Your thoughts on Christmas.

[jamessd]

Well it's that time of year again.

What do you think of Christmas in general?

Are you a Scrooge?

Do you get spoilt all year round, or just at christmas, or not at all?

Are you happy with a few small gifts? Or do you take the idea for granted and really go to town?

Is what you get a surprise, or do you choose things yourself to make sure you get something you want?

Do you have a traditional christmas and do the same every year, or always do something different, or go abroad?

And finally, what are you expecting for Christmas this year?

Discuss :D

[torkerdx]

Well it's that time of year again.

What do you think of Christmas in general?

Are you a Scrooge?

Do you get spoilt all year round, or just at christmas, or not at all?

Are you happy with a few small gifts? Or do you take the idea for granted and really go to town?

Is what you get a surprise, or do you choose things yourself to make sure you get something you want?

Do you have a traditional christmas and do the same every year, or always do something different, or go abroad?

And finally, what are you expecting for Christmas this year?

Discuss :D
unicycle parts and paintball gear
of course i always know what i am getting though :(

[Spoonthumb]

unicycle parts and paintball gear
of course i always know what i am getting though :(

yes i diden't know there were other ballers on the forums...what kinda gun you got?

[kerosian]

I paintball as well
setup (I'm a woodsball/scenario player)
Tippmann A-5
Carbon St!ffi barrel 16"
BT Apex tip
Palmer Male Reg
CO2 tank 20 oz
A5 M4 stock
Q-Loader
E-Trigger w/ APE (25bps capable)

[amanda.gallacher]

I like christmas. I would be happy not to get anything at all, but receiving gifts is nice. I like to spend far too much money on people (mostly my mum) at xmas. This year, I'll be getting some driving lessons.

[dudewithasock]

I love christmas. Lots of family that I actually like, awesome grandma-food, and a chance to relax. I don't even care a whole lot about the presents - money's always tight for us, so I've learned not to expect too much. But it's not a bad thing. I love the togetherness that christmas brings.

[PKHodgie]

im getting my new nimbus isis trials for christmas, but i like the feeling of christmas arriving alot.

[Spoonthumb]

I paintball as well
setup (I'm a woodsball/scenario player)
Tippmann A-5
Carbon St!ffi barrel 16"
BT Apex tip
Palmer Male Reg
CO2 tank 20 oz
A5 M4 stock
Q-Loader
E-Trigger w/ APE (25bps capable)

Nice, im kinda both...more tourny though...

I got a 2k5 Autococker [wgp] Prostock, i got a dropforward and a freak barrel kit...its a mech (for now)...i got an Egg 3 loader and a pmi pure energery HPA tank with a Vforce Vantage [thermal] mask...

[peleschramm]

i dislike christmas quite a bit, i dont celebrate it, but i still dread that time of year. I think everyone gets way to spoiled from christmas and theres always a horrible shopping rush. I also don't at all see how christmas even relates to Jesus' birthday, it has become the holiday of spoiled brats and drinking. Everyone is stressed out before christmas, struggling to get everyone gifts. the only good thing about it is that we get 2 weeks off from school.

[torkerdx]

yes i diden't know there were other ballers on the forums...what kinda gun you got?
my prefered gun is a phantom
horizontal feed
and bottom lineing a 3.5 oz, soon to be a 13ci/3000psi tank

i am mainly a scenario player but i will play anything

and
an icon x (got for free from a raffle)
velocity jr hopper
9oz tank
the only thing i spent money on was the hopper and i got it for half off
kerosian- ever play scenarios at TAW Paintball? they rock, but they are west coast.

[harper]

Paintball? Sissies. Get a SigSAUER P-220 and play painball.

Christmas is evangelical capitalism.

[gkmac]

I've grown to hate the c-word.

It used to be nice when I was a kid, but the fun stopped when I had my first regular income and thus was expected to predict and buy presents for other people.

That does sound incredibly scrooge-ish. But I realised that I spent money, and got a present in return. And since most presents I received were things that I asked for, it was no different from the common scenario of me going into a shop, spending money, and getting a new item in return. Anytime of the year. With the added benefit of that I can get the model of item that I exactly want, as opposed to being given something which is similar to what I asked for but something about it will be completely different, enough for me to hate it.

