Christmas

[johan]

I'm not going to the family Christmas celebration this year. I decided that months ago. I confirmed it to myself when my mother told me when and where it would be. It's this Sunday, and I plan not to go.

 

I have no legitimate reason not to go, except that I don't want to. It's time for me to have something else to do.

 

At work there was a Secret Santa celebration and a pot luck. I'm sure they all had fun, but I was more than happy to stay out of it.

 

The managers of my project mentioned some kind of team activity, and I spoke out against it. I'm not celebrating this year. They are planning on a happy hour get-together, which is as much as I think I can support.

 

This is the third year that I've made the agreement with my immediate family to not buy gifts, and I can't feel more relieved. There isn't anything they need, there isn't anything I want.

 

The holiday period used to mean something to me. I'd be excited to do something if I could associate some new love or romance to it. All I feel is a need to avoid it and wait impatiently for these final weeks of the year to pass. Let's go, Time! Go to Hell, 2007.

[Tony T]

Your attitude is not unusual. This time of year is for the meaning that people assign to it. Many people robotically adhere themselves to family, friends and social events because it's the thing to do. Some even seem to enjoy it. But the holidays are a great deal of work...to prepare for and to execute. There are many, many people who are very content to spend holidays at home doing whatever the hell they want. Frankly, I think people ought to spend everyday of their lives like that. It especially pisses me off personally when I see people ungrateful for gifts they received or resentful for having to buy any at all. I'm glad you're not intimidated into participating in this event, most of which has nothing whatsoever to do with the true meaning of Christmas.

 

I wouldn't think about it one way or the other. But always remember, the world will seldom understand or identify with people who don't conform to the things they think they're supposed to do. Most people have a herd mentality...that's why so many people lost money in the stock market in the late 90's...and why so many people are still losing their butts in the real estate market.

 

Merry Christmas!!!

[amaysngrace]

I wish I could forgo Christmas this year. But I have kids. So I can't do that very well. But you're right Johan. It's a bunch of crap.

 

Last year is what did it for me. My whole immediate family are a bunch of football fans. They like the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles played last Christmas. My mom actually planned dinner around half-time. The rest of the time I sat in her house bored out of my mind while they all watched football. They were screaming, I was alone and then I got a headache from their screaming.

 

Not to mention the Eagles probably lost anyway.

 

Merry Merry

[Tony T]

I wish I could forgo Christmas this year. But I have kids. So I can't do that very well. But you're right Johan. It's a bunch of crap.

 

Last year is what did it for me. My whole immediate family are a bunch of football fans. They like the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles played last Christmas. My mom actually planned dinner around half-time. The rest of the time I sat in her house bored out of my mind while they all watched football. They were screaming, I was alone and then I got a headache from their screaming.

 

Not to mention the Eagles probably lost anyway.

 

Merry Merry

 

I live in Florida. Most Christmases it's like 80 or 85 degrees outside. Have any idea what it's like having chestnuts roasting in an open fire with the hot sun shining outside while a bunch of brats tear up the lawn with toys while others skin their butts falling off skates and bicycles while dodging passing cars in the middle of the street?

 

HO HO HO HO HO!!! I just love the season......

[HokeyReligions]

We are not doing anything either. Did not decorate. Did not buy gifts. Its just another day. Its not out of depression or anger or anything like that - more like exhaustion! So much has been going on the last few months and especially the last 5-6 weeks! I'll be smiling in January when I listen to all the grumbling about taking down decorations and paying those bills!

 

The company party is tomorrow night. I had originally said we would go, but I've caught a cold and I just really don't feel like driving all the way downtown Houston, getting all dressed up, and all that stuff. They expect around 2500+ people and I'm just not in the mood. There are supposed to be some great prizes and entertainment and such, but its not tempting enough for me.

[Leia]

We are having a big celebration yet again and I am dreading it already. Imagine that, a young woman who isn't looking forward to a Christmas celebration. Don't get me wrong, I love hanging out with my family and relatives... I love it but I would love to just go somewhere for the holiday or just do something quiet together.

 

I think the adults feel the need to throw a huge celebration because of us the younger generation. They don't want us to forget what Christmas is all about etc... if only they would listen to us when we tell them "it's not a big deal!!!!". It's not like we don't get presents any other month or whenever so why even bother?!

[Trialbyfire]

Christmas is about being with your family and friends, giving rather than receiving.

 

When you're young, you think about self and what Santa or everyone else will give you. It's about stuffing your face and getting away with murder, like late nights and way too much sugar.

 

As you get older, you begin to understand that this is the time that everyone sets aside, to spend time with each other and to appreciate the people who are in your life.

 

If you're not giving gifts, give of yourself and your time. The receiving part is a perk but pretty much meaningless. More often, I spend more time watching other peoples' happy faces, instead of opening my gifts.

[Citizen Erased]

Normally I am like this. I never have really been excited by Christmas, even as a child. But my little brother is visiting so it's good to spend Christmas with him. But besides from that, it is always the same. Christmas eve at my grandmothers, Christmas Day at my grandparents. Spend a ridiculous amount of money on people I pretty much don't give two hoots about, and overeat on fatty christmas food more suited for when it isn't boiling hot outside.

 

bah freaking humbug

[Rachel_0814p]

I'm always so let down by Christmas. I'm more of a Halloween fan anyway, but as soon as mid-September rolls around (yes, as early as September!) all the shiny ornaments start glittering up the store aisles, and I get caught up in the Christmas fever, too. I start planning my decorating way too early, and I spend a fortune on decorations, crafts for handmade wreaths and garlands and such, and I come up with awesome plans for dinner parties and the greatest gift ideas ever! My head completely overflows with all this lofty ridiculous enthusiasm...but then reality steps in and well, all my effort goes to the hell.

 

About 2 weeks to countdown, around the 14th or 15th of December, just like today , outside forces start to churn, and, much like a tornado, a situation crashes down, ripping through everything with a domino effect, and all of my hopes and dreams for a beautiful, happy, friends-and-family o'plenty Christmas GET TRASHED BEYOND REPAIR.

 

Every Christmas ends in tears and disappointment. And yet still I try!

 

 

What is it that compels me to seek this apparition of the fantasy Christmas??? What is the POINT??? I already know I'm stupid for buying into the propoganda. Now how do I get myself out of the habit of falling into the trap every time late August roles around and plastic snowmen start popping up in my neighbors' yards???

 

I've come to realize that Christmas is for people with lots of warm, cuddly friends and loving, attentive families who like to spend time together. Christmas is just not a holiday meant for people with life situations like mine. The few friends I have are flakes who only return phone calls when they need something and my family...well, they're a joke. The hardest part to swallow is that my boyfriend is developing a habit of letting me down, too. The only one who never lets me down on Christmas or any other time of year is my dog.

 

Man, I love my dog.

 

One day I hope to be smart enough--or crass enough--to be over the whole idea so I can live out my simple life in harminous sans-Christmas bliss. Until then, I continue to suffer, year after year after freaking year.

[Quinch]

I got what I wanted for Christmas already My idiot brother and his wife are going to her parents this year so it's just me, my parents and my nan. Peace and quiet - so long as my nan doesn't start going on about her friend's colostomy operations while I'm trying to watch Dr Who