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DPChallenge Forums >> Rant >> When did Christmas stop being fun?
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12/22/2012 12:52:31 PM · #1
I used to love it now it seems every year its a struggle to get through it. It's turned into mindless gift giving.

I don't think I have any joy left for this holiday...

12/22/2012 02:03:07 PM · #2
Christmas is what you make it!! It's still lots of fun for me and I don't have kids.

It doesn't have to be mindless gift giving. Make it what YOU want it to be, what makes you happy. Don't want to buy gifts? Don't give any, or give simple home-made gifts instesd (bake cookies, take photos, give a coupon for some services you can do - gardening, babysitting, etc).

12/22/2012 02:04:52 PM · #3
My gift to my children... no beatings for the entire day ! (unless they misbehave)
12/22/2012 02:24:05 PM · #4
Originally posted by KarenNfld:

Christmas is what you make it!! It's still lots of fun for me and I don't have kids.

It doesn't have to be mindless gift giving. Make it what YOU want it to be, what makes you happy. Don't want to buy gifts? Don't give any, or give simple home-made gifts instesd (bake cookies, take photos, give a coupon for some services you can do - gardening, babysitting, etc).


I'm just tired of the whole charade around me. the only joy i get out of it is seeing my kids happy.

i don't know, each year it becomes less and less joyful. it used to be an event. now the family is so big, we don't all get together to open gifts on Christmas eve, now its just here's your gift card, here's your gift card. Spare me.

i just don't have it this year.

I'm afraid once my kids realize there is no Santa clause, it's going to be over.

12/22/2012 02:36:31 PM · #5
Xmas ended the day I discovered my dad was Santa Claus
12/22/2012 03:17:33 PM · #6
Originally posted by mike_311:

I don't think I have any joy left for this holiday...

I think NBC (at least our local affiliate) is running Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol tonight — it will restore your faith in the true spirit of Christmas ... ;-)
12/22/2012 03:32:30 PM · #7
Originally posted by mike_311:

Originally posted by KarenNfld:

Christmas is what you make it!! It's still lots of fun for me and I don't have kids.

It doesn't have to be mindless gift giving. Make it what YOU want it to be, what makes you happy. Don't want to buy gifts? Don't give any, or give simple home-made gifts instesd (bake cookies, take photos, give a coupon for some services you can do - gardening, babysitting, etc).


I'm just tired of the whole charade around me. the only joy i get out of it is seeing my kids happy.

i don't know, each year it becomes less and less joyful. it used to be an event. now the family is so big, we don't all get together to open gifts on Christmas eve, now its just here's your gift card, here's your gift card. Spare me.

i just don't have it this year.

I'm afraid once my kids realize there is no Santa clause, it's going to be over.


in the words of ELP "the christmas we get we deserve"

my kids stopped believing years ago, and we still have a blast together. make it a blast.

xmas spirit - make it

also - captain underpants was born at just such a xmas as you describe, make it fun.

12/22/2012 05:58:30 PM · #8
Awww...sounds like you have the Christmas rush blues. Here have a cookie...

Take some time to do something with your own kids, even if it is just sitting down together to watch a movie or play a board game. Time spent with family always seems to cheer me up. Maybe it will do the same for you.
12/22/2012 07:53:48 PM · #9
Originally posted by FourPointX:

Originally posted by mike_311:

Originally posted by KarenNfld:

Christmas is what you make it!! It's still lots of fun for me and I don't have kids.

It doesn't have to be mindless gift giving. Make it what YOU want it to be, what makes you happy. Don't want to buy gifts? Don't give any, or give simple home-made gifts instesd (bake cookies, take photos, give a coupon for some services you can do - gardening, babysitting, etc).


I'm just tired of the whole charade around me. the only joy i get out of it is seeing my kids happy.

i don't know, each year it becomes less and less joyful. it used to be an event. now the family is so big, we don't all get together to open gifts on Christmas eve, now its just here's your gift card, here's your gift card. Spare me.

i just don't have it this year.

I'm afraid once my kids realize there is no Santa clause, it's going to be over.


in the words of ELP "the christmas we get we deserve"

my kids stopped believing years ago, and we still have a blast together. make it a blast.

xmas spirit - make it

also - captain underpants was born at just such a xmas as you describe, make it fun.



Cheer up Mike! You got some new gear, your winning ribbons, the sky is the limit!
I too find the consumerism discouraging. I used to laugh at those who didn't like malls, shopping, etc but alas, just as i used to make fun of bald men, it has caught up to me.

This captain underpants shot reminds me of the awesome Canadian fakumentary sitcom "trailer park boys"- an awesome show!
12/22/2012 08:01:54 PM · #10
Still is fun for me, particularly when I see efforts like This one

I have a red outfit that I don every year and get such pleasure from watching the eyes of the little ones. At work, we donate to needy families so that they might enjoy the holidays a bit more and while I haven't done this for a few years now, there was a time where I visited orphanages several times a year and made a point of visiting at Christmas.

Focusing on is the material aspect of Christmas gives rise to disillusionment and discontent.

Do have a Very Merry Christmas.

Ray
12/22/2012 08:23:02 PM · #11
Originally posted by mike_311:

now its just here's your gift card, here's your gift card. Spare me.