And all the fingers I have on one had are enough to count the presents I received in my lifetime that I didn't ask for... and actually liked. I am far too much of a selfish perfectionist to be able to receive presents. All the little gifts that other people somehow think I like usually get put in storage, stored in the wrapper that they came in, never to be used or opened.

I've got plenty of pens at home so why am I given another one? Why am I given a nice little box when I've got plenty of drawers and storage spaces at home already? Why am I given a pair of socks in a colour that I don't like, or didn't ask for?

The money spent on decorations and things can be far better spent on other things, whether they be things for yourself or to cover the massive heating bills that strike at this time year.

And the xmas shopping rush does nothing but get in the way of the normal weekly food shop. If at anytime in the fortnight before xmas I happen to run out of milk, I'll have to battle past the crowds and queue at the checkout for many many minutes. Why the hell do food shops get busier towards xmas? They're only closed for two or three days, and apart from turkeys everyone else is still eating the same amount of food...

[ntappin]

I'm a scrooge. I'm actualy really happy this year because I work on Christmas eve!

I just don't enjoy it too much because everyone is always stressed out, particularly in my family. I don't like being around my family when they are that stressed out, so therefore I don't like christmas.

Plus I'm not religious, so I feel like I'm being pushed into a christian holiday by big money corporations. I much prefer birthdays because they aren't all on one day, they are more spontanious, and therefore I see them as being uncontrolled by the big money.

I like the idea of gift giving and chilling with family and friends, but there is just sooooo much importance on it in general these days that I can't take it.

Plus since I live at home and work full time at a decent paying job, I spoil myself, so for the past couple of years, I feel like my family feels obligated to get me what I want. Again I prefer a spontanious gift, but I know its really hard for them to buy things for me.

This year, I need a digital camera, a memory stick converter, and a couple other smaller things. I know I'm probably going to get these or money to buy them myself, and I feel kind of bad that it has come down to this.

Another problem is my family is pretty similar, so trying to find presents that are original and that they will still like, is like pulling teeth. Plus my Mom's Birthday is like ten days away from Christmas and shes one of the hardest ones to shop for.

[dudewithasock]

Everyone who's saying that they don't like the capitalistic aspect of christmas and the stress and whatnot...look, christmas is what you make of it. Any holiday is. Me and my family, we just try and get together, show some love, trade some thoughtful gifts, have a good homecooked meal, it's just awesome. You all sound like you're playing right into the hands of consumerism by denouncing it. Seriously, just ignore it, do what you want.

[kerosian]

kerosian- ever play scenarios at TAW Paintball? they rock, but they are west coast.
Nope, haven't played there, coolest place I've paintballed at is in florida, they had a military training camp converted into a paintball arena. It was a small vilage with 2 story houses and underground sewers. Pretty sweet if you ask me!

[torkerdx]

Nope, haven't played there, coolest place I've paintballed at is in florida, they had a military training camp converted into a paintball arena. It was a small vilage with 2 story houses and underground sewers. Pretty sweet if you ask me!
theirs a place in orvile where i am playing a scenario next weekend thats amazing.
but...
Travis Airforce Base.
might be the coolest place ever.
cause it is still an active militart base.
complete with carports

[peleschramm]

alright guys... go ahead and start a new thread on paintballing... just take it somewhere else k? this threads on christmas.

[Spoonthumb]

he's right sry Jamessd make a new thread about christmas this is the paintball thread now:D Joking;)

[Spoonthumb]

But back to christmas, i get some stuff, not alot but it really bugs me when people ask me what i want, then buy me something way more expensesive than what i wanted that i DONT need...

[Naomi]

Christmas for me is a mixture of the good and the bad. Sadly the bad far overshadows the good.
It lasts too long. Even the "twelve days" is a little excessive, but the commercial length is about three months. My town has had christmas decorations up for weeks.
It is symptomatic that we have a thread about this in November, although I am a little surprised it didn't hit the forum in October.
So many of those who profess to be "green" forget all about being so when Christmas gets near. So much waste, presents people don't actually want or need, cards to people who have been forgotten by all but the address book.
I hate shopping near Christmas, why is it necessary for almost every shop to belt out the old Christmas songs non-stop for weeks? Bad enough for my ten minute visit, but it must be hell for the staff.
Keep Christmas short, and keep it for the kids and for the religious.

