Join the Resistance?

[MichelleCarmen]

There are ways to avoid the consumerism onslaught. Our tv has a converter box, but no cable. Most tv we watch is via netflix (no commercials). CDs/Pandora instead of radio, walk in nature versus walking in the malls.
A little commercialism is ok (ok I do like the look at the decorations ), but a lot is nauseating.

I know parents who complain about all the stuff their kids ask/demand, or how they act disappointed if they don't get what they asked for. I really think alot of that has to do with the amount of commercials they are exposed to (something you can nip in the bud). It all has to do with balance. They know they are getting presents but are mostly excited that they are getting presents. I know that may change as they get older but for now I love the fact they are so happy just by it being Christmastime and looking at the ornaments on the tree.

This Christmas season has been interesting for us because we canceled our cable and also watch shows through Netflix. It's been surprising how little my kids have asked for. Normally they have a list of 10 items, but this year it's all simple things like journals and a few video games (ones that their friends have). *NO* lists of toys I know they'll play with once or twice then grow bored of. Huge relief.

 

[iLander]

I think the idea of celebrating a holiday a certain way because other (non-related) people want you to or expect you to, is ridiculous. I have always told my kids "Don't worry what people think of you, they don't do it very much". I think this applies to Christmas and EVERY OTHER thing in life.

I mostly have Christmas for my kids. When they were little, it was all for them; the Santa disguise, the bicycle under the tree, the endless search for that Ninja Turtle Blimp. I wanted to live up to their Xmas expectations because they are people I love. I have no urge to live up to the Xmas expectations of people I don't love, like my neighbors or acquaintances. This is as it should be.

Kenny, have you seen "Christmas with the Kranks"? I think you would enjoy at least the first half, where the Kranks decide to skip Christmas and go on a tropical vacation. No tree, no lights, nothing. The funny part is how much this upsets and threatens their neighbors and coworkers. If you prefer to read it, t's based on "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham. I think you would especially enjoy the neighbors' wigging out about "Frosty". Dan Aykroyd makes the movie.

Join the resistance? I think I already did! I don't do anything unless I feel like it: if I don't feel like lights outside, they don't go up. If I don't feel like a big Xmas dinner, I don't make it. If I don't feel like going to the mall, I won't (actually I hate malls with a passion). I got tired of wrapping, now we use and reuse gift bags. There are so many layers of tape, it's hard to see the designs. Last year, my DH felt like doing exquisite wrapping on everything. So he did. He doesn't feel like that this year, so it's back to the bags. One year, I felt like putting up 5 Christmas trees, so I did. This year, the naked tree has been sitting here for a week. We're thinking of calling it "minimalist" and leaving it at that. That's how it goes at my house. But I've never been an "I should" kind of person.

What is that saying? Something like "if you live for the approval of others, you are their prisoner"? Exactly.

 

[y2kitty]

How bout this? I am a Christmas resister, I tell people that and that I won't be getting them gifts, and they still buy them for me and force me to take them. I just find it all a little useless, as my personal philosophy is that if I want it, and it costs less than 10 grand, I've already bought it for myself.

 

[packrat]

I guess I figure Christmas is what you make it to be. What you want it to be. It can be as commercialized and materialistic as you think it should be. Make it religious or don't. Make it about family and friends. Make it about time alone to reflect. Make it about whatever you want it to be about. I don't have a lot of money so my kids don't get a lot of stuff, and we don't *make* it be about the gifts. I'll use the dreaded phrase "It is what it is". If you don't want to have fun w/it, then don't. Go sit in the corner and make a frowny face and cross your arms and wallow in how awful Christmas is while other people who choose to make it fun go out and have fun with it. We all make the choice every single day when we wake up how we're going to handle and treat the day and the people around us. The holidays aren't any different.

I didn't have Christmas until I was 27. I think it's fun, know why? Cuz I like pretty lights and I like snow, and the smell of seasonal candles, I dig the Santas and reindeer and snowmen. I dig the songs. I like when places have them over loudspeakers outside so when you're on the sidewalks you can hear them-and I sing along and grin from ear to ear. If we had the money, I would do my house up inside and out all pretty for the holidays.

I don't need a holiday to tell me to be a nice person. I don't need a holiday to hold a door open for someone or to give my kids and husband gifts. But I'm not going to pout about it b/c the holiday is in existence.

I don't believe in what is behind the holiday-that just sticks w/me from my childhood. Who cares? Even when I was younger and didn't celebrate (and if I wasn't married and have kids, I still wouldn't celebrate it, but I still would *enjoy* the season), I didn't have a nervous breakdown if someone told me Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Big smile and say "Thanks, same to you!" You know why? First, cuz I'm nice 365, not just 1 day. Second, it's common courtesy. I wasn't raised to be rude, regardless of my beliefs or someone else's beliefs.

Just general statements, not directed towards anyone at all.

ETA X 12 hahaha oops changed how many days I'm nice from 356 to 365. Oh and I also wanted to say that I wish people would be more respectful of other people and their beliefs instead of freaking out if someone says something they don't agree w/, such as Merry Christmas or whatever. For instance, I never said the Pledge of Allegiance in school, but I still stood up and faced the Flag, out of respect. I stand during the Star Spangled Banner and I get irritated when people don't, b/c I think it shows a lack of respect. My own personal opinion, it's not commercialism or materialism that is the problem w/the holidays, it's the lack of respect shown for and by some people, during a holiday that is *supposed* to be about love and friendship and family and forgiveness.

 

[gemgirl]

I would like to nix "christmas" and celebrate the solstice, but I would keep my tree and presents and lights and feasting and maybe even santa. I would just like to get rid of the religious aspect so that we could all share a magical holiday that everyone could celebrate together as planetary beings moving through our universe together on the planet we share... celebrating the longest night of the year and the fact that every day thereafter is longer and brighter than the day before

It would be hard to nix "Christmas" and keep the tree, presents, lights, feasting and Santa, since all of those things individually have specific meanings in the traditional faith filled celebration of Christmas.

 

[radiantquest]

I was thinking about it and I think that some of the reason that I like Christmas is because a little bit of kid comes out in me. I still enjoy the awe and wonder of those beautiful light displays. One of these days I am going to make it to NY and see that tree. Every year I want to go, but for some reason I have never been. For me, it is hard to not look at twinkling lights and garland and smell pine and not get a child like grin on my face.

 

[yssie]

I'm not Christian.. and Christmas is my favourite time of year.


And no - it's not all about gifts. It's the family get-togethers and games in the snow, the parties and dinners, the trees and lights and lights and decorations and hot cider in front of the fireplace. And, in part, the gifts - choosing them, getting and giving them, watching kids revel in tales of their beloved Santa...


Like Packy said - it is what you make of it. Even if - like me - it is in the strictly secular sense.

 

[Haven]

I'm not Christian.. and Christmas is my favourite time of year.

And no - it's not all about gifts. It's the family get-togethers and games in the snow, the parties and dinners, the trees and lights and lights and decorations and hot cider in front of the fireplace. And, in part, the gifts - choosing them, getting and giving them, watching kids revel in tales of their beloved Santa...

Like Packy said - it is what you make of it.

Ditto to Yssie, and thritto to Packrat.

I love Christmas. I'm a Jew (but really I'm an atheist if we're being honest) and I still love Christmas. We don't give gifts to adults in my family for Chanukah, and we certainly don't exchange gifts for Christmas, so it's not at all about the gifts for me.

I love the music and the lights and the trees and the cheesy holiday sweaters. I love the Salvation Army volunteer who wishes me happy holidays when I drop change into his dish. I love those little white frosted shortbread cookies with round sprinkles that someone always leaves out in the office. I love the holiday movies and the hot cider and the time off to pause and reflect.
And I love my winter break.

I don't understand all of the holiday blues that people talk about, but I understand that may be a side effect of being an outsider in a Christian society. But I do celebrate other holidays, and those never get me down.

 

[miraclesrule]

I would like to nix "christmas" and celebrate the solstice, but I would keep my tree and presents and lights and feasting and maybe even santa. I would just like to get rid of the religious aspect so that we could all share a magical holiday that everyone could celebrate together as planetary beings moving through our universe together on the planet we share... celebrating the longest night of the year and the fact that every day thereafter is longer and brighter than the day before

Rock on Cehrabehra!!

Until then, I feel like being The Grinch.

 

[miraclesrule]

I didn't read the article....but there are years when I feel about Christmas as Brangelina feel about getting married. I'll do it when everyone has the freedom and luxury to do so equally. And hope for peace. Isn't that what all the cards say when you receive/send them? Wishing everyone Peace, Joy, Happiness. Certainly we don't wish them bombs, evictions. and food stamp lines.

Whatever...I'll play my role as expected...rom pa pah pum...me and my drum....

 

[Imdanny]

I love Christmas. I'm not boycotting it in any way shape or form.

However, as you know Kenny, my SO is traveling on business this Christmas and I"m going to be alone.

It's going to be the worst Christmas I've ever had.

 

[zoebartlett]

I know that celebrating the holidays isn't for everyone (for whatever his/her reasons are), but I don't understand joining a resistance or anything like that. I love the holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving and ending with New Year's Day. No, the holidays aren't quite the same as when I was little (less excitement, etc.), but I still love them.

