Best Christmas Idea I've Ever Heard....
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Personally, I really like the idea too. I have a feeling that for us this year, it's going to be very much like that, anyway...out of necessity.
One thing we try to stress withthe girls is how lucky we are as a family, having each other, a roof over our heads (*snicker*), pets, health, and an amazing extended family. Things that many people we know do not have, and may never.
I get so frustrated with the Christmas "season" beginning earlier and earlier each year. 94.1 on the radio started playing Christmas music right after HALLOWEEN!!!! Needless to say I haven't listend to it once since then and most likely won't every again.
Kids now generally equate Christmas with toys and gifts. There is no reflection on the spirit of the holidays or thankfulness for maybe being more fortunate that some others. It's how many presents do I have under the tree and why does little Sally have more than me. Or whatever. [img]graemlins/whatever.gif[/img]
D2 and I didn't even decorate last year and we might not this year either.
Commercialism and consumerism have overtaken family and spirit as the hallmarks of the holiday season.
I, for one, refuse to participate.
[Rant Off]
Well, Jumper, you bring up a good point. It's really up to the parents to instill a sense of charity in the kids.
I really think that one idea that I am going to "teach" the girls this year is that if they want new toys of any sort...older, but still usable ones need to be given up. I need to work it in an angle where it "becomes" thier idea.
I too, have not listened to 94.1. that infuriates me. I'm sure we'll decorate this year, mostly for the kids...but it bugs me. I get little joy from it anymore, it seems.
Things are changing for us this year too.
Yesterday's dinner was low key (and quite delicious, I might add) and it was wonderful to sit down at the table and NOT be exhausted from cooking ALL DAY LONG.
Traditionally our Christmas celebration has been on Christmas Eve, starting with another huge dinner and resulting mess. [img]frown.gif[/img]
Erin won't be available on Christmas Eve, so we'll go to her place on Christmas Day for the "gift" exchange. And that's in quotes because lists of books and CDs have been passed around. Trav's kids are in Florida, so that's just a matter of mailing a card and either a check or gift card.
I doubt that I'll be able to talk Trav out of decorating, but I think I can make a point to have a smaller tree this year.
I'm curious, Jump; do you and D2 exchange gifts?
I agree that some of it starts way too early.
It does kinda seem that having X-mas stuff out on display 2 or 3 dayts after Halloween is a bit much.
[img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Initially we did. I think lately we've just gotten something the both of us can use. Usually for the house or a trip (last year we went to Paris and Munich).Quote:
I'm curious, Jump; do you and D2 exchange gifts?
We're thinking of starting a Jumper/D2 family tradiiton that is not commercial. I was thinking of doing something to help the local veterans. I know the guys and gals in the VA hospital could use some cheering up or help or what not. Maybe serving them dinner or just talking to them.
I'm not sure yet but I definitely know that I will not sucumb to the commercialization of Christmas anymore.
Here is what we've become folks...
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_pho...photo-shop.jpg http://images.usatoday.com/news/_pho...hoto-shop2.jpg
How utterly fucking hopeless we are as a society....
<font color="#a52a2a" size="1">[ November 26, 2004 12:38 PM: Message edited by: Jumper69 ]</font>
Something for everyone!
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Quote:
Gift Guides for Rich Include $90M Estate
Thu Nov 25, 7:37 PM ET Strange News - AP
By JEFF WILSON, Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES - Billionaires and multimillionaires are browsing for holiday gifts just like the rest of us, but the unbelievably rich are opening bulging wallets for dream presents that challenge the imagination.
A $90 million 17th century English estate and village, a $21.5 million, a seven-gem diamonds-du-jour collection for $21.5 million, a $12.5 million Faberge chess set and a natural gas-powered sea-air-land hydrofoil, priced at $4.5 million, are among the chestnuts on this year's ultimate gift guides.
The duPont Registry and Robb Report magazines and the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce (news - web sites) all have gift-giving suggestions for their cost-is-no-object audience.
Previously loaded with aircraft offerings, the 2004 lists don't feature personal jets.
"Planes are passe as gifts. Everybody's got one," duPont Registry publisher Tom duPont said, noting the average net worth of a duPont Registry reader is $3.5 million with an average annual income of $250,000 plus.
A V-12 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster ($320,000), a 600-horsepower Gemballa Porsche 996 GTR Gullwing ($350,000) and an armored Humvee with a hot tub ($250,000) top the duPont Registry's double holiday gift issue.
