Anyone else in the Holiday dis-Spirit?

[marmar]

I went to the mall yesterday - the first time I've gone shopping for holiday presents this season - and it completely bummed me out. Usually, I get a kick from the happy chaos of holiday shopping, but not this year. Everything was annoying to me, and all those annoyances were magnified. Vain people snapping up all this crap they've been convinced they have to have, the people at the cologne counter dousing me with fragrances before I could say no, loud chatter about completely mindless topics from the crowd of people waiting outside of California Pizza Kitchen - it all just set me in a very foul mood.
A big part of this I'm sure was related to my viewing of "The Corporation" - everything they talked about in the movie was on display at the Somerset Collection in suburban Detroit yesterday. And the other big part was thinking about Iraq, and pictures of kids crying next to their dead parents, and 100 people being blown up every day, and the country being devoid of heart surgeons because they've all fled, and this mess that our country has caused that few in this country seem to care about. And New Orleans, which is still a mess and people's lives are still torn apart.
Maybe it's just cognitive dissonance on our part, maybe the only way to cope with the magnitude of BushCo's disasters is to not think about them. But as I listened to people whine about the Apple store being all out of black iPods, or threatening to take their business from Macy's down the hall to Nordstrom because the cashier was out of gift boxes, I asked myself, "Is this what it's all about? Is this what we've become?"
So Happy Holidays to everyone. Quite honestly, I can't wait until they're over.

[redwitch]

1. Lots of very nice stores outside of the mall.

Great independents, lots of fair trade possibilities, great non profits to buy from and help worthy causes. :-)
Don't let the craziness ruin a lovely season of giving!

[NMDemDist2]

2. not me, I decorated my house today including the NM traditional luminarias

I'm baking and having a ball

course, I did all my shopping online and won't have to hit the Mall at all

:bounce:

here's a pic of my luminarias

[Bluebear]

3. How lovely!

Luminarias are wonderful!

It seems more people have decorated up here, maybe folks are more hopeful with the new Congress coming in...maybe the nightmare is slowly ending?

[NMDemDist2]

6. our very rural road it seemed half the folks were out today putting up

lights

this was just a test run as traditionally they are only lit on Christmas Eve to guide the Child's spirit to your home, so I'll just light them on the weekend of Christmas for the 3 or 4 days

[SammyWinstonJack]

33. Very pretty! I went out and bought a real tree today, a small one,

for the first time in five years. It felt good to decorate it and I might be a few lights around my front door. The stores were crowded, maybe because it was cold here, which put people in a holiday mood.

[NMDemDist2]

37. it is nasty cold isn't it? brrrrrr n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. I don't believe in god, and I hate consumerism,

we're at war in 2 countries and I'm more broke this year than last.


Nope... not feeling it much

[NMDemDist2]

14. yes, yes, yes and yes for me too

but that's not gonna stop me.

I'm grateful for my little house and my husband and my animals and the fact i'm not working and the @ssholes in Washington and Baghdad are criminal beyond belief is not gonna stop me from loving my family and giving me a chance to remember spring will come again and hope is in the air

[pansypoo53219]

31. i never feel it much

as i detest Xmas songs and the real christmas jihadist, the evil one santa claus, but this year reight before T day i losethe man i love before we got together due to distance and this year is just gonna suck.

bah humbug.

[emanymton]

5. Then This Is For You.

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http://despair.com/
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§

[marmar]

7. LOL...Quite cool.

:)

[seabeyond]

8. no i am not out of xmas spirit. i had a kitchen full of 18 yr old girls

here friday making gingerbread houses and ornaments. the ornaments were a big deal because my niece was coming back to our family after four years of hell she spent as teenager in runaway, preg/abortion, foster home. and she was connecting with the family. making ornaments for a tree that was so important to her, after a druggie mom getting rid of all their stuff for so many years. ornaments she would have for when she had children doing the tree.

christmas has never been about the corporation for us. though if you saw us out at the mall trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one, you might judge us the same as so many others you posted about. it wouldnt be true, but it would be your experience of a depressed season, where as i would be sittin in the joy, and not because of the gift, but because of the love, and connection and joy we feel every day in our family, but is magnified with the first snow, lites around the house, our own ornaments we have made over the years on the tree. the stories of my mom and what she gave us every christmas, and every day.... and the loss of her on the 26th of dec 8 years ago....

i am sorry that you have allowed a bunch of crud to create a negative time for you during the season. but this is all about you and how you chose to live this now of yours. i am not willing to lose out on the beauty of today, because of these assholes. i wont do it.

