BEAT IT CHRISTMAS!
So generally speaking I am not a big fan of the Christmas holiday. I am totally fine with the fact that for those who are actually connected to the holiday for religious means - that holds great importance. My issue is the OVER abundance of it's hold on contemporary American media/consumer culture is what steams me!!!!
In theory I shouldn't care because I don't actually celebrate any widely celebrated holiday during the season. However I become frustrated because there's no equality amongst holidays in the winter! I would be totally fine with Christmas and the madness that happens for 4 months if we saw Manoras and Kwanzaa decorations all over the place. Also, I'd like to see some Ramadan specials on TV and films about prominent Jewish people during the season and so on!
I myself, am Baha'i so I don't have a holiday (of the gift giving/being extra loving) until the end of February. So in that regards none of these holidays effect me except for the fact that the current state of Hyper-Christmas feels more offensive than loving as an outsider! LETS GET SOME EQUALITY!!! I'd feel so much happier about the ridiculousness of the season!
All that being said, for the sake of honoring my friends that do celebrate winter holidays I give half of my gifts durring this season but under the guise of "Festivus" (see the Seinfeld episode about this made-up holiday!). The bright side of participating this way is to make sure that I don't JUST receive gifts from Christian/Jewish friends but to also reciprocate.
This year my roommate got real hilarious and got me a tshirt with the design from Michael Jackson's jacket from the "Beat It" video! Hilarious! So on that note...I share this excellent video from the King of Pop!