Problems with Christmas

[asia_catdog_blue]

We all know Christmas is dandy, althought there are some things about it that just tends to get annoying. What problems do you have about the most overrated holiday in the world?

 

[Docwoods]

All the songs insisting what a wonderful time of the year it is.It seldom is,although we give it our best shot.

 

[kirbydog48]

It can be incredibly lonely, especially if your life doesn't resemble a Hallmark greeting card. If there's alcoholism, drug abuse or mental illness in your family, it often isn't "the most wonderful time of the year". I am always so relieved when January comes. It is way too overdone.

 

[SanFranciscan]

I love the idea of Christmas the way I love the idea of Valentine's Day, but the reality is different from the sentimentality in both cases. People hosting Christmas gatherings too often feel that anything less than perfection is failure during a holiday that makes people greedy and angry.

 

[Jennasis]

The music. It gets to be a bit much. that and family squabbling.

 

[asia_catdog_blue]

Well, I have some.

1. It's 100% Overrated. You can't deny it, it's the biggest holiday in the WORLD. every one is excited about it. Heck, there are references to, and items relating to Christmas in months BEFORE December. They just can't wait.

2. Commercialism. It's less about spending time and sharing joy and love with your family and friends(and enemies) and more about what you should waste your money on. Sometimes, the Christmas Present you sacrificed your hard earned cash on won't be satisfying to who you're giving it to. There's just no pleasing people. And little twerps will be all wanty and needy. I wonder if they go all out after hearing that Father Christmas is really just a ploy to sell Coca-Cola...

3. Specials and Jingles. During December, you will be hearing Christmas Jingles on the radio and see nothing but Christmas Specials on TV. Hark the Helard Angels Sing was the only tolerable of them all, and I'm getting sick of Jingle Bells and Music from The Nutcracker. Heck, I'm sick of The Nutcracker, period. And how many times will Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" be milked just for money?

I might add more reasons when they get to me.

Also, who was the scatterbrain that said December, 25th is the Birth if Jesus Christ? Last time I checked, it was in March.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that Christmas is actually more about what you feel rather than what you do. You have to feel it for it to mean something and that often takes work, and then only if want to do so.

Of course, family can cause issues and so can the cost of things even when you try to keep things simple. But Christmas itself isn't to blame and is actually a good opportunity to enjoy some magic.

I shouldn't talk though. I'm often a miserable failure at practicing what I preach when it comes to Christmas. I get overly stressed and tired year after year.

 

[ols386]

Christmas isn't really a big deal for me. I do think it's overrated. I enjoyed it alot more when my kids were young, but they are grown now. Maybe when I start to get some grandkids, I'll be more in to Christmas.

I'm always glad once Christmas and New Year's Day are over.

 

[Angelhalo]

I don't think anything about the celebration of birth of Jesus (no matter the actual day) is overrated, which is what Christmas is really all about (not gifts, gatherings, kids, grankids, loved ones, or lack thereof). Any further problems that occur are only problems because we allow them to be.

Just my opinion. Flame away if you want *shrug*

 

[Magic Mom]

I love Christmas. Sure there are some glitches now and then, but usually we really enjoy it. I will say though that I stopped sweating the small stuff years ago. If my child wants the "IT" toy and I can't find it, oh well. If my MIL sends me a gift that is clearly her taste and not mine, no big deal. If I don't get my cards sent out, I'll just send out some pretty cards in January. If I have to postpone Christmas dinner because I am coughing up a lung, that's OK.
Too many people have unrealistic expectations, They set themselves up for failure because they have an idea of the "Perfect Holiday." My advice is to forget about what TV tells you Christmas should be, and relax.
I do agree that loneliness during the holidays is a big problem for some people. Maybe we should reach out and pull those people into our festivities. Next year I'll have to make a point of that.

 

[jemgumby]

Well, I have some.

1. It's 100% Overrated. You can't deny it, it's the biggest holiday in the WORLD. every one is excited about it. Heck, there are references to, and items relating to Christmas in months BEFORE December. They just can't wait.

2. Commercialism. It's less about spending time and sharing joy and love with your family and friends(and enemies) and more about what you should waste your money on. Sometimes, the Christmas Present you sacrificed your hard earned cash on won't be satisfying to who you're giving it to. There's just no pleasing people. And little twerps will be all wanty and needy. I wonder if they go all out after hearing that Father Christmas is really just a ploy to sell Coca-Cola...

