I came across this and it made me laugh. I don't agree with all of it, but some of it was quite funny.
I love Christmas, but even I don't like certain things about it.
It did get me thinking: what don't you like about the holidays or Christmas in particular?
For me (in no particular order):
Bad Christmas music - By this I mean music that is poorly performed. It seems practically no one can do Christmas music anymore and haven't for at least twenty-five years or more. I know that's not strictly true because once in awhile a new tune or new version of an oldie comes out that is nice.
Incessant Christmas music - Hey, I love christmas music (decently performed), but it can be too much when it's played nonstop.
Green or brown Christmas - Okay this isn't anyone's fault because we can't control the weather. And it does depend on where you live. But living in a northern country and climate I find green Christmases depressing as hell. Rainy Christmases are even worse. And if you happen to live in a big city and it's raining on Christmas then it's wet, cold and dirty grey and brown---Yuch! Call the crises hotline
Overt commercialism - This has been part-and-parcel of modern Christmas for two hundred years so there is no real escaping it. But you can downplay it by not allowing yourself to get sucked neck deep into it by trying to scale back expectations and unwarranted feelings of guilt. I admire those who seem to have a good handle on this aspect of the holidays. That said seeing Christmas stuff in stores and advertising before Halloween bugs the shit out of me---theres no sense of perspective. Seeing stores and businesses (including on television) wishing you a "Happy Holidays" while trying to entice you to buy "Christmas" gifts strikes me as utter hypocrisy. There's also the pressure to buy expensive and extravagant gifts that are often way beyond the average person's means. This is where your willpower has to kick in to resist unrealistic expectations and unwarranted guilt.
Being alone - I've spent some holidays alone and I know it's no fun. It's easy to see how one can go from just being lonely to becoming outright bitter and tainting your view of everything connected with Christmas. And I understand how it can be hard to be happy for others when you feel you have little to be cheerful for.
Cheesy Christmas movies - This one is similar to bad Christmas music. A film like The Polar Express represents my point well enough---it's just so overdone in practically every way. And I could name quite a few others, but most folks will have their own list. Yeah, I suppose there has to be a measure of schmaltz and corn in a Christmas movie, but there's a fine line and to the point of crossing way over it. Of course you don't have to actually watch those movies. Bad Christmas music, though, is hard to escape because it's everywhere.
Unwarranted guilt - Christmas has come to mean different things to different people. At heart I think it's a time of appreciation for what you have and those close to you. Yes, the day is meant to remember the birth of Christ and what he represents, but I do resent those who might try to make you feel guilty for not being more pious and religiously observant. I respect their right to observe the day in their manner and they should respect my right to observe it in mine. There's also unwarranted guilt in feeling you haven't met someone else's expectations (or your own) in exchanging gifts. It makes a lie of the notion "it's the thought that counts."
That list is a start. Anyone else?
I love Christmas, but even I don't like certain things about it.
It did get me thinking: what don't you like about the holidays or Christmas in particular?
For me (in no particular order):
Bad Christmas music - By this I mean music that is poorly performed. It seems practically no one can do Christmas music anymore and haven't for at least twenty-five years or more. I know that's not strictly true because once in awhile a new tune or new version of an oldie comes out that is nice.
Incessant Christmas music - Hey, I love christmas music (decently performed), but it can be too much when it's played nonstop.
Green or brown Christmas - Okay this isn't anyone's fault because we can't control the weather. And it does depend on where you live. But living in a northern country and climate I find green Christmases depressing as hell. Rainy Christmases are even worse. And if you happen to live in a big city and it's raining on Christmas then it's wet, cold and dirty grey and brown---Yuch! Call the crises hotline
Overt commercialism - This has been part-and-parcel of modern Christmas for two hundred years so there is no real escaping it. But you can downplay it by not allowing yourself to get sucked neck deep into it by trying to scale back expectations and unwarranted feelings of guilt. I admire those who seem to have a good handle on this aspect of the holidays. That said seeing Christmas stuff in stores and advertising before Halloween bugs the shit out of me---theres no sense of perspective. Seeing stores and businesses (including on television) wishing you a "Happy Holidays" while trying to entice you to buy "Christmas" gifts strikes me as utter hypocrisy. There's also the pressure to buy expensive and extravagant gifts that are often way beyond the average person's means. This is where your willpower has to kick in to resist unrealistic expectations and unwarranted guilt.
Being alone - I've spent some holidays alone and I know it's no fun. It's easy to see how one can go from just being lonely to becoming outright bitter and tainting your view of everything connected with Christmas. And I understand how it can be hard to be happy for others when you feel you have little to be cheerful for.
Cheesy Christmas movies - This one is similar to bad Christmas music. A film like The Polar Express represents my point well enough---it's just so overdone in practically every way. And I could name quite a few others, but most folks will have their own list. Yeah, I suppose there has to be a measure of schmaltz and corn in a Christmas movie, but there's a fine line and to the point of crossing way over it. Of course you don't have to actually watch those movies. Bad Christmas music, though, is hard to escape because it's everywhere.
Unwarranted guilt - Christmas has come to mean different things to different people. At heart I think it's a time of appreciation for what you have and those close to you. Yes, the day is meant to remember the birth of Christ and what he represents, but I do resent those who might try to make you feel guilty for not being more pious and religiously observant. I respect their right to observe the day in their manner and they should respect my right to observe it in mine. There's also unwarranted guilt in feeling you haven't met someone else's expectations (or your own) in exchanging gifts. It makes a lie of the notion "it's the thought that counts."
That list is a start. Anyone else?
