Anyone not celebrate Christmas?

[1 2 free]

I'm not specifically asking people who don't celebrate Christmas for religious reasons (although you're welcome to contribute). I'm more interested if anyone's given up Christmas because they they aren't religious at all and don't want to take part in the mindless consumerism, the over eating, etc. I quit last year and although it was a challenge as far as the family goes it felt great and I'm going to carry on doing it.

[h1s_l0rdsh1p]

I try to celebrate christmas not in the sense of consumerism, or out of faith, but rather; to bring together the family, to have some time of peace. To be together and discuss what's happening and how far we would like to go.


It's harder now since my step-fathers mother died.
I always find it's the elders that help keep the peace within a family. They have been through so much (esspecially my step-fathers mother.. she told us stories of how when the nazis were bombing rotterdam, how her and her family had to steal food to survive and such), and they have been around so long. Everybody just keeps their quarrels inside and don't bring them up. They know it's for the best. But right when this great family member is gone, they stop caring about the peace, and start to try and get their way of things.

It's pathetic.
But I try, in order to make sure they all can be happy in one way or another.

[paulski]

I try to celebrate christmas not in the sense of consumerism, or out of faith, but rather; to bring together the family, to have some time of peace

Like you Lordship, I celebrate close friends and family and use the meal as a celebration of family.

I've never given any thought to the religious aspect or don't get swept away with the purchase of unnecessary bling.

[h1s_l0rdsh1p]

Like you Lordship, I celebrate close friends and family and use the meal as a celebration of family.

I've never given any thought to the religious aspect or don't get swept away with the purchase of unnecessary bling.

Exactly. It's suppose to be a celebration of life, family, friends, and many happy events.

Too bad not many people see it that way though.

[synak]

I'm more interested if anyone's given up Christmas because they they aren't religious at all and don't want to take part in the mindless consumerism, the over eating, etc.

Yup and those are some of the reasons among others.

[lookfar]

Hi 1 2 free

Since last year I have chosen to give up celebrating Christmas in the usual sense. This was mainly after reading Matt Delooze's take on it & discovering the more sinister, energy stealing side of things :eek: I've also never been religious and don't see any point in contributing to all the mindless consumerism either. It was a bit difficult explaining it to a few family members, but that was to be expected I suppose.

However, I do have a young son and family & in order for him not to fully miss out on things, have decided to celebrate the Winter Solstice instead. This way we can all get together as a family, exchange a few presents, but not in the Christmas theme.

We also spent last xmas in the Canary Islands & found getting out of the country was a real breath of fresh air, you can actually get on with things without Christmas getting in the way. Enjoyed it so much, that I'm hoping to go abroad again this year too...:D

[baron von lotsov]

They do that here in Glastonbury. No longer do the New Agers celebrate Christmas but the pagan solstice. Now despite what all the hype tells you the last two or three have been so bad that no one ever goes anymore. As for depressing and low vibes go the solstice party is like no other. So don't mess with evil and celebrate Christmas in the true sense of what it is about and stick two fingers up to the Illuminati's solstice & consumerism rituals.

[orgo knight]

I like catching up with friends and family and the abundance of food and drink. But the whole commercialism aspect makes me feel a bit flat.

BTW I think you have the coolest name on the forum:)

[1 2 free]

Hi 1 2 free

Since last year I have chosen to give up celebrating Christmas in the usual sense. This was mainly after reading Matt Delooze's take on it & discovering the more sinister, energy stealing side of things :eek: I've also never been religious and don't see any point in contributing to all the mindless consumerism either. It was a bit difficult explaining it to a few family members, but that was to be expected I suppose.

However, I do have a young son and family & in order for him not to fully miss out on things, have decided to celebrate the Winter Solstice instead. This way we can all get together as a family, exchange a few presents, but not in the Christmas theme.

We also spent last xmas in the Canary Islands & found getting out of the country was a real breath of fresh air, you can actually get on with things without Christmas getting in the way. Enjoyed it so much, that I'm hoping to go abroad again this year too...:D

It's Matthew Delooze's work that inspired me (in part at least) to start this thread. I wasn't aware of it last year but this year I am and I wonder about the rituals of Christmas and where our energy is going. I'm lucky that I don't have any children (in regards to this topic at least ;) ) so that's not an issue. It meant that I can opt out fairly easily.