[NMDemDist2]

10. I hear ya and it's so great your niece is home

every year when we put up the old fake tree (due to hubby's pine allergies) we say we need to replace it but we still haven't

we laugh at all the eclectic and funny ornaments we've acquired over the years and talk about "remember when we got this one?" and "that trip was great when we got this one"

we buy an ornament every year and we love our slightly scraggly overloaded eccentric tree with memories hanging on every branch

Happy Holidays! to you and all the folks you love and who love you in return!

[seabeyond]

13. bee u tee full and thank you .... you too. n/t

[cspanlovr]

9. But shopping is patriotic!

The Leader said so after 9/11! :sarcasm: All the junk we buy seems to prop up someone else's economy.

[TahitiNut]

11. The Somerset Collection is nirvana for consumer droids.

Only the 'advanced' consumers should bother walking their hallowed halls - in designer clothing, of course. Logo-wear is de riguer ... and women are not approved unless their last visit to the spa/salon was less than four days prior to offering themselves to the mercantile gods. The parking lot rules are: the more expensive vehicle has the right-of-way. Violate this at your peril.

When I go there (as infrequently as possible), I wear my most "relaxed" clothing and make sure I haven't shaved for at least 2 days.

[marmar]

12. Very true....

I should wear that Rastafarian hat with the fake dreadlocks I wore last Halloween next time I go there.

[hlthe2b]

15. Hah... you betcha... I managed 15 minutes inside a mall...

and after getting caught up, while trying to get something to drink-- in a line of people performing "necessary" but distressing "schooling" of a very rude woman very knowingly trying to cut in cue--I abandoned the whole idea.

I'm not buying for many this year and those I did are via internet. I did order a case of pralines (in honor of NOLA) and will give out to 2-3 dozen people at work with a card letting them know I was making a donation in their honor to Katrina relief.

Friday, about two dozen staff had the usual holiday lunch along with the "thieves" anonymous gift exchange. Now, there is no way around participating, but as most know, any time you participate in this kind of thing, about half the people take the time to try to find a non-gender specific gift that will appeal to most anyone. About a quarter recycle crap, but usually ok crap, and a handful just go out and grab the first thing they find--usually for half of the price established for the whole affair. Coffee and food gift baskets predominate, but cool and unusual or "funky" ceramic condiment serving dish sets, or back massage cushions, and group board games are popular. You draw an anonymous gift and then the next person can steal yours or take another until you work through the entire group.

Well, twice in two years, I get a set of jumper cables! Now, this is Colorado. If there is anyone in this state that does not have at least two sets of jumper cables and an emergency cold weather travel kit, then they surely just moved here. So, now, I get a second set of cables to add to the four I already have, in additon to a portable charger.... You could tell there was nervous laughter and I certainly made light of how I could now charge to jump everyone's cars for $$, but damn. In this case, it surely is NOT the thought that counts. Just wish I knew which discount car store the person bought it from, as I'd surely trade it for ANYTHING--even a case of oil. :mad: Alternately, I will feel better if I find a good place to donate these two sets of brand new jumper cables. Until then, I have to find somewhere to store them and that sort of adds to the irritation....

So, no, I am not particularly feeling the "spirit," although I do feel good about the small Katrina donations I'll be making for each of my more work colleagues.

[crispini]

16. Don't go to the mall. Go to the thrift store.

I'm telling you, I went to the thrift store and every single damn person there was singing along with the carols on the radio as they browsed through the secondhand goods.

It made me feel a lot better.

