I was driving the other day, and I noticed that maybe three or four houses down every community had christmas lights, or some kind of decoration.If the houses DID have decor,they were all decked out.the plastic santa statues,the reindeer on the roof.The huge candy canes stuck in the ground,it was completely overdone.It kinda gave me the impression of showing off.Either way,Christmas is dead.Its either a way to show off crappy lawn decorations (How much can you spend!!??!11) or a depressing holiday.People are packing into malls,and wal-marts,with carts full of plastic nonsense and useless gadget's.Don't get me wrong its good to get stuff on christmas,but these days thats what it seems to be all about.Stress,and wasting money to show those that they care.Since when do you have to waste money to show you care?Then I noticed that my family had no tree in our house,or lights outside.We don't have stockings,nothing.I dont think it affects any of the people within the house Im living in.

I agree. Just listen to the sound of someones voice when they go "oh man, I've got to finish my christmas shopping!" , it's something they dread. And I'm sure it's not the gift giving, but rather the stress and pressure of finding something that hopefully the other person will like.. and in somewhat short period of time. (depending on when you started). My family isn't religious type, we just consider the holidays as a time to bring the family together. And that's what it really boils down to in my opinion, is a time for family.

and on the decorations, you're right.. for some it's a "who's wang is bigger" kind of deal. It's a waste powering enough lights to land an airplane

Come to Europe.
In Italy you won't see a decorated shop until mid-december, then houses start lighting up for the twelve days, no more, no less.
A lot of money is still spent on presents, but many of them are useful or beautiful, as Italians have less tolerance of tatt.
My mother used to make many of my presents, soft toys, clothes, etc. And I was over the moon to receive them, and they are wonderful things to have to remember my loved ones by.

This is repeated almost everywhere except the UK. My brother now goes to France every year just so he can have a nice, quiet time with those that he loves.
The UK and America have turned Christmas and all the ancient Yule traditions into money spinners, and I can't wait to get to Sweden and frolic in the snow and the joys of a simple, tasteful Chrsitmas.

Christmas is dead, eh.... well, that's just about the most original sentiment I've ever heard. I also heard that Valentine's Day is just a Hallmark Holiday cooked up to sell cards.

The Hebrew Hammer did it.

what is so terrible about christmas? i do understand the fact that christmas can put alot of stress and pressure to people. when it comes to buying christmas presents for you're loved ones. AND having to buy christmas lights and decorations for your house. it is true that some people want to have the best looking house on there block and it will turn into a competition. but why let the buying of christmas presents and decorations on other peoples houses spoil your christmas? to me i don't see the decorations on houses to be a competition or ridiculous. i find decorated house to be beautiful... they are also neat to look at as well..... but really you don't need to buy people presents just to show them you care... because they know that all ready. christmas is all about bringing the family together and having gifts or none gifts....

now some people that have to spend this kind of a holiday alone. i can seriously see how that can be a bummer for them and how that would give them a serious reason to hate christmas. instead of the kind of reason you have to hate christmas *spaceghost*

if you want to you can put a sign infront of you're house saying that "Scrouge lives here." and put one christmas light baulb in front of your door.......

tatt?

why did I read twat there? hmmm... i think i need help.

It sucks forever and only stupid people like it.

*slaps some sense back into errantrogue*

Italians tolerate (and some worship) twats just as much as any race, the need for procreation and all, but to stop your mind getting all dirty, let's just say tacky crap.

*Threatens anti with some mistletoe, a mince pie, and plonks a santa hat on his head.*

you are doing a goth tradition about christmas anti. but it is ok you have your own opinion of christmas and i have mine.

Im not a grinch, Im tellin' it like it is.Christmas is commercial.

everything is 'commercial.' well, almost. thanksgiving hasn't really been commercialized yet, but then again it's hard for pepsi or wal-mart to get behind the celebration of killing some indians.

I hate christmas... used to like it but I fucking hate it now...

I don't like it, because of all the enforced indoors-ness and the garish commercialness, the competition to see who can give the biggest and the most extravagant.

Plus there's loads of food around that people force me to eat, and the guilt is just unbearable. I may even go to the gym on xmas day to try and make reparations.

But essentially, I hate that there are people who have no-one and nothing, especially this season cuz it's cold and grey, and seeing people carrying xmas shopping with their families must hurt. It must really hurt, and that thought makes me cry.

So next year I want to volunteer for Crisis at Christmas, which provides a place for homeless people or those who are alone to come and have an xmas dinner and some company.

Good on ya Sybs, every year up to this one I've been at work, trying to cheer up people spending the big day in hospital, and it actually makes for a good time, and when you get home, the day is shorter and filled with just the nice bits and no boredom.

I agree with the sadness of Christmas. My family alway insist on dying in November and December, and I've managed to turn it around and remember the great Christmasses with them, but it was hard.
Still, this story I am about to tell you is worse, as the woman invloved was celebrating her last Christmas, as there was no need for such pain. Could have been so easily avoided.

Last year I did an agency shift in a nursing home which was run by a family who lived in a house next door.
One of the residents was the mother of the man who owned the home.
You'd think that would be nice, to be cared for by your son, to have him around every day, but no.
From her chair in the lounge she could see through the French doors straight into the dining room of her son's home, where him and his family, plus a few friends were eating their big Christmas dinner, while she was left in the home.
She wore nappies, sure she was unable to hold a spoon due to severe arthritis, and she had lost her speech, and these things made her too embarrassing to have her at their table, with their friends.
She knew what was going on, she obliged when you asked her to open her mouth for pills etc. She must have been hurt, especially as the chances are she had given her son the best Christmasses she could when he was young.
The staff told me they did that to her every year, and yup, you guessed it, I was sent there in June and asked about her, and she had died in the February.
For her, probably just as well.

That's terrible. It's so sad. It's sick the way our generation treats it's elders.

My Nan died a couple of months ago, and it was so sad. She had Alzheimers and was in a hospital psych wing, I went to see her and she had no idea who I was- understandably, but what was worse is she didn't recognise my Dad, her own son. I can't imagine what that feels like. She was so tiny, just skin and bones. Still fiercely independent- she had grapes and she would not let us help her take them off the stalks- but very scared.

I always feel so selfish when I think properly about these things.

bugger the comercalism(sp) just give me the presents!! sorry, im a selfish bitch and i know it i love this season coz i love getting presents..

but my sister is helping out at the millenium dome with the homeless...

I dont really like christmas. I had a bad rather depressive stage a couple of years back and it brings it all back to me making me anxious. We have lights out front but they are only because they were half price and pretty. I like coming home to it it makes the house have a warm feeling to it. I cant say I detest Christmas, after all its a break from everything and everyone needs a break now and again but I dont like it being so over commercialised like those crappy santas I like it to be more classic. Its nice putting up the decorations on the tree, nice having a reason for the whole family to get together when we all have the time.