Just for the record, I’m Jewish, but my parents were very into assimilation.
I grew up celebrating Christmas, not Hanukkah… a secular Christmas, to be sure, but my parents didn’t want us to stand out, or be different, or miss out on Santa Claus.
It was also not that many years after the horrors of the Holocaust, so openly celebrating Jewish holidays was still scary to them.
I was raised in a Reformed Jewish household. We couldn’t ignore Christmas, so we had a light celebration. Santa brought one, smallish toy and filled the stockings. We lit the Menorah, played a version of dreidel, and had chocolate “gelt” during Chanukah. Our primary presents of the season were Chanukah gifts from relatives. Despite Chanukah being the “Festival of Lights”, my dad refused to put up “Christmas” lights.
Now we light the Menorah, play dreidel for “gelt”, have latkes & corned beef, and exchange minor gifts for Chanukah and have stockings and more presents at Christmas. Our house has holiday/solstice lights all over and a Solstice tree.
My current beliefs are agnostic/atheist. If there is a god, the organized religions all misrepresent hir.
My ambiguity on the existence of god are based mainly on the question of whose voice is in my conscience. If there is a god, I believe that hir “book” exists only as our consciences.
I was brought up Catholic but lost my faith in high school as soon as I discovered the diversity of world faiths. As an anthropologist I learned the value, positive or negative, that religion can contribute to a society, as well as to an individual’s psyche.
I do not consider myself an atheist or agnostic. I am an apathist.
This song is a favorite, and will always be played at the family gathering. Our version goes back to Burl Ives.
We tend to emphasise that the tradition is being passed down through the family.
Sorry that you all seem not to like it. That sweater is modeled after my mother’s Christmas sweater, which she wore as a tradition every Christmas. The lights blinked on and off on hers as well. So, while I really do understand that some people just hate Christmas sweaters, seeing Cleo wearing my mom’s just brings back sweet memories of my mother. In fact, I still have that sweater, which is now over 40 years old. I never could bear to part with it.
And I never singled you out—I just happened to put it under your comment. Nor am I faulting anybody. Just explaining the history of that particular sweater.
I like the light-up picture of Clio’s sweater. I never thought of “ugly” holiday sweaters as being ugly. They are more “over-the-top” festive. I like decorations, especially lit-up ones. “Ugly sweaters” are just decorations that you wear.
I get upset that they have “Ugly Sweater” parties and contests, that get “won” by beautiful sweaters, just because they’re holiday themed.
Ugly should just mean ugly… It shouldn’t be code for “Christmas” or “Holiday”.
A grey sweater with green pompoms that a friend of mine once had should be the sort of thing that wins an ugly sweater contest, not a beautiful light up Christmas tree (or menorah).
…
I blame Tracy Ulman…
I mostly love her comedy, but she did a bit years ago on Letterman about Americans and their ugly Christmas sweaters…
I started hearing them called ugly soon afterward.
.
Someone had fun. Looks like Buddy’s work.
I just can’t put down a magazine till I’ve finished with it.
Just Christmas catalogues, no loss.
“What? – You told me to use the papers!!!”
,
Another house-broken dog using the papers properly.
..
Perfect reflection juxtaposition.
,,
“I’m not coming out and you can’t make me!”
Tomato frog
I can’t hear that without hearing Peter Paul & Mary.
No matter who is singing it. 🙂
Someone give that dog her bazooka.
Cleo does not want to be seen as adorable. She wants to be seen as fearsome.
I like the doggie version of The Marvelous Toy.
On the other hand, I don’t think Cleo likes being “adorable” very much.
Mr. Salesguy has ALL the panache you would expect based on his career thus far.
Careful, Cleo.
Where did you come across this sign? I ask because my daughter lives in Guelph.
https://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/topic/334954-what-made-you-smile-today/?page=323
Thanks for the link.
We get a double feature today!
Nighthawks, did you not think Cleo in her sweater was a sufficient strip?
Tis the season, you know.
Actually I wanted to refer to this one when I saw the picture you posted, I think the day before yesterday, of the live basset draped in lights.
I was wondering whether he was thinking the same murderous thoughts as Cleo.
