I miss!!!

[Muslimwoman]

It seems to have no religious significance for many Christians either ...

...which is how my Sikh friends can participate as "fully" as the "Christians" do, since the Christian basis for the festival has been largely removed (in the west at least).

s.

I agree for most it has become about the capitalism. The one I hate is the Xmas cards. They were designed to be sent to someone far away, to touch base at a special time of year. We now feel obliged to hand them to people at work we never speak to. I also know people that count how many they get and compare that to last years number - they can remember how many they got last year Get a life, watch the twinkly lights, each another bowl of trifle!!!

 

[Pathless]

Honestly I am a Scrooge. Christmas sucks. I've worked in retail and other get-no-holiday jobs long enough for Christmas to seem like the elite consumerist binge and hangover that it is. Jesus is just alright with me, but this horribly wasteful holiday that has grown ostensibly to celebrate his birth is a blight. In cities, people get cranky and bitchy while shopping because of the pressure to buy, buy, buy. It's the closest thing to Hell I can think of!! Okay that is an exaggeration for shock value. But I still despise the holiday. My newest gripe has to do with exorbitant airline prices, which now that I live 2500 miles away from my family of origin, I am beholden to.

So screw Christmas. Somebody pass me some coal.

 

[Muslimwoman]

So screw Christmas. Somebody pass me some coal.

Yo Pathless my friend - bah humbug LOL

Don't talk to me about airline prices or shall I have to rant too, what a rip off.

I think I realised about 20 years how bizarre Xmas had become. My family were friends with what I may call 'true Christians'. The first year they came to visit us at Christmas, their 3 children brought us a sunflower they had grown themselves in a decorated margarine pot and a home made card. We gave them some expensive cr*p we had bought in a hurry without much thought. Boy did we feel silly & guilty. Yet 20 years later I remember their gifts but have no idea what other people have spent thousands buying me over the years.

I shall just stick with the twinkly lights and the stocking containing bisto gravy granules, rowntrees jelly cubes and cat wormers. (when you can't get them it is amazing how important they become)

 

[Pathless]

I think I realised about 20 years how bizarre Xmas had become. My family were friends with what I may call 'true Christians'. The first year they came to visit us at Christmas, their 3 children brought us a sunflower they had grown themselves in a decorated margarine pot and a home made card. We gave them some expensive cr*p we had bought in a hurry without much thought. Boy did we feel silly & guilty. Yet 20 years later I remember their gifts but have no idea what other people have spent thousands buying me over the years.

I shall just stick with the twinkly lights and the stocking containing bisto gravy granules, rowntrees jelly cubes and cat wormers. (when you can't get them it is amazing how important they become)

Excellent. That's the true Christmas spirit. I am going to write 'hand-crafted margarine flower pot and sunflower' on my list this year. Along with some nice food, a warm blanket, a roaring fire, coffee, true holiday cheer and true family and friends, that's all I need. That's what Christmas should be about.

Screw that other kind of Christmas. Bah Humbug indeed!

 

[17th Angel]

Honestly I am a Scrooge. Christmas sucks. I've worked in retail and other get-no-holiday jobs long enough for Christmas to seem like the elite consumerist binge and hangover that it is. Jesus is just alright with me, but this horribly wasteful holiday that has grown ostensibly to celebrate his birth is a blight. In cities, people get cranky and bitchy while shopping because of the pressure to buy, buy, buy. It's the closest thing to Hell I can think of!! Okay that is an exaggeration for shock value. But I still despise the holiday. My newest gripe has to do with exorbitant airline prices, which now that I live 2500 miles away from my family of origin, I am beholden to.

So screw Christmas. Somebody pass me some coal.

I used to be like that mainly to show my hatred for christians... Although jesus wasn't even born in freaking december, but that is a "minor fact" I guess.... lmao.... Then I moved on to hating it because I have to pay for gifts for others.... And I had to beat the ship out of assholes knocking on my door and singing at me...... That really got to me... "I don't even freaking know you get the freak outta my face and off my freaking door... NOW."

