Christmas has become a commercialized mess of consumerism [Archive]

wendybeth

12-26-2007, 01:56 AM

Some Chanel #5 perfume, a WaterPik system, some gift cards, an X-Box 360 hardrive and stuff that Eric insists I will be happy I have now that I am immersed in the world of Oblivion*, a Green Day cd from Tori and a really, really cool handmade shotglass cabinet from my very talented brother -in-law Dave. (I have a truly kick-ass shotglass collection). Bunches of nice, thoughtful things this year which I appreciated very much, even though I have a horrid cold and feel like ****.

*This would be for the second X-Box- we have one in the living room and one in the bedroom. NOT my doing.

scaeagles

12-26-2007, 06:08 AM

Nerf weapons for the office. All I really wanted.:evil:

But I also got the first season of Heroes on DVD. Didn't have the time to pick up another series during the week and I wanted see it. Will need season two as well when it comes out.

CoasterMatt

12-26-2007, 06:14 AM

A bitchin' Lego truck, and a mouse that stopped working about 4 minutes after I plugged it in (hardware issue- doesn't work with any other computer in the house, either).

Prudence

12-26-2007, 07:47 AM

Two more Main Street Miniatures! Town Square and City Hall/Fire Station! A Bunch of board games (including one that my brother's friend developed! (http://www.smugglersgame.com/)) Installation costs for a new microwave. (Got the new microwave money last year, but haven't gotten around to getting one yet). Some clothes. The newest expansion pack for Age of Empires. A cool calendar from photos my brother took in national parks around Washington State. And a metric buttload of candy.

Ooooh! And the Alice in Wonderland artwork from the Disneyland Hotel that NA and Euro got me last year is being framed. Can't wait to see it!

Moonliner

12-26-2007, 08:15 AM

Digital photo frame for the office, A gift card good for a detailing of the Moonie-Mini-Van and....

The pièce de résistance: An old photo album that belonged to my Grandmother I had never seen which included two photos of yours truly visiting Disneyland round about age 5. Priceless!

wolfy999

12-26-2007, 08:38 AM

A Wii for the whole family, that I can't get near because Wolfette won't let me.

A Disney Christmas Wreath I've been looking at the whole season.

Good Friends and a wonderful day!

Snowflake

12-26-2007, 08:56 AM

The pièce de résistance: An old photo album that belonged to my Grandmother I had never seen which included two photos of yours truly visiting Disneyland round about age 5. Priceless!

Oh Moonie, you absolutely must share! Scans please! :cool:

A Jeopardy calendar for my desk, some nice knitted scarves, gift cards, a gorgeous Coffee Table book California Romantica (spanish revival 1920's homes in LA - gorgeous), a shoe buckle from one of Valentino's costumes from Monsieur Beaucaire* and more tonight when my roomie and I exchange out gifts. Oh, and a bag of ricola cough drops, much needed.

As soon as it is delivered, my gift to me, a brand new queen sized bed and hopefully a good night of sleep from now on! Bah Humbug to the futon that has served me well, but not lately.

* * although it comes with COA, I doubt the veracity of the claim. But will never tell that to the friend who got it for me. I appreciate the thought, it was beyond generous and thoughtful.

Pirate Bill

12-26-2007, 10:27 AM

A World of Warcraft desk calendar, Serenity soundtrack, Firefly soundtrack (I guess my wife isn't a Purple Belly after all ;) ), Heroes Volume One hardcover graphic novel, Disney edition of Scene It?, a book my dad wrote containing some of his personal history, handmade ornaments from my daughter, clothes, money, candy.

Kevy Baby

12-26-2007, 10:47 AM

I got a Ryobi 18 volt power tool kit. Grunt, snort... power tools.

Susan got a new sewing/embroidery machine (http://www.babylock.com/embroidery/ellure-plus/). She had to purchase it herself (she gets a big discount from work, and well, I would just screw it up). A sewing machine that hooks up to a computer. Who boy.

The pièce de résistance: An old photo album that belonged to my Grandmother I had never seen which included two photos of yours truly visiting Disneyland round about age 5. Priceless!Wasn't DL still under construction when you were 5? :evil:

Not Afraid

12-26-2007, 10:55 AM

Ooooohhh Ahhhhhh. Sewing Machine!

JWBear

12-26-2007, 11:06 AM

From Bill:
A book on art deco interiors
Atomic Ranch coffee table book
Cologne
Scented candles
Chocolate
A silicon baking set
Gift certificates for a new digital camera and a new computer chair (so I can pick out the ones I want)

From my mom: $100 cash

From my brother and his wife: A photo album book of pictures from my nephew’s wedding

From various other relatives: Lots of gift cards for Borders and Barnes & Noble (Do they know me, or what?)

