Anyhow, these are posts where I take a little time to gather some items of interest I have seen during the holiday season to share with my four readers, mainly for entertainment. I always like to start looking at holiday traditions, manners, and other miscellany.
Traditions/Manners
A look at some of the traditions, manners, and etiquette of the season
- The U.S. Census Bureau has their Facts for Features for the 2019 Holiday Season. I always find these fact tidbits to be interesting. For example, did you know that $1.9 billion is value of U.S. imports of Christmas ornaments from China for 2018. China led the way with 92.7% of the U.S. total imports of Christmas ornaments? Check the link for that and more.
- Check what the Christmas Price Index (the cost of the items in the "12 Days of Christmas" song) is this year via PNC. This I admit is interesting but not as good. They used to do a nice video and now they just put some art with graphics and numbers. Interesting, but not as nice in my opinion. However, they do provide a graph to compare the index over the years.
- With the Bad Economy in full swing, plus for other reasons, many families and folks now are aiming to have are choosing not to have gifts for the holidays. I know that at home we are doing our best to keep gift giving as modest as possible. According to the article, this can lead to "less stress, less money spent, and less waste," and those are pretty good things. Story via Dusty Old Thing.
- If you still want to give gifts, or you want to give a little extra, maybe you would consider adopting a letter to Santa from a child in need. 12 Tomatoes highlights the US Postal Services Operation Santa, which now makes these letters that the USPS gets available online for the first time. Note: if you do this, gifts do need to be mailed by December 20th. Do visit the USPS link for details if interested.
- Apparently, for some people, matching holiday season pajamas for the whole family are a thing, and when they say for the whole family, they mean it. You can even get matching pajamas for your dog (or cat I suppose if you can somehow manage to dress the cat). Story via 12 Tomatoes.
- Another tradition that people may or not like is Christmas cards, especially those "cards" that are really bragging newsletters from family. Well, this mom decided to send out a brutally honest Christmas card. Via 12 Tomatoes.
- I do my best to keep politics out of the holiday posts, however, this was too ridiculous not to share it. Naturally, this is in Kentucky where they are having a wrapping paper war. I kid you not. Mitch McConnell's campaign is selling (well, you donate to the campaign $25 and can get some) Santa Mitch wrapping paper. Naturally, the Kentucky Democrats have to meet fire with fire so they are selling their own Moscow Mitch wrapping paper (for a $30 donation). Story via Forward Kentucky. Personally we are sticking to nice things like basic Christmas wrapping paper with things like candy canes, unicorns, Star Wars and My Little Pony.
- Visiting with Santa is often a tradition for many during the holidays. Many families take their children to sit on Santa's lap in places like shopping malls. Now, if you got some serious money to burn, you could try one of these Santa experiences around the world. These are definitely not for the hoi polloi. Story via Departures.
Food and drink
- Need some snacks for your holiday party or gathering? Via 12 Tomatoes, here are some cheese ball recipes you can make and making Christmas Ribbon Jello. Hey, there's always room for Jello.
- Want to drink something different than the usual eggnog? Drinkhacker offers their list of top ten tequilas and mezcals for 2019.
Christmas Tree/ornaments/other objects
Where we look at the holiday tree and related objects and decorations
- The tree:
- Want a unique Christmas tree? How about a rainbow tree or a tree from wine bottles? Stories via 12 Tomatoes. I will say we do drink wine in our home, but we do not save the bottles; this may be something to consider down the road.
- Naturally, libraries all over the U.S. (and parts of the world) are doing the ever popular Christmas tree out of books. I am not linking to anything specific; you can do an online search and find photos galore of this concept.
- Aldi's is selling ceramic trees. Story via Dusty Old Things.
- For Godzilla fans, there is the Treezilla. Story via iHorror.
- Ornaments:
- Via Live Play Eat, here are some unique tree decor ideas. Or if the budget is a bit tight, how about some Dollar Store ornaments and jazzing them up?
- Some folks may want some bookish ornaments, and here are a few via Book Riot.
- Want to put a wreath on the door (or someplace else)? Maybe you could consider making one yourself with some old ornaments and some wire. Via 12 Tomatoes.
Holiday Music
Ah, the holiday music, whether you love it or hate it.
- Via Rolling Stone, there is some overlap which makes one wonder just what makes each list distinctive. Anyhow, you are bound to find something you may like here.
- On the other hand, you may want to avoid these "20 Most Annoying Christmas Songs of All Time." List via The Guardian.
