how to survive Christmas

Hortensia

I got this idea from qookumba's blog: http://qookumba.wordpress.com/

Here are some things I've done to make Christmas more sensible:

1. A few years ago I told friends I wasn't going to do presents any more, and asked them not to buy me presents. Everyone sighed a sigh of relief, and none of us do presents much any more.

2. I quit cooking fruitcakes and all the other stuff I used to do for Christmas. Mainly because not many people besides me like fruitcake.

3. I don't have any kids, but if there are kids around, I give them money for Christmas. I like to get dollar coins every time I go to the bank and save them all year. Any kid would like a little velvet treasure bag with real cash in it.

4. I eat dinner with friends and I always make something to contribute to the meal. I don't think the hostess or host should have to do all the cooking. I just ask what would fit in with the menu and I make it.

This is all mainly because after my first few years of freedom when celebrating holidays was a stick in the eye for the wtbts (as if they notice), I realized I really don't like how commercial the whole thing is -- all holidays are, at least here in the U.S. I like the lights, the cheerfulness (phony though much of it is), the food and seeing little kids get a present. That's all.

What do you do for Christmas or other holidays nowadays?

ziddina

Hmm.

I've "sworn off" Christmas after hubby totally refused to help with it for nearly 16 years, but...

I just enjoy it so much!

Last year I didn't celebrate it AT ALL - no tree, lights, etc, but I think I'll celebrate it this year, again. The house just looked so naked without any lights or a tree...

Satanus

Christmas is ok w me, but i just don't bother w it. The time between christmas and new yrs is always a wierd time. It's like the world has slipped out of gear, or something. It's probably me, though, out of sync w the world.

S

ziddina

Nah, Satanus - and I wish mP was around to give us more info on it, but...

If I recall correctly, the time of the winter solstice was a frightening time for many European peoples. They felt genuine fear that the sun wasn't going to return - that it would slip away and leave the earth in an eternal darkness. That's why the date of December 25th was so significant - using solar markers, it usually was pretty clear by December 25th that the sun was returning - beginning to swing north again...

I meant - that the earth's wobble was functioning normally, and the earth would swing south again...

linuxbob

I like to hang out with the spirits...gin, vodka, scotch and/or bourbon.

talesin

I exchange gifts with a handful of friends. We make homemade things. For a few years now, I enjoy decorating my living room, and LOVE the cozy, warm feeling of sitting in my beautiful room, with the twinkling lights, and festive atmosphere.

I do find that the week between Xmas and New Year's is like "The Dead Zone", but I think that comes from not having family. Everyone is kinda in their own little bubbles, and over the years, I've learned to enjoy that time for 'me'.

Here's a pic of last Xmas. :))

trillaz

Not growing up in the WTB&TS and in a "normal protestant" society, I grew very tied of it. Always stayed away as much as I could.

Qoo_Kumba

I think xmas is more about kids, family and relaxing at the end of the year. Try getting involved in a local event(s), try volunteering, watch White Christmas and sing-a-long with Bing Crosby!

Honesty though, I think a lot of ex-jw's forget that everyone else know's how to have fun, and they've had it ironed out of them. Lighten up and enjoy life, after all there isn't anything else!

Failing that, watching Muppet Christmas carol on repeat fpr a day could work.

Bah bloody humbug.

MrFreeze

Lock the door, shut the TV off, turn the radio off, grab your shotgun and hide in the corner. Christmas will come for you. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are singing Jingle Bells.

jam

My sons break up with their girlfreinds and tell

them, we are JW,s (for a month).

how to survive Christmas

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