K&R this thread if you can't wait for Christmas season to be over with

[Hugabear]

Nothing wrong with spending time with family - although it shouldn't take a holiday for that to happen. But there are several things about Christmas that are constant pet peeves of mine, and make me wish the holiday season would hurry up and get over with.

1. Used as an excuse by many right-wing Christians to shove their religion in our faces. This often takes form in their so-called "War on Christmas", where they look for any tiny little excuse to whine about religious persecution. God forbid anyone say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" - they take this as a deliberate insult. They demand respect and recognition of their religion, but then get all bent out of shape if some public group or government erects a holiday display inclusive of other religions/beliefs such as Hanukkah. Don't even get them started on Kwanzaa - that "made-up" holiday (which is ironic considering Christmas itself is a made-up holiday - even if Jesus did exist, he certainly was not born on December 25th).

2. As annoying as it is having right-wing Christians thrusting their religion down our throats, even more annoying is Corporate America shoving its materialism down our throats. Everywhere you look, you're bombarded with corporate advertising, telling you that you simply must buy the Big New Toy, smartphone, videogame system, etc. If you truly love your significant other, then you must purchase some fancy expensive piece of jewelry. And who hasn't gone out to their driveway on Christmas morning and found a brand new car with a giant ribbon on top? I've never seen any new cars sitting in a driveway with giant bows on them, but according to TV, it's commonplace.

[RandySF]

1. I can't wait for my son's break to be over.

[TygrBright]

2. I'm always greatly relieved when Network Maintenance is complete for another year. n/t

[iris27]

3. This time of year always makes me glad not to have regular TV.

As long as people don't bring the War on Christmas here (though there's always a couple who do, arguing the Fox News line and everything), I can pass the season in relative peace and calm. At least until the actual days of the family gatherings, then any hope for peace or calm goes right out the window.

[Permanut]

4. On the contrary, Hug, I have it on good authority

that Jesus wants me to buy a new Audi.

Seriously, point taken. I work with some homeless and formerly homeless people who don't have the means to go out and shop shop shop, buy, buy, buy. My work is part of an effort to get people off the street, and it is sponsored by a Christian church. But we do the work all year round, and we make a point of not sticking it in people's faces (that would drive me away as well). We take the season as an opportunity to reflect on what our own traditions mean- and also to party.

[TlalocW]

5. Eh, I'm just not feeling it this year

I haven't experienced any of the regular headaches associated with Xmas. Even went to a Toys R Us tonight to get gifts for the kids in the family (nephews and nieces), and I was able to get stuff that they wanted for less than what I thought, and while it was crowded, I didn't have problems getting around. I've avoided the bell-ringers from the Salvation Army. Given some money and/or food directly to homeless and/or "homeless." Don't really care if they're scamming me or not. Had fun entertaining at a company's holiday party. I'll be traveling 200 miles to see family - this time with a friend for the first time that I'll be dropping off so it will be nice to have company for once. I've been saying whatever the hell pops into my mind first - Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Cool Yule, and no one's attacked me. I don't watch TV so I'm not bombarded by materialism. I'll be seeing all my siblings (maybe not all at once as two of them are feuding) over the holiday weekend, etc. I'm just tired from trying to move from my current location, Tulsa, to Kansas City.

TlalocW

[pinto]

6. I'm enjoying it. The whole Thanksgiving -> Christmas time has been great.

Oldest brother was out for a couple of weeks. First time all the siblings were together in a long, long time.

Have had a number of get-togethers with friends and family this past month.

Pot lucks all around. New connections and renewed connections.

Some plans for the future shared together.

Low key, no bling or any of that stuff, but definitely a part of the "season".

[brewens]

7. Parts of it yes, grandkids crawling all over me Christmas day, I can't

wait! It's good to be grandpa!

[Lugnut]

8. Spending time with family is great.

I love buying some junk for the great-grandkids. The older kids appreciate getting restaurant gift cards which makes things easier for me. When they go out to eat they're helping to provide jobs for restaurant staff members who need jobs.

