Ugh... It's That Time of Year, Again...

[Game Freak 4]

I'm not trying to be a "Grinch" or a "Scrooge," but... I don't know. I'm just not feeling really happy about this holiday. Why, some of the things representing this holiday kind of makes me fell worse. To put it short, I'm just sick of it. Was there anything about this overrated holiday that you problems with? Even to the point that you hate it so much?

[Daxdiv]

I have a few, going to relatives on Christmas Day. I mean I get console games for Christmas that it sort of ticks me off that I have to be away for them for like 8 hours and endure it with them, especially since I am usually not in a good mood from the day before like I was last year. I asked for them for a reason, and considering that I have to work the following day, it ruins my plan to want to play them at great length.

Also Holiday shopping hours, as a consumer, I have no problem with them as they give me an option to go later to shop. But as an Employee it sort of sucks that you have to stay later than normal, especially since I still have some morning classes to go to this semester.

[Game Freak 4]

I have a few, going to relatives on Christmas Day. I mean I get console games for Christmas that it sort of ticks me off that I have to be away for them for like 8 hours and endure it with them, especially since I am usually not in a good mood from the day before like I was last year. I asked for them for a reason, and considering that I have to work the following day, it ruins my plan to want to play them at great length.

Also Holiday shopping hours, as a consumer, I have no problem with them as they give me an option to go later to shop. But as an Employee it sort of sucks that you have to stay later than normal, especially since I still have some morning classes to go to this semester.But, the pay's worth it, right? ...rrrright?

[Ajax]

I'm not trying to be a "Grinch" or a "Scrooge," but... I don't know. I'm just not feeling really happy about this holiday. Why, some of the things representing this holiday kind of makes me fell worse. To put it short, I'm just sick of it. Was there anything about this overrated holiday that you problems with? Even to the point that you hate it so much?Lets see....no school for a month, I get presents in the form of money, i get to chill and do whatever I want, I get to see family I havent seen in proally a year....what could possibly make anyone hate this time of year short of some kind life shattering tragdey.

[Game Freak 4]

Lets see....no school for a month, I get presents in the form of money, i get to chill and do whatever I want, I get to see family I havent seen in proally a year....what could possibly make anyone hate this time of year short of some kind life shattering tragdey?
Changed the Period in to a Question Mark, as it should have been. Now, let's see...

1. It's 100% Overrated. You can't deny it, it's the biggest holiday in the WORLD. every one is excited about it. Hell, there are references to, and items relating to Christmas in months BEFORE December. They just can't wait.

2. Commercialism. It's less about spending time and sharing joy and love with your family and friends(and enemies) and more about what you should waste your money on. Sometimes, the Christmas Present you sacrificed your hard earned cash on won't be satisfying to who you're giving it to. There's just no pleasing people. And little twerps will be all wanty and needy. I wonder if they go all out after hearing that Father Christmas is really just a ploy to sell Coca-Cola...

3. Specials and Jingles. During December, you will be hearing Christmas Jingles on the radio and see nothing but Christmas Specials on TV. Hark the Helard Angels Sing was the only tolerable of them all, and I'm getting sick of Jingle Bells and Music from The Nutcracker. Hell, I'm sick of The Nutcracker, period. And how many times will Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" be milked just for money?

I might add more reasons when they get to me.

Also, who was the scatterbrain that said December, 25th is the Birth if Jesus Christ? Last time I checked, it was in March.

[Kazuya Prower]

I dunno, ever since I moved down to Florida and the way society is today, I just seemed to have lost my Christmas spirit. Also, I feel rotten for not getting anyone anything since I don't have a job.

[Starbraces]

Yes I hate Christmas

Christmas brings out the worst in people: routines. I absolutely dispise routines. Or, actually, I fear them. I feel suffocated whenever I can't make drastic changes in my surroundings or to myself, so Christmas is like being locked up in a tiny box without air holes. Families, people, EVEN TV, all have these disgusting routines that they just HAVE to do every year

[Captain Highwind]

I hate snow, therefore, I hate winter holidays, therefore, I hate Christmas!

