Anybody not in the mood for christmas?

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The discussion centers around differing views on Christmas, with some participants expressing skepticism about its commercialization and perceived lack of genuine magic. Critics argue that the holiday is overly hyped by the media, serving primarily as an economic boost rather than a meaningful celebration. They suggest that Christmas is particularly enjoyable for children and college students, while questioning the enthusiasm of adults without children. Some participants enjoy the festive atmosphere and family gatherings, emphasizing the spirit of giving rather than the material aspects. However, others find the holiday stressful and feel pressured to participate in family traditions, leading to feelings of obligation rather than joy. The conversation touches on broader themes of societal expectations surrounding holidays, the impact of seasonal affective disorder, and the contrast between personal preferences and cultural norms.
  • #31
I like the sun at night. :-p
 
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  • #32
Evo said:
I like the sun at night. :-p

that one's called--- 'A mun'
 
  • #33
ranger said:
Christmas also brings up painful memories for some. What about the mother that lost her child in an accident? What does Christmas do to her?

The same thing any other day would do if it were the anniversary of her child's death.

Nobody's forcing anyone to celebrate it. If it's not your religion, or not your preference to celebrate it, or you just want to be left alone, then don't celebrate it. The movie theaters are still open on Christmas day, go see a movie with all the other people who don't celebrate the holiday.

I don't get it, people grouch about the day being so bad, but the degree of grouching makes me think they really do want to celebrate it, but for some reason are denying themselves all the fun. Either you don't consider it anything special, so should just treat the day like any other day, or you do want to celebrate it, in which case stop being so grumpy about it and just let loose and have fun.
 
  • #34
that's one good thing about 'FUN' ---you can't use it up


my license plate in college was 'FUN 20' --('10-20' is police code for location)
 
  • #35
Moonbear said:
Nobody's forcing anyone to celebrate it. If it's not your religion, or not your preference to celebrate it, or you just want to be left alone, then don't celebrate it. The movie theaters are still open on Christmas day, go see a movie with all the other people who don't celebrate the holiday.

I don't get it, people grouch about the day being so bad, but the degree of grouching makes me think they really do want to celebrate it, but for some reason are denying themselves all the fun. Either you don't consider it anything special, so should just treat the day like any other day, or you do want to celebrate it, in which case stop being so grumpy about it and just let loose and have fun.

I can't do this though. Everyone in my family says it's a selfish thing to do without realizing the irony in their statements. So I'm pretty much forced into celebrating it because I'll hurt everyones precious feelings if I don't.

Being an atheist is a hard life to live.
 
  • #36
LightbulbSun said:
I can't do this though. Everyone in my family says it's a selfish thing to do without realizing the irony in their statements. So I'm pretty much forced into celebrating it because I'll hurt everyones precious feelings if I don't.

Being an atheist is a hard life to live.
That's too bad. I think that is one of the biggest mistakes some families make is to "force" everyone into being together if they'd rather not. I know many of my friends pretend to be out of town and hide from their families just to avoid them. It comes from years of being forced to spend "quality" time together as a family. If time together has to be forced, it's not healthy.
 
  • #37
Evo said:
That's too bad. I think that is one of the biggest mistakes some families make is to "force" everyone into being together if they'd rather not. I know many of my friends pretend to be out of town and hide from their families just to avoid them. It comes from years of being forced to spend "quality" time together as a family. If time together has to be forced, it's not healthy.

Most of my family doesn't even bother to travel for Christmas anymore either so it's pretty much the same people I see every day of the year.
 
  • #38
LightbulbSun said:
I can't do this though. Everyone in my family says it's a selfish thing to do without realizing the irony in their statements. So I'm pretty much forced into celebrating it because I'll hurt everyones precious feelings if I don't.

Being an atheist is a hard life to live.

Sorry they force you into doing something you don't want to do. I don't join my family for any of the religious parts (i.e., if they go to church, I stay home), but I still enjoy the non-religious parts...spoiling the nephew with presents, singing Christmas carols, baking cookies, etc. Then again, since none of them will travel in winter and expect me to always visit them, I just put my foot down eventually and one year told them I wasn't visiting. So, now I visit every other year and tell them if they want to see me the alternating years, they can do the traveling, otherwise, I'll enjoy the holiday with local friends, which is usually what I do. It's even better now that I have a cat...she's a great excuse, "Oh, yeah, I really want to come out, but I can't find a cat sitter, and she's so scared of the dogs, it would be cruel to take her with me." o:)

When I do visit, I find other people to visit in the area while there so I only have to spend a day or two with the relatives. It keeps me sane enough to enjoy the holiday.

