Twisted Two-Face Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Well, you've read the title. Chirstmas is approching fast, according to retail that is. then again, WalMart had Christmas advertised in August, so whatever. So what're we all planning to do?? As for me, like every year, it'll be Christmas Eve Mass with close family and Grandparents, followed by Christmas morning. And of course, presents; which of course, the media has blown wayyyyyy out of control, which is Goddamn awful. Anyway, then comes morning Christmas Day Mass (yea, because i was happy going to the Night one... ) with the same people, and then home. Luckily i get a few hours of quiet time with new Minimates before we shove off to Grandma's for dinner and dessert, with a loud, obnoxious, full-on Italian family...oh joy... I swear to God, there is NO FUN left in the Holidays. Don't evevn get me started on the fucking shopping; i think we all know, being toy Collectors, what hell that is!!!! Luckily, i have several things to look forward to come Christmas: Battlestar Complete Series Smallville Seasons 1 & 2 Box Sets Marvel Waves 29 and 30 EXTRA Army-builders for both DCUC Wave 11 Of course, this is from a cumilation of money recieved from all my relatives; buy it in advance, put it under a tree, give the money to Mom come Christmas Day. Hey, it works. So, again, what're all of our plans and, dare i ask, "Lists" to the Joly Red Guy??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punisher Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Everyone loves Christmas because of presents, but this year, I'm really looking forward to enjoying my yearly traditions the most. Christmas Eve: Exchange presents between brother and sister Go to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner and presents At their house, look for the "pickle" in the tree! (anyone else's family do this? my grandma is the BEST at hiding it in plain sight) Watch "Christmas Story" on TBS Christmas Day: Exchange gifts between kids and Mom and Dad while watching Christmas story on TBS RELAX! And that's about it! Sounds really "un-fun", but I love it! My family has been working A LOT more because of the economy here and everywhere really, so we don't have time to really be together often. My immediate family all lives in either New York, Texas, or Florida, so it's just us here in Michigan. What Scott Potis asked for this year: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Seasons 3 and 4 GI Joe (DIC) Seasons 1.1-1.3 Watchmen: The Complete Story Left 4 Dead 2 And $$$ as my family doesn't buy me toys anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trekker 42 Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I actually love my Christmas days. Eve is with the full southern mother's side of the family at their tiny home with all the cousins and aunts and uncles. Gift exchange and down-home southern food. Talk about awesome! Then come home and sleep until I get over the tortures my little cousin Brandon has put me through. Christmas Morn I go through parents gift exchange and my father's side with the food and the presents. (Usually a good day I'll admit. After all I'm the only grandchild from that side. :biggrin:) After that it's probably gonna be It's A Wonderful Life and then go play all the video games I got and watch the DVDs. And of course the Minimates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundhog7s Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 (edited) ...which is G*dd*mn awful...I swear to G*d, there is NO FUN left in the Holidays. Don't evevn get me started on the f**king shopping; i think we all know, being toy Collectors, what hell that is!!!! Am I the only one that thinks your choice of language isn't the best way to describe the holiday? edit: Let me throw out I'm not trying to start anything, just asking a question. Edited November 23, 2009 by groundhog7s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Two-Face Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 ...which is Goddamn awful...I swear to God, there is NO FUN left in the Holidays. Don't evevn get me started on the fucking shopping; i think we all know, being toy Collectors, what hell that is!!!! Am I the only one that thinks your choice of language isn't the best way to describe the holiday? edit: Let me throw out I'm not trying to start anything, just asking a question. Didn't think you were; took it as a question. Everything is wrong with this Holiday; it's completely lost it's meaning. so much that i do, in fact, feel okay swearing speaking about it. Christmas itself has no true spirit anymore; it's all about material crap, money, and just being wealthy. I mean, and even though i was never there for or had them, the days where one or two presents was sufficient and the rest of the time was a jolly feast with your close family (ie HOUSEHOLD). These days it's my Mom saying "But you HAVE to have something under the tree!!" and spending a night with 20+ people, most VERY liud children with louder toys. I just want a happy, secluded, quiet Christmas for once. Don't even get me started on my Mom's decorating!!! And, of course, i am in no way 100% bashing gift-giving. Certainly giving and getting is part of the Holidy, because i wouldn't have half the things i do without it. It's just the oversaturation of the idea and how it's played out by retail. And now i feel like Hyde from That 70s Show.