Support NeoGAF

[tedtropy]

I realize as you get older Christmas becomes less and less about receiving gifts and more about going broke buying them and intoxicating one's self in hopes of avoiding depression. But dammit, there was a time in life when we once really looked forward to Christmas - when it was this magical day beyond compare. I think the last time I felt that way was probably the year the Nintendo 64 debuted and my brother and I received one for Christmas. As I played Mario 64 I thought to myself 'life and gaming can never get better than this'. While I have certainly had moments in life that surpassed the greatness that is Mario 64, part of me still thinks the gaming side of that statement remains true. Granted, that giddy side was still sort of there when I picked up my X-Box and a copy of Halo, but nowhere near the same.

So GAF, when did Christmas lose its sacredness for you? Perhaps for some it was never anything wonderful, perhaps for some it still is. Meanwhile, be sure to raise a glass of the ole' Egg Nog for me while I feign interest in family I haven't seen for months whilst sneaking in a little Minish Cap on my GBA while hiding out in the bathroom. Praise Jebus!

 

[Duck of Death]

The minute kids no longer appreciate A Charlie Brown Christmas is the day Christmas dies with me.

Sad thing is, it'll probably happen.

 

[Star Power]

When my mother had a seizure last Chirstmas Eve, and was in the ICU Christmas day, and didn't come out intil New Years Eve. I hate this time of year now.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

exactly 4 christmas ago for me. but then, I never really liked christmas a whole lot. I pretty much look forward to boxing day.

 

[tedtropy]

When my mother had a seizure last Chirstmas Eve, and was in the ICU Christmas day, and didn't come out intil New Years Eve. I hate this time of year now.

My mom started her khemo for breast cancer treatment around Christmas time. In fact, this is supposed to be sort of the 'all-clear' goal for denoting that her past treatment was successful and that it's not returning. It's funny, it seems some of the most heart-breaking, miserable things seem to occur around this time of year. Well, not funny, more incredibly depressing, but whatever. I generally kind of close my eyes and bare my way through this time and hope the new year brings something better with it...

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

It was pretty early for me-- probably in my teen years. My birthday is right by Christmas (the 18th) so I was always getting gyped for presents, especially as I got older.

But lately (last few years) I've really been getting back into the spirit, which is cool.

 

[Loki]

Egg-nog: cholesterol in a bottle. But man, is it good.


For myself, Christmas still has some magic left (apart from the religious significance; I'm referring to a "feeling" here), though I tend to get a touch of the 'ole melancholia around the holidays for various reasons. Beyond that, my family ranks have really dwindled in terms of who's over our house to celebrate Christmas day. Christmas dinner used to be held at my grandparents' house, but since they've gotten older (and now live downstairs in our rentable apartment) we've had it here at my house. We used to have about 25-30 people over for the holiday, but many have passed away, and others have moved out to Jersey, Long Island etc. and now spend the holiday with our other family members out there. So now our little gathering is down to about 13-16 people or so; thankfully, both of my maternal grandparents are still alive (81 and 85 years old, knock on wood), and they're really the ones who make Christmas special for me, even though I see them every day now that they live downstairs.


I still get a special feeling when I walk outside late at night in my neighborhood and see the Christmas lights on-- you just feel safe...very hard to explain. Hearing Christmas songs is also great. Just a great time of year all around....still.


I guess it's what you make of it.

 

[karasu]

It's always sucked. My birthday is Dec 27th and there's no way I can compete with Jesus. Everybody else has birthday parties, goes to dinner, gets tons of gifts and attention, but with me, i get nothing because everyone is broke thanks to Christmas. If anything someone will give me my christmas gift for my bday. So yeah, it blows. I hate when people say it's all about family or it's the thought that counts. >_< I spend time with family all fecking year.

 

[Triumph]

When I started working in retail. About 9 years ago(Christ, has it been that long... yes it has. I'm old.).

 

[MrPing1000]

When I was 15

 

[radioheadrule83]

The spirit of giving is still pretty much worth it wherever kids are involved. One part of being an adult - where Christmas endures - is that you can really make a young one irrationally overjoyed by the whole myth, the festive traditions and the presents themselves.

