Christmas, losing its meaning

[Asteeleleith]

Hi all

I, with the best will in the world, i cannot get into the christmas spirit this year. Not for the want of trying. It is not that i am sad or suffrering in any way. But the thing that puts me off.

People seem to forget what christmas is about. We seem to feel obliged to spend hundreds if not thousands of pounds on presents just becuase of the time of the year it is. We get ourselves into tremendous debt because of it.
I wounder why it has to be xmas before anyone buys anyone anything?

Also what annoys me most is the fact that while businesses are happy to cash in on christmas, but many disallow the use of nativity displays in shop windows. something that at least acts as a reminder as to what the meaning of xmas is and why we exchange presents. All because they are worried it will cause offense to ppl. If this was a concern to them, then they should not be trading under the xmas theme period!

All i can say is what hypocracy with is on behalf of business.
I did admire what Ozzy did, rather than spend hundreds on cards, he donated the money to a worthwhile cause. Bought a nursery a dishwasher i think he did. Nice one.
I did something similar this year. Though not as generous.
Tired of the wasting money on cards and stamps, i simply send a personlised E Card to everyone. Explaining why.

i know my attitude seems akin to that of scrooge, and i hate to be this way. But if we are going to celebrate this festival and exchange presents, then lets at least not forget why we are doing it, and not do it for the sake of doing it :-)
Christmas is a christian festival, a season of good will to all people.
i wish commerce were as quick to trade in the meaning of Christmas not just exploit it toi make money. :-)

sorry to come across as the spectre of the feast, but i wanted to get that off my chest.

Merry Christmas to you all

Al

[Rob Holmes]

I was chatting with Steve Goldctr on msn this morning and I was telling him how I was concerned with my sons understanding of Christmas etc.

For the last coupe of years mini-matrixx has not been present-orientated - he's just got into the swing of it all - THIS year - it's nothing but presents presents presents, santa this, santa that..

I came to the conclusion..

SANTA RUINED MY CHRISTMAS !!

Bah Humbug.

<chucks a lump of coal at staff as a bonus>

:)

Rob

[multilingual]

Interesting avatar Rob...

Mixture of Brad Pitt and Roland Rat.

Two heroes of yours?

:)

JB

[freecybermag]

In my December issue of FCM I wrote about how Christmas has lost it's meaning and took my readers back to the early days of good old Saint Nicholas. He sold his fortune to help the poor and that's how giving presents started. Instead of maxing out your credit card next year why not start ealry and buy a book on how to make things yourself and do something nice for someone. I bet you they will be more happier than having a gift from Argos.

Also I wrote about making things for the old ppl's homes, homeless people, servicemen and ex-servicemen. Let's not forget people and show them there are a few people that care in this world. :cry:

Cheers

Chris

P.S. Don't even get me started on the people that get offended by OUR traditions. They should leave ..........mmm no bite your tongue.

[Asteeleleith]

P.S. Don't even get me started on the people that get offended by OUR traditions. They should leave ..........mmm no bite your tongue.

Another like minded person Chris. As with you i bite my tongue, but it bleeds as i do so :twisted:

Al

[Eagle]

*
Well, next time vote for a govt which doesn't pander to the PC brigade.

Simple! :)



Oh, hang on, they all do... :(

[Asteeleleith]

*
Well, next time vote for a govt which doesn't pander to the PC brigade.

Simple! :)



Oh, hang on, they all do... :(

Yes indeed Matrix, even for a lady to passively quote the names of all those men who died in Iraq. 14 coppers to arrest her, and now she has a criminal record!

Don;t get me started Grrrrrrr

Al

[MinuWeb]

I love the Estonian christmas, it is not commercial at all.
Most of the decorations and a good proportion of the presents are handmade.

I will be having christmas dinner with my better half's family (14 in total) We all pulled names out of a hat and have to buy a present only for that person and under a specified budget (about £2.00) This way everyone there will get one present.

Lots of chat, party games and things that are "just fun" on the agenda.

It is how it should be in my opinion :D

[Asteeleleith]

I love the Estonian christmas, it is not commercial at all.
Most of the decorations and a good proportion of the presents are handmade.

I will be having christmas dinner with my better half's family (14 in total) We all pulled names out of a hat and have to buy a present only for that person and under a specified budget (about £2.00) This way everyone there will get one present.

Lots of chat, party games and things that are "just fun" on the agenda.

It is how it should be in my opinion :D
See this is whati am talking aobut, good quality time!
No TV, just a board game or two. Few cans of beer. Now ur talking!

At my sisters, if i am cursed enough to hae to go there this year. it will be toys, toys, and more toys. A five minute wonder the lot
they will be smashed to pieces in a month or so's time.
More clutter that will be lost amongsdt the other clutter! and they wonder why its clothes i buy them.
Why do i bother :-)

Al

[SillyJokes]

Since I don't do religion Christmas was always meant to be family get together time but with the death of my Dad on New Years Eve last, there is no big family get together this year and it feels very strange indeed.

