Does Christmas rock or suck? Languish: YOU DECIDE!

[Caliga]

So the argument Princesca and her mom are having over email about Christmas lists inspired me to create this poll.

I would have to say that I hate it.  It's the time of year where you're forced to spend time with relatives that you may well hate just because "it's family time LOL!", there's all kinds of pressure to get gifts for people who probably don't need or perhaps even want them, and in the case I mentioned there's even pressure to provide a damn Christmas list, when Princesca and I do NOT NEED her poor-ass relatives to give us anything.

[sbr]

I couldnt agree more with the last 2 points.  My brother and I stopped givign each other birthday presents a long time ago, once we realized we just passed the same $50 Home Depot Gift Card back and forth (not really, but it seemed like it).

My kids are old enough, youngest turns 18 3 days after Christmas, and they don't seem to care a  whole lot about it either.  If we could just get together with family (who I like, but it is just my familym no in-laws for me) with no pressure of gift exchange it would be great.   Not as long as my mom is around though.

[Caliga]

Yeah, my brother and I don't give each other presents for any occasion, since we agreed that we don't need each other's 'charity'.  When I asked him what he wanted as a wedding present, he said "your presence at my wedding is enough for me."

Princesca and I do give each other one relatively cheap (~$50) gift every year for Christmas, with no hints as to what it should be, as a way of seeing how well we 'read' each other for the past year.  This year was different though as she begged me to get her the Mass Effect Risk game and actually pointed me to the order page for it (I bought it last night).

[The Brain]

I love Jul. Makes me connect with prehistory.

[merithyn]

I love Christmas.

But I'm really good at ignoring the stupid bits and just enjoying the fun. Most of the gifts that I give friends/family are homemade. (The kids are different, but then, it used to be the only time of year that I bought them anything other than school clothes and supplies.) I refuse to stress over the whole getting/giving thing. I usually don't travel. I refuse to make dinner (we order pizza on Christmas day), and I stay in my pajamas all day.

This year will be a bit more stressful because we're getting Max's and my families together for the first time ever. (Yes, we've managed nearly nine years of marriage without our families having ever met.) I'll be making a big meal for that and there is, of course, the cultural differences to navigate. 

[Caliga]

But I'm really good at ignoring the stupid bits and just enjoying the fun. Most of the gifts that I give friends/family are homemade.

That would mean a hell of a lot more to me than just getting gift cards and shit.

[Grey Fox]

I love christmas & people who hate it annoy me.

but I can understand how kid less xmas just seems a pointless exchange of 50$ gift cards between adults.

[merithyn]

But I'm really good at ignoring the stupid bits and just enjoying the fun. Most of the gifts that I give friends/family are homemade.

That would mean a hell of a lot more to me than just getting gift cards and shit.

It started because I had more ability than money. Now, it's because I enjoy making things that I know people appreciate more than something store-bought. This year, I'm thinking stockings with baked goodies and homemade cordials for the adults.

[Malthus]

I'm a Jew who loves Christmas. 

Really, I love it because of the kid.

The pointless gift-giving among relatives we eliminated as a family - the notion is that each year, we each choose one book to give to each parent and sib, which takes care of that.

[Darth Wagtaros]

I enjoy it, though I enjoy it more when I'm not bombarded with Christmas crap from labor day on.  The only thing preventing it from starting on the 5th of July is Halloween.

I can do without the crazed I HAVE TO BUY A 5 DOLLAR PRESENT FOR SOMEONE I HAVEN'T SEEN IN A YEAR AND WON'T SEE AGAIN UNTIL NEXT! stuff though.  I'd rather give 200 bucks to Toys for Tots and dispense with a lot of the gift stuff.

[Phillip V]

I love celebrating the birth of Christ.

[Valmy]

Christmas is awesome.  This is pretty much the only time of year I go shopping, which is sort of fun for its novelty, I love spending time with my family, and my job typically gives me almost 10 days off.  What is not to like?

[Eddie Teach]

I love celebrating the birth of Christ.

Stay on topic! 

[Malthus]

I would have to say that I hate it. 

Any surprise that someone who works in HR hates Christmas? 

[garbon]

Love. One time a year I am guaranteed to be in California. And my family is not so bad.