christmas - bah humbug....

I hate to say it - but Christmas in America is likely my least favorite thing.

The stores are already stocking up with cheap junk, my kids are making lists of things I can't afford,
and the Christmas programs are already showing up on TV, parading around junk that is farther from the
meaning of Christmas than Pluto is from Mercury.

Even churches are hyping up total crap - the contemporary Christmas narrative has almost nothing to do with the actual Biblical narrative.

Unfortunately, the next 6 weeks are a living hell for me.

If you have any idea how I can get through it - I'm listening.

Ignore all the BS, enjoy the opportunities to get together with relatives/friends you haven't seen in a while, enjoy the anticipation and joy of your children on Christmas day, and enjoy the best gift any of us can get...


Being able to live in Colorado!

BB, I'm a little surprised you ask for help. I've always seen you as a most resourceful person, a leader. That is what I think you need to do, Decide what you think Christmas ought to be like and engage your family in that instead of letting them run the show in materialistic perspectives.

Much success to you. One obvious solution is to return to the ME and celebrate Christmas over here. It's bound to be constrained.

For me Christmas has become more about a week decompressing from work and eating some good food. (I will be in Mexico with family.)
And seeing how good I can translate the mass in Spanish.

SS109 wrote: For me Christmas has become more about a week decompressing from work and eating some good food. (I will be in Mexico with family.)
And seeing how good I can translate the mass in Spanish.

lol , I wish you much success with your translation, and a very pleasant and relaxing Christmas season.

I'm coming home for Christmas.

lol - Doc ----

Nothing constrained about Christmas in Abu Dhabi!

The UAE does up Christmas every bit as much as Park Meadows Mall. Dec 1 is UAE National Day - and they keep the lights up for Christmas and New Year's. Abu Dhabi had the most expensive Christmas tree in the world.... It was in Emirates Palace. They put jewelry on the tree (really nice jewelry).

A few years ago, Dubai had one of the biggest trees ever (typical Dubai). Unlike Saudi, you can find Christmas sales in the UAE!

I thought briefly about Christmas Market in Nuremberg, but that seems just as trendy as shopping at the mall.

One thing I'd really like is to spend Christmas in Bethlehem.....

Well, not to be rude BB, but your obvious mistake (I.M.H.O.) is that of including television with a normal daily curriculum. And I mean ANY television. Granted outlawing tv in your home at this point would perhaps spark an act of mutiny, but if I may present my own personal situation and perhaps you can take and use what you will to your liking....

When I met my wife I really didn't watch that much tv anyway, had already quit watching most local and mediated B.S. (a.k.a the News) in any form. Sure makes small talk somewhat interesting and you sure get some funny looks when people suspect you should just KNOW daily trivial non-sense and yet when presented with an uncaring shrug of "doesn't concern me" people, even those related, become mildly intrigued. They wonder how anyone can survive without knowing the crap filled legacy of who Paris Hilton is, (this perhaps already shows my lack of tv knowledge and who the flavor of the month happens to be currently...), anyone's exploits, and the current scandal of the day. To not know the latest greatest toys, and electronics that will be completely OBSOLETE in a week's time is NOT a weakness.... but a great strength.

To prove to one's own family that the bare basics of survival not only in this world but the life we choose to live begins with 'mindset' is a VERY enabling factor. Never did I have to buy my kids Ipods, M3ps or crap like that. I've never bought them anything that seemed 'media driven' really. They've never complained about getting ammo, hunting vests, tools, combat gear or training essentials. Puzzles, bicycles, skateboards, or things that promote a physical activity are "TIMELESS" and not subject to a mediated source or dated activity.

You don't have to rule out television for them, you simply have to rise above it for yourself and lead by example. My family already knows that to discuss "Black eyed peas" with me means you'd better be discussing dinner plans, or someone's lunch is getting confiscated and eaten for making me hungry. They know I know who Charlie Sheen is, and if it weren't for internet I'd have know idea he was part of a sitcom and lost his mind over it. The 'news' isn't something some air headed little bitch dictates to me in the morning, but something I MAKE through my actions on a daily basis. The weather.... will be what it will be, when it decides to BE. I will adapt, overcome, and persevere where necessary.

The power resides with YOU. YOU are the father, YOU are the role-model, YOU are the guiding force and power that drives your spouse and offspring. Tune out, and Turn on.... the world as it presents itself to you... it cannot and will not be encapsulated in a mezmorizing little box of bullsh!t and given to you 'correctly' otherwise. Be not afraid of being "out of touch", be afraid if those around you are out of touch with their surroundings.


Badger

thanks, Badger ---- we have a video device - but no reception (cable, satellite, etc.).

We stopped with the TV when we moved to Bailey (pre-dated streaming netflix) 10 years ago.

We do have Netflix - and I'm starting to wish we didn't have that, either!

Obviously, you will have to choose more carefully where you go in the ME. let me welcome you to Saudi, where having a Christmas tree visible in your window will result in a knock on your door to take it down.

I agree with Badger. Obviously, you have also taken steps along those lines, but no amount of isolation will keep kids from learning about the latest and greatest at school. You will need to sublimate those desires into something more involving.