Nao

[Poseidon]

I like Christmas. Everybody's happy, and people come over and we have parties and my brother comes back with his wife, and we play games. And... I show off unicycling to my family, then juggling, then trumpet playing. And everybody thinks I'm the shit. Everybody's happy, we're all having a good time playing games, sledding, hot cocoa. Holiday spice pepsi. Giving gifts, getting gifts. I love it, it's my favoirte time.

Everybody's happy

That's the best part.

[dudewithasock]

I like Christmas. Everybody's happy, and people come over and we have parties and my brother comes back with his wife, and we play games. And... I show off unicycling to my family, then juggling, then trumpet playing. And everybody thinks I'm the shit. Everybody's happy, we're all having a good time playing games, sledding, hot cocoa. Holiday spice pepsi. Giving gifts, getting gifts. I love it, it's my favoirte time.

Everybody's happy

That's the best part.

Amen to that. That's what the holidays are about. :)

[harper]

I like Christmas. Everybody's happy, and people come over and we have parties and my brother comes back with his wife, and we play games. And... I show off unicycling to my family, then juggling, then trumpet playing. And everybody thinks I'm the shit. Everybody's happy, we're all having a good time playing games, sledding, hot cocoa. Holiday spice pepsi. Giving gifts, getting gifts. I love it, it's my favoirte time.

Everybody's happy

That's the best part.

This guy has spent too much time in the ecstacy (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65931) thread.

[James_Potter]

This guy has spent too much time in the ecstacy (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65931) thread.
Chyeah, I must have missed the part where everybody is happy.

Did you know suicide rates double during the holidays?

I'm just saying.

EDIT actually I decided to research this just now, and found out it's apparently not true (http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/suicide.asp). So, whatever.

[SqueakyOnion]

Christmas is one of my favorite times. There are always squabbles among family members, but that is to be expected. Overall, it is a happy time.

Now that I live halfway, across the country, I'd be glad to be in the house with my family for a few weeks even if they were all cranky. In HS, when I lived at home, this wasn't the case. A matter of perspective, I think. Now that I no longer live with my family, I appreciate the holidays much more. Now, I think of holidays as a great excuse to fly home and visit. For me, it's all about visiting the family & friends, and having some of my mom's cooking.

I think the best part of Christmas time is that its a society-sanctioned time to stop working and visit your family. I think that's important. Families should stick together and not grow apart, which can easily happen when its members are residing all over the country.

[jamessd]

Well to review, it looks like a lot of people find christmas pretty stressful, especially the older ones. I suppose there's no suprise there as adults are the ones who have to pay for it for the children.

I think it's particularly nice for children but when you get older the presents get more expensive, or harder to find.

In the end, atfer all of the stress I think it's paramount to have a good relax, a nice meal, and maybe if you're lucky a nice gift to see you into the start of next year. Lets be honest - without christmas, whatever it is for different people, life would be that little bit more plain. It's something to finish the year off nicely.

Continue...

[Poseidon]

This guy has spent too much time in the ecstacy (http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65931) thread.

Drugs are nasty.

Never.

Don't do them. They'll ruin your life and every dream you've ever had. Maybe when you're older and your brain/body are done developing.

[jamessd]

Drugs are nasty.

Never.

Don't do them. They'll ruin your life and every dream you've ever had. Maybe when you're older and your brain/body are done developing.
Ok lets combine these two topics...

It's from a sketch show called That Mitchell And Webb Look ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZduNqmFt78

[monkeyman]

Everyone who's saying that they don't like the capitalistic aspect of christmas and the stress and whatnot...look, christmas is what you make of it. Any holiday is. Me and my family, we just try and get together, show some love, trade some thoughtful gifts, have a good homecooked meal, it's just awesome. You all sound like you're playing right into the hands of consumerism by denouncing it. Seriously, just ignore it, do what you want.

Matt, I think the problem most people are describing is that all of their families are falling into the "I have to work myself to death so I can buy a present for my daughter that she doesn't really need/want." You might not understand, because your family is cool with just being together, but there are still people out there who feel like they have to buy just because it's that time of the year. My family is the same way. I only got one present last year that actually meant something to me, and surprised me...it was a big multi-picture frame from my aunt that had pictures from a trip I took with her and some other people last summer.


