How much more awesome would Christmas be without the presents.

I agree. shite is out of control. And then everyone expects a bonus. frick, do I really need to give my mailman a holiday tip? I don't even know who the frick it is.

quote:

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hanging out with family with no strings attached..

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I'm sorry that's what you consider your holiday family time to be, Ryno. Hanging out with "strings attached".

That makes me sad for you.

I did that this year

Gave all the money I would spend on gifts or local charities to the project digging the Cards Against Humanity hole

It's called Festivus. Celebrated on December 23rd.

It would suck arse for kids. Christmas was magical as a kid. I'm not taking that experience from them.

Shut your whore mouth.

We already have it. It's called Thanksgiving.

So you're THAT guy.

I agree with you that Christmas has become far too commercialized and that what I truly care about, now that I am older, is spending time with family, whom I do not get to see that often. However, I do have some fond memories from my childhood of Christmas morning, opening my NES system, or the 12 gauge my father bought me when I was a boy, or my first remote controlled car. It's one reason why I spend so much on my nieces and nephews... not that my sisters or my brother-in-laws get them shitty gifts, but I like being the cool uncle who buys them fun toys.

That said, my wife and I have friends who spend tons of money on each other (upwards of $1,000 each), have an combined income that is a good bit lower than ours, and they're like "It's Christmas!" That would stress me the frick out, I do not enjoy frivolity at the expense of my bank account. My wife always gets pissed when I tell her I don't want anything for Christmas or my birthday, but I value quality time over material possessions. I can always go buy myself a new fly rod or a guitar, I don't always get the chance to forget about my work and spend time with those who mean the most to me.