TresSugar

Group Therapy: Am I a Green-Eyed Monster?

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

I have been in a serious, monogamous relationship for nearly seven months. Both of us are very much in love, and I have been looking forward to our first holiday season together. For Christmas, he gave me a beautiful paper star lamp that hangs from the ceiling, which I had pointed out to him while shopping this Fall. However, this Summer his ex-girlfriend - whom he dated for five years - gave him back the necklace he gave her for their first Christmas which was a beautiful, ornate, heavy silver choker which probably cost around $150, whereas my gift cost about $25. I'm not really what you would call "materialistic," and the lamp itself is a nice gift, but I often have issues with their still-close relationship and the difference between the two gifts makes it seem as though he values me less, or thinks of our relationship as less of an "investment" than theirs.

I know this Christmas is less grand for everyone this year, but he has a job that is relatively unaffected by the recession. I spent around a $100 on him, and I'm a student! He's older, has a job and a house and money to spend on luxuries. Should I tell him he's offended me? Or just let it go? I don't want to sound like a brat, but she got a beautiful, sentimental gift, and I got a house-warming present! I feel like I'm always "second best."

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To read more GROUP THERAPY, click here or submit your own question here.]

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Christmas Around the World!

LibertySugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:00:22 -0800

For an international dose of holiday cheer, check out these pictures of celebrations in China, Iraq, France, Thailand, and beyond! Source

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Merry Christmas!

DearSugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:00:00 -0800

Merry Christmas!
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday!

With love,
DearSugar

Creeped Out by Santa

GiggleSugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:30:00 -0800

Making little kids sit on a strange old man's lap, particularly when he's wearing a lot of rouge and perhaps smells like cheap Scotch, seems like a bad life lesson to teach such delicate little ones. Check out a gallery of spooked-out children who want to have nothing to do with Santa. Source

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Happy Holidays!

GiggleSugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Have a happy, safe break chillaxin' with the loved ones!

A Johnny Cash Christmas!

GiggleSugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:59:00 -0800

Was there anyone cooler than Johnny Cash? I've posted the David Bowie/Bing Crosby Christmas for the past couple years, so I decided it was time for something different. Johnny, his wife June, and his family sing "The 12 Days of Christmas!" Lovely. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Relationship Protocol: What New Christmas Traditions Have You Created?

DearSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0800

Making new traditions with your significant other is part of the excitement of building a life together, especially during the holidays. Splitting time between family can be somewhat overwhelming, so creating something special - just for each other - that you can look forward to every year is a great way to ease the holiday stress. So on this Christmas Eve, tell me, what traditions have you created with your special someone?

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Weird Christmas Album Covers

GiggleSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:00:00 -0800

As a connoisseur of bad, someone else's worst is actually what I consider best. Like these odd Christmas album covers, for example. Who wouldn't want both to own and hear these things?! A Heino or Colonel Sanders or - gasp - Liberace Christmas? Count me in!

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Two A-Holes Buying a Christmas Tree

GiggleSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:00:00 -0800

These two seem to always be in front of me while I wait for my coffee. Inane doesn't begin to describe them!

Do You Avoid Saying Merry Christmas?

LibertySugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:30:29 -0800

In today's Washington Times one writer laments the fact that retailers fear using the word "Christmas" in their festive advertising. The article explains that for sales going down on Dec. 26, "among major retail chains, only Kohl's and Rite-Aid have used the word Christmas regularly and prominently in their advertising."

Around this time of year, I tend to say "Happy Holidays" because there are so many holidays going on - Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, etc. But depending on the audience or the date (for example, Christmas Eve), I have no problem saying "Merry Christmas."

While it makes some sort of sense for retailers to use a generic term to appeal to more customers, do you find that you avoid saying "Merry Christmas" so you don't offend anyone?

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