Do You Enjoy The Holidays?

[INTrPosr]

As much as I enjoy being to myself, I really enjoy preparation for the holidays (more importantly the cooking). Up until I was about 30 it did not matter, but it seems to matter more to me now that I have children. This year it seems important because my entire family needs to healing from the chaos of 2004.

[int]

I like spending the family time, and I'm with you on the cooking. I'm also relieved when it's all over and we get to go back to our solitary lifestyle, a thousand miles away from the people we just subjected ourselves to.

[file cabinet]

No. Mainly because of the way the 'holiday' is marketed.

[Sam172]

No. Mainly because of the way the 'holiday' is marketed.

ditto

[BritainOphira]

I don't because in recent years every major holiday has devolved into some sort of strange competition between my mother and herself to try to make everything except for the turkey completely vegetarian. I've tried explaining to her that I don't like dressing or most of the other dishes she makes for me, but then she just gets upset and kicks me out of my hiding place in the kitchen (I can cook better than almost any other member of my family so I don't understand this part) so I wind up having to entertain family members that don't like each other.

[SheepDog]

No. Mainly because of the way the 'holiday' is marketed.
Agreed.

Thanksgiving, when called "Turkey Day", is not only a distortion of the original event, but it's turned a day of thanks into a day of consumption by renaming it the thing that is most commonly slaughtered and then consumed. My response to my family when they say that is, "Good God, then, don't ever name a day after ME!"

As for Christmas, whatever it had to do with Christian values or beliefs has now been sold out to Santa Claus and Neiman Marcus. I like to say to my family, "let's get together for Christmas, and instead of being consumers, let's just discuss the reasons why Christ's birth is worth celebrating". They put up with me, but I don't know why.

[SheepDog]

I don't because in recent years every major holiday has devolved into some sort of strange competition between my mother and herself to try to make everything except for the turkey completely vegetarian. I've tried explaining to her that I don't like dressing or most of the other dishes she makes for me, but then she just gets upset and kicks me out of my hiding place in the kitchen (I can cook better than almost any other member of my family so I don't understand this part) so I wind up having to entertain family members that don't like each other.
This year, tell them you're going to bring the "tofurkey". :D

[jimkopelli]

No. Mainly because of the way the 'holiday' is marketed.
Boo to the Christmas that starts before Halloween is over, boo to the Valentines stuff that goes up on Jan 2., and I know that there has to be a better use of money than on something that you buy to blow up.

[lauriep]

I used to like Christmas as a kid. As an adult, I like baking Christmas cookies, giving out plates to the neighbors and friends, and decorating the house really nice. I also like the time off of work and school to spend at home with my husband.
I don't like most of the rest of it. The shopping part sucks, my parents get into this competition every year with the rest of the family of who can show their love by buying the biggest present. Also I live far away from my family but get a guilt trip when I'm not planning to spend the holidays with them. Every year I look forward to the holidays and try to be patient and understanding with everyone and keep that loving "holiday spirit" and hope for the best. But by New Year's Day, my family and I always fighting.

[Claverhouse]

The shopping part sucks, my parents get into this competition every year with the rest of the family of who can show their love by buying the biggest present.

Outdo them all by giving each a simple posy of wild flowers, hand-picked.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[lauriep]

Personally I would rather hand-pick something else for them.
http://www.intpcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=941 ;P

[MacGuffin]

I like the holidays. My family is not into gift giving so much now that we are grown. When the grandkids (mine and my brother's) come...

My bday is on Thanksgiving this year. Usually I get to pick the menu then. I eat so much turkey normally, I usually pick something totally different. Last time it was Mexican. We were eating tamales for days! Maybe sushi this year....

[Anacaona]

No. Mainly because of the way the 'holiday' is marketed.

ditto

Same here... its a very commercial holiday. Plus, I find it drainding (going to parties, Christmas shopping...)

[Merkaba]

I love the holidays. There's just something about christmas, the atmosphere and everything. Even now I still get as excited about christmas as I did as a child... even though I don't even get as good presents anymore. I still remember the year I got a bunch of He-man action figures, best.x-mas.ever.

[HairlessBluetick]

I hate holidays. Maimly because I find it really disturbing how the "holiday season" now extends from the end of September until March, with no breaks in between.

[Avengardh]

No. Mainly because of the way the 'holiday' is marketed.

Pretty much the same here.

