This post is as useless as tits on a bull

[canetoad]

Each year, as we move into the crazy, silly, frenzy of consumerism that western society calls the religious holiday of 'Christmas', I wonder what this celebration REALLY means.

I don't do Christmas. Several years ago I arrived in a new town with my two dogs, met a friend in a similar situation with her two dogs and we decided to create DOGMAS. Neither of us religious; not interested in stupid, symbolic cheap gifts. We made a few Dogmas rules.

- No gifts
- No red or green
- No tinsel or decorations, no tree
- No purchase of Christmas themed napery, lights, cushions, or larger furnishings
- Food - what we fancy. Absolutely no pudding, turkey etc
- All dogs are welcome and are expected to run wild, beg for food and jump up where they shouldn't.

Ten years down the track, we still have Dogmas every 25th Dec. There are a few more folk celebrating - usually about 5 or 6 but some years have been 12 - 15. Our dogs grow old, the original four are no longer with us.

Our rule is not to prepare 'christmas' type food, so during the year we plan the menu and share the cost. It may be blackened fish, we've had fresh berries in Grand Marnier with Creme Fraiche. Summer trifle. Filet Mignon with hollandaise sauce and a Ceasar Salad. We make it a special meal.

The reason this post is useless as tits on a bull? It's far too sensible. My friends and I have found the almost perfect recipe for Dogmas peace and goodwill but no-one will listen.

Please think of the planet. Think of the millions of tonnes of plastic products exchanged in the name of .... love for all mankind? Or making the rich purveyors of cheap and nasty crap even richer and more able to subjugate their hapless emloyees.

If you are a religious person who believes in the story of the birth of christ - this post is not intended for you. Anyone else - please dial back the consumerism.

[amuse bouche]

1. This post offended someone.

[canetoad]

2. Not you I hope

You seem amused!

[stopdiggin]

3. I'm OK with whatever turns your crank

And I'm sure the dogs have become huge fans. 'Bout time they got a holiday!

[GoneOffShore]

4. It's scallop, oyster, and foie gras season here. And lots and lots of Chocolate!

We don't 'do' Christmas, but enjoy getting together with friends. And that's probably not going to happen this year.

[SunSeeker]

5. Dogmas sounds way better than the Christmas we're having at my house.

Especially the filet mignon with hollandaise sauce--sure beats turkey!

[canetoad]

6. Aw, mate...

Wish you could be here this year and see what happens when you abandon the 'norms'.

[SunSeeker]

30. You sound like my kind of people, Canetoad.

[calimary]

10. We're having a quiet Christmas by ourselves this year, under COVID precautions.

There’ll likely be a Zoom or two, or more. But no frills. I usually decorate, because I like it, and most of what we’ve got has been hand-made over the years. But this year not so much, because we have a cat that gets INTO everything and ONTO everything. Literally nothing is safe! So kind of no-frills this year. Less work! And no cooking unless we feel like it. But there WILL be chocolate.

And we’ll probably just stay in our pajamas all day!

I’m actually looking forward to it! Might do some crafting while I’m at it.

[Granny M]

14. Ahh, the annual ritual

of the cat climbing the Christmas tree. That lovely sound of it hitting the floor. The humans scrambling and screeching. What fun.

[calimary]

20. Yep. No tree here. You're right. He'd be way up in there.

We had a cat climb up onto the table after Thanksgiving dinner to help himself to a nice snack after the humans had partaken and then gone into the other room to watch football.

Nothing sacred!

[SunSeeker]

31. Chocolate and pajamas, ingredients for a perfect Christmas!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

7. My dogs like turkey. I don't. We have to have some turkey for the dogs.

Can't remember the last time I decorated a tree. They look better growing.

A 'Christmas' gift should go to whoever needs it whenever you determine they need it. Built is better than bought, although that shouldn't get in the way when the right gift + person is figured out.

[joshdawg]

8. I gave up this xmas bull****

many years ago. I don't "do" any of the holidays. None.
The only time they meant anything was when I was still working. It was a day off with pay. Now that I've been retired for the last twenty or so years, they mean nothing. A pastrami sandwich is just fine for me.............no turkey.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. Interesting post.

I grew up with traditional Christmas. Tree, presents, that sort of thing. Then I went to work as an airline ticket agent and typically worked most holidays, including Christmas. Indeed, I don't think I had that day off in the ten years I was an airline employee. So that really cut me loose from the traditional observance.

I eventually married, had a couple of kids, and did the typical and traditional observance with a tree, presents, and the like. However, by the time my boys reached their mid-teens they were (to me) annoyingly reluctant to help put up or take down the Christmas tree. My husband was Jewish, so he was rather indifferent to such things. So I decided I wouldn't do a tree or decorations. Nobody seemed to care. Well, I did, but I wasn't about to let them know.

