It’s not just America. England is much the same. I hate the over the top commercialism. Christmas has become just another Hallmark holiday…and every bit as meaningless. I feel your pain. 😝
Although "like" is not exactly the right word, I used to like to pull duty during the holidays. I was stationed in the Central German highlands back when there was an East Germany (and I was 12 kliks this side of it) so the weather there was, um, "seasonal". The tac(tical) site was always quiet on the holidays, and it was an opportunity for quiet reflection. I took my duties seriously, and so for me the "reason for the season" had a lot to do with standing a post a biscuit's throw away from the largest armored army in the world.
Oh, speaking of seasonal: I was part of the "Air Defense Artillery," an Improved HAWK anti-aircraft missile unit. (The IHAWK is decades out of service, so nothing I'll say here violates any manner of security protocol.) One of the several radars we used had a big "cage" style parabolic antenna that spanned an easy 15 -- 20 feet across at the ends, and rotated on a solid steel pedestal that was at least 8" -- 10" in diameter. But even though it wasn't a solid surface by any stretch of the imagination, when the wind got strong enough, all you could do was turn it off, and let the wind freely turn it like a weather vane. Well, one November we were hit by gale-force winds, so the antenna was set to "free wheel." But one long blast pointed the antenna one direction, then died down. It then hit with full force from an angle upwards of 60 deg. from where the antenna was resting.
Sheered the thing off at the pedestal like someone had gone at a celery stalk with a meat cleaver.
I dislike Christmas also. My mother made Christmas into a horrorshow. One of her least endearing characteristics: a frenzy of gift-giving beyond the family budget.
As a young child, after opening my presents, I was required to choose among the holiday gifts family friends had given me, and select several to re-wrap, and give away to others, because my mother wanted to give more gifts than she could afford.
There was never any calm on Christmas. It was an annual scream-fest.
Fortunately, the Winter Solstice, Yuletide, on the 21st, was not polluted by childhood misery, so that is when I celebrate.
This year, on the darkest day of the year, December 20th, I am planning to burn Trump in effigy for the third time, while throwing ripe curses drawn from the Greek Magical Papyri at him and his criminal minions. So there is that to look forward to also, heh.
I love your thinking and your writing a ton, Stacey. I usually spend Christmas alone these days, but I kinda look forward to it—it's peaceful even in Ohio, even if for just that one day. The mass, rather disgusting consumerism of Christmas is quite depressing, though.
I have no problem being alone, or not necessarily with family anymore, for Christmas...mostly because the parental units are 'gone' and siblings either scattered or not speaking!
However, all the years that did include a family gathering, were generally fun. A late, decadent breakfast, then opening of presents, making fun of each other, and playing with any silly gifts. Next was sitting around digesting, then drinking eggnog and snacking, etc., until it was time for a decadent dinner. Yeah, a lot was centered around food (and drink), so it had its merits in that respect.
My upbringing was mostly catholic so the older memories were different. The childish anticipation of wanted gifts, and the subsequent letdown if wishes weren't fulfilled. But being one of four kids meant often being told that 'money doesn't grow on trees' so you half expected a disappointment anyway.
The catholic reference was to the horror of being woken up, Christmas eve, to go to phucking midnight mass!!! I hated it...but when we got there I kinda got into the creepiness of a dark, candlelit church, in addition to the smell of the smoke rising from the swaying thurible...and the choir voices emanating from the (mostly) walled off side area next to the altar. My father sang in the choir, so it gave it slightly more appeal. I didn't miss any of it one iota, though, after we stopped going to church in the very early 70's. Got to say: I will, though, buy frankincense and myrrh incense sticks if I can find them...as an odd reminder.
The best thing about Christmas time, however, was that I grew up in New England and you could almost always count on it either snowing for the holiday, or having recently snowed. That meant playing in the snow, sledding, tobogganing, skating, etc. Rather disgustingly idyllic, sorry. Later in life I more enjoyed staying inside and watching the beautiful cardinals, chickadees, and others come to the bird feeders that were kept filled. Oh, yeah, and then there were the damn squirrels....;)
Now all has changed surrounding the holiday, as have my wants and needs, so I'm OK with a very low-key time of it. But I do very much like the lighted streets, windows, trees, balconies, etc., (as long as it's not gaudy) because they bring some sparkly joy to the long, dark nights of winter.
I bake 5 million cookies and deck my halls, but I get your dislike of the season. Since I also hate shopping and crowds, there are many things I do not like about this time of year. But sitting in my own house with my kitschy snowmen and santas and my lights twinkling with a good book and a warm cup of tea just puts me at peace. Yet it's still an extremely stressful time of year. I guess I have a love hate relationship with Christmas. So many things about it bring me joy that I'll even forgive the stress. We haven't had our huge family Christmas Eve in the last 2 years and I miss it...but I also don't.
