When it comes to Christmas, are we selfish?

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   AdviceDoctorposted 14 years ago

   I have been talking to people since 8:10 AM this morning. Almost everyone has been talking about Christmas. Everyone's been talking about "You know, I don't even know if I should bother getting my husband a present this year, last year he gave me a perfume the fifth year in a row!"
   
   Are we selfish and ungrateful? When people are complaining over getting a perfume or a DVD or something for like the third year in a row from someone, aren't you damn selfish? Isn't it supposed to be the thought that counts?
   
   Around Christmas, over 16.000 African children die from malnourishment, HIV and all sorts of stuff. I'm sure they'd like to be us.
   
   Comment please, are we selfish? Do we have it too good?
   
   Merry Christmas

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      prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      sometimes yes, we are selfish, but I like that you mentioned about the children in Africa, in our own little wya, we can do so much to help others, start it in your nearest neighborhood..
      
      merry christmas to you and hope you wont get a perfume this time, you can say it to your hubby, "You know hun, I heard myself dreaming last nite and me just dont want perfume this cbristmas anymore", and then smile

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         AdviceDoctorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You know, for only $27 a month, we can sponsor a woman in Congo or somewhere, and those $27 are enough to get them through Christmas. Hell, according to Oprah, those $27 are enough for them to start a small business.
         
         I think we just have it too good here.

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            prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            thats a good idea too, I know for sure Oprah will deleiver the money too, got to see her website, i am trying to write an article about sites which we can tap if we want donations to children, I will finish it by tomorrow, my own little way of helping out

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               AdviceDoctorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               That's a great idea. I'll definitely check that out. I'm trying to be a better person and sponsor someone, help them get a better life. Try to make myself feel good for a change.

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                  prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  good, you can also try save the children go to their website, UNICEF and the ST Jude research

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            bloodnlatexposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            <snipped - no personal attacks in the forums; one more valid complaint and you will be banned>

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               lorlie6posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               What a lovely thought, B+L!

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                  bloodnlatexposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I'm just here doing what I can to better the world.

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                     lorlie6posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     What a guy!

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                        tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        

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      Beth100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I believe we are.  The more we have, the more we want.  We never seem to be satisfied with what is in hand.  The expectations are ridiculous.  Commercials push this even further, telling the consumers what they should have and what they would miss without it. 
      
      One exercise is to compile a total of the expenditures that result from your Christmas holidays.  When you see the bottom dollar amount that you spend (gifts, food, trimmings, petrol, plus other overhead), you will be amazed at the bottom figure.  This amount can make a difference in another person's life -- perhaps life or death.  Feast or famine.  Shelter or none. 
      Potable water or dehydration. 
      
      We need to learn, and teach our young, how to appreciate what they already have and be happy with that.  Anything above and beyond that is icing on the cake.

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         AdviceDoctorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I know. The more we have, the more we want. I spent 2 weeks and $104 in finding some stupid toy for my youngest kid, and he's also getting a Nintendo Wii, which was around $170! And he'll use those things for a month TOPS and then forget about it, because we have too much!

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      Poppa Bluesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Selfish? No, I think we're victims being manipulated by Madison Avenue Inc. Christmas has long been commercialized but never more so than it is presently especially with the PC crowd trying to remove any hint of religion from the holiday. The pressure to buy "gifts" is overwhelming, and let's face it. most of us don't need another thing and if we did we could buy it ourselves. Sure I recognize everyone isn't that fortunate. Christmas would be a much better holiday if those of us that could would just donate to those in need without expecting any gift. I won't even get into the family feuds about who should have the holiday, and who should be invited and who is being left out or feels snubbed because they weren't invited! If it was up to me, I'd skip the whole month of December and go right to January 2nd!

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         bloodnlatexposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Well Said my guitar wearing friend

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         AdviceDoctorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I really agree. Although, Christmas is good. I mean, it gets us in touch with our religion. I wouldn't mind not doing the presents. I'm spending over $800 on presents this year. Christmas would be a damn fine holiday with no presents.

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            bloodnlatexposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            How much of that are you giving to your girlfriend in Congo?

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   kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

   It is annoying when I spend ages trying to pick a good gift for hubby and all he does is complain! I have told him that he is not likely to get anything but a lump of coal now! I think part of it is the commercialism of the holidays and the idea of its the thought that counts is in conflict with consumerism.

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   lorlie6posted 14 years ago

   I believe we are selfish, but not without reason.  As children, we were 'programmed' to expect to receive what we wanted.  We usually did.  As we age, I think we mature in the knowledge that giving is more satisfying.

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   habeeposted 14 years ago

   I love Christmas, but it always makes me feel a little guilty. I think this started years ago, when my kids were small. I was in Kmart with a buggy of nice toys. In front of me was an old black woman who was trying to put a couple of pairs of underwear and socks on lay-away. She was rearing her grandchildren, and that's all they were getting for Christmas.
   
   Now, I always help others at Christmas. I have to in order to keep my sanity and to be able to enjoy the holiday myself.
   
   As far as being selfish, I honestly don't care about receiving gifts. My girls all struggle financially, and my husband and I usually exchange only small, inexpensive items. We'd rather spend our money on the kids and grandkids.
   
   Im not trying to sound like a martyr. Usually, if I want something, I go out and buy it for myself.

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   Cari Jeanposted 14 years ago

   One of the reasons my husband and I do not participate in the family gift exchange is because everyone also has to exchange their wish list. I don't want to give someone a list that says please buy me this, this and this. That's not my idea of Christmas. I think it should be more about giving from the heart. If it was up to me and if our finances afforded to, I would be giving, giving, giving not caring too much about receiving. Giving without expecting anything in return is celebrating in the true spirit of Christmas.

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   bojanglesk8posted 14 years ago

   Hell yes we are selfish.

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   Don Wposted 14 years ago

   In my opinion some people are selfish most of the time, most people are selfish some of the time.

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   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   I think it's like anything else - some are, some are not, some more than others, etc. etc.   Just about everyone I know will say they don't really want anyone giving them anything.  They just like getting something for someone else.   A few years ago my daughter made the comment, "I'm at the age now where I like giving gifts better than getting them."  It just struck me that she had grown up; and even if such a comment wasn't a big deal, it just kind of felt to me like, "job well done".   

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   jennasbigbrasposted 14 years ago

   I don't think we are more selfish just a little stupid.  Who on earth pays $60 for a $10 stocking filler present?  Growing up in 70's gray Britain we were pleased with anything, and knew we just wouldn't get all the toys advertised on TV. 
   
   We should be bringing up kids to be grateful for what they do get and not to assume they will receive everything they would like.  As for being fed up of perfume, why not make a deal not to spend more than $10 and on each other and go for a nice meal, night out or a trip to the sales instead?

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