Let this be the Bah Humbug thread...

[Quatermass]

Fellow misanthropes, malcontents, and miscellaneous, unite! This is the thread for those who can't stand the saccharine sweetness of Bouncy's Christmas thread, and need a refuge to be sceptical or disdainful of Christmas, or more precisely, its trappings.

Say it with me...

Bah! Humbug.

[Sister Jennifer]

Ah Q, don't be like that now.

Let's us know at what time over the Christmas period you find redemption.

[ChristianBecker]

Bah! Humbug.

[Quatermass]

Redemption? Having to socialise with relatives when all you really want to do is keep to yourself? Eating either too much or too little? The rampant commercialisation of what was originally a religious festival (first pagan, then Christian)? Having to listen to Christmas carols? Carols are a particular pet peeve of mine, partly because of my misotheism, but also because the lyrics are so insipid and nice.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not Grinch, nor am I Scrooge. And I enjoy Hogfather. In fact, I like Hogfather so much because it deconstructs and reconstructs Christmas. I also don't go around telling little kiddies that Santa Claus doesn't exist, and dead-Santa Claus jokes are never funny. Save for when you have Tim Allen around as a replacement. But I'm sorta over Christmas as an occasion to be merry and jolly.

[Quatermass]

Bah! Humbug.

Hooray! A fellow spirit! Come, let us try and get into the spirit of the alternate Christmas: Smissmas!

http://www.teamfortress.com/truemeaning/

http://www.teamfortress.com/asmissmasstory/

[Tonyblack]

Q I completely understand your feelings. Your comments are almost exactly like mine of a very few years ago. I even had one brother threaten to hit me if I didn't cheer up at Christmas time.

I'm now in the situation where I can do as much or as little as I want come Christmas time. Sharlene and I have basically chosen to make our own holiday of the day. Yes we exchange gifts and yes we have something special for lunch - the last few years I've made a special effort and cooked a vegetarian lasagna. But we don't go to see anyone and neither of us drink, so all in all it's a very relaxed and enjoyable day - with no religious stuff either!

My family don't bother with me any more because I don't bother with them. Actually the only negative side this year is that it's looking less and less likely that I'll actually get to Tucson this Christmas.

P.S. the reason I chose this particular avatar is because the cat looks so p*ssed off at having a santa hat put on it.

[Quatermass]

Q I completely understand your feelings. Your comments are almost exactly like mine of a very few years ago. I even had one brother threaten to hit me if I didn't cheer up at Christmas time.

Ouch. My father wishes I wasn't a grouch.

I'm now in the situation where I can do as much or as little as I want come Christmas time. Sharlene and I have basically chosen to make our own holiday of the day. Yes we exchange gifts and yes we have something special for lunch - the last few years I've made a special effort and cooked a vegetarian lasagna. But we don't go to see anyone and neither of us drink, so all in all it's a very relaxed and enjoyable day - with no religious stuff either!

I don't mind the gift exchanging. Just because I bemoan the commercialisation of Christmas doesn't mean I don't want presents.

And while the religious stuff was never a big part of my Christmases, I detest almost all carols, even the secular ones.

P.S. the reason I chose this particular avatar is because the cat looks so p*ssed off at having a santa hat put on it.

[Quatermass]

Now, how about a good old Bah Humbug Christmas Carol?

[Sister Jennifer]

Redemption? Having to socialise with relatives when all you really want to do is keep to yourself?

Do you get mad old Aunties pinching your cheek and telling you what a tall boy you've gotten? I hate that, especially cause I'm a girl.

The Hogfather has it's redemptive moments. I don't think you can really have a Christmas tale without some sort of deliverance.

[Del]

Twas the month before Christmas and we ganged up on Q
How CAN you hate Christmas? What ARE we to do?

