Scrooge + Grinch = me

[AegisKelt]

Actually its about the birth of Christ, but I'm not even going to go there. In this situation I'd have to say kill them all then take their ph4t l3wt.

 

[Tinner]

Just because something is a "family tradition" doesn't mean it's a good idea.
I went through a similar scenario with my family. We had people pissed off and angry at first too.
Once everything was said and doen though, everyone agreed that the day was more peaceful and enjoyable, even though we didn't have a "traditional" Christmas.
You're doing the right thing without a doubt. It will be tough, but stick to your guns and it will all come out in the wash.
Merry Christmas!

 

[DarrenGMiller]

I don't think you can be mean with a cutesy little nickname like, "Scrinch!"

What about Grooge? No, Scrinch is better.

Seriously, it sounds like some of the Christmas days we have had. Better to cancel. It may offend people, but the alternative may cost thousands of dollars in counseling. You did the right thing if it gives you peace of mind.

DM

 

[Kahuna Burger]

For god's sake, someone tell me we're right.

You're right. Hollywood logic aside, the Magic of Christmas is not going to heal your family, the estranged family members will not hug and cry, and your brother will not find the true meaning of christmas and donate all his gifts to charity. And the expectation that the day will somehow make everything right will make things that go wrong that much worse.

Downers done with, there's no reason you can't arrange seperate low key get togethers with those folks you'd like to see on christmas/eve. And maybe by next year you'll be ready to start a new christmas tradition, maybe splitting the fractious parties into a christmas eve vs christmas morning tradition. Good luck, and I hope your christmas is as merry as possible.

 

[Umbran]

Whatever Christmas is about, it certainly isn't about grinding your teeth and hoping nobody starts an argument or something. It doesn't sound like anyone was actually going to enjoy the get-together, so what would be the point?

Maybe in a year, things will have changed, and you can reassess to see if a get-together is reasonable.

Edit - I think Grooge and Scrinch would make a wonderful pair for a themed holiday adventure. Make them an ogre and a goblin, respectively...

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Edit - I think Grooge and Scrinch would make a wonderful pair for a themed holiday adventure. Make them an ogre and a goblin, respectively...

*Yoink* Now to plan my next adventure for my group.

 

[der_kluge]

I cancelled Christmas.

Oh crap, what am I supposed to do with all those gifts under my tree!


I think you did the right thing. Christmas can be a real hastle. When I lived in KC, my wife's family was near there, but my parents were 6 hours away. We always tried to spend time with both parents, but it was hard, since my wife's brother-in-law insisted that his family have Christmas day to just themselves. So, we had to work around *their* schedule, and figure out when to drive down to my parents for a few days to see them.

Now that we're in Virginia, we're not planning on going anywhere. We've mailed out all our gifts, and we'll spend Christmas at home this weekend with just us. So, I think it will be one of the more relaxing Christmas's we've had in a long time.

 

[Rel]

Whatever Christmas is about, it certainly isn't about grinding your teeth and hoping nobody starts an argument or something. It doesn't sound like anyone was actually going to enjoy the get-together, so what would be the point?

The point? Tradition! People hate change, even if what they're changing to is better than what they're changing from. Nowhere is this more evident than Holiday Traditions. I cite: The Fruitcake. How many families insist on making one of these horrid monstrosities that nobody wants to take a bite of (except perhaps as the result of a rousing Christmas Night game of Truth or Dare while drinking the rest of the rum) when there are plenty of tasty confections they could be making instead.

I am in no way arguing against Nellisir's decision. But, as Kahuna Burger points out, Christmas is caught up in all sorts of magical thinking that make it even more prone to people viewing the entire affair with rose colored glasses. Nellisir is bravely taking on the role of informing the rest of the group that things are bad and unlikely to improve and therefore need to change. I suspect that he'll suffer the fate of most bearers of ill tidings.

What Nellisir really needs is a sacrificial goat. Kind of like my sister. She's pragmatic like me but has more of a temper and a lower tolerance threshold. Fortunately my family gets along well with each other most of the time. But when they don't you can bet that my sister will be the one to (rightly) kick over the house of cards. Then everybody gets irritated with her (I fake it a bit) but as the dust settles, I'll say, "She does have a bit of a point though..." and the conversation can begin in earnest.

Sister = Goat, Rel = Hero (a cowardly shell of a man but a Hero nonetheless )

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I think you did the right thing. I'm not going to repeat what others have already said, because they said it better than I could. I will say this. The one person it sounds like that will need you on Christmas is your Grandfather. Have him over for dinner, or go to his house, and spend time with him. Regardless of all the other things and people, he's going to need someone around. I remember my Grandfathers first Xmas without my Grandmother, he was grouchy and tired and complained, but in the end it was obvious that he needed us there.

 

[Desdichado]

Being right is hardly ever easy.

I think Dumbledore said something like that in the latest movie, didn't he?

Actually, Nellisir, you've given us just enough information to suggest that maybe you're right, but not nearly enough for anyone to actually confidently make that judgement, IMO.

Although I don't see what the point of big, extended family Christmases is. We're having a nice quiet Christmas; just me, the wife and the kids. No uncles, no aunts, no cousins, no grandparents...

And that's exactly what we want.