Screw Xmas/

[Mari333]

as we head into the holidays, I dont want to sound like a Scrooge, but I wont be celebrating Xmas this year. I know a lot of people who tell me how stressed they are at Xmas, and yet continue to stress themselves out even further by celebrating the holidays even tho they dont want to. Why do it? If circumstances in ones life have mitigated already horrendous amounts of stress, (in my case, they have), why add to it? If you recall the day after Xmas, everyone is so worn out from working themselves up into a frenzy for the holidays, it just isnt worth it sometimes. This year, no Xmas for this family. Its not the same with 1 family member dead, and another in Iraq. Next year, it will be different.
One thing Im learning is that I dont have a duty to celebrate anything, even if society demands it. Screw US social obligations.
When I pass all the stores with their Xmas goods on display, I feel a great sense of ease that I wont be buying one thing for this holiday.
Maybe Ill do the same thing next year, and save myself the stress =)

[StopTheMorans]

1. that's the spirit Mari!

wish i could stay and fight the system with you, but i'm a huge sell-out (i'm leaving right now to go xmas shopping:) hope you enjoy this month in spite of it all :D

[Mari333]

2. Not fighting the system..just dont have the energy

or celebratory spirit to do it this year...=)

[supernova]

4. I'm with you, Mari

There have been some years where I just didn't feel like it. Especially after my mom died. That year I just bought myself some new music. I didn't cook, didn't send cards, didn't put up a tree or otherwise decorate the house.

It makes the years when you do feel like it that much more enjoyable. So enjoy your time out. :hi:

[NightTrain]

3. Given the year you've had, I can't say I blame you.

When you get not one, but two, e-mails published in Michael Moore's book, WILL THEY EVER TRUST US AGAIN? LETTERS FROM THE WAR ZONE, I would guess that celebrating the holidays is not your main priority! :hug:

[skygazer]

5. I have wrestled with this

And it irritates me that I even feel that I have to wrestle with it. I don't celebrate Christmas myself but guilt continues to keep me getting stressed about it and spending money I don't have on gifts for my kids and grandkids.

I finally decided this year that this is ridiculous. My grandkids are young enough (and have enough people who do have jobs and money around them) so that they will not even know that I've not gotten them anything. My daughters are both in their 20's and know full well that I am in a bad place financially. I will get a gift (one gift) for my 17 year old son who lives with his dad because, yes, I feel I have to. Perhaps he would understand, too but he is a 17 year old kid whose mother lives far away and doesn't see him. I have to be some sort of presence, even if it's only in the form of... well, presents.

I hate especially the feeling of being obligated to purchase gifts, it's almost like being shaken down. You're made to feel like a cheapskate if you don't. And that bothers me a lot - I've never held to the notion that there's only one time of the year that we should be kind and loving and peaceful and generous - we should be like that all the time. Why should I feel pressured to buy gifts at the one time of year that they are hard to find and overpriced?

[Mari333]

10. good point!!!

I notice all the handwringing and concern about the plight of the poor only at Xmas..otherwise its all "Ive got mine, who cares about you" the rest of the year.
Boy, you hit the nail on the head.
I hate that feeling too, of think one has to buy stuff. I told my kids who are adults now, not to expect me to be there every year doling out my retirement monies to the grandkids..
Im 53, I still have a few years left to live life, and I have to take care of myself...if my adult sons give me any flak about celebrating xmas in any certain way in the future , Ill tell them I have a life to live and dont want to waste any retirement monies on shabby crap from stores.. =))))

[NV Whino]

6. I'm with you

I haven't "done" Christmas in several years. I get a present only for my 91-year-old mother Otherwise, no cards, no presents. I do take this time of year to donate to favorite charitites... or web sites that I feel are getting the real news out. It has become a relaxing, get-it-together time of year for me. I do enjoy some socializing with friends, but if anything hints at a "true" Christmas party or a family getogether, I make myself scarce.

I will see some friends this year that also decided to eliminate the standard Christmas family bruhaha. They decided several years ago to travel this time of year. This year it's my neck of the woods. It's a good solution. You might think about it for next year. Travel prices are cheap if you don't travel on holidays themselves and it gets you away from the local holiday mess.

[DebJ]

7. Hi Mari. The Christmas Spirit I am longing for is Peace. I need it

to descend upon me, that sweet bird of light, and love, and hope, and restful peace. Somehow, I can't feel that when our country is being destroyed intentionally, piece by piece, while ignorant millions idiotically cheer their own downfall, and war itself. So sad. Somehow, this really sharpens the edge of Christmas celebrations as nothing more than the most successful marketing scheme ever employed.
I'm broke, and that of course is a big factor, too. I am broke by choice because after 34 years of literally almost killing myself to make my rich employers richer, I just can't do it anymore. I worked not long ago for a company which actually CARED about employees, treated them with respect, with pay raises, with shared enthusiasm for reaching team goals. It was capitalism at its' best....and it is the rarest of rare birds. I just can't give up sleep and eating normally and time for life just to enrich already rich greedy bastards. Can't do it. Not even to make some more money myself. So I'll stick with my little shit pay hourly job, below the $8.50 an hour REAL minimum wage/adjusted for inflation, so I can use all the rest of my time FOR POLITICAL ACTION. That to me is where my efforts need to go.
May the Peace of our Lord really descend upon this nation and bless us......sigh....I give them ears, but they do not hear; eyes, but they do not see.
Love and hugs for you at this season and for all time.
Deb

[Mari333]

13. (((hugs)))))

Everyone is so depressed these days...heading into any holiday with Bush still in office is like going on a cruise to the Bahamas and ending up in Indiana.
(((hugs))))

[1monster]

8. I hope next year brings you to many blessing to count, Mari.

Counting My Blessings

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

[terrya]

9. I'm boozing it up more right now than the rest of the year.

That's MY way of celebrating Xmas.

I can understand your feelings about Xmas. You've had some awful stuff happen to you...and you are under NO obligations whatsoever to celebrate anything. Fuck society and fuck anyone (including anyone here) who make you feel as though you HAD to celebrate Xmas.

T

[Mari333]

11. oh DUers are angels..

they are also wonderful libertarians....=)))))))) they respect each other's needs..LOL well the holidays SPIRITS are upon ye then...=)

[Goathead]

12. We aren't celebrating either

Baaa Humbug!

[Mari333]

14. yay! we can all celebrate not celebrating! n/t