The War on Non-Christmas

jj · 11th November 2012, 02:01 PM

There is no such thing as a war on Christmas.

There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters.

There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2.

Enough, already.

I'm tempted to say "boycott Christmas", but that's socially unacceptable.

AlBell · 11th November 2012, 02:04 PM

You can have a lump of coal as your present.

jj · 11th November 2012, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by AlBell

You can have a lump of coal as your present.

Well, Al, I'm sure you have lots of that from your mine. Is it ok if I don't burn mine this time?

commandlinegamer · 11th November 2012, 02:09 PM

Er, there are twelve days of Christmas: it ends on the 5th of January.

I'm all in favour of of everyone celebrating for just under two weeks, my only quibble being that winter hasn't really set in by the end of December. It perhaps ought to be a month/six-weeks later, when people are really miserable and need a good cheering-up.

Darat · 11th November 2012, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by AlBell

You can have a lump of coal as your present.

Handy for first footing.

qayak · 11th November 2012, 02:12 PM

Costco in my area had Christmas stuff out long before they had their Halloween stuff on sale. Late September, early October, for Christmas trees (fake), decorations, and toys.

Which is why I truly hate Christmas. When I was young it was because the day just didn't live up to all the hype, now it is because the entire holiday paints such a depressing picture of the state of society and humanity.

ehcks · 11th November 2012, 02:12 PM

Walmart is now starting "Black Friday" on Thanksgiving at 8pm and staying open all night..

commandlinegamer · 11th November 2012, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by qayak

Costco in my area had Christmas stuff out long before they had their Halloween stuff on sale. Late September, early October, for Christmas trees (fake), decorations, and toys.

Which is why I truly hate Christmas. When I was young it was because the day just didn't live up to all the hype, now it is because the entire holiday paints such a depressing picture of the state of society and humanity.

That's nothing new. IIRC, Plato moaned about Xmas traders touting their wares earlier every year.

thaiboxerken · 11th November 2012, 02:14 PM

Christmas is just a marketing scheme there to get people to buy stuff that they normally wouldn't for people that don't need it.

manofthesea · 11th November 2012, 02:33 PM

Last week at work while at our morning coffee break I recommended that we should alternate winter festivals every year.
One year would be Christmas, the next Dongzhi, then Obon, then the Mars festival, Sol Invictus next, Kwanzaa, Makahiki, a Druidic solstice festival, even Hanukkah.

Tough crowd, I didn't get any agreement, just some giggling from my coworker who was raised Jehovah Witness. The rest just want to see large ticket items go on deep discount.
Plus Xmas sales account for 40-60 percent of annual sales at a large portion of American retail establishments.

arthwollipot · 11th November 2012, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by commandlinegamer

..my only quibble being that winter hasn't really set in by the end of December.

Uh-huh. Sure. Yep.

Tiktaalik · 11th November 2012, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by commandlinegamer

Er, there are twelve days of Christmas: it ends on the 5th of January.

I'm all in favour of of everyone celebrating for just under two weeks, my only quibble being that winter hasn't really set in by the end of December. It perhaps ought to be a month/six-weeks later, when people are really miserable and need a good cheering-up.

That's what Presidents' Day is for! Whoo-hoo, everybody's favorite holiday!

FreshHat · 11th November 2012, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Tiktaalik

That's what Presidents' Day is for! Whoo-hoo, everybody's favorite holiday!

Don't forget to purchase some orange drink for the long ride home.

qayak · 11th November 2012, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by commandlinegamer

That's nothing new. IIRC, Plato moaned about Xmas traders touting their wares earlier every year.

You meant Play Doh, right?

Beerina · 11th November 2012, 04:02 PM

There's no more virulently atheist ass on the planet than me, but I already have the first three stations on my car radio programmed to the three stations in range broadcasting Christmas songs 24 hours a day already.

I stumbled across one, programmed it in, and then saw on the news that night that the station had started just that day.

