OK, Who Else Is Just Not Feeling The Holiday Spirit Right Now?

[Plaid Adder]

I usually love the Christmas season. For one thing, our anniversary is in December, so it's like everyone is celebrating with us, which is nice. We do the advent readings, set up the tree, I used to always bake cookies back when I had the time, and so on.

This year I'm just not up for it. Anniversary still a fabulous event. Christmas season itself...well, for Christ's sake. Peace on earth? Goodwill toward men? On what fucking planet?

I've only got two members of my family covered and I'm already sick of buying stuff. I hate Christmas shopping anyway--everything is crowded and hyper and loud and insane and you feel like an ant in a colony--but I also notice that when people ask me what I want for Christmas I don't really have an answer. MOst of what I want is impossible. I'd like the fucking war to finally be over. I'd like someone else inaugurated this January. I'd like to be living somewhere that the Pod People haven't taken over. I'd like to be able to get married. I would settle, even, for feeling like we'd 'turned the corner' and things would start getting better. Ain't none of that gonna be under the tree.

It will be nice to see my family again, and Liza's family, and to catch up with some old friends in the area...but it's also just depressing, doing those advent readings and thinking about what's happening now. God sends his son to earth to try to teach us not to be assholes to teach other and now look what's happened.

Ah well. Better luck next year, maybe. A lot could happen in a year.

Sigh,

The Plaid Adder

[Sannum]

1. I am like you.

Last christmas was hell, so I might end up going to this Hebrew Deli/Bar that will be open that day and stay away from the bullshit. To me, there is nothing to celebrate this year. Nothing. I have no money and I think that I and the people I love are cursed. I don't want anything material for Christmas, I just want things to change for the better and for this horrible climate of right-wing hypocracy to go away and us to stop these fucking wars of profit. I want John Kerry in the White House and the Bush Cabal cooling their heels in the Hague.

Merry Christmas, Indeed:eyes:

[JimmyJazz]

2. I am in the same mood. Usually by this time, I am finished

shopping and am enjoying the other parts of the holiday. I actually had to do the bulk of my Christmas shopping today - the busiest day of the year. Fortunately, I fell into some good buys, so I feel better.

Plus, (and don't tell anyone I did this) I did the really annoying thing of talking on my cell phone to a friend the entire 2 hours! I know it's a pet peeve of most people, but it really did keep me sane, especially when the people in front of me at the toy store were pulling items from their cart and making a FINAL DECISION as to whether or not they actually wanted the items. I was getting a bit steamed, but survived.

[ramapo]

3. Mostly skipping the holiday

My kids are older and don't care about it. There's nothing to buy that we need so we've decided not to buy stuff just for the sake of buying.

Last year we were away for the holiday which was very nice. Couldn't manage it this year.

I think we might just go to a movie, get chinese food and relax.

[Piperay]

29. Same here

I don't have anyone to buy for everyone has so much crap...pretty much skipping the whole thing.

[LiberalEsto]

4. Your feelings speak to me, too, Plaid

especially concerning the war and the inauguration,

I cherish just one precious, tiny hope -- that somehow we can make the next year or two as miserable for W as the rethugs did for Clinton.

Enjoy the people you love, and set aside the rest for a few days. I think we all need a short break from the insanity before we can return to the fray.

[GetTheRightVote]

5. I am down too, * & Com are killing our children w/ no end to war in sight

* and com are unhuman parasites on this earth and so are their followers who do not have the heart to understand that the murder of innocent people is not acceptable to a truly good person. I cry for all that this country has lost behind this adminstration of evilness, our own axis of evil = American Style.

I am waiting for a mircle to save us from them all which has yet to happen but I hope does soon. Pictures pop into my mind of the deaths and harm caused to the people of the world due to this country's greed and I can not sleep at night due to it. I love my children, my mother, my siblings, yet I believe that this time of year is about more then my immediate family but extends to all of the people thru out our planet earth.

The Christian world and this celebration is dying a slow death behind those who project they are Christains and yet do not live up to the true meaning of Jesus Christ's birth and death. I live in NC and this is probably the worst place to be this time of year since the signs of Christainity are around me everywhere but the true meaning of it does not exist within it.

I can hardly stand the fakeness of it all, most of the NC individuals I have met love Bush and support the war, I hate it here this time of year.

[UTDemocrat8204]

49. As Charlie Brown would say

"Christmas is so commerical."

[The Zanti Regent]

6. Plaid, I tried to talk to my only child today.

Went to the VA Cemetery to tell him how much I miss him...but I just kept crying. Then you deal with idiots who tell you to move on. Idiots who voted for the asshole who killed my boy.

[GetTheRightVote]

10. Thank you for sharing, nothing brings back the lost of a loved one

and nothing can make the pain go away either, I cry for my father yet today, Tell those ignorent assholes to go f**k themselves. Sorry for the french.

[Plaid Adder]

31. I'm very sorry, Zanti Regent

That must be awful. How long has he been gone?

THe Plaid Adder

[The Zanti Regent]

43. Plaid, it was Bush's thanksgiving present to me.

My boy beleived all the bullshit that he saw on the tube. He wanted to go and get even for 9/11. He wouldn't listen. He went and got a bullet that cut his spinal cord and left him in agony for months. They put him in the cemetery just before thanksgiving.

They tell me to get over it. It hurts so much, especially seeing that Bush now has a blank check to do anything.

I want to ask John Kerry why he abandoned me. I want to ask him whose child will be the last to die for his fellow Bonesman's lust for power.

I have no faith in America, because America is dead. I want California out of Jesusland because that is the only way we can now stop these Jesusistas!

[Tsiyu]

33. Your post sent chills up my spine

Oh, how you must remember and cherish every Christmas before.

People can be so cold, but you can get a DU hug here :hug: :grouphug:

[UTDemocrat8204]

51. I'm sorry

you lost your little boy. :( :hug:

[Valerie5555]

52. Here's hoping the Bush girls show GREAT faith in their father's abilities

as "Commander In Chief" and both join the military.

[Arianrhod]

56. How heartbreaking.

I grieve with you, and for all those who have lost their lives and loves in this immoral occupation.

[momzno1]

7. this holiday season sucks...

I just want it to pass, quickly...

[nostamj]

8. i'd rather drink rancid egg nog

and eat fruitcake from the eisenhower administration than deal with this MANDATORY, corporate-state 'holiday' season.

but, I've loathed this PHONEY holiday (as "celebrated") for over 30 years.

[Selatius]

9. We're too poor to afford gifts in my family

We really don't have the money, and we were robbed over Thanksgiving. What money was left for the end of the year was stolen. It's all right though. Nobody got hurt or killed, and we still have our health and each other. That's good enough. Too many sad memories for me over Christmas anyway.

Just be happy for what you have left. It may not be much, but it certainly beats living in despair.

[lakelly]

11. Merry Christmas

:hi:Me too. Me too. I mostly love this time of year. (probably 90% of the time.) But not this year. We're going through the motions and all. I have a 14 year old and I'm determined to make sure we celebrate Christmas. But I'm disconnected from the "spirit of the season" The only thing that felt genuine to me were a few gifts that I purchased for an adopt a child drive. Honestly, for those few moments I was there, in the spirit of Christmas. But after the gifts were delivered to their final destination I looked around, and bam the feeling was gone. I've done most, almost all, of my Christmas shopping over the internet or by phone. I avoid the mall. I was only there 1x since Thanksgiving and there are no cookies baking or Holiday music playing in our house right now. Just a regular Saturday. I'm depressed as I've been under a lot of stress lately, some of it is personal, some of it is what's going on in the country politically. I hope I'm not sounding ungracious. I'm lucky, in the scheme of things. I know it. I have much gratitude. But the Christmas spirit isn't there. Oh well. I'm off now to take my 14 year old to the mall. I'll check back in later to see how others are faring.
Peace
Edited for unnecessary sarcasm

[SW FL Dem]

73. Exactly!

I usually love Christmas, it's my favorite time of year. This year I just don't give a sh*t. I always decorate my house to the hilt inside and out starting the day after Thanksgiving. This year, I still don't have any lights on the outside of the house and it's less than a week until Christmas. I did decorate the inside of the house because it's easy and it annoys the hell out of my Jewish MIL (who is gracing us with her presence this New Years).
The only shopping I have done has been for the kids - I have a 13 year old and it isn't fair for my depression to ruin his holiday, the same for my nieces and nephews. Hubby and I aren't exchanging this year, we don't need more "stuff". I just can't get into the spirit this year, it looks like I am not alone.

[G_j]

12. America spits in the face of

mercy, peace, good will and then celebrates Christmas?
The 'Prince of Peace' would see the naked hypocrisy for what it is.
I'm not celebrating anything this year and Christmas was a central day for my family since I was a child.
Ashes and sackcloth would be more appropriate.

[Demos]

13. Religion and Politics

Take whatever joy, peace and love you can from your Christian faith, you deserve it and will need it for the political battles ahead. Jesus loves even Republicans making him definitely the most liberal man who ever lived.

[otohara]

70. You Forgot The Media

who is fueling the fire - Love your last line

[Longgrain]

14. Just me...

I'm not a Grinch or a Scrooge...no anti-holiday sentiment here...I really want to get into the holidays, like a lot of people. It has just been a rough couple of years for my family and myself, with two close family members unemployed, a dear friend who recently moved away, and a personal relationship I had high hopes for not working out...

I generally tend to be a cheerful person, and look forward to the the good times and the humor as much as anyone...I still sort of feel the spirit, but mostly just as an observer rather than a participant...wistfully watching from a distance...:-(

[AlCzervik]

15. I feel like i'm just going through the motions this year

I smile for my daughter's sake but i'm not feeling it all this year.

[eleny]

16. I think Santa feels the same way

[quaker bill]

17. Reclaim Christmas from the corporate profiteers...

I am doing alot of cooking this year. My only significant expenditure has been on a new musical instrument for my daughter, that was made in France.

Otherwise I am mostly cooking and baking to avoid subsidizing the regime or buying from local craftsmen.

Keep it simple, make it fun, call it a solstice celebration if it suits you.

There are sufficient things to be depressed about and no doubt, any shortage today will be made up for tomorrow. You might as well enjoy the company of family and friends.

Take a pass on the news for a day, you and pretty well count on the fact that you will miss little if anything that is joyful. You can catch up pretty quick later if the need arises.

[noiretextatique]

18. totally NOT feeling it

and here i am, working in a mall and listening to Xmas musak all day long :puke: perhaps that has something to do with it too, but i'm just not up for it at all. planning to skip the whole thing this year...doesn't help that my bday is xmas eve either. it just adds to the pressure to be jolly and happy and all of that jazz. it's hard to just BE during this time of year, but i am going to do my best.
a massage, hottub and steam on the bday, then hide out at home (with lobster and champagne, of course) until monday when it's all blessedly over. then...gear up for the new year.

[Gloria]

19. Have mostly ignored it for years....first, lots of family deaths

around this time; fed up with the commercialism; fed up with the RW Christians; fed up with my family of RW Christians/other RW weirdos including my mother, whom I'm stuck with...

A couple of gifts to people who haven't alienated me...and then I call it quits, other than watching a couple of Christmas movies for the hell of it....esp. the TRACTOR movie....

[Pirate Smile]

20. The mood is gone. I was looking forward to how happy and hopeful

Christmas would be this year after Kerry won.

I'm doing my best for the kids but my heart is not in it.

[karlrschneider]

21. Except as an excuse to pig out, we quit 'observing' all holidays 15 years

ago. But for those who do, best wishes.

[BattyDem]

22. Same here, Plaid

I'm not into it at all this year. I didn't even bother to decorate or put up a tree. I didn't do any baking. I'm writing my cards at this very moment, not because I want to, but because I have to. It's hard to be festive when everything's such a mess. :-(

[Lisa]

23. I haven't been able to get excited about Christmas since the early 90s

For one thing, my birthday is close enough to the season that everything just kind of blurs together -- I've taken to hiding and just not celebrating because I've gotten tired of co-workers and even friends using my b-day as an excuse to go out and get smashed (and then get angry at me because I try to leave the party early for some peace and quiet). In any case, most of the people I wish could be there aren't able to attend, because they're stressed about exams -- or now that we're older, more family responsibilities at this time of year.

