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Too Much Christmas?
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Louisiana
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Are you sick of Christmas long before Christmas Day actually gets here?
I love spending time with family and getting a break from the office. I love the music. I love the movies (the other thread inspired this one). I love Christmas itself, but I hate the commercialized holiday season that has resulted in stores decorated for Christmas around Halloween time, as well as the massive, frenzied, angry crowds.
Is Christmas celebrated too much? I'm no Ebenezer Scrooge, but I'm beginning to despise the Christmas season (not the holiday itself, keep in mind).
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Whatever beauty the holiday might hold is lost in all the frenzied bullsh*t that leads up to it. You can take your shopping hell and your presents and stuff it.
That said this year I think I'm buying a tree for the first time as an adult. Because it's fun and it looks and smells nice.
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yeah, i commented to a guy in CVS the day after halloween "i see you went straight to christmas and skipped thanksgiving." he got a good chuckle out of it.
seems to be getting sooner and sooner each year. eventually it'll be the day after I take the tree out, there will be stores selling stuff for the next christmas.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
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I really don't pay much attention to the commercialization. I enjoy the season and how it makes me feel. I do not feel compelled to shop for anyone. I decorate my home because I like how it looks and feels. I watch shows that I want. If people make you angry because of their attitude, don't be around them.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
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What are you? Commies?
Well I wish it could be Christmas everyday
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play
Oh I wish it could be Christmas everyday
Let the bells ring out for Christmas
la la la, etc., etc., etc.
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Addicted to MacNN
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I'm sick of the excessive materialism - the pressure to buy buy buy. The sell starts just past midnight on Halloween 'cause the bastards haven't figured out how to sell Thanksgiving yet.
Some of the ads on TV are insane high pressure sells - like suggesting that we buy a Mercedes for everyone in the family, a 431" plasma screen, Dell computers, DeBeer's 10 carat diamond pendant bracelets ... etc.. The hoarding crowds don't help.
I enjoy being with family, the snow (if it ever does), sharing good food & drink, and the way my foes & minions become nice this time of year. It's a tough balance between love and hate, but it's good to make the most of it.
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Mr. Doofy, if that is truly your name. Having christmas around too early/every day can make it old and boring. Kinda like seeing pics of girls tits in black bras everyday has made it boring
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I had a gift engraved for a friend a few years ago for Christmas. I was in the mall getting my gift and I ended up talking to a guy in the shop and he said, "for such a Merry period, you don't see too many happy faces in the mall."
It's so true, like Jawbone54 said, everyone is just so angry trying to get through the madness to get their own stuff out of the way. How ironic.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by brassplayersrock²
Mr. Doofy, if that is truly your name. Having christmas around too early/every day can make it old and boring. Kinda like seeing pics of girls tits in black bras everyday has made it boring
So, not at all boring then.
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally Posted by brassplayersrock²
Mr. Doofy, if that is truly your name. Having christmas around too early/every day can make it old and boring. Kinda like seeing pics of girls tits in black bras everyday has made it boring
Uh, yeah, Mr. Doofy. Maybe it's time you Christmas up'd your boobs - a little silver bell here and there, some red velvet... ya know, a younger, more vibrant Mrs. Claus.
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Seriously guys, all it needs is a slight attitude adjustment. Just take the mick a bit.
For example, you're not going Christmas shopping, you're going jostling. The correct way of doing this is to murmur "jostle jostle jostle" under your breath while you're engaging in it. Like a cross between a mosh pit and a game of kabaddi.
Try it - it works.
But really, what could be better than Christmas? We get to celebrate the birth of our Saviour and engage in rampant capitalism at the same time. Win-win if you ask me. Unless you're a soulless commie, of course.
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by osiris
Uh, yeah, Mr. Doofy. Maybe it's time you Christmas up'd your boobs - a little silver bell here and there, some red velvet... ya know, a younger, more vibrant Mrs. Claus.
Is that a challenge? Because it sounds like a challenge!
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally Posted by Doofy
Is that a challenge? Because it sounds like a challenge!
