Christmas Rant...

[dmp]

On the radio and TV we're flooded with advertisements using words like:

"Nothing says "I love you" like the gift of a diamond from Rip Auf Jewelers!".

TWO problems with that statement. Firstly, a gift of Diamonds (from a man to a woman) doesn't say "I love you" it says "Sleep with me, and you'll get pretty things!". Secondly - Commercialism has flushed Xmas down the toilet. Christmas is NO longer about "Giving" it is about "Buying." Subtle difference, but it's spot-on.

We are encouraged to BLOW money on gifts for people. Hell, gifts are no longer given out of LOVE, but given out of DUTY. (hehe...I said...dooty..)

Kids - being a parent I'm taken aback by how GREEDY we make our kids. Show a kid something cool and what's their reaction "I WANT that!"

Well, excuse me, but who the hell CARES what you want kid? Kids sit around and draw up lists of ALL the crap they want - never mind the thousands of dollars worth of FOOD I feed them.

This year, I've got my kids working on a list of crap they can GIVE - and NOT a list of crap they WANT. You want new barbies? Then give some of your current barbies to SOMEBODY who doesn't have ANY. You want MORE hotwheels? How about Daddy go up with a shovel and clean out the POUNDS of cars you no longer play with?

Folks - Parents especially - it's incumbent upon us to TEACH kids and our peers to STOP being such selfish bastards and be CONTENT for pete's sake.

For Darin's sake. For the sake of MY health, ENOUGH with companies trying to EARN money, by taking MY money. I left out 'hard-earned' because the hardest part of my job, on a typical day, is getting out of bed at 5:15am.

Anywho - this Christmas, do what it takes to NOT feed a kids ego. Trust me, your kids do NOT need more 'self esteem'. Your kids need three things from parents: Physical and Spiritual and Emotional nourishment. IF you love your kids, you will spank them when it's called for. IF you love your kids, you will instill in them compassion for their fellow man, but enough wits to know when their compassion is being taken for granted. Give your kids a sense of God. Of something BIGGER than themselves...a sense of purpose. One of the greatest failures a parent can have is to NOT teach their kids that some things are worth fighting, and DYING for.

There's NO better time than now - as we approach Christmas and Hanukkah. No, Not kwanza because kwanza is NOT a real holiday.

 

[MissileMan]

Good post!

But!

Commercialism has flushed Xmas down the toilet. Christmas is NO longer about "Giving" it is about "Buying." Subtle difference, but it's spot-on.

Weren't you one of the people who was pitching a hissy last year because retailers weren't involved in the commercialization of your religious holiday because they weren't displaying "Merry Christmas" signs?

 

[dmp]

Weren't you one of the people who was pitching a hissy last year because retailers weren't involved in the commercialization of your religious holiday because they weren't displaying "Merry Christmas" signs?

No. Don't think so. My feeling on that is this: Businesses are in business to make money - not validate Christmas. I think it's STUPID when businesses are AFRAID of saying 'Merry Christmas' - so it bothers me to some extent...but I don't pitch hissies about it.

If you thought I was, then good call, for calling me out on it, even though the part of my rant you quoted has NOTHING to do with how I feel about retailers ENDORSING or otherwise proclaiming "Christmas" as opposed to "Holiday". The part you quoted speaks to Businesses CAPITALIZING on Christmas; Promoting the 'consumer' mentality - to a fault - in society.

When my dad was a kid "Gift Giving" on Christmas was neat and nice, but there was NOWHERE NEAR the focus or push seen today.

 

[MissileMan]

No. Don't think so. My feeling on that is this: Businesses are in business to make money - not validate Christmas. I think it's STUPID when businesses are AFRAID of saying 'Merry Christmas' - so it bothers me to some extent...but I don't pitch hissies about it.

