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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/20/2014 10:15:14 AM   
camille65


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Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
Status: offline 		Oh good god lmao.

I am notta donkey!

(she brays in indignation)

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/20/2014 11:43:58 AM   
InHisHeart


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery



Nothing says Holidays like a little tail!




Now I'm jealous and am throwing a hissy fit.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/20/2014 3:02:34 PM   
DesFIP


Posts: 25191
Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: camille65

I do have real syrup! Which is kind of funny since I don't know how to make pancakes....



These are the easiest things to make.
1 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder
! cup milk, 1/4 cup oil, 1 egg
Whisk dry ingredients together, mix wet together, combine. Let rest 5 -20 minutes.
Heat skillet to medium, spray with cooking spray or put a little oil or butter in it.
Pour small circles in pan. I get about 3 pancakes to a pan. When bubbles on top pop, turn over, cook the bottom side for just a little bit until the color is right (30 seconds?)

If you make it 2 cups of flour, it's a muffin recipe.

My mother died in early January. It totally took a lot of the joy out of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and my birthday in January. But I had kids and the holidays mattered to my husband. So I made everything as stress free as possible. I bought some big red bows and put them around in the same place every year. I started a cookie and hot cider party tradition and invited all the other mothers and their kids for an afternoon. We cooked the same meal every year; roast beef, baked stuffed potatoes, yorkshire pudding. It got that I could cook it in my sleep.

And eventually as we made our own traditions, the pain of it not being like back then faded.

My kids are in their 20s and they still look forward to a chocolate orange every year.


< Message edited by DesFIP -- 12/20/2014 3:08:38 PM >

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/20/2014 4:53:14 PM   
smileforme50


Posts: 1623
Joined: 1/24/2013
From: DelaWHERE(?)
Status: offline 		I guess I'm one of the very few lucky people here. Even though I didn't have the perfect childhood, it certainly wasn't traumatic enough that I couldn't get over what "trauma" there was, and most of my childhood Christmases are good memories.

I will say that since I broke up with my vanilla bf back in 2010 I haven't really gotten much into the Christmas spirit because I'm alone....so I don't decorate my apartment, and I don't make enough money to get everyone in my family gifts, so now I just get my 2 nieces and 2 nephews gift cards so they can get what they want. Then I go to my sister's and we have a good time together.

So really right now Christmas isn't a big deal for me....it's almost like any other Saturday, because it's a day off from work and I can spend the day hanging out with my sister and brother and we have a good time.

I will say though that this Christmas is kind of rough because it will be the first without my mother. One thing I will always remember about my mom from when I was a kid is that she always tried to keep us all in a good holiday spirit, even when we all knew that my parents didn't have much money (some years worse than others). Even the years when money was super tight we found a way to enjoy ourselves, and we have a lot of good memories that we always reminisce about.

One thing we always joke about is how every year we got the same things in our stockings:
-- A deck of cards
-- A LifeSavers Storybook
-- A little note pad and pen
-- Batteries for whatever gift was under the tree
-- Lip balm
-- A pocket pack of tissues
-- ...and my sisters and I always got a rain bonnet....the tacky, clear plastic things that no self-respecting adolescent or teenager would be caught dead wearing.

Over the years these rain bonnets became such a bad family joke, we used to bet each other wondering if this would be the year my mom couldn't find them in the store. Somehow she always did. Then about 15 years ago, my sister (living in Florida) found one of these rain bonnets in a dollar store...and she sent it to my mom for Christmas!! So of course, Mom sent it back to my sister the following Christmas.





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< Message edited by smileforme50 -- 12/20/2014 4:56:09 PM >

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/20/2014 5:09:54 PM   
Kaliko


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Joined: 9/25/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: smileforme50

One thing we always joke about is how every year we got the same things in our stockings:
-- A deck of cards
-- A LifeSavers Storybook
-- A little note pad and pen
-- Batteries for whatever gift was under the tree
-- Lip balm
-- A pocket pack of tissues
-- ...and my sisters and I always got a rain bonnet....the tacky, clear plastic things that no self-respecting adolescent or teenager would be caught dead wearing.



