I know that we who blog do so to get what ever fodder is on our mind out into the light. Sometimes it is full of jumbled thoughts and other times intelligence kicks in and we actually look organized. Most of mine of course are the former. One of the things this format lets us do is put everything out there and then we can edit, and delete, and rewrite, until we are contented with the offerings.
Right now I want to express my self about Christmas and what I truly feel. I have been known to be a bit of a scrooge at Christmas time. When I first started acting that way, it was due to the fact that I always had to work. I worked at the casinos for years and the holidays are the busiest times for the restaurants. We always had to work long days, and by the time I got home the main festivities were over. Sure there was plenty of food left, but I had to re-heat it and eat alone while the others passed out or played games. The children had already opened all their presents and so I missed out on all the excitement. It had gotten to the point that the only thing I thought was good about the holidays was the extra pay.
Once I got separated and eventually divorced, the big family dinners stopped. Obviously, I was no longer welcome by that side. While I mean no offense to my side, their idea of a good dinner is pizza and some prefabbed veggie tray. As for games, the only one they play is pass the lighter, when they go outside to smoke.
I have also been struggling lately with this whole keep up with the Joneses thing. I do honestly believe that it is the reason the country is in so much trouble. Debt was invented to make the banks rich, while deceitfully looking advantageous to the poor/middle class(I combined these two because most of the former middle class is now part of the poor class). Credit cards made it easy to shop with out real money. It allowed people to buy things they wouldn’t otherwise think of getting. Stores could jack up prices because you no longer needed cash up front. Didn’t matter what they charged as long as you had enough credit. They would not only get the value of the item, they would get interest on that item. The biggest seducer of all, for these big companies…..Christmas!!! Hey! you are not a good spouse if you don’t buy your loved one a big sreeen TV, or a new car, if you are going to get a new TV you probably need new furniture to watch it from, and you can’t have new furniture sitting on top of a dinghy old rug/carpet.
My biggest problem with this whole idea, is that I would say 80%+ of the American public buy into this notion. The brainwashing of the commercials using the idea of the American dream to talk you into competing with the Joneses. Also, credit was given to you because you couldn’t afford whatever you bought without it in the first place. The abuse of credit and the over play of keeping up is why I feel the middle class is soon to be null and void!!
Kind of soap-boxish there!?!
Don’t get me wrong I think giving at Christmas time is great. But why does it have to be so materialistic? I do understand the giving of a gift that may represent the heart and maybe even lead to a lifelong commitment. IF, that commitment is to love and passion and not just to your ego. Why not get back to the original idea of Christmas and give of your heart instead of your wallet. And why does it have to stop then? Why not year ’round?
Another thought!!! I really do not expect people to stop with the materialism all at once, but what if we cut back on it. Do you think it would cut down on some of our own self-induced holiday stress.
P.S. The feelings I express at Christmas time are as genuine as it gets. I am not the type to use Christmas as a time to pretend feelings for someone. If I am not friendly or forth-coming with you during the year I am not going to phony up now. However, I do not want this to be misconstrued by family members. There are those that I do not really stay in touch with. Unfortunately this is where I resemble my mother, I have never really been good at it. It is not meant to be anything personal, I do keep you all in my heart and always wish you well.
boomersperch 
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