Right there with you on that one... I hate when people give gift cards to places. No thought, no meaning, no substance.
12/22/2012 08:31:19 PM · #12
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by mike_311:

now its just here's your gift card, here's your gift card. Spare me.


Right there with you on that one... I hate when people give gift cards to places. No thought, no meaning, no substance.


While I can agree with this thought, there are people that are really difficult to buy gifts for.

I am at an age where I already own what I really need, most of what I want and most people could not afford what I really desire. I would much prefer a gift card than some trinket that will likely find its way to the back of a closet and never be used.

Ray
12/22/2012 08:35:47 PM · #13
There is always something you can get that you would use. It's a matter of using your noodle a bit. ;)

12/22/2012 08:37:17 PM · #14
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

There is always something you can get that you would use. It's a matter of using your noodle a bit. ;)


OK... money it is then. :O)

Ray
12/22/2012 08:37:40 PM · #15
Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

There is always something you can get that you would use. It's a matter of using your noodle a bit. ;)


Hmm.

Perhaps - but like Ray said - I pretty much prefer gift cards - since anything I really want I've already bought.

12/22/2012 08:40:55 PM · #16
Part of the prob are the people trying to eliminate the word Christmas...These are the same people that are trying to kill the public displays.....
12/22/2012 08:42:19 PM · #17
Originally posted by cowboy221977:

Part of the prob are the people trying to eliminate the word Christmas...These are the same people that are trying to kill the public displays.....


12/22/2012 08:43:18 PM · #18
Originally posted by cowboy221977:

Part of the prob are the people trying to eliminate the word Christmas...These are the same people that are trying to kill the public displays.....


...and people can have all the public displays they want on private property. The use of public property should not cater to any religion.

By the way, I have no problems whatsoever with people wishing each other a Merry Christmas.

Ray

Message edited by author 2012-12-22 20:48:48.
12/22/2012 09:18:39 PM · #19
Originally posted by cowboy221977:

Part of the prob are the people trying to eliminate the word Christmas...These are the same people that are trying to kill the public displays.....


In Colonial America there were no Christmas celebrations. As recently as 100 years or so ago, such observances were declared illegal in many parts of the United States, including most of New England, being defined as pagan and a reproach to the Lord.

Christmas as practiced today in America has about as much to do with the birth of Christ ( who was probably born on September 11th, 3 BCE and the date got mangled in the Gregorian calendar adjustments and merged with Pagan celebrations of the winter solstice ) as the Easter Bunny has to do with the resurrection.

Today Christmas is more celebrated, for a longer period of time than any other holiday in America. More celebrated than it was 20 years ago, or 40 years ago, or ever before. It is celebrated by massive consumerism, and office parties. No wonder people feel burned out on it.

12/22/2012 10:41:59 PM · #20
Thank you Brennan. I was too exhausted to post that myself ;-)
12/23/2012 12:06:21 AM · #21
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

Originally posted by cowboy221977:

Part of the prob are the people trying to eliminate the word Christmas...These are the same people that are trying to kill the public displays.....


In Colonial America there were no Christmas celebrations. As recently as 100 years or so ago, such observances were declared illegal in many parts of the United States, including most of New England, being defined as pagan and a reproach to the Lord.

Christmas as practiced today in America has about as much to do with the birth of Christ ( who was probably born on September 11th, 3 BCE and the date got mangled in the Gregorian calendar adjustments and merged with Pagan celebrations of the winter solstice ) as the Easter Bunny has to do with the resurrection.

Today Christmas is more celebrated, for a longer period of time than any other holiday in America. More celebrated than it was 20 years ago, or 40 years ago, or ever before. It is celebrated by massive consumerism, and office parties. No wonder people feel burned out on it.


Then, I recommend that you DON'T do it! Don't do anything like this that your heart isn't in.

I'm just amazed that we Americans are allowed to celebrate anything to do with personal beliefs/religion.

It seems like our freedoms are being taken away one at a time...

What's wrong with festivity? What's wrong with Christmas? Why take it away from people for whom it's important?

If it's not important to us, we'll simply not acknowledge it.

If it is, we will.

No harm, no foul. Just don't spoil it for someone else.

Do what you like. Like what you do. Life is good.

12/23/2012 12:13:35 AM · #22
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

( who was probably born on September 11th, 3 BCE and the date got mangled in the Gregorian calendar adjustments and merged with Pagan celebrations of the winter solstice )


Great post, brennan, but i beg to differ on this one point. Nobody has any clue when jesus was born.
12/23/2012 12:35:38 AM · #23
Today's Wiki How To article happens to be very appropriate!
12/23/2012 03:54:39 AM · #24
Originally posted by Melethia:

Today's Wiki How To article happens to be very appropriate!


I like how the 1st #6 shows a young boy unwrapping his Xmas present to find a rifle....he looks so happy.
12/23/2012 05:58:15 AM · #25
Originally posted by mike_311:

I used to love it now it seems every year its a struggle to get through it. It's turned into mindless gift giving.

I don't think I have any joy left for this holiday...


I feel very much the same way, maybe I would't if I had kids, not sure.
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