Time to break in the paco smiley to emphasize this :paco:

[Game Freak 4]

I hate snow, therefore, I hate winter holidays, therefore, I hate Christmas!

Time to break in the paco smiley to emphasize this :paco:
No offense, but kind of a piss-poor reason.

[SirLemming]

The commercialization of Christmas may be annoying, even sacrilegious, but as long as my TV has an Off button it doesn't bother me that much. (Or, for that matter, a channel changing button. It's really not as omnipresent as everyone claims it is.)

When it comes to "feeling the Christmas spirit" or whatever, I'm not really feeling it yet either, but I learned a while ago that it doesn't matter. When it happens, it happens. And I don't have to be in the Christmas spirit to try to make other people's Christmases pleasant. Sometimes that's actually how it happens.

But if someone doesn't like their family, even that might not be enough. A holiday can't fix that. Therapy might.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Christmas is great, if you're laid back about it and don't stress over it too much and don't get caught up in the commercial aspects. And this is coming from someone who has experienced several "welfare" and "ruined" Christmases in his life, so if those didn't turn me off to the experience I'd really like to hear what your trauma is.

For shopping just get the gifts you can afford without breaking yourself and put a little thought into them. A nice thoughtful gift can be just as good as a random expensive one. As long as you put some effort into it and aren't being transparently cheap your family members should be understanding about them. And even if you slip up and get something they don't like, being family they really should forgive you. At any rate it's just a toy or a watch, it won't improve their entire existence or scar them for life either way.

The rest of it is all gravy, in my opinion. You don't have to watch any Christmas specials or listen to Christmas music in the days leading up to it if you don't want to. Just come in, get warm and enjoy the company and the food.

I also enjoy staring at the Christmas tree. The lights put me into a kind of meditative state. And even though Christmas really isn't about presents anymore once you get older, every once in a while I'll get something really nice.

Some of you may not like meeting with relatives you only see occasionally, but maybe the reason those meetings are so uncomfortable is the fact that you don't know these people very well. Christmas would be a good time to get to know them.

Oh, and I get a week and a half off work, paid and no need to use my vacation time. That's full of win for me.

[SirLemming]

Also, just think how boring this time of year would be without Christmas. It would just get colder and stuff. Even if it's nothing more than a meaningless ritual to you, at least there's something going on. And it's at least one day off, for most of you.

Christmas isn't going to magically make you happy if you're sad, especially if you're in your late teens or older. But even if you feel there's nothing to get happy about, just try to be happy about the fact that other people are happy. There must be some joy in that. Don't force Christmas, because it doesn't work, not at this age. Just relax and let it happen.

[Jave]

I believe the complains about how "Christmas is all over the place" are ridiculous. It's not like EVERY channel is airing Christmas stuff 24/7, and even if that was the case, you can always put your own DVDs, or play a video game.

As Shawn said, this holiday would be a lot more enjoyable if people didn't stress over it and go with the flow instead. Yes, malls and stores are decorated for the occasion, but that's really just aesthetics, it shouldn't affect the experience of going to the mall and stuff like that.

As for Jesus' birth date. There's no solid evidence of when Jesus was actually born (even the Bible states a three-year margin of error) because there's tons of contradictory info, such as Jesus living 33 and a half years and dying in Passover/Easter, which is in April, thus making his Birthday in October. December 25th is an arbitrary date chosen to celebrate the Birth of Christ, but it could have been any other day of the year.

[sdp]

While it does annoy me to see Christmas stuff since October :p I like Christmas a lot. I stopped liking Christmas when I stopped being religious so about 8th or 9th grade since I saw it as a pointless holiday, but now after finishing High School I started liking it, after all Christmas is really not all that much about Christ, its mostly a big commercial holiday so I enjoy it in that sense, its just a fun time. I also don't see it as a stressful time since its just a day, nothing special about it why get all stressed out?

