Originally posted by CRZAside from the obvious, REALLY it's the fact that I'm able to suck down a 32 oz "egg nog" McShake for a mere investment of $2.80 (plus tax).
So aside from the obvious, what is it for YOU?
For me, it's really great holiday light displays. And maybe a late night on Christmas eve browsing Christmas movies and specials on various channels in the living room lit up by only the Christmas tree.
For me, Christmas offers a wonderful opportunity to take some time off work in the midst of dreary winter, get together with loved ones, and have a feast.
Not being religious, I'll still take the presents, food, booze, relatives, parties, and of course the sheer joy of finding the perfect gift for someone special, and say it's still one of my favourite times of the year.
If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever. --George Orwell
Originally posted by StiltonFor me, Christmas offers a wonderful opportunity to take some time off work in the midst of dreary winter, get together with loved ones, and have a feast... the presents, food..., relatives, parties, and of course the sheer joy of finding the perfect gift for someone special
I say it's all those things + commemorating the birth of Christ (even though I'm sure he wasnt born in December).
It's all that stuff, but in our house, it's the traditions.
Going to church on Christmas eve (and on Christmas day this year too). Going around to see lights after. Singing "it's the most wonderful time of the year" and dancing to it with my daughter. Reading the Christmas story out of Luke and Matthew by the tree before opening presents. Working at the shelter on Christmas morning.
I think those are all things that our family could hardly do without. When we did Christmas down in Florida last year (my Dad was sick), we did all of them except working at the shelter, and we helped out at my Dad's nursing home's meals and Christmas party instead. Doing stuff year after year is what makes in Christmas. Next year, I am sure, will be a little different because my Daughter will be away at college until just before the holidays. So that will be weird.
We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
It's a Roman winter festival hijacked by an upstart religion hijacked by consumerism, thus rendering me completely unable to buy anything, anywhere, in December without standing in an hour plus line because we are a nation of jackasses who think we have to do all our shopping after Black Friday,
Horrific flashbacks of the '85-'86 Celtics blowing a 25 point 3rd quarter lead to the Knicks. And, the Blue-Gray Game. Nothing said football between players on losing teams using wacky come from behind rules like Gary Bender.
Any complaints about the preceding post can be directed at the time traveling aliens who edited it.
Other than the obvious, it means that I can't go to the mall to get a DVD without spending 273 hours driving around the parking lot trying to find a spot (without boxing people in, as St. Vital Mall here is famous for people double, triple, and even quadruple parking in every possible direction like their car is part of a fucking rugby scrum) because everyone but me seems to wait until the last couple days to do their shopping. It's their way of saying "I care", I suppose...
Originally posted by AngryJohnnyIt's a Roman winter festival hijacked by an upstart religion hijacked by consumerism, thus rendering me completely unable to buy anything, anywhere, in December without standing in an hour plus line because we are a nation of jackasses who think we have to do all our shopping after Black Friday,
What he said. @@@;) I tried to go to the bank on Friday (Dec. 23) and I wished I had stayed in bed.
Although my lack of fondness for Christmas is well documented on this discussion board, I still can think of several positive things about the holiday season. (These may be used for any winter celebration, not just Christmas.)
1) It brings families together. A surprising amount of extended families probably don't see each other at all except during this time of the year. People should get together more, but sometimes they need an excuse to motivate them.
2) Holidays are good in general because they force people to take at least one day off from work. This may seem silly, but we all know people who if it wasn't for the holidays, they would feel motivated to work 24/7. I know this because my husband is like this. He can't sit still. I don't want him to burn out.
Also, many people are employed by greedy assholes. If nothing else, Christmas is good because it forces some of those greedy asshole bosses to give their employees at least *one* day off a year. And maybe to spend some money on their employees for their gift/bonus.
3) It is a break in routine. We live one way eleven months of the year; it is nice (for most people) to switch into "Christmas mode" for that one month in December.
4) Holiday food. Period. Holidays are great because they give people an excuse to stuff themselves with delicious holiday food. I am thinking about that pot-roast I have to serve to relatives on Sunday. Mmmm!!! Mashed potatoes!!! Mnmm... Mashed Potatoes....[Gaulgg...!] (as like Homer Simpson) I should learn how to make latkes.
And for all drinkers, is not everybody who drinks *required* to drink on New Years? One guilt free day of getting hammered?
(edited by tricia on 24.12.05 1534) tricia @@@:( Have a happy whatever.
it is all about everything that has been said here and everything that will be said beyond what i am posting.
xmas i have found is all about the personal experience; it is an ever-changing holiday that adapts to whatever age/mood/situation we are in at the moment. this is what makes x-mas perfect, because even if you are boycotting it, EVEN THAT provides meaning.
as for myself, this holiday allows me to be able to create grand gestures to the people i love about how much i love them... i think that is what this holiday becomes if you are single and are older.
so, christmas is about trying and being able to put 1 million smiles on your special peoples faces and suspending cynicism in order to bask in glows of lights and trees and also enjoying the company of people you love and like.
all of the board... have much fun tomorrow morning or tonight if you celebrate early.
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Very good. And being a journalism major with broadcasting experience, I'd like to throw my hat in the ring to replace the late Robert Stack. You heard it here first, folks.....