Yes, I'm similarly generally in favour of a quiet time spent with people that you haven't spent as much time with over the last year as you'd like, and it is nice to give and recieve small, thoughtful gifts as long as there is not too much pressure associated with it.
I think you hit the crux of it with the gift escalation being impossible to avoid when retailers stand to benefit, though. It's just too bad so many people let themselves get all in a tizzy over it. It seems to be a kind of token for some people. I get the sense that they think that if they get Christmas just right, it will magically improve their family life for the rest of the year, in the same way that a huge princess-style wedding is supposed to ensure a happy relationship. Focusing on one day is much easier than putting constant care and attention into your relationships, even if it is ineffectual. I bet they'd be more embarassed about it (if confused) if they were accused of having a Christmas fetish.
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Re: War on Christmas?
Date: 2005-12-05 10:42 am (UTC)Yes, I'm similarly generally in favour of a quiet time spent with people that you haven't spent as much time with over the last year as you'd like, and it is nice to give and recieve small, thoughtful gifts as long as there is not too much pressure associated with it.
I think you hit the crux of it with the gift escalation being impossible to avoid when retailers stand to benefit, though. It's just too bad so many people let themselves get all in a tizzy over it. It seems to be a kind of token for some people. I get the sense that they think that if they get Christmas just right, it will magically improve their family life for the rest of the year, in the same way that a huge princess-style wedding is supposed to ensure a happy relationship. Focusing on one day is much easier than putting constant care and attention into your relationships, even if it is ineffectual. I bet they'd be more embarassed about it (if confused) if they were accused of having a Christmas fetish.