Boycotting Christmas

[allenwrench]

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[nedwina]

Witch! Burn him!

LOL. You're a brave dude, allenwrench, dropping those links here. I'm with ya, but some folks take that stuff seriously.

My annual gift giving is secular. I don't subscribe to a Judeo-Christian spirituality, but I'll tag along because I like giving presents to my loved ones as the year comes to a close.

Between the household budget shrinking and my distaste for the commercialism of the season increasing, the types of gifts I render has changed quite a bit over the past decade. I mostly give pickled peppers and peach jam now. Or homemade ornaments. So I've been doing my part, albeit unintentionally.

Crashing the system in theory is appealing, but the reality would be no picnic. Not to worry though, I don't think that we'll need a conscious effort to realize it. It feeds itself. And we're already well on our way.

Have a safe journey to FL~

[Denninmi]

Allenwrench, don't take this as a slam against you in any way, because its not, but "crashing the system" would hurt an awful lot of innocent people employed in various aspects of the retail and wholesale trades, at a time when it's already bad enough out there for them.

As much fun as it would be to try, I don't think people would stick to it very long. I made a vow to do the same thing after Bush stole the 2000 election, but I didn't stick to it long.

[nedwina]

Allenwrench, don't take this as a slam against you in any way, because its not, but "crashing the system" would hurt an awful lot of innocent people employed in various aspects of the retail and wholesale trades, at a time when it's already bad enough out there for them.

As much fun as it would be to try, I don't think people would stick to it very long. I made a vow to do the same thing after Bush stole the 2000 election, but I didn't stick to it long.

Aye, there's the rub alright.

It'll be hard to remove the cancer without killin' the patient. (Or the surgeon too, for that matter.)

[Cliff Timmons]

I think that Christmas has become so far away from the birth of Christ that the two have very little to do with each other.

No, I don’t think He was born on December 25th. The Bible tells of Joseph and Mary going to pay their taxes in Joseph’s family’s hometown. I don’t think that was done in December.

The problem I see no days with Christmas is people spending money they don’t have to buy the things they think are important.

[Zephyrbird5a-6]

Finally this year my sisters have agreed to no gift giving. Man, I was sick of spending so much money, only to have presents opened, and "Oh, I see, well, I don't realy like this" or "what is this?" or "I really don't use this."

Wasted money.

[Denninmi]

The thing I find in my household is that, as we all age, we just need less "stuff" or we already have it. My personal Christmas wish list this year consists of one item, a replacement Bernz-o-Matic propane torch for the one that died on me this past summer. I know its always hard to think of what to get for my mother, who needs nothing at age 84. So, I ordered her something she likes, some more amaryllis bulbs, different kinds and colors from those she has now. My sister, well, who knows, she doesn't need anything either. Of course, the dog always enjoys his treats, but needs no more toys.

[Denninmi]

No, I don’t think He was born on December 25th. The Bible tells of Joseph and Mary going to pay their taxes in Joseph’s family’s hometown. I don’t think that was done in December.

I thought it was the part about the shepherds in the field tending the newborn lambs, which would put it in March, that sort of negates the late December date of Christmas.

[Cliff Timmons]

I thought it was the part about the shepherds in the field tending the newborn lambs, which would put it in March, that sort of negates the late December date of Christmas.

That too.
I would have to go back but I think it would have been early Spring sometime.

[lumina]

I'm guessing allenwrench doesn't have kids. :)

Christmas, to me, has been about family, happiness, decorations, music, food, drink and friends. It's never been about Jesus, I'm not religious. Though my parents came from strict Catholic backgrounds, so the holidays are there, as a family tradition. *shrugs*

I love it, the lights, decorations, smells.........gives me the warm fuzzies.

I will not boycott it, but I do "try" to find stuff w/ the least amount of packaging. And for the adults, stuff they can use (clothes etc.). :)


I thought it was the part about the shepherds in the field tending the newborn lambs, which would put it in March, that sort of negates the late December date of Christmas.

My neighbors had winter lambs.