Naomi: We Americans are lucky to have Thanksgiving as a barrier...people/stores that start decorating for Christmas before then are usually ridiculed.

[dudewithasock]

Matt, I think the problem most people are describing is that all of their families are falling into the "I have to work myself to death so I can buy a present for my daughter that she doesn't really need/want."

That's exactly what I'm saying. The people posting that they hate the consumerism of Christmas are falling right into the corporations' hands. Don't support it, don't denounce it...just ignore it.

[Goats_On_Unicycles]

I kind of don't like Christmas. At all... But my family celebrates it so... you know. Whatever. I do kind of get pissed off by it. I'm not sure why. It's not just people saying Merry Christmas to me like I'm a Christian or something...

[Wheel Rider]

Well it's that time of year again.

What do you think of Christmas in general?

Are you a Scrooge?

...Discuss
Bah!! Humbug.

[monkeyman]

That's exactly what I'm saying. The people posting that they hate the consumerism of Christmas are falling right into the corporations' hands. Don't support it, don't denounce it...just ignore it.
....I think you're missing the point. They can't ignore it, because everyone else won't. Ntappin can't spend time with his family because they're so stressed out about it. Denouncing it isn't "playing right into their hands." It's just expressing your dislike of something.

[DancingQueen]

Christmas has become a time of year that I dread. I used to try to make the best of it, in any given situation. However, year after year, the holidays just get worse and worse for me. Bad things always seem to happen around the holidays.
It started with little things, like getting the flu over christmas. Or getting cast aside by my guardians when I was a kid because they wanted to make their kids feel special. Or when I still lived with my brothers before my dad passed and how they didn't want to set up the christmas tree after my mother passed. Being separated from everything I knew, and moved accross the country to live with appointed guardians I barely knew. One year, I was living with an ex and found out 3 days before christmas that he had wanted to get re involved with his ex. I spent the holidays homeless and couch surfing among the few friends that were home for the holidays. This Christmas is by far the worst!!! And its not even Christmas yet! I'm so depressed by certain unfortunate events that just took place. However, I do not feel comfortable to post what happened at this point in time.
I am definitely ready for my luck to change. I must have broken several mirrors when I was a kid or something...

So... yeah, Christmas is not a happy time for me. I would much rather hole up in my bedroom and wait out the storm to ensure nothing bad happens.
Still waiting for Karma to come back around. I've experienced enough sadness in this world, its time for some happiness. Hopefully through Unicycling I can acheive great happiness. It seems that the people who enjoy unicycling are very positive and optimistic . I am hoping that some of that rubs off on me.

[kington99]

Naomi: We Americans are lucky to have Thanksgiving as a barrier...people/stores that start decorating for Christmas before then are usually ridiculed.


Yeah it's halloween in the UK. I always feel slightly bad about the money my parents spend on me at xmas, which is ridiculous because it's a drop in the ocean compared to what they spend on me the rest of the year, and a totally insignificant amount to them.

[harper]

Yeah it's halloween in the UK. I always feel slightly bad about the money my parents spend on me at xmas, which is ridiculous because it's a drop in the ocean compared to what they spend on me the rest of the year, and a totally insignificant amount to them.

Are you looking for an older brother?

[kington99]

Are you looking for an older brother?


got one already

and to clarify, i meant in terms of education, housing etc. they don't just give me random gifts or anything

[DancingQueen]

I'll be your older sister if you want one.

got one already

and to clarify, i meant in terms of education, housing etc. they don't just give me random gifts or anything

[BillyTheMountain]

Wasn't christmas popularized by the store merchants?

[mornish]

I love jewchristmas


yay

[dudewithasock]

....I think you're missing the point. They can't ignore it, because everyone else won't. Ntappin can't spend time with his family because they're so stressed out about it. Denouncing it isn't "playing right into their hands." It's just expressing your dislike of something.

Well ok, I worded that wrong. I'm not really blaming the people posting here and those like them, I'm blaming the ones who brainwashed them - the companies.

And in this case, yes, I think that denouncing them and declaring your dislike of christmas because of them is playing right into their hands, because they've convinced you that you've got an obligation to purchase their goods for your friends and family, whereas in reality, you don't. The companies are winning.

Maybe my family is just one of the lucky ones...if so, that's really depressing.

[monkeyman]

And in this case, yes, I think that denouncing them and declaring your dislike of christmas because of them is playing right into their hands, because they've convinced you that you've got an obligation to purchase their goods for your friends and family, whereas in reality, you don't. The companies are winning.

Well if you keep buying everyone and their dog something, then yes, they are winning. But denouncing it and actually doing something (or not doing something, in this case) about it isn't playing right into their hands.

[dudewithasock]

Well if you keep buying everyone and their dog something, then yes, they are winning. But denouncing it and actually doing something (or not doing something, in this case) about it isn't playing right into their hands.

Well the impression I was getting is that people were disliking christmas because they felt the obligation to buy for everyone, and that feeling of obligation was created by the big companies. If they really were denouncing it and not doing anything, then they wouldn't be disliking christmas, because they'd realize it's a time to get together with family and show some love.

Kinda hard to explain what I'm trying to say here. Either way, it doesn't matter, because I personally don't let the consumerism mentality get to me.

[peleschramm]

I understand what you are saying, but there are plenty other reasons people had for disliking christmas. And some dont have the option of ignoring consumerism since there is very often peer pressure involved. Also, the way others treat christmass is very annoying. You say just dont treat it like them but in reality that isnt the problem. All the shopping rush does get in your way a whole lot. All the new movies are cheesy christmass movies that are all the same and all SUCK. In some stores they play annoying christmass music. The topic of christmass also dominates many conversations. There are plenty of reasons to hate christmass even if you do treat it as it should be treated.

[aydan_evans]

the only good thing about it is that we get 2 weeks off from school.

wow we get 8 weeks off school

Anyway, i dont like christmas either, i dont like people giving me things because i feel like i should of gotten them something. we just had a fake "christmas" a week ago because of some sort of warranty issue. our family never makes a big deal out of christmas and we just get a couple presents each.

it is a good thing though cause our whole family gets together for a massive lunch with heaps of food, that is pretty fun. And i got just enough money to get a trials bike that i have been saving for for about a year. :D

i guess i actually really like christmas just not the whole present giving part and the relation to jesus (which doesn't exist anyway)

[Jerrick]

I like Christmas.

I don't mind getting gifts either. I don't care too much about getting them, but its fun and I get a nice feeling to buy/give things to my friends and family. Its not like im spending a lot of money, cause usually the things that are thoughtful and hart warming are things that I can usually make within a few hours of thinking of what to put together.

Like the post of getting a little college of picture from a trip with a family member. Those are the gifts I like to give and get. Where the meaning is far greater than the cost.

[Jim_The_IT_Technician]

im gonna get me my KH24 so imma be bare happy blud.

[Hazmat]

Well it's that time of year again.

What do you think of Christmas in general?
I think its a time when i get 2 weeks of work and get more time to unicycle.

Are you a Scrooge?
Does that mean greedy??? if so, nope.

Do you get spoilt all year round, or just at christmas, or not at all?
I don't get spoilt at all even on occasions

Are you happy with a few small gifts? Or do you take the idea for granted and really go to town?
I'm happy with the small gifts and most times i give my small cousins $100 so they can spend it on what they want to get instead of giving them something that they won't like and eventually sell.

Is what you get a surprise, or do you choose things yourself to make sure you get something you want?
:p Read above. :p

Do you have a traditional christmas and do the same every year, or always do something different, or go abroad?
Most times i'm at home for X-mas and then boxing day i go for a big unicycle cruise with mates.

And finally, what are you expecting for Christmas this year?
Nothing special because everyday is just another day for me. most times. :D

[lil rockmelon]

yey! i love christmas!! hopefully im getting surfing lessons this year!! yey!

[sutton629]

Most of my family is really into Christmas but I am the type of person that does not like Christmas music outside of December. My family is always together for Christmas so I do enjoy that part of it. We are going to Mexico to go scuba dive this year so it should be good. Except I can't take my uni cus my mom wants me to carry her dive gear. Oh well

[AVRAM]

Christmas isn't my favorite. Half of my family love it and the other half fight it but they all stress over it exept my dad because he makes everyone else do all the work. If people were in better moods during this time I would enjoy it more but that is not the case so I don't care for Christmas to come around. Plus a couple of Christmases ago my sister and I found a lady who shot herself in the head so I guess that kind of put a damper Christmas for me.

