Straight Dope Message Board

[DesertDog]

Originally Posted by Velocity

My neighbors here in Austin already put up their Christmas lights in mid-October, as they have done in previous years as well.

I never took mine down from last year. In my defense, they're programmable and I set them to steady white. 51

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally Posted by Euphonious Polemic

Christmas is just an excuse to pick a man's pocket every 25th of December. It's a humbug, I tell you!

Hey! No facts in The Pit! What the hell is wrong with you?

I like a good turkey dinner. Hell, I like making a good turkey dinner and in fact I do so a few times a year when the whim strikes. But fuck inviting people over. You want a turkey dinner? Then fix yourself one. Now stay outta my kitchen. Every year I go to the in laws' for Turkey day dinner. I love them. They're good people, even L who voted for Trump (she's a trifle simple, and as it turns out her vote was nullified by the electoral college anyway). But man, they can't cook for shit. Seriously, I put salt in the gravy and they just beamed at me like I was a goddamned sorcerer when they tasted it. 52

[chela]

Everywhere I went today the talk was all about getting ready for Christmas, who has put up a tree, outside lights, who went shopping what they bought, when it will be wrapped and on and on and on. When they hear I only decorate the tropical plants and everyone gets warm socks and Lush in their stocking for presents (well my girls get a bit more and they're adults now) and my husband and I do not gift each other they think I'm nuts! I stopped doing xmas cards long ago, it always felt like a chore and it was my responsibility to keep in touch with friends and family near and far. WHich is okay for those I favor but then I would get complaints about not including a family picture. I'm the MOm do I have to do everything! Hubs doesn't. It stressed me out all the holiday must do's. Even now I'm feeling the anxiety ramp up becasue there is only like what 3 freaking weeks left. Shit. I love me some January! 53

[kayaker]

Originally Posted by chela

I love me some January!

So very much this. Our yearly Caribbean vacation is in January. Each year xmas is something we need to deal with, while the beach beckons. 54

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Beckdawrek

My biggest concern is mid-DAUGHTERs Chihuahuas. OMG! the 2 most annoying animals on earth. Yappy doesn't begin to describe them. Isn't that silly to worry about those dogs?

I was going to say something about a bear accident, but chihuahuas...you don't even need a coyote, just a large, hungry raccoon will do. 55

[DesertDog]

Or one of them feral pigs. 56

[River Hippie]

Originally Posted by DesertDog

Or one of them feral pigs.

Pig Bomb 57