It’s official. Myself and a good number of people behind me declare that Christmas really does suck, and should be canceled with all the stress, hypocrisy, and gluttonous spending it represents.
We are not scrooges, nor are we schmucks. In fact, we are people who are very kind, generous and giving throughout the year, and find the Christmas idea of giving as contrived as the acting on a late night infomercial.
The fact is, we are all tired of it: the crowds, the traffic, and the line-ups. We no longer choose to wonder aimlessly down the crowded isles of department stores, picking out gifts with as much thought as pocket calculators; devices that know only one thing: that they should by something for somebody, because that’s what they are supposed to do at this time of year.
Nero once said: as long as you keep the masses happy with bread and circuses, you can control them. Like $13 movies and $5 Pepsi’s, Christmas is a circus in itself. Its a sham, a way of feeding the pockets of the wealthy by encouraging the desperate masses to be generous and open their wallets and spend more and more of the money they don’t have. The sense of power and control that consumers feel when they use their bank or credit cards lasts about as long as it takes Visa to send them a bill when its all over. And any hopes of getting out of the financial shackles they’ve grown into dissipates into yet another year of interest payments, and any hopes of North America’s average savings rate to rise above 0% vanishes into the next 12 good ol’ days of Christmas.
Look at it this way: at Christmas, do the companies you work for, the same companies that invest millions of dollars every year into TV commercials that convince you to spend your savings on presents, do they show you any generosity by giving you a week off – not even a paid week off – to be with your families? What about their contribution to the Christmas spirit? Most of the people I know had to be back on the 26th. Every year, Christmas becomes less and less an act of giving and more and more a payoff for not seeing your loved ones enough.
The fact is, Christmas has little to do with religion, and it has little to do with giving:
A) It’s neither mentioned in the Bible, nor is it for certain when the three wise guys made their way across the desert to find the baby Jesus. The Christmas tree is just a mishmash of beliefs from China, Egypt, Germany, and the lights are representative of an ancient ritual where victims were burned alive as an offering to convince a sun god to warm things up a little.
B) Santa Claus, the old Santa Claus, not the contemporary Santa Claus invented by Coca-Cola, but the original one known as Saint Nicholas, was a simple Bishop living in Turkey who once a year – NOT DECEMBER 25th – would stuff candies and trinkets into the little shoes of children. He did this because he, and the children were poor. Then, it was a humble act of giving. Now, in today’s North America, it’s not about giving, it’s about spending. It was an idea bread from poverty, and was never meant to be a novelty of luxury.
C) The original idea of Christmas has about as little to do with a developed country like ours, as Buddhism – another idea bread from poverty – has to do with BMW driving yuppies in Kitsilano, Vancouver.
And so, it is for these reasons, that many others and myself believe that Christmas should be canceled and replaced with daily acts of giving. Instead of one day of spending, people everywhere could enjoy showing their appreciation for one another in the some of the following ways:
1. Don’t tailgate. Its annoying.
2. Start a conversation with a complete stranger, every day.
3. Never send group emails, like this one.
4. Volunteer once a week.
5. Look people in the eye and say “please” and “thank you.”
6. Don’t be a snobby, ignorant bigot.
7. When some one wants to change lanes in front of you, don’t speed up and try to block them.
8. Don’t complain or brag repeatedly about your problems, they are meant to be solved, not worn as a badge.
9. And when you complain about your problems, don’t snub the advice you receive. When people give advice, they are giving a bit of themselves.
10. RAK: Random Acts of Kindness. Do one nice thing for someone, every day.
11. Don’t swear.
In conclusion, we believe that by following some of these examples everyday, instead sheepishly heeding the corporate call to the cleaners every Christmas, we could make life better for everyone ever day.
Happy Holidays (what holiday?)
