Problems with Christmas

[TDC Nala]

Stopped putting up a tree or any major decorations because it's such a pain to take them down. I kind of miss the tree but I hate taking it down.

By now, the Christmas season (music, decorations, using it as a major selling point in advertising) starts right after Halloween, before Halloween in some cases. I think after Thanksgiving is good enough. I love the music but not before Thanksgiving.

 

[golfgal]

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.

 

[KramBerries]

I'm happy with Christmas. My last major objection disappeared a few years ago when I started doing all my shopping online. Now I don't have to put up with the crowds at the stores.

 

[wdwtweets]

I actually really love celebrating Christmas. However, my family celebrates the way that we want to celebrate, not the way that our society tries to dictate. I find that as the years go on, our celebrations become simpler and better. I agree with the PP who said that it's all about expectations. My wish for everyone is that they find a way to truly celebrate Christ and to feel that real joy deep down in their souls. It's not too late.

 

[Sparx]

christmas is my favorite holiday. i love it, and i start preparing for it months in advance. no, not because i "just can't wait," but because i don't want to be a stressed out scrooge on dec. 24.

i love everything about christmas. i love spending time with people i enjoy (and yes, those are the only people i spend time with. i won't make myself miserable by observing the niceties of visiting and spending time with people i really don't like)

christmas is what you make it. and if you make it miserable, thats on you. because its not miserable in my house.

 

[skater]

I love Christmas. Its only commerical if you allow it to be (and I guess I do allow that more than I should ). Sounds like the 3 Christmas spirits are going to be visiting some of you next year . The biggest problem for me is the let down when its over and I've solved that by planning short Disney trips in Feb.).

I do however, undertand that Christmas can be depressing for many who are going through rough times.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Christmas is neither religious nor commercial for me. Most of the Christmas rituals have Pagan origins anyway, and churches do get in on the commercialization of Christmas with elaborate ceremonies for Christmas to increase attendance and the take in the collection plate so let's not pretend that the stores are the only guilty parties.

My husband and I went to my friend's house for lunch on Christmas. We all ate together, but nobody brought any gifts for anybody. It was nice. It was low-key and no pressure so everybody was friendly, even though most of us had never met each other before. Everybody there is someone that I would like very much to see again.

 

[wdwfan16]

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.

ITA

I love the holiday season. We had a great one this year.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Since we are venting about our Problems with Christmas ....

I hate the crowds and traffic. I swear, I should buy enough supplies to last me from like mid-November until early January, so I never have to step foot in any sort of store around the holidays. I'll just drive to work and back (taking backroads to avoid any store traffic), and try my best to live like a hermit so I can avoid everything. I'm not just talking about malls and big retailers - even my grocery store and local pharmacy becomes impossible to deal with all through December - long lines at all times, and no parking, and dangerous situations in parking lots due to all the traffic. Any little errand becomes a long ordeal dealing with traffic and lines and crowds.

Yeah, can you tell I'm bitter? I had a car accident on Christmas Eve - a holiday shopper failed to yield and pulled out of a parking lot and hit my car. Verdict is still out on whether my car is totalled or not. His car was fine, not a dent, of course.

That was the last straw. I hate Christmas. I'm to the point where I want to leave town and totally forget the holidays. I am never buying another present ever - I told everyone don't shop for me, I won't shop for you, let's just forget all about the present thing. I am DONE with the commercialization of Christmas. Never again will I participate.

Yeah, feels good to vent!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Family drama, though it wasn't that bad this year.

 

[jemgumby]

Christmas is neither religious nor commercial for me. Most of the Christmas rituals have Pagan origins anyway, and churches do get in on the commercialization of Christmas with elaborate ceremonies for Christmas to increase attendance and the take in the collection plate so let's not pretend that the stores are the only guilty parties.

My husband and I went to my friend's house for lunch on Christmas. We all ate together, but nobody brought any gifts for anybody. It was nice. It was low-key and no pressure so everybody was friendly, even though most of us had never met each other before. Everybody there is someone that I would like very much to see again.

Nice post and your day sounded nice!

 

[skater]

Christmas is neither religious nor commercial for me. Most of the Christmas rituals have Pagan origins anyway, and churches do get in on the commercialization of Christmas with elaborate ceremonies for Christmas to increase attendance and the take in the collection plate so let's not pretend that the stores are the only guilty parties.

My husband and I went to my friend's house for lunch on Christmas. We all ate together, but nobody brought any gifts for anybody. It was nice. It was low-key and no pressure so everybody was friendly, even though most of us had never met each other before. Everybody there is someone that I would like very much to see again.

It can be this way with churches, but not always and not all churches. Some churches have services that are meant to inspire people to worhip their God and think about Jesus - not to pull in big bucks.

 

[SanFranciscan]

It can be this way with churches, but not always and not all churches. Some churches have services that are meant to inspire people to worhip their God and think about Jesus - not to pull in big bucks.

While I respect the fact that churches are legal businesses, they are, in fact, businesses.

 

[skater]

While I respect the fact that churches are legal businesses, they are, in fact, businesses.

