Saturday, December 23, 2006

Bah Humbug!

I hate this time of year. It's no wonder suicides increase this time of year! People finally get around to wrapping the presents they have spent SO much time planning, shopping for, money on and aggravation getting, and now they look like nothing. From like October, when you might have a little extra $ and think "now might be a good time to buy for Xmas so that stupid month with 5 weeks (and therefore, bills are received twice) won't crush me", til 2 days before when you get around to wrapping, it all seems to be enough. Then it's wrapped and it looks like 2 boxes of nothing that anyone would ever want. It really is more than the most hardly of spirits can handle. No one really wants to be a Grinch, so we watch all the Holiday TV specials and listen to Xmas carroles(singing along) and wish complete strangers everywhere a Merry Xmas. Then we look under the tree and feel like failures. Is it just me, or just this country? Or has the whole world become so focused on the size of the giving, and not the emotion behind the gift? Is it the media that makes us loose sight of the "reason for the season", or is it human nature to compete in everything, including presents? It's not just that there is so much extra food that we overeat and gain 2 pounds each Holiday season, it's the depression we suffer from finding and giving the perfect gift for too many people that makes us crave instant gratification in sugary foods. I guess those 3 Wise Men weren't so wise after all. Come and pay your respects to your king, but next time, skip the gift giving so generations of people don't have to suffer.

4 comments:

karen said...

I am SO with you! I wrote you a really long comment but it started to turn into a rant and then I had trouble editing in the tiny window so I turned it into a post and I'm linking to your post in the start of it. But, I might not get it published tonight - we still have a ton of things to do and Geri will get here tomorrow afternoon (he called today to say he could have the time off). Chris is helpfully watching hockey...*sigh*. Why don't boys notice if the house is a mess?

Anonymous said...

I feel the 'art' of it all should be in the 'giving' not the size of the gift. If that was the case every year you'd feel you'd have to give a bigger, and better gift than last year, just because...

Now, I will say this, in today's day and age people seem to focus more on status. THAT could really be where the issue is. Since someone is of 'this' stature, one would feel the present has to match it. But, no, we have to revert to just the 'thought of it all'!

ps: have a merry Christmas. My present to you, is small, and big, and it is: - Have a brilliant 2007, health issue free, and just be happy!

Anonymous said...

i agree...this yr. for thanksgiving, my boyfriend and i watched movies and ate pizza for dinner...lazy & luxurious (althought i suppose it's a little bit harder when you have young kids)!

Fraukow said...

I really do try and focus on the thought behind the gift and the love intended when purchasing and wrapping. It just never seems to show that when all is wrapped and set under the tree. Thanks for the new year wishes! and kudos on the blissful evening with pizza!