We do small gifts between immediate family. So while we don’t have huge Christmases like we used to as kids, we do still do stockings filled with favorite candies, gift cards, and smaller gifts like fuzzy socks, maybe jewelry or just smaller things we think the other person will like. We also do a shopping day where we set an allotted amount and then go buy stuff for each other. So mom and dad buy for each other, and my sister and I buy for each other. We do end up spending a small amount of money on gifts, but it’s become a really fun way to hang out with either mom or dad depending on the year, and then we have stuff to open on Christmas Day that we genuinely have no idea what it is. For me, that special feeling of Christmas as a kid was based on the absolute coolness of the presents my parents would get us and being able to play all day. But now that I’m older, I really just appreciate getting to spend time with everybody. To me, that’s what makes it special. We have lots of little traditions that we do all based around that idea. Plus I love giving gifts so it is genuinely fun for me to try and surprise my sister with stuff she’ll like.

Why was the christian ethic against winter larders? Did they just go hungry?

Nativity crèches are even better when you realize they were started as a tradition by St Francis of Assisi, who was a brilliant communicator and educator. (Maybe someone can correct me)

Whatever feeling you have which I deem sad to me. It's not a math equation, it's a subjective feeling. You feeling bummed out is sad to me. That's all.

I feel like especially for moms. Like once we realized who REALLY made all the magic, and now it's US that has to make the magic, well, it's less magical (obviously not all moms, etc)

No, they aren't, and please explain why you believe they are.

Yes, we are pleased with how it's aging.

Christmas is fucking awful and I hate christmas people.

I think there are a bunch of chapters, right? Used to go to one in Oakland. Thanks for keeping old traditions going!

People need to stop saying “_____ is a society construct” when they don’t know what it means. Just because something is socially constructed doesn’t mean it’s meaningless. Literally just words people say these days to sound intelligent or interesting.

Hyacinths at Christmas? Might I ask whereabouts in the world you are? Here in Romania they're a decidedly spring thing.

We have a celebration here (and in Bulgaria, though I don't know their exact customs) on Mach 1st. Mărțișor. It's to celebrate the end of winter and women get gifted hyacynths, or snowdrops, alongside a two-strand silk thread of white and red. Winter and Life.

Ya know how I can simplify this for everyone?

We are the random numbers that spawn inside PI when exposed to various views but we still exist outside pie we just are not distinguishable to outside observers. 😉

I'm huge into Personal Mythology, which includes talking a lot about cultural and modern mythology. Loving your breakdown of it. Been thinking of doing some casual recorded conversations (podcast) about this kind of thing and having guests come chat.

The feeling of warmth and togetherness gets me.

The aesthetic of trees, lights, holly, and snow is pure bliss.

I know another year is over and I have spring to look forward to.

BING MF CROSBY (and I grew up in Romania, was born at the end of communism) and his fantastic voice.

And more recently I've turned to celebrating in a more pagan way - by hosting dinners on the Solstice.

I just love Christmas, I can't wait to put up my tree! (Putting it up early isn't really a thing here, I might set it up around the 20th, for reference).

To be honest I always felt Christians tainted things with their shit. Every concept not of themselves they destroy.

I'm the same, everything I want I just get myself. There are a few people (mostly my mom) who can get me gifts I wouldn't think of but actually want and I appreciate that.

But for the past few years I've told everyone don't get me anything and if you really really want to anyway, donate to a charity from a list of ones that I like. Makes me feel good, makes them feel good, and satisfies the "I paid money for something for you" quota for the Christmas season.

>Revels

Bro. I'm IN the Christmas Revels. It's going on now. Go buy tickets.

Anyone need a snapping turtle

yep. worst holiday/season by far. sucks for people who don’t dig capitalism (spend all your money on gifts or no one will like you!), don’t have a good family, and it makes seasonal depression literally so much worse because you get gaslighted for not being in the holiday spirit lmao. actually, bethany, the sun won’t come out anymore, my family hates me, i’m broke, and now it’s fucking SNOWING

What do you mean by “radically changing?”

>Not to be pedantic but it is impossible to repeat the past.

Well, sure, that's why I framed it as "recreation" of the past (or maybe "reproduction").

Whatever you want to call the conservative force that keeps keeps society from radically changing.

I would say that there is always change, not that there can be change. As long as there is motion there is change.

Not to be pedantic but it is impossible to repeat the past. We can experience things that bear a resemblance with the past. There can be behavioral patterns that act in a particular way that is shared among all humans but the manifestation of that behavior and the results of are unique to that point in time.

Remakes while I agree are a bit to repetitive or redundant for my liking, are new and different. Like Heraclitus said about not being able to step in the same river twice. The perceived lack of difference is dependent on the scale of the examination. The complaint of Sisyphean repetition can just speak to a jadedness or hedonistic dulling.

Me.And used to love it lol.Apart from learning it's same as saturnalia, I lost everyone I cared and became immune to any mental mass activity.

it's a pretty wistful time of year tbf

My Christmas feeling is dread and anxiety and existential ennui.