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundhog7s Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (edited) I guess I don't understand how a holiday that is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of someone else became a time about any gift giving whatsoever. Okay, I do understand it (human greed), but if you really want to get down to it, almost everyone misses the true meaning of Christmas. If it's a celebration of the birth of Jesus, then the only people that should be following it should be those that are followers of Him (and I'll purposefully avoid the word 'christian' because what the meaning of that word is is so vague and usually wrong). According to Jesus, only believing that He was God's son, believing that He is the only way to make yourself right with God and following His teachings are the only things that make you a true follower of Him (and everything that comes with that). And, also in His words, not doing those things means you are condemned. Now, most people that celebrate Chirstmas aren't truly following what Jesus said and, therefore, are celebrating a holiday that just means they are condemned. And, if you truly are a follower of Him, you should celebrate His life everyday and would be generous always. I wish they would just rename the holiday to clarify it to people. Or I wish they'd just ban the holiday. Seriously. That is what is truly wrong about this holiday (and, possibly, what will get a warning from a mod for discussing religious subjects). And I'll throw in the obligatory 'if you want to discuss this more, pm me' comment that needs to be tagged at the end of comments like this. Edited November 23, 2009 by groundhog7s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trekker 42 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I guess I don't understand how a holiday that is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of someone else became a time about any gift giving whatsoever. Okay, I do understand it (human greed), but if you really want to get down to it, almost everyone misses the true meaning of Christmas. If it's a celebration of the birth of Jesus, then the only people that should be following it should be those that are followers of Him (and I'll purposefully avoid the word 'christian' because what the meaning of that word is is so vague and usually wrong). According to Jesus, only believing that He was God's son, believing that He is the only way to make yourself right with God and following His teachings are the only things that make you a true follower of Him (and everything that comes with that). And, also in His words, not doing those things means you are condemned. Now, most people that celebrate Chirstmas aren't truly following what Jesus said and, therefore, are celebrating a holiday that just means they are condemned. And, if you truly are a follower of Him, you should celebrate His life everyday and would be generous always. I wish they would just rename the holiday to clarify it to people. Or I wish they'd just ban the holiday. Seriously. That is what is truly wrong about this holiday (and, possibly, what will get a warning from a mod for discussing religious subjects). And I'll throw in the obligatory 'if you want to discuss this more, pm me' comment that needs to be tagged at the end of comments like this. [APPLAUSE] And to avoid a warning myself, I'll leave it at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Two-Face Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 I guess I don't understand how a holiday that is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of someone else became a time about any gift giving whatsoever. Okay, I do understand it (human greed), but if you really want to get down to it, almost everyone misses the true meaning of Christmas. If it's a celebration of the birth of Jesus, then the only people that should be following it should be those that are followers of Him (and I'll purposefully avoid the word 'christian' because what the meaning of that word is is so vague and usually wrong). According to Jesus, only believing that He was God's son, believing that He is the only way to make yourself right with God and following His teachings are the only things that make you a true follower of Him (and everything that comes with that). And, also in His words, not doing those things means you are condemned. Now, most people that celebrate Chirstmas aren't truly following what Jesus said and, therefore, are celebrating a holiday that just means they are condemned. And, if you truly are a follower of Him, you should celebrate His life everyday and would be generous always. I wish they would just rename the holiday to clarify it to people. Or I wish they'd just ban the holiday. Seriously. That is what is truly wrong about this holiday (and, possibly, what will get a warning from a mod for discussing religious subjects). And I'll throw in the obligatory 'if you want to discuss this more, pm me' comment that needs to be tagged at the end of comments like this. [APPLAUSE] And to avoid a warning myself, I'll leave it at that. I'll second the applause, because my feelings are exactly the same...as stated. It's a commercial Holiday nowadays, and nothing more. And i too, will leave it at that. Moving along, any of y'all have plans for the day/eve/week yet??