[Temple Fugate]

Changed the Period in to a Question Mark, as it should have been. Now, let's see...You've been here long enough to know that this kind of correction stuff isn't well appreciated.
Also, who was the scatterbrain that said December, 25th is the Birth if Jesus Christ? Last time I checked, it was in March.As Jave pointed out, the exact birthdate has never been proven. Most scholars have ruled it was in late September/early October (http://www.new-life.net/chrtms10.htm). The date for Christmas is also most likely associated with the feast of St. Nicholas, the archetype for our modern-day Santa Claus. The feast was traditonally held in early December. Christmas and the feast got muddled together over the centuries until it was finally turned into a consumer shopping craze by corporations a little over a hundred years ago.

I agree with your main reasons stated for disliking the holiday, but regardless, why bother concentrating on the bad over the good? It kind of defeats the point of "Peace on Earth and good will toward men." Just because Christmas is being shoved down our throats is no reason to give knee-jerk reactions and go completely off in the wrong direction.

When people fed-up with the holiday season start being Scrooges and Grinches to people just because they don't like the length or the saturation of the holiday in their own lives, they resemble the antithesis of Christmas. How is grumpy behavior an acceptable alternative to Christmas cheer? One has a lot more positive effects than the other.

The people who almost ruin this holiday for me are the greedy. The people that fight over the hottest toys and trample their fellow shoppers at Wal-Marts. The people who'd rather give their kid $300 in presents instead of donating some toys to poorer children. I understand why some people look at Christmas unfavorably; as a society we've bastardized the holiday into a celebration of human greed when it should be about so many different, positive things.

Instead of just complaining about it, though, do something about it. I don't mean punching out the Santa at your local mall, either, I mean be nice to people. Help turn Christmas back into the festival it's supposed to be, and you will by extension express your rejection of the festival that it currently is.

[Starbraces]

};3073115']I like Christmas a lot. I stopped liking Christmas when I stopped being religious so about 8th or 9th grade since I saw it as a pointless holiday

Where I live we celebrate Christmas on the 24th and we call it Yule (also known as Jól, Jul, Joulu et.c), and it has no relation to Jesus or Christianity (it's MUCH much older). A lot of Nordic and Germanic countries celebrate Christmas because of the old Druid's (pagans) holidays to celebrate the Moon and the winter solstice, known as Jōl

[PC!]

Eh, Christmas wouldn't be so bad if they didn't get all hyped up about it, like, five months before it actually happens. Not really a major annoyance, but it does kind of bug me.

[Captain Highwind]

No offense, but kind of a piss-poor reason.

Oh it's okay, I don't care.

[The Cartoon]

I respectively disagree with you. This is the best time of the year! Everything is happier around Christmas time. I love the fact that there are lights everywhere and Christmas music playing. I love watching the Christmas Specials on TV. I love the excitement of waking up on Christmas Day. The fact is, it isn't about the presents. It is about the magic.

[Bubblegum Girl]

Besides the commercialism and its crazy shopping sprees, one of the things I dislike about Christmas is the decorations. For my family, we have indoor decorations that we don't really need. I really don't understand why we have to go that far just for one holiday. I mean, we not trying to impress anybody in our neighbor since they don't come over to our house. Not to mention it's alot of work. :sweat:

But that doesn't mean I enjoy having the Christmas tree. I feel my family should just have the Christmas tree plus bulbs and Christmas lights for outside.

[Tenku]

Well, you could celebrate Festivus...

[KPTitan]

Looking at previous posts, I'm suprised that there are some people that agree with me on Jesus not being born on Dec. 25, that he was born in mid to late fall instead.

I wouldn't say that I HATE Christmas, I admit that it gives me happy memories about my mom before she died. But because of my religion, I don't celebrate it because Christmas is basically routed from pagan religion.

It's ironic that Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but then you got all these people getting trampled by a frantic stampede of impatient shoppers. I ain't making fun of that incident either...

