Well said. I'm with you. I've tried to find Christmas spirit over the years, but the fact is, it's not my favorite time of year either. I do find some things to do which make me feel good about the season, but December 26th is not a bad day in my book.

 

I see you two share my feelings exactly.

 

^
Many people thinks the season "should be" such a happy time, but many folks do struggle with it. Overwhelming family obligations, the pressure to spend $ one may not have, especially if it means bringing a smile to your child's face, some are dealing with constant reminders of losses they have suffered; and, let's face it, families can be messy. Not everyone gets along, and trying to force people together to share these "happy" times often isn't a wise thing to do. It's a good thing to simplify what one does during/over the holiday season, but some folks just are not there yet and continue to be part of the whirling vortex called the holiday season!

My motto: Lower your expectations and you won't be disappointed.

 

November and December are a little frustrating. Obviously the best shopping months because retailers actually offer discounts.
It annoys my wife that I buy stuff then because it's cheap but Xmas is coming and she has a hard time buying for me since I just bought it.

 

X 2.

 

Thanks, Bill. Merry Christmas to you and Barb, and to all Primers. Thank you all for making my life a little richer.

Even though I am a complete agnostic, I still love Christmas. If I didn't get a single gift I would love Christmas. I love the extra smiles you get from strangers. I love the red kettles. From spectacular to humble, tasteful to gaudy, I love seeing how my neighbors have decorated. I love Christmas dinner with friends and family. And ham. Lots of ham. I love real life Christmas stories such as the Christmas when units on both sides along the western front of WW I came out of their trenches and shared Christmas in no man's land. I love to see curmudgeons like me warm up just a little during the holidays. I love the empty streets on Christmas day when I go to Walgreen for batteries. I love remembering the white Christmases of my youth. I love it when I see people become just a little more generous in spirit and in deed during this time of year.

I think I will always love Christmas as long as I have family to share the holidays with and children I know and care about.

Bonus: Christmas means Mardi Gras is just around the corner. Don't get me started on Mardi Gras.

 

except for the ham part. Not a big fan of the regular kind. I do love prosciutto and country ham.

 

For our family Christmas is a traditional time to gather and visit in the spirit of the season. We have diminished the purchasing and giving of ‘obligatory’ gifts - except for the young children - and everyone contributes a dish - so the feast is always good. Chris’ mom is German, so there is always a bit of Germany in the Christmas Eve (Heilige Abend) customs and activities. The occasion helps to hold a scattered and growing family together, and overall the experience is largely positive

Chris and I would like to wish all of our S2KI friends happy holidays, and a merry Christmas.

 

Mostly likely there are many yards that go overboard like this around the country. For the kids its neat. Our city used to do something like this that you drive through at the fairgrounds. It got so big they moved it to Michigan International Speedway.

 

I've been looking for something to advance the plight of mankind during the holiday. Maybe a Christmas support group? Lainey, Gene and Dave, is there a convenient church basement you know of where we can all meet?