Bah Humbug!

[D!ck Ramsey]

I just had another miserable holiday season with my insane family and decided that I've had enough. I am officially boycotting all this nonsense forever!

I can understand how it could be a nice time of year for normal people...but how many of us really fit into that category? Most of the people I speak to around this time are stressed out, sick and fed up. And who can blame them?

First you got Christmas, which is nothing more than a marketing ploy that plays on our guilt. We are pressured into buying all this crap "just because" and we are obligated to spend time with people who may share our genes, but in most cases have no real concept of family.

Then there's New Years.. when everyone parties like they are going to die the next day. Of course they dont, and all they have left is a huge hangover and a head full of resolutions they will never keep. The ironic part is that YOU are the loser if you decide not to participate!

Personally, I'd like to say a big heartfelt "F*CK YOU" to both of these contrived, forced and miserable times of year. It's cold outside, families are a pain in the ass and I'm broke, so buy your own damn presents and liquor, assh0les.

If anyone needs me, I'll be smoking a fattie with the Grinch.

 

[Obsidian]

I'm with you. I don't particularly believe in Christmas.

There was an article in The Economist a couple years ago about how Christmas expenditures are a deadweight loss for the country. Everyone buys each other gifts, spending money, but the majority of those gifts are not worth as much to the person buying as the gift-giver spent on them. You can't read minds, so the chances of you getting a gift that someone truly values are somewhat slim. So yeah, Christmas is definitely a waste of money and probably a detriment to the economy. The commercialization of the holiday really makes me sick; I would appreciate it a lot more if it were just a regular Christian holiday similar to Easter, where you could go watch nativity plays or The Nutcracker or whatever but didn't feel compelled to make it such a big deal.

The family part, as you said, can also become somewhat forced and artificial. It makes just as much sense to let families schedule their own family reunions whenever (if ever) they find it convenient.

Finally, even the religious aspect of the holiday is totally artificial as well. Jesus wasn't really born on or around December 25, in all likelihood. The Catholic Church just made Christmas to compete with the pagan winter holidays -- kind of like the Jews are trying to make Hannukah such a big deal even though the celebration is for something totally minor and a little silly. Actually, pretty much all religions seem to feel some need to have a major celebration during winter, for whatever reason. In reality, it's actually the damned Jehovah's Witnesses who are right about this issue (They don't celebrate Christmas):

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)


I do think New Year's is kind of a cool holiday, but you shouldn't let it get so blown up in your mind that you feel like a loser for not partying. There are plenty of times to party during the year. I myself have been to plenty of drunken fests, but I've never done a whole lot of partying on New Year's because I'm usually staying with my (conservative) family.

 

[D!ck Ramsey]

Yeah, don't even get me started on Christian propaganda, or the fact that December 25th is also the birthday of ancient gods (and sons of gods).

My family tried to raise me Christian, but that sh!t never really flew with me. No offense to you believers here, it was just never my thing.

To be honest, I am not really that affected by religious aspect anymore. It's the whole forced vibe that goes on this time of year.

I enjoy buying gifts for people, partying and even spending time with the fams on the odd occasion, but I'd rather do it when I damn well feel like it, rather than fall prey to the whims of secular culture.

Glad I'm not alone!

 

[KarmaSutra]

It's a ridiculous time of year strictly for keeping the ol' money machine trucking along.

I'll get stuff for the kids because I'm a big softy and to see a smiling face makes me happy but buying sh!t just for the obligation of the season is complete bullsh!t.

 

[ValleyDJing]

I just had another miserable holiday season with my insane family and decided that I've had enough. I am officially boycotting all this nonsense forever!

I can understand how it could be a nice time of year for normal people...but how many of us really fit into that category? Most of the people I speak to around this time are stressed out, sick and fed up. And who can blame them?

First you got Christmas, which is nothing more than a marketing ploy that plays on our guilt. We are pressured into buying all this crap "just because" and we are obligated to spend time with people who may share our genes, but in most cases have no real concept of family.

Then there's New Years.. when everyone parties like they are going to die the next day. Of course they dont, and all they have left is a huge hangover and a head full of resolutions they will never keep. The ironic part is that YOU are the loser if you decide not to participate!

Personally, I'd like to say a big heartfelt "F*CK YOU" to both of these contrived, forced and miserable times of year. It's cold outside, families are a pain in the ass and I'm broke, so buy your own damn presents and liquor, assh0les.

If anyone needs me, I'll be smoking a fattie with the Grinch.

LOL! :rockon: