<p>I don’t want to sound like the grinch but I really hate Christmas! I hate it because of all the hypocrisy that I see at this time by some members of my family towards me. I’m not a materialist so I don’t like when they give me gifts just because its a social obligation instead of pure love.</p>
<p>Sell the gifts to pay for college!</p>
<p>Not everybody in my family gets along well, either, but when a group of us get together on Christmas, everybody brings a Christmas present for everybody else. (We’re a small family, so the number of gifts is reasonable.)</p>
<p>Now think about how weird it would look if person X bought a gift for everyone except person Y because X and Y aren’t getting along well at the moment. It would be conspicuous and embarrassing. It’s a lot easier to just go buy a wallet or a scarf or a book and wrap it. An ugly scene can be averted by forking over $25 in a store.</p>
<p>It may help to think of exchanging gifts as the official Christmas ritual, just as eating turkey is the official Thanksgiving ritual and watching fireworks is the official Fourth of July ritual. It doesn’t have to mean anything. You just go with the flow and do it.</p>
<p>Just accept the gift, thank the giver, smile, nod, and move on. It really is OK to sell/re-gift/donate the item as soon as the holiday is over. As I wrote on the re-gifting thread the the cafe, I have dropped stuff at Goodwill on my way home after a family holiday.</p>
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<p>That is pretty much the way I think about it. If I had my way we (society) would only give gifts to kids and keep it very simple at that. I overheard a guy say in Best Buy the other day, 'isn’t it ironic that we go out and buy all of these gifts to celebrate the birth of a man who was not materialistic at all?" </p>
<p>I do think that ‘rituals’ whether it be Christmas gift exchanges, weddings, funerals, church services, etc. are important to many people and to society in general. I just hate that there is so much pressure to buy and decorate and attend parties, etc in such a short period of time. I do find it stressful at times. So glad it’s over for another 12 months. Am ‘un-decorating’ with glee today! :)</p>
<p>I LOVE Christmas and everything that is tied to it (yes, even Christmas songs that are played constantly in stores) :).</p>
<p>I will admit, though, that it has gotten better in the past years because we don’t visit our extended (and crazy) family anymore. Now, it is just my close family and I love it.</p>
<p>There are some things you do because it is polite or expected not because you want to.
Taking out the garbage, kissing your great uncle with cigar breath,accepting a gift that you will never use from a cousin you barely know.</p>
<p>However- I will also say that considering there are so many people in the world, without family, without those to exchange pleasantries with, that to assume you know the motivations and emotions behind others giving you attention/presents, is presumptuous and egocentric.
I try and always assume best intentions.
It helps me become a better person, & that is important to me.</p>
<p>But, I am still grateful this is not my family. ( although H’s side is close!)
[Robert</a> Earl Keene’s Merry Christmas from the Family - YouTube](<a href=“Robert Earl Keene's Merry Christmas from the Family - YouTube”>Robert Earl Keene's Merry Christmas from the Family - YouTube)</p>
<p>Momlive has an interesting view, and points out the limited view of the man she overheard in BestBuy. Apparently, the fellow in bestbuy had not heard of the 3 kings bringing valuable gifts to the baby “to celebrate the birth of a man who was not materialistic at all?” Giving gifts isn’t ironic at all; in fact it is very much in keeping with the spirit and acts of those who gave gifts so may years ago… Those who choose to believe in Christ as the Savior and choose to give Christmas gifts should know more of the story than what that fellow knew.</p>
<p>If you don’t like it, don’t observe it. Everyone around you will figure it out and will more or less leave you alone.</p>
<p>It can be a lot easier if you live in an area with different religious traditions.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say I hate it, but I am not always a huge Christmas fan and am will admit that I have some satisfaction when it’s done and put away. I do love the family time, love giving gifts and such but sort of hate the expectations, all the steps involved ( decorating in and out, baking, wrapping, deadlines, time sucked out of me!!) Also not a fan of Christmas music for the most part. So I guess I would just like Christmas in a reduced, simple way. I nixed the whole Christmas card process years ago and never looked back. That helped a bit. :)</p>