Vic Vega · 11th November 2012, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by commandlinegamer

That's nothing new. IIRC, Plato moaned about Xmas traders touting their wares earlier every year.

Your recollection is flawed. Plato died hundreds of years before the common era.

patchbunny · 11th November 2012, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by AlBell

You can have a lump of coal as your present.

I put this in my brother's stocking one year.

Cainkane1 · 11th November 2012, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by jj

There is no such thing as a war on Christmas.

There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters.

There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2.

Enough, already.

I'm tempted to say "boycott Christmas", but that's socially unacceptable.

Well other religions don't seem to mind the lights and decorations so would it be too much trouble for the skeptics to put up with it for just a few weeks. Christmas is good for business and the economy nd it really doesn't hurt anything.

Skeptics can set up their own displays.

joesixpack · 11th November 2012, 05:37 PM

I ******* hate Christmas. There are a veriety of reasons, not the least of which is the superficial "joy" and the false spirit of giving. I prefer American Thanksgiving. I like my family and friends, and I love a good meal with a large group. Gift giving is a giant waste of money. People buy me crap I don't want and never would buy for myself, and I buy crap for people that they don't want or need. I'd rather have them over for a drink and a meal. This is why I treat Christmas like a sequel to Thanksgiving. I have a meal with friends and family. I could give two ****s about the rest of the **** that goes along with it.

tyr_13 · 11th November 2012, 05:43 PM

Our store received and had to put out for sale Christmas ribbon... on August 28th.

Yeah...

Draca · 11th November 2012, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by qayak

Costco in my area had Christmas stuff out long before they had their Halloween stuff on sale. Late September, early October, for Christmas trees (fake), decorations, and toys.

Which is why I truly hate Christmas. When I was young it was because the day just didn't live up to all the hype, now it is because the entire holiday paints such a depressing picture of the state of society and humanity.

I don't agree with this. Costco for one goes both in early and out early for shopping seasons. Most Christmas items are out of Costco a couple of weeks before Christmas. The idea is for people to buy items FOR Christmas when it does come. Not to display Christmas in its season.

Is everyone suppose to wait until the week before Christmas to run out and buy all the decorations and presents? Can you imagine how unbearable the stores would all be? Why is it so wrong to prepare for things ahead of time.

Now if Costco was playing Christmas music and decorating the actual warehouse at the same time I would agree with you. That would be extending the season way to early, not just offering goods for people to buy in preparation. That's not what they're doing though.

Draca · 11th November 2012, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by joesixpack

I ******* hate Christmas. There are a veriety of reasons, not the least of which is the superficial "joy" and the false spirit of giving. I prefer American Thanksgiving. I like my family and friends, and I love a good meal with a large group. Gift giving is a giant waste of money. People buy me crap I don't want and never would buy for myself, and I buy crap for people that they don't want or need. I'd rather have them over for a drink and a meal. This is why I treat Christmas like a sequel to Thanksgiving. I have a meal with friends and family. I could give two ****s about the rest of the **** that goes along with it.

I completely agree. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for the reasons you give.

Christmas has also been better since the family cut down on gift giving. Now we draw one family member's name for a gift exchange. The gift giving stress has been shredded and the holiday is now centered on the more important things.

joesixpack · 11th November 2012, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Draca

I completely agree. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for the reasons you give.

Christmas has also been better since the family cut down on gift giving. Now we draw one family member's name for a gift exchange. The gift giving stress has been shredded and the holiday is now centered on the more important things.

This is why I married a Jew. Well, a Jewish atheist. My family has come to the conclusion that gifts are for children, everyone else just gets a hug and a hot meal.

Maya22 · 11th November 2012, 07:43 PM

The adults in our family give donations to non-profits in the name of of other family members. (I love Heifer International Seva.)

)

The children still receive tangible gifts from the adults.

steve s · 11th November 2012, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by joesixpack

My family has come to the conclusion that gifts are for children, everyone else just gets a hug and a hot meal.

