So we can't call them CHRISTMAS trees anymore?

One of the many things that makes this country amazing is the freedom to worship/celebrate as you wish. It is Christmas, not some generic "holiday". Call it what it is.
Hanukkah is Hanukkah. Same with all holidays, no matter the religious/ethnic roots. The customs and traditions of all holidays are celebrated individually, with family and friends.
Its time America stopped being such a whining, fearful, wimpy, PC-obsessed society - and GET OVER IT.
And those that are offended by images of Christmas - whether it is religious symbols, or Santa Clause- get a grip. Mind your own business and let people celebrate, be happy, and enjoy a good time with their families.

End rant!

 

Happy Festivus!

I'm enjoying the Airing of Grievances.

 

as Glenn Beck says: Happy RamaHanuKwaanzMas!

 

Um so to answer the upside down chrsitmas tree. That came out last year or the year before as a new way to decorate, say a table or a corner for a party - mainly aimed, I think, at the Gen-Xers

 

in all seriousness- all of the joy has been taken out of the holiday season for me for many reasons: poisonous toys from China, itemized Christmas lists from family members as youg as 2 years old and as old as 55, shopping mall stampedes and fights over toys, bloated prices on gadgets that drop by almost HALF after the rush is over- can you say gouging? and family get togethers that turn into ***** sessions instead of a celebration of Christ and all of the blessings we've had all year long.

 

And you forgot to mention that all the Christmas decorations have been out since before Halloween!!!

 

I do ALL our shopping online, as I have for the last five years. We don't enjoy shopping at the mall during this season. My sister in CA has one natural son and two step kids. she made them sit down to do lists this year, all of them were at least one full page! My kids lists might have 5 things. All we have left family wise is my sisters families. We only get together once a year, which was a pact we made when our mother died (dad died at 51-13 years ago). Why do we do lists! Well, then We know for sure what to get. I'll never forget when i was sixteen I had just had my hair cut from shoulder length to a wedge. My whole family got together back then and one of my aunts gave me a set of barrettes, ponytail holders, clips, you name it. Not only was I thinking she must be embarrassed, I could see it in her mannerisms. So, I figure it pays to make sure everybody knows what you'd like. Then they have an easier time of picking something or knowing something similar would do. With 7 kids to deal with we want to make sure we don't give them the same thing. Mom's know what their kids like, when you live here and they are in CA or NC, and are way younger than your own kids!

redon1...perhaps you beg off the big group this year, and try to have some new traditions for your own family. With all the changes we've had in the last few years - in October we lost Koasdad's mom - so now we are the elders of the family - no less in our early 40's - we've found ways to shut out the "Noise" and bring it back to the hearth and our hearts. I wish you luck. Koasdad says if he was president no decor could go up in the malls/stores until after Thanksgiving.

 

This was the first year that we have seen so many holiday lights up this early. We drove to Glory Days on Saturday night through Belle Terra and then down Waxpool and had to see about 15 homes or more that had lights up already.

 

I LOVE Christmas lights and decorations and music. I'm a sentimental sap. Yep, comes out too early, but it could be worse.

The same principle applies to everything in life though: WE have the power to create the environment we want. We have chosen to live a slow-paced relaxed life here in NOVA. Tough to do, but we made the choices. So we can also make the choice to make Christmas meaningful, peaceful and a celebration. That's the American spirit!

 

It's a clever product design to allow more trees to be set up in your house at the same time--you know, it's more space efficient and everything.

(I hope my wife doesn't see this--she doesn't need any more ideas for more trees in our house. We've already got two--one for the adults and one that the kids are allowed to touch--and she's pushing for a third for our front porch!)

 

Upside down trees have been around for a while. I recall seeing them when I still lived in Boston, so that was 2004 or earlier.

 

we do the family get together the week before Christmas- i would not take that away from my son- he is young enough to still feel the magic of being with his cousins, and has no idea how sour some people have become.

Christmas day, the 3 of us usually volunteer somewhere- we sang Christmas carols at a hospital, we baked cookies and brought toys and clothes to the women's shelter in Leesburg. we typically spend that day together, just the 3 of us, and go out to a nice dinner.

it's what i see around me that saddens me.

 

I believe that many of the lights that are up and on right now are for the Hindu "Festival of Lights". At least that is the case in my neighborhood.

 

People not recognizing the hindu holiday is a real sign of ignorance, we are not all christian

 

I'm actually surprised that anyone read the ad as being PC and avoiding the word "Christmas". I read the ad as using the word "family" to mean "indoors and in your living room" as opposed to "outdoors and for your neighbors"

Because, y'know, it's Lowe's and I generally think of them for OUTDOOR decorations.

Am I the only one who read it that way?

 

Why is that a sign of ignorance?! Your statement has some semblance to the new idea that it's up to us to learn all about everyone else...but of course, we have to water down our celebrations and traditions so we don't "offend" anyone.

I love learning about other people's customs and traditions, and am all for other cultures and religions celebrating their uniqueness.

 

Um, maybe, Liz! I see what you mean, but they are called Christmas trees! I think the normal way to differentiate is to add the word "Indoor" or "Outdoor" to the description.

They don't call them "family lights." They are either indoor or outdoor lights.

 

Yes - no - maybe. Look, offices can no longer habe "Christmas" Parties - they are "Holiday" Parties. Schools no longer has "Christmas" break - it's "Winter" Break (and "Easter" break is right out! It's "Spring Break" in Key West with GGW!!! ).

So, is this so bad? Maybe it just recognizes that we (the US) ARE made up of so many differnet cultures. HOWEVER - other than the "pagan" religions of the British Isles only Christians put up trees for the December-ish Winter Time-ish Holiday Thing known as CHRIST-Mass. No, in this case, calling a Christmas Tree a "Family Tree" has gone a step too far. When do we start calling a Menorah a "Really Cool Candle Thing That Keeps The Heebie Jeebies Away In Winter"?

 

that's ridiculous and offensive to NOT call them christmas trees. enough reason for me to boycott any holiday shopping or tree shopping at lowes. that's just absurd!

 

:santa:

uh....yes. jk :santa: