It's an odd season. Many people talk about giving gifts and helping people, but do they really mean it? Sometimes I think that people talk just to talk and never have any real commitment to what they say.

For instance, I purchased a fairly large gift for my Mom this year. It was something that she needed and we could afford it but she couldn't. I got really mixed reactions when people heard about it. A lot told me I was insane. Others acted hostile that I did it (maybe they are jealous) and a few said "that was a great thing to do".

This year I decided that I would buy things for people because I want to, and it doesn't matter who gets more. If they feel that they got "cheated" because I didn't spend enough on them, then I probably shouldn't have bought them a gift to begin with.

I really like giving gifts, though. If the government wouldn't take so much of my pay check, I probably would help out more people that I know. Kind of the "charity starts at home" concept.

On a larger scale, people at WinCustomize: https://www.wincustomize.com/ have been complaining about not being able to afford a subscription. I started a friendly contest to give away 3 subscriptions (only $60 total) to those people. They need to make a skin or theme, though to get it. Unfortunately, I have a sneaking suspicion that I won't get many entries. I'll be amazed if I even get 10. I have a feeling that the people just want to complain and won't actually do a bit of work to get the subscription. I hope I am wrong. But, with what I have seen in the world lately, I have a feeling that people rather complain about stuff than actually find a solution to it.

I try to stay as positive through the holiday season as possible, but it just seems to be difficult to do any more with all the negativity and people with their empty "goodwill". Am I the only one who feels that way?