I am the only person who can't stand the secular aspect of Christmas

[Lorelei12]

If people actually did call you a Grinch, that was incredibly rude. But honestly, “I have better things to do than cut up snowflakes with all of you people” is a Grinch-like attitude, even if you didn’t outright say it to them.

It’s fine if you don’t like any of the secular aspects of Christmas and don’t want to join in, but don’t begrudge those who do. People can still focus on what Christmas really is while also enjoying the decorations, the music, and the general atmosphere. It’s not all “phony”, and most people I know enjoy this part of the season. Don’t assume that because someone likes snowflakes, that they are too “secular” as well.

 

[Cat]

If people actually did call you a Grinch, that was incredibly rude. But honestly, “I have better things to do than cut up snowflakes with all of you people” is a Grinch-like attitude, even if you didn’t outright say it to them.

It’s fine if you don’t like any of the secular aspects of Christmas and don’t want to join in, but don’t begrudge those who do. People can still focus on what Christmas really is while also enjoying the decorations, the music, and the general atmosphere. It’s not all “phony”, and most people I know enjoy this part of the season. Don’t assume that because someone likes snowflakes, that they are too “secular” as well.

I agree with this.

Anytime someone says, “You people,” that is not good.

I think that sometimes, people assume that they are the way they are because they were born that way or because they were raised to be that way, and to try to change would be “dishonest” and “insincere.”

I disagree. I think it is possible to learn to be “grumpy”, pessimistic, and critical. But it is also possible to learn to be cheerful, optimistic, and encouraging, and THAT’S what we should all strive to do.

All of us on this earth are on a common journey to the grave, and all of us need the cheerful, warm encouragement of others. There is no point to being gloomy, critical, judgmental, condemning, and deliberately misanthropic. I’d say, “work on that attitude,” and at least get to the place where you can be warm towards others and enjoy their celebration for their sake, if not your own.

 

[Gordon_Sims]

I enjoy most aspects of Christmas but I don’t like the greed and commercialism that seem to go along with the secular aspects. Just earlier this week someone was telling me about a talk they had with a mutual acquaintance who had spent a couple thousand dollars on his child for Christmas and was already dealing with anger and depression over it because the kid has already been unappreciative and said they don’t like what they’re getting, and more anger, depression and jealousy because the neighbor spent more on their kids.

 

[Luvz2travel]

Honestly, ever since I was a teenager (and realized my family was dysfunctional) I have found the supposed Holiday Spirit horrific. The phoniness (sp?) of the importance of family when the rest of the year they are mistreating each other just depressed me.

As a kid I looked forward to the gifts, but now, unless they have come up with the ‘Personal Assistant that can read my mind and do my house work the way I want it’, there is NOTHING anyone could buy me to make me happy.

I don’t mind people at work who decorate their offices, but when they call me a Grinch because I have better things to do than cut out snow flakes with them to decorate isn’t funny IMO.

One girl gave me a Christmas card on the 1st of December for which I thanked her. I was actually happy it was a religious one. I brought it home and she came by my desk and asked where it was??? I said I brought it home. I didn’t know these things were suppose to be displayed !

Just needed to vent

I thinks it’s overcommercialized certainly and the very people who cry athiest most like give and receive gifts… I think the overcommercialization would be what bothers me the most.

 

[pianistclare]

I enjoy most aspects of Christmas but I don’t like the greed and commercialism that seem to go along with the secular aspects. Just earlier this week someone was telling me about a talk they had with a mutual acquaintance who had spent a couple thousand dollars on his child for Christmas and was already dealing with anger and depression over it because the kid has already been unappreciative and said they don’t like what they’re getting, and more anger, depression and jealousy because the neighbor spent more on their kids.

hey Gordon.
Here’s wishing you a relocation to a more normal neighborhood with normal people populating it.