[chickweed]

One of the main reasons I became a born again pagan is the financial hypocrisy around the holiday season - I missed the spiritual aspect that I grew up with when gifts were home made and from the heart -and a secondary part of the holidays. Christmas in this country was originally a season of feasting, visiting, and celebrating the harvest (and children were not included - they were still to be seen and not heard). It was a time to rest before the next planting season, most people married during the Christmas/New Year season. In some colonies Christmas was banned for a lot of the reasons Allenwrench mentioned. The date was originally chosen to correspond with pagan celebrations - not to be chronologically correct.

I celebrate the Pagan holidays now, but I still go to the midnite Christmas Eve service in my little country Disciples of Christ church - I was raised in that church and that is where I will always feel grounded. And I love that candle light service that just has so much more meaning than the other holiday services. (The two days of the year that my father refused to go to church were Easter and Christmas - he said that was when the hypocrites that never showed up any other time showed up to show off. As long as I went to the Midnight Christmas Eve service and the Easter sunrise service, I never had to attend those days).

I will celebrate the way I have for years -donating the money that I would have spent on gifts no one wants or needs to charity or a relief fund and asking my family members and friends to donate what they would spend on a bought gift for me to the local rescue squad or animal shelter.

I will stay away from dept. stores and malls, turn the car radio off, use natural decorations that feed the birds outside and burn a yule log. I will cook up a storm from Thanksgiving until New Years day and make sure the hardworking folks in the sheriff's department aren't forgotten and that my parent's elderly neighbors in their Agency for the Aging complex are not forgotten (I do that all year, but it means more to them during the holidays) and I will spend a lot of quiet time in the woods with nature.

[Zephyrbird5a-6]

I thought it was the part about the shepherds in the field tending the newborn lambs, which would put it in March, that sort of negates the late December date of Christmas.

Ahyup, but it sure supports the theory he was born in June or so. Astronomically speaking, there was an exact conjunction of Jupiter and Venus at that time, which could have accounted for the "star". Interesting.

Heck, I dunno, I wasn't there.:)

[Zephyrbird5a-6]

Okay, everybody, who wants to carpool down to Chickweed's house for the hollerdays???

[Cliff Timmons]

Can I set up a Nativity Scene in her front yard? <grin>

[Emerald]

I just ask for things for my garden or cooking hobbies, OH and bird food, I love watching them eat all winter, but man that seed is expensive-- that is what my mom asked for too, more bird food and a new feeder to replace the one that darned squirrel chewed up. Most of the family gets home made things from me, and I have only had one person complain(the daughter of course:rolleyes:), so she gets a cheap poorly made storebought---- that I have to buy for a gift and everyone else gets nice warm hats or mittens or food gifts.;):D

[chickweed]

Okay, everybody, who wants to carpool down to Chickweed's house for the hollerdays???

Y'all come - the more, the merrier!

byob - bring your own blanket!

[chickweed]

Can I set up a Nativity Scene in her front yard? <grin>

Absolutely - we can even build a manger (if everybody comes, we might need to put sleeping bags in it)!

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/belroigardens/gingerbread01.gif

[Cliff Timmons]

<Grin>
How about my metal detector?

[chickweed]

<Grin>
How about my metal detector?

Just stay away from my right knee if you want a true reading! You can bring anything you want as long as you bring Donna:D

[Cliff Timmons]

Just stay away from my right knee if you want a true reading! You can bring anything you want as long as you bring Donna:D

Donna who?
<Grin>

[chickweed]

Donna who?
<Grin>

Honey, you are one animal that has to have a keeper, and I have my hands full with the Polock Party Animal I married. With all of IDig here, this zoo will need a lot of keepers! http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/belroigardens/bus.jpg

[Cliff Timmons]

Honey, you are one animal that has to have a keeper, and I have my hands with the Polock Party Animal I married. With all of IDig here, this zoo will need a lot of keepers! http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/belroigardens/bus.jpg

I was thinking,.... if Donna satys home, the "Polock Party Animal" you married and I could run amok!