It’s not just America. England is much the same. I hate the over the top commercialism. Christmas has become just another Hallmark holiday…and every bit as meaningless. I feel your pain. 😝
Although "like" is not exactly the right word, I used to like to pull duty during the holidays. I was stationed in the Central German highlands back when there was an East Germany (and I was 12 kliks this side of it) so the weather there was, um, "seasonal". The tac(tical) site was always quiet on the holidays, and it was an opportunity for quiet reflection. I took my duties seriously, and so for me the "reason for the season" had a lot to do with standing a post a biscuit's throw away from the largest armored army in the world.
Oh, speaking of seasonal: I was part of the "Air Defense Artillery," an Improved HAWK anti-aircraft missile unit. (The IHAWK is decades out of service, so nothing I'll say here violates any manner of security protocol.) One of the several radars we used had a big "cage" style parabolic antenna that spanned an easy 15 -- 20 feet across at the ends, and rotated on a solid steel pedestal that was at least 8" -- 10" in diameter. But even though it wasn't a solid surface by any stretch of the imagination, when the wind got strong enough, all you could do was turn it off, and let the wind freely turn it like a weather vane. Well, one November we were hit by gale-force winds, so the antenna was set to "free wheel." But one long blast pointed the antenna one direction, then died down. It then hit with full force from an angle upwards of 60 deg. from where the antenna was resting.
Sheered the thing off at the pedestal like someone had gone at a celery stalk with a meat cleaver.
So, yeah. "Seasonal."
I dislike Christmas also. My mother made Christmas into a horrorshow. One of her least endearing characteristics: a frenzy of gift-giving beyond the family budget.
As a young child, after opening my presents, I was required to choose among the holiday gifts family friends had given me, and select several to re-wrap, and give away to others, because my mother wanted to give more gifts than she could afford.
There was never any calm on Christmas. It was an annual scream-fest.
Fortunately, the Winter Solstice, Yuletide, on the 21st, was not polluted by childhood misery, so that is when I celebrate.
This year, on the darkest day of the year, December 20th, I am planning to burn Trump in effigy for the third time, while throwing ripe curses drawn from the Greek Magical Papyri at him and his criminal minions. So there is that to look forward to also, heh.
I love your thinking and your writing a ton, Stacey. I usually spend Christmas alone these days, but I kinda look forward to it—it's peaceful even in Ohio, even if for just that one day. The mass, rather disgusting consumerism of Christmas is quite depressing, though.
I have no problem being alone, or not necessarily with family anymore, for Christmas...mostly because the parental units are 'gone' and siblings either scattered or not speaking!
However, all the years that did include a family gathering, were generally fun. A late, decadent breakfast, then opening of presents, making fun of each other, and playing with any silly gifts. Next was sitting around digesting, then drinking eggnog and snacking, etc., until it was time for a decadent dinner. Yeah, a lot was centered around food (and drink), so it had its merits in that respect.
My upbringing was mostly catholic so the older memories were different. The childish anticipation of wanted gifts, and the subsequent letdown if wishes weren't fulfilled. But being one of four kids meant often being told that 'money doesn't grow on trees' so you half expected a disappointment anyway.
The catholic reference was to the horror of being woken up, Christmas eve, to go to phucking midnight mass!!! I hated it...but when we got there I kinda got into the creepiness of a dark, candlelit church, in addition to the smell of the smoke rising from the swaying thurible...and the choir voices emanating from the (mostly) walled off side area next to the altar. My father sang in the choir, so it gave it slightly more appeal. I didn't miss any of it one iota, though, after we stopped going to church in the very early 70's. Got to say: I will, though, buy frankincense and myrrh incense sticks if I can find them...as an odd reminder.
The best thing about Christmas time, however, was that I grew up in New England and you could almost always count on it either snowing for the holiday, or having recently snowed. That meant playing in the snow, sledding, tobogganing, skating, etc. Rather disgustingly idyllic, sorry. Later in life I more enjoyed staying inside and watching the beautiful cardinals, chickadees, and others come to the bird feeders that were kept filled. Oh, yeah, and then there were the damn squirrels....;)
Now all has changed surrounding the holiday, as have my wants and needs, so I'm OK with a very low-key time of it. But I do very much like the lighted streets, windows, trees, balconies, etc., (as long as it's not gaudy) because they bring some sparkly joy to the long, dark nights of winter.
I bake 5 million cookies and deck my halls, but I get your dislike of the season. Since I also hate shopping and crowds, there are many things I do not like about this time of year. But sitting in my own house with my kitschy snowmen and santas and my lights twinkling with a good book and a warm cup of tea just puts me at peace. Yet it's still an extremely stressful time of year. I guess I have a love hate relationship with Christmas. So many things about it bring me joy that I'll even forgive the stress. We haven't had our huge family Christmas Eve in the last 2 years and I miss it...but I also don't.