Thoughts on Christmas

[Chimpa]

I am currently studying away for a year, quite a long way from home and don't have the wonga required to get back and see my family and friends. Given this fact I wanted to know about everyone's thoughts on xmas as a period, not on whether or not it has become too commercalised, but on how you see it? What do you use the (very frigging precious) time off for? Just to spend time with family, eating a stupid amount of food, and spending the next 11 months working it all off again, or just as a time to lie in and enjoy life a little more? Or at the opposite end of the spectrum, as an overhyped waste of time?

 

[John Tacos]

I don't care about the commercialism, because I get more Xbox Live for Left 4 Dead! I'll go away to study that. With my eyes. And a controller.

 

[this_was_a_mistake]

I just need a PS3 and my collection WILL BE COMPLETE!

 

[ZeroMachine]

It's just a time to sit back and enjoy life, see friends, and exchange gifts. People think about it to much nowadays (not that I'm saying you do). Whether it's to commercialized or whether we've lost the idea that it's about Jesus or whatever doesn't really matter anymore. Hell, I know a few atheists that celebrate it. I wish people would just shut up about all the supposed "controversy" about it. I say "Merry Christmas" and if someone else takes offense to it, they need to grow up.

EDIT: /rant
Sorry about that =P

 

[Chimpa]

It's just a time to sit back and enjoy life, see friends, and exchange gifts. People think about it to much nowadays (not that I'm saying you do). Whether it's to commercialized or whether we've lost the idea that it's about Jesus or whatever doesn't really matter anymore. Hell, I know a few atheists that celebrate it. I wish people would just shut up about all the supposed "controversy" about it. I say "Merry Christmas" and if someone else takes offense to it, they need to grow up.

People taking offense to are tend to be the single minded type, who believes that their opinion is right, and the mere suggestion that they're wrong is offensive. Being what I like to call a reformed Christian (having been catholic for 20 years before seeing the ironic light of science) I am on the receiving end of this BS to a shocking degree.

 

[Hithlain]

Christmas to me is that time of year where I finally get to RELAX for once because all my classes have ended. I get to come home from college, use a real shower, help my dad make cookies etc.

It's not a commercial holiday to me, nor is it "Jesus' Birthday" (which it really isn't, but whatever)... it's a tradition. A really happy, lovely tradition that I look forward to every year. (Plus I get to see all my friends who go to other colleges. It's the one time that EVERYONE has time off)

What's so wrong about opening gifts and listening to Christmas music in front of a tree every year? I love it to death!

 

[Ago Iterum]

I love Christmas! What little spirit is left always cheers me up. The commercialism in my eyes isn't a bad thing, because companies then are the ones promoting christmas, whatever the motives, so it will always be pushed on people so that it will never die.

I'm not a christian, and have been told off by a christian for celebrating this holiday. In response I'd just like to say, your religious holiday or not, if Jesus were here, I'm sure he'd like people wherever their beliefs to be brought a little happiness every year, maybe it would've made his suffering worth it.

And to add on the end, I'm not saying Jesus did or did not exist, but there's slightly stronger evidence pointing toward him being alive at some point, son of god or not. It doesn't hurt to believe.

I don't know, but I think I just made a relative post, that offends nobody! Woo.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

Food, drink, no work...

i like it

 

[santaandy]

I don't like any part of Christmas in any way. It all feels very forced and artificial. Some people look at you like you're some kind of monster if you don't "get in the spirit" to the same sickeningly sweet level they do. But I feel the same way about all worship-like celebratory nonsense, like Valentine's Day. I wish more holidays were like Oktoberfest, just doing it for the fun of it.

 

[xitel]

I actually find that the gifts have become less important to me than the day after, spending time with my family. After my grandfather died I realized that I didn't really know my extended family that well, so every time I get a chance to talk about their past I do. I actually have more than once found myself wishing we could get through the presents so we cold just socialize. Although I will say, I can't stand christmas songs. Ugh.

 

[savandicus]

Christmas = Time off from work/studying + good reason to eat lots of tasty food and generally have a good time. Whether your religous or not its a great time to get together with family and friends and a good excuse to be merry. Personally i think their is no better time of year.

(Also chirstmas means that its nearly skiing season and skiing is BRILLIANT)

 

[Sasha Janre]

I worked in a card store for 2 years and I detest after-christmas shoppers. Damn reciept watching, crabby-ass bargain hunters ... DIAF. Christmas in general though, I'm pretty meh about it.

Yeah that sums it up: meh.

 

[Chimpa]

I'm fairly certain though that a lot of people's anti-christmas feeling is more out of a desire to be different, so feel railing on christmas is the last refuge of the modern day scrouge and nothing more.