ETA: I just realized! No odd or inappropriate gifts from my relatives this year! It’s a Christmas miracle! :snap:

Snowflake

12-26-2007, 11:25 AM

From various other relatives: Lots of gift cards for Borders and Barnes & Noble (Do they know me, or what?)

ETA: I just realized! No odd or inappropriate gifts from my relatives this year! It’s a Christmas miracle! :snap:

It's the miracle of Xmas Gift Cards!

BTW, LOVED your xmas card, it was awesome and gorgeous!

Moonliner

12-26-2007, 11:31 AM

I got a Ryobi 18 volt power tool kit. Grunt, snort... power tools.

Susan got a new sewing/embroidery machine (http://www.babylock.com/embroidery/ellure-plus/). She had to purchase it herself (she gets a big discount from work, and well, I would just screw it up). A sewing machine that hooks up to a computer. Who boy.

Wasn't DL still under construction when you were 5? :evil:

Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world. :p

JWBear

12-26-2007, 11:34 AM

It's the miracle of Xmas Gift Cards!

BTW, LOVED your xmas card, it was awesome and gorgeous!

Thank you, but it was all Bill's work.

Snowflake

12-26-2007, 11:55 AM

Thank you, but it was all Bill's work.

Dats okay, you can tell him I thought so!

JWBear

12-26-2007, 12:38 PM

Dats okay, you can tell him I thought so!

I will!

innerSpaceman

12-26-2007, 02:19 PM

I got a rock.

Snowflake

12-26-2007, 02:20 PM

I got a rock.

CZ? Tourmaline? Diamond?

Prudence

12-26-2007, 03:43 PM

I got a rock.

To wind a string around?

Kevy Baby

12-26-2007, 03:48 PM

I got a rock.And it is probably more than you deserved. :D

Disneyphile

12-26-2007, 06:56 PM

This year's bounty from my parents:

iLive under-the-counter mount iPod stereo
Memorex iPod/CD stereo
City Hall/Firehouse Olszewski
2 PS2 games
Tow Mater pillow
princess blanket
pirate-inspired buckled leather shoes
Little Mermaid DVD
Disney the Ultimate Visual Guide coffee table book
Mickey Mouse DVD
Disneyland Treasures DVD
Oswald Treasures DVD
The Daring Book for Girls
Pirates of the Caribbean pop-up book
$100 in cash (all in singles, individually rolled and placed within 100 straws in a box - mom's pretty clever there)
Pair of movie tickets
Toolbox with 26 tools
DVD player/surround sound system
Stained glass Mickey floor lamp
Assorted pajamas and clothes
Remy in a Jar (the oddest gift I've ever received from them - it's Ratatouille's Remy in a plastic jar, and he runs around in it on the floor, which is great for torturing the cats)

And, Ken got some stuff from them too. We're spoiled. ;)

CoasterMatt

12-26-2007, 07:04 PM

The coolest thing I got for Christmas was a nice quiet dinner with Rose and her parents - it was really informal, and the champagne was yummy.

Kevy Baby

12-26-2007, 07:12 PM

$100 in cash (all in singles, individually rolled and placed within 100 straws in a box - mom's pretty clever there)...and has WAY too much free time on her hands.

3894

12-26-2007, 07:37 PM

Some Chanel #5 perfume

Me, too.

Disneyphile

12-26-2007, 07:38 PM

...and has WAY too much free time on her hands.
She spent 2-1/2 hours rolling and stuffing them. I spent only 5 minutes popping them out with a skewer, much to her dismay. ;)

Cadaverous Pallor

12-26-2007, 08:16 PM

We're spoiled. ;)You said it, not me.

Hmm, what did we get...

My brother got us the Pixar shorts DVD (yay!) and a game I had in childhood called Run Yourself Ragged (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/9211). It's now called "Screwball Scramble" but it's exactly the same. Such an awesome gift!

My parents got us a set of serving bowls, which we've returned for store credit since we have plenty of bowls. I'm just glad it'll get us something fun and kitcheney when we need it....and she didn't make anything for us, for which I am grateful.

From other family, we got some books, some Best Buy and Fry's gift cards, and of course some lovely meals together.

I think that's it. Oh, we got a citrus juicer from a gift exchange, and I got an awesome Mickey scarf and gloves from a work gift swap.

Moonliner

12-26-2007, 08:18 PM

... he runs around in it on the floor, which is great for torturing the cats)

Oh yeah, that reminds me. I got a really fun cat toy (http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=69623664&pnr=M53)too!

madmonkeygirl

12-27-2007, 12:20 PM

I got a ton of Bon Jovi stuff...let's see:

2 calendars (one of just Jon, and one of the band)
Bon Jovi hoodie (not that i needed another one but it's the new ones they are selling on this tour)
two long sleeved BJ shirts
Livin on a Prayer tshirt
a BJ pen
that was just from my mom

CM got me
personalized license plate BAD RX (Bad Medicine) :) couldn't have asked for anything better

Panasonic Luminx DMC TZ3 camera but won't be here for awhile

Brea my friend from MN who is going to Vegas with me got me two really awesome gifts
Bon Jovi ornament she decorated herself with a personalized message and Livin on a Prayer
But the awesomest from her was a picture frame she glued a ton of Bon Jovi pictures around and stuck a picture of her and i in the middle taken from Vegas last March :)

Lisa who lives in Indiana got me one of the above calendars
Borders gift card with a stuffed bear dressed as Santa. (gonna get the book i wanted) :)
a Jon bear
a stuffed dog saying true blue friends

My mom got me a gift card to go eat
Vacuum nice one at that :)
Socks
and a little hand held massager
Starbucks gift card i will use on NYE before Disneyland

myself
leapord spotted jammies from Victoria's Secret
bath and body lotion
tomagotchi
build a bear polar bear
tickets to Bon Jovi's new tour :)

But Xmas isn't about getting it's about giving and family and spending the day with loved ones. I'm sorry but material stuff is just it's great to open presents and all but that's not what Xmas is about.

Kevy Baby

12-27-2007, 12:27 PM

two long sleeved BJ shirts
a BJ penSo there are now special clothing and writing instruments for this activity?

Morrigoon

12-27-2007, 12:29 PM

The shirt is stain-resistant.

The pen is just for practice ;)

madmonkeygirl

12-27-2007, 01:59 PM

The pen is a regular writing pen with the heart and dagger logo and the shirts are to wear lmao...oh and i so forgot my sister got me for the gift exchange and got me a car charger for my cell phone so i am almost set for my concerts and trips down that LOST HIGHWAY

Moonliner

12-27-2007, 02:05 PM

The pen is just for practice ;)

Ouch.

sleepyjeff

12-27-2007, 02:15 PM

I got a Sony Video Jukebox(basically a dvd player that has a carousel which holds 400 dvds):) ....no more switching out dvds for me(wow, that's pretty darn lazy ain't it? :blush: )

I also got a great Argyle shirt, a box of Macadami nuts, a new cell phone(with an mp3 player---now I can listen to every Aqua Song ever made;) ) , a fondue pot, a beard trimmer, a Hickory Farms gift pack, a B I G coat and lots and lots of sox.

From the heavens we also got a White Christmas(even if it only lasted a couple of hours in was kinda cool) :)

blueerica

12-27-2007, 02:28 PM

Stuff. And stuff..

Kevy Baby

12-27-2007, 04:09 PM

I got a Sony Video Jukebox(basically a dvd player that has a carousel which holds 400 dvds):) ....no more switching out dvds for me(wow, that's pretty darn lazy ain't it? :blush: )Did you get this bad boy (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038348)? We have one and are mostly happy with it. Except our is an earlier version without HDMI (just component video and coax digital audio out). Also, I felt the lack of indexing features to be a disappointment.

But in addition to the laziness factor, it really helps with the storage of DVDs. While we do keep the boxes they came in, we do not need to have them out on display anywhere. It is pretty cramped in our living room, so this is a definite plus.

Alex

12-27-2007, 04:30 PM

I slobbered over DVD jukeboxes for most of the last decade (a friend had one of the earliest ones). Then by the time I finally was willing to kick in the cash for one, I had more discs than any of them would hold so it seemed pointless to have it and still need to store DVDs somewhere accessible.

Kevy Baby

12-27-2007, 04:37 PM

I always wondered if they had any capacity add-on modules on the drawing board. It would seem to make sense, but the line probably didn't sell well enough.

Scrooge McSam

12-27-2007, 04:40 PM

Alex... another DVD jukebox.

You gotta get with this whole consumerism thing.

And then when you've got both jukeboxes up, it'll be time to buy the all in one remote, cuz who needs all those remotes laying around.