I also had a bizarre relationship incident a few years ago, where I was invited over to my significant other's place for the holiday -- and promptly introduced to his new girlfriend!

And my job requires a lot of work at this time of year, plus having to remain upbeat and cheerful when I cover for people who've left me a bunch of extra work "because I need to leave early for Christmas". I'm going to be marking right through until New Year's -- all the while fielding irate calls from administrators who can't understand why I haven't been able to finish 150 exams on my own. I haven't been able to spend the holiday season, or my birthday, with my parents for more than a decade now -- due to economic constraints, and the fact that I'm the person who gets called in to substitute when a faculty member quits or gives up a course due to illness. This frequently means I have only 2 weeks to get a full semester course ready to teach, and I have to use all of those days.

And this is on top of the frustration with commercialism, hypocrisy, and confrontations with gloating neo-con relatives, alluded to by earlier posters.

Anyway -- one thing that did make me feel a lot happier was the news about the alternative US delegation that showed up at the global warming meeting. I confess I burst out laughing at the thought of George W.'s cabal being upstaged by New England, all set to make deals with the rest of the world. At least I'll have something upbeat to teach the kids in the new year.


Hope you and Liza will have a nice quiet week, PA.

[leftchick]

24. me too! No fucking cheer here either!

That makes it all the more sad because of my two young sons. :(

We did go shopping as a family today at our outdoor shopping center with trolleys and carolers and all that cheer! I had gastroenteritis and had to race home! :(

[UTDemocrat8204]

53. I love your

rudolph icon. Can I use it?

[leftchick]

58. here you go...

There are a whole bunch of them here....

http://www.cosgan.de/smilie.php?wahl=21&ziel=xmas

I was hoping they would put me in the spirit but they haven't. I hope they work better for you.

peace,
lc

[Lizzie Borden]

25. Too many relatives have died

there's pretty much nobody to celebrate with and I don't like the crass commercialism. It's all just too much. I'll be relieved when it is over and we can get back to normal, which in Wisconsin is surviving winter.

[ramapo]

42. Yeah, me too

My once large family has shrunk to a few

[Skittles]

26. difficult

the reinstallation of that f***ing moron into the White House and my brother's death in November just knocked the wind out of me; I just want this f***ing year to be OVER. :(

[journalist3072]

27. Christmas

I'm definitely not in the Christmas spirit this year. I don't know what's wrong with me.

I think my spirit is just grieved by all that's going on in the world.

I've been trying to remember that Christmas is not about us, though. It is about the wonderful birth of Christ.

But this year, it just doesn't 'feel' like Christmas to me.

[Piperay]

28. No spirit

whatsoever, I haven't put the tree up, haven't sent out cards and haven't bought anything...that's what the prospect of 4 more years of chimp will do to a person. :-(

[Undercover Owl]

30. Christmas-hype is annoying.

Dec 24th and 25th are enjoyable, but I don't see the need to extend the "holidays to November 1. Not everyone is feeling the joy. x(

[starroute]

32. Go listen to John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

(Happy Xmas Kyoko
Happy Xmas Julian)

So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Xmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Xmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Xmas
And what have we done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so happy Xmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very Merry Xmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now

Happy Xmas

[SarahB]

34. Zero

I'm trying to feel something for my children, but I don't this year.

[Digit]

35. I'm in mourning for my country...so it is difficult to celebrate ANYTHING

It is difficult to be jovial when I see so many people being killed in this trumped up war, and knowing that many, many more will die.

It is hard to celebrate when I know so many are without jobs and unemployment is on the rise.

I don't feel like shopping when people are losing their homes and foreclosures are on the rise in this horrible economy, which will only become worse.

Who can be happy about the prospect of Social Security being ruined by this administration.

I am in mourning. My country is dying a slow, horrible death.

[Ladyhawk]

36. Um, ditto.

You said it well.

I won't be having Christmas because I won't be having a family this year. At least I don't have to go through all the pretending. I especially loathe the reading of the birth of Jesus, because I know what the evil form of Christianity has done to my family.

