Christmas!
It will probably make me sound like some kind of Scrooge character – but, apart from my kids (and my dad this year who’s staying with us) generally I don’t buy Christmas presents. It seems like a total waste of money to me – and I’m more that a little tired of all the Christmas marketing that seems to start earlier and earlier each year. I tell people not to buy for me but some still do – but I insist if they must that they don’t spend much money.
Christmas has just become so over-commercialized it’s beyond belief. It seems that people all over the world get themselves into financial difficulties because of the intense pressure to spend placed on them by stores and their own family as they feel the need to equal the spend of better off family members.
I also don’t buy into the ‘good will to all men thing’, why the hell can’t we be nice to each other all the time…? And just avoid the people we don’t get on with Christmas holidays or not… The religious aspect is meaningless to me – I’m an atheist – so do not feel the need to celebrate the birth of a fictional historical character. I loved Christmas when my kids were young, but now they are teenagers it’s lost it’s charm!
To tell you the truth I’m not sure what it means to me any more – perhaps all it is to me is a great meal, an excuse to close business down for a few days and take a break, and a bit of time to spend with family (the ones I like), and friends.
As I write this, people the world over buying things they can’t afford for people that in many cases neither need or want their gifts – getting themselves into financial difficulty – whilst elsewhere other people starve.
Christmas! What a load of crap…!!!!
Why not use the money to help people less fortunate than you instead…
December 20, 2009 @ 11:11 am
So… no chance of that designer handbag and shoes then no? 🙂
December 20, 2009 @ 11:34 am
None whatsoever… 😛
December 20, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Its the most wonderful time of the year! I can´t get over how much you and Phil as well are Christmas haters, I guess you put on a brave front at my Christmas party in May! so thanks for getting into the spirit of it for me, and guess what I´ll likely put you through it all again this May as well! MERRY CHRISTMAS! x
December 20, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Ps. you never asked permision to use that photo of me in my Christmas outfit.
December 20, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
You took the words right out of my mouth….sort of.
December 20, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
Ange – I actually loved ‘your Christmas’ back in May. Felt more ‘Christmassy’ than I have in years…
As for the photo – didn’t think you’d mind…. 😉
December 22, 2009 @ 10:03 am
Yeah I totally agree it has just become a drain on the pocket … but I’m not a Christmas hater … I’m a hater of the falseness! Christmas for me is about being with people you love and sharing a good meal (or for us this year 4 – don’t you love divorced parents on both sides). No-one has to buy me anything to show me they care … Ange your night in May was proper Christmas because it wasn’t about gifts but about sharing and spending time together something that should not be reserved for Christmas but ALL YEAR ROUND!
December 22, 2009 @ 10:24 am
Well put Phil! I think those of us there that night in May will remember that ‘Christmas’ as one of the best…
Parents divorced on both sides? I think that sums up most of us these days… (Have you seen Modern Family yet? Absolutely brilliant…)
December 22, 2009 @ 10:27 am
Yeah shame really … but neither of us can comment on divorces hey?! Yeah love Modern Family watched every episode from the start … Have a great xmas with the ones that are important to you!!!
December 22, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Sometimes the divorce route is best – better for kids to have two happy parents and two nice step-parents than live with two miserable parents who stay together for the kids… Anyway – I shouldn’t be saying this to a newly-wed expectant father should I! 😀
Have a great Christmas both of you and hopefully see you soon…