Christmas shopping experience

[MattTheSkywalker]

So I finished all my shopping.

Anyway, after a while it seemed like I was just buying "things" because I was supposed to . What the fuck are my parents gonna do with a DVD copier, for example? (I got them a trip as well.)

Bro's and sis got clothes, basically, plus some financial incentives. Friends basically got electronics of some sort.

But more than anything, the consumerism and comericalism os Christmas kills me. I'm not religious, but what an unbelievably shitty and draining experience.

I realy don't feel any "joy of giving" this year, and oddly, I gave more this year than I have in my entire life collectively.

 

[Testosterone boy]

So I finished all my shopping.

Anyway, after a while it seemed like I was just buying "things" because I was supposed to . What the fuck are my parents gonna do with a DVD copier, for example? (I got them a trip as well.)

Bro's and sis got clothes, basically, plus some financial incentives. Friends basically got electronics of some sort.

But more than anything, the consumerism and comericalism os Christmas kills me. I'm not religious, but what an unbelievably shitty and draining experience.

I realy don't feel any "joy of giving" this year, and oddly, I gave more this year than I have in my entire life collectively.

You are right. Your parents can not use the DVD copier. You should send it to me in exchange for large amounts of very high quality pornography. Your dad may well be able to use that and mom never has to know. Just an idea.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

LOL! You may be on to something.

 

[TxArmyGuy]

I'm not into it this year at all...Maybe being my 1st Real year away from home is making it feel like a normal day

 

[Testosterone boy]

There is something in the air these days. People have lost their enthusiasm for a lot of things. I couldn't get into the shopping so I threw a fair amount of money at it. I figure that if you can't find the right gift, just buy a more expensive gift ad you will be OK. I'd rather get a nice gift I can't use than a cheap one I can't use.

 

[Hangfire]

It all got to be too much so it was decided that, after this year, only the children in the family will receive Christmas gifts.
The adults will get together for a huge Christmas-eve dinner (and drinks, of course) and just spend the evening together. It takes all the pressure off finding the right gift for people who really don't need anything and will focus on family being together for the right reason.
I have spoken with friends and acquaintances about the subject and have heard alot of the same sentiment.

 

[Puddles]

We kept purchases down this year...hubby and I agreed to keep it to $100 for each other. It was more fun thinking up little special things this way.

 

[Rex]

It doesn't feel like Christmas at all. I don't think Christmas is changing though, I am. I almost didn't make it home for Christmas this year, and was fortunate enough to be able to. That is all I wanted, and appreciate the oppurtunity b/c I know there are people who can't make it home, and with the way things are going this may be my last Christmas home for a while.

 

[Longhorn85]

I'm not religious, but what an unbelievably shitty and draining experience.

I realy don't feel any "joy of giving" this year, and oddly, I gave more this year than I have in my entire life collectively.

I am curious as to why anyone who is not religious would celebrate Christmas, especially if they hate it. CHRISTmas is a totally religious holiday, the true gift being the birth of Jesus.

If anyone doubts the origin of Christmas, look up the meaning of it's name.

 

[Testosterone boy]

Actually the celebration of Christmas is pretty pagan and was frowned upon by the Puritans. It has been commercialized so that people believe it is Christian but the church tried in vain to stamp it out centuries ago. The true origin of the word is that it was a mass for Catholics held on Christmas eve. Christ Mass.

They had a show on that on the History channel.

 

[DangerousGrounds]

Pressures of holidays

It seems people expect to much at Christmas and get all stressed and burnt out. I hate all the family functions you (I) must attend and everyone tries to make their best appearance and tend to act phony.
I love my family and friend but I'd rather see em before of after the holidays when, one acts more normal and not try to act like life is a bed of roses.
I will honestly be happy when its done get sick to my stomach thinking just about it.
happy holidays! lol

 

[JOKER47]

My wife and I were actually discussing just this subject last weekend while we were shopping. Neither one of us is in a very giving mood this year. We are not supporting a "needy" family this through where we work, not really into it.

We really weren't sure why. Seems we are both a little tired of giving to everyone but ourselves. This year we decided Christmas is for us and our new son. (3 months old, BTW)

.02,
Joker

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Re: Re: Christmas shopping experience

I am curious as to why anyone who is not religious would celebrate Christmas, especially if they hate it. CHRISTmas is a totally religious holiday, the true gift being the birth of Jesus.

If anyone doubts the origin of Christmas, look up the meaning of it's name.

ttlpkg

Christmas celebrating the birth of JC did not begin until aprox 325 AD. Christmas was instituted by the Roman empire in place of a festival called Saturnalia, which was a celbration of teh winter solstice and the end of the year. Christmas was sheer propaganda. Look up "Saturnalia".

After the American Revolution, the colonists stopped celebrating Christmas as they thought it a link to the Crown. Christmas became a time of gang riots and looting. In fact, the city of NY instituted a full time police force as a resonse to Christmas-time riots.

After the riots reached a fever pitch, leaders decided to re-shape the meaning of Christmas to be more friendly, so Washington Irving and Dickens' works became the defining 'meanings' of Christmas. The American adaptation of Christmas spread world wide.

Jesus hasn't been part of the show in quite some time.

 

[Longhorn85]

Re: Re: Re: Christmas shopping experience

Jesus hasn't been part of the show in quite some time.

Speak for yourself. It has always been about Jesus when I was a kid and for my family now, also for most people I know that enjoy Christmas.

 

[Longhorn85]

They had a show on that on the History channel.

Then it must be 100% true I guess. Who did the documentary, the American Atheist Association?

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Christmas shopping experience

Speak for yourself. It has always been about Jesus when I was a kid and for my family now, also for most people I know that enjoy Christmas.

I am just here to share history with you. The Saturnalia stuff and the riots in the new world is absolutely true.

The meaning of a celebration is yours to decide and share with your family.

Peace and Merry Christmas.

 

[Longhorn85]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Christmas shopping experience

Peace and Merry Christmas.

...and Happy Saturnalia to you Skywalker

 

[trimtan1]

Matt,
You could've saved yourself alot of grief.

Considering your brother, sister and parents owe you a great deal of money, you could've just given them cards stating that you have relieved them of their balance owed.

31K could buy alot of eggnog. LOL

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Egg Nog mmmmmm.

I am more into the 'Nog'