[Warpy]

19. As the economy worsens

I'm afraid I'm going to have to abandon the thrift shops to people who still need them as badly as I did until last January.

I know what you mean, though. People who have the least often celebrate the most.

[hlthe2b]

21. good idea.... eom

[uppityperson]

17. went to our small downtown, then to secondhand store. Had same impression

there is too much stuff in the world. Then I came home and wrapped some consumables I am sending to a sibling, made cookies, felt better. I want to put lights up next because I like the representation of lights when the sun is low, keeping the light going inside when it is not prominent outside, focus on inner things,etc.

I think a lot of people are feeling the same, figuring out that what is advertised as "IMPORTANT" isn't. Happy Holidays to you and all, hope we can each find a way to get something out of them and enjoy this special time of year.

[Tony Soprano]

18. I always am...

can't stand the forced gaiety. Nobody is gonna tell me to be fuckin' "jolly"!

[BigBearJohn]

20. I already got my Christmas present early on November 7th. I'm still happy!

[hlthe2b]

23. Ain't that the truth!!!

Good point! :toast:

[KoKo]

22. "Small Things" gifts of time....in these times...seem to be more

appropriate rather than "Shop til You Drop" psychology. Is that what you are feeling? :shrug:

[Raine]

24. I'm not too much in the mood but

my father who lives with me is in declining health and who knows if he will be around next Christmas so I want to make the most of it. I'm doing most of my shopping online and will get a real tree that he can enjoy in about a week and a half. I think that will go far in putting me more in the mood. Don't let the stupid and greedy get you down, make it your own holiday and forget them.

[Gloria]

25. Festivus is the way to go....

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

26. A lot of folks around here aren't in any spirit

They want to just stay home and cower under the covers or something. We've had free activities at the Foundation, and no one has come, even though it was during the day and the roads were in good shape. One friend who works a booth at a flea market said business was way down this year. When I drove by WalMart, the lot was maybe half full, if that. Traffic was light, which is unusual for a weekend.

[Maat]

27. Me, neither!

I hope my spirit will improve over the next few weeks!

[Hardrada]

28. And for me, Xmas cam on 11/7

cause I don't think Fitzmas ever will but I hope for an even bigger early Xmas present in Nov. of 2008.

[marmar]

29. So true...

I was much more excited about Nov. 7. And truthfully, I look forward to New Year's Eve more than Christmas anyway. In addition to the partying, there's the hope and promise of the new year.

[lonestarnot]

30. Rent a copy of The Ringer and appreciate the holidays.

Don't buy a bunch of junk. I had to go buy my kid some warm stuff to wear and he got it all before Christmas. I hated the damn mall too. We're not doing the tree lights or any of that crap this year. Too tired. We're going to make cookies, cake, pies and popcorn balls and be sick.

[TexasLawyer]

32. I find it hard to be jolly...

When this is the regular fare in the papers--


Nine U.S. troops killed in Iraq
POSTED: 8:55 p.m. EST, December 3, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Nine U.S. troops died in Iraq during the weekend, including five killed by roadside bombs, the U.S. military reported Sunday.

Two soldiers were killed and two wounded Sunday when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle in northern Iraq, U.S. commanders in the northern city of Tikrit announced. The soldiers were assigned to the Army's 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

Two U.S. soldiers and a Marine died from unspecified "enemy action" in western Iraq's Anbar province Saturday, the American command in Baghdad reported, while two U.S. soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb.

Anbar, including the provincial capital Ramadi, has been a hotbed of the mostly Sunni Arab insurgency against U.S. troops that emerged after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

<snip>

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/03/iraq.main/

[MissB]

34. That'd be me.

The kids keep it real, though. For them, Christmas is a very magical time.

I'm kinda pissy about buying gifts for certain members of my family this year. The whole "I just want cash" thing really irks me. Sigh.

[JVS]

36. Hey, I'd like cash.

But then again that's because I'm poor and want to pay bills rather than something stupid. A gift certificate to the grocery store would be nice. I guess some booze or beer would be a way to give an item that I'd probably get eventually.

