly as much money on gifts in Jan, Feb, and March, naturally, but we spend just as much on groceries, lights, gas, insurance, movies, etc. as we did in December.

My point is that I'd have to see some math to show that the decline in retail sales outside of the "Christmas junk" category in Jan, Feb, and March is significant (ie. people are buying less toothpaste, copy paper, etc.), and then that it is significant enough to negate the "Christmas junk" glut in November and December.

[Shubunkin]

everyone is right about the over-commercialization... but the very worst thing is .......**drum roll**

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my mother-in-law's cooking :P

[Tsarina]

^ Hey, atleast she tries to cook. I fail when i try to toast bread.

[OnTheWay]

I wouldn't say it balances out. I mean, my husband and I will probably spend $400 total on Christmas gifts this December. That money doesn't come from the "light bill" or "car payment" envelopes, but from the "Christmas junk" envelope, which only exists in December. So in January, we're still gonna pay the light bill, the car note, and buy toothpaste. We don't spend nearly as much money on gifts in Jan, Feb, and March, naturally, but we spend just as much on groceries, lights, gas, insurance, movies, etc. as we did in December.

My point is that I'd have to see some math to show that the decline in retail sales outside of the "Christmas junk" category in Jan, Feb, and March is significant (ie. people are buying less toothpaste, copy paper, etc.), and then that it is significant enough to negate the "Christmas junk" glut in November and December.

You have to think about this in terms of the whole economy. For one thing most people don't take a reasonable approach to holiday shopping. A huge part of the holiday shopping is going to go on credit cards. More or less money that people don't have yet. That money has to come from somewhere down the line. That leads to a great deal of reduction in sales of non-essential retail items.
Other sectors of the economy really get hammered. The service industry (restaurants, bars, hotels, ect.) really feel the pinch in slow sales. People still have to eat, however when the Visa bill is 400 dollars it means that they'll be eating at home instead of going out. Of course these areas got a nice boost at Christmas time as well, people eat out more during the holidays.
So no matter how you cut it with the way Americans spend during the 4th quarter the first quarter of the following year is going to be slow.
If there wasn't a huge shopping season in December the sales in the first quarter would simply be more stable.
If the retail industry generated higher paying jobs the economic spike might be greater, but the fact is most seasonal jobs are part time minimum wage jobs.
Thus we've simply fallen into a cycle in which retailers have to have the Christmas season to make up for their losses in the first quarter. As the US becomes ever more dependant on the service and retail sectors of the economy these fourth quarter highs and first quarter lows will become ever more destablizing for the economy. We are on the brink of reverting to a two class society.

[autumngirl]

Tsarina, your post about Santa Claus made me laugh!!! I hate it when the stores put up the Christmas decorations and it's Halloween. That really irks me. It seems to begin earlier and earlier every year. Soon we'll seem them during the summer!! LOL I hope not.
I also agree with Tsarina, Christmas has become so commercialized. It's terrible, it's become a money holiday .... other than those things, I really do love the holiday season.

[Akathist]

I always earn a lot less in December and January in my practice. People just don't have money that time of year. Because I don't get paid much, I can't pay my bills. I am putting off a needed car repair because of it, which is less profit for others, and of course, I am cutting other expenses this time of year too. I have been self employed for 5 years now and have learned how to handle it, but it is still rough.

This year will be the first that I really seriously cut back on gifts delieberately. (Two years ago I cut back because of a huge financial disaster that occured in mid December and I had to return gifts I had purchased.) But other than that one time, I have tried to purchase nice gifts for everyone.... and felt pressured to do so.

Did anyone notice my new siggy?

[Kassiane]

I really liked the idea of giving alms rather than the unneeded gifts out of pressure. But what about this? Might not get a good reaction, but then again, it might.... How about giving a card to people letting them know you've made a contribution to some worthy charity in their name!

Boy, I'm not really sure how that would go over, but it would be thought-provoking, wouldn't it?

You know, this frenzy of gift-giving is a relatively modern practice associated with Christmas? Sometime in the last 100 years, I think. Christmas used to be very similar to what we now celebrate as Thanksgiving, families and friends got together for a nice meal and togetherness.