Sometimes I wish there was a hell for Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson to burn in, as well as an especially hot place for Rush Limbaugh, who corrupted my father and brother, and Sean Hannity, who appears to be corrupting everyone.

[NuttyFluffers]

57. i think Dante's inferno has a place for Falwell's and Robertson's

he'd probably place them in the malbowges where the sinners of the crime of Simony are punished, on the 8th circle of hell. Simony is the crime of using the church for material gains -- basically punishment for indulgences at that time, but any abuse of the church, and twisting of its doctrines for personal enrichment would do. Named for ... I believe ?Pope? Simon who was particularly well known for selling indulgences and priesthood positions.

They get tortured by getting buried upside-down, in as deep as their sin, and then have the souls of their feet burn eternally in flame. and when he who would take their place (who commited an equal amount of sin, essentially) they'd be squished on into the earth, deep into the crevass, as the new person comes in. they'd also feel flames all about along with increasing pressure from the unforgiving earth about them and the weight of the sinners above.

hope that cheers you up :D

[Liberty Belle]

37. Buy everything at "blue" companies like Costco for your Republican family.

If you have any strong Dems on your gift list, give a donation in their name to a good progressive group like DFA or MoveOn. You'll feel better!

[LibDemAlways]

66. I love seeing W04 stickers on cars

in the Costco lot. Love to see these dumbasses supporting Dems without realizing it.

[The Straight Story]

38. Actually, I am more so this year than others really

My dept adopted a family for christmas, bought all the gifts and delivered them to the kids' center. Then we took some from one center to another for them.

Some families had 12 kids, the one we adopted had 6. Parents were in a rough way and we pretty much covered their wish list.

That, to me, was one gift I gave myself - helping someone less fortunate this year, because I have been there myself. Next year we will work ahead and help more families (we got an email about it last minute so could not do as much as we would like).

A family depressed under the current times needed some help, and we brought some joy to them - I don't need a pat on the back for it, just the joy I felt in doing something positive for someone in the dumps right now made my season. I made a difference to someone I will never meet and who will never know me. Somewhere on christmas day a poor family of immigrants will wake up on christmas morning with gifts from santa, and kids will laugh. That image is my gift this year.


Then too there is mom. She has been in hospital about 5 weeks, and came home yesterday. Still sick and beings I live next door I go over and do what I can - but it was not looking good for her weeks ago, we nearly lost her.

My wife is in CA spending the first christmas for many years with her family with our daughter (I decided to stay home and help mom) - so I will miss my first christmas with my wife and daughter, but I am thankful to have mom getting better and that my in-laws get to spend their first christmas with their granddaughter.

I will wake up alone this christmas (not the first time in my life) missing the ones I so longed to have a holiday with. But I am filled with joy. A family will have a christmas, a mother is recovering, a wife is making mends with a family that so long seemed to grow apart from her and treat her poorly. Things for so many are going well, and I had a little part in it. I can wake up with a smile knowing that others are doing ok and kids are laughing somewhere, and in some small way I helped.

I only wish I had done more, for me that is what it comes down to. Christmas is what I make of it, and I choose to make the best of it all. Some families may not have a good one - but next year I as an individual can work on making that better. I don't need the government to help out, I need myself to work a little harder next year to make a better life for others through my daily actions.

There have always been bad things going on in the world, always will be. It is up to me, and others, to make that change. * may be one man with power to do many things, but I am one man too who can use the power of time and dedication to do good - if the world does not get better I need to look at myself first and what I have done (or not done). Together we can make the world a better place, despite the assholes in power the world over. There are billions of people on earth, and only a few leaders - we have more power than they do, we just need to use it.

[UTDemocrat8204]

54. I'm glad your

Mom is doing better. My granddad about a month or so ago got lung cancer but he seems to be doing okay. Things just aren't the same this year. :(

[nightperson]

39. I've been an overt X-mas resister for a long, long time.

I encourage sites like this.

I think my Puritan ancestors would be proud of me.

[goforit]

40. Just hang you're capitalist tree upside-down this year.

It's good therapy.

[Lefty48197]

41. I'm loving the Christmas season just like I always do.

Sorry to hijack your thread.

