Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for December 23, 2020

That was the part I disliked about my Birth Family. All those weird gifts that were intended to impress everyone. Being a little kid… and visiting for the whole week… I got to see those things – regifted or returned. It seemed so pointless.

The gift debit card put them out of business. No longer need one shop past the gift card display. Let the receiver pick the perfect gift.

The only flaw is that the receiver knows the price of the gift.

The semi-rural town where I live has numerous programs, many associated with churches, in which money and donations are collected and directed toward less affluent families. The food banks are overflowing and very generous and not only in December. I’m not a Christian but it really moves me to see the kind of generosity people show in this area. Happy Holidays to all and please do something for the less fortunate if you can.

Would be nice this year to insitute a universally agreed suspension of obligation (to family, co-workers) in favor of gifting front-line workers who otherwise would not be expecting anything from you.

I’m surprised the line isn’t out the door.

A thing is either mandatory, or forbidden.

That’s for people who haven’t joined the desperation march to “Hickory Farms of Ohio”.

Remember, if you’re job’s not essential, YOU’RE not essential!

IIRC Mad Magazine did a “When the only thought is ‘I have to get something’.”

If only it were a billion dollar multi-national corporation chain store; then the globalists would ALLOW it to remain open all year long.

Some people care, but then they try to do the shopping early. The wife cares and she starts as soon as November. I don’t care, and tend to be a bit absent minded.

Gift cards are good if you know they will use them, and as someone said earlier, send gifts to others (overseas military personnel, the less fortunate in your town)

Aaand,,, you miss the point completely

Ah, the holidays. Such a weird mixed bag of well meaning, good spirit, and hyper hollow materialism and forced cheer.

Saw a sign in a shop window around this time last year:

GIFTS

FOR THE FRIENDS YOU VALUE

AT $19.99 OR LESS!

Still haven’t figured out whether the irony was intentional.

I feel the same about Christmas cards. I get a few dozen every year, some from people I have forgotten exist. I don’t send cards to people that never phone, email, drop in, or write letters.

Bah, humbug.

consume, spend, consume, repeat (borrow if you have to)

Just my perspective, but I feel that the meaning of the holiday season gets lost in the "didIspendenough/willIget enough/didtheygivemeagiftlastyear frenzy.

Hey, folks. Wake up. Remember the meaning of the season? It’s about caring enough about others to keep in contact (which I admit is harder to do this year), and to wish them well. Go. Do. However you can.

And happy holidays.

Apparently it’s “The thought that counts”.

I never gave or received a fruitcake. Perhaps it wasn’t a major item in Jewish families back then.

Isn’t that the liquor store? Open 24 / 7

Is this where Melania got her jacket?

In Japan they actually DO have “Obligation” gifts and Real Gifts.

It’s unfortunate that once a year, people put on a smiley face and act civil towards one another. Or, at least they try to. 2020 has pushed us all to the brink and the need to take stalk in how we treat our fellow mankind and what truly matters most in life.

Celebrate the season safely and with kindness throughout the new year.