[axhandle]

Links, links , Links--Auf Deutsch---Left.

"The good Lord put us here ,and gave us a brain--while He contended with others"

[springfever]

I agree that Christmas is getting too far away from the real meaning, celebrating the birth of Christ.
But of course you have to remember that I am on of those religious/delusional types.
I don't think anyone would argue of the exact date of Christs birth, after all, there is no exact date in the bible, but I would argue that Jesus Christ was , indeed born.
I would agree to try and bring more meaning to Christmas by attending church plays, spending time with your family, exchanging home made, or grown gifts, but not because of any desire to bring anything down but because it would be honoring Christ.
My dh and I stopped exchanging gifts long ago other than a book or devotional or some such. I love to bake and make things for our family and neighbors. I do buy for my angel from the angel tree (my project)
and the angel I get from church as they are children.

[Butterflylover]

sure i would love to hurt the big g man but not at thee expense of the little one's.
at our family christmas get together's we focus more on the reason for the day = christ's birth and family friends and food.... MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!!!!

[chickweed]

I was thinking,.... if Donna satys home, the "Polock Party Animal" you married and I could run amok!

Don't forgert that the PPA's keeper would still be there - and she's a real witch:D

Get out of line and we'll be having brunswick stew.....

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/belroigardens/cauldron02.gif

[Cliff Timmons]

Don't forgert that the PPA's keeper would still be there - and she's a real witch:D

Get out of line and we'll be having brunswick stew.....

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/belroigardens/cauldron02.gif

We'll have to figure out a way to give her the slip.

[chickweed]

We'll have to figure out a way to give her the slip.

LOL He's been trying to do that since he met me!

[Cliff Timmons]

I'll try something like, "Hey look! 1/2 price off of eye of newt, lizard tails and bat wings,.... over there!"

Then we'll sneak off quietly.....

Maybe. <grin>

[chickweed]

I'll try something like, "Hey look! 1/2 price off of eye of newt, lizard tails and bat wings,.... over there!"

Then we'll sneak off quietly.....

Maybe. <grin>

Already been tried - still not budging...

[Cliff Timmons]

Dang!
OK, I can see this is going to be dicey.
I'm gonna have to put on the super sneaky hat.

[chickweed]

Dang!
OK, I can see this is going to be dicey.
I'm gonna have to put on the super sneaky hat.

I have a scrying mirror and a pendulum.....

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/belroigardens/vintage-halloween-sexy-woman-pumpki.jpg You just might have met your match.

[Cliff Timmons]

I have a scrying mirror and a pendulum.....

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af335/belroigardens/vintage-halloween-sexy-woman-pumpki.jpg You just might have met your match.

I don't know what a scrying mirror,......... but it can't be spookier then my bathroom mirror after I get out of the shower. *YIKES*

[chickweed]

I don't know what a scrying mirror,......... but it can't be spookier then my bathroom mirror after I get out of the shower. *YIKES*

It's like a flat crystal ball - and you're right, I hope I never find that vision in it:eek: I need a lobotamy now to get them mental image out of my head -rrrrrrgh!

[Cliff Timmons]

Many people have gone insane trying to floss their brain after that image.

[chilesprout]

Yeah that one tops your Janet Reno back hair joke, Cliff. Must go kill some braincells now.

I think however you feel about the whole Christmas thing that scaling back on the consumer feeding frenzy is a good idea. It took years to get as crazy as it is, going all Monkey Wrench Gang isn't going to really solve any of the world's problems.

[grapenut]

I think that Christmas has become so far away from the birth of Christ that the two have very little to do with each other.

No, I don’t think He was born on December 25th. The Bible tells of Joseph and Mary going to pay their taxes in Joseph’s family’s hometown. I don’t think that was done in December.

The problem I see no days with Christmas is people spending money they don’t have to buy the things they think are important.

Got that right!

[grapenut]

Okay, everybody, who wants to carpool down to Chickweed's house for the hollerdays???

I do! I do!:D she sure has the right idea.

[grapenut]

Dang!
OK, I can see this is going to be dicey.
I'm gonna have to put on the super sneaky hat.

