so what else is new

In the wake of 9/11 people are shopping less and therefore department stores that are not enjoying a particularly successful season have had to lay off most of their Santa Clauses who had always been hired off the street in a burst of corporate generosity. Fodors has very kindly hired the fired Santas to be part-time board monitors with authority to delete inappropriate posts, but unfortunately all the regulars are on holiday and unable to train or supervise. Hence the rather bizarre decisions concerning what to delete.

Just

In support of Ebenezerette, I also wish I could have your type of Xmas. We tend to commercialize and end up sizing who got the better or bigger gift. What massive quantities of food and liquor are consumed!!! Shouldn't it be simpler??<BR><BR>Just wishing

Lauren

I am Jewish and I am, unlike most of you, working on Christmas day.<BR><BR>I have my own law practice and much of it involves neglect and abuse cases in DC Superior Court. If I am at home, I always sign up for Christmas day duty, as, unless Christmas falls on a Sunday, there is court on Christmas and they always need lawyers to cover. It is usually a Jewish judge and a bunch of Jewish lawyers covering the shop; it is mostly the same people each year. <BR><BR>Of course, the non Jews pull duty for the Jews on the Jewish holidays--which is just as it should be.<BR><BR>After finishing at court, I plan to spend Christmas night with a friend seeing a production at the John F. Kennedy Center in DC.<BR><BR>And, a healthy and happy holiday season--with, hopefully, peace in the new year. Now those wishes are good for everyone, whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Eid or something else.