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| Alrighty, it is time for one of my vents. I woke up this morning grumbling about the holidays. Specifically Christmas. Not sure if it is because age has crept up or it has just gradually become worse over the years. The whole commercialization of Christmas. Buy. Buy. Buy. If the kids don't get the top seller of the season then they are devastate and think life is unfair. If it isn't a top of the line, name brand item, then it is embarrassing. The employees in stores are required to say " Happy Holidays" and not "Merry Christmas" for fear of offending someone. Really? Well, I am offended when someone says Happy Holidays! Yesterday at the bank the gal behind the counter said "Happy Holidays" to me. I stood there, looked at her and said loud and clear, "Merry Christmas". She grinned and said it back to me. I thanked her and left. Whatever happened to baking goodies, putting them into a basket or gift box and giving that? Or making something and giving that? Or doing something for someone that would help them out? As I sit here writing this, the gifts I most remember are the food gift baskets from neighbors/family/friends. Now don't get me wrong, there are some store bought gifts I have to this day. But I couldn't tell you each and every gift that was store bought over the years and whom it came from and most likely don't even have anymore because it ended up to be just stuff after awhile. The items I still have are ones that were heartfelt. I'm sure you have some too. The ones whenever you look at them still brings a smile to your face. Is it my age making me think this way? Has it really become so commercialized that the true spirit has faded into the past of a bygone era? Have times really changed to such an extreme we have forgotten the true meaning? My mission this Christmas season is when I go to any store, it will be a loud and clear "Merry Christmas" said. If I offend someone, well, too damn bad. I am tired of being being offended by all this politically correct B.S.! And so on that note I say a loud and heartfelt Merry Christmas to you all!!! Okay, I'm done venting. :) Until next time.................................. |
Day to day goings on here at the farm. Everything from weather to horses and donkeys to chickens to cats and dogs and everything in between. Some blogs will be informative. While others will be I hope, just entertaining and keep you coming back. And of course there will be pictures.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Christmas vent
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Merry Christmas to you too !!
ReplyDeleteI just finished saying to my husband, It's all so darn commercialized, it makes me want to run the other way.
My ideal Christmas, would to spend the time nested up in the Smoky Mountains in a cabin. They can keep the gifts :)
Merry Christmas to you, too. Or Vesel Božič as we say it in Slovenia:)
ReplyDeleteYou are so very right: Christmas seems to be all about gifts :( The more expensive the better. I decided to donate the money to a dog shelter this year in the name of several of my friends. We all have what we need and more, thankfully. We really should concentrate on those who don't have the most common necessities like food, heating... . Visiting friends and family with a basket of food, home baked cookies, handmade gifts... that is the real spirit of Christmas.
Yep, it's the times and Christmas is Taboo and the whole commercialism really stinks and just why can a mosque be put up in a certain place but we can't have the 10 Commandments in our Courthouse and I know - fully realize that - I am one of the worst humbugs on the planet, yah... done venting too.
ReplyDeleteThink there should be a book on how the Govt stole Christmas. I wonder if I said "Happy Hanuka" If I would be tarred and feathered?
Shalom
No, it's not just you. It slays me to see all these people cutting off others in traffic, physically fighting each other in the stores and ignoring everyone around them in their focus on THINGS. All this to "celebrate" the birth of the one who said "The first and greatest commandment is to love thy neighbor as thyself."
ReplyDeleteTo all the camping-out, door-busting, crowd-surfing Black Friday shoppers (at least the ones who claim to be Christians), I call BULLSH*T!
Ahem.
But I don't mind "Happy Holidays," 'cause where I grew up there was no way of knowing if you were addressing a Christian or a Jew.
Merry Christmas to you too! I will stay here and have a nice old-fashioned Christmas. I never got in the habit of going to the malls and buy, buy, buy. I didn't have kids, so I guess that saved me some hassles over "Must Have" gifts. All the best to you and your family.--Inger
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too!
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou just said everything I have been saying for a while now.
No not getting old, just wise.
Nah, I'm pretty sure it's not just you! :-) It's all gotten crazy and out of control. Attitude's are horrible. (if you don't get me such and such EXACTLY I'm taking it back, etc etc.) I think that much of it is, so many have never had a 'real need'. They get everything they want anyway and think it's ALL a necessity. Hard to please that kind of mindset. I try to do a few things that make me happy--send a box crammed full of goodies and treats plus a donation to a local cat sanctuary; bake cookies and breads and load up a (thrift store find) basket(s) and take it to some of my neighbors and friends--and taking the time to stop and visit for a few. These things make me happier than anything. I also like coming up with a unique gift for someone--often something used (like a hard to find book or something). Giving gift cards leaves me cold, but it seems to be the preferred gift in this day and age. Whoop-ti-do. Anyway...it's definitely a holiday that has been hi-jacked by commercialism. Hope YOU have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteTammy
Commercialism has taken over the 'western' world all year round! We are made to feel we have to have all the newest and brightest things that are the latest and greatest.
ReplyDeleteNot just at christmas time.
I think christmas is more for kids anyway....they can have a lot of fun with it. We don't get that excited anymore.....guess we are not children anymore.
For all those who celebrate Christmas, have a Happy one!
Jim
I LOVE IT! Awesome attitude! You go, Girlie! And NO - it's not just you - you're not alone! And YES - we are showing our age - BUT - why in hell would we wanna be any younger - especially these days? LOL Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI do agree that the commercialism and importance placed on material items is not good. However, while 77% of the nation considers themselves to be Christian, that leaves a lot of us non-Christians. Happy Holidays doesn't say Christmas isn't important; it simply honors other beliefs in addition. I personally don't get offended at Merry Christmas, but it's a lot more sensitive to say Happy Holidays. Living as a minority religious group, it's appreciated when my beliefs are not treated as less important. Blessed Be.
ReplyDeletemerry christmas right back at you! i enjoy acknowledging other's religious holidays also, but it seems the word christmas can't even be uttered these days! it seems like a double standard and christmas has been branded with some sort of bad juju. lately, i also think about the commercialization of christmas and the fact that consumerism has taken over. i tried to plan ahead this year and have lots of canned items i've canned over the past several months to give. i also have store bought, of course, but i'm much more excited to give the homemade ones. stick with your gut and make this christmas the kind you want it to be! you're not alone in your thinking.
ReplyDelete