You know, something that my grandparents used to do for us each year when we were kids - and now strikes me as so wrong - is put all the little travel soaps and shampoos and shower caps that they collected from their travels through the year into plastic bags for each of us. (They traveled a lot - and apparently lifted the guest toiletries from each hotel they stayed at.) It seems really weird in retrospect, I know, but at the time we loved it and looked forward to our bags of "stuff" each year. Mini sewing kits, books of matches (really), toothpastes....


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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/20/2014 5:17:37 PM   
NorthernGent


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quote:

ORIGINAL: smileforme50

Even though I didn't have the perfect childhood



Most don't. Or at least what is generally deemed to be a 'perfect childhood'.

quote:

ORIGINAL: smileforme50

and we have a lot of good memories that we always reminisce about.



Which is a hugely important thing. If you can look back and say we had good times, then you (general you) can go on with your life in peace with the knowledge that you'd built good relationships with the people who really matter. No regrets.

quote:

ORIGINAL: smileforme50

One thing we always joke about is how every year we got the same things in our stockings:
-- A deck of cards
-- A LifeSavers Storybook
-- A little note pad and pen
-- Batteries for whatever gift was under the tree
-- Lip balm
-- A pocket pack of tissues
-- ...and my sisters and I always got a rain bonnet....the tacky, clear plastic things that no self-respecting adolescent or teenager would be caught dead wearing.




It's a big thing in England that we get oranges and a book. No idea why!



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Sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/20/2014 5:43:52 PM   
JstAnotherSub


Posts: 6174
Status: offline 		Being reminded of the Lifesavers book made me cry. My mom drove me nuts, but I miss her so! She died in 2000 on December 29th, after me having her in home hospice for 3 weeks.

I hate the holidays too, I think because it is the time of year I feel like a total orphan. It is also the time of year I allow me to wallow in misery and not feel guilty about it. My own sick tradition!



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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 3:05:23 AM   
MariaB


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Joined: 4/3/2007
Status: offline 		I hate the commercialism of Christmas. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't start on the 1st of October. This drive to spend money wares me down and in my opinion makes Christmas day an anti-climax. I prefer to spend Christmas in France where its a much smaller more religious affair (not that I'm religious).

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 6:27:32 AM   
satanscharmer


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quote:

ORIGINAL: MariaB

I hate the commercialism of Christmas. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't start on the 1st of October. This drive to spend money wares me down and in my opinion makes Christmas day an anti-climax. I prefer to spend Christmas in France where its a much smaller more religious affair (not that I'm religious).


I'm with you - every year it seems the stores start stocking Christmas stuff earlier and earlier. I just noticed Valentine's Day stuff on store shelves the other day. It'd be nice to at least pass one holiday before tempting consumers into the next.

I like Christmas Day, but mostly for the kids. I love seeing their excitement, I remember my own as a kid. Truthfully though, I prefer Christmas Eve. When I was a kid, we always had the tradition of finger foods and appetizers for dinner, drive around cities looking at lights, Christmas movies, and one small present for each kid to open. I've carried this over with my family and it's the time I look forward to most. Christmas Day itself is more the last day of the season. The kids open their presents and we spend the day lounging around - we refuse to go anywhere on this day.

On a normal year, I start getting excited starting around December 1. It's not about the one day but everything else. The decorations start going up, everything is so shiny and bright. The advent calendar is out and the little ones learn real quick that a door needs to be opened every day. Making and decorating sugar cookies - my mothers recipe from her mother, and then eating them (the only time I make these cookies). Seeing Santa in the malls and all the kids eager to see him (or not). The picking out just the right gift for someone and wrapping into a pretty package. The Christmas music. Everything is sensory overload and I love it.

I do think the key is finding what makes an individual happy, like anything else in life. What makes me most happy is ignoring and shrugging off anything or anyone that attempts to add stress and not focusing on that one day.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 7:00:00 AM   
smileforme50


Posts: 1623
Joined: 1/24/2013
From: DelaWHERE(?)
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: satanscharmer


quote:

ORIGINAL: MariaB

I hate the commercialism of Christmas. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't start on the 1st of October. This drive to spend money wares me down and in my opinion makes Christmas day an anti-climax. I prefer to spend Christmas in France where its a much smaller more religious affair (not that I'm religious).