[Starbraces]

...Well, if Jesus was even born at all. *shifty eyes*

Okay, I won't turn this into a religious battle. Just saying, Christmas isn't 100% Christian allover the world. People have celebrated it since BEFORE Jesus' time. Like KPTitan said. I'm glad many more acknowledges this

To me, growing up, I was always wondering why it was called "CHRIST"-mas in English

[Lelouch]

I enjoy Christmas quite a bit actually. I don't really mind all the holiday spirit, even if it is overdone, it's only once a year, I'll let it slide. I do however hate the cold, but the snow makes up for it I suppose.

[Shinmeiryuu]

I haven't been much into Christmas for years; the current scattered, depressed, and financial situations of my family has been undaunted by cheeriness of the holiday season. I was hoping I'd still have my job, so that I could purchase some gift for my sister, and maybe something for my grandmother- as much grief as I've given her I'm certainly obligated to do as much- ; employment opportunities in my town are kind of scarce as of now, though.

[DarthGonzo]

I often wonder why I enjoy the holidays as much as I do. My father passed away the day after Christmas almost 11 years ago. And up until she passed away herself, my mother was never in much of a holiday mood and did what she could to keep the holidays low key. With the rest of my family down in Florida you would think the pressures of living alone and maintaining a home and holding down a job would deprive me of any holiday spirit.

But it hasn't. I love Christmas. I love the holiday specials, the music (as long as I don't have to hear it too early in the season), the decorations, the feeling in the air and the chance to spend time with the people I care about. I love the gatherings, hosting and attending Christmas parties and of course there's also Christmas dinner. It's truly my favorite time of the year. Without Christmas winter would just be one long, cold, cruel month.

So the odd anti-Christmas attitude around here baffles me. If you don't like the commercialism stay out of the stores. If you don't like the TV specials change the channel or shut the TV off. If you don't like hearing Christmas songs on the radio you could again change the channel or put on a CD and turn on your ipod. These seem like petty reasons to dislike such a wonderful holiday.

[Shinmeiryuu]

Off topic, but DG, I really like your sig. xD

[Dr.Pepper]

I love Christmas. Its my favorite time of the year, but that might just because I have a child's mind.

[SSJPabs]

Endless Christmas Carols. At least wait until December.

[KPTitan]

So the odd anti-Christmas attitude around here baffles me. If you don't like the commercialism stay out of the stores. If you don't like the TV specials change the channel or shut the TV off. If you don't like hearing Christmas songs on the radio you could again change the channel or put on a CD and turn on your ipod. These seem like petty reasons to dislike such a wonderful holiday.

...

Does this mean my religion is a stupid excuse too?:confused:

[The Cartoon]

I often wonder why I enjoy the holidays as much as I do. My father passed away the day after Christmas almost 11 years ago. And up until she passed away herself, my mother was never in much of a holiday mood and did what she could to keep the holidays low key. With the rest of my family down in Florida you would think the pressures of living alone and maintaining a home and holding down a job would deprive me of any holiday spirit.

But it hasn't. I love Christmas. I love the holiday specials, the music (as long as I don't have to hear it too early in the season), the decorations, the feeling in the air and the chance to spend time with the people I care about. I love the gatherings, hosting and attending Christmas parties and of course there's also Christmas dinner. It's truly my favorite time of the year. Without Christmas winter would just be one long, cold, cruel month.

So the odd anti-Christmas attitude around here baffles me. If you don't like the commercialism stay out of the stores. If you don't like the TV specials change the channel or shut the TV off. If you don't like hearing Christmas songs on the radio you could again change the channel or put on a CD and turn on your ipod. These seem like petty reasons to dislike such a wonderful holiday.
I agree with everything that you just said! I don't see a reason for anyone to hate Christmas.

...

Does this mean my religion is a stupid excuse too?
No, religion is completely different. I can respect that.

[Romanesque]

You're never going to single-handedly stop the commercialism; even the oldest of us here are decades too late for serious lament. I'll even be among the first to agree that it's exploited, but the appropriate response is to roll our eyes and be on our way. We can tend to our own purse strings. Spend a little less on gifts or give a little more to those in need.