[AgadorSparticus]

44. this is the first year that i am not celebrating christmas. it's a little

odd but i just cannot get into the mood this year. this was a horrific year for us. we had 2 very painful deaths in the family and some personal setbacks that is taking an emotional toll as well. and that is all before the election. we feel completely beat up and spent. this is the first year i feel like this.

like someone posted above, we are going to order chinese too. and watch movies until our eyes pop off.

[Bouncy Ball]

45. If I think about politics

or the state of the world, I can't enjoy it, which is why I will be scarce here for the next week.

When I can totally get away from thinkig of those things (it happens) I can enjoy it.

What I am really enjoying is our simple Christmas. We just enjoy being with each other, baking cookies, watch Christmas movies, take long walks and look at the lights. We did very minimal gifts this year. As in two gifts per person and three people to buy for. We decided we like this so much, next year we will do little stocking things only. There is less of a focus on gifts, so we're able to focus on what we want to enjoy.

But I hear ya. Every Christmas song that mentions peace tears me up.

[Unforgiven]

46. Feel

really "disconnected" with the holiday season this year.

[Porcupine]

47. Post sElection, Post divorce miserable Christmas...

I don't have a single light, card or ornament anywhere. Shopping for gifts literally turns my stomach.

My ex is taking the kids to Canada to visit her mom. She didn't even ask me or bother to give me a schedule. I feel like an emotional black hole; no ray of hope or cheer has a chance around me.

Heart now officially three sizes too small. To hell with whoville, I'm grinching out this year. I read bad news so I don't feel like I'm some sort of freak.(oh look, a multi-car pile-up in the fog; more company)

Humbug I say!!! Humbug again!!!

[UTDemocrat8204]

48. I know how you feel

Even though I've done my shopping it's just not the same inside my heart. I'm trying to enjoy the time with my family and all that but it's so hard with what's going on now in our country and in Iraq. :(

[Valerie5555]

50. I have to admit how the Valerie 5555 feels kind of "Bah Humbuggish"

due to a myriad of personal and other reasons.


Hopefully I can get some of the "personal" ones sorted out a.s.a.f.p. or as soon as (pardon my right wing American English) flipping possible. :D

[anarchy1999]

55. Thank you dearest for saying it all so well. There is lots of heartache.

Everywhere.

Peace be upon us all, and remember always "Blessed are the Peacemakers". I think it comes from the "Bible", the "New Testament" and what the writers of said "New Testament" said Jesus had to say.

If I'm not mistaken the same can be found in all religions, "take care of the least among you", "do unto others"....etc.

Merry Whatever to us all..........

[bklyncowgirl]

59. I hadn't but yesterday I went out shopping.

I went to a local strip mall which is occupied by mom and pop businesses and some of the smaller chain stores. I dropped a couple quarters in the Salvation Army bucket not because I like their politics but because I agree with their right to be where they were.

The mall wasn't crowded, not a good sign for the Saturday before Christmas and I found that things were less expensive than I'd expected. I made it a point of picking out noisy and annoying children of Republican friends and relatives, that felt good. My mood began to change.

On the way home I drove past a house which I knew was a "Blue" house because when I was doing GOTV on election day they were on my list and had a rather large number of pro Kerry and anti Bush signs on their lawn. These were replaced by a lighted sign which said SMILE.

I actually went home and put up the damn lights.

[Lost4words]

60. why are you even shopping? you wont have jobs next week!

just say you are not going to wall mart.

check out www.buyblue.org at least.

[shesemsmom]

61. I feel a lot the same way you do

and like you we have other things going on during the Holiday. Our Daughter was born on the 23, she'll be 16 this year, but I feel like I'm just going through the motions. Almost in an exaggerated way. Every thing has to be done right now and done right. I think I am still grieving over Nov. 2 and planning for the worst that I dread is yet to come

[sbj405]

62. Not normally a Christmas person, but my ability to even fake it is lost

BF is going to see his family. I'm staying here. I just have no motivation to "celebrate."

[Freebird12004]

63. sadness

I'm still getting over my soul-mate breaking-up :cry: with me just after the New Year, 2 years ago - because - that Christmas he told me he wanted me to always be his goddess.