I'm with you - every year it seems the stores start stocking Christmas stuff earlier and earlier. I just noticed Valentine's Day stuff on store shelves the other day. It'd be nice to at least pass one holiday before tempting consumers into the next.

I like Christmas Day, but mostly for the kids. I love seeing their excitement, I remember my own as a kid. Truthfully though, I prefer Christmas Eve. When I was a kid, we always had the tradition of finger foods and appetizers for dinner, drive around cities looking at lights, Christmas movies, and one small present for each kid to open. I've carried this over with my family and it's the time I look forward to most. Christmas Day itself is more the last day of the season. The kids open their presents and we spend the day lounging around - we refuse to go anywhere on this day.

On a normal year, I start getting excited starting around December 1. It's not about the one day but everything else. The decorations start going up, everything is so shiny and bright. The advent calendar is out and the little ones learn real quick that a door needs to be opened every day. Making and decorating sugar cookies - my mothers recipe from her mother, and then eating them (the only time I make these cookies). Seeing Santa in the malls and all the kids eager to see him (or not). The picking out just the right gift for someone and wrapping into a pretty package. The Christmas music. Everything is sensory overload and I love it.

I do think the key is finding what makes an individual happy, like anything else in life. What makes me most happy is ignoring and shrugging off anything or anyone that attempts to add stress and not focusing on that one day.



"What makes me most happy is ignoring and shrugging off anything or anyone that attempts to add stress and not focusing on that one day. "




I usually have a good Christmas spirit....even if it is pretty muted these last few years from how it has been in the past. But starting things in OCTOBER and radio stations playing nothing but Christmas music from Thanksgiving on.

Other than that....I enjoy the Christmas season even if I don't have any kids and I don't do any shopping.

_____________________________

“Give it to me!” she yelled
“I’m so fucking wet! Give it to me now!”

She could scream all she wanted…..I was keeping the umbrella.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 7:24:34 AM   
dcnovice


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Joined: 8/2/2006
Status: offline 		FR

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

HOWARD THURMAN

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No matter how cynical you become,
it's never enough to keep up.

JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF
INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 8:20:36 AM   
Kaliko


Posts: 3381
Joined: 9/25/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: satanscharmer


quote:

ORIGINAL: MariaB

I hate the commercialism of Christmas. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't start on the 1st of October. This drive to spend money wares me down and in my opinion makes Christmas day an anti-climax. I prefer to spend Christmas in France where its a much smaller more religious affair (not that I'm religious).


I'm with you - every year it seems the stores start stocking Christmas stuff earlier and earlier. I just noticed Valentine's Day stuff on store shelves the other day. It'd be nice to at least pass one holiday before tempting consumers into the next.




Over the years, I've noticed that I've structured my own environment so much of the commercialism is muted. I no longer have cable TV, so no ads there. I don't listen to FM radio. I have an ad block program on my computer. And the only store I visit regularly is the grocery store, so I don't get inundated with department store marketing. On the one hand, I'm somewhat out of touch with popular culture, but on the other hand, I'm blissfully ignorant. So actually, on the rare occasion that I hear Christmas music when I'm out - even if it's early I kind of like it.

ETA: Or, maybe I'm just feeling Christmas-y today. :)


< Message edited by Kaliko -- 12/21/2014 8:22:18 AM >

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 8:55:54 AM   
kallisto


Posts: 1185
Status: offline 		I waited to respond to this for a few reasons:

1. When I first read it, I was kind of in a funk and would have been completely negative about the holidays and that is not me. I've always enjoyed them, but this year ... I've just not been so sure.
2. I also hate the fact that Christmas now starts in October. By the time the actual holidays roll around, I'm sick of them.
3. Since my kids are all grown, it just isn't the same anymore.

But this morning I woke up with a new attitude about holidays. I'm actually excited about next week for several reasons:

1. I realized as my kids were growing up, the focus of the holidays was always on them. We always went all out with the lights and decorations and made sure the kids were taken care of. They may not have always gotten what they wanted but they knew it was all about them. So the memories of holidays past put a smile on my face this morning.
2. I also realized that since the kids are grown, they now focus on each other and enjoy spending the holidays with family and friends. It is just as special to them now (maybe moreso) than before.
3. This is the first year in a few years that we will all be together throughout the holidays ... no one doing one thing, but everyone pitching in to do things together. No one living out of town, no one having to work .... just us to spend some quality time together.

