A Christmas tree is definitely no trade for sanity :)
Kind of both, kind of neither? The actual phrase Generic Solstice-Derivative Gift Exchange Ritual was coined by me in a conversation with a friend while we were discussing the origins of Christmas, and how many different winter solstice holidays and festivals were grouped together to make Christmas, plus all the other cultures that celebrate at the same time now, and I thought of the best all-encompassing term for all past & present winter-solstice holidays, and thus GSDGER was born.
I don't worry about being seen as religious, but I am very aware of the symbols and meaning to the holiday and I like to be specific when discussing what it is that I am celebrating. This time of year for me has nothing to do with the Mass of Christ, (as you said, not even christians are thinking of the baby Jesus, except Bill O'Reilly, who is "just sticking up for the Baby Jesus..") but everything to do with the pagan origins of the solstice. Everything we actually do this time of year came from that, so I like to acknowledge that, and call it by a truer name than Christmas.
It also depends on who I am talking to. In order to communicate effectively, one must speak the language of one's audience. Thus, in general conversation with strangers, I will use Christmas or Holiday, but in select company, I'll use my more outlandish terms, which I again, find humorous and more accurate.
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Kind of both, kind of neither? The actual phrase Generic Solstice-Derivative Gift Exchange Ritual was coined by me in a conversation with a friend while we were discussing the origins of Christmas, and how many different winter solstice holidays and festivals were grouped together to make Christmas, plus all the other cultures that celebrate at the same time now, and I thought of the best all-encompassing term for all past & present winter-solstice holidays, and thus GSDGER was born.
I don't worry about being seen as religious, but I am very aware of the symbols and meaning to the holiday and I like to be specific when discussing what it is that I am celebrating. This time of year for me has nothing to do with the Mass of Christ, (as you said, not even christians are thinking of the baby Jesus, except Bill O'Reilly, who is "just sticking up for the Baby Jesus..") but everything to do with the pagan origins of the solstice. Everything we actually do this time of year came from that, so I like to acknowledge that, and call it by a truer name than Christmas.
It also depends on who I am talking to. In order to communicate effectively, one must speak the language of one's audience. Thus, in general conversation with strangers, I will use Christmas or Holiday, but in select company, I'll use my more outlandish terms, which I again, find humorous and more accurate.
I hope that answers your question :D