Join the Resistance?

[kenny]

I'm not this militant.

I do some stuff for the sake of my SO, but much said here resonates with me.

http://www.xmasresistance.org/

 

[Italiahaircolor]

While I can go along with some of that, I also think "resisting Christmas" just seems sad.

I couldn't imagine this time of year without Christmas cards, twinkling lights or cookies. I actually enjoy the shopping, and not since I was 12 have I made a "wish list"...for me, I really do love the giving--the getting makes me feel awkward to be honest. I like fancy wrapping.

Maybe it's because I live in the frigid midwest...maybe because I leave for work when it's dark and get home when it's dark...maybe because the holidays provide some lightness for me. I don't know. But, the whole "resistance movement" does smack of bah-humbug to me.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I would like to nix "christmas" and celebrate the solstice, but I would keep my tree and presents and lights and feasting and maybe even santa. I would just like to get rid of the religious aspect so that we could all share a magical holiday that everyone could celebrate together as planetary beings moving through our universe together on the planet we share... celebrating the longest night of the year and the fact that every day thereafter is longer and brighter than the day before

 

[Tuckins1]

I like Christmas. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I like my decorations. I like Christmas music. I like spending time with friends and family and exchanging gifts. I'm wasteful. Whatever. We also donate to charity and buy gifts for those less fortunate.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

The resistance has "Santa didn't get me what I wanted when I was 11*," written all over it.


*11 is way too old to still believe in Santa.

 

[anchor31]

I enjoy Christmas. It's always been my favourite time of the year. In my family we have a ton of great traditions and I always look forward to them. For this Christmas and last year's I've made inexpensive presents for everyone and that has removed the financial stress out of the holiday. The family is growing quickly with our siblings getting married and having children (and DH and I having a child ourselves), and we simply can't purchase presents for everyone anymore.

I think boycotting Christmas is taking it to a bit of an extreme. There are other ways to make the holidays less stressful. You don't want to host Christmas dinner? Then don't. You don't want to spend a fortune on presents? Then don't. You don't have to subscribe to the societal expectations of the holidays.

 

[decodelighted]

Doesn't that "movement" have another name already? "Scrooge"?

 

[rhbgirl24]

I agree about celebrating the solstice and everything it stands for. It is what xmas was based upon way back when anyway.

But I like xmas - the nonreligious aspect. I like sharing, and gift giving. I like the decorations and the music, and the baking. I like that everyone seems to be in a better mood and you can share that with family and friends. I like donating to charities so everyone can experience some part of the spirit.... but thats just me. You dont have to spend tons on gifts - give one meaningful gift to each person, most time that is loads better than volume.

 

[TravelingGal]

Now with a kid, I love christmas! Gifts do stress me out, but boy, once I figure it out, I love giving them! I dig the tree, the eating, the general feeling of happy in the air. I fall for it all, hook, line, and sinker.

And I love the religious aspect of Christmas too...it just puts all of the above in perspective.

 

[Circe]

It strikes me as being the seasonal version of the people who are too self-righteous to wear diamonds because of that time they watched "Blood Diamond" ... or the guys who protest Valentine's Day on the principle that "every day should be about love!" (but who would sooner ride a flying pig in a tight maneuver over LaGuardia than buy a bouquet) ... or the folks who whine about February being Black History Month, because when is White History Month (answer: the rest of the damned time).

Basically, I figure every holiday has its annoying elements, and its annoying spokespeople: I LOATHE the new habit of whinging about people who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," because, what, a little inclusion will kill them? I LOATHE the spate of sexist advertising that surrounds any gift-giving occasion. I LOATHE the fact that it makes a lot of people feel lonely, or pressured, or like failures, because they're not participating in "the most wonderful time of the year."

But I still like the holidays, simply because a lot of people are very happy because of them, and because happiness is contagious. (And also, because they are shiny.) So what's to resist?

 

[radiantquest]

I understand what you are saying. The holiday is just about shopping and sales and all that sometimes. I personally love it. I do like the smells of Christmas. I also like the giving and receiving of gifts wrapped with bows. I think that it is festive and fun. I think that maybe if I werent in the situation I am in if I was not blessed with family that I love and loves me back and not blessed enough to be in a financial situation where I can buy the gifts I like to buy for loved ones I may be more interested in a resistance. I feel like there is no reason to be unhappy right now.

