To be fair
I utterly agree with you.

The fact that you HAVE to buy presents is a joke. Whats worse - is people ask what you want. So any hint of a 'gift' goes out of the window and replaced with 'buying people things'

Id rather keep the money, and buy things I want. Rather than tat that will inevitably get binned.
(Dan dan dan They tik urh jerbs!!!, Thu 17 Nov 2011, 11:54, 2 replies)

You don't have to buy presents.
You can simply wish people a merry Christmas, and inform them that you haven't got them a present as you don't believe in the commercialisation of what is originally a Pagan festival celebrating the world's rebirth, actually.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Thu 17 Nov 2011, 11:55, closed)

It's not just the gifts
it's the whole assumption that "It's christmas, so you WILL do these things, and you WILL feel this way about it, and you WILL find these things appealing and attractive." That's what bothers me. Even if it didn't cost a fortune, it would still piss me off.

I like fireworks. Some people don't. But if someone tells you "I don't do anything for November 5th / July 4th, because I don't really like fireworks.", no-one would think they were strange. They are optional celebrations. Try doing the same for christmas, and you get strange looks, or worse.
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Thu 17 Nov 2011, 11:59, closed)

This is all rather trite.
You're railing against something called tradition.

Assuming you like a good piss up, which night do you prefer to do it on - Tuesday, or Saturday? You could be cussed and say Tuesday, same as you can say 25th December is a random and arbitrary day for buying presents.

But it isn't. That's what the Christian world has decided to do, most of them enjoy it, and if you don't like it - fine, but there's nothing wrong with anyone who does.

If you want to sit at home and play Ratchet and Clank, I'm fine with that. Don't worry about what I'm doing though, if I want to be miserable swapping presents, eating like a pig and spending time with the family, it's my choice.
(username failed moderation, Thu 17 Nov 2011, 12:05, closed)

Cheer up.
It's nearly Christmas.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Thu 17 Nov 2011, 12:47, closed)