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It was bound to happen eventually. After 21 years I can safely say that I have lost nearly all trace of festive spirit in me. I buy presents simply because I know they are expected and that those who I give them to will respond likewise.
I can't be bothered to write out cards yet.
Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Years Eve; all are reduced to an easy way to earn double money at work.
At University it is the same, apart from the odd christmas tree dotted here and there. Most people, despite the term not finishing until friday, have gone home, for christmas.
At work, I see loads and loads of people, intent on buying all kinds of things, for christmas, I've seen every credit card stlye, design and type you can imagine. I hear the damned christmas songs playing constantly whilst I'm there because thats all there is to listen to.
It's like we're forcing ourselves to enjoy christmas. What is it, really ? A solitary day off when we overeat, watch a pile of crap on the tv, drink too much (optional), and wake up knackered on Boxing day, only to repeat the same actions as the day before. 27th ? Back to work for many. Ho ho b*&ody ho. Two days of relative peace and everyone acting friendly then after that we all go back to our usual cheerful *not* selves.
And who can blame anyone for this lack of festive cheer ? Have you seen the news recently ? We're disappearing under a sea of terrorist threats, the ongoing and increasingly pointless topic of war against Iraq, firefighters strikes and everything else. Israel won't even let Araft attend a christmas thing. I mean, come on, is anything positive actually happening ? Nope, didn't think so.
Is it commercialisation ? No. Capitalism ? No. I don't know, I really don't, but whatever magic the season had is lost to me, and I don't see me getting it back soon. Even the Christmas #1 single has become a crass marketing attempt by a TV company.
~~Belldandy~~
I can't be bothered to write out cards yet.
Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Years Eve; all are reduced to an easy way to earn double money at work.
At University it is the same, apart from the odd christmas tree dotted here and there. Most people, despite the term not finishing until friday, have gone home, for christmas.
At work, I see loads and loads of people, intent on buying all kinds of things, for christmas, I've seen every credit card stlye, design and type you can imagine. I hear the damned christmas songs playing constantly whilst I'm there because thats all there is to listen to.
It's like we're forcing ourselves to enjoy christmas. What is it, really ? A solitary day off when we overeat, watch a pile of crap on the tv, drink too much (optional), and wake up knackered on Boxing day, only to repeat the same actions as the day before. 27th ? Back to work for many. Ho ho b*&ody ho. Two days of relative peace and everyone acting friendly then after that we all go back to our usual cheerful *not* selves.
And who can blame anyone for this lack of festive cheer ? Have you seen the news recently ? We're disappearing under a sea of terrorist threats, the ongoing and increasingly pointless topic of war against Iraq, firefighters strikes and everything else. Israel won't even let Araft attend a christmas thing. I mean, come on, is anything positive actually happening ? Nope, didn't think so.
Is it commercialisation ? No. Capitalism ? No. I don't know, I really don't, but whatever magic the season had is lost to me, and I don't see me getting it back soon. Even the Christmas #1 single has become a crass marketing attempt by a TV company.
~~Belldandy~~
Page:
The happiest times of my life were around Christmas from about 5-12 years old... it loses a bit of excitement every year but I still love it. This is the fastest December ever, I used to count the days down.
It still rules :P
It still rules :P
Indeed I am beginning to feel the same way. I can still remeber the times when i was a little nipper and i wouldnt be able to sleep on christmas eve, and i would get a funny feeling in my stomach when i thought about the presents i might get. Because of course when you are that age you still think santa clause is real, and every present is a surprise.
Moreover the actual day of christmas seemed to last for ages, as you walked into the living room, greeted by what seemed like a mountain of presents, but in reality it wasnt that big, its just i was only 3.5ft tall.
Unwrapping each present sent your nerves tingling and bit by bit the present was revealed, was it sweeties? Or perhaps a toy car? You just couldnt tell. Then of course after you broke it free of its shackles you played with it, for ages it seemed, and then it was time to unwrap the next present.
We used to get up at 7am, and still be unwrapping when lunch time came. But its not like that anymore...Now i think i will have everything unwrapped inside 10 minutes. And even then i know what i will be getting.
The only part that still excites me is the gathering round the table for christmas dinner, as i set the crackers in their places, trying to make sure i get the best toy. But this year i wont be able to do that, since I am going through to my aunt and uncle's house for christmas dinner. The first time someone else has cooked since ive been alive.
Even getting a christmas tree this year is in doubt, since this computer im typing on resides in its tradition slot. And since we are all grown up now, everyone see how sort of pointless it is covering a tree in decorations, only to have the bother of taking them all down again a few weeks later.
Once you are past the stage where you know santa doesnt exist christmas becomes almost meaningless. All of the magic and mystery is gone, and you hear your parents sneaking down to lay out the presents, only to stubb their toe on your new bike.
Of course things change, and they always will, but they dont always change for the better.
*sighs*
Moreover the actual day of christmas seemed to last for ages, as you walked into the living room, greeted by what seemed like a mountain of presents, but in reality it wasnt that big, its just i was only 3.5ft tall.