Don't you know it - if you're up to it, that is.
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Mac Elite
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Ugh. No savior for me, thanks.
But I do love Christmas, even though being an adult puts more work than fun into it. There can never be too much Christmas.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Sounds like a challenge to me.
It's the attitudes that get me. People feel incredible pressure to spend $1,000+ per child, as well as in-laws, brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, cousins, etc.
Then they get stressed out about how much it costs them. They're panicking every time they look at their bank account. Then we stick them right in the middle of a mad rush of like-minded, stressed out zombies (in the 28 Days Later vein, not Night of the Living Dead), and the attitudes begin to flare. I've never seen people act so rudely as I have during the Christmas season.
I love Christmas.
I hate the Christmas rush.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Additionally, it should be illegal to play a Christmas song on the radio until at least December 1.
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Addicted to MacNN
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Why do people always talk about feeling pressure to buy stuff? The only time I ever felt pressured into buying anything was when I needed to get a ring for my wife, and when I quit leasing cars and needed to purchase one.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
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I actually enjoy it I'm just looking around and see something perfect for someone I had no intention of buying for. I just wish people did not feel obligated to get me something in return. Really, I just got it for you because I thought you'd like it. The only people I feel "obligated" to buy for is my 11 and 19 yo brothers. Just cuz. My older brother and I said only if something strikes you. But no gifts just for the sake of it.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
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I know exactly how you feel Jawbone. The sad part is, our rampant consumerism and spending beyond our means is creating problems for us all. It's frustrating on several levels, isn't it?
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Forum Regular
Join Date: Jun 2004
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I feel sad for those of you who don't like/'hate' Christmas.
America has changed so much since I was a kid that I wouldn't even recognise it today, had I been able to take a peek into the beginning of this century.
As one who was born a half decade before the middle of the last century, and was raised by 'old fashioned American parents' who had a firm grasp of American history and the meaning of Christmas ... I actually look forward to Christmas each year. I even look forward to seeing Thomas Nast's Jolly St. Nick and welcome all of the memories of the 'family past' - who are all gone now. We embrace the 'Christmas Spirit' and Christmas Music, carol singing, Yule Log tradition, the beauty of new fallen snow on Christmas Eve, the excitement of small children scampering down the steps to the wonderment of the gifts around the Christmas Tree, and a big Christmas Dinner with children and grandchildren around the great table that seats all who come!
I will cherish those past memories, well as those yet to be, until my last dying breath upon this Earth.
For those who are now 'too cool' to 'get it' ... I find you somewhat sadly missing something fundamental to your 'American spirit.'
Merry Christmas!
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Scott
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Originally Posted by Jawbone54
Are you sick of Christmas long before Christmas Day actually gets here?
Yes!
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One should never stop striving for clarity of thought and precision of expression.
I would prefer my humanity sullied with the tarnish of science rather than the gloss of religion.
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at the best buy on the corner of mass ave and newbury, they have music playing on outside speakers. guess what was playing, alvin and the chipmunks christmas song. song got stuck in my head till i wrote it out and played it on piano
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
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Eh, what I'm sick of is people bitching about the evils of consumerism. But Christmas? Heck, any excuse to make people think of somebody else's needs and wishes is a good thing in my book. I love the Christmas season. Yeah, it's a bitch parking at the mall, but I find that most good things in life are accompanied by over-large crowds.
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Chuck
___
"Instead of either 'multi-talented' or 'multitalented' use 'bisexual'."
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by Chuckit
Yeah, it's a bitch parking at the mall, but I find that most good things in life are accompanied by over-large crowds.
It's not a crowd - it's an entourage.
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Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
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Baninated
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Where is "None of the above" option?
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Mac Elite
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christmas is great, but i don't start up the music or decorating until december.