Or! your batman costume.:D;)

[chickweed]

I do! I do!:D she sure has the right idea.

Come on out - bring the family! Dogs are welcome - children must be kept on a leash!

[Calhoun]

Any SNL fans here?

Anyone remember the "TV Fun House" segment?

Robert Smigel did a "Fun With Real Audio" episode one year, around Christmas time, titled "Jesus and Christmas." Basically, it was Jesus walking around, hearing how people invoked his name to sell things and manipulate people. He finally comes to a store with a TV in the window. The Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon is playing and its at the part of Linus's big speech. Jesus then cries a joyful tear and dances to the Peanuts theme. It received a huge applause and cheering from the audience. The network yanked it, and as far as I know, has never played it again. I can't even find it online. NBC had every video of it pulled from YouTube under copyright infringement. Just goes to show you what has become of Christmas these days.

Here is a video of Linus's speech from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZw06AbW6Vw

[grapenut]

Come on out - bring the family! Dogs are welcome - children must be kept on a leash!

Children always kept on leash! Dogs run free.:D

[Liberty_Man]

I think that Christmas has become so far away from the birth of Christ that the two have very little to do with each other.

No, I don’t think He was born on December 25th. The Bible tells of Joseph and Mary going to pay their taxes in Joseph’s family’s hometown. I don’t think that was done in December.

The problem I see no days with Christmas is people spending money they don’t have to buy the things they think are important.

You're right cliff.. the christmas we have now has nothing to do with christ's birth. Right again he wasn't born on Dec 25th... it was closer to april 21st. The dec 25th date was a roman holiday. the churches didn't like the pagans celebrating in their rituals so they co-opted the day and the holiday. Made it their own. The christ birthday didn't come into it untill then.. but they had to have an excuse to take away the pagan holiday.. and something else to replace it with. Course back then the celebrated by getting drunk and partying.. it was a little different.

I don't have that problem with spending money on christmas though.. i don't celebrate it. The Kids didn't like not having money to buy presents.. but they got used to it. We didn't even get depressed and stressed out like everyone else does at that time of year.. so hey.. it's a good thing being poor.

[johnsonjrbm]

Donna who?
<Grin>

Chickweed - I shoulda told ya that Cliff's not on a first-name basis with The Boss. Her title is "Ma'am", and is generally preceded by "Yes"... :D

[darwinslair]

Not that it is good for retailers, but my wife and I finished our Christmas shopping already. We used Craigslist. We got 20 dvds, 18 barbie dolls with clothes and accessories, an ez bake oven, a set of horses, and a few other little things. Our total costs for the kids were kept below $25 each and they will each have more than 15 presents to open up.

Thought we did pretty good.

tom

[lorna-organic]

You did very well, Tom. Most of my friends and family get an old-fashioned homemade fruitcake, plus another small gift or two. This year I made lavender sachets from my garden. I will be sending some of my seeds to friends. I will be knitting a couple of hats, too. (I am currently working on a hat for myself, working out the pattern for the gift hats.)

My mother is going to be 81 soon. She doesn't need anything, however, she delights in receiving gifts. A few years ago I began to send her forced bulbs and amaryllis. At first she, in her typical English style, expressed doubt about these gifts. (She is hard to please.) However, she found herself enjoying the process of potting them, watching them grow, and the resulting flowers. Mom used to be a librarian. One of the recent "good" gifts I found for her was a 120 year old book on English history (mentioning mom's family) from Amazon.com. It cost me about $24. The book was in excellent condition. My mom was totally wowed at receiving that ancient book.

[Cliff Timmons]

Chickweed - I shoulda told ya that Cliff's not on a first-name basis with The Boss. Her title is "Ma'am", and is generally preceded by "Yes"... :D

You got that right! <grin>

[chickweed]

Chickweed - I shoulda told ya that Cliff's not on a first-name basis with The Boss. Her title is "Ma'am", and is generally preceded by "Yes"... :D

LMAO

"She, who must be obeyed!" :D