# Why I Hate the Holiday Season **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 30, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333 "2004-11-30T15:24:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/81 "2004-12-01T23:45:00Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Dear Santa… I want to go to MAL! There’s gonna be bears there! Heh…you should’ve been in DC a couple of weeks ago. It got Invaded… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/82 "2004-12-02T00:34:12Z")
> [@ava](#): > > I feel your pain. I was born the day after Christmas and everyone is too freakin’ busy to celebrate. You can never have parties with your friends actually on your birthday, because at least half of them are off some where celebrating Christmas with their families. It used to drive me batty when I was a kid. My parents said that if I had been born on Christmas day they were going to name me “Mary Christine” I am sooooo glad I wasn’t. My sentiments precisely. People are broke, or they’re saving up what little money they have left for booze on New Year’s Eve. Don’t even get me started on the two-in-one gifts. Ugh! Consider yourself lucky despite having a holiday birthday. Not only do I have the displeasure of being born on the 28th, my parents named me _Holly_. Christmas is the only time I hate my name… People seem to think it’s clever to sing “Have A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Deck the Halls,” etc when they see me. GEE! NO ONE HAS EVER DONE THAT BEFORE! Fucking wankers. ---
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/83 "2004-12-02T01:03:44Z")
I’m new here, though I’ve watched most of y’all anonymously for some time. thoguht you might like this song. seems to fit the mood of this thread Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk At our Christmas party We were drinkin’ champagne punch And homemade eggnog Little sister brought her new boyfriend He was a Mexican We didn’t know what to think of him Til he sang Feliz Navidad Feliz Navidad Brother Ken brought his kids with him The three from his first wife Lynn And the two identical twins From his second wife Mary Nell Of course he brought his new wife Kaye Who talks all about AA Chain smokin’ while the stereo plays Noel, Noel, The first Noel Carve the turkey turn the ball game on Mix Margaritas when the eggnog’s gone Send somebody to the Quik-Pak store We need some ice and an extension cord A can of bean dip and some Diet Rite A box of pampers , some Marlboro Lights Hallelujah everybody say cheese Merry Christmas from the family Fran and Rita drove from Harlingen I can’t remember how I’m kin to them But when they tried to plug their motor home in They blew our christmas lights Cousin David knew just what went wrong So we all waited on our front lawn He threw the breaker and the lights came on And we sang Silent Night Oh Silent Night o’ holy night Carve the turkey turn the ballgame on Mix Bloody Marys cause we all want one Send somebody to the Stop 'n Go We need some celery and a can of fake snow A bag of lemons and some Diet Sprite A box of midol, some Salem Lights Hallelujah everybody say cheese Merry Christmas from the family and that pretty much sums it up, here from the dirty dirty souf! ---
**Author:** ![whole\_bean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/84 "2004-12-02T01:07:13Z")
lest I be accused of claiming work that is not my own, that song is called “Merry Christmas from the Family” it’s performed, and I believe written, by Robert Earl Keen ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/85 "2004-12-02T01:49:25Z")
Amen, **Eve**. And it’s already icy and snowy and insanely cold here now. Aaaaand, I’m going to get to spend my winter break working in the food court of a shopping mall. :mad: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/86 "2004-12-02T04:14:55Z")
**wiggumpuppy** , I love that song. Very festive. 😃 Hehehehe, **Kimstu** , Did you know that _every_ year there are people protesting to the ‘black Petes’? From the ones who don’t know the story behind the tradition ofcourse. 1. Sinterklaas arrives with his white mare and black Petes on a steamship somewhere in November in the Netherlands. 2. Kids put their shoes in front of the fireplace so that Sinterklaas - riding his horse on the roof! - and black Pete _ **who has to climb through the chimney…** _ can put a [small] present in the shoe. \* 3. He has a huge book with all the names of good - and naughty kids. If you have been naughty - well…bad, really, Sinterklaas will put you in a sack and takes you with him, back to Spain. Don’t think you’ll get to see the bull-fights or the Prado over there either. You have to learn to climb chimneys. And that’s how black Pete becomes black. Soot. \*Shoes used to be little clogs and most houses don’t have a fireplace, but kids actually believe Pete will be able to wriggle his way through heating pipes, so they put their shoes in front of the central heating. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/87 "2004-12-02T15:26:16Z")
> [@ava](#): > > My parents said that if I had been born on Christmas day they were going to name me “Mary Christine” I am sooooo glad I wasn’t. I actually went to high school with a “Mary Christmas” – born on 12/28. I got into a weird vortex about 15 years ago went I went to work for Rand McNally. Our group’s secretary was born on Christmas Day. _Her_ daughter was born on Christmas Day. My manager was born on December 26. _And_ the guy who had the job before me was born on Christmas Day. The only positive I can see, looking back over these many years, is that in college our dorm floor had a tradition of throwing people into the fountain at the Union on their birthday. Never had to worry about that – we was all on break, and by the time the next semester rolled around they were looking for January babies. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/88 "2004-12-02T16:01:47Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > • It’s cold and dark and windy and it’s going to start getting snowy and icy soon. “When Chekhov saw the long winter, it was a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope; and yet, we know winter’s only one more step in the cycle. And standing among the people of Punxsutawney — basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter. For Channel 9 news, I 'm Phil Connors.” — _Groundhog Day_ ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/89 "2004-12-02T16:04:04Z")
Thank you, Eve, for the thread. Thanks everyone for the laughs - they’re much needed today; the computers here at work have been conspiring against me again. My birthday is December 10th - I’ve had all the same hassles. Two-for-one presents, no birthday celebration because everyone’s too busy with Christmas, etc. etc. etc. High school through college I never had a birthday celebration because it was always in the middle of finals. My sister’s birthday is December 25th. My mom’s birthday is December 26th. My late spouse’s birthday was December 26th. My current partner’s birthday is December 17th. One of my best friends’ birthday is December 28th. Fortunately, my cousin (December 17th) moved away. I know I’ve missed a few of the next generation; I try to forget them whenever possible. The step-child’s birthday is in November, so I get a few weeks reprieve on that. My partner is Jewish and insists on celebrating both Christmas and Chanukah for the step-child. Do y’all have _any idea_ how expensive December can be? I think not! I boycotted Christmas for many years; spouse was cooperative - we usually went away somewhere (Las Vegas, anyone?) for the entire thing. Even work knew better than to try to get me in on whatever inanity they were perpetrating. My current family insists that Christmas MUST be celebrated, or evidently the world will cease spinning. After several years of battling the issue, I gave in. Somehow that also filtered over to work; once again this year I must find a gift for someone about whom I know nothing (and care only slightly more). Damn, but I miss those days! I hate Christmas. Between three adult partners and one step-child from a divorce, we have **FOUR** family gatherings to coordinate at every major holiday. Plus the eight nights of Chanukah. And don’t forget the birthdays! Quit whinin’, ya buncha slackers! 😛 One bright note - we always have a combination birthday party on the weekend between my birthday & partner’s birthday. Unfailingly, that is when the organization-wide Christmas party is scheduled at work. Oh, _damn_, I’ll have to miss that again this year due to prior commitments. Sorry! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/90 "2004-12-02T16:09:20Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Between three adult partners and one step-child from a divorce, we have **FOUR** family gatherings to coordinate at every major holiday. Plus the eight nights of Chanukah. And don’t forget the birthdays! Whups, better make that FIVE at Christmas - I forgot to count ours! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/91 "2004-12-02T16:09:47Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > “When Chekhov saw the long winter, it was a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope; and yet, we know winter’s only one more step in the cycle. And standing among the people of Punxsutawney — basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter. For Channel 9 news, I 'm Phil Connors.” — _Groundhog Day_ Hey, when you live in the Alleghenies, you either lie to yourself about winter big time or spend the whole season crying in a fetal position in a darkened room. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/92 "2004-12-02T16:52:10Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > …snip… > For me it was Christmas cookies. I love baking Christmas cookies. I baked 42 dozen last year. 