Is it wrong to hate xmas?

**Bend-it** · 11th December 2006, 09:15

Originally Posted by Donor

It comes back to this for me - enjoy everyone, everyday, everywhere. Don't settle for ONE day to love one another - do it every day, not because you feel you HAVE to, but because you WANT to.

THIS is what Jesus would have wanted for his birthday I reckon...

Aye! KERREKT! Unfortunately, us humans are a selfish and wretched race who can't stop ourselves turning inward and taking care of No. 1 at the expense of other people...

If Christmas 2006 sparked this thread, which reminds us to turn outward again, and consider others, then it has served its purpose!

Same with any other holiday or rememberance. The purpose is not for us to think about that only that one day, but to act like a "bump" in a forgotten thread on an internet forum.

- ANZAC/Rememberance day reminds us to remember those who have fought and died for our freedom, not that we spit at their graves the rest of the year.
- Rememberance Rides remind us of bikers who have fallen, not that we should forget them the rest of the year.

What other celebrations / commemorations can you think of?

**Motu** · 11th December 2006, 09:15

There are some things I dislike about Xmas.On a personal level I hate the hype,the rush,packed shops and parking,having to buy a present or two.On a business level I hate being made out as the bad guy.....so,you car needs a headgasket and that's going to cost over $1200,oh and that means the kids can't have any presents or go for a holiday,their Xmas is ruined - and why is that my fault? So they say do the job and turn up with no money to pay for it.And...and...and - oh give me a break! The Xmas rush,it's always been a lot of pressure...but good to look back on and say we got through.

As far as Xmas itself...it depends on how it was for you as a child I think.Looking back my childhood Xmas was really special,my fathers family had a real need to be together,after some very bad times early in their lives...and us kids we always there when they were together,us cuzzies were truely cuzziebros.My grandmother lived at a beach,my childhood was spent there...at least in my memories.My wife's family are much more gushy and false,I dislike their Xmas,but go anyway and get grumpy.Now it's my own family that have a family Xmas....I'm enjoying that.

**LilSel** · 11th December 2006, 09:18

I dont hate xmas... but dont love it either.
I get people staring like they've just learnt how to use their eyes lol (what you havent seen tattoo's and peircings before?? geesh!!

)

**Motu** · 11th December 2006, 09:28

Originally Posted by ceebie13

What makes it worse is that the whole country buggers off on its hols afterwards.

Huh? You weren't here pre 1990 were you? The whole damn country shut down for 6 weeks! Seriously,auckland city was a ghost town,nothing was open,all factories shut.Everyone was at the beach....in those days we had access to all beaches,there were no huge pink buildings everywhere....

**Donor** · 11th December 2006, 09:30

Originally Posted by Bend-it

Aye! KERREKT! Unfortunately, us humans are a selfish and wretched race who can't stop ourselves turning inward and taking care of No. 1 at the expense of other people...

Let's be honest - people enjoy the present buying because of how it makes THEM feel about the giving. The bigger the reaction, the more the ego is stroked. This is why people just HAVE to buy for kids. Kids will do somersaults over a lump of clay wrapped in toilet tissue, let alone the latest trendy toy!

Originally Posted by Bend-it

If Christmas 2006 sparked this thread, which reminds us to turn outward again, and consider others, then it has served its purpose!

This thread came about after self reflection of ALL the Christmases I can remember. Even as a kid, spending all my money that I had earned collecting bottles for recycling, and doing other 20 cent jobs around the house, was because it was what everyone else did. What a good retail Lemming I was...

Originally Posted by Bend-it

Same with any other holiday or remembrance. The purpose is not for us to think about that only that one day, but to act like a "bump" in a forgotten thread on an internet forum.

Aye. Don't make it a day of excuses for poor social network upkeep, or ego stroking... instead it should be used to highlight the importance of sharing time and loving EVERY day.

Originally Posted by Bend-it

- ANZAC/Rememberance day reminds us to remember those who have fought and died for our freedom, not that we spit at their graves the rest of the year.
- Rememberance Rides remind us of bikers who have fallen, not that we should forget them the rest of the year.

What other celebrations / commemorations can you think of?

Any day that has given us freedom, or taught us the joys and wonders of enjoying life, and the company of friends, family and even those we don't normally see as integral parts of our lives, should be given some time and energy is being maintained.

From battles fought, to rides ridden, to beer/coffee shared of an eve on a deck watching a setting sun.

**Bend-it** · 11th December 2006, 09:40

There we have it! Christmas, like anything else, can be good or bad, it's what you make of it...

Let's make it a good Christmas this year... Find the roots of and re-invent some of the traditions that have gotten stale and commercialised.

What's the point of giving gifts? What's the point of family get-togethers? What's the point of holidays? What's the point of Santa? Christmas trees?

Bin ones that have no point and celebrate the ones that do like there's no tomorrow!!

Smile everyone, it's Christmas!! Ho Ho Ho!!!

**Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)** · 11th December 2006, 09:41

I don't do Xmas at all - I have a lovely day, go riding, Sometimes I will have breakfast with friends - me cooking it. But I do exactly what I want to. My one treat is a punnet of raspberries, icing sugar and cream eaten totally guiltfree. I don't do presents at all - don't have the money and I don't stress over it. I couldn't give a flying f what other people think - that is their business not mine. But I take it as another weekend day. Been doing this over the last 5 years - except for one when I was roped into my friend's family Xmas - I hated it - we got up early to go to breakfast at inlaw's, got back to house, prepared lunch, had that - 2 hours later we were at the other friends inlaws - NEVER again.
I see the decorations up - doesn't phase me - I just look forward to a holiday break.

**Donor** · 11th December 2006, 09:42

Originally Posted by Bend-it

Smile everyone, it's Christmas!! Ho Ho Ho!!!

Haha... and yet the western bastardisation still has its claws entrenched in us!

:P

**Bend-it** · 11th December 2006, 09:53

Or... Melly Klistmas my fliend!"

if you prefer!

**Donor** · 11th December 2006, 10:06

I have to say one thing though.

I am the Grinch, and proud of it.

...but...

I THRASH SNOOPYS CHRISTMAS EVERY YEAR!

...it's my ONE concession to the season...

**placidfemme** · 11th December 2006, 10:10

*fucking hates christmas*

**Bend-it** · 11th December 2006, 10:12

But hey, you're still invited to Christmas!!

It's the season for forgiveness and loving and forgiving!! Haha! Or am I crossing the line to sickly, pukily sweet now?

Behind the tough biker image, helmet, gear and armour, I'm really just a softie at heart...

**bobsmith** · 11th December 2006, 10:32

The only thing I like about christmas is that it's soo commercialised and meaningless that it's an insult to christians...

**Flyingpony** · 11th December 2006, 11:25

Originally Posted by Goblin

....yeah I have told family not to buy us presents but they are all so set in their ways they do anyway.

I've always said to people buying me presents. If you can't find one that's useful for my life, then don't just give something for the sake of giving, instead, give me a gift voucher or cash equivalent and I'll take care of it. At the same time I also warn that unwanted gifts may be returned to them as a gift at a later date - this I have done, typically a year or so later so the memory has faded.

If you've got children, then it's always good to add, given my little ones a bigger present and don't give me any.