Anybody else feel this way about Christmas?

[Alana]

I'm all about Santa Claus.
Christmas in our house is pretty typical. Tree, presents, stocking full of goodies Christmas morning. When it's all said and done though, I don't spend that much on Christmas. I'm big on garage sales and flea markets. If I spend a lot on a present, it's because it's something I know the person really wants, or is going to buy anyways. I find that we have a lot of fun with Christmas, we decorate a lot (and early) we make it a huge celebration. We have presents, it's an EVENT. At the same time, do we focus on Christ? Of course. Really though, we do that every day. Not a day goes by that there aren't scriptures and prayer and hymns sung in this house. I'm trying really hard to help my children get to know their Savior, to know they can always turn to him. Christmas is a fun thing for us. The focus isn't the presents, even though there are presents, but on the season, and the feeling and family. Oh, also would like to say, we celebrate all holidays, from St. Patrick's day (leprechaun traps and corned beef!) to May day (does it get better than leaving flowers on peoples doors?)

As far as what we do with presents, I probably spend around $150. Not bad considering I'm usually really cheap and never buy my kids anything lol. This includes our family of four, my siblings and parents, my husbands siblings and parents, my day care kids families and one 'big' present in the present draw from all the extended family. Oh here is a thought. One thing I DON'T like about Christmas is the expectation people can have. Judging if someone spent enough on a present, worry about people spending too much, be disappointed if what you got isn't what you asked for. I get presents based on what looks good at the moment, it's ok if I spend more money on one person than the next. Most of the presents are just home made things anyways.

[skylercollins]

Nice thoughts everyone. I think I'm with Captain_Curmudgeon, though. LOL

[Fiannan]

Making Christmas into an orgy of consumerism (when it's supposed to be about celebrating Jesus) makes as much sense as serving a big ham for Christmas dinner since Jesus never in his life on earth partook of pork.

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by Captain_Curmudgeon

I agree with you completely. rameumptom. And since as LDS we know better, why not move it from December, where commercialism has already taken its toll, to April, where it belongs?

Why should we blindly follow the Catholics and the World when we know better?

Cause at this point it doesn't matter. I don't think Christ cares if we celebrate in December or April. The celebration is for us anyway. Another way for us to remember that Christ is first and center of everything and celebrating his birth is part of that. But there is nothing in LDS theology that says that we must celebrate like the rest of the world. The church kinda lets us do our thing and I don't think there is anything wrong with celebrating with our fellow Christians. In fact, I think it opens doors of mutual efforts for community service and other places where bridges can and are built. Being in the world but not of the world doesn't mean that we can't celebrate along side traditions. And it seems that if we can keep our bearings with regards to the commercialism and seduction of the world and its value of things and price tags, then it seems to me that the Christmas tradition is just fine the way it is.

Heck! If it doesn't work for you, then celebrate in April. Wouldn't bother me. Just don't be throwing snowballs at me if I carol at your door. Ok?

[ADoyle90815]

One other thing is that Christmas really means the Mass of Christ, and was originally a day when everyone went to church for a special celebration of Christ's birth. If you really wanted to celebrate the true meaning of the day, then it would be a good idea not to put up a tree as that was originally a pagan tradition. I think it's likely that Christ was born in the spring, but since a different calendar was used back then, it's hard to determine the exact month He was born.

[KristofferUmfrey]

I grown to not be fond of pagan holidays no matter how "Christian" people try to make them.

[Elgama]

I grew up knowing Santa is not real, and will do the same for my kids, I know how frustrating it is buying for my neices and nephew that get over bought for at Christmas you know any gift you give will go unnoticed, amongst the huge pile - I have just spent £50 on gifts I know will not be greatfully received or loved. Personally I don't think you need to change Christmas day to have a more simple Christlike time, you opt to do it yourself in your own home, my Mum did we had Steak for our Christmas Meal so there was no huge excess at the meal but everyone enjoyed it, Christmas Decorations did not go up early etc

I like the pagan bits of the holiday lol - I start with advent. we have a small tea party and put out our advent calender (boxes with a religious activity, chocolate and a nativity piece in, and the name of a Christmas story (we read one every night) my children are growing up knowing Santa is a story, a fictional character, we actually do the commercial bit of Christmas on Christmas Eve (when we decorate the tree), we attend midnight mass, open presents and eat. Ellie puts her mince pie, carrot and milk out on 23rd and the tree and presents get delivered (our tree is ivory with silver lanterns and its magic which is why we get everything early lol). For Christmas day we celebrate Jesus's birtday, I have a star that goes on top of the tree just for that day, we have a happy birthday Jesus Cake and each family member either makes a paper boat or a scroll (depending on weather), in it is written our 3 presents for Jesus for the year. If weather is good we go for a hike and let our boats go, if weather is bad we have picnic in living room and let the scrolls go on balloons in the garden.

Our children get 3 presents for Christmas off Mum and Dad, something they really want, this year my daughter is getting High School Musical bits and my son a Car Mat and Cars, they are then getting a book and a sweets. However we are spending more this year as got a good deal on a trumpet for my daughter (she is learning to play), so have bought my son a keyboard. But gave them as advent presents rather than on Christmas itself so we don't set a precedent.

What I love is every present they have gets appreciated and played with. I would love to do what my Mum did and just collect money off everyone and used it to buy one big present for my brother and I, then anyone that wanted just did things like dressing gown and slippers or sweets etc.

Oh and I do not allow huge excess with the food either we eat something everyone enjoys and just make it a bit nicer with more expensive juice. and maybe cheese and biscuits

Maybe I am a Grinch lol but I like my Christmas its no work for anyone, and no stress financially

-Charley

[mightynancy]

We focus on Christ all year long. My kids understand that Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth...but I don't confuse a festival (Christmas) with a holy day (say, Easter). All year, perhaps with more focus during the holidays, we learn of Christ and try to be like Him. I do let Christmas day itself be about the fun of giving and getting, though. When it falls on the Sabbath, of course we behave accordingly.

We embrace Santa Claus! When my older child let on that he knew, we shared some stories of Christmas miracles involving Santa Claus and his spirit. Now, my son is in the club, so to speak, and gets to get back up after "bedtime" and be helpful, sipping cocoa or eggnog with mom & dad. It's all good. He gets to "be" Santa a little now, which is fun.

[KristofferUmfrey]

Originally Posted by mightynancy

We focus on Christ all year long. My kids understand that Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth...but I don't confuse a festival (Christmas) with a holy day (say, Easter). All year, perhaps with more focus during the holidays, we learn of Christ and try to be like Him. I do let Christmas day itself be about the fun of giving and getting, though. When it falls on the Sabbath, of course we behave accordingly.

We embrace Santa Claus! When my older child let on that he knew, we shared some stories of Christmas miracles involving Santa Claus and his spirit. Now, my son is in the club, so to speak, and gets to get back up after "bedtime" and be helpful, sipping cocoa or eggnog with mom & dad. It's all good. He gets to "be" Santa a little now, which is fun.

Not to be mean but Easter is a pagan festival dressed up in Christianity also.

[mightynancy]

Okay, how about we call it "That Special Sabbath When We Especially Remember The Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Atonement that Makes Our Salvation Possible"?

And quick, somebody better get the MoTabs on the phone. Those pagans!