Holiday Season, 2009

[Wuptdo]

Once again, it is that time of the year to be thinking about the Holidays. So if you happen to find a bargain on something, a unique gift idea, or a great place to shop (on-line too), please share with the CP community.

Looking in the sofa cushions for some spare change this holiday season? Check this out:

North Carolina Cash! (http://www.nctreasurer.com/DstHome/AdminServices/UnclaimedProperty/Search.htm)

30 minutes of my time got me a $77.00 check from the State. Woot!

[Brent]

It is the holiday season, but I do not, as a matter of principle, start my December (Christmas) holiday season until after the November (Thanksgiving) holiday.

And I don't listen to Christmas music on the radio until after then, and I try to avoid places hyping Christmas items until after Thanksgiving, and so on.

And believe me, that gets more and more difficult every year.

[DarylB]

It is the holiday season, but I do not, as a matter of principle, start my December (Christmas) holiday season until after the November (Thanksgiving) holiday.

And I don't listen to Christmas music on the radio until after then, and I try to avoid places hyping Christmas items until after Thanksgiving, and so on.

And believe me, that gets more and more difficult every year.Ditto....

Christmas is the Roman Catholic high Holy day, and the Christmas season has a defined period running 12 days, beginning on Christmas Day (December 25) and ending on January 5, eve of the traditional date of the Epiphany.

The Holiday season is not the same thing, which is just a commercial buying festival, represented in American society by flying reindeer and atheists with credit cards.

I've always wondered, if you have no God, why buy a tree to symbolically celebrate his birth?

[Brent]

Indeed, and I didn't answer the poll question because I don't like the way that merchants and media measure the "holiday season" by the amount of money spent.

BTW, Wup, how did it get to be the 2009 holiday season already? ;) :D

[Tonya]

It is the holiday season, but I do not, as a matter of principle, start my December (Christmas) holiday season until after the November (Thanksgiving) holiday.

And I don't listen to Christmas music on the radio until after then, and I try to avoid places hyping Christmas items until after Thanksgiving, and so on.

And believe me, that gets more and more difficult every year.Ditto....

Christmas is the Roman Catholic high Holy day, and the Christmas season has a defined period running 12 days, beginning on Christmas Day (December 25) and ending on January 5, eve of the traditional date of the Epiphany.

The Holiday season is not the same thing, which is just a commercial buying festival, represented in American society by flying reindeer and atheists with credit cards.

I've always wondered, if you have no God, why buy a tree to symbolically celebrate his birth?


Daryl, I know you must know that the tree has its origins in PAGAN tradition, celebration of the winter solstice. We can all celebrate that, right--has nothing to do with Christianity or the birth of Jesus Christ.

Otherwise, your point about the holiday season is well-taken, as is Brent's. It gets harder every year to wait until after Thanksgiving to begin the Christmas celebration. As I have aged, Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday, largely because of its relative simplicity. Just a nice meal and a day spend in the company of one's loved ones.

Did you see that Santa has already arrived at Triangle Towne Center? That is ridiculous. What message does that send to children anyway???

[d4vendel]

Did you see that Santa has already arrived at Triangle Towne Center? That is ridiculous. What message does that send to children anyway???

That Mommy and Daddy have to get the little darlings pictures made in time to get the custom Christmas cards made so that they can send them to all of their friends along with the Christmas Letter detailing all of the wonderful things they have done throughout the past year.......

(hint to these parents - If we really cared, we would already KNOW what you had been doing...) :sleepy2:

[Wuptdo]

d4Vendel wrote:
That Mommy and Daddy have to get the little darlings pictures made in time to get the custom Christmas cards.....

Thanks for the reminder Dave!

http://www.searsportrait.com/cpi/en-US/offers/holidayTrio/holidayTrio.htm


Brent wrote:
Indeed, and I didn't answer the poll question because I don't like the way that merchants and media measure the "holiday season" by the amount of money spent.

Seeing the Halloween Stuff mixed with the Christmas stuff at Lowe's and Sam's Club was the motivator for this, Brent. I am too "sickened" by a society that judges "love" based on how much money you spend. However, I don't think that a "just say NO" to Christmas shopping is going to happen any time soon, unless all the various Christian faiths decide to make it an actually issue for their followers. There was reason why "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" had a problem for years finding sponsors on TV.

The poll was more of an economic gauge of how folks are doing since the "crash."

[Brent]

Tonya -- Agreed. Thanksgiving is time spent with family, reflecting on all of our blessings, something most of us don't do often enough (I know I don't). And a time to remember to help out those not as richly blessed. I don't like blowing right by such an important occasion.

I disagree with one thing, though -- you haven't aged at all! ;) :D

Dave -- I've threatened more than once to write a satirical Christmas letter telling all the truly mundane, embarassing and less positive things that happened throughout the year. I think it could be fun.

Wup -- understood and agreed. Tracking consumer spending is important to help gauge our economy. Like you, I deplore tying that to what should be a religious holiday (pick your holiday that occurs during this general time) celebrating peace and holy events.

[Brent]

Kudos to Hyatt for letting us all celebrate Thanksgiving on CP, with the cute Thanksgiving theme!

[JoeCiulla]

Kudos to Hyatt for letting us all celebrate Thanksgiving on CP, with the cute Thanksgiving theme!

I got dibs on the turkey, who wants to be the pilgrim?

[Brent]

Kudos to Hyatt for letting us all celebrate Thanksgiving on CP, with the cute Thanksgiving theme!

I got dibs on the turkey, who wants to be the pilgrim?

Not me. That would imply that I'm unoriginal and highly prone to suggestions from others.

:D :lol:

[Wuptdo]

This should help a few folks stretch their limited Christmas dollars.

Web retailers in U.S. are waging seasonal price wars (http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/20/technology/20slashing.php)

I have had very good luck over the last couple of years buying a majority of wanted gifts on-line. Suggest you check several sites if you want a specific item (Nikon D-80 camera had a $150 differential between sites earlier this year). Free shipping and no state sales tax can be a plus as well. Note: On some sites you will not find out about sales tax or shipping to the very end of your order. Be careful as some vendors will severely overcharge for shipping. It is best to shop early for on-line purchases and be wary of "reconditioned" products.

Also check for electronic "on-line" coupons for specific stores if you prefer to shop at physical locations.

[DarylB]

Personally, I'm selling Carbon Offset coupons on my website... a great little gift that keeps on giving all through the year, and all around our pretty little planet. Buy today, you'll feel so much better you did..... In fact, buy several, and then go smoke a turkey in the back yard, yack on your cell phone for hours, what the hell, you can even fly to Fiji on a Jumbo Jet, all with a clear conscience!!!!!!!Happy Holidays!!!!

[d4vendel]

I guess I am the only one who voted "spend more money." I'm cashing out what's left of my investments buying extravagent gifts for all of the members of my family and myself this year.

Thank you, but I'll choose how to redistrubite my own wealth. :)

[Brent]

I guess I am the only one who voted "spend more money." I'm cashing out what's left of my investments buying extravagent gifts for all of the members of my family and myself this year.

David, I've been meaning to tell you this for awhile...I'm your long-lost brother. Yes, it's true. Consider me a member of your family. ;) :lol:

[Belle]

I am the real deal David, don't listen to Brent!
I've attached a recent picture of myself as proof: