And it's time once again for my annual Christmas rant.
You can review my past rants here and here, which are of course just as relevant this year as they were when they were written!
This year has of course been slightly different in two respects, one, the arrival of my daughter (which has had less of an impact on the holiday season than you would imagine) and two, the cancelling of our cable earlier this year.
The lack of cable proved to be significant in this respect... namely, it has cut us off almost entirely from the media, which at this time of year, goes into a nitro fueled holiday frenzy. In the lead up to Christmas, I'm finding that without the usual advertising* and holiday specials being beamed into our home on a nightly basis (and my brain's ability to go into "screen-saver" mode at the first hint of an advertisement), plus with my exposure to shops** being extremely limited, Christmas has really just sort of sneaked up on us this year.
It's a very refreshing experience and I highly recommend it to all.
Of course, being away on parental leave has also contributed to this peaceful easing into the holidays. I haven't had to deal with the mindless daily questions regarding my Christmas shopping status, or my plans for the holidays.
People don't like hearing my answers anyway (I have to wonder why they keep asking), but for the record: I completed what little shopping I do weeks ago because I'm not a disorganized twit bent on spending away my retirement fund on an unsustainable annual consumerist spree, and I plan to close all the blinds and spend the holidays in my pajamas building blocks with my daughter.
Humbug!
I also have the perfect excuse for avoiding all sorts of holiday obligations (including the dreaded company potluck.... I'll need to make an amendment to my official Avoiding Potluck Excuses List) which I plan on milking at every opportunity for years to come: "I'm sorry I cannot attend your (insert holiday function here) because my daughter is experiencing (insert interesting and descriptive malady here). I find illnesses that include detailed descriptions as to the consistency and the frequency of her fecal matter to be most effective.
I'm very tempted to stick a little Santa hat and suit on one of her daily deliveries and take a picture of it. Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo is still my favourite holiday character.
Howdy Ho!
*I have encountered one holiday advertisement, purely by accident and that's the one Sainsbury's produced. It details the Christmas Truce of WWI in 1914. While I would suggest watching it just for the attention to detail and the great production value, it does leave you feeling like you've just been buggered by one of Santa's elves.
** I was recently at the mall (The Early Years Centre, which I take my daughter to weekly is unfortunately located at the mall. Fortunately, it's just next to the parking garage, so my exposure to the rest of the place is extremely limited.) Anyway, while I was there, I saw that they are now charging for pictures with the mall Santa, and banning you from taking your own. Now, I've never been accused of having any holiday spirit, but even I have to say that's pretty low.
You can review my past rants here and here, which are of course just as relevant this year as they were when they were written!
This year has of course been slightly different in two respects, one, the arrival of my daughter (which has had less of an impact on the holiday season than you would imagine) and two, the cancelling of our cable earlier this year.
The lack of cable proved to be significant in this respect... namely, it has cut us off almost entirely from the media, which at this time of year, goes into a nitro fueled holiday frenzy. In the lead up to Christmas, I'm finding that without the usual advertising* and holiday specials being beamed into our home on a nightly basis (and my brain's ability to go into "screen-saver" mode at the first hint of an advertisement), plus with my exposure to shops** being extremely limited, Christmas has really just sort of sneaked up on us this year.
It's a very refreshing experience and I highly recommend it to all.
Of course, being away on parental leave has also contributed to this peaceful easing into the holidays. I haven't had to deal with the mindless daily questions regarding my Christmas shopping status, or my plans for the holidays.
People don't like hearing my answers anyway (I have to wonder why they keep asking), but for the record: I completed what little shopping I do weeks ago because I'm not a disorganized twit bent on spending away my retirement fund on an unsustainable annual consumerist spree, and I plan to close all the blinds and spend the holidays in my pajamas building blocks with my daughter.
Humbug!
I also have the perfect excuse for avoiding all sorts of holiday obligations (including the dreaded company potluck.... I'll need to make an amendment to my official Avoiding Potluck Excuses List) which I plan on milking at every opportunity for years to come: "I'm sorry I cannot attend your (insert holiday function here) because my daughter is experiencing (insert interesting and descriptive malady here). I find illnesses that include detailed descriptions as to the consistency and the frequency of her fecal matter to be most effective.I'm very tempted to stick a little Santa hat and suit on one of her daily deliveries and take a picture of it. Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo is still my favourite holiday character.
Howdy Ho!
*I have encountered one holiday advertisement, purely by accident and that's the one Sainsbury's produced. It details the Christmas Truce of WWI in 1914. While I would suggest watching it just for the attention to detail and the great production value, it does leave you feeling like you've just been buggered by one of Santa's elves.
** I was recently at the mall (The Early Years Centre, which I take my daughter to weekly is unfortunately located at the mall. Fortunately, it's just next to the parking garage, so my exposure to the rest of the place is extremely limited.) Anyway, while I was there, I saw that they are now charging for pictures with the mall Santa, and banning you from taking your own. Now, I've never been accused of having any holiday spirit, but even I have to say that's pretty low.
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