I'd love to go somewhere hot and overseas too. It's what I was thinking I should have done last Christmas. Would have avoided a few problems. Not sure I'll be able to afford it this year but if I can.... :D

[1 2 free]

BTW I think you have the coolest name on the forum:)

Thank you. :)

[john white]

I'm not specifically asking people who don't celebrate Christmas for religious reasons (although you're welcome to contribute). I'm more interested if anyone's given up Christmas because they they aren't religious at all and don't want to take part in the mindless consumerism, the over eating, etc. I quit last year and although it was a challenge as far as the family goes it felt great and I'm going to carry on doing it.

I just see it as a "chill out" day: anything "positive" in "The christmas spirit" is the consciousness I seek to live in every day: love for ones fellow humans etc

[notaslave]

In the last 12 years I havent bothered with Christmas tree, decorations etc apart from the times my daughter and my grandson has lived with me. This year my adult son may be living with me again for a while but we wont bother with the tree etc.,
I always celebrate Christmas Day though with exchange of gifts and a special meal, I feel winter is too long not to break it up with some kind of festival.

[limelady]

We no longer celebrate Christmas, but we have a family get-together
on that day.....we eat, drink and 'make merry', but no Christmas trappings.

[lookfar]

It's Matthew Delooze's work that inspired me (in part at least) to start this thread. I wasn't aware of it last year but this year I am and I wonder about the rituals of Christmas and where our energy is going. I'm lucky that I don't have any children (in regards to this topic at least ;) ) so that's not an issue. It meant that I can opt out fairly easily.

I'd love to go somewhere hot and overseas too. It's what I was thinking I should have done last Christmas. Would have avoided a few problems. Not sure I'll be able to afford it this year but if I can.... :D

Yeah it's quite a shocker when you realise isn't it!!:eek: If it wasn't for my son, then I'd just not bother with the whole thing & escape to somewhere warm. But we decided that he couldn't miss out completely so settled for the solstice as an alternative. We won't be attending any Solstice gatherings as Baron mentioned, but just using it as a different date to get together with everyone, at least that way it pleases all concerned :)

I can highly recommend getting away over christmas if you can. It was the first time for me last year (usually opt for some winter sun in Jan/Feb time), but you can just carry on like christmas isn't even happening, it's easy to escape when you're abroad. It does tend to cost double but with a bit of internet hunting, you can usually find a cheapy 2-3 weeks before, which is what we managed to do :D

[magicmerlin]

Bah Humbug :p - put up a tree and wrap up warm in front of the fire with lovely food!

Christmas is a celebration, a time to be happy, forget worries, stress and bad will. The commercial aspect of xmas is what's bad. I'm not christian, but I'm open-minded and there's no doubt the carols on xmas eve feel 'holy'. Good food, family, warmth, peace.

Interestingly, the most romantic aspect of christmas was in the past, and many people over 50 tend to say 'ah i remember how christmas used to be'.

[tinmenace]

My husband and I are both "imports" into the USA, and have no family close by (it's a blessing in a way). So, we usually invite a few "stray" friends that also have no family in or near Florida. We cook a big untraditional meal (usually seafood), and drink lots of wine. It's just our way of making sure that nobody we know is left alone on Christmas.

I don't decorate at all except for one small woodsy tree with sugar-fruit laden branches. The cats think it's their fort or something to play under. :rolleyes:

We're not big on gifts and we don't give any, and our guests are forbidden from bringing anything that can't be consumed at mealtime.

[1 2 free]

I can highly recommend getting away over christmas if you can. It was the first time for me last year (usually opt for some winter sun in Jan/Feb time), but you can just carry on like christmas isn't even happening, it's easy to escape when you're abroad. It does tend to cost double but with a bit of internet hunting, you can usually find a cheapy 2-3 weeks before, which is what we managed to do :D

Cheers for the tip. If I have the money I shall see what i can find. :)

[freedomnonfighter]

Mmm, I don't particularly know how I feel about this. Well, I know how I feel about it.. but what I'm going to do with that is the question...

I don't even know where to begin by telling my family I no longer want to celebrate Christmas.

I'm tired of rituals and I'm tired of things that seem to be no more than extreme cases of holding on to the 'old' way of things.

...I certainly don't want to exchange impermanences anymore...

Tired of people 'expressing themselves' by giving / receiving THINGS.

And, with my slave-job being one involving RETAIL... I really experience the complete and utter materialistic aspect of this and every other holiday, or as I call them, economic holidays.

Nor do I want to witness the "I, me, mine" dominances, be they within myself or within others.

I'd much rather just spend the day with friends actually.

Would seem much more real that way, rather than my family getting together to represent themselves and how they 'have been doing' and their this and their that.