Christmas is not always special to some people...

If you mean the relentless rah rah-ing of the media/ads/hallmark movies...yes.


If you mean people enjoying, celebrating the holidays - not at all. My enjoyment of the holidays doesn't harm anyone else....and I find I'm more generous this time of year.



At any time of the year there are people who are unhappy or ill and the holiday is a great time to take a treat or cookies or a small present to someone you know who doesn't have family. It's a great thing to teach children - to give to those who are lonely or have little.... There are so many charities that need volunteers during the holidays.


If everyone who has a good holiday takes a few hours to share time/stuff with a few people in need....we'd all be better off.

The lower light level and the colder weather just have a bigger negative impact on a part of the population

And the USA never goes overboard with anything just Texas

Overboard on ME ME ME for sure... Take the next step.. stop pondering, and do something about it. It doesnt have to be about money, because we ALL should know money does not solve many problems. TIME on the other hand... time is our most valuable asset. Reach out to local retirement homes, to church organizations, toys for tots, homeless shelters. Put in a little of your time to share the Joy you have to offer... Its only "terrible", because nobody cares... Start caring!

Call your city and see if they get calls every year from older folks in the community about needing their driveways shoveled. When tt snows My son and I do about 15 driveways in proximity to our home every morning before he has to be at school. The last thing health wise an older young lady or gentleman needs to be doing is huffing and puffing shoveling snow in cold weather.

Its just time, and I can tell you first hand it is time well spent, I have always gotten more from giving than from getting.

Not only THIS time of year.. give what you can - and at the least give YOU - your time YOUR life will be better for it, and the impact on the lives you share your time with will be made better. Its a win win all the way around.

I will add to what savage said with the homeless. Contact organizations that feed homeless and donate socks and styrofoam coffee cups by the case

You all have my mind at work and thinking of ways to contribute. And I didn't expect this when I started the Thread.

Thanks again

YEs I would agree we can tend to overdo our celebrations for everything nowadays....not just Christmas! It's important to be mindful of those less fortunate than you are who may not have their health, or a family, or even any friends to whom they can celebrate with. Those that do have those things are fortunate beyond any riches!

Speaking personally for a moment, my birthday is the 10th so my parents and I catch up once in December. Although non-practicing, we are Jewish, and nowadays it's just nice to have company for a couple of days.
We always say "no gifts" and they always make me feel bad by giving me gifts.


I am home alone on Christmas Day. I admit I do try to have some nice food but it's just another day.


As for helping others, I spend time in Facebook, wishing people all the best, etc etc. Physically I can't do much anymore. My mobility is limited and I don't drive.
That's a big reason for spending time in Facebook. At least I can reach out online.

Christmas is the best time of the year for many of us, but the loneliest for those people who don't have anything. Although Christmas was never intended to be this way, many parents feel the pressure to provide their kids with the things on their Christmas list. It can be very stressful for many.

Just like everything else it seems fit to infest, it is the vacuous chasm of "Celebrity culture" that interferes with a happy Christmas

I have not celebrated "The Holiday Season" in years. I recognize that people are more giving and nicer and the decorations are cute and that families all get together. I used to do that and it was usually pleasant. But, as you grow old, the people you did this with slowly disappear and unless you are married with a big family it becomes less of a thing. My memories of this time are really about when I was a kid and the magic it held. It really is a time for kids.

When married, we used to visit my parents and sister in the UK at Xmas and spend two weeks there and visit friends and places while there. The year after my mother died we could not go until the second week of our vacation. The planes were grounded for a week in the UK (airports were closed) due to a snowstorm. So, we eventually flew out on Xmas day. We spent 5 days holed up in my fathers house and went home. It was like night time all the time we were there. The weather was awful. One of my least memorable year ends.

Well the holiday season isn't the cause of people who get depression bad this time of year. It is the colder weather the shorter days and the lack of green in nature. Cabin fever.

Humans evolved in tropical climates and many still may not be adapted to deal with the cold. Especially as one gets older.

Thank you for your kind words Jonathan. I wish you and yours all the best for the season and may 2022 be a better year for the whole world.

Now only if we could somehow bottle up the "good spirits" of Jonathan 2.0 and laurencewins we could make some serious money

I wouldn't mind some serious cash right now

My husband calls me the Grinch. Need I say more! Never been a fan of exteneded family gatherings.