Had your fill of Christmas specials? Change the channel. Change the station when given too much Christmas music. Take advantage of all the other commercialism in our culture and pop in a DVD or CD of your choosing. Tune in to what makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Christmas spirit, or holiday spirit, or whatever you want to call it is entirely what we choose to make of it. Worry less about about what everyone else is wrapped up in and realize that changing our own perspective is all any of us can reliably do. Start your own holiday rituals. Do something memorable. Do something memorable for someone else! Try to live up to the humanitarian ideal you wish everyone else were living up to. Even if you need to ask for help along the way, remember that action begins and ends with ourselves. Go forth and reclaim the experience as your own!

--Romey

[DarthGonzo]

...

Does this mean my religion is a stupid excuse too?:confused:

Not at all. I always respect religious reasons.

[.bg]

Well, you could celebrate Festivus...
I celebrate both, as it turns out. A bunch of my friends and I actually do the whole Festivus thing a week before Christmas, complete with pole.

[Shawn Hopkins]

I celebrate both, as it turns out. A bunch of my friends and I actually do the whole Festivus thing a week before Christmas, complete with pole.

What do you do for feats of strength?

[.bg]

It used to be a drink-chugging contest, but then we changed it to a video game tournament.

[JPPT1974]

I'm not trying to be a "Grinch" or a "Scrooge," but... I don't know. I'm just not feeling really happy about this holiday. Why, some of the things representing this holiday kind of makes me fell worse. To put it short, I'm just sick of it. Was there anything about this overrated holiday that you problems with? Even to the point that you hate it so much?

Sorry you aren't feeling that. And that I know the feeling.
Christmas is so overrated and too much commercialism.
Really, people don't know the value and true meaning of the season!

[Light Lucario]

I don't mind the commercialization of Christmas that much at all. I still feel the Christmas spirit of togetherness and unity even with how stores go all out for Christmas a good month or two ahead of time. I still love watching all of the Christmas specials, listening to the Christmas music, I always love driving with my mom as we look at all of the beautiful lights on houses and I love it when we decorate the tree. My dad and brother, on the other hand, do enjoy all of that stuff, but not as much as my mom and I do. Anyway, I can understand why other people would feel like the commercialization is too much, but no one is really forcing you to watch those specials or go to the stores with the huge signs for Christmas. Even with all of these specials and music for Christmas, I've always looked foreword to spending time with my family, as well as our usual traditions that I mentioned and of course, reasons like giving and getting presents and having a break from school for awhile.

[purplehairedwonder]

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I think we can all agree that it's been commercialized excessively, but I just roll my eyes and move on with my life. I get into the holiday spirit when I'm good and ready and don't let anyone else dictate when and how I should. I listen to Christmas music when I want to, the family decorates when we feel like it, and we celebrate in our own way.

I'm not Christian, so my family celebrates Christmas as a time for the family to get together and celebrate each others' company. It's a wonderful time and I love being able to see family members I don't otherwise often get to see. It's a time of good company, good food, and overall good times.

[Eddy]

I love Christmas.

But I did find it ridiculous when I walked into Walmart and heard Christmas music playing when it had just been Halloween the day before.

[SSJPabs]

Change the channel. Change the station when given too much Christmas music. The problem comes when your family and your SO absolutely LOVE Christmas music and Specials and all that stuff. When you are outnumbered 6-1 all you can do not to be a jerk is shut your mouth and bear it.

[Game Freak 4]

The problem comes when your family and your SO absolutely LOVE Christmas music and Specials and all that stuff. When you are outnumbered 6-1 all you can do not to be a jerk is shut your mouth and bear it.
Exactly, which is why I tend to find an empty, deserted room.

[The Cartoon]

The problem comes when your family and your SO absolutely LOVE Christmas music and Specials and all that stuff. When you are outnumbered 6-1 all you can do not to be a jerk is shut your mouth and bear it.
You shouldn't have to bear it. The Christmas Specials and music are part of the joy of Christmas, not a reason to hate it.

