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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 2, 2007 13:51:15 GMT
I do really love Christmas, esp with Piglet a bit older, but there's plenty about it that annoys me.
1. Christmas music. Not carols and the like, but Slade and Wizard and God awefull Shakin' Stevens! Aaargh! All the usual pants that's droned out EVERY SMEGGING YEAR! Makes me want pull out my spleen just to have something better to do than listen to it! Ba Humbug! I'm even getting sick of John Lennon's Christmas song!
2. Early commercialism. Nothing wrong with a bit of advertising pre-season, in today's society you can't blame 'em really. But freakin' early November?!?!
3. Over commercialism. We commented if we wonder if people actually know why we celebrate "Bonfire Night". There is so much, out-of-control, commercialism re Christmas I beginning to fear people will forget what it's all actually about as well! The Coke ad should be banned! Banned I tells ye!
4. Giving Christmas cards to all ones workmates. Now I know this is a fairly hefty 'Humbug', but cards were suppose to be sent to people who you wont be seeing at Christmas. They weren't suppose to be given out to everyone you know in the entire Multiverse. "Oh, she sent me one, so now I'll have to send her one!" BA HUMBUG!
What makes you go Ba Humbug?
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 2, 2007 18:56:11 GMT
Enforced jollity irritates the hell out of me. If I feel happy, that's great. If people tell me I should be happy, I feel exactly the opposite.
Christmas itself is ok though as I am neither a Christian nor have kids or a partner it lacks anything overtly special. Sure, I go see my parents but they don't live far away so I already see them every week anyway. I'm not in work this festive season on account of a year out as a student so even the novelty of having the day off is gone!
So, yeah. Christmas. For the reasons above it's just sort of...there...for me. Perhaps if one of more of those factors changed it would mean more to me. But there are elements of it I enjoy and if it makes people feel happy...then why the hell not?
On an equal but opposite note, it's worth remembering that this time of year can be tremendously difficult for people for all sorts of reasons, so take some time and effort to help folk out if you see they are struggling. Still enjoy yourself, but be aware of your surrondings.
-Ralph
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Dec 2, 2007 20:42:12 GMT
so take some time and effort to help folk out if you see they are struggling. Essential component of the Christmas spirit as far as I'm concerned. I don't think the story of old Ebenezer would have stood the test of time if it had been about three ghosts teaching a grumpy guy to be happy so as not to be the odd one out, as opposed to three ghosts teaching him why he ought to support Tiny Tim and buy Bob Cratchit's family the largest turkey in the shop and a new coal scuttle - which in turn leads to much more profound happiness for Scrooge than would simply partying. If people can sustain that level of altruism and good will to all men throughout the year regardless, hats off to them - me, I welcome a particular time of year that focuses and renews those charitable feelings that may otherwise lapse over time. The tacky commercial side does detract from it though. Martin |
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Dec 2, 2007 21:02:54 GMT
As it so happens, in renewing my annual membership of the Folio Society, in addition to the nice three-volume set of Tolstoy stories that I was after, they threw in as a bonus a copy of this edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It's a lovely hardback edition with colour illustrations, in a nice slipcase, but I already have the story in another series that I prefer, and have accumulated so many Folio books this year that I can't give shelfspace to it. So in the spirit of giving, rather than try to flog it like that chap on eBay, if anyone (in the UK) thinks they can offer it a good home, I'd be willing to send it their way as a random pressie. Shout if you're interested. Martin |
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 2, 2007 21:59:58 GMT
I'm interested!
-Ralph
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Dec 2, 2007 22:04:33 GMT
Okey-dokey, Doc, just e-mail me your current address.
If you get fed up with it, I trust you'll pass it on to another worthy owner.
Martin
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 2, 2007 22:13:02 GMT
Of course.
-Ralph
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 6, 2007 7:20:16 GMT
On an equal but opposite note, it's worth remembering that this time of year can be tremendously difficult for people for all sorts of reasons, so take some time and effort to help folk out if you see they are struggling. Still enjoy yourself, but be aware of your surrondings. -Ralph Very wise words. Bad jobs at work always seem worse, this time of year. Gods, I hate Christmas music! Everywhere I go there's damn awefull Wizard and Slade! AAAARRRRGH!!!! Play Carols! Damn it! Ba Humbug! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2007 13:41:48 GMT
Apparently my dad went to school with the lead singer of Wizard...
Family life finally beat the christmas spirit out of me a couple of yeras back. It gets really harsh after your family parents split up cos you just can't be in more than one place at the same time.
