Controversial opinions about Christmas?

[tanteva]

Besides being The Grinch ... LOL

We had brunch today (leftovers from Christmas dinner) and we started to talk about Christmas songs ... and I think I have a very controversial opinion: I absolutely HATE Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You. I don't really mind the actual song, I just hate her voice.

Also: I think it's creepy when people dress up as Santa.

Anyone else want to share some controversial opinions about anything Christmas?

 

[Vicki Robinson]

Lol. I’m with you about Mariah Carey!

My family is Jewish (altho I am not at all religious) so Christmas has always been a curious time for me. I’m totally creeped out by the emergence of the “elf on the shelf” thing.

 

[scribler]

Noelle is not a good Christmas movie. I don't care what others claim. We couldn't even finish it last night.

 

[AZK]

Noelle is not a good Christmas movie. I don't care what others claim. We couldn't even finish it last night.

I agree. I watched it last year and was really disappointed, as I generally like Anna Kendrick.

 

[tanteva]

I've never even heard of Noelle. LOL

 

[tjscraps]

Butter tarts are gross.


@Vicki Robinson We got sucked into doing the Elf thing 9 years ago when it started to become popular. We had an almost 5 year old at the time, figured we had like 5 years max to do it. Then we had a baby 4 years after that, who is now 5 and we feel there's no end in sight. I was very glad when the Elf went back to the north pole this am - ours is pretty boring though, tired parents and a teenager (almost 14 now) who didn't want to help.

 

[tanteva]

I'm so happy that elf on the shelf thing didn't become popular when John was a kid. I would have gone totally over board, and I would have gotten exhausted. LOL

 

[LSlycord]

I am in total agreement with the elf on the shelf...100% grateful that my kids were too old for that phase.

Ok Eva...here it is....I want to move the celebration of Christmas to February. I read an article about this idea. In the U.S. we have Thanksgiving and right on its heels is Christmas. If we celebrated in February, there would be more time to prepare, something to look forward to when we just can't take another day of winter...brilliant idea!

 

[wombat146]

Personally I never ever got the 'elf on a shelf' thing and thankfully my grandkids didn't really get into it all. LOL!

I like that Christmas is in December, for us Downunder it marks the end of the school year so the kids get 6 weeks off over summer and back at school at the beginning of Feb.

As for movies, have never been into them, even when the kids were little there were no special movie they wanted to go see............ for them, growing up in the 80's meant that there were not a lot of movies on the TV so you had to actually go to the theatre (not happening with four young kids on my own! LOL) or go to the drive-in which was a lot easier and cheaper.

Since we have been down here in Tassie, on our own, we have a couple of pretty lights up to decorate and we have a special meal but that is about it for our celebrations! lol!! We don't do presents, I only buy for the very youngest grandkids now but they are getting older so that will soon stop too. We went on our picnic this year and that was really nice so we want to do that next year as well.

 

[tanteva]

Ok Eva...here it is....I want to move the celebration of Christmas to February. I read an article about this idea. In the U.S. we have Thanksgiving and right on its heels is Christmas. If we celebrated in February, there would be more time to prepare, something to look forward to when we just can't take another day of winter...brilliant idea!

Fine with me. Jesus wasn't born on Christmas any way.

 

[LSlycord]

Fine with me. Jesus wasn't born on Christmas any way.

Right! Well, I think that if the two of us are onboard then who can be against it?

 

[Nickel]

Besides being The Grinch ... LOL

We had brunch today (leftovers from Christmas dinner) and we started to talk about Christmas songs ... and I think I have a very controversial opinion: I absolutely HATE Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You. I don't really mind the actual song, I just hate her voice.

Also: I think it's creepy when people dress up as Santa.

Anyone else want to share some controversial opinions about anything Christmas?

lol I hate to admit it butr I love that song..

I never watch Christmas movies (except for Mary Poppins, which loved, I also never saw Wonderful World, which message I love)

 

[scrap-genie]

I have no interest in Christmas movies. None. I saw some of the oldest ones back when, but no more recent. We even live in the same city as the Christmas house and our newspaper often has stories about it, but I can't even remember the name of the movie and don't know what it's about. Or care. It that controversial enough?

 

[vickyday]

Lol. I’m with you about Mariah Carey!

My family is Jewish (altho I am not at all religious) so Christmas has always been a curious time for me. I’m totally creeped out by the emergence of the “elf on the shelf” thing.

I totally agree with you on the elf thing!

