christmas question

[thundabutt]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and thought I could seek some answers about Christmas. I have difficulty understanding why we give presents to one another on Christmas day. Why is it Christmas and not every other day? Is there a rule out there that says we should only give Christmas presents on Christmaas day?

this last fourth of July I wrapped up a lego set in Santa wrapping paper for my nephew and gave it him as a gift, and everyone seemed happy about it. Then I thought i was doing well, so I hung a wreath on my apartment door and the local kids for some reason set firecrackers in the center and it burned my apartment door. I was afraid when looking through the eye hole in the door and just watched it burn.

After the fire men put it out they started laughing at me because I was in holiday spirit wearing my elf costume. So, I guess when Macy's has a "Christmas in July" sales drive they don't literally mean celebrating christmas in July. Any way I am confused

 

[Misery]

I have difficulty understanding why we give presents to one another on Christmas day. Why is it Christmas and not every other day? Is there a rule out there that says we should only give Christmas presents on Christmaas day?

This is simply because "giving to others" is the major theme of the holiday... it's pretty much what it's centered around. Every holiday has some sort of theme, really, such as Thanksgiving usually being about feasting and thanking someone for... er... something.

this last fourth of July I wrapped up a lego set in Santa wrapping paper for my nephew and gave it him as a gift, and everyone seemed happy about it. Then I thought i was doing well, so I hung a wreath on my apartment door and the local kids for some reason set firecrackers in the center and it burned my apartment door. I was afraid when looking through the eye hole in the door and just watched it burn.

"Local kids" do things usually because they're badly raised and dumber than a sack of hammers (yeah, I dont really like kids much, can you tell?). I certainly remember being a kid, and most of the kids around me at school always struck me as being phenomenally idiotic.

If you do things that seem "unusual" and there's little rodents like them running around in the area, there's always a rather high chance that they'll take the opportunity to do something mean, because they're a bunch of nasty little snots.

After the fire men put it out they started laughing at me because I was in holiday spirit wearing my elf costume. So, I guess when Macy's has a "Christmas in July" sales drive they don't literally mean celebrating christmas in July. Any way I am confused

Never, ever, EVER take advertising seriously... no matter what. In fact, when dealing with something that a big corporation says... be suspicious, start out with disbelief, and so on. They arent doing what they do for the benefit of the consumer... they do what they do because they want money, and nothing more. The idea of "Christmas in July" is just a way to sell more junk and it wasnt even their idea to begin with, they just saw advertising (read: manipulation) potential in it. But "Christmas in July" just plain doesnt LITERALLY mean "it's time to do the exact holiday again". It just means "hey maybe lets give a couple of gifts" as plenty of families are already doing parties/events/get-togethers at that time of year, so they may as well, in their mind.

And while you may find this confusing, consider this: The evidence of this not REALLY being a copy of that holiday is pretty much everywhere, and spotting this is how you figure this out. Think about it: You dont see Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and so on pretty much anywhere, and Christmas songs are not played. This is your clue that it's not ACTUALLY meant to be "another Christmas". Always examine the situation and the evidence before acting, when dealing with something that confuses you at first. Otherwise, well... you saw what happened.

 

[Crossbreed]

I am new to this forum and thought I could seek some answers about Christmas. I have difficulty understanding why we give presents to one another on Christmas day. Why is it Christmas and not every other day?

Cultural momentum.

 

[disconnected]

I think it’s the pressure of gross consumerism and corporate greed to brainwash the masses that if they don’t go into debt he/she is a bad person.

unfortunately every US holiday has followed this path. It’s all about how much stuff the consumer can buy and how much money is spent.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Ever since I got sick, my daughter and I have always had a little "Christmas in July"- inspired by a sign I saw at a dept store! How's that for monkeywrenching the system?

So, it's like a family togetherness/ bonding kind of time. Usually in May or June, we look at the calendar and pick 2 weeks toward the end of July to just do rad stuff every day, like go out to frozen yogurt, play board games, go swimming, travel somewhere fun for a day trip, maybe we might buy each other a little something at $tree. We sometimes even lightly decorate the house.

During our Christmas In July, errands and appointments are forbidden, other than grocery runs. It's all about devotion to family, and it's a lovely time to just strengthen the ties that bind.

It's one of my favorite holidays!