We PM'ed each other so Q wouldn't know
To convert our dear friend and make Christmas cheer flow

We schemed and we whispered, we developed a plan
A Christmas tsunami would wash over this man

Batty would post Christmas smilies galore
And Wee Dug would post links to hundreds more

Jan Van Quirm, in her full "graphics groove"
Would design him an avatar of which he would approve

mC would beg sweetly for Q to believe
In a season of goodwill of which he could perceive

And Tony and Toothy and Jason, our mods
Would give Q not one, but three massive prods

For even our friend, yes....Tony Black
Has posted a kitten in a red Christmas hat

If HE can un-humbug we think you can too
We'll make you like Christmas, oh yes we will Q

Even Bouncy who swears that she 'doesn't do Chrimbo'
Started the thread that took us all out of non-Christmas limbo

If Bouncy and Tony can get past their affliction
Then you too can get over your humbug addiction

I'm calling on members both here and abroad
To show Q why 'Bah Humbug!' should be outlawed

Santa has feelings, he wants you to believe
The spirit of Christmas is yours to receive

Less than a month til the 25th of December
We have so little time to convert this dear member

So let us all post, loudly and bright
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO Q.... AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT

[Tonyblack]

Bonkers!

[MongoGutman]

The yearly festival celebrating avarice and gluttony? I find it corrupt, sinister, wasteful and revolting. Bah Humbug!

[Del]

Gee Mongo . Ian m so sorry that your Christmas' are or were like that.

Our Christmas is about family. There Ian no wastedullness as we consider presents carefully... and they are usually not expensive but something the recipient wouldn't buy for themselves. Even if it's just a new mascara because the one they refusing 'stillness some life in it'.. there is a lot of time spent casually going through belongings here... and casual questions... "Gosh thatbskirtbis nice.. you didnt think one in black would be nice?" Or hints... " can I borrow your tweezers mum. I really MUST get a good pair!" Or vouchers to be driven to the beach at a moments notice, or a day's ironing, or sew me a cocktail dress...

The ex and his family were obsessed with money and what they got at Christmas. Horrible. That's why we purposefully make it meaningful. But then that's what Christmas always was for us as kids. Huge family and usually hundreds of miles from department stores so we made things for each other.

My kids can be little sh*ts sometimes... but I am so proud of them at Christmas. It takes them hours to open presents and even if they hate them you would swear every present is the best present they EVER received.

As time goes by more of my older brothers and sisters are retired too and are buying for their own families so gifts are kept simple to keep cost down. Saves everyone getting embarrassed. I must say though... the thrill of the hunt is amazing.. I think the girls would be a bit disappointed if any of us gave them something expensive and "too easy".

No gluttony either. We all list one thing we would like on the table and work around that. And we try to invite a friend who might be alone for Christmas day.

Don't get me wrong. We have had some disastrous Christmas'. Still haven't spoken to one of my brothers for years... but that likebthe ex-arse family is not about Christmas... its about thier problems.

I spent five Christmas with a man who hated Christmas and it was horrible... for me and more so for my girls. I have a friend who loves Christmas with a passion and has had to endure nasty Christmas with her husband all the while being the only one wearing a paper hat.. pulling bon bons by herself.. determined to keep it alive for herself. She is such a devoted wife and mother. It's sad her husband can't make an effort for maybe an hour one day.. considering all the things she does for him during the year.

Good grief.. I go into churches for weddings and funerals and I am not religious..

I live in a country where we would drive for two or three days to get home for Christmas on roads that are not that great. .. as do slit of our friends. It's not unusual to lose a friend or a loved one on the roads at Christmas. I have.

The best part of Christmas is celebrating another Christmas with all the family and friends you had last year.

[Dotsie]

I love christmas, the only thing I would change is that my mum insists on spending loads of money on me & our Sadie. I'm a grown up, if I want something I can buy it myself! Me & Mr Dotsie always just have christmas day to ourselves, a walk in the snow followed by a special dinner we cook together (but we don't overeat - we'll just have something extra nice). What's not to like?

[Del]

Does she have a special skill you can ask for Dots... like asking her to make you and the hubby her special Christmas cake... or knitting you a scarf or some embroidery....

Don't fret... she will have some special ones to spoil far more next Christmas ...