But it's when you're buying for people and making yourself broke, and they're doing the same thing... you wonder who really benefits and what the point is.

 

[DJ Sl4m]

When a child first learns that there is no such thing as Santa Clause.

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

Maybe we've all just become cynical bastards with all the game delays? overblown hype? hidden WMD?

 

[tedtropy]

But it's when you're buying for people and making yourself broke, and they're doing the same thing... you wonder who really benefits and what the point is.

Exactly, I don't understand the bizarre ritual continuing amongst adults. Everybody complains about it making their selves broke, yet they continue to do it, apparently in the fear that the ghost of Jesus will SMITE THEM! We had FOUR Christmas luncheons in a week at work amongst various departments/functions and it was basically implied that I needed to buy a gift for the usual crappo-gift-exchange for all of them. Groan...yeah, great, I buy some jackass a 20 buck Circuit City gift card and get, what, a fondue pot in exchange? Wippe!

 

[firex]

Christmas didn't lose its magic, you just weren't told EA bought the exclusive rights to Christmas magic for the next 5 years.

 

[LakeEarth]

When you turn 13.

 

[Phoenix]

If its only about giving and receiving gifts, then I'm sure you'll get burned out on it really quick the moment you get your first job and have to start buying gifts for others.

For me it has never really losts its 'magic,' but I don't really celebrate it like most people. We only really buy gifts for the kids and for our parents - anyone else can buy what they want Much of what we mandate is that any gifts you give other than to kids should be manmade and I've seen incredible creativity from my family in this regard.

 

[belgurdo]

But it's when you're buying for people and making yourself broke, and they're doing the same thing... you wonder who really benefits and what the point is.

I could have had an extra $500 in my bank account this month, but since I still live with my parents...*sigh*

 

[carpal]

Fuck that, I still love Christmas. I just finished setting up my little tree in the living room of my apartment. Yeah I'm flat broke from buying shit for friends and family, but I always love giving gifts and I think it's totally worth it. The atmosphere of generosity and warmth that has always swirled around my friends and family this time of year still gets to me and will continue to get to me for many years I hope. I feel bad for you guys who grew up with shitty, empty feeling holidays. But there's always time to turn it around. Spread the Christmas love!

 

[iapetus]

When a child first learns that there is no such thing as Santa Clause.

Shouldn't there be spoiler tags on that one?

 

[belgurdo]

Shouldn't there be spoiler tags on that one?

Santa's dead; they found pieces of him in a serial killer's freezer in 1980

The rest he gave out as stocking stuffers to his coworkers

 

[DJ Sl4m]

Shouldn't there be spoiler tags on that one?

:lol
Wasn't has a casualty in Valusia ?

 

[Ghost]

I believe it was when my mum and dad went to fucking india to spend christmas (and new year) with their friends and left me at home to spend christmas by myself. So yeah, last week.


Worst.Christmas.ever.

 

[Lemurnator]

When your daddy gets drunk and hits your mommy and then walks out the front door and you never see him again and then you're poor and you don't get presents or even a decent meal from that day forward even though mom works 2 jobs, one at the videostore and another that she won't tell us.

 

[Crow]

I believe it was when my mum and dad went to fucking india to spend christmas (and new year) with their friends and left me at home to spend christmas by myself. So yeah, last week.


Worst.Christmas.ever.

ouch, that's harsh

 

[Dsal]

It happens when you grow up and figure out that the orgy of selfishness is lame, and that it's more about hanging out with your relatives and having fun than getting a bunch of toys. It will always be about that for the kids tho'.

Not to mention that you can buy yourself whatever you want when you have a real job and not at the mercy of your parents' discretions.

My wife and I have decided to limit our xmas budget for each other a lot this year. We used to go overboard, but did we really need all that stuff? No. Not to mention that as an adult most of what you put on your xmas list is just stuff that you kind of need but didn't want or need enough to get yourself. Therefore you didn't really need it much did you? Not so magical

 

[Dice]

Let's see...