[Z_I_Peevey]

64. I just don't care this year

The 'election' took a lot out of me. I've really lost all hope for the country, and I'm just waiting for the handbasket ride to hell. I think Nov. 2-3 was the point of no return, and every day the news just hammers that point home.

Personally, my family is going through a horrible time.

My SO just said he wants to put up the tree today. Bah.

Sorry to be such a downer. I wish I could fake myself out and be ho-ho-ho, but it just isn't there.

[LibDemAlways]

65. Listening to a bunch of repukes

singing at mass about "Peace on Earth..Goodwill toward men" will be stomach turning. These idiots still have W04 stickers on their giant gas guzzlers. I hate the hypocrisy of it. Shop till you drop. Pay lipservice to true Christian ideals. Then go home and exchange cashmire sweaters and gift cards. Jesus would puke.

[Pegleg Thd]

67. The only thing that we do

is go out to a local eatery on holidays. Since there is just 2 of us here it is easier. As for buying useless trinkets-- we don't. We need the money to buy our medications.

[CarbonDate]

68. I'm looking forward to seeing my family

I'm tired of life in the Middle East, working 72 hours a week, and then coming in to work on my "day off" because there's nothing else to do. (I get one day off every week, which I'm grateful for, because it's a good opportunity to sleep in and do laundry.)

No, it doesn't even touch what the guys up in Iraq are going through, but it still sucks. I won't be home for Christmas, but I'll be home before the end of the month. I'll get to see my brother for a few days, who's in the Navy, since he'll be home on leave before he goes to Great Lakes for additional training.

You know what? Life's too short not to appreciate what we have, and I'm certainly not going to let the Chimp ruin my holidays. Not while my family and I are all still alive. We've got each other (plus my future sister in-law, who's cool as shit), so that's what matters to me.

The Chimp has ruined enough; he doesn't get to ruin my holidays, as well.

[DeaconBlues]

69. It depends on where I'm at

I can't wait to spend time with my family in West Virginia, who are mostly a bunch of loud, gregarious New Deal Democrats. Can't help but get in the spirit.

But then I spend much of my time with my in-laws in Maryland, who unfortunately are all Republicans. Can't wait for the stilted small talk that eventually turns to religion, how horrible Islam is, or how the second amendment is supposedly being destroyed. Ugggghhhhh.

[shanti]

71. same here

but i'm a scrooge and haven't done christmas since my sons were small. i don't live near most of my family, so it's just another day anymore...

[fortyfeetunder]

72. I can't stand this time of year

It didn't help had to finish a class dead smack in the middle of it. Other than a few token gifts to friends and immediate family, I can't get into it at all.

One of my relatives asked me instead to make a donation to a charity she volunteers at than a gift. I wish more of my relatives would do the same....

[neebob]

74. I like sensible decorations

but disapprove of the rest of it - especially the shower of stuff. It's like this annual forced march that really only benefits people who are already obscenely rich. And right now I don't feel like people have the right to indulge in the shower of stuff and pretend the dollars they don't spend on that aren't creating a lot of additional misery in the world. It's selfish and delusional. Not to mention wasteful of trees and electricity.

I haven't really done Christmas since the late 1980s. I'm still living in infamy with my former in-laws for refusing to fool my son about Santa Claus. They say he didn't have a childhood - but hey, at least he didn't feel like the stupidest kid in the world, finding out from his friends in the fourth grade. Are my issues showing?

I haven't even put up my (artificial) tree since about 1996. I think about it every year and then blow it off because (a) I have three cats, none of whom have ever experienced a Christmas tree and I'm pretty sure would not just look at it, and (b) my son always goes to visit his dad in another state and be showered with stuff by people who seem to believe that the more stuff you have, the more you are loved. Christmas is really important to them, so I give it to them. Plus it's a good deal for me - they buy stuff I don't have to and help to balance out the inadequate child support.

I just take my son shopping and get him whatever he wants, within reason - this year it was a pair of shoes and three pair of jeans - and then send him off and try to relish my solitude. It used to be like a vacation, but now it's just kind of lonely.

[Cymbaline68]

75. Going through the motions

for our two girls. But even the motions are more subdued than in years past.