how seriously do you take Christmas?

[Coolydudey]

I have this attitude towards Christmas that is captured by mildly interested participation. I'll help put up some decorations, I'll make an effort to get some nice presys, etc. The best part is of course opening all the presents (the only part I get excited about, I don't really like Christmas dinner).

Was wondering how you guys feel about it?

Also, is this reduced level of excitement common amongst INTPs? I find there's few things I get genuinely excited about (mainly maths and anything to do with computer tech), and even there don't often find myself getting really worked up about something.

 

[8151147]

Everyday in my life is holiday

 

[redbaron]

It's fucking stupid. Especially the presents part.

 

[PhoenixRising]

Christmas as it exits in this culture at this time doesn't really interest me. The only reason I participate at all is because some of my family members would be disappointed if I didn't >.>

I think the pagan origins of the holiday are interesting to study, though. The particulars of how culture and society have formed out of human psychology happens to be a topic of keen interest/excitement for me at this time. As far as a lack of excitement being an INTP trait, I'm unsure if there is a direct correlation. I know I've always lacked excitement when it comes to social affairs, my partner (also INTP) seems to be the same way.

 

[crippli]

I think I always look at the premise. In this case, some 2000 year old hippy that apparently rose from the grave, and by all likelihood is fully decomposed by now doesn't exactly create a conclusion to follow. I use these these days for work. Cows in the barn requires my full attention at this time, if they are to become pregnant. Their life depends on my expertise. So this time of year is spent creating life, not celebrating the dead.

 

[Trololol]

I was thinking to myself, "I could just not go visit my family... And it would be a day like any other, to me."

 

[computerhxr]

I like to give gifts based on utility when others are in need. Christmas is a great holiday without the obligations, traffic problems, and relationship stress. It stresses me out when people feel obligated to get me something.

I'm part Native American so I always want to re-appropriate gifts that are not used. I never really asked for anything when I was a kid. It's my least favorite holiday because it turns people into monsters.

 

[onesteptwostep]

Not that seriously- well, at least in the "tradition" way. My family is Christian, but we've never really done the whole American way of fooling your children of the "magic" of Santa and getting like a bazillion presents. We go to service (when I was still with my parents).. maybe my parents would let me buy a new Lego set, eat some extra good food, and probably watch specials on T.V. That was pretty much Christmas for me. Oh, sometimes we'd put up Christmas lights, (no tree), and put Christmas music on on the stereo. My entire extend family were overseas where the culture is different, so yeah, not much family get-together there. I think for the most part it was more of a religious thing, not a cultural thing, for us.

Oh and fun fact (I do hope most of you know already): Jesus wasn't born in the Winter Solstice... more like during April.

 

[Jennywocky]

It's fucking stupid. Especially the presents part.

You're just bitter that Gopher gave me a baseball bat with your name on it. (Hold still, damn you!!)

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

A few extra days off work.
Aside from that, nothing special.

Rampant consumption deserves contempt.

 

[Anktark]

Religious turned festivity with get togethers that got turned into another consumption frenzy event. Paint me all excited and entertained on this layer of sarcasm coating I have going on.

The days off work are the best thing about it.

 

[JimJambones]

I buy and decorate a tree every year, and buy a few gifts for my family, but otherwise I don't put much effort into the holiday. I have no objection to eating all the delicious food other people put so much effort into preparing.

 

[Deleted member 1424]

I got a lot of tea and socks this year. It was awesome.

Lately, I've come to view Christmas (and holidays in general) as a simple excuse to be affectionate with people. A break from daily routine to say "fuck it, let's celebrate!" even though there's no real reason. Indeed we could do with more Holidays (especially secular ones). We simply need to forbid ridiculous, omnipresent advertising and bad, overplayed music.

 

[JimJambones]

^ Why not, right? Life is ridiculously short as it is. Might as well enjoy what you can of it. I do like celebrating with people, even if I do more observing than conversing. Good wine helps too.

 

[Teax]

I love christmas. All the free time and nobody expects anything from you because everyone assumes you're celebrating. Finally time to do all the things I've been putting off

On the other hand, decoration of trees so people can watch them slowly die in plain sight seems so morbid.

The reduced(zero ) level of excitement sounds familliar. And yes I do attribute it to INTPness - helps to keep track on what matters. Though maybe INTPs get as excited as anybody else, just about different things. And they just never/rarely find those things....

 

[Architect]

I got a lot of tea and socks this year. It was awesome.

Good tea? My tastes are so specialized nobody knows what tea to buy me unfortunately.

On Christmas I view it as a chance for down time and reflection. I reassess things twice a year, Christmas and during a month long vacation I take every summer. I look at how things are and where they're going, and try to take a look at myself on this planet and put it in perspective.

Unfortunately others usually mess with that. The S family, they have their traditions and little celebrations. Ideally I'd just have the time to be quiet at home, listening to music, watching movies and doing some little projects. So it ends up being a mixture.

 

[Deleted member 1424]

Good tea? My tastes are so specialized nobody knows what tea to buy me unfortunately.

I gave them a little guidance. Told them about my favorite tea shop, and that they couldn't go wrong with a green tea or a rooibos.


I have had similar problems in the past. Having many time repeated "Never go to teavana for their ridiculous, ripoff, 'herbal infused' potpourri that contain little to no actual tea." Not to mention the disgusting 'used car salesman' atmosphere.

 

[Hadoblado]

I *seriously* hate Christmas.

The presents and the decorations and whatnot. It drives me up the wall. I don't do either.

I do like the get-togethers though. They're a chance to catch up with a lot of people, but without the infinite degrees of freedom that would otherwise have you pretending you like pubs or shopping. It's at someone's house, there will be food and drink - nice and simple.

 

[cheese]

Lately, I've come to view Christmas (and holidays in general) as a simple excuse to be affectionate with people. A break from daily routine to say "fuck it, let's celebrate!" even though there's no real reason. Indeed we could do with more Holidays (especially secular ones).

I like this. I can understand the impulse to tear down bullshit, but we can still keep the good. You don't have to buy into the rampant consumerism or overeat if you don't want to. You can decide yourself how you're going to participate in this chance to be together. Most of the presents in my family this year were simple, or things the recipient needed/were useful. One person donated to needy families in our name. The meal was fairly healthy - lots of salads.

Spoiler

*I think we all have to remember that we value each other and it's worthwhile being together. So much of the time, life crap gets in the way, and that robs us of genuinely seeing and appreciating each other. The people hosting get tired as the years go by and trying becomes more and more joyless if we don't reciprocate with appreciation. Energy has to come from somewhere, and I'm grateful for those who have enough to help keep us together. FJs and EPs have enough to seed parties and make everyone feel good for a few years. Genuinely enjoying/appreciating what they've put together, and helping out where we can, seems to help return some of the energy they've expended and keeps them going. It's a relationship. If we just take and take and spit on everything they do because we're anti-consumerism, they wear out. We have to invest something positive, emotionally or materially, if we're going to contribute and not destroy.

*This doesn't actually apply to everyone, but most people do care.

I take Christmas seriously in that I aim to be respectful and keep people happy, and consider it quite important to be with family on the day. Presents are important too but I'd be happy to move that in a different direction (giving to people in need, or giving services to each other [like a massage] or just giving creative dishes for the main meal). I start thinking we need to relax and take it less seriously when people get really worried and worked up.

 

[redbaron]

I *seriously* hate Christmas.

The presents and the decorations and whatnot. It drives me up the wall. I don't do either.

You and I will make our own Christmas.

 

[Fukyo]

Sounds gay.