Tis the Season to Celebrate Christmas!

[hooplady]

So much hatred and violence in the world.  If someone takes the time to wish me Happy, Merry, Blessed, Joyous, Safe, or even Mildly Tolerable anything I am appreciative.

[JaxByDefault]

I celebrate Agnostimus.  We're not sure about anything but we're not offended either.

LOL! That, and the antimaterialist sentiments you expressed, just about sum it all up for me.

When it gets right down to it, I hate the materialism of all the holidays. That's one reason why Ms. JaxByDefault's family travels and spends most of it's holiday energy on New Year celebrations. Mr. JaxByDefault's family, however, is still married to the idea of a big family Christmas with heaps of gifts, tons or shopping and stress, and too few adult beverages to make it all easier.  So our options if we go spend the holidays with extended family are travel with Ms. JaxByDefault's big, loud, crazy family; or Mr. JaxByDefault's family country Christmas extravaganza.

...then there's the cooking, the cleaning, the guests, the decorating...ahh, the holidays. Whatever your prefered greeting, we can all agree that they more stressful than they were when we were kids.

So, to UTG, Merry Christmas! To everyone else, Happy Holidays! Now, get cooking everyone.

[JeffreyS]

It is an Urban myth that people are offended by happy or merry whatever.  No retailer is trying to end Christmas they just try to say please buy something any way they can.  People will see a happy holidays card and think oh they are so PC even though that same retailer also carries Christmas cards. 

[Matt]

I want snow.
Is Winter Wonderland like a country I can move to?

[brainstormer]

These comments have cracked me up.  I would agree that the materialism of "Christmas" has turned me off to the whole season.  I wonder how Christmas became so materialized in the first place?  I mean how did the idea of going into debt to make sure everyone has tons of presents get started?  My family has completely stopped the gift giving.  We spend the money on airfare and food and then cooking and spending time together.  I think this change has made the whole holiday season much more enjoyable.  We are such a spoiled brat nation.  I became one myself and trying to rid myself of it is really hard.  I say whatever your religion and whatever traditions you celebrate, do so this year by reminding yourself of the real meaning behind what you believe.  If you just have to buy something, buy books and then give a child 15 minutes of your time to read together.  You'll help make the world a better place...I promise.

[uptowngirl]

Brainstormer that is is the best idea for the season:

"Buy a book and give 15 mins to a child to read with them"

I LOVE it!

[jbm32206]

Me too! As for the discussion and feelings about the holidays in general....yes, this is a diverse nation of many cultures, religions and so forth. Christmas is without a doubt, a Christian holiday...celebrating the birth of our Saviour. And yes, it's been commercialized over the years, and there have been ongoing attempts (many successful) in making this about everything but the birth of Christ. However, it's meaning and celebrations still vary from celebrating the winter solstice to the celebration of the birth of Christ.

I find nothing wrong with wishing someone "happy holidays" as a general greeting...but I do have issue with wanting to dismantle and do away with the real reason for the holiday. I don't like that we can no longer have Christmas celebrations at school, or in public offices, etc...where the name Christ is removed. We're forced to have holiday or winter celebrations. This country was founded upon the Christian faith...and we're evolving into a non-Christian society. I totally respect other religions, and would have no problem with city offices, etc decorating for other religious events. It wouldn't bother me at all to have the Star of David, or what would be displayed for Kwanzaa...and so on. This to me, would be a more reasonable way to celebrate the diversity of our nation. I just don't like it when we're forced to not mention the real reason for Christmas.

[CMG22]

I opt for Chrismahanukwanzadan, hope for the fun of Festivus, and celebrate Christmas with the whole Italian side of the family, with about a bottle of wine for each adult, sex talk, and "ear muffs" for the kids...

[BridgeTroll]

We are such a spoiled brat nation.

This is so true it hurts...

[JaxNole]

Just so everyone knows, I accept all gifts this time of the year, whether intended for Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukaah, Maligayang Pasko, Yule, Weihnachten, etc....

PM me for delivery locations.

[jbm32206]

Here's a thought...when doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

Holiday Mail for Heroes

From the front lines to the home front, the American Red Cross provides service members, their families and veterans with the care and assistance they need.

The Red Cross is partnering with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. For the second year in a row, we’re collecting holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Pitney Bowes is generously donating technology, resources and postage to make this holiday card program possible.

Our goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.

Please send cards to this address, following the guidelines listed below:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-545

http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/

[BridgeTroll]

What a great idea!!  Thanks jbm!

[uptowngirl]

Great Idea JBM, we send cards and phone cards every year!!!

[jbm32206]

Good for you, and just think, if we all sent a card...what a difference that would make

[Doctor_K]

I opt for Chrismahanukwanzadan, ...

Freakin' love it.  Well done CMG.  I was thinking something similar.  I love those "Merry Christmahanukwanzukah" commercials from a couple years ago.  Sums it up well. 

How about, "Happy Christmahanukwanzukahdanivus"?  Works for me just fine.

Happy Christmahanukwanzukahdanivus my MetroJacksonville friends!