That's how it is in my family. Once you're out of high school the gifts basically stop, although occasionally my sister will get me a book that she thinks I might be interested in.

Steve S

PhantomWolf · 11th November 2012, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by jj

There is no such thing as a war on Christmas.

There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters.

There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2.

Enough, already.

I'm tempted to say "boycott Christmas", but that's socially unacceptable.

I'd point out that shopping has zero to do with christmas, and in itself is an attack on the true meaning of the celebration, but in a world brainwashed into buying things everytime the TV shows the word "SALE", I think I'd be peeing into the wind.

Craig4 · 11th November 2012, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by AlBell

You can have a lump of coal as your present.

My mother once threatened me with coal as a gift. I explained how I could use it to make an explosive. I never got coal.

Cl1mh4224rd · 11th November 2012, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by jj

There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters.

There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2.

Christmas imperialism.

jj · 11th November 2012, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

christmas is just a marketing scheme there to get people to buy stuff that they normally wouldn't for people that don't need it.

amen

jj · 12th November 2012, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by commandlinegamer

Er, there are twelve days of Christmas: it ends on the 5th of January.

Indeed, my poorly phrased point was that major retail establishments were trying to push the START of the season BACK to Jan 2.

Which would indeed overlap the lot, as I intended to suggest.

jj · 12th November 2012, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Cainkane1

Skeptics can set up their own displays.

Newtonmas? What kind of display? Falling apples?

jj · 12th November 2012, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by PhantomWolf

I'd point out that shopping has zero to do with christmas, and in itself is an attack on the true meaning of the celebration, but in a world brainwashed into buying things everytime the TV shows the word "SALE", I think I'd be peeing into the wind.

Well, which celebration? Christmas, Yule, Saturnalia?

And for the rest of your comment, you betcha I'm in agreement, although the last is a sad truth.

SezMe · 12th November 2012, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by jj

There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters.

One thing that really torques me is this inane "war on ..." crap. War on Christmas. War on drugs. War on terror. I want to see a war on (war on...).

Its not a benign meme. Using war as a metaphor invokes all the strategies, concepts and divisiveness of real war. Doing this warps a more meaningful discussion of whatever the issue is.

I'm disappointed that you would succumb to this type of language. Well, the other possibility is that I'm getting all huffy over a tongue-in-cheek OP. If so, start a war on me.

Vermonter · 12th November 2012, 12:47 AM

I for one really like Chrismas lights and plan on putting them up pretty soon. I used to be bothered, but by now I'm used to see Christmas decorations up by the time Halloween has rolled around.

OnlyTellsTruths · 12th November 2012, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by SezMe

One thing that really torques me is this inane "war on ..." crap. War on Christmas. War on drugs. War on terror. I want to see a war on (war on...).

Its not a benign meme. Using war as a metaphor invokes all the strategies, concepts and divisiveness of real war. Doing this warps a more meaningful discussion of whatever the issue is.

I agree with that times a million. War is serious. Leave the word war for the real thing.

Alt+F4 · 12th November 2012, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by AlBell

You can have a lump of coal as your present.

Folks in New Jersey would love that as a present.

Alt+F4 · 12th November 2012, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by SezMe

One thing that really torques me is this inane "war on ..." crap. War on Christmas. War on drugs. War on terror. I want to see a war on (war on...).

Its not a benign meme. Using war as a metaphor invokes all the strategies, concepts and divisiveness of real war. Doing this warps a more meaningful discussion of whatever the issue is.

I'm disappointed that you would succumb to this type of language. Well, the other possibility is that I'm getting all huffy over a tongue-in-cheek OP. If so, start a war on me.

Oh please. Yeah I agree a "War on Christmas" is not an appropriate use of the "war" as a defined word. War is armed conflict between nations or parties; both the War on Terror and the War on Drugs meet this definition.

Soapy Sam · 12th November 2012, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by jj

Indeed, my poorly phrased point was that major retail establishments were trying to push the START of the season BACK to Jan 2.

Which would indeed overlap the lot, as I intended to suggest.

