First Christmas (page 2)

Insomniac

This'll be my first year to actually celebrate Christmas (since I was 9). Last year, we exchanged gifts, but didn't call it Christmas. I want to put up a tree this year! Something really sparkly, lots of lights. But, geez, the decorations are expensive, especially since we'll be starting from scratch. I've been dating my guy for 4 years now, and out of respect for my beliefs, he never did xmas either. But this year it just feels right. I hope I can remember the words to all the carols!

Jim_TX

December 2001 -

The first Christmas that I remember... since my mom started studying with the JWs when I was 4 or 5, and that was the last Christmas that I had... for about 40 years.

I have not been a JW since 1982 or so... but have been married up until a couple of years ago, when I first got seperated in Sept. 2001. Soon after, I had me a galpal from Australia who helped to 'ease' me back into society a bit. We sent each other gifts with enough time for them to arrive at their respective destinations prior to Christmas Eve 2001. (Sorry to say, the long-distance relationship didn't work out.)

I even had a small 12-inch Christmas tree that I had set up in my mobile home. I put the presents and cards under it prior to opening them on C-Day.

Now... for those that don't know, Australia is a bit ahead of us time-zone-wise. By about 1/2-day or so. So, I got to celebrate Christmas a bit early here... as we activated our respective webcams, and shared out present opening via the internet connection. I had sent several gifts to her daughter, and they were quickly ripped open to gleeful sounds through the speakers.

Not only that... I was also invited over to the homes of 2 other folks locally that were trying to look out for me. I got to share presents and meals with both families that day.

I really appreciate the efforts of Joe and Sheri who are doing their best to help me ease into these 'normal' customs that are still a tad foreign to me. I think that I even got presents from their kids, too.

A very special First Christmas.

JeffT

We started to fade in 1988, but didn't DA ourselves until the spring of 1989. We did have a tree up in '88 but minimal outside decorations as we were still in fear of the elders. Christmas of 1989 I had something like 3,500 mini-lights on the house.

People who know we were married in 1974, but don't know about our history as dubs are frequently perplexed by one of our hallmark ornaments: "1988 - Our first Christmas together."

AuntieJane

I want to be the first to say MERRY CHRISTMAS and may you celebrate the fact that you have received one of the most precious gifts of Freedom! Maybe it's the glass of wine I'm sipping but I am choked up thinking of so many who have stifled such celebrations...and I am sad for my family members, especially the children, who are still smothered by the JW "religion". Peace to you and yours! If there are any lurkers reading this post, I hope you can realize the pain your families go through at Christmas and Birthday times w/o your involvement...and maybe you'll be led to open your minds.

GentlyFeral

geez, the decorations are expensive, especially since we'll be starting from scratch.

Thrift stores often have plain glass balls for cheap, and they can provide a nice shiny background for the cool stuff you can make yourself out of odds and ends. Like so:

I like the eggshell trick, below, but ... use the tip of a steak knife to make holes in each end, not a thumbtack. Makes the eggs easier to blow out and easier to hang. And instead of gluing things to them, you can wash the shells with slightly soapy water, let 'em dry and then paint them with watercolors. Then use glue & glitter.

http://www.bry-backmanor.org/holidayfun/xmaseggz.html

You can also do lots of amusing stuff with construction paper & glitter.

Some of my favorite ornaments are just plain sea shells; I stuck a hook inside each one with a big wad of strapping tape. I bought them fairly cheaply on eBay a few years back.

And god's eyes! All you need are twigs and yarn!! http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/gods_eye.html

Styrofoam balls covered with ribbons, sequins and/or other shiny stuff - I remember these from my childhood. http://www.make-stuff.com/hollidays/styrofoam_ornaments.html

Make up a batch of gingerbread critters, being careful to poke a hole in each one. String them up with ribbon once they're cool and decorated.

Cornstarch ornaments? I'm not sure I believe this one :) http://www.make-stuff.com/projects/cornstarch_ornaments.html

There, will that do?

GentlyFeral

yxl1

Dansk,

All the Best mate. Sounds like your December is going to be a busy month.

Christmas to me is not a celebration of Christ's birth, but a celebration of freedom. I'll be raising a glass of JackD to all now free from the chains of stupidity, as well as the millions of kids who will have the joy of Xmas torn from their lives by their misguided parents and the cult they follow.

mizpah

My wife and I don't celebrate Christmas. We are still appalled by the comercial aspects of this holiday. And we think that Jehovah's Witnesses are right about the pagan origins of the celebration. However, it no longer bothers us that others do celebrate it. Part of the freedom we enjoy is now to make a decision about such things not because of some religious organization...but based upon our own decisions. And we feel it important that all have this freedom to choose according to one's own conscience.

However, we have observed that many XJWs feel they have to "compensate" for all they missed while they were in the organization. They tend to overindulge all the "forbidden" things they were denied. However, it is important to evaluate some of these choices based upon principles rather than indulgences. There are still valuable lessons to be learned from the Bible.

Gadget

This is going to be my first christmas, and I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing yet. At work there is always party after party after party, so I know I'm going to have fun. I live on my own so not sure about putting up decorations yet.

Last Saturday I was in London for my brother birthday party, and we cracked open a bottle of champagne because it was the first time the three of us had been together as non-jws to celebrate.

talesin

It took me 17 years.

Now I really enjoy the Xmas season.

It's all about spending time with friends, gifting (mostly I give food & art), and EATING ALL KINDS OF GOOD FOOD!!!

How could anyone not like it?

tal

(who feels we should live to eat, not eat to live)

talesin

sorry, double post

First Christmas

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