Did we all forget what the true meaning of Christmas is?? (Scranton: live in, deal)

[bobsmith]

The good thing about holidays--even commercial ones--is that they become a uniting force for a country, a culture, or a people. I like Thanksgiving because it is uniquely American, and I have Agnostic, Christian, and Jewish friends alike wishing me a happy Thanksgiving. But I do think Christmashaunnikaquanza has become too commercialised. It stems from the early 20th century when retailers wanted to boost their profits by the end of the year, and Christmas was the holiday that sat, most misforutanitely, one week before the end. Eventually Hannukka got caught in the mix too. It's pretty unfortuanite.

[lialleycat]

Originally Posted by bobsmith

The good thing about holidays--even commercial ones--is that they become a uniting force for a country, a culture, or a people. I like Thanksgiving because it is uniquely American, and I have Agnostic, Christian, and Jewish friends alike wishing me a happy Thanksgiving. But I do think Christmashaunnikaquanza has become too commercialised. It stems from the early 20th century when retailers wanted to boost their profits by the end of the year, and Christmas was the holiday that sat, most misforutanitely, one week before the end. Eventually Hannukka got caught in the mix too. It's pretty unfortuanite.

Commercialism of the holiday is an unfortunate reality, but it doesn't have to be the future. We can take back the holiday and teach our children what the holiday really means instead of what it has become. It is not too late. I will not go peacefully into what retailers have re-defined as the new Christmas. I will fight against in and define my own version of what the holidays mean to me and it includes more homemade crafts, parties with friends and time spent with family. It does not include electronics, black friday morning stampedes, and made in china crap!

[John From Scranton]

Im glad we all have this time of year to be with family and friends!!

[firefightermom]

I remember a Christmas breakfast when my MIL asked my nieces and nephews what the meaning of Christmas was. Their immediate answer was PRESENTS! She was appalled, as was I. Their parents didn't seem fazed at all. Now that I have kids, when that question is asked, their response is Baby Jesus's Birthday! My great-aunt also likes to sing Happy Birthday before dinner, and my kids really enjoy it.

We are not overly religious, but religious enough to want our kids to know the real reason for the day. They are still very young, but we have lots of traditions already begun that are wonderful, such as their Granddaddy reading "The Night Before Christmas" to all his kids and grandkids, making cookies to give away to everyone, donating gifts to the poor, donating food to the food pantry, etc.

[toobusytoday]

Nothing like this cold weather to get me into the Christmas Spirit! Also, the library where I work has an Angel tree, that is, a Christmas tree with tags that list children's names and a few things each of them would like for holiday gifts. It's done by the Salvation Army and we just provide the location and the tree. Today was the day for the donations to come in and it was so nice to see families with young children coming in with gifts for other children.

On Saturday my (adult) daughter and I were out doing errands and I told her I had to shop for my Angel tree child. She asked how many tags were left and I said that there were quite a few. She said she would like to get one, so we stopped by the library on our way home. It was quite touching to see her pick up not one, but three tags. I explained that the kids whose tags were still on the tree would still get gifts but she was worried. She put one back but said she felt guilty until I reminded her that our family was actually giving gifts to three kids, the same number that is in our family.

We are considering donating to my parents favorite causes in lieu of presents this year but it might be hard to choose a favorite because they are involved in so many charitable organizations and all of them could use some help. Much more then my folks need another sweater or shirt.... I've already told my daughter that she can get me something from Oxfam Oxfam International instead of a gift. If one person in every family gave up a gift for something like that, wouldn't it be great?

[vectorfrankel]

Uhh.. For your poll, the options "no" and "about the same" mean the same exact thing.


Also, in response to the original post, that sucks that you lost your mom and dad this year. I've lost a lot of people in my life this year, too. But I don't expect very young kids to be satisfied or ever really get Christmas without gifts, or waiting to hopefully get gifts. For kids, that's what Christmas always has been.. They aren't old enough to realize how much it hurts to lose anything, or how important family REALLY is. It's always just been there for them. So.. gifts.


As for commercialism, so what? Seriously. So what? Companies have always and will always go nuts during Christmas to try and sell as much as they can. It doesn't bother me at all. Seeing a commercial, a banner, or a billboard about Christmas specials puts me in a better mood, actually. They're not making me go buy anything. If anything, they put me in a Christmas-spirit and remind me of how magical Christmas used to be for me as a kid.

Lastly, what's so bad about gift giving AND family events? Why does it just have to be one or the other?? I don't see why everything has to be so black and white. If you don't have much money, because of the struggling economy or something, just make it more about family. But if you do have money, whats the major hurt in buying a little bit into the consumerism of the holiday and hanging out with your family and friends?


Guys need to calm down.

[lititzman2003]

Funny, I've read every post and agree with just about everything that everyone has written about gifts, commercialism, family, etc and I smiled after reading them. Everyone has traditions and beliefs that started as a child and everyone wants to continue them. I guess Christmas is just that: tradition. Everyone's celebrates the season in their own way and that's what makes it so special to all of us. Some people like standing in line at 4am on Black Friday so they can buy a popular gift for someone special; others like creating their own gifts. I know, since the Stone Ages when I was a kid, my Christmas' have changed but they're still nice and rewarding. I make my Christmas in my heart and hope others share that with me. However, my heart is heavy this year with the recent death of my wife's young cousin. Right now I have no desire to decorate or make out cards but that won't last and the season will be bright again

[John From Scranton]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

If one person in every family gave up a gift for something like that, wouldn't it be great?

You know what that was a very good post!! Thank you for shareing all that with all of us!! I think that seems to be a problem now a days?? Im not saying there isnt alot more people out their such as your self that is helping people that dont have much..

But you are right if just 1 person from every family gave just 1 gift to someone they didnt even know, Im sure we all know thats the true meaning for Christmas...

[John From Scranton]

Originally Posted by saturdayskids

in response to the original post, that sucks that you lost your mom and dad this year. I've lost a lot of people in my life this year, too.

The sad part that still gets to me this day. Was I lost my mom on the 1st of dec, so we already had the tree up all the light you name it!! Seening as im the only child and already lost my dad. It was very hard to go back home to nothing! My mom has some gifts for me under the tree, and will I still have them to this day unwraped. I guess in a weird way.... I look at it this way I wasnt abale to see her unwrap her gifts so I didnt unwrap mine.

Hoildays have always been a hard time for me! Now I have a wife and still no tree up or lights anywhere, and I question myself If I even want to do it this year. I just dont have ... how would to say it??? The want?? Maybe to do it. Perhaps I dont want to bring back the past..

[Jungle George]

Originally Posted by John From Scranton

The sad part that still gets to me this day. Was I lost my mom on the 1st of dec, so we already had the tree up all the light you name it!! Seening as im the only child and already lost my dad. It was very hard to go back home to nothing! My mom has some gifts for me under the tree, and will I still have them to this day unwraped. I guess in a weird way.... I look at it this way I wasnt abale to see her unwrap her gifts so I didnt unwrap mine.

Hoildays have always been a hard time for me! Now I have a wife and still no tree up or lights anywhere, and I question myself If I even want to do it this year. I just dont have ... how would to say it??? The want?? Maybe to do it. Perhaps I dont want to bring back the past..

I quit my job to be able to take care of my mom when she got bedridden (cancer) 24/7 for over 2 years 'til she died last year.

Being that last Xmas was the 1st without her, I dragged out all the remaining Xmas stuff from when I was a kid & bought a whole bunch more "old" Xmas stuff off of Ebay & made the whole Season a "memories" Xmas as a kinda "closure" thing for me. (also, check out my blog here...I did a tribute to my parents on YouTube as a "final" closure...)

These are things that I needed to do personally, but since "one size don't fit all" in cases like these, you should think what would "ease" yourself & bring about your own type of closure & go for it!!

Open the presents she bought for you as you "see" her sitting watching, & thank her for them as well as all that she did for you. Do a "memories" type of thing. Play her favorite music & let it help you connect with her....

Closures are all individual, but it's obvious from your words that you need to find some & move on in your life with your wife & (soon to be) family....

I'll say a prayer that your spirit eases...