Grinchmas revisited
November 4, 2010 at 4:54 PM So I've typed up this entry once before and it was near perfect. And then it got eaten. I didn't cry but I probably made a snarly face because I know I won't be able to recreate that exact post again. So here's a half-assed attempt to make the same point, less eloquently. I'll spare you the snarly face.
I think my context is just different than that of the "I want a Wii" angel-tree-kids. Growing up, I never knew what the money situation was; my parents did an excellent job of keeping us out of that. I didn't want for much, but I didn't get everything immediately either. I was not a Veruca Salt. My parents tried to teach us the value of stuff. While I don't remember it, I apparently left my new bigwheel in the front yard and it was swiped. My parents didn't replace it because they'd told me not to leave it out there. Fair enough. I probably threw a fit at the time, but as I don't remember a lick of it now, I think we're all good.
Anyhoo, my parents were fine with letting me know when I was being Veruca Salt and asking for expensive stuff. I knew that if a family friend or grandparents wanted a small want-list for a birthday or xmas, that even if I did include that insane Barbie Dream House that I coveted so, I also knew to include smaller, more reasonable items. (And between you and me and the angel-tree, I don't have that Barbie Dream House anymore, but I still have my Grumpy Bear Care Bear.)
Thusly, I find it inappropriate for children to ask for only high-ticket items. From strangers, from parents, from anyone, I just find it inappropriate to imply that anything less than a $200+ gaming system is unwanted. Surely there are other things that may bring about a smile without spending that much money. Do you know how much candy (or drugs) $200 can buy?!
As far as my Grinchitude regarding obligatory holiday charity, I just feel that being all "Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men" for a month doesn't negate whatever assholery was practiced for the previous eleven months. Stop trying to play cheerier than thou, charity-ier than thou, festiver than thou. Put your spirit where your mouth is and just be a good person all twelve months of the year.
And for the love of all things holy, do not decorate your motherfucking car with a rudolph nose and antlers.
Grinchmas, bitch bitch bitch, holidays
Reader Comments (5)
Amen! You know what irritates me even more is that at Xmas everyone is all about the children...well what about the older generations? The ones in nursing homes that have no family? The people that the current population essentially "forget" when it comes to Xmas....people need to get over them selves and do what is right instead of what makes them look good.
I can't comment cuz I have to go back to WalMart to return the Rudolf nose and antlers I just put on my car............... (But I do love reading all the comments this subject drew forth!)
Seriously. I got a flyer in the mail for purple heart or some shit, for donations for our troops. Ok, fine. I'll donate to the troops. That I have no problem with, but as for TV's and electronics, they only accepted high ticket items. I.E. only flat screens, etc. WTF? I have a perfectly good Sony Trinitron that I never watch. It's in pristine condition, but no one wants the fucking thing because it's not modern? I refuse to donate anymore, because people aren't going to be grateful, they don't get anything at all.
And Mama, really, just keep the antlers for your car. Add some Christmas lights (blinky ones, you know to attract more attention) and pick Sarah up and take her out for a nice little joy ride)
I don't see why these kids are jerks for asking for expensive things. They aren't normal kids like you and I were. They're kids who haven't had anything. It's sorta like being starving your entire life. Someone finally offers to make you a good meal. Do you request ramen noodles, or do you request steak and potatoes? And then if you request steak and potatoes, you're supposed to feel bad for requesting something expensive, even though you've been starving for a decade? That just doesn't add up for me. I figure, ask for the damn steak and potatoes, and if someone says, "No, I can only afford ramen noodles," then I'll eat the ramen instead... but at least I TRIED for the steak.
Natlie - The jerkiness comes from only putting one item on your list and it's a very expensive item at that....be kind to those who would be kind to you...many of us who donate to charities are one accident away from poverty, we don't all have huge bank accounts and maybe we would like to contribute by at least being able to give something they ask for instead of ignoring that particular angel card because of the big ticket item