"It is awesome," duPont said of the Hummer. "You can drive it out to a cliff and watch TV (it's got nine televisions) and soak in the tub. It's the only way to spend an evening."
Practicality is in the mix, too. The duPont list features an executive canine protection gift: German shepherd or Belgian Malinois dogs delivered, acclimated to home and family and trained for specific needs and lifestyle for up to $100,000.
There are also custom golf carts with a 70-mile range: California Roadster hot rod golf carts seat four, reach 25 mph and cost up to $15,000.
The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has a more affordable list of highbrow stocking stuffers.
"Folks from all over the world are coming to Beverly Hills and they are looking for something unique, over-the-top gifts," chamber spokesman Michael Robinson said. "Holidays allow us to wrap up some of those items in a big bow and feature Beverly Hills."
The chamber list ranges from a $37 Baskin-Robbins Beverly Hills signature ice cream cake to a Carroll & Co. Mongolian cashmere ski sweater ($1,250), a $35,000 chinchilla blanket from Dicker and Dicker and a $5,000 Ferrari Challenge Stradale surfboard, available only at Decret of Beverly Hills.
The chamber's big-ticket item is a $310,000 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Beverly Hills Edition, offered by Ferrari of Beverly Hills.
The Robb Report's 21 ultimate gift list includes a $2 million Pebble Beach golf package, with each member of the 24-member gold party driving home in a Lexus automobile. There's also a weeklong, $338,700 fly fishing excursion for five in Wyoming and Alaska.
The hydrofoil may be one of the most outlandish items. The two-passenger Splash by Rinspeed travels 2 feet above the surface of the water at 49 mph, it cruises at 31 mph in the water and it has been clocked on land at 124 mph.
Well, I still thgink it's not what you spend but what you spend it on.
The quality of the gift is about a pricetag, it's about the thought that goes into selecting it (unless it was specificly asked for) and the thought behind the giving of it.
I think a lot of couples either do, or at least consider what Jumper and D2 do.
Buying a trip or something that they can do together.
X-mas is only as commercial as you make it. You really can't control the outside world in general, but you can control your own little piece of it.
[img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Initially we did. I think lately we've just gotten something the both of us can use. Usually for the house or a trip (last year we went to Paris and Munich).Quote:
Originally posted by Jumper69:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm curious, Jump; do you and D2 exchange gifts?
We're thinking of starting a Jumper/D2 family tradiiton that is not commercial. I was thinking of doing something to help the local veterans. I know the guys and gals in the VA hospital could use some cheering up or help or what not. Maybe serving them dinner or just talking to them.
I'm not sure yet but I definitely know that I will not sucumb to the commercialization of Christmas anymore.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Jump, let me know if you are going to do this and if you need or want any help.
Oh get with the program, c'mon ya know ya need it. And ladies? Your man cannot be a proper gentleman without one of these! [img]graemlins/clock.gif[/img] [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]
<font color="#a52a2a" size="1">[ November 27, 2004 03:00 PM: Message edited by: LanDroid ]</font>
Thanks for posting that, Lan. It made me remember that I need to recharge my cell and that Trav needs a new watch band.
Who said this board is worthless? [img]wink.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Okay, I think I just found the publication to put my personal ad in.Quote:
Originally posted by gae:
"Planes are passe as gifts. Everybody's got one," duPont Registry publisher Tom duPont said, noting the average net worth of a duPont Registry reader is $3.5 million with an average annual income of $250,000 plus.
[img]wink.gif[/img]
But AL! If you do, you'll NEVER get a private plane.
No, apparently the guy would already have that private plane. Don't need a NEW one, a gently used private plane would be just peachy.
AL, dear... I don't think that set will accept anything "gently used".
<font size="6">You must have your own NEW private plane!!</font>
Being someone who waited in a line at Best Buy to check out for an hour yesterday to get a DVD player and DVD's for my mother. Someone who almost beat the piss out of this smart talking little bitch of a punk on the esculator at Tri-County Mall Lazarus, for someone who spent almost an insane amount of money at Wal-Mart yesterday, and for someone who actually rolled down his window of his car and fucking tore a moron a new one for walking in front of me, I am glad to announce that I have knocked my shopping out of the way, minus Lindsay and her parents.
I have become part of the monster that is Christmas, but at the same time I have much respect for what it stands for.