This had already occurred by about 1708. Christmas has moved back through the year so far it has actually been lapped.
What you will be forced to celebrate this December is in fact Christmas 2013.

Dancing David · 12th November 2012, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by Cainkane1

Well other religions don't seem to mind the lights and decorations so would it be too much trouble for the skeptics to put up with it for just a few weeks. Christmas is good for business and the economy nd it really doesn't hurt anything.

Skeptics can set up their own displays.

yes, but the War of Christmas seems to be that the stores are playing the annoying music already and the TV ads have started.

Dancing David · 12th November 2012, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by joesixpack

I ******* hate Christmas. There are a veriety of reasons, not the least of which is the superficial "joy" and the false spirit of giving. I prefer American Thanksgiving. I like my family and friends, and I love a good meal with a large group. Gift giving is a giant waste of money. People buy me crap I don't want and never would buy for myself, and I buy crap for people that they don't want or need. I'd rather have them over for a drink and a meal. This is why I treat Christmas like a sequel to Thanksgiving. I have a meal with friends and family. I could give two ****s about the rest of the **** that goes along with it.

There is always the alternative of giving food and requesting food.

But I agree, the original tradition was food and some small gifts. But at some point the Military Industrial Complex got involved.

11th November 2012, 02:01 PM	#1
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,517	The War on Non-Christmas There is no such thing as a war on Christmas. There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters. There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2. Enough, already. I'm tempted to say "boycott Christmas", but that's socially unacceptable.
	__________________ The Power to Quit

11th November 2012, 02:04 PM	#2
AlBell Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,505	You can have a lump of coal as your present.
AlBell Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,505

11th November 2012, 02:09 PM	#3
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,517	Originally Posted by AlBell You can have a lump of coal as your present. Well, Al, I'm sure you have lots of that from your mine. Is it ok if I don't burn mine this time?
	__________________ The Power to Quit

11th November 2012, 02:09 PM	#4
commandlinegamer Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mazes of Menace Posts: 5,904	Er, there are twelve days of Christmas: it ends on the 5th of January. I'm all in favour of of everyone celebrating for just under two weeks, my only quibble being that winter hasn't really set in by the end of December. It perhaps ought to be a month/six-weeks later, when people are really miserable and need a good cheering-up.
	__________________ He bade me take any rug in the house.

11th November 2012, 02:10 PM	#5
Darat Lackey Administrator / JREF Forum Liaison Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 64,793	Originally Posted by AlBell You can have a lump of coal as your present. Handy for first footing.
	__________________ If it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart? - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1918-2008

11th November 2012, 02:12 PM	#6
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,714	Costco in my area had Christmas stuff out long before they had their Halloween stuff on sale. Late September, early October, for Christmas trees (fake), decorations, and toys. Which is why I truly hate Christmas. When I was young it was because the day just didn't live up to all the hype, now it is because the entire holiday paints such a depressing picture of the state of society and humanity.
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,714	__________________ "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." (Mark Twain)

11th November 2012, 02:12 PM	#7
ehcks Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,693	Walmart is now starting "Black Friday" on Thanksgiving at 8pm and staying open all night..
ehcks Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,693	__________________ Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor

11th November 2012, 02:13 PM	#8
commandlinegamer Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mazes of Menace Posts: 5,904	Originally Posted by qayak Costco in my area had Christmas stuff out long before they had their Halloween stuff on sale. Late September, early October, for Christmas trees (fake), decorations, and toys. Which is why I truly hate Christmas. When I was young it was because the day just didn't live up to all the hype, now it is because the entire holiday paints such a depressing picture of the state of society and humanity. That's nothing new. IIRC, Plato moaned about Xmas traders touting their wares earlier every year.
	__________________ He bade me take any rug in the house.