CHRIST WASN’T EVEN BORN IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER,IT IS JUST A MAN-MADE ECONOMY BOOSTING HOLIDAY. PEOPLE PRETEND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND TO GIVE FROM THEIR HEARTS, WHY CAN’T THEY DO IT ALL YEAR LONG? CHRISTMAS CAN BE DEPRESSING AND STRESSFUL. IT CAN ALSO PUT YOU IN DEBT. WHAT’S SO MERRY ABOUT IT? I THINK WE SHOULD PROTEST THIS HOLIDAY AND OR ABOLISH IT.
I think Christmass is way overrated, but I don’t think it sucks. I find it boreing because I have a very small family, and we often end up looking at eachother and saying “Now what?”.
What made it bearable, was the fact that my family never got into the commercial aspect of Christmass.
What really really sucks is New Years. The most overrated/overpriced/overhyped night of the year.
My crappiest nights have always been New Years.
I hate Christmas. Myself and my wife are both disabled and living off the bit of money social security sends us to pay rent, bills, and buy food.
While December 25th may be a happy time for the rich. For us poor it’s the most miserable time of the year.
My wife and I have never had a happy Christmas and we know we never will. So be it.
Hasn’t anybody ever wondered why the suicide rates at Christmas skyrocket?
Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for a hermitage;
If I have freedom in my love
And in my soul am free,
Angels alone that soar above
Enjoy such liberty.
Three phrases should be among the most common in our daily usage. They are: Thank you, I am grateful and I appreciate.
Christmas is the best you guys are the ones that suck and that are bitches.
chistmas rock chistmas pwans you all
Good to know I`m not alone, Christmas sucks, it really does. There is more people having a sad day than people having a good day, most people in the world are struggling to get by and in christmas time they only get to see other people who got lucky recieve nice presents when they dont get s.hit.. what`s that?? the Spirit of christmas?? what a big load of Bullshi.t, most people celebrate christmas because it is a tradition so they feel like they have to. But why should I decorate a tree and my house when it means nothing to me?? why do I have to see people giving presents to each other when they didnt really want to get each other presents? But hey, if you like christmas thats ok, but if you do, I am sure that you have plenty of money, and a nice family so it`s been always easy enough for you to be a little neive and also have faith… good for you, but its not my case. I am not saying we should cancel christmas, but we also shouldnt be forced to celebrate it.
Christmas is what you make it. Now, I am one of those happy people with a great family, enough cash to scrape together for presents and even a Christian faith, so Christmas is very meaningful for me. However, Christmas season has different riches for different people. For example, there are a lot of baked goodies floating around, chocolates on desks, office parties, which everybody can enjoy. [Some businesses even take their staff out for dinner, and what a treat to see the Boss pay!] Never mind the “Spirit of Giving”, this is just good old generosity. Generosity continues on Christmas Day itself when volunteers (often non-Christians)put together meals for the homeless, or visit nursing homes or hospitals. (And in my hometown, its MOVIE DAY! for Jewish kids.)
Apparently volunteers get a great feeling of satisfaction from their Christmas gift to their wider community, so I would recommend signing up for serving Christmas dinner, if you know Christmas is going to be a bad day for you.
whatever dorothy, you are saying that christmas is good cause you?ve been lucky and it might be good for you, and seriously I am happy for u. if your boss pays you dinner and you get cookies at church, good for you. But try thinking outside the box and when you realize that most people arent as lucky as you are, you will understand that christmas REALLY SUCKS. By the way, if you wanna volunteer, dont do it because its christmas, you can do that any time of the year.
What I am saying is Christmas does not HAVE to suck. You have the power to make Christmas as cheerful or as lousy as any other day, or more cheerful, or lousier. It’s up to you. Even if you have absolutely nothing, you can still do something to feel good (or bad) that day, even if it’s getting together with other people who feel as you do for a Festivus party (or stewing with hatred for people having fun). Incidentally, you also have the power to say NO to any Christmas activity you don’t want to do. You don’t want to go “home”? Don’t! You don’t want to go to church? Don’t! And do whatever it takes to make Christmas as happy or just as non-sucky as you can.
