Whom can I contact about this holiday assault?

[secretoftheoldclock]

I feel even more as if "they" are shoving Christmas at us prematurely than I ever have before! It's in full gear and what makes it even worse (besides the disgusting materialism) is that the family angle is pretty hard for me right now. I have not been in contact with either of my parents (or brother, for that matter) in months. But what can someone do? I have even entertained fantasies of going off somewhere for a month and keeping away from all forms of media. You can't even listen to the frigging radio these days! Am I the only one who despises all this? I have to say that what is sad is that I do love the holidays on that week. But when people string lights all year 'round and put up the decorations too early and take them down too late, it bugs me!

[TrogL]

1. Celebrate Advent instead

My church takes a collective shudder whenever Advent season is near because they know I take an apocalyptic approach to it - no happy Christmas hymns for them 'til Christmas day.

My favourite hymn tune is "Nun Komm" with words about the coming of the King. There are hundreds of settings of it, each splendid but horrifying in their own way. One of my favourites is by Distler. My own version includes a long section in 5/4 time.

[secretoftheoldclock]

2. I'm not big on celebrating stuff and rituals, although I am spiritual

It's not that aspect; it's the materialism that really bugs me. Not just because of my own finances, but I think it has destroyed the spirit of the season. I know that's a cliche and all, and they've been saying it for decades now. But people used to MAKE stuff. They used to be happy with much less. Now it's all about THINGS.

[Bertha Venation]

4. I've sung a piece in 5/4 time -- it was tough, but it was harder on the

classical guitarist who was our accompanist for that piece. GOD, what a pro. We were good, but he made it great. ("The Ballad of Befana")

[Bake]

3. I'm sure not in the "spirit" for it yet.

And I don't see it coming any time soon, either.

:-(

Bake

[Bertha Venation]

5. You're not alone. It chaps my ass. n/t

[Redstone]

6. Lots of people have damn good reasons to not be happy with the whole Christmas thing,

and it sounds like you're one of them.

But just try to keep in mind, if you could, that there are many, many people who enjoy that season not for the commercial aspects, but for the bonding of family (no, I haven't forgotten that you don't have that, and I'm sorry you don't), or just for the blessed prospect of a one-or-two-day break from the bleak reality and requirements of life in America these days.

I do understand what you're saying, indeed I do. And I know there are many, MANY others like you out there. But may I refer you to this, which you may feel better for reading, I hope?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=7277169&mesg_id=7277169

PS: Whom can you contact? Us other DUers, that's whom. That's what we're here for.

Redstone

[buzzycrumbhunger]

7. Where were you two months ago?

That's when the local WM started shoving the Halloween stuff aside to make room for the Christmas shit. By Oct. 30, we heard carols in the aisles. By Nov. 1, they were putting wreaths up on the light poles. Totally gave Thanksgiving a miss.

Best advice I can give is to stay the hell away from Florida. Warm weather and retirement are a dangerous combination and once these people get in the habit of buying up the post-holiday supplies, it gets exponentially worse every year: