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Q: Making Sense of the Holidays
asked by:
sillyakchick
Extremely eHealthy
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Replies(9)
Birch
Extremely eHealthy
It's ironic that the holiday celebrating the birth of a man who espoused this:
has become one of the most disgusting things we do all year? (Other than a Dirty Sanchez if you are so inclined.)
I too avoid the stores from mid-November until about mid-January, when I must muster the strength to go buy groceries.
Here is what we have done in the past:
1. Went on a trip during the holiday. Being out of town meant no family gathering required attendence.
2. Said we were going on a trip. *ah-hem*
3. Made a "I am only going to give gifts of things I have made" declaration. This works wondrously. If you have kids, get them in on it. Things just mean more this way. (Incidentally, I am doing this again this year. It's fun!!)
4. Given in and bought ridiculous presents at stores like Ten Thousand Villages, local sex product shops, and other local small towny stores with bizarre items. How fun it is to give gifts to say, your cousin and she doesn't know what it is because it is a condom dispenser and she has never seen one before, but by god, she needs it.
5. Limited gift giving to ONE present each. That way, it is always really well thought out and isn't something you bought "just to get something". I hate that.
6. eBay
Anyways, there are of course the usual "volunteer" or something like that for the needy, but that bugs the heck out of me b/c I think this should come into play all year, not just during Christmas. An organization I run is sponsoring winter can food drives and clothing drives during Jan/Feb b/c donations significantly drop off during those months. Incorporating a sense of humanity should take place all year around.
I have some friends who celebrate the Soltice, too. They have an enormous cactus and light it up and give "I love you" presents and have a festive party. I think this is great. I've asked them to do it during the Summer soltice...and the equinoxes...and every other weekend.
I don't know if any of that provided any information for you, but it was sure fun to write! Happy Neutral Holiday!
| Quote: |
| Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew) |
I too avoid the stores from mid-November until about mid-January, when I must muster the strength to go buy groceries.
Here is what we have done in the past:
1. Went on a trip during the holiday. Being out of town meant no family gathering required attendence.
2. Said we were going on a trip. *ah-hem*
3. Made a "I am only going to give gifts of things I have made" declaration. This works wondrously. If you have kids, get them in on it. Things just mean more this way. (Incidentally, I am doing this again this year. It's fun!!)
4. Given in and bought ridiculous presents at stores like Ten Thousand Villages, local sex product shops, and other local small towny stores with bizarre items. How fun it is to give gifts to say, your cousin and she doesn't know what it is because it is a condom dispenser and she has never seen one before, but by god, she needs it.
5. Limited gift giving to ONE present each. That way, it is always really well thought out and isn't something you bought "just to get something". I hate that.
6. eBay
Anyways, there are of course the usual "volunteer" or something like that for the needy, but that bugs the heck out of me b/c I think this should come into play all year, not just during Christmas. An organization I run is sponsoring winter can food drives and clothing drives during Jan/Feb b/c donations significantly drop off during those months. Incorporating a sense of humanity should take place all year around.
I have some friends who celebrate the Soltice, too. They have an enormous cactus and light it up and give "I love you" presents and have a festive party. I think this is great. I've asked them to do it during the Summer soltice...and the equinoxes...and every other weekend.
I don't know if any of that provided any information for you, but it was sure fun to write! Happy Neutral Holiday!
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Jude-Love
Active User, very eHealthy
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Sandbox Party
Especially eHealthy
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Birch
Extremely eHealthy
Is "corporate America" a guiding force in American culture, or a reflection of American culture?
Or is this true: "If you sell it, and it is on sale, they will come".
Or is this true: "If you sell it, and it is on sale, they will come".
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Jude-Love
Active User, very eHealthy
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Tylanas
Especially eHealthy
I don't celebrate Christmas as a religious ceremony; but I do love the LOVE that I was raised to feel during the season. Our Christmases have always been small; 5-7 gifts for my brother and I and a few for our parents. Gifts became fewer as we got older.
What I still love about the season is how warm it makes me feel. I truly enjoy the connection to my family; I love the ceremony of giving gifts and I don't think it's wrong to dedicate a day for this. I love many ceremonies related to Christmas. I in fact love going to Church on Christmas Eve (my birthday! Hah, I'm older than Jesus
). The candles get lit, people sing, and the message of love and caring for everyone is extolled. I get swept up in that feeling and it makes me swoon.
I've never been exposed to a super-commercial version of it. It is a small, private and warm thing to me.
I think it's a beautiful season.
What I still love about the season is how warm it makes me feel. I truly enjoy the connection to my family; I love the ceremony of giving gifts and I don't think it's wrong to dedicate a day for this. I love many ceremonies related to Christmas. I in fact love going to Church on Christmas Eve (my birthday! Hah, I'm older than Jesus
). The candles get lit, people sing, and the message of love and caring for everyone is extolled. I get swept up in that feeling and it makes me swoon.
I've never been exposed to a super-commercial version of it. It is a small, private and warm thing to me.
I think it's a beautiful season.
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marvel
Supporter
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Sandbox Party
Especially eHealthy
| Jude-Love wrote: | ||||
I never said anyone should go broke, actually. But thanks for putting words in my mouth and ignoring my last statement! |
i was siding with you, hello!
i was trying to get across the point that its wrong we all go broke and blame it on a religious holiday. Its pathetic.. like its Jesus' fault for making us spend so much.. *Well Jesus was a giver we should be too!*
JESUS GAVE AWAY WATER AND WOODEN SANDALS.
not Gucci purses and computers.
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sillyakchick
Extremely eHealthy
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