This is ****ing depressing

[richlevy]

I've already put cans in the company food drive. I have to get off my a** and get the Toys for Tots gifts for this year. I think the company just set up the toys collection point a few days ago.

[Elspode]

Times are bad. They're as bad as most of us have seen in our lifetimes.

As with all things, YMMV, but even though some of us may have been worse off a few years ago than we are now, it is difficult to say that, overall, things aren't as tough as they've ever been for most.

Comparisons with the Great Depression aren't valid; not in terms of the National Average. But for those who have lost jobs and face the coming holiday season bereft of funds, it *is* as bad as it has ever been.

Let us not make light of the economic crisis. Let us instead take the extra five bucks, if we have it, drop it in a kettle or such, and move on, counting our blessings that we still have any sort of job (if indeed we do), giving thanks to our chosen deities that we have something in freezer (assuming that we we have such), and letting The Universe know that, despite all the suck, we're still in there plugging.

I have exactly $300 to spend on Xmas/Yule for everyone who matters to me. I hope to spend it well, and I'm glad to have even that.

[Juniper]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Okay, fair enough.
Here you have to pay to see Santa.
I can only assume from the negative responses to my post that it's not the case over there.

Heck no SG. Santas are everywhere - park events, shopping centers, festivals, etc. The hardest thing is explaining to your little kid why there are so many of them or why he's everywhere at the same time.

[SamIam]

Santa is usually free. Malls and shops pay his wages so they can attract business.

[monster]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Okay, fair enough.
Here you have to pay to see Santa.
I can only assume from the negative responses to my post that it's not the case over there.

Are you judging this woman by how she chooses to spend the little cash she has? haven't you (and others) -in the past, on here- said something like "you can't understand until you're in their shoes how important a little treat is" (yes, I'm paraphrasing, but....)?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by monster

Are you judging this woman by how she chooses to spend the little cash she has? haven't you (and others) -in the past, on here- said something like "you can't understand until you're in their shoes how important a little treat is" (yes, I'm paraphrasing, but....)?

Okay, it was an off the cuff remark.
My first thought was that the story didn't make sense.
From that thought I progressed to the opinion that the woman's behaviour didn't make sense.
I read it that she had paid to take her children to see Santa in November at a time when her situation was very precarious.

As you know, November is not Christmas here.
And seeing Santa is a luxury.
I accept that neither is true in America.

I also hold my hands up and say mea culpa. I had no right to cast any aspersions on that woman, the way she spends or does not spend her money or way she chooses to celebrate Christmas and when. Especially when it is known that if I had £5 left in the world I would probably go and buy some hair-dye to cheer myself up about the future.

I think I've had more responses to that one comment than to anything else I've written all year

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I had no right to cast any aspersions on that woman, the way she spends or does not spend her money or way she chooses to celebrate Christmas and when.

Yeah, but what fun is that?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by classicman

Very good post SG - much different than would have been a year ago. smiles

I know! I'm all proud at my self-growth

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Yeah, but what fun is that?

Should I add it to my list of New Year Resolutions?
1) Cast more aspersions.

[monster]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Okay, it was an off the cuff remark.
My first thought was that the story didn't make sense.
From that thought I progressed to the opinion that the woman's behaviour didn't make sense.
I read it that she had paid to take her children to see Santa in November at a time when her situation was very precarious.

As you know, November is not Christmas here.
And seeing Santa is a luxury.
I accept that neither is true in America.

I also hold my hands up and say mea culpa. I had no right to cast any aspersions on that woman, the way she spends or does not spend her money or way she chooses to celebrate Christmas and when. Especially when it is known that if I had £5 left in the world I would probably go and buy some hair-dye to cheer myself up about the future.

I think I've had more responses to that one comment than to anything else I've written all year

Well, you see, the thing is that that's totally what I think -spend your money more wisely, silly santa-visiting woman- but I've been jumped on so many times for saying that, that this time I didn't..... so I was a little surprised when you did!

[xoxoxoBruce]

Instead of chastising SG, you could have explained that across the pond, visiting Santa is an expensive indulgence, but nooooooo...

[Juniper]

Well, I did my bit, and donated a gift for a child in our church's outreach program. A box for a 12 year old girl with a pair of PJ's, fuzzy slippers, and a movie. If everyone who can afford to do that would do it, a lot of kids whose families are struggling would have at least a weensy bit more joy on Christmas.

We donated a bag of goodies to the food pantry too.

[xoxoxoBruce]

The union did a gate collection at work a week ago. Usually it goes to help out union members/families that are laid off, but this year nobody's laid off. They'll help a couple of families where the member is out on medical leave, but most of the $7000 will go to children's charities for Christmas gifts.

[glatt]

Yeah, the employees at my firm get heavily involved in the Salvation Army Toys for Tots program. We sponsored I think around 120 families this year. I never saw a final tally but it was at least that many.

I'm not trying to brag, especially because my personal involvement was minimal this year, but I just wanted to point out that some people are getting some help. Put a positive spin on a depressing thread.

Here are a couple pictures of some of the presents before they got sent out for distribution to needy kids.

[lumberjim]

that guy has really bad acne

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by lumberjim

that guy has really bad acne

made me chortle. out loud.