hehe, no worries! I find myself saying I have to go "Christmas shopping" rather than "holiday shopping" all the time. It's just easier - especially since most of the presents I buy are for people that celebrate Christmas anyways
SHOPPING EXTORTION!!!!
That said, I got the wife a Garmin GPS navigator (Street Pilot C330) from Best Buy last night. She has no clue which way, north our south, east or west is, and even though she's been to my work 5 times at least, she still asks me for directions. I played with this thing and it is so easy to use and talks to you.
To her family, I got them a really cool poker set with assorted chips, two decks, handsome case, etc.
For my sister, I got her a 3-pack of fuzzy socks that will keep her feet warm and some pajamas.
That's all I've bought so far. The rest of the family I asked what they wanted, they said nothing, so they get cash.
I thought Hanukkah was on the same day as Christmas this year, but of course I don't know which day(s) you give gifts during that celebration.
It does start on the 25th but my family is a bit unconventional. Since we have Christmas with half the family and Hanukkah with the other half, we split days we are celebrating on. Because of vacation, we won't be celebrating with the Jewish side til late next week.
My immediate family gave up on giving gifts to eachother because it got too difficult. Now we designate one day of Hanukkah where we all go shopping together. Everyone picks one store and each person has to get something from that store that the orginal person pays for. So we end up shopping at 4 different stores and getting 4 things that we usually want. My family is odd ^__^
Because I hate being forced to do anything or buy something for someone when I feel like I have to, and not when I want to. Listen, I'm in no way a cheap bastard and I love buying gifts for my friends and family. In fact, I seriously would consider myself very generous.
But, Xmas and Valentine's Day, man do I hate conforming to societies expectations that you have to buy someone something, e.g. gift exchange at work, or because some relative always gets you something for Xmas, even though you may see that relative only once or twice a year. Then you buy out of guilt, not because you really want to.
True . . . these sentiments have been grounded in me because I didn't grow up celebrating Xmas (grew up a Jehovah's Witness) so we didnt' celebrate Xmas. Now that I no longer practice my former Xian faith, I feel compelled to partially participate in gift giving, but I'm still not used to the idea.
I like giving gifts all year round to the people that would appreciate them. I don't like doing it because 'tis the season or some catchy Hallmark phrase tells me to do it.
The one thing I like about Xmas is that you get time off and have that oh so valuable time to spend with your family members. I think eating, drinking and laughing together are the best holiday gifts, but I hate holiday shopping and I hate malls and Costcos and traffic during the hoidays.
To those who love this holiday, good for you, don't let me rain on your parade. Peace.
Wow the 3 grinches. I'm just kidding. I love this time of year. Not for the presents but because I get to see family that I don't normally see. My family is so spread out that this is the only time of year we all get together or atleast talk on the phone more. And that is the meaning of this time of year to me. Spending time with loved ones. So Happy Holidays to all!(even the 3 grinches )
Damn right!!! The sellers of the US market have pushed this whole thing on the American consumer. Obviously if you don't buy a present, you don't care.
Total brainwashing, so much so that no one really cares about what is behind Xmas & Santa Claus.
I would say 199 out of 200 people don't know the origins of Santa Claus.
__________________
Now I'm just laid bad - G35Princess
R.I.P. MBC
Santa Claus was an orphan who was left at the door of abuncha dudes name Claus....he grew up poor and something something sometthing about people leaving shoes outside their front door and he would fill it with coal or food or something....and then a reindeer with a rednose was teased alot and he outfought the everyone and became head reindeer....
There is nothing demonic implied by our boss dressing up as Santa simply because Satan is an anagram of Santa.
Had an arguement with a coworker the other day about the origins of christmas. It was funny in its irony that myself the christian was argueing that christmas was a coopting of pagan holidays; while my coworker the athiest was argueing that christmas started as a christian holiday
__________________
Everyone is finally equal. No one is smarter than anyone else. No one is stronger than anyone else. No one is better. Everyone is worse.