🙂 No, we don’t eat that many. I use them for presents to people I want to give presents to AND I use them for all the ‘mandatory’ gift exchanges we seem to run into. His office, my office, ‘secret santa’ exhanges in three different clubs, etc, etc. I don’t care whose name I’ve drawn, I don’t care what the price limit is, I don’t go shopping, period. I just grab a good looking container (I collect baskets and bowls and jars and such all year at garage sales) and stuff it with an assortment of cookies and tie on a bow. Done! Haven’t had a complaint yet, btw. I mean, even if you don’t like cookies, or are a diabetic, you can always turn around and palm them off on someone else or feed them to guests, right? Me, me, me - feed them to me! **[CookieMonster] CCCCOOOOKKKKIIIIEEEE!!![/CookieMonster]** ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/93 "2004-12-02T16:53:43Z")
> [@Misery Loves Co.](#): > > **Jack** , hope you don’t mind but the above (as edited) is now in 24pt type on a sheet of paper in my cube. Duly credited of course. Thanks for bringing that image into my life. Sure, glad to brighten your holidays. 🙂 Anyway, I am on call 12/24-26, so there will be opportunities for more lasting memories. _Our finest gifts we bring Pa rum pum pum pum To lay before the king_ ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/94 "2004-12-02T16:57:57Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > • TV gets all heartwarming. If I want my heart to be warm, I will rip it out of my ribcage and thrust it, still beating, into a microwave. I agree with you on that one. My solution, watching depressing, scary or ultraviolent movies instead. This year, I’m thinking about watching _In the Mouth of Darkness_, _Straw Dogs_, _The Wild Bunch_, _Schindler’s List_ and/or _The Dirty Dozen_ on Christmas Eve. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/95 "2004-12-02T17:46:41Z")
I dunno, I always figured **Rosemary’s Baby** or **The Omen** would make excellent Christmas Eve fare. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/96 "2004-12-02T17:52:56Z")
I agree, but I don’t have _Rosemary’s Baby_, but I am willing to include _The Omen_ on the list. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/97 "2004-12-02T18:07:46Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Yeah, and Santa’s reindeer will come flying outta my butt. Regression toward the mean. Since the slough of despond implies something unusually bad, you can expect to go back to the quasi-suicidal meloncholy that is the mark of normalcy. See? Better living through science. Besides the alternative was flying to Manhattan, hunting you down, and giving you a hug. Unfortunately, I’m currently broke. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/98 "2004-12-02T18:27:17Z")
Two years ago I decided to do something about the whitewashed sappy inane Christmas noise that some people call “music.” I arranged, played, recorded, and released my own CD of Christmas songs, but this time done up all proper. I have a version Gesu Bambino that would make Kurt Cobain say “Turn that gawdawful racket down!”, and a version of O Come O Come Emanuel that would make you think Santa’s driving a locomotive frm hell down your ear canal. One friend referred to the CD as instruMENTAL music. My mother’s only comment “Oh dear, those poor toy soldiers!” Very little of the twee of Christmas can’t be fixed by some good head-banging. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/99 "2004-12-02T18:31:01Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Two years ago I decided to do something about the whitewashed sappy inane Christmas noise that some people call “music.” I arranged, played, recorded, and released my own CD of Christmas songs, but this time done up all proper. I have a version Gesu Bambino that would make Kurt Cobain say “Turn that gawdawful racket down!”, and a version of O Come O Come Emanuel that would make you think Santa’s driving a locomotive frm hell down your ear canal. One friend referred to the CD as instruMENTAL music. My mother’s only comment “Oh dear, those poor toy soldiers!” > > Very little of the twee of Christmas can’t be fixed by some good head-banging. Are you gonna share? There’s also the Excelsis series from Projekt records, a series of goth Christmas albums. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333/100 "2004-12-02T18:41:44Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > Are you gonna share? I have 10mb of web space from Comcast. If someone can recommend a good freeware app to RIP mp3 files from a CD, I suppose I could upload them for your listening pleasure. Fun fact about these songs: Every one has, buried deep within it, a snippet of a song from The Wizard of Oz. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-the-holiday-season/277333.md?page=6)