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one post closer to five stars
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Professional Poster
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I'm not sick of Christmas, because of two points
1. I'm am looking forward to celebrating the birth of Christ.
2. I have kids who get so excited for Christmas and this time of year. Their excitement is truly contagious. While I've always enjoyed Christmas it wasn't until I had kids that I really reveled in it. They get so excited and amped up for it. I was opening a box of decorations last night and they were going oooh and aaaah as I opened it up. that's just for lights and ornaments How could you not get excited
What I am sick of is the commercialization of it. I was in Target earlier this fall and it had a giant MERRY CHRISTMAS sign hung from the ceiling and all sorts of Christmas decorations were already put. The problem, it was September!!! Halloween, never mind Thanksgiving had not even occurred yet and they're trying to cash in on Christmas.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Salamanca, España
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I don't watch TV and don't get spam in the snailmail, I don't listen to the radio live (only net-rebroadcasts of news etc) and so I try as I can to start the Christmas season when *I* feel it is time.
Generally around this time, i.e. about 4 weeks before Christmas, I start getting in the mood, hanging up the first decorations. Something small like a 7 arm candlbra in the window and a four candle wreith in the living room. About 2 weeks before Christmas, I put the first electric Christmas-lights out in the window. Orange with cloves to give that nice smell.
Nothing kitch. Less is more and taste goes a long way. It's easier to appreciate the Christmas season if it is short an sweet, but with a certain gradual feeling of approachment.
Avoid the hype. It isn't hard and it's just made up to sell stuff you don't want anyway. You can buy anything you like any time of the year. Christmas is only once a year and I prefer that they are untainted (as much as possible) by the empty, kitch commercialism all around.
V
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I could take Sean Connery in a fight... I could definitely take him.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Denver, CO
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Does anyone else have a radio station (NOT XM or Sirius) that plays Xmas music from the week before Thanksgiving until the New Year? WE DO! And it is realllly annoying.
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Professional Poster
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This poll format looks suspiciously familiar.
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Professional Poster
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Originally Posted by MacinTommy
Does anyone else have a radio station (NOT XM or Sirius) that plays Xmas music from the week before Thanksgiving until the New Year? WE DO! And it is realllly annoying.
Yes, this year there's two radio stations here in Boston that are playing Christmas music and they started in the beginning of November. Where as last year there was only one station and they started after turkey-day.
I'm not too proud to admit that when they started playing the Christmas music I left that station on my radio and I even moved my Christmas music back onto my iPod. Heck I'm listening to Christmas Carols now
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Baninated
Join Date: Oct 2002
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I save the Christmas music till a week before Christmas. Else it gets old BY Christmas.
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally Posted by besson3c
I know exactly how you feel Jawbone. The sad part is, our rampant consumerism and spending beyond our means is creating problems for us all. It's frustrating on several levels, isn't it?
And when you have a family with high expectations, it can drive the suicide rate up.
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally Posted by Dakarʒ
This poll format looks suspiciously familiar.
I see that my teleportation/time machine/shock therapy machine is working... expect unusually high levels of deja vu. he he he.
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Professional Poster
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Originally Posted by osiris
I see that my teleportation/time machine/shock therapy machine is working... expect unusually high levels of deja vu. he he he.
There's something reminiscent of Portal in this, especially the latter part.
Oh and I was referring to the poll I started yesterday. If you really cared about me you'd know that.
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
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My son changed jobs-and took a minor pay cut-to get out of a mall retail store before Christmas music drove him nuts. This was in SEPTEMBER. Here in the States we have this holiday called "Thanksgiving," which falls between Halloween (well marketed) and Christmas (WAAY too well marketed), but since "Thanksgiving" only sells food, it's like it's been forgotten.
I responded the Christmas killed the butler in the dining room with a rope, but actually Marketers killed Christmas with "last minute holiday extravaganza sales" that last from October 1 to December 24 at Midnite! Get in line now!!! (And they've been doing this for decades. See Stan Freburg's "Green Chri$tma$").
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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Baninated
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Originally Posted by besson3c
I know exactly how you feel Jawbone. The sad part is, our rampant consumerism and spending beyond our means is creating problems for us all. It's frustrating on several levels, isn't it?
