Christmas vs. Remembrance Day

loveislouder

Hi guys,

Just wanted an opinion.

My sister gave me some serious flack yesterday for being almost finished my Christmas shopping. She thinks it's very disrespectful to our Veterans to have started shopping already, and she gets really offended when people have their decorations up before Remembrance Day.

What do ya'll think?

littlemushroom

I think your sister is nuts.

I am jealous you are almost done shopping. I haven't started yet. But I used to be one of those people shopping on Christmas Eve, so I am happy if I am done before then.

I do think it is too early for decorations, but only because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and don't think Christmas decorations should be up before then.

ahyatt87

My grandfather was a WWII veteran, so I have been raised to honour the reverence of remembrance day. I have zero opinions about shopping before Nov 11th, but I always feel annoyed when people move from Halloween into full blown Christmas mode. I just feel like the veterans and those who sacrifced so much deserve more acknowledgement. So, personally I do not feel it is appropriate to already have Christmas decorations up, including in the stores. Would it be so awful to wait until Nov 12th and give those who fought for us and continue to fight for us some serious reflection? I think not.

*steps off soap box*

dcbride86

Remembrance day?  Do you mean Veterans Day? I'm legit asking - I've never heard it referred to as Remembrance Day

I've never heard that rule, but I'm also 1/2 Jewish, and my house was never decorated from Christmas.  However, I know of many people who start decorating in early November.  Also, I've been done Christmas shopping almost a full year in advance before - I don't think you can show any disrepesect by purchasing gifts early

ahyatt87

@dcbride86 Remembrance Day is the terminology we use in Canada for Nov 11th. Are the Nov 11th services referred to as Veterans Day in the USA?

doeydo

JFC.  I can't stand people like your sister.  How is shopping for gifts all year round disrespectful to veterans and those presently serving?  Please, I would really like to know.  She's probably just an old scrooge.  I start my Christmas shopping on boxing day, and anyone who doesn't like it can suck it.

I am very respectful on Remembrance Day, I always wear my poppy, I go down to my local cenotaph for the service at 11:00, what more do you want me to do?

dcbride86

ahyatt87 said:

@dcbride86 Remembrance Day is the terminology we use in Canada for Nov 11th. Are the Nov 11th services referred to as Veterans Day in the USA?

Yes, Nov. 11 is referred to as Veterans Day in the USA.  I didn't know Canada had a similar thing on the same day!  That's really interesting

emmaaa

I support and have the utmost respect for our Veterans and active military members. However, what a person does leading up to and around Veterans' Day has no impact of it's importance. I personally wait until the day after Thanksgiving to put up decorations but there is no shame in shopping or decorating if that's what someone wants to do.

Maggie0829

littlemushroom said:

I think your sister is nuts.  

This.

I wanted to respond with more, but really the above covers my feelings.

novella1186

I refer to November 11 as my birthday. (Sorry, had to throw in that self-centered AW!) 

But seriously. How is gift-buying disrespectful to veterans? I'm confused by this logic. Your sister sounds kind of nuts. People are already getting ready for Thanksgiving too. Is Thanksgiving prep disrespectful to veterans? I mean... come on. 

doeydo

Canada's Remembrance Day is very solemn.  It is not a national holiday, though it is being talked about in Ottawa on whether or not to make it a holiday for everyone.  We have a moment of silence at 11:00, we buy and wear poppies leading up to the day on the actual day, we have a kick-ass poem written by a doctor in the war who was just working on one of his friends who ended up dying, and the schools always have an assembly.

climbingsingle

Your sister is totally nuts. What the hell? How is that disrespectful? It makes no sense. 

Both of my grandfathers were WWII veterans as well, and I was raised to give the utmost respect to all of our veterans. But yeah. No. 

southernbelle0915

Absolutely it is disrespectful. Jesus' birthday has everything to do with remembering Veterans, so the two are obviously related. And if you get excited about the birth of Jesus before properly remembering Veterans (since you aren't allowed to on any other day of the year), then you are committing a crime and should be arrested. 

/*sarcasm

People like your sister need a fucking hobby. 

LadyMillil

novella1186 said:

I refer to November 11 as my birthday. (Sorry, had to throw in that self-centered AW!) 