[JVS]

35. No. Too busy to go outside of the thin path between the office and my home

[Skittles]

38. you're just now seeing how sickening it all is?

you're lucky

[marmar]

39. I think it just REALLY hit me this year. I've known it all along....

but I can't shut out all that's wrong with the world this year. My world view continues to evolve. Even at 34 years old, I'm a work in progress.

[alarimer]

40. I hate this time of year

It makes me really cranky (well crankier than usual LOL). To much fucking cheerfulness. Or maybe it's forced cheerfulness. Makes me want to slap the "HO, HO, HO" out of every mall Santa I see. Then I just go watch "Bad Santa" and I feel better because I know what those Santas are really like!

I cannot bear all the Christmas music. All of those stupid songs. Why in the hell do I want to go home for Christmas. I hate that place. Those people never understood me. The only thing that gets me through is beer, wine and eggnog. I'd shoot myself if I were a nondrinker.

Okay, I am mostly kidding.

[NuttyFluffers]

41. the holidays are so ovah. i'm gonna go drink and dress in black.

the best my family is going to get from me is a jolly rancher or a ring pop. and if they're really good i'll wrap it. but they are most likely going to get nothing but my scowling mug.

[deepthought42]

42. That would be an understatement...

...considering I work part-time in retail. I detest this time of year. The tacky decorations, the shitty music playing 24/7, the frantic, obsessed nature of people whose sole concern is spending $ they don't have on shit they and their loved ones don't need. You'd think they'd get the message (how many people return their gifts on the 26th? I would never do that, a gift is a gift.) by now, but no. At work I am not saying "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas", or anything similar. I think these people are crazy for going to shopping when the mall is packed, I wouldn't, but then I like to think I have more common sense than most people.

Also, wtf is up with people who waste 30min of their time looking for that front row parking spot, when they could park a little further away and not waste any time? Oh right, then they'd have to walk....wouldn't want that!

That being said, I do enjoy giving presents to friend and family, but I only shop for immediate family and really close friends (about 8 people on my list this year). And I finished my shopping before Black Friday.

This year, for me, it will be more about celebrating the winter solstice than Christmas. I never bought into the whole religious aspect of Xmas anyway.

[blues90]

43. I am not in the spirit at all

I understand why many people try to keep the spirit and hold onto it to remain sane .
Personally I lost the spirit years ago . I have resigned as a consumer and buy nothing but necessities now and this does not include an ipod or any other crap like this .

In the 80's where I live in Hollywood we used to walk the few blocks to Hollywood Blvd and walk the street with many other shoppers who were all in the spirit and all friendly and we still had real stores with made in USA products for the most part .

This has all died long ago and I miss it , now it's all huge malls which killed and removed the small stores and the madness has been unleashed . I fear this will never end or return to the human nature of good will .

I really don't know how shopping can elevate one above all the horrors going on in this world today . I am too troubled to remove the guilt all americans should feel after all who have died for absolutely nothing and continue to die right at this moment for nothing in such horrid ways .

Consumerism make me sick to the depths of my being .

[Skidmore]

44. I dread going shopping. I hate shopping. It's gotten worse this year.

Besides this has been a hard year and there's not a lot of extra cash. I need to buy something for the grandbabies because they are too little to be cerebral about the season. I am sick of the advertisements and the pushing of things and the decorations (I need to do this yet). I just want it all to be over with.

[tigereye]

45. hmm, I usually don't get in the 'spirit' til the week before

I always try to watch A Christmas Carol or It's a Wonderful Life or even Charlie Brown Christmas, since they put Christmas in perspective, in that being kind and doing for others is really what Christmas is about. I suppose it's kind of sappy, but I think it's important to see Christmas through the eyes of a child, not the eyes of those for whom it's become a shopping competition or just another part of the bottom line. I also like the pagan winter festival aspect of the holiday, "rage against the dying of the light" so to speak.

I hope you do start to enjoy the holiday in your own way and in spite of the commercialization. Maybe some of those folks in Iraq would appreciate some cookies or a letter.

JMTC. :)