What gets you in the Christmas/Holiday spirit?

[Orion]

This year, I was given an early Christmas gift from a friend. It wasn't a gift that you can buy. It was one that had and incredible amount of thought and caring behind it. That set in motion something that has gotten me in the Christmas spirit.

This morning I was about to enter the place I usually get my coffee from, and a local bank was handing out $20 gift cards and wishing everyone Merry Christmas. I was handed one by a woman who I know very well. When I got to the counter to pay for my coffee I took the gift card from my pocket and handed it to the young woman who worked there and said "Merry Christmas".

She didn't have her usual smile on her face that I usually see, and when I gave her the card she smiled and said thank you. Moments after I left, a friend of mine, who I saw going into the store just as I was getting in my card who waved to me, texted me and asked if I was the one who paid for his coffee. I explained that I received a gift card when entering the store and I gave it to the young woman behind the counter. She must have decided to continue the "giving" spirit and buy the next 10 coffee's for customers.

At first I was a little bummed as I wanted her to have the gift card, then I realized that it meant more to her to bring joy to others, just as my friend did for me. I'll be letting my friend who started this know and hopefully that it brings as much joy to them, knowing their thoughtfulness set off a series of events that has touched more people that just me.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Everyone!

 

[dh4645]

Very nice!

Well, as a kid it was always about getting, right, but now it's definitely about giving.

I like finding or making the perfect gift. 1 really cool gift this year is designing/printing/ironing on matching tshirts for the wife & kid that I know they'll appreciate. If I made these on Etsy I'd make a killing with women Dave Matthews Band fans. Ha. Got another big gift for the wife, but I won't spoil it, just in case she reads this.

I have a few Oakley apparel gifts to give to my parents, so that'll be nice.

We're not rich by any means, but we're better off than my sister, wife's parents, & bro in law families, so it's always nice to find good stuff for those 3 families/kids. Although sometimes they feel bad (especially my sister), since they think things need to be equal like my mom always does.

 

[cyclerdoug]

Alright, you pile of sappy ba$tards, I was dumb enough to open this thread, I may as well comment. I was going to fire off my usual line that "Christmas was created by corporate America to boost sagging fourth-quarter profits" and the "Commercial side of Capitalism grabs hold of all of you in November and you feel all fuzzy inside towards your fellow man, who doesn't give a rats-ass about you at all , so you herd out and buy crap no one wants or will even remember in January"....

but then I actually paused after @Orion 's opening post and @dh4645 hit it right on the head with my actual family with his last sentence and I thought that the older I get the mellower I'm becoming. I'm not sure why, and I hate not always being crabby now, but I see our 2 adult daughters out making their way in the world by themselves and when we give them something they truly need, or just toss them a few bucks to help stay ahead of the game, and they smile at us and say thank you...That's what does it for me.

Now back to my grumbling and judging and complaining. Carry on.


and Happy Holidays to you all.

 

[Wesleypipesyo]

My kid is in full holiday swing already. She gets it from everywhere. So that's cool.

 

[Orion]

Alright, you pile of sappy ba$tards, I was dumb enough to open this thread, I may as well comment. I was going to fire off my usual line that "Christmas was created by corporate America to boost sagging fourth-quarter profits" and the "Commercial side of Capitalism grabs hold of all of you in November and you feel all fuzzy inside towards your fellow man, who doesn't give a rats-ass about you at all , so you herd out and buy crap no one wants or will even remember in January"....

but then I actually paused after @Orion 's opening post and @dh4645 hit it right on the head with my actual family with his last sentence and I thought that the older I get the mellower I'm becoming. I'm not sure why, and I hate not always being crabby now, but I see our 2 adult daughters out making their way in the world by themselves and when we give them something they truly need, or just toss them a few bucks to help stay ahead of the game, and they smile at us and say thank you...That's what does it for me.

Now back to my grumbling and judging and complaining. Carry on.


and Happy Holidays to you all.

It's taken many years of practice......but I have come to be able to ignore most of that stuff you said it the beginning of your post (not ingnoring you....lol), which I happen to agree with. I refuse to let those things bring me down or not let me enjoy this time of year, or any other for that matter.

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you decided to read this post.

It's good to hear you are less crabby........ wait.....are you the "Winter Warlock"?......lol ....... JK..... I just watched that with my kids last weekend....still a classic.

You brought up a good point I didn't consider. If we do good things just around Christmas are we falling into the commercial capitalism trap? For some that could be true. I guess it would depend on the what/why of those actions. I don't believe I do but some could argue I do.

Christmas, when I was a kid, was so much more that presents although it was a big part. It was the Christmas specials on tv that only played once, and all the traditions that my family had, and the time spend with my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So much has changed since my childhood, as to be expected, but my excitement and spirit its rooted in those past memories I had as a kid. That spirit is just coming about in different ways.

.....and I'm happy to be part of the "pile of sappy ba$tards" group...... maybe one day I can be king

LMAO!