[Starbraces]

Not a joy if it's just as the same as they year before, and the year before that, and the year before that... just continuing in an endless tradition with absolutely no changes. Even thinking about it makes me want to hyperventilate

Routines makes me freak out

[Game Freak 4]

I don't know. Maybe I'm just bitter.

[The Cartoon]

I don't know. Maybe I'm just bitter.
Don't worry, it's never too late to find your Christmas Spirit! :D

http://www.ourspacer.com/images/graphics/christmas/christmas-greetings.gif

Merry Christmas to all!

[Marvin Tikvah]

I only real negative I can think of in this time of year is the weather. I hate the cold, and the fact that so many people catch sicknesses so easily this time of year. It's really gross knowing how much mucus can be produced by your nose.

Other than that, it's an alright holiday. I'm not as into it as I used to be, but that's mainly because time seems to go faster and I find myself with less free time as I used to have. Even during the holidays where I usually help my dad at his work, since his holiday breaks are literally on the day of the holiday.

[Flame Alchemist]

an endless tradition with absolutely no changes
Isn't that why they call it a tradition? :sweat:

[Starbraces]

Isn't that why they call it a tradition? :sweat:

And a routine. A horrible routine. There's nothing I despise more...

[Shawn Hopkins]

And a routine. A horrible routine. There's nothing I despise more...

Yeah, you keep bringing it up. But that's just your own mental illness. It's not a valid argument against Christmas.

[SSJPabs]

While I don't find Christmas season as a whole to repetitive, if something repeats endlessly then for some of us it becomes devoid of meaning. It's like breathing, you take it for granted, never thinking about it until you suddenly can't do it anymore. Also, mental illness? Wha-a-a-at?

You shouldn't have to bear it. The Christmas Specials and music are part of the joy of Christmas, not a reason to hate it.Then they shouldn't be so cliche all the time I think. I probably shouldn't do this but you seem determine to spread Christmas cheer in the midst of the Humbug thread so.... I'll bite, what's the joy of Christmas and what does it have to do with music that's played so often it becomes meaningless and specials that when not repetitive themselves are so saccharine as to be indigestible?

ED: Sad Christmas Puppy Avatar returns in 2008!

[The Cartoon]

Then they shouldn't be so cliche all the time I think. I probably shouldn't do this but you seem determine to spread Christmas cheer in the midst of the Humbug thread so.... I'll bite, what's the joy of Christmas and what does it have to do with music that's played so often it becomes meaningless and specials that when not repetitive themselves are so saccharine as to be indigestible?
The joy of Christmas is a combination of a lot of things. It is the air, the Christmas lights that you see whenever you drive at night. It is the excitement of waking up on Christmas day knowing that you are in the midst of the happiest day of the year. The smell of the Christmas Tree, the decorations all over the house, and even the snow adds to the feeling. The specials and music just add to all of it and build up the joy. The fact is, if you don't want to like Christmas, then you won't. But if want to like it, then you will. That's my opinion on it.

[JTurner954]

I would usually be into Christmas, but since last year's Christmas (and honestly, Thanksgiving), all I've noticed is how greedy people can be. Even more so since my father passed away in January. After years of trusting people, their true colors came out with insults and scare tactics on how things should be followed (Apparently, I have to ask for permission to go to my father's grave). It also doesn't help that I work in retail where I'm always exposed to this behavior and yelled out for things that are beyond my control (just the other day someone yelled at me over Diet Root Beer [Later on a crib]). I also don't think it's fair of me to celebrate a religious holiday when I'm not the religious type. There are other occasions where I give people gifts so one less day doesn't worry me too much.

I won't say the holiday is bad enough where I'll ignore it completely. I've always liked Christmas songs and the decorations. Every year at work I pick two co-workers who I felt are underappreciated and I give them some Santa dollars I purchased (the proceeds go to charity). I also go to the movies every Christmas Eve as a present I give to myself; this year will be the eighth year I've done this. Next year could be different, but things need to get better first.

