War on Christmas.

[Pappa]

Imagine no partiez between, say Halloween and the Spring? It's worth it just to have a huge dark gap in the calendar filled with something to look forward to ( or dread!). Dec and Jan are deeply and horrifyingly uncopable with as it is!

That's exactly the reason why there's always been a midwinter festival.

[Schneibster]

Imagine no partiez between, say Halloween and the Spring? It's worth it just to have a huge dark gap in the calendar filled with something to look forward to ( or dread!). Dec and Jan are deeply and horrifyingly uncopable with as it is!

That's exactly the reason why there's always been a midwinter festival.

Holidays exist to avoid suckiness?

No way, dude!

[Saoirse]

I like any excuse to string sparkly lights about, bake cookies, and spoil my friend's little boy.

[DaveDodo007]

Of course how can you not love Christmas when you have racked up a credit card bill that you will be paying off for the rest of your life just to get a pair of socks in return. If any shop assistant is overjoyed with being rushed off their feet enough to wish me a merry Christmas then how is that not a slave mentality. Anyway I have my ground to sleigh missile set up and hope to take out the fat fuck and if his mutant red nose cunt dies in the process then the beers are on me.

[Magicziggy]

Xmas in July is neat and should be extended to other months, if not all other months.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You can have some fun with Xtians this time of year. When NORAD "picks up Santa on their scopes", point out that there have been more radar sightings of Santa than Jesus.

[rachelbean]

Of course how can you not love Christmas when you have racked up a credit card bill that you will be paying off for the rest of your life just to get a pair of socks in return.

This is what I don't get...how about not do that? A lot of people love/enjoy Christmas without getting into debt at all. I've never put a gift on a credit card and don't spend beyond my means. Years when I had no money I made simple gifts, and hoped people saw the love behind it. If someone had a problem with that then they wouldn't be someone I wanted to buy gifts for anyway. As for presents you get back, it's best to expect nothing, revel in the food and drinks and company, and then any presents are just icing on the Christmas cake

If any shop assistant is overjoyed with being rushed off their feet enough to wish me a merry Christmas then how is that not a slave mentality

At least in the states a lot of employees are required to say it or they could lose their job. I don't really think it's slave mentality so much as people needing work and being willing to do what's asked of them to keep their jobs. If you don't have to worry about things like that then you should be grateful for your luck!

[Coito ergo sum]

You said it, Rachelbean.

Giving Christmas gifts is more fun than getting. I never raise my expectations, and I always try to be thankful for everything I get. I think if someone thought about me enough to want to buy me something, or make me something, then I am grateful.

There was a time when I overspent, and charged things, on Christmas. No more. People tend, in my experience, to overestimate the degree people appreciate having large amounts of money spent on them, and people tend to underestimate how much people appreciate something thoughtful. Most people, in my experience, will appreciate you remembering that they wanted some $10 thing, and getting it for them, than spending $100 on some article of clothing they have no particular affinity for.

Children, especially, are not swayed by dollar values. Get them something fun, and it can cost $3 and they don't care. I remember buying my nephews a type of toy that cost about $3 or $4 each. When I saw the toys at the shop, I knew for a fact that they would be a big hit, and be the favorite toy of the day. I bought them other stuff too, but I just knew these items would be the hit of the day. They ended up getting stacks of expensive games and electronics, and all day Christmas they played with these $4 items - literally nonstop.

And, people understand that others have hard times.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat.
Please put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny, then a ha'penny will do.
If you haven't got a penny, then god bless you!

Great line from a Christmas carol - if you haven't got it - we're cool.

So, to all the po' folk out there, take heart. Tell your relatives and friends that you can only give them well-wishes and Merry Christmases this year, and everyone will still love you.

[laklak]

We're having a summer Xmas this year. We leave for Johannesburg tomorrow!!!! Christmas and New Year in Swaziland, and Kruger on January 2nd. Lots and lots (and lots) of Windhoek Lager, biltong, boerwors and hangovers. Can't wait!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I can't picture you with a hangover, dude.


Don't you have to sober up to get one of those?

[laklak]

I know, completely out of character.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I know, completely out of character.

You have a shot at playing Hitchens in his biopix.

[DaveDodo007]

Bah, humbug!

[rachelbean]

And a Merry Christmas to you too

[Gawdzilla Sama]