Nora, I wish you guys couild come out here for real. Our holidays are relaxed, profane, fun, laid back, and all about Teh Food. "White Trash" Christmas is my favorite. Sweatpants and t-shirts, horrible movies and potluck.

Someday, I hope!

Nora, I tend to look on holidays as time off work to use as I see fit. We usually do something family-oriented for Thanksgiving, because everyone is going to be inone place and it's a way to kill a lot of social obligations all at once. However, the best T-givings I've ever been to have been potlucks, where everyone brings something and you end up with a huge feast with very little work and you get to enjoy what is good about the holiday--eating a good meal in congenial company.

I don't do Christmas with my family. They have grandchildren, so they don't really miss me. The BF and I have done a movie day for the last 12 years, where we schedule 3 or 4 movies and email all the orphans and non-celebrants we know the theaters and times and put a dinner break (at a Deli, which are always open on Christmas) in there. It makes the day fun and special and something to look forward to, without the Ho Ho Ho stuff. It isn't "Christmas-y" at all, but it's enjoyable and memorable and makes that day off not just another day.

Because the choice isn't to either buy into the hype and carols and doing all the smarmy crap which you hate or do nothing, the choice is to do whatever warms your heart and makes the day special for YOU. Life is crappy enough--since oyu know you have the day off, why miss out on a chance to add some fun and celebration?

I know I've stated my views on Christmas sneaking into October, so I won't subject folks to that rant again.

Well, of course. Everybody knows it should be Halloween sneaking into Xmas.

Tie up the Sandy Claws and throw him in a bag...

Since this year we're doing both families at Christmas instead of one at Thanksgiving, it'll probably be just us for Thanksgiving. We'll have to figure out how to do Thanksgiving dinner for two plus one finicky nibbler.

This is why Baby Jesus created the cornish game hen, dear.

I know I've stated my views on Christmas sneaking into October, so I won't subject folks to that rant again.

On what planet is it still October?

Target has had their Christmas stuff out since September.

I know I've stated my views on Christmas sneaking into October

Damn, I shouldn't have volunteered for the Church's Christmas in October program, I'm enabling the conspiracy.

We change what we do most years. The constants are: Christmas breakfast, then opening the stockings and playing with the Legos Mom always puts in there, until she gets bored and says we have to act our age, and then we open presents.

I am never going to get any work done today. Not only is it the last day before my vacation starts, but the DVD playing on the big! shiny! media center near my desk is Phantom of the Opera. I don't want to edit error messages. I want to watch the stupid pretty movie!

I don't want to edit error messages. I want to watch the stupid pretty movie!

Edit the error messages into lines from Phantom .

I am sure things will shake out and I/we will be able to reclaim the holidays as our own... I think we are in transition... I'm definitely a LOT less dark and angry about it all than I used to be... I'm hoping that we are moving toward our own traditions.

(I don't mean to be all self indulgent talky meat about it though. I hope I am not inspiring TOO much eyerolling.)

I guess maybe I'm more sad, at this point in my life, that I don't have those connections and good memories that others seem to have. But, you know, I'll get over it. In fact, I'm practically over it already!