So, I just thought that....

Well, it's Christmas and I'm loaded to the gills of having participated in a socially required amount of seasonal festivities.

I didn't do much for the season.........frankly I was very not "at the party" this season -- and I can't believe the pressure our society puts on us to "celebrate" as dictated. Sorry. I need to opt out of this season.

I look around and watch people do their shopping - sometimes spending themselves in to debt and stressing in major ways to afford a season that is supposed to be about cheer and goodwill - of course, for most there are also religious aspects to the season. It's a Christian holiday. That doesn't stop atheists or people with other beliefs from enjoying the festivities..........and if people are enjoying the festivities...well, that's what it IS all about isn't it? Joy to the world and such.

What happens, though, when when the damned holiday rolls around and ya really just aren't "in that space" to be social and merry? Basically ya still feel obligated to attend parties and family get-togethers (as tragically askew as they can be, we still feel seasonal requirement) whether or not the thought at the time to do so is about as pleasant as an appointment with your dentist.

If I should be so bold as to admit it, I dropped out this year almost completely. I did attend breakfast Christmas morning with the niece, nephew and sister for a few hours. That was Christmas this year for me - kit and kabootle. I don't have Christmas spirit at all this year. Some years I don't. And I resent being manipulated into being forced to celebrate a holiday if I don't damned well want to.
Corporatized attitudes. Corporate was never my thing - at any level. We'll enjoy it, dammit, and it will be good for us. Belch.

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving - spent it with my niece. She didn't feel like attending the family feasts. We spoke to each other on the phone briefly that morning and 20 minutes later we were headed for a crystal dig in the Copperopolis area. We snacked on cheese and Crackers far away from everyone, just us and the dog.

It was about the best thanksgiving either of us ever remember having. Well, best for her -- I've always been prone to wandering off for a lost day or two when the mood and means strike me.
I "get" responsibilities - in fact I'm editing a chunk of text tonight - Yes, on Christmas. Deadlines are deadlines. I just don't get how people let holidays get to be something that's more pain in the ass rather than joyful occasion. Gotta teach those kids to EXPECT to have money spent on them certain times of the year. They'd suffer drugable levels of depression if we didn't. Of course you could always grab a couple of toboggans and some family and/or friends and build a bonfire on a hill and spend the afternoon drinking eggnog or cocoa and slidding down hills instead. At least they'd remember the damned day. It's highly unlikely you're going to give them anything that they'll remember more than a few seasons down the line. That's a pretty juxtaposed mess.

Enjoy your holiday. Enjoy it some way that makes it really special for YOU. If that's in normal traditional Christmas mode or not - make it special.