Okay Christmas is commercial bull. yes. but the true meaning was lost. A day to celebrate the birth of Jesus christ not the celebration of shopping malls. going into debt and all the rest of the garbage that man made. So to all the scrooges out there. Make it a day of celebrating the real meaning. The best gifts i ever received was not bought in a shopping mall. it was hand made. talking to alot of people that was their favorite gifts to. I gave a friend a paper gift certificate that read one day of baby-sitting so she could go out and chill out.
Yes indeed, Christmas does suck, big time. What I despise most about it is the contrived group think that dictates that each of us spend a ridiculous amount of time and energy to fuel this mindless Hallmark holiday. My own personal theory is that it is perpetuated primarily by the overwhelming majority of women who have what I will call “fantasy family complex”.
Excuse me? You’re blaming the commercialism of Christmas on women? My mum and dad (but especially my mum) have worked hard every year for over 30 years to create a happy family Christmas, full of traditions, for each other and their kids. There’s no fantasy family involved. We’re pretty real, and we kids put the lid on squabbling because “it’s Christmas”. And there’s not a lot of commericalism, although there’s a certainly a lot of traditional food. And if you’re faulting women for wanting to have a nice family, where everyone treats each other with respect and love, and where everyone appreciates her for her hard and loving work, you’re not just crazy, you’re mean.
amen Dorothy!! that comment was pretty mean. I appreciate everything my parents did for us. The hard work and the traditional food. Thank God for my Mom. Our family is no fantasy. The perfect family, not on this planet, we have real issues like everyone else, but I sure do appreciate the memories and the gathering of our family. Thank God for Women.
One last comment.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
On Dec 25th, 2005, I will be 50 years old. Today, I “googled” the phrase “Christmas birthday sucks” and found this site.
It’s a relief to read so many posts that mirror and validate my feelings about this holiday. I hate having my birthday on Dec 25th and as the years have passed, with Jesus getting edged out by the commercial Santa, I hate this holiday even more. The only thing I like these days about Christmastime is the memories I have from the days before I found out that my parents lied to me about Santa. I wish there really was a Santa and that he could really come down the chimmey and bring all the presents that everyone wants or needs. Wouldn’t that be cool? Maybe not…
That only happens in Whoville…and maybe in Heaven.
I think if I were born on another day, Christmas would still be depressing because of what commercialism has done to it. Getting “stuff” only feels good for a few minutes. Time shared with people you love and who love you back is what really feels good. And maybe a little gift on your birthday!
I wish you all at least a moment of joy on Christmas day.
I agree , christams sucks,commercialism making you think you have to get big presesnts, and those damn parties, meeting uncles,aunties and cousins you would never see any other time of the year and then trying to spark a conversation with them when you havent spoke to them throughout the year and i generally notice christams is enjoyed mainly by kids, when you get older christmas is just one big hassle and the big money maker for stores and shops, it feels to me just another year passing now, of course i still have to get up early , family come, open and find that even one of the purposes of christmas failed, to get something that you wanted, i remember after the age of 10 , i have never got anything i care for or wanted, its just one big disapointment of socks, those cheap bottles of aftershave, all the cheap chocolate in the shape of christams tree,etc, where yuo can buy a chocolate bar anytime, frankly christmas really does suck balls but in the end its unavoidable, ill be gettin pointless crap, pointless christmas dinner , GOD life sucks balls, just endless disapointment after another.
Well…….My mom has alzheimers and parkinsons.My daddy is dying.My ex stole my two babies.Havent seen them in five years.So its hard to be happy.Buti have to put “the face on”for my 16 yr old daughter who i love dearly….Sad at christmas,Dianna
Quote: “I’ve been against Christmas for years. Killing animals, cutting down trees and over-consuming aren’t just the ideas I have of a pleasant party.”
I agree wholeheartedly with that.
‘Meat’ is a f*cking disgrace. Stuff your fat f*cking faces with your greasy death meals.
Remember something died in horrific circumstances to bring the death you call ‘food’ to your greasy mouths.
The christmas spirit is only felt by bastard humans.
In the days leading up to christmas, tens of millions of innocent turkeys (and other beautiful and completely innocent animals) are slaughtered by dull minded, cruel, probably paedophile abbatoir ‘workers’ who deserve to be slowly tortured.
These animals are slaughtered to feed your cruel demand for disgusting meat. The very fact slaughterhouses exist in this so called ‘modern world’ is an abomination and makes me question the overall mentality of the world’s population.
Cull humans, not baby seals.
F*ck you all. I have more respect for nature and animals than any ‘human’ I know.
And yes, the world would be so, so much better off without man’kind’ upon it. Every minute of our existence we are desecrating some part of our environment and the defenceless, voiceless animals we share it with.
Eat meat? Kill yourself.
rymr123@aol.com
Well, that was cheerful.
Thank you for this web site people with views similar to my own.
No I don’t hate Christmas or The Holliday seasons, or Hanakah or Ramadan, or Kwanza what ever suits your flavor like a happy meal or apple pie or a puppy dog.
I just don’t celebrate it. Period.
If it works for you great, nothing wrong with that.
It dosen’t work for me. I don’t need multi-death corporations telling me what to buy, when to buy it and how to finance it.
As for friends and family they know I love them and they love me. Theres nothing wrong with birthday gifts. Birthdays are spread out through out the year (think about that).
I am greatful for what I have and its not much. I’ve relocated, I’m going to school, I’m trying to better my life.
But if there is a Santa..
I want a job, and I want a new girlfriend, and I want a new or used car,etc etc…
This christmas I will get rip roaring drunk and play “Christmas Time In Hell” by the makers of South Park very loud. and cook up bean and chease tacos.
Mr. Wang
i hate christmas now more than ever, im being forced to be happy even though im misearable because everyone has issues and problems on this day just before dinner and afterwards its like nothing ever happened….i say F#$^ this
i hate christmas now more than ever, im being forced to be happy even though im misearable because everyone has issues and problems on this day just before dinner and afterwards its like nothing ever happened….i say F#$^ this
Well growing up back in the 70’s,christmas waw awesome. It was about family, gift giving and enjoying the holiday season. Now, my beloved mother has been gone for many years, as has her sister, my awesome aunt. My siblings dont talk to each other. I talk to 2 of 3 of them. They and old man now live far away.
I miss the days of channel 5, 9 and 11 showing old christmas movies and cartoons. Now we have crappy political correct HOLIDAY movies. It is no wonder I only watch the old scrooge movies and cartoons, etc. My old lady takes off to see her kids, which is ok, but man this day just sucks even more as the years pass. If you have a family and enjoy this day, great. Enjoy it while it lasts. All good things DO come to an end. My heart does go out to those who have lost loved ones and never had a real christmas.
To the idiot who cant eat or kill animals God himself was the first to kill and skin animals in the first book of the bible. Mabe you dont belive in God That will be youre problem in the end I dont care Turkeys are tasty I dont care how they die as long as its quick animals dont have souls and humans are created in Gods image So dont talk about killing people you’re the sick one!
Okay, that’s just sad. Peace on earth, everybody!
Christmas sucks for me, too. My father, who was my best friend, died several years ago around this time. My Mom is a total b*tch, and I do not want to spend any more time with her than I have to, so I don’t go to see her at Christmas because she is a mean and selfish person who talks smack about everyone she knows, and then thinks she can make everything magically better with a present.
My two brothers don’t keep in touch with any one, they are totally self centered. But you know what? I don’t worry about it anymore. I just consider this a day like any other day, and try to blow it off, and not let it get to me. I watch my favorite DVDs, play on the computer, and spend quality time with my wonderful pets and husband. I refuse to let the lameness of my family and commercialism get me down, but I’ll be damned if I’ll participate in it.
