Well the impression I was getting is that people were disliking christmas because they felt the obligation to buy for everyone, and that feeling of obligation was created by the big companies. If they really were denouncing it and not doing anything, then they wouldn’t be disliking christmas, because they’d realize it’s a time to get together with family and show some love.
Kinda hard to explain what I’m trying to say here. Either way, it doesn’t matter, because I personally don’t let the consumerism mentality get to me.
I understand what you are saying, but there are plenty other reasons people had for disliking christmas. And some dont have the option of ignoring consumerism since there is very often peer pressure involved. Also, the way others treat christmass is very annoying. You say just dont treat it like them but in reality that isnt the problem. All the shopping rush does get in your way a whole lot. All the new movies are cheesy christmass movies that are all the same and all SUCK. In some stores they play annoying christmass music. The topic of christmass also dominates many conversations. There are plenty of reasons to hate christmass even if you do treat it as it should be treated.
Anyway, i dont like christmas either, i dont like people giving me things because i feel like i should of gotten them something. we just had a fake “christmas” a week ago because of some sort of warranty issue. our family never makes a big deal out of christmas and we just get a couple presents each.
it is a good thing though cause our whole family gets together for a massive lunch with heaps of food, that is pretty fun. And i got just enough money to get a trials bike that i have been saving for for about a year.
i guess i actually really like christmas just not the whole present giving part and the relation to jesus (which doesn’t exist anyway)
I don’t mind getting gifts either. I don’t care too much about getting them, but its fun and I get a nice feeling to buy/give things to my friends and family. Its not like im spending a lot of money, cause usually the things that are thoughtful and hart warming are things that I can usually make within a few hours of thinking of what to put together.
Like the post of getting a little college of picture from a trip with a family member. Those are the gifts I like to give and get. Where the meaning is far greater than the cost.
What do you think of Christmas in general?
I think its a time when i get 2 weeks of work and get more time to unicycle.
Are you a Scrooge?
Does that mean greedy??? if so, nope.
Do you get spoilt all year round, or just at christmas, or not at all?
I don’t get spoilt at all even on occasions
Are you happy with a few small gifts? Or do you take the idea for granted and really go to town?
I’m happy with the small gifts and most times i give my small cousins $100 so they can spend it on what they want to get instead of giving them something that they won’t like and eventually sell.
Is what you get a surprise, or do you choose things yourself to make sure you get something you want? Read above.
Do you have a traditional christmas and do the same every year, or always do something different, or go abroad?
Most times i’m at home for X-mas and then boxing day i go for a big unicycle cruise with mates.
And finally, what are you expecting for Christmas this year?
Nothing special because everyday is just another day for me. most times.
Most of my family is really into Christmas but I am the type of person that does not like Christmas music outside of December. My family is always together for Christmas so I do enjoy that part of it. We are going to Mexico to go scuba dive this year so it should be good. Except I can’t take my uni cus my mom wants me to carry her dive gear. Oh well
Christmas isn’t my favorite. Half of my family love it and the other half fight it but they all stress over it exept my dad because he makes everyone else do all the work. If people were in better moods during this time I would enjoy it more but that is not the case so I don’t care for Christmas to come around. Plus a couple of Christmases ago my sister and I found a lady who shot herself in the head so I guess that kind of put a damper Christmas for me.
I celebrate Cultural Christmas not religious Christmas. I couldn’t care less about Jesus’ birth, but I like having a time each year to see my family spend time with them and whatnot. Now that all the cousins are in or out of college it’s not about presents so much. It’s really nice actually. I like buying presents. I ussually get toys for everyone regardless of how old they are.
i agree
i like Christmas within the family because the are the people i know and love best but i am not really a fan of gift exchange party’s with friends because like most of the people here said its never anything i want/need so i feel my gift money could have better gone towards something else that i need.
i like the surprise of not asking for anything but i also like getting something i want so i will usually ask for one thing and then get surprised by others or just say a specific area like some books or parts for something i need.
“What do you think of Christmas in general?”
It should be optional but it’s hard/impossible to ignore in America. There is an expectation that you have to buy lots of stuff. But you don’t have to, it’s up to your family/gift exchange group how much of that you will do. If you don’t want to do a lot you don’t have to. Besides, stuff is on sale anyway, so you can shop for yourself too! But don’t go too crazy, the sales are usually better at the end of the year and in early January.
“Are you a Scrooge?”
What’s a scrooge? A miser? He starts out as a miser and ends as a great guy. I’m somewhere in between.
“Do you get spoilt all year round, or just at christmas, or not at all?”
All year round.
“Are you happy with a few small gifts? Or do you take the idea for granted and really go to town?”
I’m happy with a few small gifts, but some years we go big and other years we try not to, though we’re usually less successful at that…
“Is what you get a surprise, or do you choose things yourself to make sure you get something you want?”
Both. For example this year the only “big” think I have in mind is a better way to travel with my laptop and cameras. A piece of luggage that fits both camera gear and a 17" laptop is a highly specialized item and I had to do a lot of research. I can either tell my wife which product/model number to order or just do it myself…
But she’ll always surprise me with something else, and vice-versa.
“Do you have a traditional christmas and do the same every year, or always do something different, or go abroad?”
It’s almost always at home or with relatives though I’ve spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii one year and Singapore another.
“And finally, what are you expecting for Christmas this year?”
Peace on Earth – and a new President.
Don’t like all the commercialism? Then try to stay away from the stores. I do. Click.
I don’t mean gadgets, I mean things along the line of Tickle Me Elmo for my Mother, Nerf guns are always a hit with my 26 year old borther, my dad is a bit harder though.
I agree. It might be hard to break the “tradition” if you were brought up with shopping for more than you need or could afford, but it is possible.
People say strange things and think you are a scrooge or miser at first, but then understand when they see you take care of loved ones all year not just during the Christmas season.
I look forward to spending time with my family doing stuff we want to do. It’s only stressful if you allow it to be.
Ok, I think I see what you’re saying. Basically, assuming that Christmas=buying things is playing into the businesses who say that Christmas=buying things?
Related to this subject, I hate jewelry commercials. They’re the worst offender.
Read above. 
But don’t go too crazy, the sales are usually better at the end of the year and in early January.