[SSJPabs]

The joy of Christmas is a combination of a lot of things. It is the air, the Christmas lights that you see whenever you drive at night. It is the excitement of waking up on Christmas day knowing that you are in the midst of the happiest day of the year. The smell of the Christmas Tree, the decorations all over the house, and even the snow adds to the feeling. The specials and music just add to all of it and build up the joy. The fact is, if you don't want to like Christmas, then you won't. But if want to like it, then you will. That's my opinion on it.

Well that's a solid opinion, I guess I just don't get the hooplah about Xmas being so special. I can be with my family at other times and nothing is stopping me from giving out gifts. If I want stuff I'll just wait till I can afford it or it gets cheap and buy it. But I don't want to bring someone so obviously into the season down, so happy holidays to you Cartoon.

[GWOtaku]

People that hate Christmas probably aren't making any serious effort to enjoy it.

You hate Christmas special X? First of all, find yourself a heart. Second of all, A Christmas Carol had better not be on your hate list. Dickens actually had things to say in that tale, nobody should be writing it off as holiday fluff. I recently saw the 1999 version (http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Patrick-Stewart/dp/0780623746/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1228513639&sr=1-3) with Patrick Stewart and recommend it. Better yet, why not read it? I think that I will this year. Third and finally, how about trying to enjoy the company of others instead of being a scrooge about how what's on TV supposedly sucks?

You hate shopping sprees and mall rushes? You hate the music they play *in* the mall? I sympathize. Well, here's a radical thought, don't go to the mall! People, the internet is right there. You're using it right now. No one is making you go out shopping. Please don't make yourself out as a martyr being sacrificed on the altar of capitalism.

You hate Christmas music? Maybe you should try listening to different types of it and not limiting your opinion of it to the mall's track selection. For instance I have some Christmas Jazz, and it rocks. Choir music can be very beautiful and worth listening to whether you are religious or not.

I really don't want to hear about how the holiday routine ruins Christmas for people. Between your attitude and what you choose to do, you make your own routine. So choose to make yourself a good holiday. So to this thread I say with due respect bah humbug, and Merry Christmas.

-GWO

[The Cartoon]

Well that's a solid opinion, I guess I just don't get the hooplah about Xmas being so special. I can be with my family at other times and nothing is stopping me from giving out gifts. If I want stuff I'll just wait till I can afford it or it gets cheap and buy it. But I don't want to bring someone so obviously into the season down, so happy holidays to you Cartoon.
Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you.

[DarthGonzo]

I really don't want to hear about how the holiday routine ruins Christmas for people. Between your attitude and what you choose to do, you make your own routine. So choose to make yourself a good holiday. So to this thread I say with due respect bah humbug, and Merry Christmas.

THANK YOU!

I'd ask again why there is so much negativity in this thread but I have to keep in mind that this is the internet, where everyone complains about everything.

I spent last night decorating the outside of my house, loving every minute of it regardless of how cold it was. And today I'm braving the malls to go Xmas shopping with some friends and I'm sure I'll enjoy that too. We'll probably even watch some Xmas specials when we get back to my place.

If someone like me can enjoy this season (see above) then I have no sympathy for anyone who hates the holidays for much lesser reasons. The music? The malls? The TV specials? The weather? Really, those are such petty reasons to hate such a magical holiday.

Honestly, we have too many hate threads around here.

[Style]

A very interesting and stimulating thread, covering a vast perspective of Holiday bitterness, and I can appreciate all the points of view. (It does make me privately giggle that Christmas can be rejected simultaneously for both being "too Christian" and "Not Christian enough.") Still though, one poster does bear attention:

And a routine. A horrible routine. There's nothing I despise more... Okay, let me mention that it is uncool that someone called this a "mental illness" but...*shifts uncomfortably* this reasoning is baffling people for a reason. You seem to react to rituals, routines, and traditions in the exact opposite manner as the vast majority of human beings in the world and throughout history. For most people, the scariest thing is facing a vast, unpredictable universe where any random thing can happen. Schedules, Routines, Rituals and Traditions represents a way of imposing a kind of order on the randomness, to give us something that we can repeatably count on. That's the purpose. To most, it's comforting that Christmas comes at the same time every single year, and that most of the old elements of it resurface. (not that there aren't new songs, new specials, etc.)