 

[vickyday]

I love the lights and merry and the love that is shared at Christmas. Being a Christian and pastor's family raising kids in the 80's when "Santa" was very controversial in the circles we frequented, our kids were raised from the youngest ages knowing that Santa was not "real" and that daddy and mommy were the ones who bought their gifts. And we taught them that the reason we gave them gifts at that time was in celebration of the greatest Gift ever given to us from God in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior, even though December 25th was not the actual birth date. Some of the pastors we were associated with did not even celebrate Christmas because of the "worldly" aspect of it which included Santa and the commercialism of Christmas. We were not that strict about it. I decorated the house and we had a Christmas tree and other lights. And we enjoyed being able to focus on the birth of Christ and to share that with the rest of the world as the true meaning of Christmas.

It's interesting that all of my kids, I believe, allowed their kids to "believe" in Santa. It doesn't seem to have traumatized them as they learned the truth about Santa. If I had it to do over again, I would probably do the same thing in teaching my kids about Santa.

 

[Amandajk]

I love the lights and merry and the love that is shared at Christmas. Being a Christian and pastor's family raising kids in the 80's when "Santa" was very controversial in the circles we frequented, our kids were raised from the youngest ages knowing that Santa was not "real" and that daddy and mommy were the ones who bought their gifts. And we taught them that the reason we gave them gifts at that time was in celebration of the greatest Gift ever given to us from God in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior, even though December 25th was not the actual birth date. Some of the pastors we were associated with did not even celebrate Christmas because of the "worldly" aspect of it which included Santa and the commercialism of Christmas. We were not that strict about it. I decorated the house and we had a Christmas tree and other lights. And we enjoyed being able to focus on the birth of Christ and to share that with the rest of the world as the true meaning of Christmas.

It's interesting that all of my kids, I believe, allowed their kids to "believe" in Santa. It doesn't seem to have traumatized them as they learned the truth about Santa. If I had it to do over again, I would probably do the same thing in teaching my kids about Santa.

First, let me say how refreshing it is here at the O to be able to have adult discussion and variance of opinions! That is almost unheard of these days!
Vicki, we had similar experiences in the 80's.when the "kids" were kids. We didn't "celebrate" Santa, but we didn't blacklist him either. Honestly, the celebration for us, is in the heart daily- so anything exterior is extra. I will never forget the day it dawned upon me that God had nothing to do with "Christmas"- He did not invent it. Man did. So that freed me from all obligations, guilt, or pressure that can come with the season!!! Wheeeeeee!!!!! It is all optional! LOL! I do think it is a wonderful time for minds and hearts to shift to think of more permanent issues and reflect. And the way the world is today is unlike any time ever experienced, so yes, Please, let's celebrate the coming of the King!! #clap
I've never heard of the movie mentioned above, don't care for the Carey song, and yep, the actual birth of Christ was probably in September, though the Jews did not follow the Gregorian calendar. Never did elf on the shelf, kids were grown up by the time that showed up. DIL gets really upset about the elf thing- thinks it teaches children wrong motivation. Hmmm.

GOOD STORY ALERT: All that said, I am really happy about the celebration this year- we can't afford a fresh tree which I have always had until two years ago. Miss that. We bought a flocked artificial one last year. Checked prices locally for fresh trees, and WOW- they are starting at $85.00! -and all the way up to $425.00!!! NO sir!!! Not for something that will be thrown away. And so many of our Carolina pine forests have been leveled the past year, I really am starting to feel uncomfortable about removing more trees. ANYWAYS... Last Friday we pulled out our artificial one from last year and it was destroyed in the box!!! AWFUL. Worse than Charlie Brown's tree! I was so disappointed. Then hubster left to pick up little Zeke, and the lady 4 houses down had just set out a tree to the curb. Husband grabbed it and surprised me. It is wonderful!!!! 8 feet tall, full and complete with faux berries and real yet small pine cones!!!!!! I was hyper excited to see it!!! What a blessing!!!! Not sure why the lady didn't want it any longer but sure glad Hubster's timing was so good. I know Abba (Father) did this for us. So I am finishing up the decorating of it today , the last touch will be a skirt of fairy lights!!! ​

 

[bcgal00]

I'm another that is not a fan of Mariah Carey. Never have been. I like some Xmas music like Pentatonix Mary Have Your Heard and Robert Downey Jr The River. I like some of the holiday movies but this year haven't heard of anything interesting. I gave up on the cheezie Hallmark Xmas movies. They are terrible but they all have a happy ending, focus around the holiday time and would get me in the holiday spirit. Now I just need to look out my window at the snow (which started beginning of November) to feel the winter holiday feeling. Much better

 

[vickyday]

First, let me say how refreshing it is here at the O to be able to have adult discussion and variance of opinions! That is almost unheard of these days!
Vicki, we had similar experiences in the 80's.when the "kids" were kids. We didn't "celebrate" Santa, but we didn't blacklist him either. Honestly, the celebration for us, is in the heart daily- so anything exterior is extra. I will never forget the day it dawned upon me that God had nothing to do with "Christmas"- He did not invent it. Man did. So that freed me from all obligations, guilt, or pressure that can come with the season!!! Wheeeeeee!!!!! It is all optional! LOL! I do think it is a wonderful time for minds and hearts to shift to think of more permanent issues and reflect. And the way the world is today is unlike any time ever experienced, so yes, Please, let's celebrate the coming of the King!! #clap
I've never heard of the movie mentioned above, don't care for the Carey song, and yep, the actual birth of Christ was probably in September, though the Jews did not follow the Gregorian calendar. Never did elf on the shelf, kids were grown up by the time that showed up. DIL gets really upset about the elf thing- thinks it teaches children wrong motivation. Hmmm.

GOOD STORY ALERT: All that said, I am really happy about the celebration this year- we can't afford a fresh tree which I have always had until two years ago. Miss that. We bought a flocked artificial one last year. Checked prices locally for fresh trees, and WOW- they are starting at $85.00! -and all the way up to $425.00!!! NO sir!!! Not for something that will be thrown away. And so many of our Carolina pine forests have been leveled the past year, I really am starting to feel uncomfortable about removing more trees. ANYWAYS... Last Friday we pulled out our artificial one from last year and it was destroyed in the box!!! AWFUL. Worse than Charlie Brown's tree! I was so disappointed. Then hubster left to pick up little Zeke, and the lady 4 houses down had just set out a tree to the curb. Husband grabbed it and surprised me. It is wonderful!!!! 8 feet tall, full and complete with faux berries and real yet small pine cones!!!!!! I was hyper excited to see it!!! What a blessing!!!! Not sure why the lady didn't want it any longer but sure glad Hubster's timing was so good. I know Abba (Father) did this for us. So I am finishing up the decorating of it today , the last touch will be a skirt of fairy lights!!! ​

Are you still designing, Amanda? I don't remember what store you were with, but I think I remember you from my early years of digital scrapbooking.
I remember the year we had a Charlie Brown type of tree! It was a spindly cedar tree and the branches wouldn't hold very much! I had about the same thing last year from our woods.
Glad you are enjoying your time here at the O!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I can't stand sappy Christmas music - I like Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree and don't consider it Christmas until I hear that. I love The Christmas Story because the dad is a total grinch and grump and the humor is dark like mine. That's about the only Christmas movie I like, oh, I like Home Alone - the original - "Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal". My grandson got me this phone case a few years ago - I still have it even though it hasn't fit any of my phones since a few phones ago. Best gift ever!

 

[Amandajk]

Are you still designing, Amanda? I don't remember what store you were with, but I think I remember you from my early years of digital scrapbooking.
Glad you are enjoying your time here at the O!

No, not doing anything for profit. I retired back in 2017. Thanks for remembering! After 9 years my interest turned to hands on arts.
And yes, the O is nice!

 

[VickiStegall]

GOOD STORY ALERT: All that said, I am really happy about the celebration this year- we can't afford a fresh tree which I have always had until two years ago. Miss that. We bought a flocked artificial one last year. Checked prices locally for fresh trees, and WOW- they are starting at $85.00! -and all the way up to $425.00!!! NO sir!!! Not for something that will be thrown away. And so many of our Carolina pine forests have been leveled the past year, I really am starting to feel uncomfortable about removing more trees. ANYWAYS... Last Friday we pulled out our artificial one from last year and it was destroyed in the box!!! AWFUL. Worse than Charlie Brown's tree! I was so disappointed. Then hubster left to pick up little Zeke, and the lady 4 houses down had just set out a tree to the curb. Husband grabbed it and surprised me. It is wonderful!!!! 8 feet tall, full and complete with faux berries and real yet small pine cones!!!!!! I was hyper excited to see it!!! What a blessing!!!! Not sure why the lady didn't want it any longer but sure glad Hubster's timing was so good. I know Abba (Father) did this for us. So I am finishing up the decorating of it today , the last touch will be a skirt of fairy lights!!! ​

How wonderful!!!! I love it!

 

[EvelynD2]

I can't stand sappy Christmas music - I like Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree and don't consider it Christmas until I hear that. I love The Christmas Story because the dad is a total grinch and grump and the humor is dark like mine. That's about the only Christmas movie I like, oh, I like Home Alone - the original - "Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal". My grandson got me this phone case a few years ago - I still have it even though it hasn't fit any of my phones since a few phones ago. Best gift ever!

View attachment 385008

So, this phone case brings me to a funny story! Unfortunately, one year I was sick and couldn't attend the Christmas parade with my class but this story was shared with me! My first graders were on the float throwing candy to the crowd lining the street. Someone in the audience yelled "Merry Christmas" and one of my first grade boys yelled back "Merry Christmas you filthy animal"!