While there's not much religion going on in our house there are ethnic traditions. Christmas Eve dinner is comprised of various fish dishes to celebrate my husband's Italian roots. Before dinner is served we do oplatki and honey to celebrate my Slovak roots. It's simple peasant food but that's who we are.

If Santa is checking in I want a Buick LaCrosse in big red bow in my driveway on Sunday morning. Yeah, right.

[Populist_Prole]

9. K&R

Pains me to say; it really does: But I can't stand it, mostly the hype and commercialism, the people putting up their trees so damned early, the social pressure to succumb to it all...and I'm getting worse every year. I feel bad, but I can't help the way I feel.

[riderinthestorm]

25. +1. nt

[HuckleB]

26. Of course you can help it.

Judgment can always be withheld.

[Populist_Prole]

27. Except when it's welcomed and proffered by the OP

[joshcryer]

10. My least favorite holiday by far.

[roody]

11. I'm basically oblivious to Xmas.

I like the time off.

[EFerrari]

12. I like the holidays but then, have no connection to either wingnuts or

to Corporate America. It's nice to see my extended family more, to make stuff for the little kids and to cook for them when they come over. Everything else is mostly tuned out.

[Peter1x9]

13. I really hate the endless greed and materialism that are brought out every Christmas season.

I can't even watch TV because of all the $%^& commercials. I especially hate the ultimate in materialism: all the jewelry and fancy car commercials. If I could go into hibernation from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas eve, I would. My way of protesting is simply to not participate in the materialism: I don't ask anyone for anything, and I don't get anything for anyone.

That said, I really like getting to spend time with all my relatives on Christmas day. The only presents we do are for the young kids. Everyone else just brings either a prepared food item or a dessert item to share with everyone.

[Populist_Prole]

29. Perfectly said. Every word.

[DesertFlower]

14. we don't celebrate it. haven't in years.

if you want to buy someone a gift you don't have to wait till xmas or their birthday you can buy it any time of the year.

[ellisonz]

15. K & R

WAR WAR WAR ON CHRISTMAS!!! WOOOOHHHOOO!!!

[Dulcinea]

16. My least favorite holiday too.

I usually just tolerate Christmas, but this year I freaking hate it!

I'm a graduate student who has just finished a very demanding semester, & all I want is some peaceful, quiet down time. Instead, I get to shop (at least I can do a lot of that online), wrap, bake, deal with dinner, and endure abuse from a relative who called me up to scream at me that I returned her presents for the kids because they arrived damaged, & now they won't think of her when they open a box of cheap plastic junk from China. (How is that my fault?)

In a perfect world, I would spend Christmas Day locked in my room with a good book.

But I am looking forward to New Year's Eve. We're having a potluck with friends.

[Daemonaquila]

17. Used to love it, even though I'm not Christian.

Now, nope. I hate the grabby retailers and the mindless consumption. It causes more stress than the little pleasure left in it. The only good thing left about Xmas is that it brings some color to a drab winter in most places. January through March seem to drag on forever.

[SmellyFeet]

18. My new favorite bumper sticker, 'Put the X back in XMas'... n/t

[Gidney N Cloyd]

20. Like church services and getting hit with a hammer, it feels so good when it STOPS.

[mistertrickster]

21. Caption to a cartoon in the New Yorker from a few years back--

husband to spouse:

"Aw, this year, let's just give everybody the finger."

[notadmblnd]

22. believe it or not, there was actually a time in this country when christmas was discouraged if not

against the law.
http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm

In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated early American Christmas - winter holiday in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.

The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America’s new constitution. Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

[Nye Bevan]

23. It's the most wonderful time of the year.

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!

[HuckleB]

24. +1

[RainDog]

28. k&r n/t

[backscatter712]

30. K&R!

I'll admit - Christmas is a good excuse to relax with friends and family, have a few drinks and relax, but the commercialized consume-a-thon that takes over TV and the retail sector makes me want to stick an icepick in my temple.