Now I am more passive I couldn't give a flying freak about anything lol... People are happy.. I might as well go with the flow and be happy... Get stoned out of my face share the love get in on the crappy little games you play, watch the cheesey shows/adverts receive the gifts.... Get a few days off work, then build up to new years eve... Get totally mashed up lol and then back to work looking like the retun of the living dead... Good times...

What's the point in getting all shitty bro? If you feel pressured to "buy buy buy" Simply don't lol... No one has got a blade to your throat... Just chill out go with it

 

[Francis king]

is Kwanzaa in July? Its an african celebration..?

 

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

is Kwanzaa in July? Its an african celebration..?

Kwanzaa is "celebrated" at the end of December, and it is an African-American invention (not every African-American person celebrates it, either.) As far as I know (and as far as one of my former instructors knows) there is abso-freaking-lutely nothing like Kwanzaa celebrated on the African continent.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

 

[wil]

The one I hate is the Xmas cards.

I'm ok with cards....and I'm just fed up with the PC aspect...look I'm Christian...I'm sending Christmas cards...It don't mean anything but the spirit of giving and saying hello...if celebrate something else...send me your card...ie I'd love to see Hanakah or Ramadan or Kwanzaa or whatever cards...edumacate me!

Don't talk to me about airline prices or shall I have to rant too, what a rip off.

What are you fussing about the pennies per mile?? Where can you get a better deal?? I go round trip coast to coast for $300, that is five cents a mile and I get there in 6-7 hours... Now yes, I'm sure you pay more...but if it is any distance at all, I'd bet it is less per mile than any other form of travel...especially when you add in the costs of time/hotels/food etc.

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

I miss smoking in bed.

Chris

 

[Muslimwoman]

is Kwanzaa in July? Its an african celebration..?

Kwanzaa is "celebrated" at the end of December, and it is an African-American invention (not every African-American person celebrates it, either.) As far as I know (and as far as one of my former instructors knows) there is abso-freaking-lutely nothing like Kwanzaa celebrated on the African continent.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

Hi ladies. What are they celebrating?

Where can you get a better deal?? I go round trip coast to coast for $300, that is five cents a mile and I get there in 6-7 hours... Now yes, I'm sure you pay more...but if it is any distance at all, I'd bet it is less per mile than any other form of travel...especially when you add in the costs of time/hotels/food etc.

I was bitching about the hike in price at Christmas Wil. If I want to travel in October I can get a flight as cheap as £169 (just over $300 I think) but at Christmas it more than doubles. What the price of fuel goes up or they need more because it is colder? They are just ripping me off because they have a captive audience.

I miss smoking in bed.

Chris

I still do that

 

[Pathless]

What's the point in getting all shitty bro?

social and moral criticism

If you feel pressured to "buy buy buy" Simply don't lol... No one has got a blade to your throat... Just chill out go with it

It's not really about me personally and not participating, although it is, but then again even if I don't, the holiday is still incredibly wasteful. We should all rethink it. Maybe this year we can all just get toasty warm by the fire and sip wassail, eh?

 

[InLove]

Hi MW and All--

Funny, until I read Chris's post, "I missed" this part of the OP and zoned in on the comments about Christmas:

Has anything changed in your life that has left you missing something?

Ha! The list is so long I wouldn't even know where to start!

But in regard to Christmas, I'd have to say that while there were a couple of very difficult years when I really felt I hated it, I got over that. I still enjoy it for the most part. I do understand that it can be very stressful if we let it. If we buy into the idea that we must make it about materialism and overstretch our time, budget, and energy, then clearly there really isn't much to celebrate. Why bother?

But like several here have suggested, it can be kept simple. I love starting early in the year and either picking up a gift here and there during the year and stashing it away, or my favorite--making homemade gifts, especially with stuff I already have around the house. This year, I am--oops--I can't tell you what I am doing, because my daughters sometimes read the forums! Not to mention my sweetheart....Anyway, I haven't hit the malls during the Christmas season in years!

Here's an idea, too, if budget allows. Mine does not usually, but one year it did. I started early and ordered from catalogs. It was so much fun when the packages arrived at the house, almost like receiving the gifts myself.

It also helps if one's family and extended family can understand that it takes something away to have to try and make two or three places in one day. If mother and mother-in-law are vying over the kids for Christmas morning or the 2:00 dinner, everyone is going to be stressed or feeling guilty, particularly if the weather doesn't make for easy traveling. And some folks get awfully grumpy if they have to miss "the big game" because they are en route from one family gathering to another.

I agree that Christmas cards can be a problem because of postage. People should understand that not everyone can afford to send out a whole bunch of them. Some churches provide a table where cards can be exchanged without mailing them, but I have found that can be stressful, too, because I might overlook someone. Most of the cards I give and receive do have the Nativity as the focus, but then again, I live in the Bible Belt. But I don't have a problem with wishing someone "Happy Holidays". In fact, if I happen to know someone does not celebrate Christmas, I certainly will do my best to respect that.

As far as attending church goes, I think that God understands that many people are on the road or simply resting with family. Christmas and Chrismas Eve services can be absolutely beautiful, but whether or not the sanctuaries are filled to the brim does not necessarily mean that Christians care more about football and food than they do about Christ. That's just not a fair assumption, IMO. Many people only get one or two days a year to spend at home with family, and faith is not limited to a church building.

Oh my! You know, I did not start out to make such a long post! It just sort of grew...My apologies if I sound like I am preaching or something. I was just trying to address some of what has already been brought up. So, as long as I have said this much--I know it is the lounge and everything, but in response to the frustrations that have been expressed regarding how Christians celebrate Christmas, I would like to say that for many Christians, giving is a delight at this time of year because of the belief that God gave in the form of Christ. I am not insisting that city hall or the local mall should fly a great big banner saying that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", but in my home, He is, and that shouldn't be a problem, should it?

So I say, enjoy the season for whatever beauty you find in it. Giving can be a blessing, but it shouldn't be a stressful thing. Light a candle for peace and goodwill. Decorate a palm tree with chili pepper lights if you like. Make some brownies. Have some wassail. Sing a song if you like, but don't keep someone captive at their front door--they may not like the music and you could have trouble!

LOL--I have just rambled and rambled and rambled. I hope I am forgiven!

salaam, shalom, and...

InPeace,
InLove

 

[17th Angel]

LOL--I have just rambled and rambled and rambled. I hope I am forgiven!

There is always forgiveness for those whom seek it.

 

[Muslimwoman]

overstretch our time, budget, and energy, then clearly there really isn't much to celebrate. Why bother?

Salaam habibty

Isn't that the truth and when the new model playstation is £350 and both children want one and you can't just give them one present, then there's the designer trainers and it just goes on and on.

This year, I am--oops--I can't tell you what I am doing, because my daughters sometimes read the forums! Not to mention my sweetheart.

You know that saying about curiosity killing the cat? Well think of me as a cat and PM me or my death will be all your fault.

And some folks get awfully grumpy if they have to miss "the big game" because they are en route from one family gathering to another.

Can't everyone just have one big celebration together then no stress and no-one feels left out?

I agree that Christmas cards can be a problem because of postage. People should understand that not everyone can afford to send out a whole bunch of them.

When email came out (I know I am so old), I used to email everyone and wish them Merry Christmas and tell them which charity I was donating the card and postage money to.

As far as attending church goes, I think that God understands that many people are on the road or simply resting with family. Christmas and Chrismas Eve services can be absolutely beautiful, but whether or not the sanctuaries are filled to the brim does not necessarily mean that Christians care more about football and food than they do about Christ. That's just not a fair assumption, IMO.

OOps that is the assumption I made at the end of the first sentence - me bad sorry.

I am not insisting that city hall or the local mall should fly a great big banner saying that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", but in my home, He is, and that shouldn't be a problem, should it?

You go girl, it is what Christmas is all about and the fact that people have pinched your holiday so they can get presents is not your concern.

Light a candle for peace and goodwill. Decorate a palm tree with chili pepper lights if you like. Make some brownies. Have some wassail.

