(On the bandwagon)
I am sure that when the Three Wise Men brought gifts to the Baby Jesus, it was not their intention to kick-start a trend that would many years later define what Christmas is all about.
The whole giving-and-receiving ritual: cringe.
I had just spent an e-n-t-i-r-e weekend with the girlfriend doing my bit for consumerism and buying gifts for people I deem worthy enough to get a chunk of my hard-earned income. It was akin to walking through hell and pissing on the devil!
It is not that I begrudge the money I am spending, I resent that being generous and showing affection has become such a major fucking chore. If this is the season to be jolly, then why aren’t I feeling any of it?
When you exchange gifts with someone, it becomes a bit of a cat-and-mouse game. You feel bad if the gift you gave them is cheaper than the gift they gave you. You also feel bad if it’s the other way around… so there is really no winning, is there?
“Wow, a brand new camera! Gee … thanks … all I got you was box of chocolates”
The old cliché of “it’s the thought that counts” is just that… an old cliché. The decision on what to buy is also based on what people gave you in the past. That bag of chips you gave me last year… well… right back at you buddy!
You budget carefully just how much you are willing to spend on each person, which basically means putting a price on how much you care about them. Erm… how much Mom’s love is worth? Five hundred bucks? A thousand, perhaps? More? Ooh… I do so dislike so dislike cousin Vicky…. is 20 bucks too much?
One of the few good reasons to stay away from romance is the agonising over what to get your partner. This can be particularly agonising when this is your first Christmas together. Let’s not forget that you’ll also be setting the tone for Christmases to come. If I go all out this year, how do I top it next year?
Of course she will say, “You really shouldn’t have. I am just happy that we can spend Christmas together.” That… right there… is the biggest load of crap!
Thank God I am not in a new relationship! Not that it gets any easier as the years go by.
Killjoy was here
December 11, 2006 by chitty
i feel a sudden resurgence of enthusiasm for judaism… it’s all simplified into the quality of the chocolate and the scotch, anything further is exaggeration 😀
not to mention seven days of said chocolate and scotch!
My family has finally opted out of the gift giving for everyone but the grandkid. If I see something I think my mother will really enjoy and it happens to be July, I’ll get it and give it to her then.
But for the first time I am faced with not having my husband around on Christmas day. He will more than likely be scheduled to work. Really bad timing for us to be having the discussion of “if you are scheduled, will you really pick work over your family on Christmas day?” In this case, all I really do want is for him to be there with me and our son…
Chitty, I totally feel you on this one. Buying chrimbo presents is one tedious process to have to go through but you have to go through it. Hope you got all your shopping done!!
TW: Whoo-hoo! I can do with a bit of that action. I’m making an appointment to talk to the local Rabbi.
Spot: Seven frigging days… no fair! Can I become an honorary member of your family?
SWiB: Sucks that you have to have this particular discussion at this of the year. It’ll be tough on you and the kid. Perhaps he can make it up with a weekend away over New Years?
Sugar: All done and what a friggin relief!
I am off to the coast for a well-deserved holiday at the beach, so presents will be given out at around the 20th.
what? Presents are my favourite part of Decemberween! Heathens.
Not to mention what a total fucking nightmare it is to get hold of a partridge this time of year. And don’t get me started on pear trees, either!
moonflake: Lol@ Decemberween.
Think I can still find a nice fat bunny this time of the year?
Kyknoord: Ha ha!!
I’d settle for the nine dancing ladies (strippers?) or the eight maids a-mlking, whichever is easier to find.
LOL! This can only get better … can’t wait to hear the GF gift giving goes.
Ho ho ho & a smooch,
The Tart
; *
chitty – you don’t need a rabbi to celebrate, just find a group of well-dressed (okay, overly dressed) and happy looking youngsters (some sporting serious beards) and ask them what it’s all about 😉
[it’s all about the scotch. burning oil too, but primarily the scotch]
Chitty I love your blog. It makes me laugh everytime I read it.
Consider this. Get you Mom a nice gift and forget your cousin Vicky and spend the $20 on yourself. I mean after all shouldn’t you spend money on the guy you spent the most time with this year. Now lets take it another step. I suggest you spend tha cash on yourself at a stripclub. they are usally in a santa hat this time of year for their dance. that is festive. Also since your directly giving the cash to someone it is kind of giving back to the community. Just a thought….
Oh and if you walk in and see Vicky dancing go back to plan A but double it to $40.
isulaum: Thanks for the compliment.
I like what you have in mind for cousin Vicky… she’ll never know what hit her. :p