…
Meanwhile… yeah… this is one time I vote with Cleo about the bazooka,
Here in California the high fines and negative public sentiment make throwing trash out the window very rare…
I even saw a PSA online about how it’s bad to toss even an apple core, because it affects wildlife.
But I guess not everywhere.
I guess it’s time for my sweater too….
Just for the record, I’m Jewish, but my parents were very into assimilation.
I grew up celebrating Christmas, not Hanukkah… a secular Christmas, to be sure, but my parents didn’t want us to stand out, or be different, or miss out on Santa Claus.
It was also not that many years after the horrors of the Holocaust, so openly celebrating Jewish holidays was still scary to them.
Not to me.
…
So have a little Hannukah, this yuletide…
Chag Sameach and Merry Christmas!
i’ll be thinking of YOU all next week!
I was raised in a Reformed Jewish household. We couldn’t ignore Christmas, so we had a light celebration. Santa brought one, smallish toy and filled the stockings. We lit the Menorah, played a version of dreidel, and had chocolate “gelt” during Chanukah. Our primary presents of the season were Chanukah gifts from relatives. Despite Chanukah being the “Festival of Lights”, my dad refused to put up “Christmas” lights.
Now we light the Menorah, play dreidel for “gelt”, have latkes & corned beef, and exchange minor gifts for Chanukah and have stockings and more presents at Christmas. Our house has holiday/solstice lights all over and a Solstice tree.
My current beliefs are agnostic/atheist. If there is a god, the organized religions all misrepresent hir.
My ambiguity on the existence of god are based mainly on the question of whose voice is in my conscience. If there is a god, I believe that hir “book” exists only as our consciences.
I was brought up Catholic but lost my faith in high school as soon as I discovered the diversity of world faiths. As an anthropologist I learned the value, positive or negative, that religion can contribute to a society, as well as to an individual’s psyche.
I do not consider myself an atheist or agnostic. I am an apathist.
Love it!
Happy Hannukah, Susan and all who celebrate!
I wonder what breed of dog that is, in the animation for John Denver singing about the toy…
I want one, cos they have wings!
It must be a recessive gene, though… his wings have grown huge, but his puppy doesn’t have any at all… poor thing.
….
It would be so hard, if your daddy can fly but you cant. (sniffle.)
Maybe Mommy has no wings either.
Now I want the rest of the story.
This song is a favorite, and will always be played at the family gathering. Our version goes back to Burl Ives.
We tend to emphasise that the tradition is being passed down through the family.
Cleo is sooooooo right to want her BAZOOKA!!!
and, that Holiday sweater is ssssoooooo… sooooo… um!
You are soooooo right on both counts!
She should sic that sweater on that salesman.
to all who disliked the Christmas sweater…
Sorry that you all seem not to like it. That sweater is modeled after my mother’s Christmas sweater, which she wore as a tradition every Christmas. The lights blinked on and off on hers as well. So, while I really do understand that some people just hate Christmas sweaters, seeing Cleo wearing my mom’s just brings back sweet memories of my mother. In fact, I still have that sweater, which is now over 40 years old. I never could bear to part with it.
I never said I didn’t like it – but Cleo does.
And I never singled you out—I just happened to put it under your comment. Nor am I faulting anybody. Just explaining the history of that particular sweater.
Understood.
I like the light-up picture of Clio’s sweater. I never thought of “ugly” holiday sweaters as being ugly. They are more “over-the-top” festive. I like decorations, especially lit-up ones. “Ugly sweaters” are just decorations that you wear.
I still have several of moms. 🙂
Well, I love it…
I get upset that they have “Ugly Sweater” parties and contests, that get “won” by beautiful sweaters, just because they’re holiday themed.
Ugly should just mean ugly… It shouldn’t be code for “Christmas” or “Holiday”.
A grey sweater with green pompoms that a friend of mine once had should be the sort of thing that wins an ugly sweater contest, not a beautiful light up Christmas tree (or menorah).
…
I blame Tracy Ulman…
I mostly love her comedy, but she did a bit years ago on Letterman about Americans and their ugly Christmas sweaters…
I started hearing them called ugly soon afterward.
Did you put it on Maxie?
LOL Well, it was my mom’s, so way too big for the “Max”! However, I’ve worn it to a few holiday parties!
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