yessssssssssssssss, now that's more like it

Hey I never said I didn't want merriment or joy ... I just don't want everybody to go to the grocery store at once when I need to make a quick stop there to grab something to eat at my desk at work.:cool: Seriously, though ... I do enjoy the lights, the food, the music, the celebration ... I don't enjoy everyone coming unwound on the roads and in the stores. Some people almost seem to keep score at Christmas, you know?

It's mostly for the kids, for me it's a little time off from working and traveling.

F the blatantly specious crap...few people tighter than me...my wife'll tell ya last time I pulled my wallet outta my britches moths flew out of it.

But the spirit of love, altruism, forgiveness and renewal is priceless.

The Lord is the reason for the season. :rolleyes:

Fortunately most of my friends and family share similar values, so that part of the holidays is always nice. Nonetheless, it's hard to avoid bumping elbows with the crass masses. And it's easy to lose sight of the good stuff when your work doesn't stop for the holidays, at all (and I know there are many in the same boat, or a far worse boat ... like our troops). BUT, I do get to go home early tonight (i.e., before midnight) and I don't have to be in until 4ish tomorrow, so it'll be a nice morning of opening presents.

I'm highly frugal too, but I enjoy buying things for others at the holidays, as well as contributing to charity. I was sad to see fewer Salvation Army kettles out this year ... I think they had trouble getting volunteers.

So you love the Lord also?

Is this in between buying vintage racers and DB7s? :D

I do have to admit that this particular holiday has become nothing more than a way for stores to make lots of money and the ACLU to justify their existance. However, this is my first Christmas in this area, and my second outside the Seattle area in the last decade, and I have to admit that when you get into a predominantly practicing religious area, the whole attitude around Christmas changes. Here, it's a day of celebration and giving. I am not able to provide what I would like for my family, and many local LDS members have stepped in and helped us out. I am working, but I'm getting 24-35hours a week, at a pay rate that would work if I got my usual 44+. The outpouring has been a tremendous help, and nothing is asked in return. That's the spirit of Christmas, not some frantic picking of made-in-China crap, or any of this other commercialization crap.

UGH! guys! this spirit of giving, loving the lord, and spirit of love thing has got to end. obviously that belongs in another thread.

this thread is for the exact OPPOSITE sentiment: spritit of taking, not loving the lord, and spirit of hate.

will anyone ever get it?

It's been acknowledged-

My two words after Italian food Christmas Eve
 

"I'm stuffed"

That is why I am able to.

Not me, personally.
Although I will concede your point for the general population.

You don't need to get dressed up for Christmas dinner, just come as you are :)