But seriously. How is gift-buying disrespectful to veterans? I'm confused by this logic. Your sister sounds kind of nuts. People are already getting ready for Thanksgiving too. Is Thanksgiving prep disrespectful to veterans? I mean... come on. 

We celebrate Thanksgiving in October in Canada. I do find it a little ridiculous that all the Christmas decorations go up November 1, but I do not think any of this is disrespectful to veterans.

Sugargirl1019

doeydo said:

Canada's Remembrance Day is very solemn.  It is not a national holiday, though it is being talked about in Ottawa on whether or not to make it a holiday for everyone.  We have a moment of silence at 11:00, we buy and wear poppies leading up to the day on the actual day, we have a kick-ass poem written by a doctor in the war who was just working on one of his friends who ended up dying, and the schools always have an assembly.

This is fascinating, did not know this. Although this is what 9-11 is now in the US. Moment of silence, school assemblies.

I do not know of any decorations for Remembrance Day or Veterans Day other than your nations flag. I don't know why you can't put up some cute turkeys in your garden or wreath. I agree that Christmas needs to wait til after Thanksgiving. Lights can go up early (nobody wants to hang lights in 6 ft if snow) but you should turn them on the day after Thanksgiving. Not before!

loveislouder

Thank you! Our Grandpa was a vet as well and he loved Christmas so his decorations were up November 1st so I don't understand what her problem is lol. I honestly HATE going anywhere near the malls after December 1st. Even though we're polite, us Canadians can be bitches when it comes to the last Barbie Dream House.

amelisha

I admit that I find the "Veteran's Day Sales" I see commercials for on American TV channels pretty horrifying - THAT seems kind of disrespectful, to be honest. There's just something about the utterly crass commercialism that makes me cringe every time I see it. But I think it's crazy to wait until after Remembrance Day to start your shopping and I'm not following her logic.

You Americans all have it easier when it comes to the "rules" about when it's okay to start decorating, etc., for Christmas because of your November Thanksgiving. Because we have Thanksgiving the second weekend in October (and no "Black Friday" or similar) it's a lot murkier as to when the transition to Christmas from the other fall holidays occurs, haha.

VulgarGirl

Didn't veterans fight for our right to shop whenever we damn well please? Isn't that the freedom they're out there defending?

I have the up most respect for anyone who serves. But shopping before/after veterans/remembrance day is not showing disrespect. I think Canada does remembrance day a little more seriously then the US does Veterans day. Like do you have a moment of silence during the day at some point? I thought I heard something like that. We...have a few parades and some people get the day off, but for a lot of people it's business as usual. 

I am rolling my eyes hard core at people with their lights already up. Guys...guys...come on. I know Thanksgiving (for us Americans) isn't that exciting, but let it have it's month. I don't cook so for me there's nothing to prep for. Just show up day of and eat. Which I am good at. (I might be putting up some stuff in the house later this week and maybe I've been listing to Christmas music in my car but I really like Christmas music!)

Gustafson28

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

lovegood90

Sounds like she's overreacting! Christmas shopping and remembering veterans can happen at the same time...

VulgarGirl

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

I'm an American and I always wish we learned more about Canada because I mean you guys are right the fuck there! I grew up in the southwest so I know some stuff about Mexico...but even that is lacking.

Most of what I learned I learned from Degrassi.

JennyColada

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still.

I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual.

/end rant. Destroys soap box

I don't think anyone is surprised that Canada has A holiday to celebrate/remember veterans, mainly it's just the date.

I mean, do you know the dates of our Thanksgiving or election days?

ShesSoCold

MagicInk said:

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

I'm an American and I always wish we learned more about Canada because I mean you guys are right the fuck there! I grew up in the southwest so I know some stuff about Mexico...but even that is lacking.

Most of what I learned I learned from Degrassi.

I agree. The most I ever learned about Canada in school was where it was on the map. Which isn't hard. Canada has just always been sitting there, totally happy and content and without historic significance according to American history books.

Gustafson28

MagicInk said:

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

I'm an American and I always wish we learned more about Canada because I mean you guys are right the fuck there! I grew up in the southwest so I know some stuff about Mexico...but even that is lacking.

Most of what I learned I learned from Degrassi.

