Family life. Oh those were the days NOT. I don't envy you one little bit. I will sit here on my own because I absolutely REFUSE to do the 'family' christmas. I am not going to change my attitude towards anyone for one day just to get a load of cheap junk presants that I neither want or need. No Thank you sir. I'd much rather do my own thing. I'll go for a walk in my mountains and be at one with nature while they all sit about putting up with each others habits and swearing.
Don't let them waste it for you. Don't give them the pleasure it brings them. Humans are twisted spiteful barstewards when they want to be.

xmas is basically how many good books and cds of johnny cash and the doors i can get.it has no religious meaning to me at all.

I just wanna get kinda drunk and listen to a very drunk Jim Morrison scream his guts out LIVE in BOSTON!

I feel so sorry for you guys. I love christmas, I love lights, and presents, and bows, stockings, kittens, puppies, tinsel, elves, gingerbread, nutmeg, cloves, eggnog, pumpkin pie, games, christmas music, hot chocolate, christmas movies, garland, snow, bells, eating all day long, santa outfit dresses, glitter, boots, pointsettas, toy stores, christmas trees, dancing, laughing, singing, BEING MERRY, so be merry got damnit, and remember christmas isn't about you, or presents, it's about giving, and being thankful for what you have. It's natural to rebel against tradition, but tradition instills order, and god knows our kids need that, but then again the next generation will run the nation, mine got skipped. =)

merry christmas everybody!!!

-dirt dobbler

Your options are fairly limited here. You could either fix it (sounds unlikely), replace it, or say "fuck it." It sounds like you're in "fuck it" mode at the moment. Frankly, I'd ride that wave until after the holidays until things have calmed down and prices have dropped a bit, anyway. It's not your fault the damned thing got broken, so I'd suggest that you tell the recipient what your original intentions were, and then replace it after the holidays.

I hope you manage to have a good day despite this bad start. Try to remember the things that really give your life meaning at this time, and this too, shall pass.

that is cool...