I'm not really much of a fan of these holidays. Actually I have no particular problem with Thanksgiving, since it isn't at all like Christmas. Thanksgiving remains largely unpolluted by the greed of our society. You get together, you eat til you pop. You sometimes watch football. You usually drink beer. There's no gift-giving involved, as a rule.
I didn't really do the big family gathering this year. It usually depends on what all of my sisters are up to. So this year I just took The Mom out. We didn't go where I would have wanted to, but I left the choice up to her.
We should have had Italian on Federal Hill. Oh well. Or crab!
Christmas, on the other hand... I have a problem with. The fact that I do not consider myself a christian has nothing to do with my disgust for Christmas. I know plenty of non-christian people who still participate in the tradition. Anyhow, I'm simply disgusted with the fact that the day and season is constantly becoming more about "stuff" and less about any of the spirit or idealism. Do you know any kids who do not actually EXPECT stuff? Gifts shouldn't be expected.
Advertising used to start at around Black Friday. Today. Christmas music used to start around now also. This year I heard at least two stations playing 100% Christmas songs by Halloween. What the fuck, over? Seriously, that's simply disgusting.
And I hate that I am obligated to buy shit for every kid that I know, regardless of how close of a relationship I have with them. Because if I don't, then I'm a selfish asshole.
On the other hand, one of my sisters... who has many things in life that I WISH I had... such as a house, a spouse, and children... is having a bit of a rough time of things. So in addition to buying a gift for each of her kids I sent her a hundred bucks to spend on them. For gifts from her, not me. I don't want credit for it. But see... that's the kind of thing I wish we could see more of around this time of year. So I am simultaneously feeling disgusted with myself for playing into the whole commercial aspect of it, and slightly holier-than-thou for being generous. It's weird.
I didn't really do the big family gathering this year. It usually depends on what all of my sisters are up to. So this year I just took The Mom out. We didn't go where I would have wanted to, but I left the choice up to her.
We should have had Italian on Federal Hill. Oh well. Or crab!
Christmas, on the other hand... I have a problem with. The fact that I do not consider myself a christian has nothing to do with my disgust for Christmas. I know plenty of non-christian people who still participate in the tradition. Anyhow, I'm simply disgusted with the fact that the day and season is constantly becoming more about "stuff" and less about any of the spirit or idealism. Do you know any kids who do not actually EXPECT stuff? Gifts shouldn't be expected.
Advertising used to start at around Black Friday. Today. Christmas music used to start around now also. This year I heard at least two stations playing 100% Christmas songs by Halloween. What the fuck, over? Seriously, that's simply disgusting.
And I hate that I am obligated to buy shit for every kid that I know, regardless of how close of a relationship I have with them. Because if I don't, then I'm a selfish asshole.
On the other hand, one of my sisters... who has many things in life that I WISH I had... such as a house, a spouse, and children... is having a bit of a rough time of things. So in addition to buying a gift for each of her kids I sent her a hundred bucks to spend on them. For gifts from her, not me. I don't want credit for it. But see... that's the kind of thing I wish we could see more of around this time of year. So I am simultaneously feeling disgusted with myself for playing into the whole commercial aspect of it, and slightly holier-than-thou for being generous. It's weird.
I don't hate christmas, but I hate how it starts way too early.