 

[Gift2humanity]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and thought I could seek some answers about Christmas. I have difficulty understanding why we give presents to one another on Christmas day. Why is it Christmas and not every other day? Is there a rule out there that says we should only give Christmas presents on Christmaas day?

this last fourth of July I wrapped up a lego set in Santa wrapping paper for my nephew and gave it him as a gift, and everyone seemed happy about it. Then I thought i was doing well, so I hung a wreath on my apartment door and the local kids for some reason set firecrackers in the center and it burned my apartment door. I was afraid when looking through the eye hole in the door and just watched it burn.

After the fire men put it out they started laughing at me because I was in holiday spirit wearing my elf costume. So, I guess when Macy's has a "Christmas in July" sales drive they don't literally mean celebrating christmas in July. Any way I am confused

Christmas is a way to make people feel insecure and to control people.
If you are alone it means no one likes you, I remember my sister thinking it weird that people ordered takeaway pizza rather than the family thing.
I think its cobblers.

A lot of the Christmas stuff was taken from the Pagans, Yule, solstice, the log, the tree etc.
We buy presents because it does something to the economy, same with Easter eggs, etc.
We can give gifts out of love on any day, really.

I'm English but I think fourth of July is cobblers too.
I wonder what the Native American Indians think of 4 July?
There's food for thought.

As for thanksgiving, I am surprised that has not come over here to the UK, proms replaced school disco, trick or treat replaced halloween.
I think many poor Americans dread thanksgiving.

Sorry your door was burnt.

I hope the above clears up some confusion, feel free to ask if you have anymore questions.

 

[Aneka]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and thought I could seek some answers about Christmas. I have difficulty understanding why we give presents to one another on Christmas day. Why is it Christmas and not every other day? Is there a rule out there that says we should only give Christmas presents on Christmaas day?

this last fourth of July I wrapped up a lego set in Santa wrapping paper for my nephew and gave it him as a gift, and everyone seemed happy about it. Then I thought i was doing well, so I hung a wreath on my apartment door and the local kids for some reason set firecrackers in the center and it burned my apartment door. I was afraid when looking through the eye hole in the door and just watched it burn.

After the fire men put it out they started laughing at me because I was in holiday spirit wearing my elf costume. So, I guess when Macy's has a "Christmas in July" sales drive they don't literally mean celebrating christmas in July. Any way I am confused

We do some things only one special occasions- because otherwise it wouldn't be special, it would be normal.
So, that is why.

We all need an escape from time to time.

 

[Rasputin]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and thought I could seek some answers about Christmas. I have difficulty understanding why we give presents to one another on Christmas day. Why is it Christmas and not every other day? Is there a rule out there that says we should only give Christmas presents on Christmaas day?

this last fourth of July I wrapped up a lego set in Santa wrapping paper for my nephew and gave it him as a gift, and everyone seemed happy about it. Then I thought i was doing well, so I hung a wreath on my apartment door and the local kids for some reason set firecrackers in the center and it burned my apartment door. I was afraid when looking through the eye hole in the door and just watched it burn.

After the fire men put it out they started laughing at me because I was in holiday spirit wearing my elf costume. So, I guess when Macy's has a "Christmas in July" sales drive they don't literally mean celebrating christmas in July. Any way I am confused

It’s always appropriate anytime you do something nice for people you care about. You don’t need to decorate though. I am sorry about your door and the firemen who laughed. They are just idiots!

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

A lot of the Christmas stuff was taken from the Pagans

There are a few traditions that weren't adopted. Going around with a dead sparrow that one uncovers while singing Pleased to See the King (of winter).

 

[GrownupGirl]

I think it has something to do with the story of the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to Baby Jesus, which are said to be gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Pretty weird gifts for a baby, though. Why not clothes, diapers and toys?

 

[Fino]

For someone who doesn't understand Christmas, you should do get into it!

 

[SusanLR]

All cultures and religions have their beliefs and most do have a set time of the year to celebrate
something that belongs to their group.
Christmas started with the story of the Christ child and the three Maji that followed the spaceship
that led them to find him.
OK, they followed a star per written story.
But, this is what started Christmas day for the followers of Christianity.

As far as the gifts they brought the baby, over 2000 years ago, they probably didn't have baby
clothes as we know them, nor diapers. Maybe a straw doll or something for a toy.
The Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were more symbolic of what you would give a king
for wealth/honour, and blessings.
If the Frankincense and Myrrh were oils, the two mixed together kills pain.
Even today the mix of the two are used as a topical for neuropathy pain.
Could be useful for a baby.

But, that's why Christmas is celebrated once a year. It's a birthday, even though the true
date of the birth isn't really known.