11th November 2012, 02:14 PM	#9
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 20,977	Christmas is just a marketing scheme there to get people to buy stuff that they normally wouldn't for people that don't need it.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

11th November 2012, 02:33 PM	#10
manofthesea 2wu4u Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,354	Last week at work while at our morning coffee break I recommended that we should alternate winter festivals every year. One year would be Christmas, the next Dongzhi, then Obon, then the Mars festival, Sol Invictus next, Kwanzaa, Makahiki, a Druidic solstice festival, even Hanukkah. Tough crowd, I didn't get any agreement, just some giggling from my coworker who was raised Jehovah Witness. The rest just want to see large ticket items go on deep discount. Plus Xmas sales account for 40-60 percent of annual sales at a large portion of American retail establishments.
manofthesea 2wu4u Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,354

11th November 2012, 02:46 PM	#11
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,036	Originally Posted by commandlinegamer ..my only quibble being that winter hasn't really set in by the end of December. Uh-huh. Sure. Yep.
	__________________ Jadey (in RvB game thread): I just want to take a moment to commend Arth on his role as Parasitic Alien Tumor. I think he really connected with the character and there were times when I forgot that he was just acting. That's the kind of talent that you can't teach.

11th November 2012, 03:36 PM	#12
Tiktaalik Half True Scotsperson Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,989	Originally Posted by commandlinegamer Er, there are twelve days of Christmas: it ends on the 5th of January. I'm all in favour of of everyone celebrating for just under two weeks, my only quibble being that winter hasn't really set in by the end of December. It perhaps ought to be a month/six-weeks later, when people are really miserable and need a good cheering-up. That's what Presidents' Day is for! Whoo-hoo, everybody's favorite holiday!

11th November 2012, 03:53 PM	#13
FreshHat Why, You Little... Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Funky Forest Posts: 1,077	Originally Posted by Tiktaalik That's what Presidents' Day is for! Whoo-hoo, everybody's favorite holiday! Don't forget to purchase some orange drink for the long ride home.
	__________________ "Pull the wool over your own eyes, and relax in the safety of your own delusions." J.R. "Bob" Dobbs

11th November 2012, 03:58 PM	#14
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,714	Originally Posted by commandlinegamer That's nothing new. IIRC, Plato moaned about Xmas traders touting their wares earlier every year. You meant Play Doh, right?
qayak Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,714	__________________ "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." (Mark Twain)

11th November 2012, 04:02 PM	#15
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	There's no more virulently atheist ass on the planet than me, but I already have the first three stations on my car radio programmed to the three stations in range broadcasting Christmas songs 24 hours a day already. I stumbled across one, programmed it in, and then saw on the news that night that the station had started just that day.
	__________________ "Great innovations should not be forced [by way of] slender majorities." - Thomas Jefferson The government should nationalize it! Socialized, single-payer video game development and sales *now!* More, cheaper, better games, right? Right?

11th November 2012, 04:12 PM	#16
Vic Vega Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Cradle of Liberty Posts: 1,075	Originally Posted by commandlinegamer That's nothing new. IIRC, Plato moaned about Xmas traders touting their wares earlier every year. Your recollection is flawed. Plato died hundreds of years before the common era.
	__________________ "The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil." --Shakespeare - Macbeth

11th November 2012, 04:24 PM	#17
patchbunny Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2004 Location: Right about... here. Posts: 1,553	Originally Posted by AlBell You can have a lump of coal as your present. I put this in my brother's stocking one year.
	__________________ "So, they laugh at my boner, will they? I'll show them! I'll show them how many boners the Joker can make!" -- The Joker, Batman #66

11th November 2012, 05:04 PM	#18
Cainkane1 Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The great American southeast Posts: 7,198	Originally Posted by jj There is no such thing as a war on Christmas. There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters. There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2. Enough, already. I'm tempted to say "boycott Christmas", but that's socially unacceptable. Well other religions don't seem to mind the lights and decorations so would it be too much trouble for the skeptics to put up with it for just a few weeks. Christmas is good for business and the economy nd it really doesn't hurt anything. Skeptics can set up their own displays.
	__________________ If at first you don't succeed try try again. Then if you fail to succeed to Hell with that. Try something else.