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handsomedevil Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Spend time with the family, eat and play with toys. Christmas has been pretty much the same thing for 34 years now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SErge Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I don't celebrate Christmas or anything, but I work at target and man is it getting packed @.@, can't get a break dude! I fear this upcoming Friday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (edited) I guess I don't understand how a holiday that is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of someone else became a time about any gift giving whatsoever. Okay, I do understand it (human greed), but if you really want to get down to it, almost everyone misses the true meaning of Christmas. If it's a celebration of the birth of Jesus, then the only people that should be following it should be those that are followers of Him (and I'll purposefully avoid the word 'christian' because what the meaning of that word is is so vague and usually wrong). According to Jesus, only believing that He was God's son, believing that He is the only way to make yourself right with God and following His teachings are the only things that make you a true follower of Him (and everything that comes with that). And, also in His words, not doing those things means you are condemned. Now, most people that celebrate Chirstmas aren't truly following what Jesus said and, therefore, are celebrating a holiday that just means they are condemned. And, if you truly are a follower of Him, you should celebrate His life everyday and would be generous always. I wish they would just rename the holiday to clarify it to people. Or I wish they'd just ban the holiday. Seriously. That is what is truly wrong about this holiday (and, possibly, what will get a warning from a mod for discussing religious subjects). And I'll throw in the obligatory 'if you want to discuss this more, pm me' comment that needs to be tagged at the end of comments like this. [APPLAUSE] And to avoid a warning myself, I'll leave it at that. I'll second the applause, because my feelings are exactly the same...as stated. It's a commercial Holiday nowadays, and nothing more. And i too, will leave it at that. Moving along, any of y'all have plans for the day/eve/week yet??? I could not possibly agree more as well. That is SO true. Let me give you an example: Thankgiving. Remember it? Yes? No? The media sure doesn't. Why? Because it's a religious holiday (nothing wrong with that. ALL holidays are either religious or political. Thus is life) that has things to vaguely do with God (which it does if you look at the real meaning) but the masses have forgotten it for one reason and one reason only. They don't get anything. And the fact that they don't get anything means there's no buying stuff which means the toy makers don't like it, don't advertise it, which makes people forget it more. On top of which, it's called Thanksgiving. People have to give thanks, but they feel they don't get anything in return. (except life, clear air, safety because of our troops, paved roads, pluming, ect ect) Christmas though? Man, you GET stuff! Now that's a holiday! Sure, you have to buy things for other people, but you get free swag. I hate Thanksgiving, but that's mainly because of the food and traditions. I'm more of a Cinco de Mayo kinda guy. Less Yankee/New England, more Tex/Mex. Christmas though. Man. I HATE Christmas. It is SO hypocritical, even in the church. "Jesus is the reason for the season! Now give me my present or I'll hate you!" Just... ugh. Easter? Lord, Yes. 4th of July? Heck yeah. Feb 1st? (good luck finding out why) Alright. But no. Not Christmas. Not like it stands. Halloween's the same way. it gets the attention because candy sells. Nothing happenbs at Thanksgiving. Poor little day. (Sorry for the religious talk, but lets face it. it can't be helped. Shutting up now.) Edited November 23, 2009 by TM2 Dinobot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karamazov80 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I don't celebrate Christmas or anything, but I work at target and man is it getting packed @.@, can't get a break dude! I fear this upcoming Friday... I worked at Radioshack during Black Friday years ago. I was sick as a dog, but if we didn't come in that day, we were fired. The greed and anxiousness was thick in the air, even at a podunk store like Radioshack. People were packed in like rats. It was like living in a living hell. I look forward to seeing the family and getting away from the real world for a few days here. Have no clue what I may or may not get for Christmas. I know I'm getting a book of some kind. I'll probably get a video game or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docholliday666 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Not to be my usual asshole self. Well, I can't help it, and this statement is not meant to incite anger, arguments, or hard feelings, but Christmas was originaly a pagan holiday. So it was taken and used as the "birthday" of Christ. Although alot of hypothesis states that Christ's true birthday was in September. And that's one to grow on. And on to the topic about humanity's greed, one year for black friday I worked at a Kay Bee toystore. People were lined up the day before to get in when we opened. The manager had myself and another employee take the duty (heh heh, I said duty) of opening the security gates when we opened. The other guy weighed about 280, and I was a good sized 250. Needless to say that when the gates opened both of us were on our backs with people's footprints on our chests. They year that I worked there you ask?? The magical year that Furby and Tickle Me Elmo were first released. Humanity can pretty much suck it in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundhog7s Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 They year that I worked there you ask?? The magical year that Furby and Tickle Me Elmo were first released. Humanity can pretty much suck it in my opinion. This experience in itself could push many people towards satanism. I find Elmo has that effect on people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 While it may have been a pagan holiday, which no one argues and the Big Bang Theory pokes fun at, the Roman Catholic Church said "okay, this is the day we now celebrate the birth of Christ" kinda the same way they changed Day of the Dead from ancestor worship to remembering and honoring dearly departed loved ones. Of course, in your opinion, you may not think the church should have any clout, considering some of the stuff they've done in the past 1500 years. Or not, I don't know. Regardless of where it came from, at one point it actually represented something. And now it no longer means that. Everything has history, and everything was something else before it is what it is. I'm not arguing change doesn't happen. I'm just saying I don't see anyone saying "Oh, this change is good" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karamazov80 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Humanity can pretty much suck it in my opinion. Word. Black Friday reflects and brings out the very worst in said humanity. That day is pure, unadulterated evil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundhog7s Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (edited) but Christmas was originaly a pagan holiday. So it was taken and used as the "birthday" of Christ. Although alot of hypothesis states that Christ's true birthday was in September. I'm sure it doesn't happen much, but you and I see pretty much eye to eye on this. Here's the rub-a lot of people can agree about the futility of the holiday and the commercialism, but yet we still buy, buy, buy and become a remain part of the problem. How many people will say a big 'Amen!' when Charlie Brown gives his big speech every year about how bad Christmas has become, but yet still be out Friday morning pusshing through the crowds or over spending this year? It's like so many other things in the world-we all agree it's wrong, but keep going like midless sheople because it's just what we do. And don't even get me going about Groundhog Day... at one point it actually represented something I go back to my original point, if the birth of the savior of humanity is so important, why only celebrate His coming one day out of the year? That seems like pretty small devotion. Edited November 23, 2009 by groundhog7s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docholliday666 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 While it may have been a pagan holiday, which no one argues and the Big Bang Theory pokes fun at, the Roman Catholic Church said "okay, this is the day we now celebrate the birth of Christ" kinda the same way they changed Day of the Dead from ancestor worship to remembering and honoring dearly departed loved ones. Of course, in your opinion, you may not think the church should have any clout, considering some of the stuff they've done in the past 1500 years. Or not, I don't know. Regardless of where it came from, at one point it actually represented something. And now it no longer means that. Everything has history, and everything was something else before it is what it is. I'm not arguing change doesn't happen. I'm just saying I don't see anyone saying "Oh, this change is good" I personally think that people, as a whole should be kind and decent all of the time. Not just on select days of the year to absolve themself of guilt, regardless of the day. While myself and and some others on this board feel differently on the subject of religion, I personally feel that you should do what makes YOU feel complete. If you feel that going to church and praying to God and Jesus works for you, than I am all for it. As long as you don't become a hypocrite to those beliefs, like some christians, catholics, jews, satanists, do then I think living a good life is paramount. But i absolutely agree with the fact that Christmas used to mean something special for people, and now for the most part it's just the day that you get presents. At my house it's weird. My wife and her family are Jewish so they celebrate Hanukkah. But they also celebrate christmas. My mom is christian and she celebrates christmas. I'm a satanist and I celebrate both. That is only 1 of the many reasons that I'm going to hell. I'm getting a scholarship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBT! Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 ok folks this is skating on the edge of the religousness which as we all know is a no no topic... Keep it light and I don' t see a problem ( so far) though. As for me and Xmas, I'm spending it in Miami with half of my G/F's Jewish family, so it's not going to be quiet so x-masy. I am however ordered to bring an xmas pud! ( Thank you Rob... I'll let you know when it gets here) T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entertheninja! Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (edited) I completely agree groundhog. It's kind of like black history month, in my opinion; One day of the year we commemorate famous black people but the other 11 months they don't get treated the same. I didn't use that comparison to purposely anger people but look: Christmas week shows the best in people and gives a preview of what humanity SHOULD act like (mostly) and the OTHER days in a year, humanity is utter garbage, compared to Christmas, and Thanksgiving weeks! I'm sorry again if I angered anyone, cos sometimes I know I don't post the best things. And of course Christmas Story will be watched, and watched, and watched... Edited November 23, 2009 by entertheninja! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattallica Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 ..... look for the "pickle" in the tree! (anyone else's family do this? my grandma is the BEST at hiding it in plain sight) Sorry, but i find the notion of your grandma and grandpa "Hiding the Pickle" very funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karamazov80 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 As long as you don't become a hypocrite to those beliefs Unfortunately, hypocrisy is another universal human trait that cuts across religious, philosophical, and ideological lines. I fear that the vast majority of us are not infrequently guilty of this sin, to one extent or another. I can't criticize any individual with any given belief system for doing something that I, myself, am frequently guilty of. Otherwise, y'know. . .I'd be a hypocrite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docholliday666 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 As long as you don't become a hypocrite to those beliefs Unfortunately, hypocrisy is another universal human trait that cuts across religious, philosophical, and ideological lines. I fear that the vast majority of us are not infrequently guilty of this sin, to one extent or another. I can't criticize any individual with any given belief system for doing something that I, myself, am frequently guilty of. Otherwise, y'know. . .I'd be a hypocrite. So you're calling me a hypocrite then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karamazov80 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (edited) I'm saying that we're all hypocrites together In seriousness though, if you are true to your faith (or lack thereof) as you understand it, then I suppose that you could criticize others for failing to do so toward their respective faiths (or lack of faith) without being hypocritical. . . Unfortunately, the existence of Minimates proves the existence of an all-good deity of some sort. As such, satanism (defined as one form of a rejection of belief in a deity) is debunked, and your enjoyment of Minimates must surely run in opposition to the tenets of some interpretations of such a faith. Edited November 23, 2009 by karamazov80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groundhog7s Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 In seriousness though, if you are true to your faith (or lack thereof) as you understand it, then I suppose that you could criticize others for failing to do so toward their respective faiths (or lack of faith) without being hypocritical. . . Honestly, nothing bothers me more than people who hold to 'religious' beliefs, yet have never searched out why for themselves. Questioning life, how we come to be, the vast expanse of space, eternity, etc., is a fundamental thing that everyone that has some amount of intelligence does at some point in their life. It's part of human nature to be curious and the thing that should make us all curious is how we came to exist. Yet,as important as this is, most people seem to settle for whatever they were told by someone else or get too caught up in trying to enjoy things to ever search out why. It is the worst thing to see in people. And I can say this without being a hypocrite. To apply this to the holiday, there are so many people celebrating Chirstmas and Hanukkah that have never, or never will, tried to discover the true reason why it should be celebrated or how it applies to their life. They just do it because it's there and it seems right and fun and whatever. I have my own beliefs about what is right when it comes to what to believe (obviously), but I know it's because I have made the decision on my own and found out myself what is right (not making any personal attacks on anyone in particular). I feel if more people did there wouldn't be such a problem with the holiday time. I'll stop now to keep from being moderated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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