[Jayne]

Sorry to hear about your Dad Caroline.

Jayne :)

[Admiral Collections]

Aww Silly Jokes, sorry to hear about your dad. Must have been awful for you all. Indeed, Christmas and New Year just exaggerate the feeling of loss and sadness because we are force fed the happy season and feel weird not joining in because it hurts so much. My childrens father left me 2 weeks before Xmas 4 years ago and I still get sad thinking about it. Xmas day he comes and picks the kids up and takes them with him and it just illuminates even more the break down of our marriage! 364 days of the year Im over it, that one day looms like a bad dream!

Nic :wink:

[Asteeleleith]

Since I don't do religion Christmas was always meant to be family get together time but with the death of my Dad on New Years Eve last, there is no big family get together this year and it feels very strange indeed.

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 5:03 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aww Silly Jokes, sorry to hear about your dad. Must have been awful for you all. Indeed, Christmas and New Year just exaggerate the feeling of loss and sadness because we are force fed the happy season and feel weird not joining in because it hurts so much. My childrens father left me 2 weeks before Xmas 4 years ago and I still get sad thinking about it. Xmas day he comes and picks the kids up and takes them with him and it just illuminates even more the break down of our marriage! 364 days of the year Im over it, that one day looms like a bad dream


thoughts with you both

Al

[Admiral Collections]

Thanks Al


Nic :wink:

[compuclean]

People ahoy there!!! Christmas is Christmas...If we each extend the spirit of Christmas into January, then February and gradually throughout the year ...

Erm... doesn't this happen already? Middle of June, there are ads on the radio - "Book Your Xmas Party Now!" Now? It's June!!!

I know people who buy xmas presents all year round, to spread the cost - but I am of the opinion that nobody is going to set a date and dictate to me when I will buy my loved one presents. I like to think that I am generous and spontaneous. Forget the christmas spirit, what happened to the spirit of generosity and helping people in need????!

[estwig]

Chrsitmas is excellant!!!!!!!!!!

Loads of prezzies, loads of over the top decoartions, Mrs estwig loves a bit of "bling"

The little estwigs get loads and loads of plasticy type toys that I either stand on, trip over or have to buy more c**p furniture from Ikea to store it all in.

Stuff yourself silly, drink a little too much and moan about the telly.


You cannot fight it, it is coming, there is no escape, chrstmas is what you make of it.

Enjoy.

[No-Posh-Bag]

I think Christmas has lost alot of it's meaning. I even believe that the "Christmas Spirit" has been forgotten. Shopping on Christmas Eve makes me all gooey and excited and then I get some shop assistant who can't be bothered to help me and everyone is pushing their way into the queues !!!

My hubby lost his job the week before Christmas last year and it was the best Christmas we ever had (sounds corny I know!) But the children had the small amount we could afford and it was so much more about being together, visiting family and just having a great time.

We only buy for the children in the family now which helps with the budget and the boys get about £100 each and that's it ! If you shop carefully you can get bundles for that.

[Virtually9-5]

Last year I was fed up of how materilistic Christmas had become I created a present for each of my family and a couple of my friends did the same - it was something that brought home the true meaning of Christmas and cost very little money.

If you have windows you have software called Microsoft Movie Maker. You can create movies from still digital pictures and video clips with sound or no sound then add narative, transitions, music and credits. I had the whole of my family in one room last year from great grandparents to Great Grandchildren aged 4 and 6 - each received a copy which I formatted to play on all dvds and printed label using the software. everyboy sat down after lunch and watched the movie, they watched laughed and reminissed it was the best present and the children loved seeing themselves on tele when they were born and I have put a copy in their memory box for when they are 21 as the chance are that not everybody will be around then.... Christmas is about the little things not how much you spend or what you get, its almost like going back to the days when the best present you received was the cardboard box your present came in!:rolleyes:

[Cornish Steve]

Last year, we donated to a children's charity and then put one empty box under the tree for each of our children. Inside the box was a note thanking them for giving something up for a child in need. It seemed to go down well.

[Sue F]

I love Christmas ...

It's always a big family thing for us ... my aunty cooks and we play daft games (usually dictated by the age of the kids that are around at the time).

I keep a look out for exciting pressies all year which means you get something that's different and people really love it but it doesn't break the bank (the net is excellent for this). I love seeing people's reactions when they open the present I've got them.

I really like the cold weather too ... all dark and frosty and going out wrapped up warm (I'm a right naggy moo in the hot weather).

Might have something to do with having a December birthday and having all my eggs in one basket :D

Hubby is about as far opposite as you can get ... he gets up on Christmas day with a face on him and doesn't cheer up until Boxing Day.

[Lois]

In the Netherlands, we also celebrate Christmas by buying a small gift for everyone. A great dinner and just being together with the family is the most important part of Christmas. What is the use of buying each other all sorts of expensive gifts? What does that contribute to this world?