Buy, man, buy!

swanie

12-27-2007, 05:05 PM

We were truly blessed this year. :)

The girls and Mr. Swanie got me a Cannon SD-1000 digital camera with an accessory pack and a 4 Gig card, the Order of the Phoenix DVD, the Trival Pursuit Pop Culture 80's and 90's edition, and some really cute and thoughtful presents the kids made and/or picked up at their school's gift fair. They also got me the Harry Potter Interactive DVD game...but that has to go back. For anyone considering it, it is really buggy.

I got a hideous jacket from my in-laws...but I'm just grateful it wasn't a Dr. Phil parenting book like I got two years ago. After 12 years of marriage, I guess they are learning to tolerate me. :D

The big surprise came from my Mom and Step-dad. They got us the formal dining room table set that I have pined over for the last year. We were completely blown away. :D And to top it off, my Dad gave us a nice contribution to the "get a new puppy" fund.

We were really shocked over all of their generosity.

swanie

Alex

12-27-2007, 05:06 PM

I just spent $200+ on a universal remote. It has saved my marriage. I wonder how well it would work with two identical components involved.

The big reason I kept holding off on buying a carousel for so long was the thought of programming in all of the titles. And now I'm not going to buy any non-cheap DVD players until the next generation issues have shaken out.

Moonliner

12-27-2007, 05:16 PM

I just spent $200+ on a universal remote.

A Harmony?

sleepyjeff

12-27-2007, 05:16 PM

Did you get this bad boy (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038348)?

That's the one. Pretty easy to type in the titles...just unplugged my keyboard from my PC and plugged it right into the player. Only had to type in about half of the titles though since many did it automatically(including Seinfeld and Friends thank goodness).

Kevy Baby

12-27-2007, 06:10 PM

That's the one. Pretty easy to type in the titles...just unplugged my keyboard from my PC and plugged it right into the player. Only had to type in about half of the titles though since many did it automatically(including Seinfeld and Friends thank goodness).Yeah, that part was easy (did you also add screen shots?). But finding the disc you want is a pain (hence my comment about a lack of decent indexing function).

We made a little book showing what was in each slot: sorted by both disc location and name.

Kevy Baby

12-27-2007, 06:15 PM

I just spent $200+ on a universal remote. <snip> I wonder how well it would work with two identical components involved.Since there is no A/B remote functionality, it would be a little challenging.

While idly chatting about the possibility of two carousels, we figured that we would always have one unit on and one unit off. Use the power button to "toggle" between the two units and then use the remote on the active unit.

______________________

On the subject of universal remotes, the only one I could never replace with a universal remote is the Tivo remote. I have to say that amongst other things, they really did a good job on that remote.

Several of my current remotes could do a sufficient job as a "universal". If I would just get around to programming them...

Scrooge McSam

12-27-2007, 06:55 PM

I just spent $200+ on a universal remote. It has saved my marriage. I wonder how well it would work with two identical components involved.

Not well, as Kevy mentioned.

I had one of the first (that I know of) CD jukeboxes back in the 90s, since stolen. I was kinda peeved with the limitations back then. I'm surprised they haven't come up with a way to chain units together. Are any of the units internet enabled?

Morrigoon

12-27-2007, 06:59 PM

*cute picture of my dog next to a ginormous universal remote that didn't really contribute much to the conversation removed*

Meh, I'll just link it (http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/morrigoon/dogs/P1040396.jpg).

Great remote, can't lose it. Limited on features though ;)

Alex

12-27-2007, 07:23 PM

A Harmony?

Yep, Harmony 880 (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control/dp/B00093IIRA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198808359&sr=8-1). It was an impulse buy because Lani was having fits every time I would forget to put everything back into basic "watch cable TV" mode.

I didn't think it would be able to handle the little Radio Shack RC A/B switch I have in the setup so that I can watch network HD without paying for a Comcast HD converter. But it did. Lani is very happy, so I'm happy.

The only problem is that the remote doesn't recognize the "-" character in channel numbers so I can't use it to change directly to the HD channels (up here the local WB HD, for example, is on 36-1) so I have to change to 36 and then channel up.

Oh, and of course it went into deep discount on Amazon about two weeks after we bought it (at Fry's). But we're too lazy to deal with returns just to save the $100.

sleepyjeff

12-27-2007, 07:46 PM

Yeah, that part was easy (did you also add screen shots?). But finding the disc you want is a pain (hence my comment about a lack of decent indexing function).

We made a little book showing what was in each slot: sorted by both disc location and name.

Mine indexes by title(alphabetically). Just switch to "title" mode when searching......I did add some screen shots but got in too big of a hurry after about 120 discs so not all of the discs have a picture.