I could have very easily gone through the upcoming few weeks still in a funk, but .... when I really think about things ... it's a time that we slow down, tune the outside world out and focus on each other. And that puts a smile on my face.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 9:00:17 AM   
MariaB


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Kaliko

On the one hand, I'm somewhat out of touch with popular culture, but on the other hand, I'm blissfully ignorant.



That's a great place to be :)


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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 9:59:35 AM   
Missokyst


Posts: 6041
Joined: 9/9/2006
Status: offline 		I hate the holidays as well.  Not just now as an adult either, I have pretty much hated them since childhood.  For one I was born in hell week, too close to Christmas to mean anything to anyone.  If I only aged on the years that people remembered it was my birthday on the day, I would likely be half my age now.  And don't get me started on combining my bday with xmas gifts, yeah right.  Not that I wanted more gifts, I would have been happy with crayons and paper, or photo magazines.  What I really wanted was the same thing my siblings got, a special day.  When it is too close to xmas there is nothing.   
As I got older though I really started to hate the greed.  And the traffic.  Now I hate that xmas starts to gear up before Halloween.  Ok.. that part is also greed.
But I particularly hate it this year as 3 of my immediate family members have died, and at least 3 of my cousins who are around my age died of cancer.  Holidays really puts a strain on people who have had loss.
I will be glad when the holidays are done.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 10:05:26 AM   
Missokyst


Posts: 6041
Joined: 9/9/2006
Status: offline 		where are the reindeer tails?

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pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding ~Gibran, Kahlil

“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”
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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 11:25:05 AM   
smileforme50


Posts: 1623
Joined: 1/24/2013
From: DelaWHERE(?)
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Missokyst

where are the reindeer tails?



Here you go....

Although there are images of other types of tails on another recent thread....




Attachment (1)

_____________________________

“Give it to me!” she yelled
“I’m so fucking wet! Give it to me now!”

She could scream all she wanted…..I was keeping the umbrella.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 11:30:48 AM   
NorthernGent


Posts: 8730
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quote:

ORIGINAL: satanscharmer

I'm with you - every year it seems the stores start stocking Christmas stuff earlier and earlier.



That's one side of Christmas.

There's another side: the side where people have the time to sit down with their families and think about what it means to be a family and enjoy it.

You don't have to take any notice of the shops trying to sell useless things.



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I have the courage to be a coward - but not beyond my limits.

Sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 12:53:39 PM   
satanscharmer


Posts: 376
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quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent


quote:

ORIGINAL: satanscharmer

I'm with you - every year it seems the stores start stocking Christmas stuff earlier and earlier.



That's one side of Christmas.

There's another side: the side where people have the time to sit down with their families and think about what it means to be a family and enjoy it.




Sorry, but I don't subscribe to this. I do not use a holiday as an excuse to sit down with and enjoy my family. It's not necessary. It's an all-year thing. Family can most certainly be a part of it, sure, but may not be applicable to everyone.




quote:



You don't have to take any notice of the shops trying to sell useless things.



I take notice of everything. If you mean I don't have to let it affect me, I don't and that was kind of my point in the rest of my post.



(Edited for clarity - hopefully)


< Message edited by satanscharmer -- 12/21/2014 1:03:07 PM >

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RE: I Hate The Holidays - 12/21/2014 2:03:39 PM   
shiftyw


Posts: 2837
Joined: 6/6/2013
From: The Shire
Status: offline 		SatansCharmer- I buy gifts, and think gift giving IS wonderful.

However, I spend A LOT of time on it. They aren't getting just crap from a big box store, I shop local, and I agonize over what that person wants.
My mom- buys us practical stuff that I hate spending money on (make up, contact solution, toothbrushes, razors, etc) and I love that because then I don't have to worry about those things anymore.

I think its cynical to see it all as just flat out consumerism. A lot of folks are buying thoughtful things for one another and making someone's day. I my favorite gifts include gas cards, walgreen cards, or a gift that I really need (this year I'm hoping for some shelving or a butchers block for my small kitchen with not enough counter space). I'm sure some folks are buying bullshit, and I avoid the big box stores because of it, but gift giving can be really thoughtful and free of crap also.

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