Tuesday, December 4, 2007

So THIS is Christmas...


When did Christmas become...well...this?



You know, all of the damn shopping! And I don't mean this kind of shopping...

But this kind of CRAZED consumerism!



And God forbid you don't buy the right gifts! While Hollywood leads you to believe that this is the only consequence...


In reality, you're really going to be dealing with this...




Or even worse, this...




Which would probably leave you feeling like this (if you're lucky) ...






Or perhaps this (if you're not so lucky)...


And leaving somebody crashing on this.




Therefore, you can't really blame this guy for wanting to put a kibosh on Christmas.




So when did this all happen? Remember when you were a kid and the holidays were a lot more simple.




Sure, I looked forward to the huge Christmas payload...






But it was more about being fixated on this guy...




...and his trusty team.






Or spending entire winter days outside...





...like our lives depended on it.


There's actually an ongoing joke in my family about the holidays. Since my mom came from really humble beginnings back in the Philippines, her parents didn't have enough money to buy all 8 kids a new gift each Christmas. So what did they do? Well, my grandma would actually give each of them the same toy every year. And folks, I'm dead serious. Sure she would wrap the things up to preserve the whole excitement in unwrapping something, but my little aunts and uncles essentially had to contend with these recycled gifts. Apparently, my mom was stuck with a wooden duck that laid eggs, while my aunt got a wooden cat. And were they bitter and miserable about their crappy presents? Hell no, because what their parents couldn't provide in fancy gifts, they compensated for in huge elaborate feasts where the whole neighbourhood was invited. And after the dinner festivities, all the children would make their way around the block as they knocked on doors and belted out Christmas carols for each of their neighbours. So even though my family has since come to North America and have all become successful in their own right, they all agree that those recycled gifts and Christmas block parties made for some of the best moments of their lives. And I believe it because that sounds like Christmas...

13 comments:

The All Seeing Eye said...

I love how your included just the right pictures for this post. Extremely creative post on your part... I must admit I am more of a Charlie Brown & Snoopy guy though.

BAMBOO BLITZ said...

Hey, thanks all seeing eye! I'm definitely a visual person so I thought I'd give everyone a break from my usual long-winded rants...LOL! And I also have a soft spot for Charlie Brown and Snoopy:o)

karloff said...

Very nice, I'm slowly but surely getting into the festive spirit, this helped.:)

Black_Mamba said...

I agree with the all seeing eye. The pictures were indeed a great addition. Lovely and touching story as well. Now that's the spirit of Christmas ;)

BAMBOO BLITZ said...

Thanks karloff :)...

I know what you mean. I'm trying to ease into the whole Christmas thing myself but it seems like it comes sooner and sooner every year. I'll have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" or something! LOL

BAMBOO BLITZ said...

Thank you so much Ivy. Whenever my family tells me this story, it always hits a soft spot so I just wanted to share it...

Anonymous said...

Where my grandfather grew up in Poland no one gave presents at Christmas, you just went to church and often had a nice meal to celebrate and that was that.

My family indulges in some Holiday traditions that I will always try to keep alive because they are better than the gifts (not that I mind gifts or anything ;) )

AntiBarbie.net

BAMBOO BLITZ said...

Hey AntiBarbie...

That's what Christmas SHOULD be all about, eh? Honestly, as long as you have a table full of food (plus all the desserts of course) and are surrounded by all your family--what more can you really ask for? Presents are just icing on the cake...

Black_Mamba said...

Hello CC, advance merry Christmas! Care to play another game?
http://blackbaies.pansitan.net/2007/12/let-cat-out-of-bag.html

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post, wonderful story!

BAMBOO BLITZ said...

Thank you Mark! It's one of my favourite stories from my family.

ZenDenizen said...

I agree with you. I just refuse to participate in the hoopla for the most part.

BAMBOO BLITZ said...

Hey zen...

I have to admit that I can caught up in all the Christmas madness until I actually take a step back to reflect on what this holiday is all about (family, friends, food...)

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I used to friggin love this game as a kid!! You have to play at least one game!