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I must concur with your thoughts, JP. We are so cushy here in the U.S. We have much to be thankful for and we are thankful for the most part. The commercial form of the upcoming holidays is mainly for kids.

I ran out to a few stores today (just to get water and some more things to spoil my pets! and I just wanted to run away to someplace quiet after only a few minutes. I detest the holiday music playing over the store stereo systems and every stereo everywhere and I detest all the glitz and cheap decorations everywhere... I think holidays should be more private.

I am not celebrating too much this year. One manger and one menorah and THAT'S IT! So much for my $500 beautiful but artificial Christmas tree and all my antique ornaments; they haven't seen the light of day in a few years. But they are not "Christmas" anyway. And no gifts! Everyone gives to animal rescue organizations in my name like in prior years. I am sending supplies and gifts to our military people like in past years.

I do not mean to sound like a grinch, but this is what I am comfortable with. For those with children, I see why it is different and I understand and support them.

As for me, my family wants to disown me again this year when I tell them that I am already sick looking at the Christmas decorations everywhere; that I can't listen to my regular radio station this time of year; and that I again do not want any gifts except donations to animal groups.

I begged my roommate to do the same and not decorate overtly, but he wants to since he has only lived here for about 1 year and he has been looking forward to stringing lights...it's his house, so I told him if he decorated, I would not help him....still, I am hoping he will reconsider.

Thank goodness my current neighbors take their decorations down right after the holiday ends unlike some areas here... It is a somewhat patriotic area though, so at least that is good. Still, I can't wait to leave this area sometime in the New Year.

Oh, and did I say Happy Holidays, JP?!

P.S. Somewhere on FR there is an fantastic annual thread about giving to military members and their families. Gifts and supplies need to be sent by early December. It is a wonderful gesture to make.