Those Christmas Parties
- Oh yes, the Christmas office party (just how many places still do that nonsense anymore?). Very often you get the image of employees getting drunk and then either saying something stupid (likely to a superior) or doing something that will cause a lawsuit and/or sexual harassment complaint. So, perhaps to avoid that, in states where it is legal, instead of booze you could have a weed bar. Story via The Daily Beast.
Other Holidays Humor
- Story via iHorror, a short film where the Predator massacres Santa's reindeer. If you are fan of the Predator series, you'll likely be amused. I know I was amused.
Wellness and health
We get these lists of advice ideas for dealing with shitty relatives and other assorted assholes over the holidays. To be honest, there are times I wonder why anyone puts themselves through some of the abuse that can happen at some family gatherings. That may also be why these lists seem to be multiplying. So here is a sampling along with other wellness and advice tips for the holiday season.
- VICE offers their "How to Go Home for the Holidays When Your Family is a bit Much" guide. A key question this article offers is knowing why you are going to that gathering, "Why did I spend a month's rent on a plane ticket, again, exactly?" It also suggests that knowing why you are going, say to see some elderly relative who may not be around much longer, may help you focus when that other asshole relative starts driving you up the wall. Also, you have to "realize that some people might not be able to be decent to you." Translation: some assholes will always be assholes, so ask yourself how much you want to deal with them or not, and do take care of yourself.
- If on the other hand, you decide to be a masochist and host people at your house instead, VICE also has you covered with "a Beginner's Guide to Hosting Family for the Holidays Without Melting Down." Highlight here is you are hosting, so DO set rules and boundaries, and be willing to enforce them as need be.
- In another finding that, again, makes me wonder why people go to these gatherings to be miserable (not saying all are like that, but many are), a recent survey found that 1 in 4 people hide in their houses from family during holiday gatherings. Story via 12 Tomatoes. It is a given that you can only put up with family and relatives for only so much before you either hide or strangle them. Since you do not want to be in jail for the holidays, hiding and taking breaks is a better option. I'd also add seriously consider staying in a hotel nearby overnight rather than that host's home. If nothing else, allows you to decompress.
- The Radical Pantheist offers "the Radical's Guide to Surviving Family Holidays." This is good for our pagan friends who certainly face a lot of anxiety and pressure in a season dominated by Christian mainstream that often fails to consider that yes, there ARE other holidays just as important to other people this time of year. Article offers some practice advice including examples for dealing with specific situations from misunderstandings to outright violence.
- Holiday gatherings are also known for the plentiful food. If you happen to suffer from an eating disorder, this can be an issue. Yes! magazine offers "5 tips for surviving the holidays with an eating disorder." With some planning ahead and enlisting some support, this is achievable.
- While we are talking about food, if you are vegetarian/vegan/whatever, good for you. This does not give you the right to be an insufferable asshole or bitch to the rest of us who are not. Do remember your vegetarianism/veganism/alternate food consumption is a choice for the most part, one not everyone is obliged to take. So, acknowledge that and make the holidays easier on you and the rest of us. To help with that, via Paganistan (at Witches and Pagans), here is "my Vegetarianism is not a Judgment on You But. . . " Bottom line: "if you want others to respect your dietary choices, respect theirs."
- High Times offered "7 Ways Pot Can Help You Avoid Family Drama This Thanksgiving." I say this is perfectly applicable to holiday gatherings as well, so I am sharing it here. Do note this can be done IF pot is legal in your state or location. Otherwise, go for it.
- If pot is not an option for your gathering, maybe offer some of your relatives who need to chill a nice cup of hot tea. Lipton may have you covered on this with some offerings of Christmas themed teas. You can even treat yourself to a hot cup of tea like their "dealing with relatives" blend. Story via 12 Tomatoes.
- And if you still have to talk to that obnoxious Republican relative who won't shut up, you could try describing the progressive causes you support in terms even they will understand. Via McSweeney's. Because sometimes you do need to dumb things down for some people.
- Some self care may be in order, so here are "6 Things To Do On Your Winter Break" via Under the Ancient Oaks. These are things you can do other than or in addition to the gatherings you may be committed to attending. Find some time to reflect, do something different, so on.
Thank you for reading and stopping by. Coming up in the series my look at gifts, strange things and other shopping, so stay tuned. As always, comments within reason are always welcome here or via social media.
Happy holidays.
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