However, I am taking part in one resistance. I refuse to get on everyone elses timetable for Christmas day. I will not get up earlier than I want to. I will not rush around to make some place by a certain time. I have told all family that I will be seeing them that day, but it will be when I feel like it. Every year we are unable to enjoy the holiday because we have to rush around and drive hours to see people. I am sleeping in. Relaxing. Opening presents. Relaxing and then and only then will I consider readying myself to go out!

 

[Autumnovember]

Lets face it, most people *LOVE* Christmas because it has to do with receiving gifts. To be honest, anytime I hear someone say they like Christmas because of that, it makes me want to rip my head off. People have turned Christmas into another materialistic holiday that the media and advertising companies make a ton of money off of. Just like Valentines day. Also, I'd like to add that my feelings toward this have absolutely nothing to do with mine and SO's personal finances, as he is very stable. It has everything to do with how materialistic it has become and that its meaning seems to be getting lost. Lastly, I'd like to add that people who don't choose to participate in Christmas aren't necessarily unhappy---that seems to be a very generalized statement to make.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

The resistance has "Santa didn't get me what I wanted when I was 11*," written all over it.


*11 is way too old to still believe in Santa.

My 10-year-old still believes in Santa!

Only one of his friends (that I know of) is aware Santa doesn't exist and he's a sweety and hasn't told any of the other kids.

On a side note - The other day my son asked me how babies are made...Ugh, you take a little vitamin shapped like a baby, swallow it, and 9-months later a baby pops out of your belly button. Huh? lol The birds and the bees. The birds and the bees.

 

[Circe]

Lets face it, most people *LOVE* Christmas because it has to do with receiving gifts. To be honest, anytime I hear someone say they like Christmas because of that, it makes me want to rip my head off. People have turned Christmas into another materialistic holiday that the media and advertising companies make a ton of money off of. Just like Valentines day. Also, I'd like to add that my feelings toward this have absolutely nothing to do with mine and SO's personal finances, as he is very stable. It has everything to do with how materialistic it has become and that its meaning seems to be getting lost. Lastly, I'd like to add that people who don't choose to participate in Christmas aren't necessarily unhappy---that seems to be a very generalized statement to make.

I don't know if I prompted the last statement, or if it was a more generalized observation, but I did want to note - I certainly don't think that people who skip out on Christmas are all unhappy! (Some of us are just Jews. Or pagans. Or atheists., Etc., etc. And, as two-out-of-three married to the third, I do still enjoy it sentimentally and aesthetically.) But I do know an awful lot of people who HATE this time of year because it makes them feel like they're not living up to some impossible yardstick of joy, because, at Christmas, you're supposed to be happy. In a twist on loving the sinner, hating the sin, I appreciate the holiday while violently disliking the effect it has on people sometimes.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I wouldn't want to boycott Christmas because my kids love it too much. I cannot imagine taking that joy away from them. My younger son wants a journal, my older one asked me for, get this - 12 red candy canes and 12 green ones so we can make peppermint bark. It's not like they're asking for huge $$$ gifts.

The tree thrills them, the stocking stuffers thrill them, and the *traditions* thrill them. Putting carrots on a plate for the reindeer is a joy to them.

The only issue I have is the selective gift giving. When a family gets together and hands everyone a gift except a few of us. Year after year.

ETA - yes, as Radiant said, the smells. One thing I look forward to are specific holiday candles that I only burn this time of year! One scent we've adopted is "baked apples." mmmmm

 

[Autumnovember]

Lets face it, most people *LOVE* Christmas because it has to do with receiving gifts. To be honest, anytime I hear someone say they like Christmas because of that, it makes me want to rip my head off. People have turned Christmas into another materialistic holiday that the media and advertising companies make a ton of money off of. Just like Valentines day. Also, I'd like to add that my feelings toward this have absolutely nothing to do with mine and SO's personal finances, as he is very stable. It has everything to do with how materialistic it has become and that its meaning seems to be getting lost. Lastly, I'd like to add that people who don't choose to participate in Christmas aren't necessarily unhappy---that seems to be a very generalized statement to make.

I don't know if I prompted the last statement, or if it was a more generalized observation, but I did want to note - I certainly don't think that people who skip out on Christmas are all unhappy! (Some of us are just Jews. Or pagans. Or atheists., Etc., etc. And, as two-out-of-three married to the third, I do still enjoy it sentimentally and aesthetically.) But I do know an awful lot of people who HATE this time of year because it makes them feel like they're not living up to some impossible yardstick of joy, because, at Christmas, you're supposed to be happy. In a twist on loving the sinner, hating the sin, I appreciate the holiday while violently disliking the effect it has on people sometimes.

Oh no no, it wasn't you, it was the comment before mine that prompted me to say that. I couldn't agree more with your last statement...


I should add that there ARE certain aspects I *DO* like about Christmas. The lights, for example and the awesome candles they sell during this time of year. I don't mine the cookies...either

 

[manderz]

I love this time of year, especially now that I'm not working retail anymore. I love my family, and Christmas Eve is going to be our 8th anniversary <3<3<3 I love the lights, and all the decorations. I LOVE all the baked goods too, but I'm sick of going broke each year, trying to find the perfect gift. I wish we could just skip over the gift part, and keep the rest.

 

[slg47]

aah! no! I love Christmas too much! forget the presents, what I really like is enjoying hot chocolate and homemade biscotti and christmas cookies near the fire with my family I mean, presents are nice too, I enjoy picking things out for other people, but that's not what it is about...

 

[Autumnovember]

aah! no! I love Christmas too much! forget the presents, what I really like is enjoying hot chocolate and homemade biscotti and christmas cookies near the fire with my family I mean, presents are nice too, I enjoy picking things out for other people, but that's not what it is about...

Two thumbs up

 

[partgypsy]

The vast majority of Christmas I enjoy. My kids yell "Christmas!" everytime they see a house lit with lights or decorations. I love having a reason to send a card and to receive letters from people I love but live far away. I love decorating the tree, making cookies with my kids, listening to Christmas carols, and looking at the town's decorations.
My daughter and I have been looking up the history of where all the various traditions of Christmas came from.
It connects us to something larger than ourselves. I'd like to call that love, or peace, or hope.
I like that we spend time to pick out gifts for complete strangers.

I do have to admit there are some parts about this holiday that bother me, so I changed them. Among my siblings and siblings in law we are whittling down to no or token gifts (but still gifts to the children). I've done away with a huge amount of shopping and do mostly gift cards or cash with a token gift attached. When I do give a particular gift I give something I want to share with them, something I think they would appreciate; Christmas gives me an "excuse" to do so.

Consumerism is a disease of the American people. It doesn't have to be a disease of Christmas.

 

[Jennifer W]

I'm not up for resisting Christmas at all. It's part of my faith, and I want to raise my child in the same faith, so it's important.

I wholeheartedly support the resistance of a Christmas industry though. I don't do much of the stuff on the resistance list anyway. I

I do love Christmas, and as TGal says, it's a lot of fun with a little one.

 

[partgypsy]

One things is true about this time of the year, it can be even worse than the rest of the year for those people who have lost loved ones, or do not have a family, or family nearby.

It makes me grateful for all I do have.

 

[radiantquest]

Lets face it, most people *LOVE* Christmas because it has to do with receiving gifts. To be honest, anytime I hear someone say they like Christmas because of that, it makes me want to rip my head off. People have turned Christmas into another materialistic holiday that the media and advertising companies make a ton of money off of. Just like Valentines day. Also, I'd like to add that my feelings toward this have absolutely nothing to do with mine and SO's personal finances, as he is very stable. It has everything to do with how materialistic it has become and that its meaning seems to be getting lost. Lastly, I'd like to add that people who don't choose to participate in Christmas aren't necessarily unhappy---that seems to be a very generalized statement to make.

I didnt say that I *LOVE* Christmas because of the gifts. I said that I like giving and receiving, as in I like giving and I know that others get that warm fuzzy feeling when giving gifts to me. I think that you chose to single out one sentence out of my entire post to take in a negative way. I am a little offended that you want to "rip your head off" because of the way *I* feel about Christmas. Also, in no way do I think that finances have that much to do with it. Again, one phrase out of a sentence. Did you not see the part about family? And finally, my saying that I am happy in no way means that people who do not participate are not happy. I dont know why you chose to have such negative comments about someone who is happy to exchange gifts with their family and also feels blessed that they are financially secure?????

 

[Indylady]

I like Christmas.

And I'll man up: I like gifts too.


However, I just can't imagine someone over the age of 7 saying, "I like Christmas because I like to receive gifts." Because..well, you've got to give gifts too..and if you like Christmas because its a time of year to exchange presents, then I think that's nice too. The mad rush that comes with getting the latest and the greatest..well, that's infused with many American holidays. It's only infused with Christmas if you want it to be.