Ha ha! Too funny. At least it's not South Park!

novella1186

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

It's not that people in the US don't respect Canada's veterans. It's that people in the US lack a general awareness of anyone but themselves. Hannukah is not the norm here either and you should hear the questions/comments I get about it. 

loveislouder

Gustafson28 said:

MagicInk said:

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

I'm an American and I always wish we learned more about Canada because I mean you guys are right the fuck there! I grew up in the southwest so I know some stuff about Mexico...but even that is lacking.

Most of what I learned I learned from Degrassi.

Ha ha! Too funny. At least it's not South Park!

Oh my gosh Degrassi. Poor Jimmy/Drake getting shot for something that wasn't his fault.

emmaaa

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

I don't anyone said that they didn't think Canada celebrated their military and Veterans as well. Most said that you can respect and remember and honor your heroes without putting everything else on hold. I can decorate and shop for Christmas in July and still be able to honor military. 

Now, like a PP mentioned, the Veterans' Day sales they have here in the U.S. are just a money maker and will use anything as a ploy, which is sad. 

Sugargirl1019

emmaaa said:

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still.

I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual.

/end rant. Destroys soap box

I don't anyone said that they didn't think Canada celebrated their military and Veterans as well. Most said that you can respect and remember and honor your heroes without putting everything else on hold. I can decorate and shop for Christmas in July and still be able to honor military. 

Now, like a PP mentioned, the Veterans' Day sales they have here in the U.S. are just a money maker and will use anything as a ploy, which is sad. 

Right, I know about Remembrance Day, I just didn't know about the moment of silence and degree of solemnity.

jennyleigh16

JennyColada said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

I don't think anyone is surprised that Canada has A holiday to celebrate/remember veterans, mainly it's just the date. I mean, do you know the dates of our Thanksgiving or election days?

Um...November 11th marked the end of hostilities in WWI...pretty sure that's a significant date for Canada too. 

Maggie0829

Gustafson28 said:

I have to say it hurts my brain a little bit that a lot of the Americans here had no idea that Canada celebrates our veterans as well. They all fought alongside and were often a large part of the reason why wars and battles were won. These veterans more than deserve it. I know none of you are saying they don't deserve it but still. I feel like I know a fair bit about American celebrations and culture and I have always wished it was mutual. /end rant. Destroys soap box

I'm sorry but I take a small issue with this.  Just because some Americans may not know that Canada has an actual day to celebrate their veterans does not mean that we think any less of what your country and men and women have sacrificed.  I certainly wouldn't think that of a Canadian who didn't know that America had a Veterans Day.  I mean you live in a different country that celebrates different things or may celebrate the same thing but on different dates.  Just because we don't know what the other country is celebrating and when is not a bad thing.  I salute all the men and women who have fought and died for their countries but just because I don't realize you have a special date on which you celebrate that doesn't make me think any less of you or your country.

And good for you for knowing a bit about our country and what holidays we celebrate.  But just because some of us may not know what holidays Canadians celebrate doesn't mean that we are horrible people who hate Canadians (yes I realize you didn't say this but it seems like it was kind of inferred or that you are looking down on us dumb Americans).

I only have so much room in my head for random knowledge so sorry I can't ramble off all the holidays that you celebrate and when.  It is just not on my list of things that are a need to know.

Sorry if this post sounded kind of mean but I just felt that you were not so nice in yours and were putting American citizens down for not knowing your countries holidays.

alpacalunch

MagicInk said:

Didn't veterans fight for our right to shop whenever we damn well please? Isn't that the freedom they're out there defending?

I have the up most respect for anyone who serves. But shopping before/after veterans/remembrance day is not showing disrespect. I think Canada does remembrance day a little more seriously then the US does Veterans day. Like do you have a moment of silence during the day at some point? I thought I heard something like that. We...have a few parades and some people get the day off, but for a lot of people it's business as usual. 

I am rolling my eyes hard core at people with their lights already up. Guys...guys...come on. I know Thanksgiving (for us Americans) isn't that exciting, but let it have it's month. I don't cook so for me there's nothing to prep for. Just show up day of and eat. Which I am good at. (I might be putting up some stuff in the house later this week and maybe I've been listing to Christmas music in my car but I really like Christmas music!)

We do have a moment of silence, not just in elementary schools either. Doey is spot on, it's far more solemn here. Particularly this year, because of the recent violence in Quebec and Ottawa, we are taking it more seriously. Regarding Christmas decor already appearing, I hate it, but I am the Canadian girl version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Bah humbug.