Comments on: Learning How to Love Christmas

By: Dmarie

Dmarie — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:03:11 +0000

this post really resonates with me. I stopped giving Christmas/birthday gifts to my brother, instead surprising him occasionally with something when I find something I think he’d really like. In return, however, he seems compelled to give me a birthday gift each year, usually a gift certificate. I hate it that my gifts make him feel compelled to give something in return. *sigh*
Dmarie´s last [type] ..Fake Plastic Fish has last minute giveaway-Check It Out!

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:00:56 +0000

@Lesley, your Christmas Day sounds just lovely. Thanks for telling everyone about Fake Plastic Fish! I love that this blog was somebody’s Christmas gift!

@Leona, I forget that not everyone who reads my blog has read my posts about my family. My husband is actually Jewish, which is why we light a menorah. I should have mentioned that in my post. Still, I’m having difficulty understanding how this simple ritual could be a “cheap shot at Christians as an excuse to take a jab at the birth of Christ” when my post was about the commercialism of Christmas, not the birth of Christ.

It’s wonderful that you have beautiful memories of past Christmases. Please keep in mind however that we are not all the same. As I wrote in my final paragraph, “Christmas has a different meaning for each of us. I think the point is to experience it fully. To feel the emotions that come up for us, whether positive or negative. And let the day simply be whatever it is.”

@Bart OMG! That link makes me want to sing O Holy Hell! Is it even worth commenting on? The article is posted on the plastics trade association web site, so what else do we expect? Eco-friendly is not only about carbon emissions. There are health issues associated with PVC that the writer conveniently neglected to mention.
.-= Beth Terry´s last blog ..Contest: Sign up for a Plastic-Free Event =-.

By: Bart

Bart — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:23:51 +0000

Here’s another plastics-related view of celebrating Christmas:
http://www.inthehopper.org/beneficial-uses/christmas-trees-decorations/

By: pet supplies

pet supplies — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:35:35 +0000

I find it terrible easy to get lost in the meaning. But this year we have made a huge effort to attend church, so when christmas came around at christmas eve service, i teared up. It hit me, the true meaning.

By: sandra

sandra — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:55:46 +0000

hello,
I’ve always loved the celebration of winter, the sleepiness and cosiness Christmas and Soltice can bring. I find the consumerism of it overwhelming and horrible. It’s great to make small gifts to exchange, i like home made things, that are useful and contain personal effort, such as jam, christmas cake, one year myself and the children made all our gifts together. It was fab, the children had a lovely time and it really made Christmas a special time for us as a family.

By: Jayme aka The Coop Keeper

Jayme aka The Coop Keeper — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:59:34 +0000

Beth, after posting on my blog “My Quest for a Simple Life” and talking about using less plastic, etc., a reader commented that I should check out your blog. I’m so glad I did! I’m a bit overwhelmed, just beginning this journey, but I’m also excited. I know your blog will be a source of inspiration.

Thanks so much!

PS…We also go to the movies and get Chinese every Christmas!

By: denisse

denisse — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:23:23 +0000

hi i got suckered into christmas this year with relatives, i did not want to go but they guilted me into going first xmas ,without mom and dad they not being alive, i wanted to stay home no lights no tree no decorations no cooking just enjoy tv and eat chinese no traveling except for dinner ,but no they said no presents we just get together one last time eat and play board games, said ok, then they said bake and bring , then they said bring presents…i went it was awful rainy travel lots of time on road then stuck with people that you do not really like and had to buy for them and fake that you like the crap they give you ..they were drunk and had gas.. i do not drink and the food was awful like the plastic crap they gave me plus the cards killing trees for the wrapping and cards … oh the waste of it all … i told them never again i want to enjoy my holidays and it will be a relief not have to put up and take down decorations and not travel and cook next year will be a great xmas hope yours was great

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:47:16 +0000

True! The most lovely part of a holiday are the traditions that you share with those you love.
I love you Christmas rant because I have had those similar feelings! In fact – Halloween is my favorite holiday even over Xmas because there is WAY less stress involved and lots of just pure fun.
I don’t want to be a grinch – but I have started telling people that it is okay to get me things that are used (when they ask what I want… I’ll say a sweater (for example… and that it is OK to get me a used one). I really would rather just buy for the Children – I think it’s pointless to get gifts for adults unless they really specifically need something.
The grandparents on each side of the family seriously overdo it on toys for the kids. We seem to either get some giant thing (that is way too big for our house) or else LOTS and LOTS of plastic toys.
I have come up with a new philosophy for toys for the kids. That – since kids hate packaging – I’m happy to buy used and also since before you know it, the house fills up with this stuff. I’d rather get quality instead of quantity. Like one quality handmade unfinished wooden truck rather than 5 plastic ones.
Anyways, happy holidays!!!!
Emily

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:22:46 +0000

zSomething else to celebrate- totally plastic free commuter mugs Who needs a personal shopper when you got me?!? .-= Rob´s last blog ..Worse than Black Friday... =-.

By: Leona

Leona — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:09:58 +0000

Dear Beth,

It’s unfortunate that you have managed to only see the negative side of Christmas and have failed to look for any postives. Lighting a Jewish Menorah seems like a cheap shot at Christians as an excuse to take a jab at the birth of Christ.

I have wonderful memories of Christmas as a child, and of all the other years since. Of course there have been not so pleasant moments to recall as well, but I choose to not dwell on those, what good does it do to rehash negative moments from confused people.

My mom used to bake a white cake with buttercream frosting that she woudl decorate with green holly leaves. And she always placed one candle on the cake and we woudl sing happy birthday to Jesus. For my family, it was never about presents or greed, it was about loving and sharing and being together with each other. ANd as we lost family members – first mt grandfather, then my older sister, killed by a drunk driver when she was only 22 years old, then my dad, and most recently my mom – well being together seems to be even more important as it seems our numbers keep growing smaller.

So I am sorry you have some inner bitterness about Christmas. Next year, why don’t you try to llok for the positive things in life, maybe try an advent wreath along with your menorrah?

Merry Christmas