Try not to listen to gossip like this,. It makes you less of a person that people will confide real problems in. Be the hands and feet of Christ, and don’t participate in the crazy. And don’t invest any of your thinking, reflection, or time on it.
As I have previously stated: if one doesn’t like the commercialism, just don’t invest in it. What others do is really none of our business. Our Lord has it well in hand.
Merry Christmas.

 

[Ejperchenough]

I like giving gifts, don’t care much if I get any, but of course appreciate it when I do , but I love receiving cards, all kinds of cards!

 

[Anglewannabe]

. One of my students said that gifts we give to the poor are the best gifts, because we are actually giving them to Jesus.

I find that touching

 

[Anglewannabe]

If people actually did call you a Grinch, that was incredibly rude. But honestly, “I have better things to do than cut up snowflakes with all of you people” is a Grinch-like attitude, even if you didn’t outright say it to them.
.

We are crazy busy at work. I don’t want to do overtime, because I will not be paid for it and I would rather get my work done. I think that is more important than cutting up snowflakes. And honestly, even if I did join in, I think that would make it worse because they would sense I was not being sincere.

 

[Anglewannabe]

The sensory nature of it all is gratifying to the inner child. .

Well, I have no problem gratifying my inner child all year long. I often browse the toy section at Walmart I would never wait for Christmas to do that

 

[Gordon_Sims]

hey Gordon.
Here’s wishing you a relocation to a more normal neighborhood with normal people populating it.

They live in a different neighborhood.

 

[Sunbreak]

I don’t enjoy all the frenzy and commercialism. When I was a child, of course, I looked forward to all the gifts and seeing my cousins. However, the day was always kind of stressful because we had to look perfect for the grandparents, behave perfect and my mother didn’t like my father’s mother so there was always this tension going on when we went to the grandparents’ house.

 

[Cat]

We are crazy busy at work. I don’t want to do overtime, because I will not be paid for it and I would rather get my work done. I think that is more important than cutting up snowflakes. And honestly, even if I did join in, I think that would make it worse because they would sense I was not being sincere.

Anglewannabe, you have to have a balance between getting the work done and being part of the team.

Teambuilding activities are a very legitimate part of any company. It is not a waste of time to socialize with co-workers over activities that have nothing to do with the actual work.

These types of activities build up the team, help promote respect and loyalty between co-workers, and also raise morale among the staff.

As for being sincere–forget that! It doesn’t make any sense in a work environment because we spend our entire day being “insincere.”

If I were being truly sincere, I would come out and say, “I don’t want to go to work. I prefer to stay home and sleep late, lounge around my house, eat a long lunch at a cute little restaurant, and read on the sofa while sipping Pepsi.”

All day at work, we are handed projects and work assignments that, truth told, we really don’t want to do. But even if we grimace a little, we usually learn to say, “Oh, boy. Thanks. I’ll get right on it. Thanks,” even when we would rather say, “Go away, I’m too busy.”

So my advice to you is to LEARN to be a little insincere

Even if you personally aren’t interested in an activity, learn to enjoy it (or at least enjoy watching it) for your COWORKERS’ sake.

Even if you don’t care to sit and cut out snowflakes (which I don’t like doing either, because I’m very clumsy at crafty-type projects), at least sit down with your co-workers for a few minutes and “ooh, ahh!” over their beautiful snowflakes. Or maybe help hang them up on a bulletin board or on thread from the ceiling. Or surprise them by bringing a plate of cookies or candy or fruit to the snowflake party (run upstairs or around the corner to purchase it).

The main thing is to engage in the team-building activities. Don’t walk away from these. You don’t necessarily have to actually DO the team-building activity, but at least participate by observing, chatting with others as they do the activity, cheering them on (very important!), or providing them with assistance in some way (e.g., bringing treats to the table).

Many supervisors value a “team spirit” as much as they value the work itself, and you may find that if you disregard your co-workers’ little impromptu activities, your supervisor may downgrade your annual review by citing “not a team player.”

