quote:

ORIGINAL: Darcyandthedark

This is Darcy.

I can understand why some people want ot be organised and get all off their Xmas shopping over and done, and that's great - go ahead, knock yourself out!  It isn't just organization, it is also enthusiasm.

However, I abhor the fact that Xmas is shoved down our throats earlier and earlier each year. It's not even the end of September yet and already we're bombarded with adverts for gifts, and Xmas lunches, and there are cards, and decorations and all manner of festive fare in the shops.

I'm not a big fan of Xmas anyway (why would I be, I'm not religious so see no need to celebrate the birth of a child that as far as I know never existed?) and in an ideal world all talk of Xmas and all of the accompanying commerical blackmail should be banned until 1st December. Then, and only then, should we be smothered in the sickening commericalism that has nothing whatsoever to do with the supposed peace and goodwill that should abound in the festive season. I'm not nor have I ever been a Christian, to me the holidays are not for that purpose. I've internalised the idea that the holidays are for family and friends. It is a time to realise and remember in a tangible way of those that I love. And I love an awful lot of people!

I dread the last few weeks before the dreaded day, when the pavements and store aisles will be clogged with people desperately trying to buy all manner of things that they can't really afford for their kids, and their nephews, and aunts, and twice-removed-on-the wife's-side-of-the-family Uncle who may or may not have died a few years ago but we'll send him a card anyway just in case. Well that is exactly why I prefer to be done with things early, there is no rush and no clogged stores. If I can't afford gifts then I make them, often from things that cost nothing! It is a time to use my creativity for others to enjoy.

The retail parks and shopping areas of the world become clogged with these vacant eyed automatons who turn entire city centres into something akin to Dawn of the Dead. They know they're there to shop, but not sure why, or what they need to buy, just that it's some kind of ingrained programming that the media has been ramming down their throats for the past four months.

OK, I know I sound like Scrooge, but really I'm not. I do enjoy the elements of Xmas that involve spending quality time with those who you love, and those friends who are dear to you. I do think that the peace and goodwill message is a very worthy one (though "get your hands off that last >insert 'must have' toy of the year< or I'll break you're f**king neck" seems to be closer to the sentiments that are heard in stores across the world). If we all spent less time worrying about how much to spend, and what to buy, and instead just got together for a drink and a meal with the special poeple in our lives, then the world would be a much better place.

So, if you see a man with a vaguely homicidal glint in his eyes trying to push through the acres of human sheep that are about to clog up our cities for the next three months, then that'll be me, and you might want to get out of my way..... Now seeeeeeeee, if you got that bit out of the way early you too can avoid that homicidal impulse!

Darcy

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ORIGINAL: SusanofO

One of the reasons I do so much baking is also because I like to give Holiday gifts, but have limited funds for buying expensive presents. So I only buy store-bought gifts for my immediate family - everyone else (friends, neighbors) gets my baking (my family gets it, too, plus the store-bought gifts).

My father would throw a fit if he thought I wasn't doing any Holiday baking - he is truly addicted to my fudge.One year, a few years ago, I told my dad I wasn't in the mood to do it that year, and the hang-dog, lost puppy dog look he gave me when I said that convinced me I should do it anyway (so I did).

- Susan