I'm trying to understand what you mean. Not to be adversarial, but I'm truly curious. I know many churches are run like businesses (not necessarily a bad thing) and I think some of them are probably not as "non-profit" as they should be. Are you saying that all or most churches are in the business of making money?

 

[SanFranciscan]

If you pass the collection plate, you are a business. If you wish to be offended by this fact, that is certainly your right. A minister who is not telling his customers what they want to hear will not be in business for very long. His members will take their bucks to the congregation more in line with their personal views, and he will be up the creek without a paddle if he can't attract new members. Churches do close.

If you wish to attend church, that is fine with me. However, when people who attend church to justify their faults start telling me that it makes them a better person that those who do not attend church or who attend a church which condemns what they personally are doing instead of those they wish to stand in judgment of, I just tune these people out.

I had a very nice Christmas. There was nothing commercial about it and no self-righteous preaching. There was no need for Christmas gifts nor decorated trees for us all to have a nice time. It was the most relaxed winter holiday I have ever had. I have no problem with anyone spending the Christmas Day in church all day long if that is how they choose to spend the day, but Christmas has not been stolen from Christians. Christmas customs predate Christianity.

I am finished here. If you are upset with me and getting the final word is important to you, this is your opportunity. However, writing a sermon to convert me is pointless because I won't be here to read it.

 

[mhsjax]

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!

I understand your opinion about the Walmart thing, I think the pp was just saying that you can't say that they are Christians doing this. Christmas is commercial, but for Christians in about the birth of Christ, I don't think it is correct to state that "all the wonderful Christians" did this to that poor Walmart employees.

 

[skater]

If you pass the collection plate, you are a business. If you wish to be offended by this fact, that is certainly your right. A minister who is not telling his customers what they want to hear will not be in business for very long. His members will take their bucks to the congregation more in line with their personal views, and he will be up the creek without a paddle if he can't attract new members. Churches do close.

If you wish to attend church, that is fine with me. However, when people who attend church to justify their faults start telling me that it makes them a better person that those who do not attend church or who attend a church which condemns what they personally are doing instead of those they wish to stand in judgment of, I just tune these people out.

I had a very nice Christmas. There was nothing commercial about it and no self-righteous preaching. There was no need for Christmas gifts nor decorated trees for us all to have a nice time. It was the most relaxed winter holiday I have ever had. I have no problem with anyone spending the Christmas Day in church all day long if that is how they choose to spend the day, but Christmas has not been stolen from Christians. Christmas customs predate Christianity.

I am finished here. If you are upset with me and getting the final word is important to you, this is your opportunity. However, writing a sermon to convert me is pointless because I won't be here to read it.

I'm not offended at all by your views. I asked, didn't I ? This is America, and I would fight for your right to celebrate Christmas or winter holiday or whatever in any way you choose.

I totally disagree with your skewed view of churches although I agree that there are some which fit your description. I've experienced differently, but I won't waste my time trying to convince you of it because I know your mind is made up. (I don't write that with a mean spirit - just trying to be honest and I guess, a little blunt).

I never think Christmas has been stolen from Christians although I think sometimes christians have given it away a little. I personally love Christmas - I love the "commercial" aspects, the customs that have roots outside of christianity, and especially the birth of the One who makes it all matter.

I am not going to give you a sermon, but I had to respond. If I'm writing to the wind and you've decided to say your piece and run out the door, that's fine, but your post begged for a response.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I am always exhausted on Christmas Day. I do Christmas Eve for the my family and we're up late, then up early in the morning to go to Mass and my in-laws' house.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I get bittersweet. I still miss my parents and the way they celebrated holidays. I miss my niece too. The holidays can be really tough on people who mourn loved ones.

Now that it's over and I'm rested up, I feel much better. I enjoy having all the "luxury" items around the house that we don't have during the rest of the year. Things like fine chocolate and liqueur, homemade cookies, pickled eggplant, good cheeses. I haven't eaten a meal since Christmas day. I've just been noshing on all the goodies that are in the house because it was Christmas.

 

[skater]

I am always exhausted on Christmas Day. I do Christmas Eve for the my family and we're up late, then up early in the morning to go to Mass and my in-laws' house.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I get bittersweet. I still miss my parents and the way they celebrated holidays. I miss my niece too. The holidays can be really tough on people who mourn loved ones.

Now that it's over and I'm rested up, I feel much better. I enjoy having all the "luxury" items around the house that we don't have during the rest of the year. Things like fine chocolate and liqueur, homemade cookies, pickled eggplant, good cheeses. I haven't eaten a meal since Christmas day. I've just been noshing on all the goodies that are in the house because it was Christmas.

I agree with the bittersweet thing. I think the older we get, the more that sense of loss will haunt us at Christmas. I also agree with the luxury item thing. It is great fun to have all that wonderful stuff around!

 

[NY Disney fan]

A few years ago I started a thread saying that if Christians feels so strongly about focusing on Jesus at Christmas then they should make a collective effort to do so instead of focusing on the symbols of Christmas (Santa, Trees, gifts). I got an overwhelming negative response about "you celebrate your way, and I'll celebrate mine." At the end of the day, people *want* to celebrate the santa/tree way...that's my theory. Secondly, why are there so many shootings at Christmas time?