Moonliner

12-27-2007, 08:01 PM

Yep, Harmony 880 (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control/dp/B00093IIRA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198808359&sr=8-1).

Drat. The 890 has an RF to IR feature that in theory could allow you to use two identical components in the same system.

Oh and don't drop it. They do not take well to that. Plus be sure to keep the contacts on the remote and the base clean. If your remote suddenly dies that's the first thing to check (unless of course you just dropped it).

Alex

12-27-2007, 08:07 PM

I specifically did not want the RF which is why we didn't just say "what the hell" and pay the extra whatever it was for the 890.

Moonliner

12-27-2007, 08:13 PM

I specifically did not want the RF which is why we didn't just say "what the hell" and pay the extra whatever it was for the 890.

Why?

sleepyjeff

12-27-2007, 09:37 PM

.... a new cell phone(with an mp3 player--

Incidently.....I was copying some of my old numbers into my new phone and realized I actually have the number of someone who lives in the 949 area code....

Ghoulish Delight

12-27-2007, 10:02 PM

The only problem is that the remote doesn't recognize the "-" character in channel numbers so I can't use it to change directly to the HD channels (up here the local WB HD, for example, is on 36-1) so I have to change to 36 and then channel up."doesn't recognize" as in "won't even learn it"? Bummer.

We've got the 880, purchased because it was the only universal remote I could find that has buttons that can't be munched by the bunny (4 remotes have had their buttons cleanly chomped off). Boy howdy do I love it.

CoasterMatt

12-27-2007, 10:03 PM

CoasterMatt

12-27-2007, 10:06 PM

There's also this (http://www.dancraft.com/conn.htm) for using a PC to control a collection of media changers- could probably whip something up nice for a MCE based system with it.

Kevy Baby

12-27-2007, 10:41 PM

Incidently.....I was copying some of my old numbers into my new phone and realized I actually have the number of someone who lives in the 949 area code....That could be a great number of LoTers

Kevy Baby

12-27-2007, 10:47 PM

um... I installed a Sony CD jukebox several years ago that had a serial port connection for chaining up to 6(?) units at a time- the client had 3 of them stacked in a media closet next to his home theater.No such port on the DVD Carousel. I guess they thought that no one would ever need additional DVD capacity.

Alex

12-28-2007, 12:03 AM

"doesn't recognize" as in "won't even learn it"? Bummer.

Didn't know it. I tried to program the HD channels as favorites and it wouldn't save them because of the dash. Admittedly I didn't work on it very hard, though, since it really isn't that hard to press "5" and then "Channel up" to get to 5-1.

So, it may be possible to get it to work but I'm pretty sure "putting in effort" and "universal remote" are two concepts that don't belong in the same sentence.

lizziebith

12-28-2007, 02:05 AM

I got a pack of 100 color(!) paper CD/DVD sleeves!

Yeah, we're broke, but it's okay. I made a nice breakfast for the family-folk that showed up, and used gift cards from my birthday for a few token presents for the kids. It worked to a degree.

I kinda miss money, but I'm not really unhappy. Weird.

Ghoulish Delight

12-28-2007, 09:37 AM

So, it may be possible to get it to work but I'm pretty sure "putting in effort" and "universal remote" are two concepts that don't belong in the same sentence.It's a fairly simple process to get it to learn the button, made even simpler with the gui-based setup. You just point your old remote at the new remote, press the button you want to teach the new remote, and voila.

Cadaverous Pallor

12-28-2007, 09:43 AM

I loves the new remote....press the "play a game" soft key and I'm set for Wii, press the "watch a dvd" button and I'm set for that, press "watch TiVo" and it'll turn off the dvd player while it gets me to my pre-recorded fix. One touch turns off everything, too. It's all I've ever wanted, ever since I first had to deal with 2 remotes. I'd have to say that's the best gift we've received, though we gave it to ourselves. :)

ETA - does it count as a gift if the bunny ate the last remote and forced us into getting it? Thanks, bunny.

Alex

12-28-2007, 10:09 AM

It's a fairly simple process to get it to learn the button, made even simpler with the gui-based setup. You just point your old remote at the new remote, press the button you want to teach the new remote, and voila.

You already lost me. I didn't see anything in the manual about pointing old remotes at this one. But if I remember I'll look into it. So far the only reason I am watching HD channels is for football so the end of the season will soon make it a moot point (HD baseball is nice, I'm sure, but I prefer my baseball on the radio).

CP: Those single button presses are what kept Lani from leaving me for someone with a simpler set up.