I am refusing to buy gifts for Christmas....

Just to get some opinions of how I am treating Christmas this year. Please no arguing or rude comments.

I have noticed that the Christmas Season is becoming more and more about gifts, trees, lights, etc. every year. So this year I decided that I am not buying a single gift. It may sound crazy, but I think that we are straying away from the real reason for the celebration of Christmas. I was walking through the mall the other day with my mother. She was shopping and needed a person to carry all the bags Anyway, I noticed out of the entire mall NONE of the stores had anything about the REAL celebration of Christmas and what it means. All of the store fronts were covered with sale ads or posters advertising the latest and greatest toys. It actually made me sad to think that everything and everyone is getting sucked in to this "Christmas Blackhole". Even in my life I have noticed over the last 10 years or so my family has made a weird transition through the holidays. When I was young we couldn't wait for Christmas to come. Reading the Christmas story (from the Bible) with my maw-maw, while drinking egg nog and eating Corn Flake wreaths listening to my uncles scream in the background at the Cowboys/Redskins game. My family always loved being together and telling stories of things that God had done for them over the past 12 months. But now it seems there are less stories, less talking, and more presents & decorations. Am I too paranoid about it? I feel like the "real" Christmas is slowly fading even among Christians.
Has anyone else noticed this?

Yeah, I know. Kids toys are really expensive too, $300 games, $100 sneakers, etc. I really hate the commercials on tv when they come on, I press mute. Spend, spend spend. That's the messege. Broke, broke, broke. That's the outcome. But hey, let's make the best of it. Play your favorite christmas songs. Eat a good meal. Watch an old christmas movie. Watch the football game. All is not lost.

Peewee's playhouse Christmas Special recognizes it, so you could watch that too!

I've noticed too, and it makes me mad how people have become so ignorant of that fact.

This doesn't surprise me about you Billy. I do see what you're saying though and I have noticed it. I LOVE buying gifts for people but I don't like feeling obligated to buy them. Having said that I still buy gifts for people at Christmas time.

If you have children, then you are cruel. I think it's funny how parents make these decisions for kids. Why not ask your kids if they share your zeal? They don't. Don't rob them of the excitement of Christmas. Life is hard enough being a kid. Let them have some real fun. I have great memories from all of the gifts my mom bought me. I never forgot where Jesus fit in, even though I loved the presents. If you have kids, I have an idea. Why not tell your kids about the story of the first Christmas and how the Magi gave three gifts to Jesus. Then explain to your kids that they will get 3 gifts. That way, they get the joy of receiving gifts without you over running them with commercialization. But, please, don't ruin Christmas for them.

i have never bought anyone anything for any holiday. nor do i celebrate any holidays. (as they are of pagan roots and have been super commercialized)

The "real" Christmas fading away? Only if one allows it to. Much like the "real" Christ. IF we allow "things" to come between us and Christ/true meaning of Christmas, then, yeah, that's not good. However, IF we keep Him first, there is nothing wrong with the exchanging of gifts which were purchased with love and sincere thought for the person they were purchased for.

Exchanging gifts does not demean the real meaning of Christmas, exchanging Christ for gifts does. Make Christmas about Christ, and be loving enough to choose a special gift for a special someone. No need to max out the credit cards, whatever. It's not about the number/value of the gifts, it's about love.

Goodness, we aren't even past Thanksgiving, and the Christmas threads have already started.......

Well! Be ready someone would call you "Grinch"...

When I realized X-mas is not a Christian feast, I walked like you.

.......and what I really enjoy is the fact that WE TOOK these holidays away from them un-Godly pagans, and CHOSE TO CELEBRATE GOD, JESUS CHRIST...............ya gotta know it really chaps their whatsies...........

Wisebeardman,

I'm now going to send you a gift for Christmas...
just so you go crazy from participating in my pagan holiday.

: )

Did anyone notice that I started this thread a year ago? lol Just kinda surprised that someone picked it back up

Zombie threads are the new norm here.

WHAT? And we didn't get an update on how Christmas went last year? Well, at least you seem to have fully recovered, so I suppose that's something to be thankful for..........

Just curiuos: did your kids like what you did? (i.e., if you have kids).

Well, it is a lot cheaper to not do the gift thing. Sometimes I want to not do gifts and just skip Christmas. But not for religious reasons. More because my job doesn't pay that well and I am perpetually broke, so it costs a lot to buy gifts for other people.

I don't care if others don't celebrate Christmas, just as long as they don't make me feel guilty for doing Christmasy things.

Same as if I hang around vegan or vegetarian friends really. You do what you want, but don't judge me for my lifestyle and I won't judge you for yours.

I will say it is a little awkward to hang around someone who has stated within your earshot that eating animals is murder, in the same way it's awkward to hang with someone who claims all holidays and anything to do with them are pagan. But if everyone is civil about it, then everyone should be able to do (or not do) what they want without the difference of opinions getting in the way of peace.

I want a landrider Landrider Bikes - Comfort bikes featuring the AutoShift.

but dad is gonna buy me a boring normal bike. *sigh*