 

[zoebartlett]

I love the holidays for all the reasons that Haven mentioned. I just wish it would SNOW, darn it! One of my most favorite things about this time of year is being with my students. They're 7-8 and Santa is THE most popular guy these days. We play Christmas carols, we enjoy watching the high school chorus concert that they put on for us every year, we love doing holiday crafts, and the list goes on and on...

Since we don't have kids of our own, I get so wrapped up in the magical spirit of the holidays with my kids at school, and that makes me very happy. Of course if I had a student whose family didn't celebrate, I'd be very respectful and we'd tone it down, but that's rarely been an issue.

 

[atroop711]

I was thinking about it and I think that some of the reason that I like Christmas is because a little bit of kid comes out in me. I still enjoy the awe and wonder of those beautiful light displays. One of these days I am going to make it to NY and see that tree. Every year I want to go, but for some reason I have never been. For me, it is hard to not look at twinkling lights and garland and smell pine and not get a child like grin on my face.

I am SO THERE WITH YOU on this thought. My inner child does come out. When it's Christmas, I remember perfectly the excitement awaiting Santa..visiting him in Macy's and the unity of family (and Friends)...that's what it's all about for me. I would never resist Christmas...I'm all for it. It's a time for family and friends uniting...a time for old traditions cooking on the stovetop, hearing songs that bring tears to your eyes (like O' Holy Nite)...it's a time of believing (for me). There's no other place like Christmas in NYC!!! You can feel the excitement in the air when you walk down the streets during this season. Radiantquest, I hope you do make it here one day and visit the Tree..and visit Santa at Macy's, visit all of the holiday windows..it's pretty damn spectacular here during the season.

So no way in hell will I ever join a resistance...why would I? To not relive those wonderful memories from my childhood would be such a shame..and to not pass those traditions down to my children is unheard of. So I say BAH HUMBUG! to the resistance

 

[iLander]

I love Christmas. I'm not boycotting it in any way shape or form.

However, as you know Kenny, my SO is traveling on business this Christmas and I"m going to be alone.

It's going to be the worst Christmas I've ever had.

Danny! Why don't you go see your mom?

I am always plugging for all moms, everywhere. . .

 

[iLander]

One of these days I am going to make it to NY and see that tree. Every year I want to go, but for some reason I have never been.

Ummmm . . . it's not that impressive in RL, I'm sorry to say . . . I really don't get how they manage to make it look so ginormous on TV. . .

I think you will be pleasantly surprised about the rest of the city though, it is pretty magical.

 

[Jennifer W]

I love Christmas. I'm not boycotting it in any way shape or form.

However, as you know Kenny, my SO is traveling on business this Christmas and I"m going to be alone.

It's going to be the worst Christmas I've ever had.

Oh honey! I'm sorry to hear that you'll be apart at Christmas. Will he be home for New Year?
Big hug.

 

[zoebartlett]

Danny -- I'm sorry that your SO and you won't be together for Christmas.

 

[atroop711]

One of these days I am going to make it to NY and see that tree. Every year I want to go, but for some reason I have never been.

Ummmm . . . it's not that impressive in RL, I'm sorry to say . . . I really don't get how they manage to make it look so ginormous on TV. . .

I think you will be pleasantly surprised about the rest of the city though, it is pretty magical.

iLander..the tree is huge...come yrs it's not the prettiest during the day (you can see empty spots) but at night it's gorgeous with all of the lights and background of Rock Ctr.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I love Christmas. I'm not boycotting it in any way shape or form.

However, as you know Kenny, my SO is traveling on business this Christmas and I"m going to be alone.

It's going to be the worst Christmas I've ever had.

(((((Danny))))) We need to find you something to do, some private tradition or self celebration Okay that last part sounds dirrrty but you know what I mean!! What about the rest of your family (or his)?

 

[JewelFreak]

Christmas is my favorite holiday, always has been. I love the lights, Christmas carols, decorating a beautiful tree, a fire in the fireplace, special meals, all cozy & warm. Not since I grew out of childhood has it been about presents -- even then, the idea of Santa being in the house was the real excitement. Yes, getting them is fun, but I enjoy searching for things people I love will be happy with. My siblings & I exchange about 1 gift apiece. One brother's present has been, for about 25 yrs, a conference call Christmas morning to the entire family. Even when we lived in Holland, he included me. It's a highlight of the day.

I now shop almost completely online, avoid crowds & hassles & short tempers. I also get a giggle out of the weird gadgets advertised on tv at Christmas, cheesy things sold only then that probably break in a day if you can figure out how to use them. Every wacky inventor with a couple dimes for late-night ads goes nuts at Christmas.

For me it's a happy time when animosities & worries are put away, replaced with warmth, gratitude & old friends. Would never want to not do Christmas.

--- Laurie

P.S. -- Danny, come on down & have Christmas with us!!! If you like being slobbered on by Siberian Huskies, that is. Or me!