My marriage came to an end, and I moved some 800 miles to another part of the country and started a new life. I don't do a traditional Christmas, by which I mean I don't do a tree or decorations. Some years I've gotten together with friends for an observance, but there's not a strong religious or secular flavor to that. More like, we're friends getting together.

I suppose that for those with strong Christian beliefs, this is still a very important observance, and I get that. For me, I'm only concerned with connecting with friends and relatives at this time.

Any of these holidays are what you choose to make of them.

[OneBlueSky]

11. don't sell yourself short . . . this may be the most useful post I've seen in a long time . . .

congrats on doing something original and, well, useful . . . I'm sure the dogs love it as much as you do . . .

I gave up on all the Xmas stuff years ago and have been searching for something to celebrate in its place . . . "Festivus -- a holiday for the rest of us" didn't really work . . . so maybe I'll try Dogmas . . . thanks for the idea . . .

cheers . . . and happy holidays, however you choose to celebrate . . .

[BarbD]

12. It's the Winter Solstice for me.

Years ago when my four girls were growing up we did the traditional Christmas thing, even setting up a creche and not putting the baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas day. We moved the wise men from the East because they didn't arrive until the Epiphany -- 12 days after Christmas.

Then one year when three of my four girls had really bad cases of the flu -- high temps, the whole nine yards for two weeks prior to Christmas and the fourth kid was sicker than a dog on Christmas Day, thus leaving me with no time to prepare for Christmas. I declared December 25th no longer a deadline that had to be met and we celebrated the twelve days of Christmas. Each night one kid would have a present to open and our actual celebration of a special dinner was on the 12th day.

After that, each year we could always invoke the "12 Days of Christmas " rule for handmade presents not finished or cookies not made etc. It was wonderful. Suddenly all the pressure was off. When someone asked did I finish my shopping -- you know the type that has all the presents wrapped and hidden in the closet by Halloween -- I just smiled and replied, "I'm enjoying the season."

Now, having outgrown religion, I look forward to the Winter Solstice when the days start getting longer.

[Squinch]

13. I love Christmas. Love the gathering, love the fact of it's ancient

and varied (christian and pagan) history. And we don't much go in for "cheap plastic" presents.

However you celebrate, enjoy.

[druidity33]

15. might make for an interesting photograph...

tits on a bull that is. Maybe veterinary medicine could use the cadaver? So it's not COMPLETELY useless, you see.



K&R

[panader0]

16. Absolutely! I gave up on the tree and trimmings after my kids left home.

And as for consumerism, I think you need money for that, so it's out too.
I send books to the kids, and tell them not to send me anything. I don't need any
more stuff, in fact, I'm constantly giving things away. Mostly masonry tools I'll never use again.
"You like that? Take it home."
For Thanksgiving I had leftover fajitas, can't throw food away.
But the mention of filet mignon is making my mouth water.

[doctorzuma]

17. Wonderful Post

It's nice to hear about the non-religiously-based celebrations people have. I think it's great that it's Doggie Inclusive!!!!

And if anyone found or finds your post offensive, I think it is great, it lets them experience the other side of the coin, personally, I sick of being shamed by religious people when I tell them I'm agnostic.

I've been reading, researching writing on some religious stuff recently. The problem stems from “Original sin,” which is also called ancestral sin, which was a doctrine posited by St Augustine (Augustine of Hippo (354–430) based on his interpretation of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. He posited that the eating of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden, had a profound impact on human nature. Specifically, when Adam and Eve sinned, humanity was cast into a perpetual state of concupiscence or “hurtful desire.” Human nature was transformed as their original sin was then transmitted to their offspring.

When viewed from the perspective of an explanatory system, this doctrine has profound implications for “what makes people tick.” Specifically, it offered an inherently “evil, disobedient, and willful” interpretation of human nature, and preaches that without God there is NO SALVATION.

However, during the same time period, Pelagius (354–440), a contemporary of Augustine’s, offered a different interpretation of the same Biblical story. Pelagius rejected the concept of inherited guilt whereby an infant was eternally damned at birth. Specifically, he taught that Divine Grace is not the only path to salvation, people who led good lives and did good works would also be graced by God.

At this critical juncture, the Christian religion (in my humble opinion) made a wrong turn. Pelagius was declared a heretic by the Council of Ephesus in 431. He was expelled from Jerusalem, and settled in Egypt, where his where is silenced voice was not heard thereafter.

So, if you wonder why your Christian friends get so concerned that without God there is no hope for your souls, now you know.

[True Blue American]

18. My family finally

Convinced me they love getting checks so they can shop after Christmas for what they really want. Suits me, no returns or hassle.

Always a tree and we go between ham and the fixings to our local famous Marion’s Pizza on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Is a celebration of Love of Fellow man. Since Church has shut down again We can watch the Service on Zoom or by link.

[pansypoo53219]

19. crapitalism/santa killed xmas, NOT liberals. when radio started playing non stop xmas crap after

turkey day.......jesus born in spring i guess.

bah humbug.

