[OakSmokeMJA]

http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/


I see a lot of irony in this cartoon. Maybe from time to time I'll post some of the thought provoking cartoons I run across with a link to the site. What do you guys think?

this is the first non consuming Christmas for our family, I mean we can't afford all the nice huge trees in our house and lights and the stress of "what do I get him or her" and get out of debt at the same time, (besides I'd rather pay for college and have the internet to talk to you wonderful people. )
We are however going to be with family this holiday season, and to me that is what is important and what I want my daughter to experience.

Seasons Greetings from the Oaks
:slaugh:

[superface13]

That's pretty much my Christmas this year. Business is worse than in the toilet, so I've been substitute teaching. Only problem is that I won't get paid for that until the 10th of January. So far I've spent $50 on my kids this Christmas. If it wasn't for my awesome friends and family my kids would be hating it. All I want for Christmas is for my kids to have a good Christmas....and they will, so I'm good

[Jeffster]

Posting thought provoking cartoons from time to time sounds like a great idea, Oakey, and this first one of yours fits the bill.

Personally, I think that the gift giving part of this holiday season is way too over done. To me, it should be less about the exchange of material goods, and more about nourishing the loving, caring spirit that is in all of us. And in that sense, I wish every day could be like Christmas for us all.

[stealthviper]

I'm with you guys. I have been flush and I have been broke, and even though it's nice to spend a lot of money on family, I'd rather donate to a food bank.

We were on food stamps and unemployment for a couple of months this year, and really appreciate what some families and single folks are going through now. We will probably spend $30 or so on each other, mostly socks and underwear, no tree, and mostly donations to outfits like WAMM and the local food bank with whatever we have.

I have ranted against the commercialization of Christmas for some time now. For one, the date is a Pagan holiday (Winter Solstice), and it is likely that the real birth date if Jesus is more like March. Second, the Retail Model which says that 40% of sales/profits are made in the last quarter of the year (Christmas), is broken beyond repair and needs to be changed. I feel bad for those folks in retail sales, since a lot of them will be looking for new jobs soon. Retailers need to look for a new way, one that stabilizes sales throughout the year.

I don't expect anything to change very quickly, since society as a whole is resistant, but perhaps we can escape the vicious cycle of commercialization in the near future......

Happy Solstice, everybody!:partysmile:

[OakSmokeMJA]

Originally Posted by superface13

That's pretty much my Christmas this year. Business is worse than in the toilet, so I've been substitute teaching. Only problem is that I won't get paid for that until the 10th of January. So far I've spent $50 on my kids this Christmas. If it wasn't for my awesome friends and family my kids would be hating it. All I want for Christmas is for my kids to have a good Christmas....and they will, so I'm good

I'm sure your kids are understanding of our times as I can tell you are an intelligent and caring person. Besides, the good sales happen after New Years anyway.
:slaugh:

Originally Posted by Jeffster

Posting thought provoking cartoons from time to time sounds like a great idea, Oakey, and this first one of yours fits the bill.

Personally, I think that the gift giving part of this holiday season is way too over done. To me, it should be less about the exchange of material goods, and more about nourishing the loving, caring spirit that is in all of us. And in that sense, I wish every day could be like Christmas for us all.

Jeffster, you embody the spirit on WT that keeps me posting, and I can't wait for the day I can meet you personally. Happy holidays friend.

Originally Posted by stealthviper

I'm with you guys. I have been flush and I have been broke, and even though it's nice to spend a lot of money on family, I'd rather donate to a food bank.

We were on food stamps and unemployment for a couple of months this year, and really appreciate what some families and single folks are going through now. We will probably spend $30 or so on each other, mostly socks and underwear, no tree, and mostly donations to outfits like WAMM and the local food bank with whatever we have.

I have ranted against the commercialization of Christmas for some time now. For one, the date is a Pagan holiday (Winter Solstice), and it is likely that the real birth date if Jesus is more like March. Second, the Retail Model which says that 40% of sales/profits are made in the last quarter of the year (Christmas), is broken beyond repair and needs to be changed. I feel bad for those folks in retail sales, since a lot of them will be looking for new jobs soon. Retailers need to look for a new way, one that stabilizes sales throughout the year.

I don't expect anything to change very quickly, since society as a whole is resistant, but perhaps we can escape the vicious cycle of commercialization in the near future......

Happy Solstice, everybody!

Stealthviper, your post is touching and shares a common theme among my family and friends nowadays (living paycheck to paycheck). I hope your situation gets better in the near future.

You're exactly right about the commercialization of Christmas. It's out of control and it's all geared to get us consuming. Terms such as "Black Friday" have herded us all to the malls after Thanksgiving at 4am to get a % off of the year's newest gizmo (or stampeded over and killed if you have to work at Wallmart).