robert Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Are you excited about the Holidays or do you dread the Holidays? According to a survey referred to in What Would Jesus Buy?, 2/3 of Americans dread the holidays rather than enthusiastically anticipate the Holidays. I've boycotted Christmas in the past. I don't mean to be a Grinch, but I kind of am I really don't look forward to the Holiday Season. Every year I feel the same way, with a few exceptions when I had some fun things to look forward to like seeing a certain family member or friend. I'm turning my one-man Anti-Holidays (not just Christmas but Thanksgiving, New Years, and other winter celebrations) attitude into something positive by giving away hundreds of items to those less fortunate. I'm also going to give some money to help animals/children who are in need, and I may volunteer at a soup kitchen on Chirstmas. I'm not just going to sit around and complain about the holiday season and the irresponsible spending that goes on, the inconceivable foods we eat during this time of year, and the selfishness, obligations, expectations, and stress we go through year after year, but I'm going to do some positive things to counter it. Anyway, just curious as to who looks forward to the holidays vs. who gets stressed out by them and isn't really into them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I'm not a fan of traditions anymore. I do not celebrate aside from seeing family, I like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 I took a break to eat (again) and wanted to clarify a few things: Although I'm not a fan or big supporter of the "Holidays," I do realize they do have some highlights: -They make a lot of people happy -It is a time when we usually get to see family members we don't always have a chance to see other times throughout the year -A lot of people are in the giving mood -Celebrations of most kinds have some very positive things attached to them. -People tend to sing, be thankful, and joyful. -Giving is good, as long as it is without expectation of anything in return. It's just not a season I'm a big fan of because of the food that is consumed, the blind spending above our means to prove that we like people, etc. I also don't like feeling obligated to spend time with people I'd rather not spend time with (certain family members). I'd rather do something meaningful for someone other than just "me." I'd rather give, than receive. We tend to only focus on ourselves and our own families during this time of year, when there are millions of people and animals that could really use some love, warmth, food, water, clothing, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odidnetne Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I think most of the Holidays are non-sense anyway, and there's no need to spend as much time and money as we put into Christmas. It's so funny to think that with all the energy we put into Christmas (when many of us hate shopping for presents, the amounts we spend, etc), we could really do a lot of positive things. Vote Me for "No, I don't". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc7 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I've kinda gone back and forth on this one. Nothing pisses me off more than the wastefulness of xmas. So many of the things we buy are meant to be just thrown away (cards, wrapping paper, gag presents). I don't mind giving and getting gifts, but I hate getting useless stuff and I hate the anxiety that goes into shopping. In my opinion, everyone should have a public wishlist online, so that all their friends and family can buy them something they really want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I'm not excited at all but everyone in my family is and I know they plan on doing stuff for me so I go with it but let them know I'm not into it. Its been a lot easier since they've known this. I do like the fact that I tend to sell a few more pots this time of year but thats about all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I don't like it at all. I would totally boycott it if I thought I could, but my family always get together, and it really upsets my mum that I don't like it. So I am pretty much pressured into doing the christmas thing IE sitting around with people I have nothing to do with all year. And buying (and especially receiving) presents is a weird thing for me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pamela Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I am excited about getting a couple extra days off, but that's about it. I love buying presents and stuff, but I hate the forcedness of Christmas in particular. Like, what is the point of exchanging junk between relatives you don't even talk to, ever? It's a waste of time, money, and effort. I especially hate shopping around "the holidays" because there are so many more people and they're so rude. So I pretty much don't do it anymore, aside from people who actually matter to me, and I tell people I don't want anything. If someone gives me something that they wanted to buy/make or that they knew I'd like, I'm very appreciative. But I like to do nice things for people and keep an eye out for things my friends and family might like year-round because I really do love giving gifts. I just hate forcedness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xveganjoshx Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I'm excited about getting off from school. I used to like to buy presents for people, and still like going out to find that perfect gift for someone, I just don't do it anymore because of time and money constraints. I won't get anyone presents this year, and may ask not to get any myself (will still prob get some anyway). Lately family just want to give me money, that means close to nothing. What's nice is finding a gift that is suited for someone, that is really special, and it is what giving, if you chose to/can do it, is all about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 What's nice is finding a gift that is suited for someone, that is really special, Like my rocky poster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 I was looking through a bunch of old photos and saw a bunch of happy ones from Christmas from years past......but that doesn't change my idea about the holidays. I think "that" is what the holidays are about, spending time with friends and family and not all about gift buying, commercialization, exploitation (especially of 3rd world country workers), etc. We have American Flags that say "made in China" on them. Do you know how much that sucks for the workers! I do know some people from China who argue that it's not that bad, it gives people a job, etc. That's a whole other thread. But anyway, there are some good things about the holidays and I think we should embrace those, and not support the other aspects that exploit millions of people, kids, animals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Having time off and being able to spend it with people that you like is a good thing - that's a good thing at any time. If there was no tradition or fuss made, and if it really was just seen as a time to relax, then I'd think it was cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Yeah. I argue that we have an opportunity year-round to see those we want to see, spend time with those we want to spend time with, do nice things for those we want to do nice things for, etc. Why do we have to "pretend" during the holidays. Halloween (where we dress up as someone else) is more "honest" that Christmas, in my opinion. But yeah, there are some good times around this time of year too. Just wanted to throw some ideas out there and open it to discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offense74 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I will play Super Mario Galaxy, maybe some Zelda, sleep, eat and then sleep some more. I will have two weeks off work except for one day when I have to be there.I'm looking forward to it since this is my worst time of the year. I'm pretty much in a coma from now until christmas. When I've had some time off I can usually get through until march. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsorlando Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Maybe we should call this the Grinch thread! I don't appreciate the wastefulness, commercialism of the Holidays, gluttony, etc, either. But you have to look past that and see the true meaning of the Holiday. Anyway what I most enjoy about the Holidays is being with close family, sharing the holiday with friends, and yes even buying a meaningful gift for someone. I don't tend to like giving gifts that don't matter, but I try to find something that the person needs, is interested in, or would be informative for them. And the last thing I will say about gift giving on a holiday is that it can be a good time to give a friend, or relative a video, or book about animal rights, factory farming, vegan nutrition, etc, and the person getting the gift has to accept it with some sort of thankfulness. It is also very nice when the holiday is finally over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 Good, uplifting post hsorlando! I want to give it a fair chance by asking who likes the holidays, rather than just calling it a Grinch thread, since that is what I am I admit to being a Grinch of sorts, but I hope to make a significant positive impact on hundreds if not more from my donations this year, realizing that people in my family don't need 5 or 10 gifts when there are children all over the world who don't even have a coat or t-shirt and I will give them mine. I'm all about spending time with family/friends/loved ones too, and I've had some great holiday memories. What worries me is the same thing that worries me about people who aren't vegans...........they go around everyday without really being aware (or without caring) of what is going on in the animal food production industry.........the same thing is going on with the gifts we buy. 90% of the time (or higher percentage) we don't check or don't care to check, or just don't care where the gift was made or who made it. In many cases, you could argue that in most cases the gifts we happily get for our loved ones come from the back-breaking, 13 cents an hour wages, sweatshop-slave labor of children in 3rd world countries. That is what worries me. We just walk around being happy in our little lives giving and giving, but we're TAKING so much more than we're giving. We're supporting some bad stuff. I've been aware of some of this stuff for years and I've made some conscious efforts to change my own behavior and lately I'm even more determined than ever to change my behavior. We're all hypocrites in some way, often in many ways, but we can still make an effort, and that is where my concern is. Tis the season! Let's still be happy and joyful, but let's bring joy to others besides our own privileged familes. I encourage everyone to "Spend half as much, and Give twice as much" a quote from Rev. Billy from What Would Jesus Buy? Would Jesus, if you believe in him want us to support sweatshop labor and only care about ourselves and OUR families? I don't think so. Let's give A LOT this year. Many of us have more time than money, so we can give our time to help someone, or some animal or some cause. Give what you can. My friend Bo Rinaldi said, "Giving makes the World go round." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pamela Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Maybe we should call this the Grinch thread! I don't appreciate the wastefulness, commercialism of the Holidays, gluttony, etc, either. But you have to look past that and see the true meaning of the Holiday. I think the atheists around here (myself included) have a bit of an issue with the "true meaning" of the holiday as well. Like Robert, I've started trying to make something positive out of it by donating to those who need it more- my preference being to give to animal shelters. I've told friends and family to donate in my name if they really want to do something nice for me, and I've been donating in their names for the past several years. I also usually make something to give them too... last year I did cupcakes and chocolates in reusable tins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pelicanAndrew Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 My apartment is Celebrating Festivus and Winter Solstice. I personally really don't like xmas and probably won't end up actually getting a lot of gifts because I'm going to be asking for obscure records and microphones/tape machines/computer recording interfaces for the most part. But if I get money from my relatives who feel the need to give me something so be it. I'll spend it at some local record stores and businesses. I do want to buy Mass Effect. That will be my one consumerist whore thing I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odidnetne Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 My apartment is Celebrating Festivus and Winter Solstice. I personally really don't like xmas and probably won't end up actually getting a lot of gifts because I'm going to be asking for obscure records and microphones/tape machines/computer recording interfaces for the most part. But if I get money from my relatives who feel the need to give me something so be it. I'll spend it at some local record stores and businesses. I do want to buy Mass Effect. That will be my one consumerist whore thing I do. A Festivus, For the Rest of us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pelicanAndrew Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 We are on the lookout for an aluminum poll. (aluminium for the brits) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollegeB Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I'm lookin to eat a lot of junk food and pounds of tofu, probably some fresh veggies and fruit when possible. As for decorating, I bought a wire frame tree that has some lights and put some glass ornaments on there as well as candy canes. I've been online shopping for several hours and have something for almost everyone on my list. I think being away from home for so long has made me appreciate the time I spend with my family. Pretty soon I'll pack my bags, load my guns, gas up my truck, and head south for some good times with family and friends. Ohh and i'll probably dip into my savings some... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CollegeB Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Woah I just saw a website for those polls, a company in Michigan makes them...I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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