If you thought I was, then good call, for calling me out on it, even though the part of my rant you quoted has NOTHING to do with how I feel about retailers ENDORSING or otherwise proclaiming "Christmas" as opposed to "Holiday". The part you quoted speaks to Businesses CAPITALIZING on Christmas; Promoting the 'consumer' mentality - to a fault - in society.

When my dad was a kid "Gift Giving" on Christmas was neat and nice, but there was NOWHERE NEAR the focus or push seen today.

You must be talking about the good ol' days when a tangerine was a suitable stocking stuffer...

 

[dmp]

He was..yup. Said one year his family (below the poverty levels) got a fruit basket from their church, for xmas. He was 7 or 8? was the first time he'd tried a banana.

 

[Trigg]

I understand what your saying and having your kids give to others is a great way to make them think about how much things cost and what others might really want/need.

This year instead of them just getting they have to buy gifts for each other in the $5-6 range. We actually took 5 kids (my niece also) into Toys-R-US, split up and found some great gifts for them to give. They were looking at prices and talking about what the others might want. IT was probably one of the funnest times I've had in that store.
Then, just for fun, we drove through some sub-divisions and looked at the lights while singing Christmas carols. Embarrassed my 13 yr old to death, but he finally got into the spirit towards the end.

 

[5stringJeff]

I agree with Darin. I would love a holiday season where we didn't get hit up by every business on Earth to buy stuff for people.

 

[Annie]

To all of you with little ones, this worked well for me and my kids still do this. When they got around 4, (an age where all sorts of toys really are 'outgrown' but still in good shape; did you every notice that Fischer-Price and Little Tyke stuff have longer half lives than plutonium?); at the end of November, beginning of December I told them that Christmas was coming, (like they didn't know from the commercials :shocked: ), and their playroom needed some cleaning up and there were many boys and girls that never could get the kinds of toys they had. So, why don't we go through the toys that they had loved, but no longer played with? They did. Then they noticed that some were kind of dirty. Down in the basement we went-with soap and water and shorts and t-shirts! They cleaned the toys-water and soap everywhere, with Christmas songs playing.

Well that first year, we took two mini-van loads of toys to a church that would distribute 'gently used toys' to children. We did the same with their outgrown clothing, (at this time they had very good clothes, I'm nearly ashamed to say). We washed or had them dry cleaned, then bought new hangers special for children's skirts, pants, blouses, etc. We bought bags for sweaters and new socks to put with boots and shoes. That way, even 'old' looks special.

There was a food drive in Chicago when they were little, where you could drive up the Mag Mile and drop off your donations. Of course here in the burbs, every church was collecting for the same pantry, but driving to the city was 'special.' We drove into the city every year.

Last weekend my 'kids' now my two oldests, now in their 20's had everything together for their annual pilgramage, I think they really like this as much or more than their shopping, even though it's not 'big' like we used to do. They both had bought some new 'toys' for the Marine's Toys for Tots, since we have run out of Little Tykes stuff. The 'youngest', away at school, chaired the Toys for Tots drive at his university.

They learn what we teach them. God bless you all for caring that your children get beyond selfish!

 

[fuzzykitten99]

...
Then, just for fun, we drove through some sub-divisions and looked at the lights while singing Christmas carols. Embarrassed my 13 yr old to death, but he finally got into the spirit towards the end.

It's a parent's responsibility to embarrass their kids, enforceable by law.

 

[Annie]

It's a parent's responsibility to embarrass their kids, enforceable by law.

It's the thought that counts: "You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to fuzzykitten99 again."

 

[fuzzykitten99]

To all of you with little ones, this worked well for me and my kids still do this. When they got around 4, (an age where all sorts of toys really are 'outgrown' but still in good shape; did you every notice that Fischer-Price and Little Tyke stuff have longer half lives than plutonium?); at the end of November, beginning of December I told them that Christmas was coming, (like they didn't know from the commercials :shocked: ), and their playroom needed some cleaning up and there were many boys and girls that never could get the kinds of toys they had. So, why don't we go through the toys that they had loved, but no longer played with? They did. Then they noticed that some were kind of dirty. Down in the basement we went-with soap and water and shorts and t-shirts! They cleaned the toys-water and soap everywhere, with Christmas songs playing.