So, one has to ask, how deep is your hatred of routines and rituals? If it's truly as deep as you say, then I imagine you'd have trouble going to either work or School, where you have to show up at the same times and do similar things on a predictable schedule. I'd imagine that it would annoy you that Televisions shows air at the same time week to week or that dinner is always in the evening or that your friends always call on Friday nights. If any of this is true, then there may be a legitimate issue and you may need help adapting and being functional. However, if none of that is true and you don't really mind those kind of things, and the "hating rituals and routines" is just a Bon Mot that you only trot out regarding certain Holidays, then perhaps it's not really the rituals that are bothering you, but you are bothered by something else. Maybe you dislike rituals in connection to religion, where yes there is some history of using traditions as a way to gain some control. If that's what it is, then it's really the Religion and/or the Control that bothers you, not the routines per se.

So, I don't know, but I find your ideas interesting and worth further discussion even outside the realm of Christmas.

[mookie75]

You hate shopping sprees and mall rushes? You hate the music they play *in* the mall? I sympathize. Well, here's a radical thought, don't go to the mall! People, the internet is right there. You're using it right now. No one is making you go out shopping. Please don't make yourself out as a martyr being sacrificed on the altar of capitalism.

Or do like I did and do all of your Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving even arrives. :D

For the record, I didn't do it because I don't like Christmas crowds...I just don't like crowds in general.

[KPTitan]

But I did find it ridiculous when I walked into Walmart and heard Christmas music playing when it had just been Halloween the day before.

LOL, if you think that's ridiculous, the Kmart where I live had Christmas trees put up on the shelves 2-3 weeks BEFORE Halloween. It makes you wonder if they have stuff like that listed in the Guiness Book of World Records, on who puts up decorations and/or sells Christmas stuff the earliest.

[Lavenderpaw]

I hate snow, therefore, I hate winter holidays, therefore, I hate Christmas!
:paco:

But without winter, how could we enjoy spring?

[SSJPabs]

I love winter, the cold, wind, snow and lack of sunlight make things very dramatic. The other thing that really annoys me about Christmas is the traveling. From the 19-25 of December I will be traveling at least 1000 miles and I am not happy about it. Especially because I will have to be cheerful at stops along the way. I don't have as much vacation this year, my last year of Christmas breaks, and do I want to spend it in a car wandering around? No! I want to spend it in bed asleep or playing video games.

[Wolfie~Giri]

I love winter, the cold, wind, snow and lack of sunlight make things very dramatic. The other thing that really annoys me about Christmas is the traveling. From the 19-25 of December I will be traveling at least 1000 miles and I am not happy about it. Especially because I will have to be cheerful at stops along the way.

I'll be sure to leave you some cookies. :anime:

[KPTitan]

Some people mentioned here that the commercialism is getting ridiclious...a good friend of mine absolutely loves celebrating Christmas, and she tends to agree with it. So I think it's possible for some people to like the holiday, but not the commercialism.

[Daxdiv]

Some people mentioned here that the commercialism is getting ridiclious...a good friend of mine absolutely loves celebrating Christmas, and she tends to agree with it. So I think it's possible for some people to like the holiday, but not the commercialism.

Well considering that my favorite Christmas Special is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and that had a strong message about how "Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe it means something more." and I kind of agree with that since I like the holiday itself.


I just find it downright funny that people who don't celebrate don't even like the small idea of having the day off, dude just take the day off, especially if you're in retail where you get 2, 3 tops, holidays off. Those being Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

[KPTitan]

I just find it downright funny that people who don't celebrate don't even like the small idea of having the day off, dude just take the day off, especially if you're in retail where you get 2, 3 tops, holidays off. Those being Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Lol, yeah...I think.:sweat: I actually have Christmas off, and I'll take it. Just as long as I get days off I'm fine with it.