[thejdw]

I just find myself a year older, yet not an hour richer :rolleyes:

[Borgschulze]

If I had money I would probably like Christmas more, I feel bad for not being able to get other people presents.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

I celebrate Cultural Christmas not religious Christmas. I couldn't care less about Jesus' birth, but I like having a time each year to see my family spend time with them and whatnot. Now that all the cousins are in or out of college it's not about presents so much. It's really nice actually. I like buying presents. I ussually get toys for everyone regardless of how old they are.

[jamessd]

I ussually get toys for everyone regardless of how old they are.

It's always nice to have a few kool gadgets :p

[qhxakg]

I celebrate Cultural Christmas not religious Christmas. I couldn't care less about Jesus' birth, but I like having a time each year to see my family spend time with them and whatnot.
i agree
i like Christmas within the family because the are the people i know and love best but i am not really a fan of gift exchange party's with friends because like most of the people here said its never anything i want/need so i feel my gift money could have better gone towards something else that i need.

i like the surprise of not asking for anything but i also like getting something i want so i will usually ask for one thing and then get surprised by others or just say a specific area like some books or parts for something i need.

[johnfoss]

"What do you think of Christmas in general?"
It should be optional but it's hard/impossible to ignore in America. There is an expectation that you have to buy lots of stuff. But you don't have to, it's up to your family/gift exchange group how much of that you will do. If you don't want to do a lot you don't have to. Besides, stuff is on sale anyway, so you can shop for yourself too! :) But don't go too crazy, the sales are usually better at the end of the year and in early January.

"Are you a Scrooge?"
What's a scrooge? A miser? He starts out as a miser and ends as a great guy. I'm somewhere in between.

"Do you get spoilt all year round, or just at christmas, or not at all?"
All year round.

"Are you happy with a few small gifts? Or do you take the idea for granted and really go to town?"
I'm happy with a few small gifts, but some years we go big and other years we try not to, though we're usually less successful at that...

"Is what you get a surprise, or do you choose things yourself to make sure you get something you want?"
Both. For example this year the only "big" think I have in mind is a better way to travel with my laptop and cameras. A piece of luggage that fits both camera gear and a 17" laptop is a highly specialized item and I had to do a lot of research. I can either tell my wife which product/model number to order or just do it myself...

But she'll always surprise me with something else, and vice-versa.

"Do you have a traditional christmas and do the same every year, or always do something different, or go abroad?"
It's almost always at home or with relatives though I've spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii one year and Singapore another.

"And finally, what are you expecting for Christmas this year?"
Peace on Earth -- and a new President. :)

Don't like all the commercialism? Then try to stay away from the stores. I do. Click.

[ThisGuyIKnow]

It's always nice to have a few kool gadgets :p

I don't mean gadgets, I mean things along the line of Tickle Me Elmo for my Mother, Nerf guns are always a hit with my 26 year old borther, my dad is a bit harder though.

[cathwood]

I love christmas. I love getting pressies and eating loads of food.

Not too keen on buying pressies for other people though (:D ).

But I just wish it was only for a couple of weeks in December.

[Unibugg]

Don't like all the commercialism? Then try to stay away from the stores. I do. Click.

I agree. It might be hard to break the "tradition" if you were brought up with shopping for more than you need or could afford, but it is possible.

People say strange things and think you are a scrooge or miser at first, but then understand when they see you take care of loved ones all year not just during the Christmas season.

I look forward to spending time with my family doing stuff we want to do. It's only stressful if you allow it to be.

[monkeyman]

Well the impression I was getting is that people were disliking christmas because they felt the obligation to buy for everyone, and that feeling of obligation was created by the big companies. If they really were denouncing it and not doing anything, then they wouldn't be disliking christmas, because they'd realize it's a time to get together with family and show some love.

Kinda hard to explain what I'm trying to say here. Either way, it doesn't matter, because I personally don't let the consumerism mentality get to me.
Ok, I think I see what you're saying. Basically, assuming that Christmas=buying things is playing into the businesses who say that Christmas=buying things?


Related to this subject, I hate jewelry commercials. They're the worst offender.