I hope you will consider my advice and find it helpful.

 

[wildrumpus]

I grew up Protestant. So Protestant that we didn’t have instruments in church because “it doesn’t say in the bible to use instruments” It was instilled in me that it wasn’t really Jesus’ birthday.

That is absolutely nothing to do with being Protestant. I was brought up Protestant, and we celebrated Jesus’ birthday on Christmas and had plenty of instruments in church. Please leave your divisiveness outside in the rubbish where it belongs. It hurt me when you wrote “So Protestant…” and rolled your eyes.

 

[wildrumpus]

Honestly, ever since I was a teenager … Just needed to vent

No, you are not the only one. It is sad. I repeat to myself, “I am in the world, but not of the world.” Pray for the non-believers that they will find the Truth.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

No, you aren’t the only one. I find it very greedy to want all of that frenzy, and they don’t even acknowledge Christ (or any other form of religion, for that matter) I don’t understand why society has such a rejection for religion. Why do they want such Christmas frenzy? Christmas without “Christ”…What are they celebrating then? Why have time off and receive gifts? If they don’t believe in anything, what are they celebrating? It should just be any other day of the week for them.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Do what I have done for so long it makes me sad I have had to.
I wish you the very best at this time, and at all times of the year.
I have to work with people of all sorts of belief and non belief…
That is how I do it. No agonizing. No call out to the troops about how tough it is to be me.
Call me up on Ramadan and let me know how you are doing. My Muslim friends always wish me Peace every time I see them. I make sure to tell them that I have bottled water for them (I pay for out of my pocket) to make sure when they can have a drink they have it.
How were you troubled? What did you do to be proactive about it?

 

[dedo]

This season is often a strange mix of joy, giving, family get togethers, happy celebrations, delightful gifts, as well as stress, illness, and tragedy.

One thing I try to do in this season is to prioritize, and be willing to not engage in some of the secular activities. By prioritizing, we tried to put attending service at the top of the list, followed by trying to touch someone who is struggling as a close second. My wife pulled a couple shifts in a soup kitchen and organized her church Christmas dinner. I worked the holiday, and helped her where I could.

It is easier for me to do that, because I often have to work on a holiday, so people give me a break.

Another thing I do is to look for opportunities to learn and grow. One sermon was about how Jesus sends us gifts this time of year, and it is up to us to listen for them.

In fact, a couple other sermons were especially insightful and revealed areas where I should spend more time. And I think God is moving me in a direction that I think involves fitness and preventive health, as opposed to the acute care I do now since I was able to achieve the fitness goals I set for myself, in the middle of the holiday chaos.

Also, in spite of the chaos, we were able to have celebrations between shifts, exchange gifts etc., in a way that just seemed to “fall into place”.

Hopefully, I can improve my ability to “prioritize” so the gifts or insights that I believe I received this holiday season can become a reality.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

 

[meltzerboy]

Anglewannabe, you have to have a balance between getting the work done and being part of the team.

Teambuilding activities are a very legitimate part of any company. It is not a waste of time to socialize with co-workers over activities that have nothing to do with the actual work.

These types of activities build up the team, help promote respect and loyalty between co-workers, and also raise morale among the staff.

As for being sincere–forget that! It doesn’t make any sense in a work environment because we spend our entire day being “insincere.”

If I were being truly sincere, I would come out and say, “I don’t want to go to work. I prefer to stay home and sleep late, lounge around my house, eat a long lunch at a cute little restaurant, and read on the sofa while sipping Pepsi.”

All day at work, we are handed projects and work assignments that, truth told, we really don’t want to do. But even if we grimace a little, we usually learn to say, “Oh, boy. Thanks. I’ll get right on it. Thanks,” even when we would rather say, “Go away, I’m too busy.”

So my advice to you is to LEARN to be a little insincere

Even if you personally aren’t interested in an activity, learn to enjoy it (or at least enjoy watching it) for your COWORKERS’ sake.