3. Specials and Jingles. During December, you will be hearing Christmas Jingles on the radio and see nothing but Christmas Specials on TV. Hark the Helard Angels Sing was the only tolerable of them all, and I'm getting sick of Jingle Bells and Music from The Nutcracker. Heck, I'm sick of The Nutcracker, period. And how many times will Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" be milked just for money?

I might add more reasons when they get to me.

Also, who was the scatterbrain that said December, 25th is the Birth if Jesus Christ? Last time I checked, it was in March.

You get a big AMEN from me!!! I am so glad it's over!!!! My thing is if it was/is about Jesus then how do people explain the poor Walmart worker who got trampled to death last year on black Friday for all the wonderful christians buying gifts to "celebrate" Jesus' birthday? I wonder how that Walmart worker's family feels this time of year......

 

[kaffinito]

It can be incredibly lonely, especially if your life doesn't resemble a Hallmark greeting card. If there's alcoholism, drug abuse or mental illness in your family, it often isn't "the most wonderful time of the year". I am always so relieved when January comes. It is way too overdone.

and

Here's hoping for a less tense Christmas in the future.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

It can be incredibly lonely, especially if your life doesn't resemble a Hallmark greeting card. If there's alcoholism, drug abuse or mental illness in your family, it often isn't "the most wonderful time of the year". I am always so relieved when January comes. It is way too overdone.

I feel that! to me it is the most depressing time of the year! I work right up till christmas eve just to get away from it. I hate crowds but may start doing WDW at christmas just to be away!

 

[ugadog99]

It can be incredibly lonely, especially if your life doesn't resemble a Hallmark greeting card. If there's alcoholism, drug abuse or mental illness in your family, it often isn't "the most wonderful time of the year". I am always so relieved when January comes. It is way too overdone.

My thoughts exactly! Christmas has always been a time of drama and heartache for me. The only good Christmases are the ones the girls and I have spent at WDW. The last two years, though, we have been at home. Beginning next year, we are back to Christmas at Disney. It's sooo much better than being at home. I keep hoping I'll wake up and it will be February.

 

[luvsJack]

You get a big AMEN from me!!! I am so glad it's over!!!! My thing is if it was/is about Jesus then how do people explain the poor Walmart worker who got trampled to death last year on black Friday for all the wonderful christians buying gifts to "celebrate" Jesus' birthday? I wonder how that Walmart worker's family feels this time of year......

It is SUPPOSED to be about Jesus and how the heck do you know if the people who trampled the man were Christians or if they even celebrate Christmas? Last time I was aware neither of those things were a requirement for shopping on Black Friday.

Christmas is supposed to be about the love God has for us and the fact that He sent his son to us. It is about that baby's birth (regardless of when the exact day really was) and the joy it should bring to everyone. The fact that people forget that fact and over shop, over stress, over eat and rather than enjoying time with their family get in a snit over less than perfect gifts has no bearing on what it is SUPPOSED to be only on what they have made it.

Its not Christmas that is not perfect, it is us humans that are not perfect. Neither ourselves nor our families are perfect 364 days of the year; why oh why do we insist on expecting any more on that one? Our human problems are not going to go away on the 25th of December no more than they are going to go away on March 10th. We only need to embrace the ones we love, accept them as they are, and remember to enjoy our time with them--and, if Christian and celebrating Christmas as the birth of Jesus, spend this one day thank God for sending his Son to this less than perfect world.

As for being too commercial, the solution is easy if we just refuse to allow ourselves to buy into that? Just because the retailers use Christmas to "sell their wares" doesn't mean we have to buy them. We don't have to buy the latest electronic toy, or the biggest fad in clothing, or whatever the hottest toy is this year. We have a choice not to. We have a choice to give meaningful gifts, gifts of love, gifts of ourselves, a mixture of any of those or no gifts at all. The best gift for most family, especially our children, is the time we spend with them and Christmas is a wonderful time for that.

 

[jemgumby]

It is SUPPOSED to be about Jesus and how the heck do you know if the people who trampled the man were Christians or if they even celebrate Christmas? Last time I was aware neither of those things were a requirement for shopping on Black Friday.

Christmas is supposed to be about the love God has for us and the fact that He sent his son to us. It is about that baby's birth (regardless of when the exact day really was) and the joy it should bring to everyone. The fact that people forget that fact and over shop, over stress, over eat and rather than enjoying time with their family get in a snit over less than perfect gifts has no bearing on what it is SUPPOSED to be only on what they have made it.

Its not Christmas that is not perfect, it is us humans that are not perfect. Neither ourselves nor our families are perfect 364 days of the year; why oh why do we insist on expecting any more on that one? Our human problems are not going to go away on the 25th of December no more than they are going to go away on March 10th. We only need to embrace the ones we love, accept them as they are, and remember to enjoy our time with them--and, if Christian and celebrating Christmas as the birth of Jesus, spend this one day thank God for sending his Son to this less than perfect world.

As for being too commercial, the solution is easy if we just refuse to allow ourselves to buy into that? Just because the retailers use Christmas to "sell their wares" doesn't mean we have to buy them. We don't have to buy the latest electronic toy, or the biggest fad in clothing, or whatever the hottest toy is this year. We have a choice not to. We have a choice to give meaningful gifts, gifts of love, gifts of ourselves, a mixture of any of those or no gifts at all. The best gift for most family, especially our children, is the time we spend with them and Christmas is a wonderful time for that.

Black Friday is so people can buy Christmas gifts at great deals and that is why all the madness happens. You can sugar coat it all you want to but it is not just the retailers who promote commercialism with Christmas.....it is the buyers too!!! If celebrating Christmas were just about the birth of Jesus then what the heck does Santa Claus and Rudolph have to do with anything? The title of this thread was "problems with Christmas" and I was replying appropriately. Your welcome to your opinions but so am I!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You get a big AMEN from me!!! I am so glad it's over!!!! My thing is if it was/is about Jesus then how do people explain the poor Walmart worker who got trampled to death last year on black Friday for all the wonderful christians buying gifts to "celebrate" Jesus' birthday? I wonder how that Walmart worker's family feels this time of year......

Not all people who celebrate Christmas celebrate the religious aspect of it. Not all people shopping on Black Friday are shopping for Christmas gifts.

I did a Running of the Brides event. They keep all staff out of the way and let the brides and their buds do their dash. It's like a Wedding Dress black Friday--they know the chaos b/c they create the chaos. They keep their employees out of harms way until the dash has concluded, then they get on the floor to try to manage the cattle.

Part of that "dash"--is created by the atmosphere of the retailer and regretfully it killed someone at Walmart. Thus--this year, Walmart changed their protocol to avoid such a tragedy.

 

[luvsJack]

Black Friday is so people can buy Christmas gifts at great deals and that is why all the madness happens. You can sugar coat it all you want to but it is not just the retailers who promote commercialism with Christmas.....it is the buyers too!!! If celebrating Christmas were just about the birth of Jesus then what the heck does Santa Claus and Rudolph have to do with anything? The title of this thread was "problems with Christmas" and I was replying appropriately. Your welcome to your opinions but so am I!

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. And you are entitled to celebrate, or not, in anyway you choose or for any reason you choose.

I was not aiming everything I said at you. I only quoted you because of your comment about the tragedy on Black Friday last year. The man being trampled was a horrible tragedy, but I fail to see how that is the fault of "all the good Christians".

 

[Feralpeg]

The problem isn't the holiday. The problem is people's expectations for the holiday. The last I heard, there were no laws saying people have to participate in any holiday riturals. If you don't like Christmas music, change the station. If you don't feel like exchanging gifts, don't do it. If a gift isn't from the heart, it's pretty meaningless anyway.

I only shop when I feel like it. I don't go to the big sales and have my gifts purchased long before Christmas, so I don't have to deal with crowds. I really like Christmas carols and all of the decorations associated with the holiday. If I get tired of hearing carols, I put on a CD that I want to hear. I don't have to listen to anything I don't want to hear. I enjoy watching the holiday specials on television, but I only watch them when I feel like it.

I don't go to a lot of holiday parties. I spend time with my very close friend and family. There is no pressure to be any place I don't want to be.

I agree that a holiday can be sad if you are not with the ones you want to be with. Other than that, I can't think of anything about Christmas that I think is a problem.

IMHO, only you can make yourself miserable. Don't blame the holiday. State of mind has more to do with it than anything else.

 

[OK!]

I don't think anything about the celebration of birth of Jesus (no matter the actual day) is overrated, which is what Christmas is really all about (not gifts, gatherings, kids, grankids, loved ones, or lack thereof). Any further problems that occur are only problems because we allow them to be.

Just my opinion. Flame away if you want *shrug*

Ditto this, exactly.