'A poem on banning Christmas presents' blog discussion

Former_MSE_Lawrence

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "A poem on banning Christmas presents" Blog.

Please click reply to discuss below.

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penny123_2

An excellent piece of poetry that says it all, wish I had his talent, and no I am not a bah humbug kind of person, too many kids in the family that we make the magic for but one who also feels that christmas is now all about what we spend on each other and not what we mean to each other.

max2002ad

Fantastic !!
The whole arguement set out in one piece of poetry!!

Will he become the offical moneysaving poet Laureate??
He has my vote !!

Piku

What's wrong with being a scrooge? At least in the end he brought a poor family happiness through putting food on their plates and showing kindness, generosity, and compassion. He didn't just buy them a xbox 360 and be done with it.

Churchmouse

What's wrong with being a scrooge is that he worshipped money, and it was only at the end, when he realised money is a means to an end, and spent it, that misery was relieved I like to get best value for my money, but I don't worship at it's altar :rolleyes:

ollyish

Though I agree with Martin's view of Christmas, I do find MSE being hypocritical. Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the picture of Martin in the MSE banner wear a poppy (fair enough) and then for Halloween, dressed as a witch.

As with Christmas there is a growing number of people who see Halloween as becoming a commercial enterprise.

After all this talk Scooge talk, will we see the picture of Martin in the banner, with a Santa outfit during Xmas ?

MSE_Martin

ollyish wrote: »

Though I agree with Martin's view of Christmas, I do find MSE being hypocritical. Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the picture of Martin in the MSE banner wear a poppy (fair enough) and then for Halloween, dressed as a witch.

As with Christmas there is a growing number of people who see Halloween as becoming a commercial enterprise.

After all this talk Scooge talk, will we see the picture of Martin in the banner, with a Santa outfit during Xmas ?

Hi Im slightly surprised by this interpretation - the whole point is that Christmas (or Eid or Chanucah) can be wonderful - but its not about a retail festival. Certainly MSE will be wishing all its users the greatest of festive greetings - and as we've done before may be making a donation to charity to help - but not buying useless things - no one will use creating an obligation to others to buy back.

Martin

BirdSeed

This poem is great - i've copied into my facebook and sent it to all my friends! Hope they get the message!

ThinkingOfLinking

Well, from reading the original thread in its entirity, as well as this poem, it just goes to show you've only said what a lot of other people (myself included) were thinking. I've also just given a pair of socks to one friend, and a tie to another, I paid 1p for at the M&S event last week; I was upfront about it, and both loved it; one said, "Well, it's the thought that counts, isn't it?" and I knew the socks were needed especially anyway. It's good that you've got people thinking and talking about this, many in time to save them time, money and stress this Christmas.

astevens4

I totally agree with everything thats said - the old statement that christmas is all about family seems to be evaporating.

We always buy gifts for the children of the family - always sturdy and either educational, or long-term fun. Plastic-fantastic is a no-no.

This year our children will be getting Bikes as their main present for both christmas and birthday (their birthdays are both between christmas and new year) - something that will be used and appreciated for some considerable time.

The last couple of years as well as this all the adults get a box containing things made by us, with love and they have ALWAYS been much more appreciated - home made bath salts, soaps, christmas puds, pickled onions, marshmallows and sweets. Gifts given out of love and appreciation - they take more effort to make, but are appreciated SO much more.

Our main christmas spend is always food - we throw a huge spread for the whole family - if you want to spend money at christmas thats where you should spend it.

And finally - christmas should be about making memories of loved ones, not who got what.

And for those wondering - im not an old fuddy-duddy - im a 28 year old married man with 3 children under 6 - age is irrelevant - values are what count.

Tony

beanielou

The poem sums it all up for me.
Thank you Bob