Now that sounds like my kind of party - oh and throw in a bubble bath for good measure.

Sing a song if you like, but don't keep someone captive at their front door--they may not like the music and you could have trouble!

I nearly pee'd my pants, can you imagine me going carol singing in a small Egyptian farming town. I would be arrested (literally) and whisked off to hospital. (have I mentioned arab Muslims have virtually no sense of humour)

LOL--I have just rambled and rambled and rambled. I hope I am forgiven!

I would forgive you anything ....... other than pinching the last brownie.

Salaam
MW

 

[InLove]

Hey Sally--I will pm you but I gotta do some mailbox cleaning first! I have been lazy about it lately. I hate to just hit delete without reviewing those messages first. Maybe you can help me, too, with some input--I am trying to make some decisions regarding some of the gifts. (Maybe you won't miss Christmas so much if you can help me with mine?)

salaam

InPeace,
InLove
Deb

 

[Muslimwoman]

Hey Sally--I will pm you but I gotta do some mailbox cleaning first! I have been lazy about it lately. I hate to just hit delete without reviewing those messages first. Maybe you can help me, too, with some input--I am trying to make some decisions regarding some of the gifts. (Maybe you won't miss Christmas so much if you can help me with mine?)

salaam

InPeace,
InLove
Deb

Oh, oh, oh I am excited already, gift choosing I just love it. PM as and when you can, we have a couple of months to organise your Xmas. Thank you, I can join in Christmas after all.

Salaam my friend
Sally

 

[wil]

I was bitching about the hike in price at Christmas Wil. If I want to travel in October I can get a flight as cheap as £169 (just over $300 I think) but at Christmas it more than doubles. What the price of fuel goes up or they need more because it is colder? They are just ripping me off because they have a captive audience.

Now how about simple supply and demand? During the holidays more people want to fly but they can't just create extra runways, gates and planes for the occasion...in addition their own folks want to be on holiday the same time you do! So they can't really just pick up an extra pilot or mechanic off the street.

but whether or not the sanctuaries are filled to the brim does not necessarily mean that Christians care more about football and food than they do about Christ.

There are football games on Christmas??

Kwanzaa...seven principles contemplated for seven days....

Whether folks claim made up or not...(as most holidays are)...the contemplation of the principles are worthwhile for all!

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Geneva]Umoja (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Geneva]Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Geneva]Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Geneva]Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Geneva]Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Geneva]Kuumba (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Geneva]Imani (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.[/FONT]

­ Maulana Karenga

 

[greymare]

I loooooove christmas. Yeh, I know the capatalist argument but I cant help it. in my family we generally, go to the beach, have a picnic of cold chicken, salads, prawns, drink eeeeeenormous amounts of icy cold beer, get terribly sunburnt, get dumped by giiiiinormous waves and then head home to indulge in more christmas cheer. I like the carols but we have a few australian christmas jingles that I prefer. Frosty the Yobbo. Robert the Red Nosed Reindeer. Deck the Shed with bits of Wattle, Six white Boomers (as mentioned in a previous post). People just show up at our house, people we havent seen for ages, and we bbq and swim and have a relaxing time. Its all good. yes I am aware it has very little to do with any religious significance but it is a good time. Even though I work in retail and people are stupid when it comes to their manner etc I still loooooove it. love the Grey

 

[flowperson]

Sounds like you heathens down under have got it all about right...but then you've got our summer weather in the middle of our winter. We'd rather travel across country to Gramdma's house and curse our luck when the car gets stuck in a snowdrift. Just kidding of course .

love....the flow....

 

[Muslimwoman]

Now how about simple supply and demand? During the holidays more people want to fly but they can't just create extra runways, gates and planes for the occasion...in addition their own folks want to be on holiday the same time you do! So they can't really just pick up an extra pilot or mechanic off the street.

Oh now come on it is just greed, they have a captive audience and know they can sell ever seat at just about any price, it doesn't actually cost any more to run the flight.

Greymare, your Christmas sounds great but I would miss the snow (not that I have seen any in years ).