This holiday does suck, and I think it has lost a lot of its true meaning. Kind of reminds me of big, fancy weddings where all this money is blown, and it really turns out to be all about the family and guests, and not so much about the couple getting married. That’s why my husband and I got a judge to marry us and did it on our own. Much more meaningful. When you make your own way in life, and don’t go along with the crowd, that makes it have more meaning to you personally, and making your life the best it can be is what it’s all about.
Don’t pollute your mind or waste your precious life energy worrying about this day too much. Just do whatever you can to keep yourself busy and have fun, so it will go by quicker, and then it will be the 26th, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief and stick our middle fingers up in the air to all the B.S. Thanks for the vent, this board rocks!!
I have figured out why the Christmas Ideal and the reality of Christmas clash so much. Christmas is not about individualism. Christmas is a relic of a past age when the majority of Europeans & Euro-Americans took their identity from their families. Thus, Christmas really was about giving to the family, not getting from it. Parents scrimped on their own pleasures/needs to buy the special foods, decorations, and toys for kids. Kids behaved well around Christmas either because of Santa/Mom & Dad knowing who was naughty or nice or out of respect for busy, baking/shopping Mom. (Or out of respect for Dad who said, “Now think of your mother!!”) To enjoy Christmas, you really have to put yourself second–second to your family members, people you didn’t CHOOSE (Choice being our modern god)–without expecting a reward. Now this, of course, goes against our modern individualist culture. Putting yourself second is our new sin. No wonder doing all that shopping for Other People is such a chore! Therefore, Christmas is always going to be disappointing because no one loves you as much as you do. (Christians will argue that God does, and more, but what does God have to do with Christmas, eh?)
So what is Christmas in the end? Christmas is a counter-culture challenge to interrupt individualism. (Christians might point out here that if there was anyone who lived for others, it was the man who was once Baby Jesus.) And perhaps to realize what we have lost in our own personal wars against our annoying, troublesome, wonderful, horrible families. And to consider how we can make amends.
I have figured out why the Christmas Ideal and the reality of Christmas clash so much. Christmas is not about individualism. Christmas is a relic of a past age when the majority of Europeans & Euro-Americans took their identity from their families. Then, Christmas really was about giving to the family, not getting from it. Parents scrimped on their own pleasures/needs to buy the special foods, decorations, and toys for kids. Kids behaved well around Christmas either because of Santa/Mom & Dad knowing who was naughty or nice or out of respect for busy, baking/shopping Mom. (Or out of respect for Dad who said, “Now think of your mother!!”) To enjoy Christmas, you really have to put yourself second–second to your family members, people you didn’t CHOOSE (Choice being our modern god)–without expecting a reward. Now this, of course, goes against our modern individualist culture. Putting yourself second is our new sin. No wonder doing all that shopping for Other People is such a chore! Therefore, Christmas is always going to be disappointing because no one loves you as much as you do. (Christians will argue that God does, and more, but what does God have to do with Christmas, eh?)
So what is Christmas in the end? Christmas is a counter-culture challenge to interrupt individualism. (Christians might point out here that if there was anyone who lived for others, it was the man who was once Baby Jesus.) And perhaps to realize what we have lost in our own personal wars against our annoying, troublesome, wonderful, horrible families. And to consider how we can make amends.
CHRISTMAS IS THE BEST!
ILOVE THE HAPPINESS AND U SHOULD TOO U HATERS JUST CUS UR MEAN AND OBNOXIOUS AND SELFISH DOESNT MEAN U HAV THE RIGHT TO BRING EVERYONE ALSE DWN LIKE THT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHRISTMAS all the way!!!!!!!! JINGLE BELLS U REALLY SMELL TUN TUNTUTN TUNT UN