Holidays--bah, humbug

[F, Calla & Luca]

We all made it through thanksgiving! Am I the only one who thinks we should abolish holidays and just celebrate whenever there's a personal reason too. Holidays are herd events resulting in too much hoopla, traffic, stress, advertising and pressure. Then there are the people with no where to go who feel particularly lonely and isolated. Thanksgiving is my favorite because of it's meaning and the absence of gift giving. One of my sons always complains about "Hallmark Holidays".

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

No you are not the only one. Most times, I just keep my mouth shut about dreading holidays. But I do.

Now on to Christmas with a real big smile.

[Karen & Lucy]

WELL, I agree AND disagree.............. I LOVE Christmas because of the meaning, the birth of Christ, but I do agree on what it means to alot of people and it does result in a lot of hoopla resulting in stress. It is the time of year though to remember the gift that God gave us, His Son, and in turn celebrate by giving to others. All of the other holidays except for Easter are family times for us to get together. Families need to be together more in these times than ever. I love giving so I can't wait for Christmas. I lost my mother 2 years ago on Christmas and miss her dearly, BUT she was a gift giver and family person and so I am trying to carry on her tradition in her memory.

[Chris & Boys]

You hit the nail on the head!

[Debbie and Thomas]

Karen- I also lost my mother almost 2 years ago on Christmas Day. It was so awful for my sisters, brother and I. I get thru Christmas now, but I really find it hard.

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

I used to dread the holidays, when the children were little.

Now, I look forward to seeing the children and grandchildren and love the looks on the childrens' faces when they open their gifts.

Thanksgiving is a time, for us, for giving thanks for all we DO have.

Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child and give each other gifts, as proxies for the gifts we would have given to the baby Jesus.

We have always tried not to commercialize it too much, and made it a time for family, friends and the DOGGIES! We still put up stockings for every dog,cat, bird or horse we have ever had, and talk about them and how wonderful they were. Sometimes we get teary eyed, but each and every Christmas, each family member, human, canine, avian, equine, feline, dead or alive gets remembered.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Well I LOVE the REASONs for the Holidays, just HATE the commercialism associated with it. It's all so overdone that by the time the the day comes it's total sensory overload! Come on...Christmas decorations out before HOLLOWEEN!
I'm with you, what's wrong with celebrating God's birth and giving the gift of love to eachother EVERYDAY!!!! I have a feeling that may be the way it was originally intended! Not the circus that Hallmark, Macy's and Black Fridays have turned it into.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I both love and am tired of the major holidays. I have always loved Christmas except for a short teen-age period. I try to recreate the magical feeling every year. I feel that it is important to take time to reflect, to review the wonder and awe, the innocence and expectations of childhood. If we don't take the time to dream, life gets boring and too practical. Christmas makes me dream. Creating magic with and for children is so fun - and I am not talking about money spending. Now that said and now that my kids are adults - what can you get them? What activities can you have to snatch them from their busy lives? How can you help them take the time for the reflection and the "dream?" None of my children cares much about holidays and just having fun with the hoopla, decorating, etc. so I find myself less interested in "making magic" for others. We all get together, but like others have said we don't need holidays to do this, but we need holidays to hold those special moments.

[shelly]

I agree - every year as I scamper around trying to get gifts for people who don't really NEED anything, I am always upset with myself for doing that too. Christmas should be celebrated for what it truly is and taking the time to spend with the family doing family things and enjoying each other's company. Every year I say the same thing - maybe one year I'll get MY Christmas wish and do - just that!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

for many many years my family has celebrated Christmas by just spending the day home with no gifts. We usually exchange gifts at a different time.

Easter and Christmas are too commercial.

[shelly]

agreed!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sounds good to me too.

[Ann]

I love Thanksgiving and I love Christmas too. The only think I do NOT like about it is finding something special for everyone on my list. I love to surprise people with gifts and I try to buy something meaningful and small. Nothing big. But it gets harder and harder every year and that stresses me. That's what I don't like. And I try not to complain too much about the commercialism of it all. That's a big turn off.

But......I love love LOVE the meaning of both holidays...thanksfulness, Jesus and getting together with family and friends!!!!