[Sage]

Okay, I'm not trying to harsh anyone's Christmas mellow, but there are those of us who simply aren't thrilled by Christmas.
Please feel free to post any thoughts or opinions here on the subject of Christmas that might be considered bitter or argumentative in other threads.

Let the airing of greivances begin!

[Karmillo]

[seebaruk]

I love Christmas, but I do work in retail which means I've got shagloads of work on, and I may even have to work Christmas Day next year, argh!

[Fairygdmther]

Well, I'm not a Christian, but I used to enjoy the secular side of Christmas, since it tends to bring out the giving side of people. But with all my family 1500 miles (2414 Km) away, and having no money to give anyone any presents anyway, it's kinda lost its luster. I will be working both Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

Lynsie

[Lucien21]

I voted other due to Microsoft and there inability to launch a console creating a hoard of greedy bastards who sell what I want on ebay for inflated prices.

Really grinched my Xmas.


Apart from that I'm full of festive spirit (Whiskey that is )


However joking aside I have been very lucky in that christmas has always been a time of joy in my family with or wothout money (usually without but we always had a great time)

For some people Christmas can be quite a serious time of year as it is

1. Consumer based and people put themselves in serious debt to afford it
2. Family based so single people without anyone at this time of year can be seriously depressed at being left out and having nobody to love
3. Bloody cold
4. Naff as f**k with all the tacky jingles and annoying xmas specials on tv.

[Aj_]

It's gaudy, commercialized, and carols/carol singers anoy me. On the plus side, time off work, and presents.

[Maquisard]

Adulthood hit me too fast, so now I gotta worry about buying gifts, as opposed to just getting them. And that's kinda lame.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by Lucien21

I voted other due to Microsoft and there inability to launch a console creating a hoard of greedy bastards who sell what I want on ebay for inflated prices.

I thought Micro$oft deliberately limited the initial release to whip consumers into a buying frenzy.
I have also read interviews with former Microsoft programmers who stated that at that company release dates are carved in stone...whether the product is bug-free and ready to ship or not. Maybe the limited initial release was an unadvertised beta-ish version? As in "We think it's ready to go, but November 22nd is November 22nd, so let's just release a few and keep our fingers crossed".

Really grinched my Xmas.

You're not alone in that, my friend.

Apart from that I'm full of festive spirit (Whiskey that is )

Woo-Hoo!

However joking aside I have been very lucky in that Christmas has always been a time of joy in my family with or without money (usually without but we always had a great time)

For some people Christmas can be quite a serious time of year as it is

1. Consumer based and people put themselves in serious debt to afford it

Check. There's nothing quite like having to buy presents for people just because you know they're going to buy presents for you.

2. Family based so single people without anyone at this time of year can be seriously depressed at being left out and having nobody to love

Please stop describing me.

3. Bloody cold

Bloody right! And rainy too, so the cold soaks right in.

4. Naff as f**k with all the tacky jingles and annoying xmas specials on tv.

The specials I can handle, but the jingles are driving me bonkers.

Amen, brother.

[RLacey]

I'm a grouch all year long, so I voted for that. But the over-commercialisation of the thing makes me slightly depressed, especially when I read/hear about people having to work overtime in order to buy presents and such.

On the other hand, I am a Christian, love the carols and enjoy spending time with my family. So it's not all bad, but I do feel a tinge of depression at times, particularly in the run-up to the 25th...

[Jazhara7]

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

I thought Micro$oft deliberately limited the initial release to whip consumers into a buying frenzy.

I wonder if they will do that in Germany too? I seem to recall that there is a law against deliberately supplying an unsatisfactory amount to meet the demand of a product.


-

[lumi]

I'm not a Christian so I don't care about Christmas. But I do like to celebrate Presents Day. I think that should become an official holiday, maybe around the 20th or something. That way corporations can take over that holiday, and leave Christmas alone.

[Melanie68]

I voted other:

Cons

1. Crowds, crowds, crowds
2. Christmas music gets overplayed. I usually pick my own.
3. The religious fundamentalists harp on those who aren't about how they are 'ruining' Christmas (which is utterly ridiculous).
4. It isn't a fun time for those who struggle with money or can't see their families or people they care about.

Pros

1. It's one of the few times a year I see my family
2. You can pick out special gifts for people (and they don't necessarily have to cost a lot.)
3. You can help out those less fortunate at Christmas.

This is one of my favorite times of the year but it's been hard the past few years for personal reasons but I'm still looking forward to it.

[pinkgothic]

I picked other. It just doesn't appeal to me. Holidays have to establish themselves with hard work to me, I don't just accept them in passing. Hence the only holiday I truly enjoy is Halloween, though it disappoints me how unpopular it is in germany, and unpopularity of Halloween... kinda... jinxes... Halloween... so it's probably doomed to land in the category of "discarded holidays".

And then, somewhat, Der Tag der Deutschen Einheit, though I never know it is that until they tell me on TV... heh... n_n; I like that because it's about a tangibly close historical event that I can relate to.

And that's it.

Christmas, Easter, and so on... doesn't faze me. I don't see what's so special about them - I just can't relate. That one needs an excuse to dress up and annoy people in their homes is clear... but why need an excuse to give people you like presents or have a good dinner with family? Maybe some people do, because they live far from those they care for; but the others? I just don't understand the mentality. Sorry.

pinkgothic

[Maquisard]

Originally Posted by Spider Crusoe

I'm not a Christian so I don't care about Christmas. But I do like to celebrate Presents Day. I think that should become an official holiday, maybe around the 20th or something. That way corporations can take over that holiday, and leave Christmas alone.

Well Santa Claus day, celebrated on Dec 5th sorta got merged with Christmas, but that's where the gifts idea comes from...

I agree with Melanie about the crowds. I went to see King Kong this Saturday, a matinee showing at the mall, and couldn't find a parking spot. When I finally found it, I ended up seeing a showing an hour later than I had originally planned...

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I'm not going to complain. I've had my share of beautiful little Christmas moments in my past. But sadly there won't be any this year for the obvious reason.

Still, beyond the hype and bullshit commercialization, I wouldn't ever want to shake off what Christmas has always truly meant to me, whether I celebrate it as a debt building consumer or a socially and culturally obligated family member (I've done both). Christmas for me will always be about taking a moment to love and to appreciate being loved, the way the original philosophy (but not religion) of the Christian belief teaches it. In the end it's really that feeling of love that will keep me warm for all of winter.

[Manhunter71]

Nice poll Scott. but it would have been even better if you had allowed multiple choices - I for one would have posted at least 2 answers

1 - Bad things have happened to me this year
2 - I'm not a christian
3 - I'm a grouch all year long
4 - Other (my middle name is Scrooge - if you don't believe me then just ask my friends )

[Sage]

Manhunter, I agree about multiple choices on the poll. Unfortunately, that didn't occur to me until after I had posted the thread.

[Lucien21]

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

Manhunter, I agree about multiple choices on the poll. Unfortunately, that didn't occur to me until after I had posted the thread.

Must have too depressed over Xmas at the time.

DO I have to send you 3 ghosts to cheer you up.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by Lucien21

Must have been too depressed over Xmas at the time.

Your ability to read my mind is downright scary.

DO I have to send you 3 ghosts to cheer you up.

That might help. Just make sure all three are both naughty and nice.

[Lucien21]

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

Your ability to read my mind is downright scary.

Ah reminds me.

Must arrange for implant to be removed and the bugs destroyed.

What are you doing on Thursday.


- That or great minds think alike