Also, being completely skint I can't get presents for anyone...I like getting presents for people.
And being single at christmas sucks!
Thats more my problems than my humbugs....so.....
I don't like people bothering me about getting into the christmass spirit.
I don't like starting in november.
I don't like the crowds. I don't like any crowds. They just get worse at christmas 'cos you can't avoid them!
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Dec 6, 2007 15:42:34 GMT
Working my fourth Christmas now at Toys'r'us, I'm used to the sheer mental-ness of it all. I end each shift utterly frazzled, yet highly chuffed knowing that I've helped a lot of parents (and other relatives) make a lot of kids happier. Some parents buy way too much stuff and a few can be real [censored] when things don't go their way, but they're very much the minority. Now that we're into December the heat is off a wee bit, as most people have now done their toy shopping and the floor staff get to catch their breath occasionally.
HOWEVER, after Christmas comes Returns Week, where it seems like everybody who was here over the Christmas period come back, and this time they're ANGRY because the stuff they bought their kid DOESN'T WORK and we've RUINED CHRISTMAS etc etc. Ach, it's not been too bad the last couple of years but we do get the odd person who doesn't have any proof of purchase and won't take "you'll have to contact the manufacturer yourself" for an answer.
-Nick
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 6, 2007 16:33:45 GMT
On account of having no earnings other than the odd fiver or so from ebay every now and then, Christmas shopping is really easy this year, ie. none at all!
-Ralph
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 8, 2007 16:07:44 GMT
That does not sound fun, Nick.
It's Piglet's second Christmas, but last year she was only six months old and she just sat about eating wrapping paper all day. So this year, being that she's far more aware and stuff, we've gone a bit mad buying her presents. Not gunna say how much, but let's just say it would settle the national debt!
pa11ad1n, you're poor Dad. Just think, he coulda stopped it right there, you know, like if you knew what Hitler was gunna do when he was at school, etc.
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Hero
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Post by Hero on Dec 8, 2007 17:55:26 GMT
People taking thier decorations down early.  |
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Post by legios on Dec 9, 2007 15:52:43 GMT
People taking thier decorations down early. You mean before twelth night I take it? How do you feel about folk who don't actually put up any decorations? I haven't had any Christmas decorations up for several years running. (But then I don't really do Christmas as such for personal reasons). I don't mind other folk enjoying Christmas though (any more than I mind them enjoying Ramadan, or Hanukah or Diwali). I think the thing that does annoy me is the conspicuous consumption. I'm already seeing people in the supermarket stocking up with enough food for several months, and the huge investment of money in "stuff" at this time of year makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable. Karl |
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Post by gloriana on Dec 9, 2007 16:01:30 GMT
Try taking that line when you have 3 children, all teenagers and all boys who have their eyes on the latest "must have" in gadgets. My portion of the "buy stuff for the kids" budget came to well over £100. And that's before I do the husband/mother/father/step-mother/step(ish)-dad/step(ish) sister/step-sister/step-brother/etc etc etc present buying. Hubby insists on having decorations (fairy snuff, they look quite pretty) but I'm with my mother on these things who will be going on a 25 km walk along the atlantic coast of France with her other half on Christmas Day and having something tasty but not turkey/bird of choice when they get back. And I'm fed up with my dad/step-mother blackmail of "we're not going to be around that long". Bah humbug!
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 9, 2007 16:03:24 GMT
Yes this season certainly brings out everyones 'crazy money'. What was that figure on the news the other day? The amount the average person will spend on Christmas? Something like 700 squid? We limit the tat we get. We have one tree, a couple of other taste full decorations. We have smallish families so just plan between us a coupla get-to-gethers, nothing over the top. And let others get our treats (chocs, fancy booze etc) in the way of prezzies. I think a major way in which we save is we plan ahead re presents for people. I like finding a good prezzie for someone, not just something-or-whatever 'cos you HAVE to buy them something. With time and planning it's easy to figure out what a person REALLY wants and get them that. As oppose to leaving it 'till the last minute and spending loads and loads of something they may not want.
Said that, we've spent a fortune on Piglet. But what the hey!
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Post by gloriana on Dec 9, 2007 16:11:20 GMT
Don't get me wrong, I like buying stuff for people. I just wish it didn't have to come with an "I love you this much therefore I have to spend at least £Y where Y is an obscene amount of money" gift tag attached. I love my step kids, but why do they need the *latest* mobile phone. We got on fine without them when we were kids.
