Klarinet Archive - Posting 000212.txt from 2004/12

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] OT: Holiday customs, similarities; was, Is anyone there?
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 12:10:28 -0500

Ormondtoby Montoya wrote:

>of us are busy shopping.
>
>Of course, Matthew, this reply will arouse a storm of protest about
>commercialization of the holidays, but what the heck.... I'm tough, I
>can take it!
>
>
I imagine quite a few of our European and British cousins are also out
preparing for the upcoming holidays as well, however. As my gentleman
friend is Swedish, we often discuss the similarities & differences
between the two societies we live in. I sometimes think that, in
Sweden, the actual holiday season is longer, and people are not rushed
off to work after only one REAL day away, and that gives them more time
with family and friends, and to plan activities that are special to the
holidays. That, of course, is only my personal impression, and is not
meant to be some sort of factual pronouncement.

Of course, here at home, it seems like we go crazy for weeks on end,
just to have a huge dinner and open presents for one day. I've found
myself wanting to have a more Europeanized version of a holiday, both in
secular and sacred form. I've de-emphasized the presents, and am
attempting to refocus on the activities in the church/faith of our
practice, as well as family based activities. It isn't easy, but the
children seem to do well. Also, it kind of helped that my computer
died, and I tried to rebuild it myself, basically tossing in most of the
money that would have been wasted on holiday presents! *G* (or possibly
reeds? Oh, I forgot - I'd buy reeds come hell or high water! :p)

Patricia Smith

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