Bah humbug

I know I'm a minority on this subject, but oh well.

In a way the holidays really bug me. I mean, I love the season, the lights, the festivities, but I don't really see the spirit of Christmas. Well, that's not true, I see the "true" spirit of the holidays, but I think most people miss the boat.

I think if you are spending the weeks leading up to Christmas stressing out about what to buy for who, whether you'll be able to get your baking done, and if you'll have time for everything, then you're missing the point. I think the weeks leading up to Christmas should be spent relaxing, going to holiday shows, going to light displays, generally just enjoying yourself.

My parents are flying out to visit me this year, and we agreed not to do any gift exchanges. Not because we are poopers, but because we agreed that we all have all we need, and we could all stand to cut back on our spending. I told them that instead of buying a bunch of crap, that while they're out here we could use the money saved to do other fun things. And I can bet you that we're all a little more stress free because of this decision.

Whenever people ask what I want, I tell them nothing. Not because I'm bah humbug, but because I'm simple and I genuinely want nothing. I don't need anything and if I can save someone the stress, that is gift enough for me. I'm not anti gifting, I'm just anti crap gifting. And the holidays tend to be crap gift time. I ask for nothing in hopes that people will see that the holidays can be fun without getting sucked into the consumerist (is that a word?) trap. That people can be simple and still enjoy themselves. Mass consumerism bothers me all the time, but especially around the holidays, because people feel "obligated" and tend to spend money on stuff that doesn't really get used. I think too many people equate the holidays with stress, debt, and shopping. And I don't see why anyone should think that the way my parents and I have chosen to celebrate the holidays is in anyway being bah humbug. I think we'll have a more enjoyable holiday for our decision. And of course the deal is only between us, I'm sure between the rest of the extended family there will be shopping done and crap exchanged and unwanted gifts received and thrown out...