Kassiane

[OnTheWay]

You know, this frenzy of gift-giving is a relatively modern practice associated with Christmas? Sometime in the last 100 years, I think. Christmas used to be very similar to what we now celebrate as Thanksgiving, families and friends got together for a nice meal and togetherness.

Well that's not entirely true either. Before the Victorian Christmas that we think about today Christmas was more like modern New Year's celebrations. It was really a very adult holiday. That's one of the reasons the Puritians hated Christmas with a firey passion.
As the western world become more childcentric we adapted a Victorian Christmas. More or less once a year when parents could spoil their children and not be thought bad parents. However, pre-Victorian Christmas celebrations weren't family friendly occassions generally speaking.

[Llauralin]

I really liked the idea of giving alms rather than the unneeded gifts out of pressure. But what about this? Might not get a good reaction, but then again, it might.... How about giving a card to people letting them know you've made a contribution to some worthy charity in their name!
To be honest, I would see that as a "look how holy I am" gesture, and be somewhat annoyed. Send a nice card saying something personal to the recipient, give to a worthy cause, and skip the rubbing it in peoples noses imo.

Anyway, I really rather like Christmas. But then I've never been pressured to go out and buy a bunch of junk either; this year people are getting all the stuff I made in ceramics class. :) Much of my decent clothing I have just now were Christmas or birthday gifts though, so I'm a bit partial to the gift-giving aspect. And I'm listening to TransSiberia Orchestra Christmas music while I type too...

Ah, Christmas... Family, gifts, trees, the Christmas eve service, and lighting the advent wreath each week, trying to bring a tumbleweed inside to decorate, hot drinks, caroling with little candles that keep going out, fires.... :thumbsup:

There are a lot of things I complain about, but this just isn't one of them.

[gzt]

yeah, telling people you donated something in their name just isn't cool. Either give them a gift or don't. If you give a gift, give it because you genuinely want to give them something and give them something that means something [either to them or to you].

[Prawnik]

You make a good point, OnTheWay, one that many people forget. True, Christmas causes people to spend money, which allegedly is an economic boost, but the fact is, you can only do two things with money - spend it or invest it. It's not as if money that has already been earned is going to go anywhere.

The amount of productive work performed in a society is a much more useful measure of economic health than spending.

[ufonium2]

My point is that I'd have to see some math to show that the decline in retail sales outside of the "Christmas junk" category in Jan, Feb, and March is significant (ie. people are buying less toothpaste, copy paper, etc.), and then that it is significant enough to negate the "Christmas junk" glut in November and December.

[bolded for emphasis]

Seriously, I'd like to see some math showing that the overall economy would be better if Christmas shopping didn't exist. I agree that it's unstable, but that's retail. I used to manage a shoe store, and the week before Easter we'd sell more kids dress shoes than we would the whole rest of the year combined. You could say we relied on that week, but I don't see anything wrong with that since Easter has been a pretty reliable holiday. I mean, it's happened every year that I know of, as has Christmas.

[Ragamuffins]

My wife and I do not buy or recieve gifts for Christmas anymore. It started when we had no money and could not afford to get people any (and were guilted because others gave us stuff) and has extended to now. I can't say this make me any less of a sinner than the next heathen that goes into massive debt to by crapola that spoiled kids do not need, but I am less stressed.

I abhor how this holiday season has turned into a retail holiday that starts the minute my fork is down on Thanksgiving Thursday and ends the day after Christmas when people return all the crap that the kdis and folks did not want to begin with.

I hate that phony do gooders feel the twinge of guilt this time of year and will offer up a buck or two for a starving chap at a rescue mission and then spend three dollars a day on a latte the other 364 days.

I hate that i cannot just go to the store anymore during this time without having a transponder beacon on my [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] car because it is faurther from the mall than Scott was from the North Pole at the beginning of his journey.

I hate that people will light up the outside of their houses, and the inside as well using up much needed and I mi9ght add very expensive energy just so they can keep the Christmas spirit.

I hate that the Christmas lights in the park have sponsors and the sponsors slogans have been incorperated into the lights themselves.

I hate that people are hurting each other to get to the $3 Scooby freakin Doo or Dora the Exploder DVDs at Walmart, or any other worthless hunk of trash that will just be used as a coaster in the next few years.

I truly hate this time of year because of what it has become.

[Kassiane]

Everyone please forgive me, I did not mean to suggest anything that would come across as nasty or mean-spirited. I didn't realize at the time that it might be taken that way, but I can see after reading the two posts about it, that it could be taken that way.

Once again, I am sorry...

Kassiane

[Ragamuffins]

I really liked the idea of giving alms rather than the unneeded gifts out of pressure. But what about this? Might not get a good reaction, but then again, it might.... How about giving a card to people letting them know you've made a contribution to some worthy charity in their name!
I like your idea. What I think would bother me is if anyone gave a gift in my name, like named a star after me or soemthing. If I give anything in anyones name other than my own it will be Christs name :)

But I am in fact thinking of donating to charity, or at the very least setting up a monthly donation to a local charity here as a reminder of what it is all about.

[Shubunkin]

^ Hey, atleast she tries to cook. I fail when i try to toast bread.

burnt toast would be better ... at least I could get that down. She simply oversalts everything. A cup here, a cup there.... etc.

[Shubunkin]

We decorate a lot for Christmas. If anyone doesn't like it, I really don't care. Before you think this comes across as angry, it's not. I am just saying that to me celebration of Christmas is a very personal thing for our family. We do have the small lights, and all are on timers so they are not accidentally left on all night. We took out many bushes in our front yard over the summer, so less places to put the lights make our yard look rather sparce. But since we are paying the electric bills on time, it really is not anyone's business we have a 100 lights, or a 1000. I do believe this thread needs to lighten up some because the Christmas celebration is a private thing, and not a public thing. :holy:

[Tsarina]

Tsarina, your post about Santa Claus made me laugh!!! I hate it when the stores put up the Christmas decorations and it's Halloween. That really irks me. It seems to begin earlier and earlier every year. Soon we'll seem them during the summer!! LOL I hope not.
I also agree with Tsarina, Christmas has become so commercialized. It's terrible, it's become a money holiday .... other than those things, I really do love the holiday season.

It's definatley a money holiday. :( What what is Boxing day for? I'm sure it has nothing to do with Christmas.

On the other hand, you just reminded me. Last month i walked into a store, and they were already playing Christmas music. I was standing there thinking, "Already? or is this music playing for a reminder that things are going to be on sale?" Geez

[Wiffey]

I really really loathe the commercialization and the social pressure to purchase gifts for people (a lot of people, all at the same time). It is a budget buster.

I hate it when adult relatives (names not mentioned to protect the guilty), hand me their "Christmas List" with a long list of items that they want (all about $50 out of my price range).

I hate the overcrowding at the stores.

I really don't like it when my daughter's visitation schedule with her Father means I spend the holiday without her...especially since Christmas is my birthday :cry: . It adds insult to injury when I arrive at my in-laws without her and everybody individually comes up to ask me where she is (as if anyone with a brain cell couldn't figure it out). I am always tempted to give some wacky explanation: "She's in a redwood tree Christmasing with owls."

I have one in-law who keeps a running tab of who bought her what, and how much it cost. She holds grudges for years if she feels shortchanged, and tells all the relatives (except the person who gave the insufficient gift) how cheap the gift was. She has WAY more money than anyone else, yet expects us all to dig deep and get her something nice (although she herself is stingy). Shopping for her scares me (especially since I can't afford anything on her "Christmas List").

BTW- is it just me, or are "Christmas Lists" only supposed to be for little kids?

And...I have another relative who hates everything he gets...and will tell you to your face what is wrong with it and that he will return it.

I really think that next year I will send everyone (except my child & husband) a card that says "In your honor a charitable donation has been made to _____" . I was going to do it this year, but my husband said it would anger too many of his relatives to not get a present. But if I start campaigning now, I think he'll see reason by next Christmas!

[Greg the byzantine]

I hate it when adult relatives (names not mentioned to protect the guilty),
I really think that next year I will send everyone (except my child & husband) a card that says "In your honor a charitable donation has been made to _____" . I was going to do it this year, but my husband said it would anger too many of his relatives to not get a present. But if I start campaigning now, I think he'll see reason by next Christmas!
My Mom did that last year (Although to appease the gift crazy people she also got all those people a nice chocolate arrangement that wasn't too expensive). She got mixed reactions. A lot of people actually liked it, while you could tell others were kind of grumpy. Overall she felt good about because The charities can always use the money and my relatives have everything they need and more.

