X-Mas

I don't celebrate it.

Around this time of year, for obvious reasons, I'm often asked to explain why I'm abstaining from the gift-giving tradition, so for easy reference, I've uploaded a convenient explanation right here!



It's not just because I'm not X-ian; The holiday really has nothing to do with Jesus X anyway. Also, I'm not suggesting that we should boycott our family gatherings or the 'holiday cheer' which allegedly brightens the season. I just think people would be more cheerful if they weren't so stressed about wasting time and resources on purchases without purposes. It's painful to see so many people forced into spending hundreds on what is essentially pre-garbage, because they're bound by tradition.

Furthermore, these practices are often immensely lopsided. Parents have to buy a bunch of stuff for their kids and can't even take credit for it! They have to tell them that it came from some guy who broke into their house while everyone was asleep.

I thought lying to kids was frowned upon.

Anyway, the point is that forced, competitive generosity strikes me as a fairly absurd notion. Can we just give it up?