Well that first year, we took two mini-van loads of toys to a church that would distribute 'gently used toys' to children. We did the same with their outgrown clothing, (at this time they had very good clothes, I'm nearly ashamed to say). We washed or had them dry cleaned, then bought new hangers special for children's skirts, pants, blouses, etc. We bought bags for sweaters and new socks to put with boots and shoes. That way, even 'old' looks special.

There was a food drive in Chicago when they were little, where you could drive up the Mag Mile and drop off your donations. Of course here in the burbs, every church was collecting for the same pantry, but driving to the city was 'special.' We drove into the city every year.

Last weekend my 'kids' now my two oldests, now in their 20's had everything together for their annual pilgramage, I think they really like this as much or more than their shopping, even though it's not 'big' like we used to do. They both had bought some new 'toys' for the Marine's Toys for Tots, since we have run out of Little Tykes stuff. The 'youngest', away at school, chaired the Toys for Tots drive at his university.

They learn what we teach them. God bless you all for caring that your children get beyond selfish!

I haven't gone to that extent with my oldest, but I always get a few rolls of quarters at the bank just before Thanksgiving and keep them in my purse for the Salvation Army kettles. Nathan LOVES to put money in the 'banks' as he calls them. He doesn't understand why this is important to do every year and at every store we visit with them there, but he thinks it is fun, so I guess that is most important right now. Plus I try to patron stores that have the bell ringers.

 

[Annie]

I haven't gone to that extent with my oldest, but I always get a few rolls of quarters at the bank just before Thanksgiving and keep them in my purse for the Salvation Army kettles. Nathan LOVES to put money in the 'banks' as he calls them. He doesn't understand why this is important to do every year and at every store we visit with them there, but he thinks it is fun, so I guess that is most important right now. Plus I try to patron stores that have the bell ringers.

I'm telling ya Fuzzy, explain and help them understand. I think the Christmas charity thing, that had really started because of excess, seriously helped my kids get through some very trying times after the divorce started. Now in no way should one construe this to mean that those that 'give' are going to go through hard times, but the ability to see beyond oneself or one's circumstances, do give fortitude, empathy, and generosity. It also makes one understand that hard times may not last forever or be the result of one's own actions.

 

[Kagom]

You must be talking about the good ol' days when a tangerine was a suitable stocking stuffer...

Dude, fruit is always a good stocking stuffer, well, at least for me. I love apples and bananas. But not too much of a fan of the orange or tangerine.

 

[Dan]

Dude, fruit is always a good stocking stuffer, well, at least for me. I love apples and bananas. But not too much of a fan of the orange or tangerine.

I had a clementine for the first time ever today, and while I like saying the name, I believe it was probably the last one I'll ever eat. NyQuil has a better aftertaste than that thing did.

 

[5stringJeff]

Dude, fruit is always a good stocking stuffer, well, at least for me. I love apples and bananas. But not too much of a fan of the orange or tangerine.

My wife gets me these round, fruit-flavored chocolate oranges. Those are awesome stocking stuffers.

 

[MissileMan]

My wife gets me these round, fruit-flavored chocolate oranges. Those are awesome stocking stuffers.

The Raspberry ones are even better,

 

[The ClayTaurus]

It's so predictable; last year: "there's not enough Christmas in the stores!"

This year: "there's too much Christmas in the stores!"

Almost like clockwork.

 

[dmp]

It's so predictable; last year: "there's not enough Christmas in the stores!"

This year: "there's too much Christmas in the stores!"

Almost like clockwork.

There's no fucking way anyone could think this rant is 'against christmas in stores' - honestly.

Here it is, as if to Ethan:

"The commercialization of christmas blows."

