‘Tis the season to be jolly … Fa, la, la, la, la, la ‘freakin’ la’
I have been accused of being a “crotchety old man” by certain family members. That’s OK. It really doesn’t bother me all that much because I am a bit more conservative than some of the flaming liberals in our clan.
However, in my crotchetiness, I must say that I am not a big fan of the Christmas season. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with family and friends and I love working at a job where we get two weeks off. I love giving gifts to those people I care for.
What I don’t necessarily care for is getting "nickel-and-dimed" to death by every group, class and organization I am affiliated with that suddenly feels like they should do their part to help out the less fortunate. I also don’t like being accosted by bell ringers at every store front and intersection in town who are supposedly raising money for a “good cause.” Where is that money really going, and why do they not need to raise it in June?
Not only that, but you have to bring a Christmas ornament to this gathering or a gag gift to that. Your child is expected to bring a gift for a gift exchange in her ballet class. You have to cook brownies for this group or a cake for that group … and don’t forget the green bean casserole. You buy presents for kids in families you have never seen. You donate to special interest groups who are trying to pass out some Christmas cheer. You do all this and suddenly you realize you haven’t bought your own child a Christmas present.
Don’t get me wrong, my family has been greatly blessed and we are very fortunate to be in the situation we are in. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for all He has given us, be it money, food, family or friends who make our lives easier and more enjoyable. And furthermore, I love helping people out, but I would rather do it when it is least expected, not when everybody is telling me to do it and looking down on me if I don’t. And don't get me started on the over-commercialization of Christmas.
I really don’t know how to end this post. I really don’t have anything else to say. But I suspect there are more people out there who feel the way I do, and I hope they all get to stop at some point, relax and enjoy the people and places around them.
Merry Christmas!
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4 comments:
I second the motion! It got to the point that I just sat in my office waiting for the next person to call or come by to tell me what I need to give to who.
Just out of curiousity, does Santa have any friends left? He's no longer politically correct since "Christmas" is apparently offensive and half the church folk I know think he distracts from the true meaning of Christmas. Poor fat man.
We have friends that stopped sending Christmas cards (they started sending Easter cards instead) because the glut of "Merry Christmas!" proclamations struck them as contrived. Our son Greg doesn't even like to get Christmas (or birthday) gifts. His attitude is, "If you love me, give me something when I need it, not when everyone thinks you are supposed to." I think he has a point.
Sounds good. I think I'll splurge and get Greg just what he wants for Christmas.
Yes! I don't absolutely hate Christmas anymore (God's been working to change my heart), but I'm trying to simplify every aspect of it I can.
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