A Christmas survival thread for those of us who hate this whole season.

@boomerang,

As a parent, I find Christmas intrudes in the lives and expectations of my kids. It bugs me how much my three-year-old is being marketed to (and the marketing messages targeted at her are pretty effective).

Of course, it is a parents responsibility (and after I complain about it, I do get back to raising my kids with values)... but our culture makes raising giving, grateful kids that much more difficult.

The "lessons" that kids learn from Christmas are antithetical to anything resembling decent human values. I find I need to work extra during this season to counter that (which is awfully hard when I am in such a bad mood.)

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@Aldistar,

The Holiday Season - like most things - is what you make it.

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Exactly, Mismi. Thank you. I try to make the best of it, but I try to do that every day-week-month. This holiday just seems so unlike it was when I was a child. I wonder, though if the times have changed or just my perceptions of them. Probably both. Either way for anyone who does celebrate the holidays I wish you the best of them and for those who don't I hope you all have a good day!

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@Aldistar,

Aldistar wrote:

I wonder, though if the times have changed or just my perceptions of them. Probably both.

I agree. I remember going to the PNE when I was a kid and being bedazzled by the rides, the games, the crowds, the food... now I go and I see all the peeling paint, the litter, the smell of frying oil... guess I'm jaded.

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@cjhsa,

cjhsa wrote:

I'm going to go [roger] myself [with] one of these and cheer myself up.

TMI.

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@Mame,

walked through walmart today (i was looking for snowtires : sold out - but got a set at canadian tire) .
there were hundreds of shoppers scooping up the most unbelievable junk for their children and grand-children : big plush horses , monkeys ... plastic dinosaurs that would hardly fit into the trunk ...
we sure enjoyed christmas as children - and still enjoy christmas now that we are "a little older" , but seeing all that junk carted out made me shudder .
it's none of my business what people buy and how they will pay for it , but i'm sure that when the credit card statements arrive after christmas there be a lot of unhappiness .

gift giving is part of christmas for sure - but i think just stuffing the trunks with all kinds of stuff has little to do with christmas or the "festive season " .
hbg

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@Mame,

Mame wrote:

I remember going to the PNE when I was a kid and being bedazzled by the rides, the games, the crowds, the food... now I go and I see all the peeling paint, the litter, the smell of frying oil... guess I'm jaded.

Wow, I haven't been there in about a million years, but that would be my take on it, too. I'm sure as an older adult I wouldn't be entralled.

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The PNE would be the Pacific National Exhibition. This would the Royal Easter Show for us Aussies.

Though it might not remain so, if they bring out this sad, fat has-been to sing...

http://www.pne.ca/showsandevents/gallery/photos/meatloaf.jpg

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@Mr Stillwater,

NSFW:

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Here's to all you whiners

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/stevetheq/xmas_really_bad.gif

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@Bella Dea,

Quote:

Being sorry for someone for not celebrating Christmas is like being sorry for me because I don't celebrate Ramadan.

Perhaps, but I don't feel sorry for anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas. I feel sorry for those who don't have fond childhood memories of the holiday.

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@Reyn,

Amazing what passes for intelligence.

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@ebrown p,

Quote:

I assure you it is quite possible to have feelings of good will and happiness without the crass commercialism and hypocrisy.

No kidding Dick Tracy?

Clearly you have a hard time finding the joy of the season during the season.

Fine with me, it's your loss.

As hard as it is for me to believe that you are filled with hope and joy 11 months of the year, if you say so, good for you.

The question is in what way does it so satisfy you to dump on Christmas?

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@Aldistar,

Quote:

Please don't say you feel sorry for me. If it's pity your handing out I didn't ask for it and I do not want it.

Sorry, but if you allow your impression of Christmas to be informed by your job in a retail outlet, I do feel sorry for you.

Quote:

I grew up in a loving home with Christmas every year. I have extremely fond memories of decorating the tree, helping mom make the big dinners and thrilled at every little noise on Christmas Eve trying to catch sight of Santa.

I am very glad to learn this.

However, if you allow your present experiences as a retail worker to overwhelm such fond memories, again, I feel sorry for you.

Quote:

It is the most beautiful season to me and I enjoy it immensely.

Ah Ha...Good - very good for you.

You should then respond to a post such as this in that manner, instead of trying to curry favor with the cynical and dissatisfied.

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Quote:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/05/atheists.christmas/?iref=mpstoryview

What a surprise.

While I won't argue that the atheists have as much of a right to present their sense of the holiday, as Christians, in a public place, it seems a narrow and petty choice.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

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Come on Finn. This might get you into the spirit of this thread

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@ebrown p,

And the spirit of this thread is what?

Cynicism?

Mock marriage, mock patriotism, mock spirituality, mock self-reliance, mock Christmas.

Be my guest.

It is your unrealized loss.

I know you guys who mock traditions are cool and enlightened, but I can't help but believe you are really sad and empty.

Just a thought.

Merry Christmas.

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@Finn dAbuzz,

I celebrate the solstice Finn, and make Christmas dinner for my christian Grandmother.

Be careful mocking the dark...

nite all

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@Rockhead,

yeah - OK

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@Finn dAbuzz,

"And the spirit of this thread is what?"

The spirit of this thread is exactly what the title of the thread implies.

So far the only one in here using mocking tones seems to be you as you mock the feelings and opinions of others. If you feel so strongly about the 'glorious holiday' season then why did you even enter a thread titled like this? Unless, your only reasoning was to try to expound your seeming morally superior insight.

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A Christmas survival thread for those of us who hate this whole season.

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