Further, "The crappy thing about stores being AFRAID to use the word 'christmas' is they are CAPITALIZING on christmas, yet haven't the sack - for fear of just a few idiots - to actually recognize it."

Better?

 

[The ClayTaurus]

There's no fucking way anyone could think this rant is 'against christmas in stores' - honestly.

Here it is, as if to Ethan:

"The commercialization of christmas blows."

Further, "The crappy thing about stores being AFRAID to use the word 'christmas' is they are CAPITALIZING on christmas, yet haven't the sack - for fear of just a few idiots - to actually recognize it."

Better?

I understood your point without the condescension.

 

[Hobbit]

On the radio and TV we're flooded with advertisements using words like:

"Nothing says "I love you" like the gift of a diamond from Rip Auf Jewelers!".

TWO problems with that statement. Firstly, a gift of Diamonds (from a man to a woman) doesn't say "I love you" it says "Sleep with me, and you'll get pretty things!". Secondly - Commercialism has flushed Xmas down the toilet. Christmas is NO longer about "Giving" it is about "Buying." Subtle difference, but it's spot-on.

I'd like to second the diamond thing with a little story.

There was once a man named Cecil John Rhodes, who was quite the entepreneur. He founded De Beers, and was one of the main proponents of African exploration, even getting the colony of Rhodesia named after him (now two countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe). Here's the rub, though. When exploring Southern Africa, he found that diamonds practically grow on trees there. The natives practically used diamonds as ammunition, they were so common. This didn't bode well for his company, De Beers, which stood to lose a lot of profitability if these mines drove down the price of diamonds. Seeing this problem, he grabbed every diamond mine he could get a hold of to corner the market, grabbing 90% of the world's diamond mines (De Beers currently still holds 60% of the world's diamond mines). Now, he could keep the prices high, but had a lot of diamonds to unload. That's when the commercials start.

Now, every culture in the history of mankind has had vastly different courting and engagement rituals, as well as symbols of marriage. Some cultures used pieces of clothing, such as a maiden offering a knight one of her scarves, or a highlander offering his bride to be a strip of his clan's plaid pattern (which she would wear openly after the ceremony to show her married status). The marriage rituals were as varied as the people who used them. De Beers, however, decided to unite all of them by throwing out an ad campaign explaining that you propose to a girl by giving her a diamond ring with a large, expensive diamond in it. Sure, no personalization, just a huge chunk of cash in exchange for a big hunk of compressed carbon to give to your bride-to-be. The public ate it up, which has lead to the now time honored (and unquestioned) tradition of the diamond engagement ring, with some girls unsatisfied unless they need a forklift to carry the rock around.

But wait, it doesn't stop there. You know those anniversary rings that have all the little diamonds in them? That was another ad campaign. After unloading the big, expensive diamonds, De Beers found that they had a lot of little diamonds, and Rhodes looked to the untapped market of the already married, launching an ad campaign that suggested that the proper gift to give to your wife on those nice, round numbered anniversaries (or even the off-numbered ones) was to give her a ring with a bunch of little diamonds in it. He even rounded it off by adding in Mother's Day, making sure that the only proper gift for a woman would be a diamond.

The truth is that if Rhodes hadn't started this whole shabang, diamonds would cost about a fourth of what they do now, and girls really wouldn't care how big the engagement stone was, because there wouldn't be one, and we guys also wouldn't have to put up with the pining for a pretty rock. The whole thing's just one, big cartel. I only hope that blowing the lid off of 'blood diamonds' helps curb the American appetite, as diamond sales help fund genocide and merciless slaughter in Africa.

On a final note, the only benevolent thing Rhodes is famous for is the Rhodes scholarship, but even that wasn't really benevolent. You ever wonder why a British scholarship fund would offer scholarships to British colleges, but only to American citizens? Simple, it was the first step (and the only one implemented) in Rhodes' master plan to re-incorporate the American colonies into the British Empire, which he believed to be an enourmous lost opportunity.