 

[cyclerdoug]

It's taken many years of practice......but I have come to be able to ignore most of that stuff you said it the beginning of your post (not ingnoring you....lol), which I happen to agree with. I refuse to let those things bring me down or not let me enjoy this time of year, or any other for that matter.

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you decided to read this post.

It's good to hear you are less crabby........ wait.....are you the "Winter Warlock"?......lol ....... JK..... I just watched that with my kids last weekend....still a classic.

You brought up a good point I didn't consider. If we do good things just around Christmas are we falling into the commercial capitalism trap? For some that could be true. I guess it would depend on the what/why of those actions. I don't believe I do but some could argue I do.

Christmas, when I was a kid, was so much more that presents although it was a big part. It was the Christmas specials on tv that only played once, and all the traditions that my family had, and the time spend with my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So much has changed since my childhood, as to be expected, but my excitement and spirit its rooted in those past memories I had as a kid. That spirit is just coming about in different ways.

.....and I'm happy to be part of the "pile of sappy ba$tards" group...... maybe one day I can be king

LMAO!

Good Morning!

...couple issues with your post.

First, I am a hybrid of the "Winter Warlock" AND the "BurgerMeister MeisterBurger"! "There will be no toys or happiness here"!!!!! LOVE that guy!

As for the practice ignoring that side of the holidays....I can't It's in every commercial and every radio ad and every billboard. "You must have this!" "You will be a lost puppy at the airport if you don't actually own this!" "Your children will be ridiculed and possibly ostracized if you don' immediately get them this!" What you have to practice is what you said you do...not letting it get you down, especially now. Our attitude reflects on our children and families. I relish being the "Angry Cynical Bastard", but that's from 32 years in this business jading the hell out of me towards humans, and my wife and daughters know I'm all bluster and fluff anyways. We have to constantly work from within to make sure it means more, whatever faith or religion or traditions you, and your family, may hold. Great points, Orion.

And lastly, you will perhaps make it to the top of the Sappy Ba$tards Realm one day and rule wisely. I will not be a subject, however. I'll be in the kingdom to your North, plotting your eventual destruction.

 

[Orion]

Good Morning!

...couple issues with your post.

First, I am a hybrid of the "Winter Warlock" AND the "BurgerMeister MeisterBurger"! "There will be no toys or happiness here"!!!!! LOVE that guy!

As for the practice ignoring that side of the holidays....I can't It's in every commercial and every radio ad and every billboard. "You must have this!" "You will be a lost puppy at the airport if you don't actually own this!" "Your children will be ridiculed and possibly ostracized if you don' immediately get them this!" What you have to practice is what you said you do...not letting it get you down, especially now. Our attitude reflects on our children and families. I relish being the "Angry Cynical Bastard", but that's from 32 years in this business jading the hell out of me towards humans, and my wife and daughters know I'm all bluster and fluff anyways. We have to constantly work from within to make sure it means more, whatever faith or religion or traditions you, and your family, may hold. Great points, Orion.

And lastly, you will perhaps make it to the top of the Sappy Ba$tards Realm one day and rule wisely. I will not be a subject, however. I'll be in the kingdom to your North, plotting your eventual destruction.

LMAO! Great reply!........Still LMAO!

BurgerMeister Meisterburger was always too long of a name for me......I just called him the "Hamburger Meister"......LMAO!

I hear what you are saying about commercialism being everywhere. And you are right, it's very hard to raise kids and not have them be part of that world. I am very lucky I was able to keep my kids from being part of that world which is everywhere. It was not easy that is for sure.

No offense taken for not wanting to be part of the "Sappy Ba$tard Kingdom". I highly doubt I'll rule it........ I'm not king material. You'll always be welcome...... even if to plot your evil plan of destruction.

 

[cyclerdoug]

LMAO! Great reply!........Still LMAO!

BurgerMeister Meisterburger was always too long of a name for me......I just called him the "Hamburger Meister"......LMAO!

I hear what you are saying about commercialism being everywhere. And you are right, it's very hard to raise kids and not have them be part of that world. I am very lucky I was able to keep my kids from being part of that world which is everywhere. It was not easy that is for sure.

No offense taken for not wanting to be part of the "Sappy Ba$tard Kingdom". I highly doubt I'll rule it........ I'm not king material. You'll always be welcome...... even if to plot your evil plan of destruction.

Fair enough my friend! I'll wander into the castle every now and then to tell you the cleaning crew sucks and your cape goes horrible with your boots!

 

[BHarry]

While I agree holidays have become a corporate ploy, I truly enjoy getting gifts for others. This year I asked my 6 year old son to find out what he should get for his mom. He told me he already knew. He had actually listened to her weeks ago and taken note of what she wanted. We went to the “store with all of the weird toys” (trying to describe World Market) and he tracked down several things she wanted for her office and had no interest in shopping for himself. We got home and he wrapped it and put under the tree. He was so excited and I was pretty damn proud!

 

[Orion]

Fair enough my friend! I'll wander into the castle every now and then to tell you the cleaning crew sucks and your cape goes horrible with your boots!

LMAO.......keeping me grounded.....I like it