Unwrapping each present sent your nerves tingling and bit by bit the present was revealed, was it sweeties? Or perhaps a toy car? You just couldnt tell. Then of course after you broke it free of its shackles you played with it, for ages it seemed, and then it was time to unwrap the next present.
We used to get up at 7am, and still be unwrapping when lunch time came. But its not like that anymore...Now i think i will have everything unwrapped inside 10 minutes. And even then i know what i will be getting.
The only part that still excites me is the gathering round the table for christmas dinner, as i set the crackers in their places, trying to make sure i get the best toy. But this year i wont be able to do that, since I am going through to my aunt and uncle's house for christmas dinner. The first time someone else has cooked since ive been alive.
Even getting a christmas tree this year is in doubt, since this computer im typing on resides in its tradition slot. And since we are all grown up now, everyone see how sort of pointless it is covering a tree in decorations, only to have the bother of taking them all down again a few weeks later.
Once you are past the stage where you know santa doesnt exist christmas becomes almost meaningless. All of the magic and mystery is gone, and you hear your parents sneaking down to lay out the presents, only to stubb their toe on your new bike.
Of course things change, and they always will, but they dont always change for the better.
*sighs*
I love Christmas and it's only thing that's keeping me going so shhhhhh :P
Suppose it'll change a few years time
*sigh*
Suppose it'll change a few years time
*sigh*
Belldandy wrote:
> Is it commercialisation ? No. Capitalism ? No. I don't know, I really
> don't
I think it's just called "growing up". Christmas, Birthdays... it all loses its appeal.
I did look forward to Christmas because it usually means time of work - but as I'm not working at the moment, it'll just be another boring Wednesday, with (probably) even worse TV than usual.
I know pretty much everything I'm getting for Christmas, so nothing to look forward to there. TV will be the sme old films that I've seen time and time again. BBC will be repeating Christmas editions of old programs like Only Fools & Horses which, while great when they were new, lose their appeal after years of repeats.
Then we'll sit and pass a week waiting for New Years Eve, where we can sit around waiting for midnight, talking about how "it only seems five minutes ago that we were seeing in the new millennium". Followed by a brief period of listening to Big Ben, then saying "happy new year" and promptly toddling off to bed.
Some of us will party, some of us won't. Everyone and his dog will be our best friend on the night, but once we're over the hangover, we'll still see everyone and his dog as the same a-hole as we've always said they were. Until next year, when we'll do it all again.
The only thing I'm looking forward to is my mum's Christmas dinner.
> Is it commercialisation ? No. Capitalism ? No. I don't know, I really
> don't
I think it's just called "growing up". Christmas, Birthdays... it all loses its appeal.
I did look forward to Christmas because it usually means time of work - but as I'm not working at the moment, it'll just be another boring Wednesday, with (probably) even worse TV than usual.
I know pretty much everything I'm getting for Christmas, so nothing to look forward to there. TV will be the sme old films that I've seen time and time again. BBC will be repeating Christmas editions of old programs like Only Fools & Horses which, while great when they were new, lose their appeal after years of repeats.
Then we'll sit and pass a week waiting for New Years Eve, where we can sit around waiting for midnight, talking about how "it only seems five minutes ago that we were seeing in the new millennium". Followed by a brief period of listening to Big Ben, then saying "happy new year" and promptly toddling off to bed.
Some of us will party, some of us won't. Everyone and his dog will be our best friend on the night, but once we're over the hangover, we'll still see everyone and his dog as the same a-hole as we've always said they were. Until next year, when we'll do it all again.
The only thing I'm looking forward to is my mum's Christmas dinner.
I was saying this to the missus last night. All xmas cheer is lost. There are far more important things to spend money on at the mo rather than token gifts for relatives that you would not normally talk to, and in exchange recieve stuff you would never have bought with the money.
To me, christmas is like any other bank holiday - a day off/overtime opportunity. I've worked xmas day before, and it diddn't bother me in the slightest, but then, I'm not religious.
To me, christmas is like any other bank holiday - a day off/overtime opportunity. I've worked xmas day before, and it diddn't bother me in the slightest, but then, I'm not religious.
The regurgitated Christmas songs echoing throughout the malls and shops.
The cynical commercial machine kicks into orgasmic overdrive.
The superficial tinsel and lights, and the Christmas card tokenism.
Rats on a wheel.
And then there's the New Year.
Just WHAT are people celebrating?
A change of number.
Superficiality gone mad.
Christmas spirit?
That's a bottle of whiskey isn't it?
The cynical commercial machine kicks into orgasmic overdrive.
The superficial tinsel and lights, and the Christmas card tokenism.
Rats on a wheel.
And then there's the New Year.
Just WHAT are people celebrating?
A change of number.
Superficiality gone mad.
Christmas spirit?
That's a bottle of whiskey isn't it?
Had our uni flat secret santa tonight. Wasn't much, just a token gesture, kind of out of a feeling of obligation.
Still, the ensuing sugar rush has helped me finish my essay. Admittedly i have no hope of sleeping now, but never mind. Only 7 straight hours of lectures tomorrow. I'll just eat more sugar...
Not sure where i stand on christmas now. It's not really a big holiday as i'll be revising for exams in january, but it's nice to have one time in the year when everyone's nice to everyone else. Even if they do only do it out of obligation.
The presents? I can't afford much these days, partly general studentness at the end of the loan cheque, partly having not been able to work (since screwing up my shoulder blah blah), so the presents are a bit lamer than previous years, making the whole obligatory nature seem more evident.
But maybe you have to go through the obligatory crap to make it special, then you can enjoy the rest of it knowing that it is actually different to most times. Not sure if that's entirely clear, but i don't think i can do it any better. The sugar may be pushing my body on, but my mind has long since given up trying.
Still, the ensuing sugar rush has helped me finish my essay. Admittedly i have no hope of sleeping now, but never mind. Only 7 straight hours of lectures tomorrow. I'll just eat more sugar...
Not sure where i stand on christmas now. It's not really a big holiday as i'll be revising for exams in january, but it's nice to have one time in the year when everyone's nice to everyone else. Even if they do only do it out of obligation.
The presents? I can't afford much these days, partly general studentness at the end of the loan cheque, partly having not been able to work (since screwing up my shoulder blah blah), so the presents are a bit lamer than previous years, making the whole obligatory nature seem more evident.
But maybe you have to go through the obligatory crap to make it special, then you can enjoy the rest of it knowing that it is actually different to most times. Not sure if that's entirely clear, but i don't think i can do it any better. The sugar may be pushing my body on, but my mind has long since given up trying.
I was gonna say, it would be quite amusing if neither of the bands got the Christmas no.1.
I get a couple of weeks off so as well Christmas it's just generally some time off school.
Some people in my form have been giving out cards to everyone, and I tried that...but it's pointless, really. Like you said, we end uo being 'forced' to do this. I found myself writing these cards with no happiness at all, just for the sake of writing them.
I get a couple of weeks off so as well Christmas it's just generally some time off school.
Some people in my form have been giving out cards to everyone, and I tried that...but it's pointless, really. Like you said, we end uo being 'forced' to do this. I found myself writing these cards with no happiness at all, just for the sake of writing them.
It was bound to happen eventually. After 21 years I can safely say that I have lost nearly all trace of festive spirit in me. I buy presents simply because I know they are expected and that those who I give them to will respond likewise.
I can't be bothered to write out cards yet.
Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Years Eve; all are reduced to an easy way to earn double money at work.
At University it is the same, apart from the odd christmas tree dotted here and there. Most people, despite the term not finishing until friday, have gone home, for christmas.
At work, I see loads and loads of people, intent on buying all kinds of things, for christmas, I've seen every credit card stlye, design and type you can imagine. I hear the damned christmas songs playing constantly whilst I'm there because thats all there is to listen to.
It's like we're forcing ourselves to enjoy christmas. What is it, really ? A solitary day off when we overeat, watch a pile of crap on the tv, drink too much (optional), and wake up knackered on Boxing day, only to repeat the same actions as the day before. 27th ? Back to work for many. Ho ho b*&ody ho. Two days of relative peace and everyone acting friendly then after that we all go back to our usual cheerful *not* selves.
And who can blame anyone for this lack of festive cheer ? Have you seen the news recently ? We're disappearing under a sea of terrorist threats, the ongoing and increasingly pointless topic of war against Iraq, firefighters strikes and everything else. Israel won't even let Araft attend a christmas thing. I mean, come on, is anything positive actually happening ? Nope, didn't think so.
Is it commercialisation ? No. Capitalism ? No. I don't know, I really don't, but whatever magic the season had is lost to me, and I don't see me getting it back soon. Even the Christmas #1 single has become a crass marketing attempt by a TV company.
~~Belldandy~~
I can't be bothered to write out cards yet.
Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Years Eve; all are reduced to an easy way to earn double money at work.
At University it is the same, apart from the odd christmas tree dotted here and there. Most people, despite the term not finishing until friday, have gone home, for christmas.
At work, I see loads and loads of people, intent on buying all kinds of things, for christmas, I've seen every credit card stlye, design and type you can imagine. I hear the damned christmas songs playing constantly whilst I'm there because thats all there is to listen to.
It's like we're forcing ourselves to enjoy christmas. What is it, really ? A solitary day off when we overeat, watch a pile of crap on the tv, drink too much (optional), and wake up knackered on Boxing day, only to repeat the same actions as the day before. 27th ? Back to work for many. Ho ho b*&ody ho. Two days of relative peace and everyone acting friendly then after that we all go back to our usual cheerful *not* selves.
And who can blame anyone for this lack of festive cheer ? Have you seen the news recently ? We're disappearing under a sea of terrorist threats, the ongoing and increasingly pointless topic of war against Iraq, firefighters strikes and everything else. Israel won't even let Araft attend a christmas thing. I mean, come on, is anything positive actually happening ? Nope, didn't think so.
Is it commercialisation ? No. Capitalism ? No. I don't know, I really don't, but whatever magic the season had is lost to me, and I don't see me getting it back soon. Even the Christmas #1 single has become a crass marketing attempt by a TV company.
~~Belldandy~~
Page: