The post whore thread.

[HoneyBadger]

Christmas hasn't started. We're still in Advent. Christmastide starts on Christmas. The world is stupid and in many ways this Christmas decorations up day after Thanksgiving is what makes the actual day lacking a special character for many. To turn an old phrase, "True Christmas Waits".

[Dave]

Have you ever written a long and thoughtful post, and then decided... fuck it, nobody cares what you think?

A few times a week on this site alone.

[CS1983]

For those who practice the faith. For others such as myself, we believe the gift of giving is not something one does based on a calendar.

Not to take away the spirit and celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. It's not something everyone does.

That's not true unless you give birthday gifts randomly also, anniversary gifts when it's not an anniversary (well, unless you celebrate the 3rd week anniversary of the time insignificant event X occurred, like a 15 year old with puppy love [it's the 3rd week anniversary of the time we went to IHOP for the first time!! *gush gush/fluttering eyelids*]), condolence cards for deaths when no one has died [ On this 7 month and 3 day anniversary of Jimmy's death, I send my condolences"... wut?], random giant spreads of Turkey, etc. when it's not Thanksgiving, etc. There is no problem with giving anyone anything at any time of the year, but the practice of giving gifts at Christmas stems from the tradition of the Wise Men giving the gifts which prefigured the life of Christ (Gold for Kingship, Frankincense for Priesthood, Myrrh for Crucifixion/body preparation). However, the fact remains that it's absurd to celebrate something before its appointed time, as it denigrates the appointed time. Your objection is thus a strawman, as no one said anything about gift-giving per se (for example, St. Nicholas day, kids traditionally get little chocolate coins placed in their shoes; on other Feast days of particular saints, and/or of those associated with Our Lord, other things occur including gifts -- on 7 October, it's common to have croissants to celebrate the victory of the Holy Roman Empire over the Ottoman Turks at Lepanto in honor of the victory, which was indeed religious in nature). Please don't mistake my reply. I'm not trying to bash you over the head, it's just absurd to say "this good thing isn't dictated to me by a calendar" when every cyclically celebrated good thing is dictated by a calendar, including secular things.

[Irving]

Is it okay to prepare early for the event? Hanging lights early is probably done more out of convenience than celebration.

[Great-Kazoo]

That's not true unless you give birthday gifts randomly also, anniversary gifts when it's not an anniversary (well, unless you celebrate the 3rd week anniversary of the time insignificant event X occurred, like a 15 year old with puppy love [it's the 3rd week anniversary of the time we went to IHOP for the first time!! *gush gush/fluttering eyelids*]), condolence cards for deaths when no one has died [ On this 7 month and 3 day anniversary of Jimmy's death, I send my condolences"... wut?], random giant spreads of Turkey, etc. when it's not Thanksgiving, etc. There is no problem with giving anyone anything at any time of the year, but the practice of giving gifts at Christmas stems from the tradition of the Wise Men giving the gifts which prefigured the life of Christ (Gold for Kingship, Frankincense for Priesthood, Myrrh for Crucifixion/body preparation). However, the fact remains that it's absurd to celebrate something before its appointed time, as it denigrates the appointed time. Your objection is thus a strawman, as no one said anything about gift-giving per se (for example, St. Nicholas day, kids traditionally get little chocolate coins placed in their shoes; on other Feast days of particular saints, and/or of those associated with Our Lord, other things occur including gifts -- on 7 October, it's common to have croissants to celebrate the victory of the Holy Roman Empire over the Ottoman Turks at Lepanto in honor of the victory, which was indeed religious in nature). Please don't mistake my reply. I'm not trying to bash you over the head, it's just absurd to say "this good thing isn't dictated to me by a calendar" when every cyclically celebrated good thing is dictated by a calendar, including secular things.

That was the gist of my reply. It's also a Holiday we do not celebrate with kids grown, family no longer with us, etc.
We also do not denigrate or look down upon those who share the birth of Jesus , his crucifixion and resurrection . It's ones belief in spirit and mind that counts.
I don't need to give a "gift " to my spouse on Christmas to tell her i love or thinking about her.

It's not giving gifts on b-days, anniversaries etc. It's the thought of giving / donating when one can.

Having been blessed with help & assistance when we were down over our life time, has allowed us to return it.
To us that is the Spirit of Giving. It's also done not for reward or recognition, just something we do when possible. You'll never see a plaque with our names on it. BUT... our names will be remembered in peoples hearts & minds.

[Erni]

Have you ever written a long and thoughtful post, and then decided... fuck it, nobody cares what you think?

I was going to reply but... eh.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Heya, guys... what's happnin?

[OtterbatHellcat]

Brutal........I always care what you think, ya prick.

Heck, I care about ya....lol

[OtterbatHellcat]

Not that you ever asked me to go on your fancy boat or anything like that, but you're a good guy and I know that....

[Great-Kazoo]

Heya, guys... what's happnin?

Read an article how whole foods is working with food trucks and other start up food related business to help promote them.