 

[Autumnovember]

Lets face it, most people *LOVE* Christmas because it has to do with receiving gifts. To be honest, anytime I hear someone say they like Christmas because of that, it makes me want to rip my head off. People have turned Christmas into another materialistic holiday that the media and advertising companies make a ton of money off of. Just like Valentines day. Also, I'd like to add that my feelings toward this have absolutely nothing to do with mine and SO's personal finances, as he is very stable. It has everything to do with how materialistic it has become and that its meaning seems to be getting lost. Lastly, I'd like to add that people who don't choose to participate in Christmas aren't necessarily unhappy---that seems to be a very generalized statement to make.

I didnt say that I *LOVE* Christmas because of the gifts. I said that I like giving and receiving, as in I like giving and I know that others get that warm fuzzy feeling when giving gifts to me. I think that you chose to single out on sentence out of my entire post to take in a negative way. I am a little offended that you want to "rip your head off" because of the way *I* feel about Christmas. Also, in no way do I think that finances have that much to do with it. Again, one phrase out of a sentence. Did you not see the part about family. And finally, my saying that I am happy in no way means that people who do not participate are not happy. I dont know why you chose to have such negative comments about someone who is happy to exchange gifts with their family and also feels blessed that they are financially secure?????

Um. None of my comments except for my last two statements was referring to anything you said, Radiant.


" I think that maybe if I werent in the situation I am in if I was not blessed with family that I love and loves me back and not blessed enough to be in a financial situation where I can buy the gifts I like to buy for loved ones I may be more interested in a resistance. I feel like there is no reason to be unhappy right now."

That right there, is what made me say, Also, I'd like to add that my feelings toward this have absolutely nothing to do with mine and SO's personal finances, as he is very stable. and Lastly, I'd like to add that people who don't choose to participate in Christmas aren't necessarily unhappy---that seems to be a very generalized statement to make.

What I said before that has nothing to do with you or your post but everything to do with MY feelings towards Christmas.

 

[Autumnovember]

I like Christmas.

And I'll man up: I like gifts too.


However, I just can't imagine someone over the age of 7 saying, "I like Christmas because I like to receive gifts." Because..well, you've got to give gifts too..and if you like Christmas because its a time of year to exchange presents, then I think that's nice too. The mad rush that comes with getting the latest and the greatest..well, that's infused with many American holidays. It's only infused with Christmas if you want it to be.

Interesting. I've encountered MANY, MANY adults who say they love Christmas for that exact reason. Does that apply to everyone? No, but it plays a role for many people.

 

[radiantquest]

Im sorry then. It just hurt my feelings a little bit. I thought that you were upset with the things that I said and I thought they were nice things to say. Again, I am sorry if I took it the wrong way.

Truce?

 

[Autumnovember]

Im sorry then. It just hurt my feelings a little bit. I thought that you were upset with the things that I said and I thought they were nice things to say. Again, I am sorry if I took it the wrong way.

Truce?

I was just pointing out that I think people can be very financially secure and still not want to take part in Christmas, thats all. I wasn't referring to any other part of your post or trying to offend you in anyway...I'm not here to do that and I apologize if you thought I was trying to pinpoint you!

Truce and I do love the way Christmas smells. Nothing like walking outside and smelling wood burning from a fireplace, it reminds me of winter in general...I love it.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi All,

I think I do believe, in principle, what the resisters are trying to say, However, Christmas is not the time to start this movement. Christmas, to me, is about Children. I enjoyed it so much as a child, I would not want any child to miss it. Personally, I don't do any decorating around the house any more, and make an annual trip to the mall for my Christmas infusion. I only bought gifts for children for my local food pantry, for it would make me sad to think some kiddies might not get something.
I love the lights, the special food shopping, but no longer feel the obligation to send gifts to everyone. I don't want to say bah humbug at Christmas.

I do however want to discuss American consumerism in another thread. All this advertising to get us to buy, buy , buy, has an awful outcome for our society as a whole. But in the the meantime, MARRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANAKAH, AND GOOD SOLTICE DAY TO ALL THE OTHERS.

Thanks,
Annette

 

[partgypsy]

There are ways to avoid the consumerism onslaught. Our tv has a converter box, but no cable. Most tv we watch is via netflix (no commercials). CDs/Pandora instead of radio, walk in nature versus walking in the malls.
A little commercialism is ok (ok I do like the look at the decorations ), but a lot is nauseating.

I know parents who complain about all the stuff their kids ask/demand, or how they act disappointed if they don't get what they asked for. I really think alot of that has to do with the amount of commercials they are exposed to (something you can nip in the bud). It all has to do with balance. They know they are getting presents but are mostly excited that they are getting presents. I know that may change as they get older but for now I love the fact they are so happy just by it being Christmastime and looking at the ornaments on the tree.