So, you might want to try borrowing a few tricks from my book to get through the holidays with your sanity intact. If you just look at it as a mostly secular festival, it's a lot easier to enjoy.
 
  • #39
I think my 'cold' settled into an inner ear/Eustachian tube/throat infection--which I haven't had since a kid, and what I remember it lasts for a long time. I think this it where the headaches are coming from. I really don't like taking meds, so hot soups, hot drinks, hot showers,--I going for hot ---including curling up in a fetal position under the blankets.---
 
  • #40
rewebster said:
I think my 'cold' settled into an inner ear/Eustachian tube/throat infection--which I haven't had since a kid, and what I remember it lasts for a long time. I think this it where the headaches are coming from. I really don't like taking meds, so hot soups, hot drinks, hot showers,--I going for hot ---including curling up in a fetal position under the blankets.---
Did you go to the doctor? You should get something if it's bacterial.
 
  • #41
Evo said:
Did you go to the doctor? You should get something if it's bacterial.

And if it's moving into your ear, that's very possible. Maybe not the flu at all.
 
  • #42
rewebster said:
I think my 'cold' settled into an inner ear/Eustachian tube/throat infection--which I haven't had since a kid, and what I remember it lasts for a long time. I think this it where the headaches are coming from. I really don't like taking meds, so hot soups, hot drinks, hot showers,--I going for hot ---including curling up in a fetal position under the blankets.---
If it's gone on for more than a few days, then go see a doctor as Evo and Moonbear recommended. It could be a secondary infection, e.g. streptococcal infection. Sounds like it's already moved into the ear.

One needs to take aspirin or ibuprofen to keep fever down.
 
  • #43
Christmas is at my house this year and I'm dreading it.:rolleyes: Usually I like to escape back to my house when I get sick of all the people. What am I supposed to do now?

Ehh. I'm not the Holiday person this year anyway. My friends and I have this project. We are building an Scanning-Tunneling Microscope, and I much rather be in the lab doing that than be at a christmas party. I know I'm going to turn into a Scrooge...o well.:rolleyes:
 
  • #44
G01 said:
Christmas is at my house this year and I'm dreading it.:rolleyes: Usually I like to escape back to my house when I get sick of all the people. What am I supposed to do now?
Get the flu? Have an emergency during the party and get called away, once everyone leaves, wait a bit then go back home.
 
  • #45
Evo said:
Get the flu? Have an emergency during the party and get called away, once everyone leaves, wait a bit then go back home.

You don't think that purposely getting an illness to get out of a party isn't a sign of some mental problem?:biggrin:
 
  • #46
G01 said:
You don't think that purposely getting an illness to get out of a party isn't a sign of some mental problem?:biggrin:
You don't actually want to get sick, just pretend.

I'm going to have to get sick in a few days to avoid going to another "work" Christmas party. It's going to be way up north of the city, and it's what amounts to an upscale Chuck E Cheese (not that it takes much to be upscale to the Chuck). It's a family food and fun place, which means mediocre food and screaming kids running around. I've been there before and I'd rather shove bamboo under my fingernails.
 
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  • #47
Evo said:
You don't actually want to get sick, just pretend.

*cough* *cough* I think I'm actually coming down with something here Evo. I don't need to pretend. *cough* *cough*:wink:

*cough* O no... I think it's that Plague that's been going around. I'm not going to be able to make it to the Christmas party. Darn...:-p
 
  • #48
G01 said:
*cough* *cough* I think I'm actually coming down with something here Evo. I don't need to pretend. *cough* *cough*:wink:

*cough* O no... I think it's that Plague that's been going around. I'm not going to be able to make it to the Christmas party. Darn...:-p
See, I knew it!
 
  • #49
Evo said:
I'm going to have to get sick in a few days to avoid going to another "work" Christmas party. It's going to be way up north of the city, and it's what amounts to an upscale Chuck E Cheese (not that it takes much to be upscale to the Chuck). It's a family food and fun place, which means mediocre food and screaming kids running around. I've been there before and I'd rather shove bamboo under my fingernails.