-When I stopped being captivated by the wonderment of cartoon specials
-When I started hearing about it around halloween
-When I stopped liking materialism
-When I realized that kindness and generosity ("The Spirit of Christmas") should be practiced year-round
-When my parents got divorced and it's now awkwardly shared with my dad, mom and her boyfriend

Those will do for now, but I'd say an emphasis on the fourth one. I have little mind for special days, I try to live each day special and in best heart that I can.

 

[MetatronM]

This is the first year that I'm really not feeling the whole Christmas vibe. Maybe that's because we didn't get any snow until last night (which was gone by morning), and finals still aren't over.

Whoever decided that they should push back finals to Christmas week this year deserves to be castrated. Jackasses taking all the fun out of the season.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

When your daddy gets drunk and hits your mommy and then walks out the front door and you never see him again and then you're poor and you don't get presents or even a decent meal from that day forward even though mom works 2 jobs, one at the videostore and another that she won't tell us.

well, that about wraps up Xmas for me!

 

[Memles]

"You can never leave the magic!" - Gobo Fraggle in the final episode of Fraggle Rock, Change of Address.

As long as there is no single event that ruins Christmas together, the spirit of Christmas still exists. It is simply up to you to find it...in your heart/soul/miscellaneous object.

 

[Deg]

I realize as you get older Christmas becomes less and less about receiving gifts and more about going broke buying them and intoxicating one's self in hopes of avoiding depression. But dammit, there was a time in life when we once really looked forward to Christmas - when it was this magical day beyond compare. I think the last time I felt that way was probably the year the Nintendo 64 debuted and my brother and I received one for Christmas. As I played Mario 64 I thought to myself 'life and gaming can never get better than this'. While I have certainly had moments in life that surpassed the greatness that is Mario 64, part of me still thinks the gaming side of that statement remains true. Granted, that giddy side was still sort of there when I picked up my X-Box and a copy of Halo, but nowhere near the same.

So GAF, when did Christmas lose its sacredness for you? Perhaps for some it was never anything wonderful, perhaps for some it still is. Meanwhile, be sure to raise a glass of the ole' Egg Nog for me while I feign interest in family I haven't seen for months whilst sneaking in a little Minish Cap on my GBA while hiding out in the bathroom. Praise Jebus!

Nice avatar

For me christmas isnt that special. I just enjoy it and move on.

 

[J2 Cool]

for me it was a huge deal, then you hear the santa stuff and it loses the magic, and for me anyway it regains it when you get older. It's a fun time of the year still imo.

 

[Deg]

for me it was a huge deal, then you hear the santa stuff and it loses the magic, and for me anyway it regains it when you get older. It's a fun time of the year still imo.

yeah i enjoy it. this year has been poor however. I havent had time for anything. Never got into the spirit i guess. Just relaxing

 

[Mama Smurf]

I still really enjoyed Christmas when I was 19 (like I was last Christmas), but this year I'm alone and find I don't give a crap about it.

Strangely I don't much care about the lack of excitement.

 

[Gantz]

Buying presents for people is a big hassel and if you forget someone, they get pissed. So I buy presents only for myself and send out cards to everyone else.

 

[Gibbo]

I guess it has to be about 10-12 years ago, when relatives started giving me money instead of buying presents. It really takes the excitement out of the whole occasion I feel... I missed the days when I ripped open the wrapper to find a Fortress Maximus or Castle Greyskull Christmas is almost non-existant to me now since we stopped inviting our relatives to our house for buffets 4 years ago. Only the church service and decorations downtown serves as a reminder for a once cherished event

 

[Escape Goat]

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love

 

[TheQueen'sOwn]

When I started reading this thread ....

 

[Fatghost]

Christmas is always special to me.

 

[Pachinko]

Xmas lost most of it's magic as soon as I had to start working and thus had to buy gifts for other people all the time as well. That's only half of it though, it's moreso that the spirit of gift giving/recieving seems utterly pointless to me most of the time, instead of sharing gifts when we are all adults we should just keep our money and buy stuff for ourselves... something, I might add that I do anyway.

To me it's the worst feeling knowing a relative is so broke that they can't buy any Xmas gifts becuase then I feel bad even buying something, they feel bad that can't get me anything and well yeah.


The only part of Xmas I do like is Xmas dinner.

 

[Whimsical Phil]

Christmas lost its magic at the exact same moment when this happened...

 

[tedtropy]

When I started reading this thread ....

Cheer up now, there's still alot of people out there that love Christmas. For me, it's just kind of become a reflection on the crappier aspects of my life. Part of me hates the holiday, then another part feels regreatful, as though I've let something slip through my fingers another year. I don't get it...

 

[Gorgie]

I think it lost its magic when I started making money for myself and buy stuff I wanted whenever I wanted. When I was kid, only Christmas and my birthday were the only time to get new shiny stuff.

Besides, when you get older, your wishes get much more expensive so chances of getting them are slim, so you can't get over excited on Christmas Eve.

 

[MC Safety]

I think it started to lose its luster when greedy toy companies decided to manufacture shortages of their toys to create a frenzy.

It's not enough to have the hottest toy out there. Now, the hottest toy has to be the most unattainable, too.

You telling me it's a coincidence every year the news media runs stories on frantic shoppers trying to get some elusive present for children? That there was no way on earth, say, Coleco couldn't have cranked out more Cabbage Patch Kids or whoever made those hideous Tickle Me Elmos couldn't have responded to the (pardon me) frothing demand?

And now, Nintendo. How could it have possibly forseen that people might want its new console for Christmas?

Preying on children for the sake of hype and free advertising is pretty damn low.

Ho, ho, ho.

 

[Triumph]

I think it started to lose its luster when greedy toy companies decided to manufacture shortages of their toys to create a frenzy.

It's not enough to have the hottest toy out there. Now, the hottest toy has to be the most unattainable, too.

You telling me it's a coincidence every year the news media runs stories on frantic shoppers trying to get some elusive present for children? That there was no way on earth, say, Coleco couldn't have cranked out more Cabbage Patch Kids or whoever made those hideous Tickle Me Elmos couldn't have responded to the (pardon me) frothing demand?

And now, Nintendo. How could it have possibly forseen that people might want its new console for Christmas?

Preying on children for the sake of hype and free advertising is pretty damn low.

Ho, ho, ho.

This is why there should be a season every year where it is legal to hunt, kill, skin and eat members of the media.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

It's never lost it's magic for me, it's just when you grow up you don't have as much free time to enjoy it. To combat this, I bought a handful of movies that are on around Christmastime (Jason and the Argonauts, Scrooge (the musical one), Ghostbusters, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, A Christmas Story, Trading Places etc...) and watch them when I want to. It helps to have my Walt Disney Christmas Album on cassette which I've been listening to since...oh before you were born (/obi-wan)
So I settle down with a hot mince pie with brandy cream, a glass of Baileys watching a good movie and I'm there.

 

[dem]

When the Sears Wishbook got full of lame toys for little kids =P



Btw.. you people saying "When I found out about Santa"... how fucking old were you when you found out?? :lol I cant remember a Christmas where I didnt know. I certainly knew before kindergarten...

 

[Folder]

Christmas in England is shit.
This year I'm spending it in Americaland with my new American family.
Any tips?

 

[Meatpuppet]

Hasn't yet.

Really looking forward to it this year. Not sure what I'm getting (always the best way to have it), and I got some really good gifts for my family, as I was a stingy bastard for the past few months to ensure I had some extra disposable cash.

4 days to go!

EDIT: If you can watch the flying sequence in The Snowman, and feel nothing, you officially lack a soul.

 

[dem]

Just to add..

I dont really care about Christmas day anymore, but I still like the season. I like buying things for other people. I like hanging out with friends I havent seen in a long while. I like going out and partying as hard as possible on New Years. Sure I aint getting up at 5 in the morning to unwrap a Sega Genesis.. but I have a good time all the same.