I like the Christmas lights, but not the Commercial part of Christmas

Quarterback

It's that time of year, again. Neighbours competing with each other for the best display of Christmas decorations. Some are tackyy t, and some are very tastefull. I do enjoy walking in the evening and seeing such colour during a dark time of year. There is something to be said about the mood that this enhances. I do like this aspect of the holidays.

I hate the rush to shop and pressure that Xmas puts on people to spend money, though.

What are your thoughts? Have a drink of eggnog and rum, and post your comments.

designs

Pretty lights made by near slave labor somewhere.

OnTheWayOut

I feel it is quite easy to escape the most unpleasant parts of the commercialism of Christmas.

You can easily turn off the television and read a book. You can listen to news or CD's in the car or drive in silence (or talk if someone else is there).

Sure, you can't entirely escape it. You have to stand in line at the grocers and see some of the craziness. But really, there are lines and craziness at all times of the year for all kinds of reasons.

Enjoy the part you like. Avoid the part you don't like. If you want to make it "all about Jesus," you can do that too. Just don't expect others to go along.

My non-JW family (totally not religious) uses the holiday to gather and share good updates on their lives, eat together, and exchange gifts. It is the epitome of using a religious holiday for secular reasons, but we don't get competitive with our gift giving. If someone gives an awesome gift, it is not taken that the recipient needs to outdo them next year. A cool t-shirt or a box of candy or something simple is an awesome gift. And there are enough people involved that if someone didn't get a gift for a specific person, that's okay too.

Mr. Falcon

To be honest, I like the spirit of Christmas. And not any kind of religious nonsense spirit, but the atomsphere of the festivities. Hell, it's been a horrid year for many and we got through it. Relax, enjoy a drink, get laid, buy something out of the Sharper Image catalog that you really don't need.

Growing up, however, was a different story. I was taught to hate Christmas. To this day, Mother Falcon still looks out her blinds to the neighbors across the street. She'll glare at their display and hiss "Look at them, putting up their Christmas lights." (She says Christmas in the same tone that one would say Nazi or rapist).

Chestnuts roasting on an open flame? Sickening.

But myself, I always liked the music and the lights.

As far as the commercialism, I don't get too much into that Black Friday stuff. Right now, my wife and I have to celebrate Xmas like we're friggin' Anne Frank because of our JW families. So we just focus on the "being together as a family" stuff.

designs

You probably tear up when Bing Crosby sings White Christmas....now Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire is a whole different story.

cantleave

I love Xmas.

I was so jealous of my school friends when I was growing up, for them this a time of excitement and anticipation, for me it was hell. I was scared if anyone asked "What do you want for Christmas?". I dreaded being given a card by friends knowing I could not reciprocate. I knew my mother would make us go out in Field Service on Christmas Day.

Now....

I get to give cards and presents to those I hold dear, I can wish seasons greetings to people I don't know and I know my kids can get involved with the fun and games at school allowing them to be properly integrated and socially accepted.

Mr. Falcon

You probably tear up when Bing Crosby sings White Christmas....now Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire is a whole different story.

good one, designs. I liked Snoop Dog's version of Chestnuts Roasting... I believe it is called "Deez Nutz".

designs

LOL

blondie

We are going to a free carol singout, non-church.

I love the foods and the lights.

We get a few (3 or 4) gifts, things we need, one special for each other. I do Secret Santa and cards on JWN and other friends outside.

This year I am going to walk the neighborhood and take pictures.

People who get caught in buying and playing the mall game hurt themselves. Not us.....

CHEESY HASH BROWN POTATO CASSEROLE

2 lbs. hash browns, defrosted
1/2 c. melted butter
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 c. milk
1 c. sour cream
2 c. grated sharp cheese (Colby or cheddar)

Mix above ingredients and put in a 9"x13" pan.

TOPPING:

2 c. crushed corn flakes (can use Ritz crackers)
1/2 c. melted butter

Melt butter and add corn flakes to mix. Sprinkle topping over potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

james_woods

The LED type of Christmas lights are more reliable than the old kind.

I like the Christmas lights, but not the Commercial part of Christmas

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