Christmas Nazis

Submitted by Commonsense on 26 December, 2007 - 3:10pm.

A few years ago I realized I'd had enough holiday trauma for one lifetime, so I stopped celebrating Christmas. Luckily my spousal unit was ready for this evolution also, which made it easier for me. Since that time we have enjoyed so much uninterrupted bliss, free of worry and stress and expectations that are not met.

We told those who needed to know of our decision, and we've been telling them ever since. I quickly ran into the Christmas Nazi phenomenon, in which those who wish to celebrate Christmas are wilfully oblivious to the wishes of those of us who choose to do something else with our lives. Here is the escalating (or devolving?) Christmas Nazi response to being told we don't celebrate Christmas:

1. "Oh, I'm scaling back too. We're only giving three presents this year."

2. "What, you don't celebrate at all? Don't you miss it?"

3. "I'd love to do that, but we have children." (Presumably these are children who have to be filled with materialism and given character-building lessons in major dissapointment on Christmas morning.)

4. "Oh, but it's just a card. Where's your holiday spirit?"

5. "I know, but you don't have to give me a gift."

6. (with pitying expression) "Are you Jewish?"

You go!

Submitted by Anonymous on 31 December, 2007 - 12:07pm.

Congratulations! I too have made the step to having a free December. I believe that the Christmas holiday (outside of the religions aspect of it) is for children. So I only buy gifts for the few small ones that are close to me. This year I refused trees, lights and partys (outside of my Festivus party > where people were scolded for saying Merry Christmas and not Happy Festivus)

I have a real hard time having a calander dictating when I am supposed to do nice things for people, visit homes I otherwise would never go to to make THEM feel good, oh and the best, having the media tell me it's been "bad" or "good" for the retailers this season. Really? I am supposed to feel bad for Sam Waltons company. My business is ruined for 3 weeks during this waste of time.

Good luck next year. I will need it. I think I made myself very clear this year not to bother me!

Yours in Festivus
Massachusetts Limo Guy

Nazi's...Please...

Submitted by Anonymous on 27 December, 2007 - 2:23pm.

Oh Gheese....I just had to send you my opinion(hope you don't mind).I believe that all spiritual matters are rooted in intent. If we remember the the real reason that Christmas is supposed to be celebrated in the first place,then the trend of celebrating this holiday is not what matters anyway. I think that this is a very personal issue between you and whatever spiritual path you choose.Unless I have misunderstood, this was the original reason you did this in the first place. This season was horrible for us,buy,buy,buy,want.want.want,what parties to go to,family members arguing while the rest of us are trying to smooth it over and pretend not to be tired and disgusted. Does all that have anything to do with peace?or spirituality?or ANYTHING that Christmas is supposed to be about?I commend you, for doing what you need to do. Sounds like you are enjoying more of the Christmas spirit, than all of the rat racers who celebrate commercialism Christmas.