Even if you don’t care to sit and cut out snowflakes (which I don’t like doing either, because I’m very clumsy at crafty-type projects), at least sit down with your co-workers for a few minutes and “ooh, ahh!” over their beautiful snowflakes. Or maybe help hang them up on a bulletin board or on thread from the ceiling. Or surprise them by bringing a plate of cookies or candy or fruit to the snowflake party (run upstairs or around the corner to purchase it).

The main thing is to engage in the team-building activities. Don’t walk away from these. You don’t necessarily have to actually DO the team-building activity, but at least participate by observing, chatting with others as they do the activity, cheering them on (very important!), or providing them with assistance in some way (e.g., bringing treats to the table).

Many supervisors value a “team spirit” as much as they value the work itself, and you may find that if you disregard your co-workers’ little impromptu activities, your supervisor may downgrade your annual review by citing “not a team player.”

I hope you will consider my advice and find it helpful.

Great advice for all of us, especially those who work outside the home.

 

[Allegra]

Anglewannabe, you have to have a balance between getting the work done and being part of the team.

Teambuilding activities are a very legitimate part of any company. It is not a waste of time to socialize with co-workers over activities that have nothing to do with the actual work.

These types of activities build up the team, help promote respect and loyalty between co-workers, and also raise morale among the staff.

As for being sincere–forget that! It doesn’t make any sense in a work environment because we spend our entire day being “insincere.”

If I were being truly sincere, I would come out and say, “I don’t want to go to work. I prefer to stay home and sleep late, lounge around my house, eat a long lunch at a cute little restaurant, and read on the sofa while sipping Pepsi.”

All day at work, we are handed projects and work assignments that, truth told, we really don’t want to do. But even if we grimace a little, we usually learn to say, “Oh, boy. Thanks. I’ll get right on it. Thanks,” even when we would rather say, “Go away, I’m too busy.”

So my advice to you is to LEARN to be a little insincere

Even if you personally aren’t interested in an activity, learn to enjoy it (or at least enjoy watching it) for your COWORKERS’ sake.

Even if you don’t care to sit and cut out snowflakes (which I don’t like doing either, because I’m very clumsy at crafty-type projects), at least sit down with your co-workers for a few minutes and “ooh, ahh!” over their beautiful snowflakes. Or maybe help hang them up on a bulletin board or on thread from the ceiling. Or surprise them by bringing a plate of cookies or candy or fruit to the snowflake party (run upstairs or around the corner to purchase it).

The main thing is to engage in the team-building activities. Don’t walk away from these. You don’t necessarily have to actually DO the team-building activity, but at least participate by observing, chatting with others as they do the activity, cheering them on (very important!), or providing them with assistance in some way (e.g., bringing treats to the table).

Many supervisors value a “team spirit” as much as they value the work itself, and you may find that if you disregard your co-workers’ little impromptu activities, your supervisor may downgrade your annual review by citing “not a team player.”

I hope you will consider my advice and find it helpful.

My coworkers and I all hate “team-building activities”. They are always super lame. We’re grown people, for crying out loud, we don’t want to play charades, pass a ball of yarn and tell our deepest secrets, or try to guess which celebrity is written on a sticky-note on our forhead. I don’t know why bosses don’t seem to get that the secret to good team-building is free food! Seriously! Ditch the yarn and the trust falls and lets go out to lunch already!

 

[Xantippe]

My coworkers and I all hate “team-building activities”. They are always super lame. We’re grown people, for crying out loud, we don’t want to play charades, pass a ball of yarn and tell our deepest secrets, or try to guess which celebrity is written on a sticky-note on our forhead. I don’t know why bosses don’t seem to get that the secret to good team-building is free food! Seriously! Ditch the yarn and the trust falls and lets go out to lunch already!

Allegra,

You’re brilliant.

I think there’s a corporate training franchise in this idea.