11th November 2012, 05:37 PM	#19
joesixpack Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Edge of the continent, Pacific county, WA Posts: 3,409	I ***** hate Christmas. There are a veriety of reasons, not the least of which is the superficial "joy" and the false spirit of giving. I prefer American Thanksgiving. I like my family and friends, and I love a good meal with a large group. Gift giving is a giant waste of money. People buy me crap I don't want and never would buy for myself, and I buy crap for people that they don't want or need. I'd rather have them over for a drink and a meal. This is why I treat Christmas like a sequel to Thanksgiving. I have a meal with friends and family. I could give two s about the rest of the ** that goes along with it.
	__________________ I never got in trouble by bein' ignorant, I always got in trouble 'cause I thought I wasn't.

11th November 2012, 05:43 PM	#20
tyr_13 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Falconer, NY Posts: 9,674	Our store received and had to put out for sale Christmas ribbon... on August 28th. Yeah...
	__________________ Circled nothing is still nothing. "Nothing will stop the U.S. from being a world leader, not even a handful of adults who want their kids to take science lessons from a book that mentions unicorns six times." -UNLoVedRebel Mumpsimus: a stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong

11th November 2012, 07:25 PM	#21
Draca Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,097	Originally Posted by qayak Costco in my area had Christmas stuff out long before they had their Halloween stuff on sale. Late September, early October, for Christmas trees (fake), decorations, and toys. Which is why I truly hate Christmas. When I was young it was because the day just didn't live up to all the hype, now it is because the entire holiday paints such a depressing picture of the state of society and humanity. I don't agree with this. Costco for one goes both in early and out early for shopping seasons. Most Christmas items are out of Costco a couple of weeks before Christmas. The idea is for people to buy items FOR Christmas when it does come. Not to display Christmas in its season. Is everyone suppose to wait until the week before Christmas to run out and buy all the decorations and presents? Can you imagine how unbearable the stores would all be? Why is it so wrong to prepare for things ahead of time. Now if Costco was playing Christmas music and decorating the actual warehouse at the same time I would agree with you. That would be extending the season way to early, not just offering goods for people to buy in preparation. That's not what they're doing though.
Draca Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,097	__________________ “If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” ― Malcolm X - http://www.injustice-anywhere.org - http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.org Last edited by Draca; 11th November 2012 at 08:09 PM.

11th November 2012, 07:32 PM	#22
Draca Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,097	Originally Posted by joesixpack I ***** hate Christmas. There are a veriety of reasons, not the least of which is the superficial "joy" and the false spirit of giving. I prefer American Thanksgiving. I like my family and friends, and I love a good meal with a large group. Gift giving is a giant waste of money. People buy me crap I don't want and never would buy for myself, and I buy crap for people that they don't want or need. I'd rather have them over for a drink and a meal. This is why I treat Christmas like a sequel to Thanksgiving. I have a meal with friends and family. I could give two s about the rest of the ** that goes along with it. I completely agree. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for the reasons you give. Christmas has also been better since the family cut down on gift giving. Now we draw one family member's name for a gift exchange. The gift giving stress has been shredded and the holiday is now centered on the more important things.
Draca Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,097	__________________ “If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” ― Malcolm X - http://www.injustice-anywhere.org - http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.org

11th November 2012, 07:40 PM	#23
joesixpack Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Edge of the continent, Pacific county, WA Posts: 3,409	Originally Posted by Draca I completely agree. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for the reasons you give. Christmas has also been better since the family cut down on gift giving. Now we draw one family member's name for a gift exchange. The gift giving stress has been shredded and the holiday is now centered on the more important things. This is why I married a Jew. Well, a Jewish atheist. My family has come to the conclusion that gifts are for children, everyone else just gets a hug and a hot meal.
	__________________ I never got in trouble by bein' ignorant, I always got in trouble 'cause I thought I wasn't.

