Exposing the Humbugs at Christmastime

Have you gotten the idea that I love Christmas? Yes? You’ve probably also picked up that I’m not terribly politically correct about it, too. So beware, if being politically correct is important to you, you may not wish to continue while I am exposing the humbugs. *smile*

Exposing the Humbugs

Could there be anything worse than those who take out of spite or greed or stupidity? Still, we need to be aware that sometimes you do need to look a gift horse in the mouth. Please read The 12 scams of Christmas.

According to economist friends of Dan Ariely in this Wall Street Journal article, gift giving is irrational. Read his article Is it Irrational to Give Christmas Gifts? In my humble opinion, it is irrational to try to rationalize the idea of giving gifts! What do you think? Should you give rational Christmas gifts?

This next article is along the same lines, but more from the psychoanalytical arena. “‘Giving is almost more about the giver’ than it is about the recipient, says Tina Lowrey, a professor of marketing at the University of Texas-San Antonio who has studied gift-giving behavior.” She also ranks gift-giving into the following categories:
Procrastinator-worrier, Planner, Practical Giver, Do-Gooder, or Perfect Gift Giver?

What about you? What kind of gift giver are you? Does it really matter? If you are buying gifts in the spirit of Christmas, to give, to remember, to connect, then the recipient should rejoice.

Yes, I’ve gotten my fair share of things I would never have bought myself. Check it out, there actually is an Ugly Sweater Store.

Even so, as long as the giver’s heart is in the right place, say a most sincere thank you. The giver has given time, effort and money to gift you and to share a joyous season with you. That is the gift you appreciate and give thanks for.

Even Churches

Of course, we can’t point fingers at non-believers as grinches when even two churches can get into a debate about Christmas sentiments. Apparently, only Catholic Dogs Go to Heaven.

The biggest humbugs of all are those that insist on political correctness. Is it really degrading your religion, or lack thereof, if someone wishes you a Merry Christmas? This example of a politically correct Twas The Night Before Christmas demonstrates the absurdity of taking political correctness too far.

Restoring Sanity

Fortunately, I am not alone in my quest to restore a little sanity to Christmas.

In The Twelve Blogs of Christmas, each participant took on a different way to discuss Christmas: books, cookies, music, movies, Christmas toys, holiday foods, Christmas faux pas; decorations, Christmas memories. These posts are a lot of fun. You’ll find one here.

Even a redneck like Larry the Cable Guy understands political correctness can go too far. Listen to him read Twas the Night Before a Non-denominational Holiday formerly known as the Night before Christmas

Are there Humbugs in your life? Let me know, I’ll help you expose them, for once exposed they lose power to influence your Christmas.

I hope you had fun thinking about the absurdities that can accompany Christmas.

Christmas is about so much more than the absurdities. It’s more than the sights.

My Christmas wish is that everyone has a Linus in their life who can explain:

That IS what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Merry Christmas,
EVERYONE, even the Humbugs!

Exposing the Humbugs has been brought to you in the spirit of Christmas.

Bah Humbug image courtesy of Capsun Poe at Flickr.com