The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
QUESTION: How has Christmastime changed since you were a kid? Do you like it better or worse?
Talk about it….
Much worse… way too commercialized… used to be you wouldn’t dare see Christmas sales or promotions, decorations, etc. before Halloween. Used to almost everyone putting up Christmas lights, decorated trees in the front window, sales people that said Merry Christmas with a smile, free Christmas gift wrapping, more courtesy in shopping centers, etc. – now it’s a free-for-all.
I used to feel that way, about the early promotions, etc., but came to realize that this really does help spread out the costs. It is easier to spread those costs over 3 months instead of 4 weeks. There has also been a trend for more decorated houses compared to several years ago, which is nice to see. Still don’t see much smiling from sales folks, at least not until I say a genuine “Merry Christmas” to them. I bet they miss that too, a casualty of that 2000’s-decade war on Christmas (that I think still goes on in some circles). So, I will give you a smile (as best I can typing in this forum) and wish you a “Merry Christmas!!!”
As a kid/teenager the best part was, I was the one who decorated the tree.
As a mom, it was our daughter and I doing the tree trimming.
We now have resorted to a tomato cage upside-down with lights, on our bay-window, LOL!
It’s just different. Not the same with less Family and the daughter out of State.
Well, parts were better as a kid. The anticipation of Christmas, dad going all out to decorate the house, the family coming together to celebrate (easily 20 people at our house), getting to see my cousins (not to go dark, but it also meant a day without physical beatings from an ex-stepmother), and of course the presents under the tree. Loved all the towns decorating the streets. At school, we would sing Christmas and Hannukah songs, and the classrooms were decorated for both. As an adult with kids, it was great as well. Got to spoil my children. The negatives, though, were the fear many had to say Merry Christmas/Happy Hannukah, sticking with the milquetoast “Happy Holidays,” the awful Hallmark Holiday movies (I know, I say this in jest, I do have a dear friend who loves them) and now, no children to spoil. Still get to spend time with my immediate family, miss the large family gatherings.
Nothing is better than seeing Christmas though an innocent child’s eyes. Believe in Santa. Excitement of waking up to presents under the tree. Take me back.
Grew up in Oakland (long time ago in a galaxy far far away) and the streets were decorated with Christmas glitter. Even East 14th street was decorated on the service poles. There was a street called Picerdy right off Seminary in Eastmont that had all the houses linked so the entire street was involved (early 70″s) This is what I think has changed… we no longer have a bond with our neighbors if we do it is rare. I am a very fortunate person having good neighbors but this is the exception not the rule.
When I was a kid I got presents
with out any expectation that I give any. Sweet deal. 🎁
But as an adult I could have a Bloody Mary at 7:30 am.
Also a pretty sweet deal. 😎