Anyone else not doing Christmas this year?

[chickensducks&agoose]

I'm celebrating Hanukkah, and there's not a lot of commercial involvement... it's not like we're out comparing who's got the best dreidel, or who's got the bigger menorah... and the kids only expect little presents... my son got a tiny lego set tonight, and my girls each got 1/2 a pack of new markers... and everyone was happy. the holidays are supposed to be about spending time with your loved ones, and choosing to not do that, i'm not sure that's the best plan. anyway, Happy Hanukkah! Happy Solstice (blessed be), and Merry Christmas! The only one I don't really get is Kwanzaa... it's a political holiday... which seems strange... but if you celebrate it, Happy Kwanzaa to you too!

 

[redhen]

Christmas is what you make it... (like Debi said)
If your a christian and believe its the birthday of Jesus... well then, why not celebrate it? I would if i believed. If i really believed.. other peoples thoughts would'nt make a dam difference to me.

If your pagan..its about the Yule or Winter Solstice.. again... celebrate it. Enjoy it!

For me... its all about family and enjoying the day with them. And the fat dude...

Ooh and Rudolph and Frosty and the Grinch and lights and trees and cookies ... and... and... and.. but mostly its all about my family.


With that being said... No, i'm not really doing christmas this year... no motivation. Having the same family get togethers so that will be great... but no decorating or tree or lights up this year.
redhen says Bah-humbug..

 

[sred98]

There is a great magazine called "Mary Jane's Farm". This month's issue has a lot of homemade ideas that I am planning on using. My kids are into that kind of thing, though. I think we are doing homemade gifts and food items for everyone. We have an artificial tree, so that isn't an expense. We just do our own thing and stay away from the malls and things. We do give the older kids a choice of a set amount of money, or gifts. We don't buy for our siblings or nieces and nephews.

Christmas is a favorite holiday for us, and we have always made it just about our family. We don't go anywhere and any neighbor is invited. We don't leave the house. Our rule is...if you want to see us, you come to us. We've had an assortment of visitors over the years, and it is always fun.

I don't have my tree up yet because we are putting tile in the boys' rooms, so their bedroom furniture is in the den. But, it should be up before the weekend!

Shelly

 

[flgardengirl]

I was at Walmart in Orange Park, FL the other day and saw them putting up a Christmas tree by the door. I commented to the cashier that it must be fun to get paid to put up a Christmas tree.
She laughed and told me that it was the second time they had to put it up that day. The first time, someone came in and complained to management about the tree and I guess they finally took it down. Then a Christian group came in and notified the media and put up a fuss that the tree should be allowed. Then they put the tree back up again. Actually I think there were two huge trees one by each enterance that had to be put back up. I really don't see what is wrong with a store displaying a Christmas tree especially when they are selling lights, ornaments, and even Christmas trees anyways...

 

[jennh]

Quote:
No, offense, but where have you been the last couple of years?? They've been denigrating Christmas for awhile. Stores were not saying Merry Christmas, just Happy Holidays. I will not frequent a store that says Happy Holidays. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. I for one will be saying Merry Christmas. I'm sick of all the political correctness.

On the other hand, instead of my immediate family and in-laws exchanging gifts that we REALLY don't need, and could do without, we're donating CHICKENS!!

, and maybe two goats to either Heifer Project or Samaritan's Purse, or some other organization like that. I LOVE the chicken idea, 'cause it's the gift that keeps on giving!

Merry Christmas!
Jen

 

[redhen]

Quote:
No, offense, but where have you been the last couple of years?? They've been denigrating Christmas for awhile. Stores were not saying Merry Christmas, just Happy Holidays. I will not frequent a store that says Happy Holidays. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season. I for one will be saying Merry Christmas. I'm sick of all the political correctness.

On the other hand, instead of my immediate family and in-laws exchanging gifts that we REALLY don't need, and could do without, we're donating CHICKENS!!

, and maybe two goats to either Heifer Project or Samaritan's Purse, or some other organization like that. I LOVE the chicken idea, 'cause it's the gift that keeps on giving!

Merry Christmas!
Jen

I've been right here in the world same as you. I guess i'm just not as pessimistic ... I dont see it the same way as you do.
I dont let others make or break MY special day. Thats all on you.
I also dont believe that jesus is the reason for the season... (for me its not..)
Maybe you do... and thats great!! I say EVERYONE enjoy it the way they want!
And yes, Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[redhen]

Quote:
LOL.. how stupid! What does a tree have to do with jesus?? Thats NOT even where the tree came into christmas traditions...
Dont they even know that??

Now the manger and nativity..yes, those are christian based..

 

[PineappleMama]

John Grisham, Skipping Christmas...

They bastardized it into Christmas with the Kranks... but still the book is a good read.

x2 Red... most people don't realize that at one point Christmas trees were banned in the US thanks to Christian preachers saying they were pagan... now people are sued for NOT putting one up. Interesting to see how far we've come...

 

[Scoop]

In a way I'm baffled when I hear that people are spending tons of money and buying for this person and that person, and relatives they see once a year, and blah, blah, blah. I mean, we are in a very serious recession, depression in MHO, how in the world do you carry on as normal? I feel like everyone around me has their head in the sand. That's just how I see it.

 

[PepsNick]

If you focus more on family, love and spirit, then Christmas CAN be really great. It's completely up to you. Even if you don't exactly like what's given to you, it's GIVING that counts, and every gift is a simple reminder that you're loved. I'M putting up the ornaments.

And don't forget that it's Jesus's birthday! That's my biggest fear- people forgetting the reason we have the holiday in the first place.