Only, I am away from the hardcore-Mexican-style holidays...and I am not really religious, so I think I just became a chicana.

[Jezebel]

I have mixed feelings about the "marketed" feel. I think holiday decorations and strictly holiday-related items are a waste of money, and if left up to me, I won't even put up a christmas tree. So most of the holiday marketing is lost on me anyway.

On the otherhand, I don't mind an excuse for family get-togethers, lots of food, some days off work, and gifts. I hardly ever see my family these days, so maybe it would be different if I did. I'm not christian so I wouldn't be celebrating Christmas because of the birth of christ anyway, just as I don't celebrate most holidays because of their intended purpose.

[INTrPosr]

I have never been affected by the marketing of the holidays. Usually I begin and end my Christmas buying on Christmas Eve. I always think of it being the most peaceful time of the year, until I think about others who may be doing without (has to be a melancholy thought in there somewhere).

In reading some of your post, I have felt the same way over the years. But, my family needs some healing right now. There has been several deaths, family members losing their shirts in business ventures, and my dad is not getting any younger so I don't want it to be his last one and not memorable for my family. For me it will be the perfect time to remind them of the true meaning of the season. No presents, just come eat drink and be merry.

[Groty]

I've said it once on this board.

Can I just skip to my Jan. 2nd hangover. Please?!?!?!?!?! Even better, St. Patricks day.

Everything in between is overly rated and stressful.

* * * * * * * * * *
Disclaimer: The statement above is from my current perspective. I think that if I had a wife/girlfriend/children I would be looking forward to this time of year, and thinking about what I can do for/with them constantly, which would make me happy.

[Ponderous]

As much as I enjoy being to myself, I really enjoy preparation for the holidays (more importantly the cooking). Up until I was about 30 it did not matter, but it seems to matter more to me now that I have children. This year it seems important because my entire family needs to healing from the chaos of 2004.

Hmmm, since you were 30? Maybe it's that Si developing.

I like to have the lights and fun reminders up at home. And, I usually go overboard all together. Very unlike me.

[Niflheimian]

I love the holidays. There's just something about christmas, the atmosphere and everything. Even now I still get as excited about christmas as I did as a child...

Yeah, Christmas is my favorite holiday. Unlike most of you, apparently, I don't really mind the way it's marketed (I adore Christmas trees, festive decorations, etc.). There's a certainly atmosphere, an ambiance, that really appeals to my Si function.

What's even better is snow.

[int]

My wife and I used to drive around looking for the most decorated mansions we could find. She liked the stories, colors, and emotional aspect people take time to convey. I like blinking lights.






Granted, it made her happy. I think we ought to take up that practice again this year. :)

[Bluehaze]

If you mean "Do you like getting stuff for free?" the "yes," I enjoy the holidays. Other than that, I don't need a holiday in order to feel jolly or enjoy myself or those around me.

[PsiKik]

I cannot stand Xmas music. All those inane carols played over and over, and when I express my nausea at them, Im the Scrooge. It all seems so fake, purely commercial.

[Solo]

If you mean "Do you like getting stuff for free?" the "yes," I enjoy the holidays. Other than that, I don't need a holiday in order to feel jolly or enjoy myself or those around me.

:D I feel the same way. I enjoy free stuff but holidays don't make me any happier than normal. I see them as any other time of year. The only difference is my mom cooks a lot of food and I get to miss school.

[Claverhouse]

I don't mind carols, and I like those weird songs that are not carols but associated with the season and were probably last written about 1955: 'Ahh saaw mmummmi kising sanntta klaws', 'Jingle Bells', 'All I want for Christmas' and I think one by Teresa Brewer: that sort of thing. O/W I don't like it much.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[candela]

NO I FUCKING HATE HOLIDAYS

[Niflheimian]

Come on, you turkies! You're making me feel like an SJ!
*begins humming*
The cheese stands alone...the cheese stands alone...

[Birdsnest]

I like the food, but not the obligation or the time of year so much, or the mad rush to buy things. I love lobster tails with lemon butter, prime rib, or turkey. Its the comraderie and wine I am not so good with. I'd better stick to a beer, as wine makes me uninhibited, and my emotions pour forth after wine. Not a good thing usually. I can stand it for a short time, then need to go home.

Nah, think I am a little bit of a scrooge, its my birthday on 12/24 so I get a little picky, I don't like useless gifts. I don't mind getting money, food, flowers, gift certificates, music.