[Matrona]

I am always tempted to give some wacky explanation: "She's in a redwood tree Christmasing with owls."

The great thing about those responses is that once used, that person doesn't tend to ask that question ever again. :D

BTW- is it just me, or are "Christmas Lists" only supposed to be for little kids?

They are for kids. Adults who have "Christmas lists" do it to be greedy and grabby. I actually saw this thing in a store--it's a pretty little tin but on the cover it says "A LUMP OF COAL" and inside is an actual lump of coal. My mom bought it and every year threatens to give it to someone who's been particularly naughty. :D

And...I have another relative who hates everything he gets...and will tell you to your face what is wrong with it and that he will return it.

Give him (and Miss Christmas List) pictures of a pig. When they ask what it means, tell them you saw the pictures in the store and the resemblance was uncanny. :D

[Wiffey]

I forgot to add that I heartily disapprove of the wholesale slaughter of spruce & pine trees. I wouldn't want someone to cut me down in the prime of life, take me home and dress me up in a goofy felt skirt, tinsel, hang decorations all over me and sit around watching me slowly perish.


:thumbsup:

[Greg the byzantine]

I forgot to add that I heartily disapprove of the wholesale slaughter of spruce & pine trees. I wouldn't want someone to cut me down in the prime of life, take me home and dress me up in a goofy felt skirt, tinsel, hang decorations all over me and sit around watching me slowly perish.


:thumbsup:
Fake trees rock :thumbsup:

[OnTheWay]

I have one in-law who keeps a running tab of who bought her what, and how much it cost. She holds grudges for years if she feels shortchanged, and tells all the relatives (except the person who gave the insufficient gift) how cheap the gift was. She has WAY more money than anyone else, yet expects us all to dig deep and get her something nice (although she herself is stingy). Shopping for her scares me (especially since I can't afford anything on her "Christmas List").


Way back when the entire family that lives on this side of the Atlanic used to have big parties on Christmas eve. Well most of the family that lives on this side of the Atlantic has decided that being as my grandfather (their father) was a German soldier during the second world war he's a Nazi and they can treat him and my grandmother anyway they want. My mother doesn't hold with any such absurd notion and was very vocal about it.
Everyone use to get each of kids a Christmas present that we'd open at the party. That year my "anuts" and "uncles" decided to get back at my mom for criticizing them they weren't going to get me anything. So the party rolled around and sure enough I was the only one of my cousins that didn't get any presents. My mom was furious, took back all the gifts she gave their kids and most of the family still isn't on speaking terms. It's pretty much my mother and myself with our relatives in Germany form one family and those that live here are another. It's gotten quite out of hand from there. My mom is the only one living in the US that has really good credit, and my anut and uncle really needed someone to consign for a car. My mother was to angry to offer and they were too proud to ask so they spent more than a year riding the bus. Which in Denver Colorado waiting for a bus in the middle of December isn't a pleseant thing.
Moral of the story, Christmas presents can be very destructive.

[Maximus]

I propose we start a rebellion in this thread.

I like the Christmas holidays!

Peace! Bread! Land!

:sorry:

[ufonium2]

I propose we start a rebellion in this thread.

I like the Christmas holidays!

Peace! Bread! Land!

:sorry:

Agreed! Long live pink plastic Christmas trees! (Don't tell me I'm the only one here whose grandma had one.)

[Maximus]

Agreed! Long live pink plastic Christmas trees! (Don't tell me I'm the only one here whose grandma had one.)

Thanks!

A little leaven leavens the whole lump! :thumbsup:

[Veritas_et_Puritas]

My priest did a sermon on this last week. He said that really, when we buy for others who already have so much we are really buying for ourselves, we are buying the good impression of others for us... He went so far as to suggest that we ourselves are being selfish to buy for others... trying to win the approval of others. He called for us to increase our almsgiving instead.

I decided to challenge myself with this issue. I have decided to cut way way back on gifts. In fact, I am refusing to buy for my cousins children. They have way too much. And there is this pressure to buy for them. It is as if I would be a scrooge to refuse to buy them yet another toy for their already overwelmed toy collection.

Instead, I am giving to food banks and incrasing my gift to the church. (Our church really has some unmet needs right now, far more than my family members who already have too much.)

This really made me think. This year, I have found myself especially disappointed with all of the commercialisation, whereas in past years, I haven't particularly noticed it. Perhaps it is because I have found a deepening of my faith within the past year; perhaps now I understand the true meaning of a celebration such as this (Easter this past year was more joyful for me than ever before because I discovered a deeper meaning underlying all of the "usual" celebrations).

For a few weeks now, I have been feeling a strong pull to reach out to the disadvantaged, because I have so much and yet I make no effort to offer anything to those who have so little (whether materially, or spiritually, etc.). Last week my priest, who has a special place in his heart for the poor and marginalised after spending 10 years serving them as a religious brother, spoke about the importance of embracing those in our society who often seem "invisible" because we cast them aside... and since then, I have been thinking again about how I really don't like receiving all these useless gifts on Christmas when I already have so much.

Your post, combined with the words of your priest, have affirmed all of these subtle promptings of my heart. This particularly spoke to me:

My priest did a sermon on this last week. He said that really, when we buy for others who already have so much we are really buying for ourselves, we are buying the good impression of others for us... He went so far as to suggest that we ourselves are being selfish to buy for others... trying to win the approval of others. He called for us to increase our almsgiving instead.

Very wise words. I have already begun worrying about what I will give to the children I babysit, not because I really want to give the children a gift (though I love them dearly), but because I know that their parents - though quite wealthy - will expect it and will think me rude if I do not oblige. The children themselves are too young to understand anything other than the reaction they will have: "WOW MOM AND DAD! I GOT AN AWESOME SHINY NEW TOY THAT I WILL DISCARD IN A MONTH!" But it is so true in this case - I would be trying to buy the good impressions of the parents. I would be trying to keep their approval by showering more material things on their children who are already very spoiled in that regard.

But what has any of that to do with Christmas, with the Nativity of Our Lord? What have fleeting material possessions to do with a true spirit of selflessness or of gratitude rooted in the fact that what we are awaiting is the Incarnation of our Saviour? Such things do nothing to cultivate a sense of true awe and a deeper gratitude for the incomprehensible gift that the Father has bestowed upon us in sending His Son for us and for our Salvation.

Instead, I am giving to food banks and incrasing my gift to the church. (Our church really has some unmet needs right now, far more than my family members who already have too much.)

I will endeavour to do the same. Each year my parish does this - we have a "giving tree" set up in the narthex full of decorations on which are written the ages of needy children, and parishioners may choose one and buy a few practical things for the child and return it to the church to place under our large Christmas tree. Parishioners can also sign up to fill a laundry basket full of goods for a needy family within the parish - non-perishable food items, practical goods, etc. that will benefit them in some way. I am seriously considering requesting that my parents refrain from giving me any gifts and instead donate a laundry basket...

...Though I do need a pair of winter boots, because Canadian winters are quite harsh and I don't have a pair yet! :sorry:

[Photini]

My wife and I do not buy or recieve gifts for Christmas anymore. It started when we had no money and could not afford to get people any (and were guilted because others gave us stuff) and has extended to now. I can't say this make me any less of a sinner than the next heathen that goes into massive debt to by crapola that spoiled kids do not need, but I am less stressed.

I abhor how this holiday season has turned into a retail holiday that starts the minute my fork is down on Thanksgiving Thursday and ends the day after Christmas when people return all the crap that the kdis and folks did not want to begin with.

I hate that phony do gooders feel the twinge of guilt this time of year and will offer up a buck or two for a starving chap at a rescue mission and then spend three dollars a day on a latte the other 364 days.

I hate that i cannot just go to the store anymore during this time without having a transponder beacon on my [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] car because it is faurther from the mall than Scott was from the North Pole at the beginning of his journey.

I hate that people will light up the outside of their houses, and the inside as well using up much needed and I mi9ght add very expensive energy just so they can keep the Christmas spirit.

I hate that the Christmas lights in the park have sponsors and the sponsors slogans have been incorperated into the lights themselves.

I hate that people are hurting each other to get to the $3 Scooby freakin Doo or Dora the Exploder DVDs at Walmart, or any other worthless hunk of trash that will just be used as a coaster in the next few years.

I truly hate this time of year because of what it has become.
These are my issues as well,

[Llauralin]

Agreed! Long live pink plastic Christmas trees! (Don't tell me I'm the only one here whose grandma had one.)
You mean those really existed? :eek: And here I thought they were limited to the world of the Charlie Brown Christmas special...

i agree with the pro-Christmas rebellion however - chestnuts roasting on an open fire, jackfrost nipping at your nose, and an entire month off from school! *cheers*

[Theophorus]

The fact that a major portion of the American economy hinges on the the "season" as others have pointed out. This is when major retailers hope to operate in the black. And the exclamation point is that the season is no longer Christmans season, but the "holiday" season. Even in schools and businesses. The classic, A Christmas Carol once a standard in school auditoriums, has all but disappeared.
Though many people try to reclaim it, I am uncomfortable even talking about it in my workplace, except for the consuming parts such as "did you hear that the new X-box 360 is crashing?"

[EricTheRed]

haha yea I know what you mean. (my 360 works just fine:thumbsup:)

[Theophorus]

haha yea I know what you mean. (my 360 works just fine:thumbsup:)

Does it? How many games are you playing? Right now, I won't consider it until the PS3 comes out.













(I am so weak :blush: )

[EricTheRed]

I am playing call of duty 2 and perfect dark zero. Great games. And the only crashing I am hearing about is that sometimes the power supply overheats. A quick fix if to get a string and hang it just enough so air can flow around the power supply (box on power cord)

as for PS3 ill consider it when they show real games. I dont trust sony anymore.

[WhatIsTruth]

I dislike all the carols...especially the ones about snow.....I live in Georgia...I'm not going to get any snow ANY time soon...But I really dislike most of the carols. Especially the more modern ones...I mean "Chesnuts roasting on an open fire". Give me a break already. I'll listen to chant, classical or nothing at all compared to that.

I hate how commercialized its gotten. Its all about how much junk you can buy people that they won't even use. I can't stand all the crowds or the commercials.

I hate the pressure of trying to get gifts for people when I have hardly any money, and people actually have the gaul to get annoyed. Again I didn't realize Christmas was about buying 1000000 worth of junk.... :doh:

But what really makes the holiday season blah for me, is that I really miss my son, (and the girl I miscarried earlier this year), my mom, my father, and my grandfather. My other family doesn't even talk to me. All I have is my hubby, and I love him very much, but he can't take their place...or make them come back... :( :sigh:

[Photini]

I hate the pressure of trying to get gifts for people when I have hardly any money, and people actually have the gaul to get annoyed.

I can definitely relate. It is an especially crushing feeling when you have children. Last year I never even put up a Christmas tree, because i knew there would be no gifts to put under it come Christmas day.

[Tsarina]

burnt toast would be better ... at least I could get that down. She simply oversalts everything. A cup here, a cup there.... etc.

Wow, salt? No good. Does everyone in her family have high BP? They probably do if she cooks that way. Ah!

[Theophorus]

I can definitely relate. It is an especially crushing feeling when you have children. Last year I never even put up a Christmas tree, because i knew there would be no gifts to put under it come Christmas day.

We have really been in a crunch at times. I usually buy the tree on Christmas eve. You can find them for $10. We make our own ornaments by cutting paper snowflakes in preperation and stringing popcorn. With the white lights, it really looks pretty good. Any gifts that people give us, go under the tree. Then Santa usually brings one gift per child. Anything that is purchased in a set, like drawing sets, are opened and the contents are wrapped individually.

[OnTheWay]

You know what I reall really hate, holiday movies that have the theme of a family having difficult times yet somehow at the end they always find a way to get a bunch of presents. Like that is really the whole purpose of the season, to get a bunch of stuff. If you didn't have a bunch of stuff then you had a "bad" Christmas and if you did then it turned out to be a "good" Christmas.

[VickiY]

Things I hate: people giving gifts to a charity of THEIR choice, in MY name, so I get on these stupid mailing lists from these charities I would never give a nickel to, and then they sell them to some charities that are even worse.

Over commecialization.

I used to hate the expense thing, but then I realizaed that for a good many people, I can pick up deeply discounted books or "gift items" or clothes throughout the year (don't tell me a cashmere sweater EVER goes out of style)...and so I'm pretty much set with holiday shopping before Christmas....for next to nothing!

[Tsarina]

I hate phoney Christmas songs playing 24/7 all over the Radio Stations. It's one time of the year where i want to break the boom box.

[Photini]

I hate phoney Christmas songs playing 24/7 all over the Radio Stations. It's one time of the year where i want to break the boom box.
I work in retail pharmacy....The Christmas songs started the day after Thanksgiving in our store. Oh well, I suppose I can handle the Christmas music much better than I did with the crazy stuff they were playing for Halloween (music from well-known horror flicks).

[ufonium2]

I understand it's annoying to work in a place where the Muzak gets all Christmasy in November (I worked next to a store that sold fifteen different Billy Bass variations one Christmas, and we could hear them all singing all day) but I don't see why everyone else just doesn't turn the radio off. I can't tell you the last time I listened to FM radio, or music on the radio in general. If a Christmas song comes on, put in a CD. If you don't have a CD, put in a tape. If you don't have that, turn it to AM and listen to them fight on talk radio. If all of that fails, excercise your consumer power and turn it off.

[Tsarina]

I work in retail pharmacy....The Christmas songs started the day after Thanksgiving in our store. Oh well, I suppose I can handle the Christmas music much better than I did with the crazy stuff they were playing for Halloween (music from well-known horror flicks).

Halloween music? I'm suprised you didnt shoot the stero system! I wouldn't be able to handle it. :doh: LoL, your strong.

I understand it's annoying to work in a place where the Muzak gets all Christmasy in November (I worked next to a store that sold fifteen different Billy Bass variations one Christmas, and we could hear them all singing all day) but I don't see why everyone else just doesn't turn the radio off. I can't tell you the last time I listened to FM radio, or music on the radio in general. If a Christmas song comes on, put in a CD. If you don't have a CD, put in a tape. If you don't have that, turn it to AM and listen to them fight on talk radio. If all of that fails, excercise your consumer power and turn it off.

Of course you can turn it off or pop in a CD. But you cant do that when your stuck in the car with people who do turn on the radio, or walk into a store where the radio is playing. Although you need to be at the store to do whatever you must, it's hard to stand that high pitched jingle-bell song. :eek:

[Kolya]

I dislike all the carols...especially the ones about snow.....I live in Georgia...I'm not going to get any snow ANY time soon...But I really dislike most of the carols. Especially the more modern ones...I mean "Chesnuts roasting on an open fire". Give me a break already. I'll listen to chant, classical or nothing at all compared to that.

I hate how commercialized its gotten. Its all about how much junk you can buy people that they won't even use. I can't stand all the crowds or the commercials.

I hate the pressure of trying to get gifts for people when I have hardly any money, and people actually have the gaul to get annoyed. Again I didn't realize Christmas was about buying 1000000 worth of junk.... :doh:

But what really makes the holiday season blah for me, is that I really miss my son, (and the girl I miscarried earlier this year), my mom, my father, and my grandfather. My other family doesn't even talk to me. All I have is my hubby, and I love him very much, but he can't take their place...or make them come back...
[Start Rant]
Well, I'm with you! It's just as bad on this side of the Atlantic, and we're in the mids't of Summer!!!
I spent 30 min Saturday looking for parking. Parked the furthest from the entrance than I've ever parked before!
I had to go to 3 different stores. I hate Christmas Decorations in stores (That's OK at home, but since the kids are now big, I don't even bother with that.) And the signs saying "Happy Holidays"! What happened to Christmas?
And the lines at the checkout desks!!!:sigh: :( :sigh: And the music about SNOW! It's high summer, for crying aloud!
My daughter is getting married on Dec 29, so no Christmas gift for her, she's got her wedding present already. My son maybe will get a shirt or something. We got a chinese vase (One with willows, etc on) for my M-I-L.
That's it. Seraphima and I will eat out on Jan 7, and that will be our treat. I try to treat her all year anyway. And then Christmas will finally be over!
[/End Rant]