Thats why me and Bekah spend Christmas differently. We give gifts to the kids yes, (They know Santa doesn't exist, I didn't play that game with them from the start) I want them to realize what the Holiday is actually about. And not end up like you are referring to. Being that, they don't get a TON of stuff like a lot of kids do. But they are happy non-the-less. And are at a age now were they understand what is going on.
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally Posted by Dakarʒ
Oh and I was referring to the poll I started yesterday. If you really cared about me you'd know that.
That must have been about the time I was being raided by the NSA. They're such pansies when it comes to storing radioactive materials. Of course I care!
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally Posted by Kevin
Thats why me and Bekah spend Christmas differently. We give gifts to the kids yes, (They know Santa doesn't exist, I didn't play that game with them from the start) I want them to realize what the Holiday is actually about. And not end up like you are referring to. Being that, they don't get a TON of stuff like a lot of kids do. But they are happy non-the-less. And are at a age now were they understand what is going on.
That's a pretty good stance. The whole Santa thing evolves into Jesus which somehow morphs into consumerism. Perhaps honesty from the start is the best thing - It probably teaches children to appreciate what they have, rather than expecting a big fat dude with a huge bag of gifts.
(
Last edited by osiris; Nov 30, 2007 at 10:32 AM.
Reason: gramma)
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Professional Poster
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I agree, I didn't teach my kids about santa either - Its a difficult balance. Having a full and colorful fantasy life for the kids is important for their development, yet lying to them is wrong. Plus I want them know what we're celebrating. Christmas is not a reason to get gifts but to remember and celebrate the birth of Christ.
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Baninated
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: In yer threads
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Originally Posted by osiris
That must have been about the time I was being raided by the NSA. They're such pansies when it comes to storing radioactive materials. Of course I care!
Is that you David Hahn?
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Addicted to MacNN
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Originally Posted by Kevin
Is that you David Hahn?
I had to Google that name. Very interesting... he used smoke detectors as a source.
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"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by Jawbone54
Are you sick of Christmas long before Christmas Day actually gets here?
I think a big part of this is also how much you're out in between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Other than one trip to Wal•Mart, I avoided any places that would have inundated you with the Christmas "spirit" so I'm not quite as sick of it as more frequent shoppers (or the poor saps that work in the sector) would be.
The good news is since the question you asked has been asked a few years running (Actually I'm getting sick of being asked if I'm getting sick of all the Christmas hooplah*) there's been some shift in the opposite direction, with some of the higher class stores making it a point not to decorate before Thanksgiving has passed (Though they tell you what they're not doing, which semi-defeats the purpose, but you'll take what you can get).
*yeah, that's right you're part of the problem
wink
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Addicted to MacNN
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I heart the red and green colors. I do feel that they put out Christmas-related TV ad/promotions a little bit earlier this year, but I don't mind it.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Originally Posted by brassplayersrock²
Mr. Doofy, if that is truly your name.
That joke was old when Besson got tired of using it.
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Baninated
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: In yer threads
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He never tired of using it.
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Clinically Insane
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Location: Los Angeles
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I'm curious, is there any holiday season to speak of in western Europe?
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"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." TJ
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Rochester, NY
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This is America, anything that's not worth selling is worthless. And since people value Christmas, there's a lot of value in selling it. (those of you who are not blessed sufficiently to be in America -- don't worry, we'll be invading you soon enough.)
I disagree that people don't know how to sell Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, that odd and unique holiday on a Thursday, has morphed into a precursor to the biggest holiday of the year -- Black Friday, the High Holy Day of the consumer culture. Pretty soon, we'll be teaching our children that the Pilgrims ate a big meal so that they'd have energy to be first in line to buy Manhattan Island from the Indians, who used the proceeds to open up Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Rochester, NY
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Originally Posted by Laminar
That joke was old when Besson got tired of using it.
Surely you jest, sir! Besson3c has never gotten tired of using any joke!
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Originally Posted by Dork.
Surely you jest, sir! Besson3c has never gotten tired of using any joke!
Dork., if that is your real name....
Ummm.. Do you like ointment?
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