MERRY CHRISTMAS Mr Bill!

Mike, Yup, "The Holidays" are a stressful time and they really shouldn't be. BUT we have all been brainwashed into making it all about gifts, many times gifts we can't really afford.

I'd say your in the same boat as most families, but isn't this a time to be merry and in the holiday spirit. My family doesn't do gifts, for us it's one time out of the year that we get to see friends and family we haven't seen from last year or longer. No gifts exchanges, no family drama, just a good time to rejoice. Maybe we're not the typical family.

Hope your holiday gets better. Merry Christmas to all and their families.

You know, seeing the Multi page Busse ad in blade magazine I have realized that the knife I THOUGHT was my (or at least one of) my grails, The SS4, really isn't. This mainly has come about by my getting the 311 and before that the Muppy.

I have realized the knife I want is the much vaunted, the elusive Taliwhacker! Ever since I saw Tom's (Man that sounds bad) and started getting into the specs I realized it is what I have been looking for all the time. I WILL have one, at least when Jerry and Patti finally puts them up for sale. A Tan Taliwhacker, what more could a man ask for? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hey luck. No you're not the typical family but I think you have it right. Rejoicing and being thankful for what you have is the true spirit of Christmas.

luck, I would say your family is perhaps more in tune with what it IS supposed to be about.

I have a feeling Hobbes and Skunk's families also understand the true meaning of Chrstmas. I wish you guys the best. Last post until the 26th. Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas luck. My best to you and your family.

Yes, we do understand, but the stress is still there. But this year the Stepson really stepped up to the plate and has been talking about how it shouldn't be so stressful and we shouldn't be "Forced" to get all those expensive gifts!

My family doesn't do the gift stuff either but they still try to get together and all this others stuff and it drives me nuts. It seems my sister ad parents get last dibs with grandparents aunts uncles and such
Why should I bust my nuts to meet their plans when we are obviously not high on their list of important people to see.

I have been edc my 411 every day since I got the sheath from Tom

My mom is the same way
Yesterday we were all over at my parent's place for my dad's birthday.
For the last couple of years my nephew and his girlfriend buy, prepare and cook my dad's birthday dinner
We all had a very good time except my mom that just can't seem to get over the fact that with her and dad both retired now they can't afford to spend much on Christmas.

We all keep telling her that we are all adults now (my youngest nephew isn't but he is 14), we don't need anything.
Really we just all like to spend a nice dinner/evening together.

We have tried convincing her and dad to let one of us boys host Christmas dinner (we all rotate) and for them to just show up and relax. They won't have it, my mom just has to do the dinner

Funny thing is we will all show up, have a great time and my mom will wonder why she was worried.

Give until it hurts IS NOT the Christmas spirit

Oh I think that many, perhaps almost all of us get what Christmas is all about, but we have given in to the pressure of todays commercially driven holiday "Spirit". THAT, is what I believe is what causes us so much stress.