I'm in that same situation. I've got me and my writing, and that's all. Christmas is irrelevant. So I see it as just another day.

I have my health, a job, a home, food, and a warm bed to sleep in. I am greatful for that as others have a hell of a lot less. There are worse things than being alone for Christmas.

Exactly. Other people -- possibly well-meaning, but insensitive all the same -- have a tendency to say things like "Don't you miss having someone around to spend the holidays with?" Well, of course I do, but I'm not in a position to do anything about it, so there's no sense in dwelling on what doesn't exist.

Firmly agree here Lex... We shall roll with the flow and hope the drain is stopped up,,,,,

awwww,thanks Jenniebeanie,,,
And,,WOW,,are YOU sure we've never met?,,,,,

I remember the old Christmas dinners from when I was a kid -- gatherings of people who didn't particularly care for each other, sniping and venting in whispers behind each other's backs (and sometimes not so subtly) -- grievances and complaints from decades past, issues long gone, against people long-dead (or as good as) -- the facade of family, the grin-and-eat-it mindset, the let's-get-this-over-with-here's-your-box-of-golf-balls-Uncle-Kenny-now-will-you-please-shut-up-about-the-real-estate-in-Florida, the obligation of similarly coincidental genetic patterns overwhelming common sense or any sort of rationality at all --

Yeah, I think I'm better off without this.

well,,this one I am in total agreement,,
Other people -- possibly well-meaning, but insensitive all the same -- have a tendency to say things like "Don't you miss having someone around to spend the holidays with?" Well, of course I do, but I'm not in a position to do anything about it, so there's no sense in dwelling on what doesn't exist

where as I do mostly feel a very big open heart and mind,,at Christmas time,,and a push to give OUT,,some compassions to a stranger,,for love IS very much,,,all around even WITHOUT the act of gifts and materail things,,its that Spirit of Christmas I gave my kids,,which I didn't have when I was young...
But I also know your feelings here,,and the people who JUST DO the DO,,and add their own ego's to that,,,

You know Lex; our family Christmas dinners also ended up in a fight. Of course it was over silly things and the fights never started until the commericalization of Christmas kicked in. We were poor and barely had enough to eat so presents were out of the question. We never fought as there was nothing to fight over. So, since my family and I decided to do away with gift giving and commercialization; an amazing thing happened; we are close again and all the fighting has ceased. Funny how that works, eh? And yes; people are damn insensitive. Its what I was saying earlier when you buy a person a gift knowing they can't reciprocte. You make them feel guilty or put a financial burden on them as they feel the need to buy you a gift back. Or for some; it comes accross as here is a pity present for you or they feel you are rubbing it as you have more money than them. I wish people would get it when a person says; please don't buy me a gift that there is more it than meets the idea. Respect that person's right to refuse a gift which indeed is the best gift you can give them.

I dare anyone to dress like Santa and get a big bag of stuffed animals and visit a Pediatrics cancer Hospital and give them stuffed toys away, to all the boys and girls there,,and THEN,,,,see what Christmas looks like through all those little eyes and faces you just made smile,,and believe in Santa,,and YOUR NEVER see Christmas in any other light...again.
That is,,IF your human,,,,,lol

Well, of course what child wouldn't enjoy a present? I am going to a party next Sunday to help hand out presents to kids for underprivileged families. Last year this five year old child hugged me because I gave her a two cent candy cane. These are kids that truly appreciate the little things in life. And yes that melted even my cold heart.

It sounds good, but life has a way of beating that kind of sentiment out of you. Or maybe it's just me....

Lex, I am like you and don't have nor want any kids, but I do have compassion for them. Where I lose my compassion is with adults. Get tired of the greed and selfishness that comes with some of these people; especially in relationships.

I'm not sure if it's a need inasmuch as leaving a legacy...something for my kids to know that I was here . Good spirit can be had without the glitter and glamor...I just like low lighting. My kids are always turning the lights up and saying it's so dark in here
....and all the colors changes the mood for me.

You got us!

And I am very grateful, and it definitely DOES make a difference!

Christmas is coming,,,its all in the air,,,,loving each other,,with so much to share,,,,,,Christmas is coming,,,it's right aound the block,
Counting the minutes on my old grand father clock..

HEY,,its a new Christmas song,,ya like it????



Family comes in many forms ,,and on here we our all related...

I love Christmas just cause it reminds me of my childhood.

My Christmas decorations are NOT tacky!

The only thing that is reminding me its xmas time is the all the ho ho ho'ing, good cheer, cheesy decorations(Not yours Ruth34611), and wishes and the niceness that comes out of people two or three times a year. I think its a scam on their part to cover up the other days of the year they dont give a ****. Some of it makes me sick when I see all the so-called jolly topics here.

Is it so bad to nice every other day of the year, or do you save up all your niceness and only distribute it in December?

Plus, as we chit chatted about this earlier, the over commercialization of everything to makes it worse.

Call me jaded, a Grinch, scrooge or what ever. Its just my opinion, and the abilty to see through people that are full of it.

Wanna change my thoughts? From now on, post in a topic what you did from now until next xmas to make someone smile, help them out, or actually called your''friends'' to wish them a happy holidays and hope everything is going good for them.