*cough* cough*

O crap Evo. I just coughed near you. Looks like you have the Plague now as well. O well. Your going to have to miss that wonderful work christmas party...o darn...:wink:
 
  • #50
G01 said:
*cough* cough*

O crap Evo. I just coughed near you. Looks like you have the Plague now as well. O well. Your going to have to miss that wonderful work christmas party...o darn...:wink:
*cough* *cough* Oh no! *cough*
 
  • #51
I'm not usually a christmas party person...or christmas person in general really but my class had a christmas party and to liven things up the person hosting it rented dance dance revolution for playstation! Now that was fun. First christmas party I've been to that hasn't sucked. It was the greatest party ever.
 
  • #52
I bought a tree today, it's resting on the balcony... :biggrin:
 
  • #53
Moridin said:
- Christmas is the season where most people spend the most money. In Europe and The United States, we are talking maybe thousands of billion of dollars.
- Suicide rates and depression increase manifold during the Christmas.
- Christmas makes people get more loans to pay for it.
- Business loose income and productivity over Christmas.

Is it really worth it?

Gee, are you one of those people who hate holidays? Even so-called "primitive people" are smart enough to have several fun festivals every year. It's largely Americans that make a profession of hating this stuff. IMO.
 
  • #54
jim mcnamara said:
Gee, are you one of those people who hate holidays? Even so-called "primitive people" are smart enough to have several fun festivals every year. It's largely Americans that make a profession of hating this stuff. IMO.

There's only a few festive holidays: christmas, thanksgiving, easter and labor day. Should we love all the holidays? What about Columbus Day? Would I be a big old grump if I hated that day?
 
  • #55
I'm surprised I got two cards this year. I wish people would stop sending these things and just call and say what's up. I don't want any cards or gifts, and I don't want to send them. I only tolerate it because I'm sure they get some sense of relief for including me. Why won't they let me eat my ramen in peace!

Bah Humbug!
 
  • #56
I don't really like festivities, and don't really like getting cards. Jeez. It seems silly and immature to me, and every year I am astounded to the fact that we, after thousands of years, the most developed humans still have an annual winter rituals and celebrations to the sun god.
 
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  • #57
jim mcnamara said:
Gee, are you one of those people who hate holidays? Even so-called "primitive people" are smart enough to have several fun festivals every year. It's largely Americans that make a profession of hating this stuff. IMO.

If you are prepared for the sacrifice of human lives, productivity, accumulation of debt and so on then I see no problem with it. Happy holidays. :biggrin:
 
  • #58
Well I'm slowly getting into the Christmas spirit, at least a tiny bit:

<-----------------------

Still not looking forward to the party though!:rolleyes:
 
  • #59
Benzoate said:
I think this holiday is over-the-top and hyped up by the media way too much. To me , christmas is just another excused to waste money on useless items that you will probably replaced the next time christmas comes around! To me christmas is no more different than Valentine's day : There all just another excuse to boost the economy. Not that I'm against practicing capitalism. But please see this holiday for what it is and its certainly not magical . There isn't anything magical about it capitalism at its peak. I The only people who will enjoy christmas the most are people under twelve. College students will also enjoy christmas the most because they get a month off to stray away from school for awhile to relax. I don't understand why people over 25 who don't have any children enjoy this holiday so much. You can be around family anytime of the year . In fact, I don't think I want to be around a lot of people in the winter; I want to stay in bed for awhile and not talk to anybody until their isn't an inch of snow left on the ground.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Christmas has more or less been an orgy of capitalism for the past fifty or so years, hasn't it? If it makes you feel better, I don't do much for Christmas either. I only observe the religious aspects of Christmas, but as someone who is already pretty active in the church, this isn't much of a departure from the norm for me. The upside: I didn't have to get up early on Black Friday!

I think I'm one of those danged Puritan that Jim Mcnamara alluded to. :smile:

Evo said:
I thought the "Festival of Lights" was a Jewish tradition. :wink:

I think you may be thinking about Diwali, the Indian Festival of Light.
 
  • #60
Overnight, it's turned into a winter wonderland in Amsterdam.

Frost on all the trees, small canals frozen over... proper brass monkeys weather :-p

Will decorate the tree later. Have the feeling it will snow...
 

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