[Duppers]

21. Love it. Sharing your post.

So, I don't deem it useless.

🍻 Here's to dogs & less damn plastic!

[hlthe2b]

22. Any chance to celebrate dogs is a good one for me.

I don't mind an ecologically friendly, reusable, and modestly decorated tree. It is, after all a pagan tradition, that was appropriated for the Christmas holiday, but merely a celebration of nature. I tend to do a small one in the window, or, if I'm really lazy--just a smaller one with lights outside by the door. I change my house flag on a vertical holder to a pretty winter solstice theme and highlight it with a solar light.

If I'm going to give small gifts, nowadays, it tends to be nonperishable food items and some years I do the colorful "friendship" bean mix in pretty, reusable glass stoppered jars.

I think that there are many ways to celebrate the time of year without giving in to rank consumerism and for the non-religious. I do admittedly make sure to put out some timothy hay for the wild rabbits and scatter a few peanuts for the squirrels. And yeah, the dogs... Celebrate them every chance you get!

[luvs2sing]

23. My mother was The Athiest Who Loved Christmas.

She was all in on all the baking and decorating and music. If it had to do with Christmas, she was there for it. I grew up feeling like Christmas was a celebration of love and friendship and family, not some skybaby’s birthday. As an adult, I’ve always had a tree and always made a turkey until recently. I’ve even gone to some Christmas Eve services here and there.

Now, I’m married to The Jewish Guy Who Loves Christmas. He has the same view of Christmas as I do, and it has come to be a celebration of our life together. We start with the traditional Christmas Eve Chinese lunch and party our way straight through New Year’s Day Hoppin’ John. I started making a nice Jewish brisket instead of turkey a few years ago. We have expanded our celebration to include a couple dear friends who are widowed. Occasionally, we all go to our Italian friend’s house for a Christmas dinner of spaghetti and meatballs (sauce simmers for a week!) and fried chicken but, as her family expands with grandkids and new nieces and nephews, we are more likely at home with our two close friends.

We are decorating today. I wrote out the holiday menu last night. It truly is the most wonderful time of our year. And our dog, who gets plenty of safe treats and nibbles and loves unwrapping gifts agrees!

[underpants]

24. Great subject line*. I agree on the consumerism but NO PUDDING?!?! what kind of monster are you?

*literally all time Top 10 DU subject lines and I’ve been here a while.

I still like gifts with the family on Christmas morning but it seems that we are giving gifts to each other this year as we get them. Frankly my problem isn’t gifting (that’s a matter of how and where you get them) it’s all the fuss with having people over. I just want to kick back and relax in my house like I am kicking back and relaxing. I’ve always hated having to do things and all that entails this time of year whether hosting or attending.

[Klaralven]

25. When Christmas was a religious holiday, it didn't involve all this consumerism

Modern Christmas is a product of retail marketing started by big city department stores.

[ProfessorGAC]

26. We Decorate

But, even in a normal year, we don't really do anything special on the eve or day.
But, we do the tree, put lights on our hedges, etc.
My wife likes it, and I don't mind doing it.
We buy token gifts for each other. Just the sentiment.
Since every dollar is OURS it's not like the gift has any hard value. If either of us wanted X, we would get it anyway. So, it's just a fun exchange of nominal gifts.

[The Genealogist]

27. My Christmas spirit has been on the wane for years now

I'm an atheist, but for years after I became one I still enjoyed Christmas. It was a yearly nostalgia fix for me. But, as my elders have passed away and the realities of life as an adult in the USA set in, I've cared less and less about it. My job has work coming in 24/7/365 so I work on Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. The RWers have exploited their followers' persecution complexes to make it a season full of bitterness. As it has for decades, each year it becomes more of a tool for corporations to exploit people for profits--gotta have whatever's new and trendy right now or you hate your kids and friends! I get anxious about spending money to buy more than a few token gifts, and some years I buy none. I really don't care if I get anything or not. Bah humbug! LOL

[NRaleighLiberal]

28. my wife and I were discussing that over coffee this morning!

as we looked at the ads in the NYT, or pushed to our phones.

years ago we decided stuff doesn't make one happy. Quality time with loved ones, being in nature, great books or music. etc....mostly, time and freedom.

So, no more mad dashes to buy shit people don't want or need.

[Delmette2.0]

29. I'm with you all the way.

I told my son and his wife years ago that I give up on special occasion presents. I said I will not buy birthday or Christmas presents. BUT, sometime during the year I would find something special that they need but can't afford.

For two years they were seperated while he went back to school, then there was a year of a small apartment. A year ago the bought a house and desperately needed a couch. I took them to a furniture store and told them to pick out what ever they liked and ignore the price.

They found the perfect sectional and it was delivered just before Thanksgiving dinner for her family.

Every day is about family and friends, not gifts and decorations.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

32. A day full of dogs and doggy stuff? 😍