11th November 2012, 07:43 PM	#24
Maya22 Scholar Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 83	The adults in our family give donations to non-profits in the name of of other family members. (I love Heifer International Seva.) ) The children still receive tangible gifts from the adults.
Maya22 Scholar Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 83

11th November 2012, 08:34 PM	#25
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,662	Originally Posted by joesixpack My family has come to the conclusion that gifts are for children, everyone else just gets a hug and a hot meal. That's how it is in my family. Once you're out of high school the gifts basically stop, although occasionally my sister will get me a book that she thinks I might be interested in. Steve S
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,662	__________________ "Nature abhors a moron." -- H. L. Mencken

11th November 2012, 09:09 PM	#26
PhantomWolf Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lost Deimos Moon Base Posts: 9,962	Originally Posted by jj There is no such thing as a war on Christmas. There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters. There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2. Enough, already. I'm tempted to say "boycott Christmas", but that's socially unacceptable. I'd point out that shopping has zero to do with christmas, and in itself is an attack on the true meaning of the celebration, but in a world brainwashed into buying things everytime the TV shows the word "SALE", I think I'd be peeing into the wind.
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11th November 2012, 10:15 PM	#27
Craig4 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 5,363	Originally Posted by AlBell You can have a lump of coal as your present. My mother once threatened me with coal as a gift. I explained how I could use it to make an explosive. I never got coal.
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11th November 2012, 10:23 PM	#28
Cl1mh4224rd Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 6,618	Originally Posted by jj There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters. There is a war, and the war is to extend Christmas to January 2. Christmas imperialism.

11th November 2012, 11:10 PM	#29
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,517	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken christmas is just a marketing scheme there to get people to buy stuff that they normally wouldn't for people that don't need it. amen
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12th November 2012, 12:03 AM	#30
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,517	Originally Posted by commandlinegamer Er, there are twelve days of Christmas: it ends on the 5th of January. Indeed, my poorly phrased point was that major retail establishments were trying to push the START of the season BACK to Jan 2. Which would indeed overlap the lot, as I intended to suggest.
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12th November 2012, 12:05 AM	#31
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,517	Originally Posted by Cainkane1 Skeptics can set up their own displays. Newtonmas? What kind of display? Falling apples?
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12th November 2012, 12:07 AM	#32
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,517	Originally Posted by PhantomWolf I'd point out that shopping has zero to do with christmas, and in itself is an attack on the true meaning of the celebration, but in a world brainwashed into buying things everytime the TV shows the word "SALE", I think I'd be peeing into the wind. Well, which celebration? Christmas, Yule, Saturnalia? And for the rest of your comment, you betcha I'm in agreement, although the last is a sad truth.
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12th November 2012, 12:33 AM	#33
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,367	Originally Posted by jj There is, however, a war on it not being Christmas 24/7, as evidenced by the fact I am already seeing lights, Christmas displays, advertisements, and "don't wait for black Friday" posters. One thing that really torques me is this inane "war on ..." crap. War on Christmas. War on drugs. War on terror. I want to see a war on (war on...). Its not a benign meme. Using war as a metaphor invokes all the strategies, concepts and divisiveness of real war. Doing this warps a more meaningful discussion of whatever the issue is. I'm disappointed that you would succumb to this type of language. Well, the other possibility is that I'm getting all huffy over a tongue-in-cheek OP. If so, start a war on me.

12th November 2012, 12:47 AM	#34
Vermonter Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 429	I for one really like Chrismas lights and plan on putting them up pretty soon. I used to be bothered, but by now I'm used to see Christmas decorations up by the time Halloween has rolled around.

12th November 2012, 02:49 AM	#35
OnlyTellsTruths Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,797	Originally Posted by SezMe One thing that really torques me is this inane "war on ..." crap. War on Christmas. War on drugs. War on terror. I want to see a war on (war on...). Its not a benign meme. Using war as a metaphor invokes all the strategies, concepts and divisiveness of real war. Doing this warps a more meaningful discussion of whatever the issue is. I agree with that times a million. War is serious. Leave the word war for the real thing.
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