Every year I find that the crass commercialism and forced cheer of the holiday season becomes harder and harder to ignore. So much so that I'm starting to actively dislike this entire month.
Do many people out there feel the same way? Any suggestions on how to cope with it all? My usual solution of beer and cigarettes are effective, but oh-so-temporary.
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Have you read Dan's Santarillion? That did it for me better than anything else. Seriously.
Here's the link.
Posted by beatnix19 (Member # 5836) on :
quote: Every year I find that the crass commercialism and forced cheer of the holiday season becomes harder and harder to ignore. So much so that I'm starting to actively dislike this entire month.
I dislike the crass commercialism, but like the forced cheer. So I'm ambivalent.
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
Santarillion was fantastic with a capital FAN.
You like the forced cheer Tom? Is it that kind of thing where you pretend for a little while until it becomes real, or what?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Yeah. Plus it makes me happy to watch people trying to be happy.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Forced Cheer as a spectator sport? Has potential.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by Juxtapose: Every year I find that the crass commercialism and forced cheer of the holiday season becomes harder and harder to ignore. So much so that I'm starting to actively dislike this entire month.
Starting? Boy, you are way behind me. I've been there for, oh, decades.
My first Christmas that I refused to spend with my parents, I instead spent it with a friend's family - a family that celebrated Christmas the way I always wanted it. Their home was filled with so much love and cameraderie that I had to slink off to a corner periodically and shed a few tears. They gave gifts to each other, but it was never about the gifts. It was about doing things together as a family, connecting in meaningful ways.
I actually spent the next three or four Christmases with that friend and her family, and they were among the best I've ever had.
If you can't do that, I would suggest spending it at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter or somehow in the service of others. Or watching A Sound of Music (although my version is spelled A Soung of Music ). Or perhaps writing letters of appreciation to people who have touched you or who you feel might need a pick-me-up.
This is a tough time of year for a lot of people. You're not alone.
Posted by jennabean (Member # 8590) on :
I agree... this month sort of makes me feel the way Old Navy commercials make me feel all year long. It's not a good feeling! Plus the Old Navy commercials get even worse during Christmas time.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
Am I the only one here who actually likes christmas? Sure, it's all commercialism, but it's a time where families can actually get together. Plus, it means that I don't have school, which is just an extra bonus. But all in all, I love christmas. *waits for the onslaught to begin*
Posted by smitty (Member # 8855) on :
Getting a DVR helps, so you can skip the commercials! I usually just try to ignore the commercialization, and enjoy the season for what it means to me, and not what others try to make it.
Posted by jennabean (Member # 8590) on :
No, I LOVE Christmas! I love my family, really love shopping, really really love the music. And I really AM happy, but the commercialism drives me mad.
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
I think it's the most wonderful time of the year. Maybe not at the mall, but most of us don't have to be at the mall much.
Not on TV, but I don't have a TV.
But in life, proper, I think it's great.
Posted by TheHumanTarget (Member # 7129) on :
I love Christmas, it's just sucked the last couple of years (I try not to let it bring down the holiday).
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
My friends and I get together to celebrate Festivus around this time of year, complete with the aluminum pole, the airing of the greviances, and the feats of strength (we also added the viewing of the festivus episode in there). We had 33 people show up on Saturday for it. It was a festivus miracle!
Posted by SenojRetep (Member # 8614) on :
Isn't festivus traditionally celebrated on the 23rd? Do you have a smaller, family celebration on the actual day, Squick?
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
There was a schism awile back between the more orthodox who believed that celebrating Festivus on any day besides December 23rd was blashemy and those who believed that it was truer to the spirit of Festivus to hold it, and I quote, "On a weekend day after Thanksgiving that is most convenient for people." I belong to the later group.
Forcing Festivus to one specific day is just like the tyranny of Christmas that we were trying to escape.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
My mom is letting Christmas be my way this year. We have three artificial trees, none taller than four feet, no real tree, no ornaments. We're fixing one meal with one main course (instead of ham, roast, and turkey like two years ago), on Christmas day, all relatives who usually come are invited, sure they can come down the 24th, we're going to Steak and Shake or ordering pizza. I am sleeping in my bedroom, my mom is sharing the master bedroom with my dad (they normally have such different sleep styles that she sleeps in the spare) my grandma gets the spare. Any uncles and aunts or other relatives can have couches. I do not have to sleep under the christmas tree because my room is inhabited by relatives who leave strange stains on my sheets. I do not have to wear the elf hat while passing out my presents. I do not have to try on every clothing item I get, especially if it's underwear, heck maybe I won't get underwear in a package. I don't have to go shopping with these relatives the next day, in really crowded stores. If it goes the way I want (yes I'm greedy), christmas will be fun
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
Thanks for all the advice. It's good to hear other's feel the same way, and that others overcome it (even if I already know both, repetition is good).
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
). Or perhaps writing letters of appreciation to people who have touched you or who you feel might need a pick-me-up.