Rowan
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Gav
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Post by Gav on Dec 9, 2007 16:26:30 GMT
This year is my first Christmas away from the family homestead. I've never been a 'decorations' kind of person. The Missus and i have a small tree, and some other wee decorations, nothing spectacular. We're limiting ourselves to one main present and one or two little daft things. Nothing major.
I'm getting Guitar Hero Three from Santa, apparently. Woot!
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 9, 2007 16:50:54 GMT
You do have quite a haul to buy for there, Rowan!
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Dec 9, 2007 17:10:04 GMT
Well, my immediate family is upping our personal addition to the statistics by spending 500 quid on a flash new TV as a present to the household in general, although our current set has had a pink caste for some six months now as the tube is going and we needed one anyway. Other than that we're keeping a pretty tight lid on things. Toys/clothes for the kids, gift vouchers for the older kids, assorted toiletries/DVDs for everyone else. My family is massive but mercifully spread out so we usually send cards & cheques/vouchers to the more distant folk.
I usually try to send a fair bit to charity at this time of year, but at the moment I'm so spoilt for choice it's taking me a while to decide which one!
-Nick
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Post by gloriana on Dec 9, 2007 18:30:12 GMT
Yes well that's what happens when you don't do something sensible and marry your childhood sweetheart and end up marrying someone 19 years your senior with a haul of step kids. And both your parents end up with other people with kids too. Don't get me wrong, I'm a generous person when I have the money (and teaching isn't paid too badly (I'm on about £3,500 more than I've ever earned previously). However, I'm a bit of a whiz at buying stuff online and getting it delivered to the people in question (thus saving extra postage). Besides, I don't much like shopping (strange in a woman). The only thing I ever splash out on is really good food and a decent bottle of two of wine of a weekend. So saying, this year I have decided that because a) nearest relatives are in France and b) I'm not sure I can be bothered trekking north to see the dad/step mom combo, I'm going to do venison, walk on the beach at Rye and if it's dry, grab the rackets and play on our local posh school's tennis courts.
Oh and I've got a lot of planning to do!
Rowan
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 13, 2007 8:18:09 GMT
GHHHHHAAAAA!!! Yesterday, out finishing off the Christmas shopping, the shop we were in had SLADE on! But not ACTUAL Slade, a crapy re-doin' of the same God-awefull song! As if the original isn't bad enough, they gotta do a Smegging cover version! God-damn-it!!! The next shop had carols playing though, which calmed Shockprowl down again. I hate Christmas pop music. Hate it I tells ya! Ba-Humbug...
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 13, 2007 23:22:58 GMT
Hurguwurle whoo!
-ra;phnb
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 15, 2007 9:45:55 GMT
Hurguwurle whoo? Bless him...
GRRR! People who tell me what they've got me for Christmas! In general conversation!! I like surprises! They all know that! Why would I want to know?! Why would anyone want to know?! Ba Humbug! (not that i'm not gratefull of course)
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 15, 2007 10:00:26 GMT
Darn it. Just when I thought I had found all my drunken postings.
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 18, 2007 17:25:04 GMT
My folks had told me not to worry about getting them anything for Chrimbo on account of me not currently earning, but I felt a bit of a swine about it, especially after they insisted they wanted to get me something. So I picked up a cuddly penguin with a voucher for naming a star on the space register thingy for my mum and the Broon's cookbook for my dad. Will pick up some Thorntons toffee/chocs for each tomorrow and that's me done Chrimbo shopping.
That was easy.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Dec 18, 2007 20:43:53 GMT
The final Christmas present I need is currently on its way to me from Play. Whether the good Mr Holmes will arrive in time for me to get it wrapped up for its intended recipient remains unclear. I may have to wrap an IOU instead if it doesn't get here in time.
The tension begins....
Karl
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Post by gloriana on Dec 18, 2007 21:22:05 GMT
Have bought 2 out of can't-think-how-many Christmas presents so far. I've been too busy working/being ill/being miserable to shop. I'm sure that the final Christmas present will arrive on time, Karl. I've got faith.
Rowan
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 18, 2007 21:58:38 GMT
Faith of the heart.
-Ralph
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kayevcee
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Post by kayevcee on Dec 19, 2007 0:23:23 GMT
I have Thursday and Friday of this week to begin and complete my Christmas shopping. Thankfully we already sent stuff off to a bunch of relatives who won't be joining us this year and for most of whoever is left I'm just chipping in for gift vouchers. Still a few things to pick up, though.
-Nick
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