xmas do you love it or hate it. (1 Viewer)

[kalamitty]

is it me or does christmas period seems to extend for months, my neighbours had their decorations up in november, ( got two young kids ). the shops seem to sell a load of tat. sending cards to people that can't even be bothered to visit, even though we have visited them. whatever happened to putting decorations up 6 days before and down 6 days after.

 

[movan]

I hate it apart from the kiddies smiles part ... as long as THAT not related to how much money been spent on them ... it just one long money making racket now .. and it needn't be if we all stood strong and didn't play along.

We could have beautiful Christmases without presents ... but then I think we are starting to spoil birthdays and anniversaries too... money money money. AND I AM NOT A MISERABLE SOD ... I love the music and dancing .. the quiet reflections .. the friendships and the caring for those in need ...

Christmas as it has developed ... bah humbug.

 

[iandsm]

I love the idea of a Christian festival where family and friends can get together for a few hours/days. I hate the idea that shops, businesses, charities and pretty much every commercial enterprise uses Christmas as an excuse to extract as much cash as they can from everyone, including people who just cannot afford it.

I hate the idea that many end up with payday loans they can't repay and huge credit card debts because of the exploitation that Christmas brings. I hate the idea that there are tv adverts asking me to donate various sums from only £3 per month or a one off £27 implying it will be my fault if it don't and some dire consequences befall some person/child/animal, in the certain knowledge that an email or text will follow asking for more while their chief executives are paid huge salaries.

I love the idea that a friend who doesn't have much spare cash spends a lot of time and effort to decorate the superb Christmas cakes she bakes as gifts for her friends, and I love the fact that out little local church overflows at carol services so many stand outside to take part. Not so much because they are devout but because they share our sense of community.

So for me it's a gift to our local Salvation Army, who I know help local people less fortunate than me and a share a few hours with the love of some close family and friends and remembering those no longer with us while I thank God I can do that in good physical and financial health.

Bottom line is I suppose I love it and I hate too.

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[Jaws]

Love it.. We do not put decorations up until .. well about tomorrow as it happens


This year is very badly tainted for us due to someone close about to go to the party in the sky, but we will still make the effort and do what we can to enjoy the festive period

 

[MitchandJenny]

We love putting up lights and deckies and spending time together looking at other lovely lights and sights.
But the commercial side has spiralled way out of control and starts about October ! ! !
We will be off in the van soon, but have got some lights and a few deckies for the van to spread the "glow" when in Eth Eth Espania.
Crimble is all about the kids really and once you are without them, the season has lost a bit of its joy.
NOT bah humbug, but hate the financial emphasis.
Wishing you all a wonderful time.
Mitch.

 

[Chris]

I love it.

The office is shut for a week

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[hilldweller]

It's getting very messy now. What is it now, the Mid Winter Holiday, an important religious festival, a provocation against the devout XXXXes, an excuse for excess.

For sure it is a serious challenge for all families on basic wages.

 

[michnig]

Went away last year to a CC site for xmas,first time away ever and loved it so much im going away xmas eve till 29th at the same site,cant waite,no hassle.

 

[JJ]

I LOVE Christmas.

All that football.

JJ

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[Kool Kroozer]

Hate it, all a big palarva for the sake of a day, once ya had a crimbo dinner its all over anyway, people going mad in supermarkets as if its gonna be the end of the world, crazy train - let me off please !
Another year sitting around opening presents, when you have to look like its something you have always wanted when deep down inside ya thinking what a waste of money - back of the cupboard with the crap you had the year before an the year before that.

 

[teddybear]

Hate it , that's why we try to get out of the country for it.But you can't escape completely local shops started having Christmas tat in August

 

[Minxy]

Christmas is what you make of it ...

I have had bad times in the past so my memory of it is of family rows when I was a kid and lots of upset, in latter years it's been a feeling of pressure to 'enjoy' it, which I don't and the 'pressure' to eat the multitude of stuff you've bought and been given knowing full well that you'll put weight on if you do and don't really want it anyway!

The last couple of years we've not bought much at all, no extra chocs, nuts etc, just a bit of food for Christmas dinner itself, usually a nice gammon joint and a large chicken, or a turkey if its not extortionately priced, oh and a nice big tub of double cream for the coffees! We don't have visitors on the day unless we ask my Mum if she wants to come but she doesn't really want to as she likes to be at home watching her multitude of soaps! Last year she went to my brother's for a change but this year he's gone to New Zealand where his daughter lives so she won't be going there ... she always tells me she's happier at home anyway.

We like it nice and quiet, just hubby, me and the dogs - hubby does the dinner and I help prep the veg (if I'm allowed in the kitchen!) and set the table then tidy up the mess left from the dogs opening their presents and thrown the contents and wrapping everywhere ... that's the best part of Christmas for me ... watching them open their presents and the happy yaps when they finally get at the contents!

Once dinner is over and I've cleared up we just slob out, may watch a film if hubby can keep awake otherwise he'll snooze and I'll do a jigsaw puzzle with some old film on the telly ... nice and relaxing ... if we feel peckish later we'll just have something light - a sarnie or a piece of quiche and a lemon tart/mince pie that I'll have made the day before followed of course by a coffee with double cream on top ... mmmmm.

So for us, no pressure, no hassle, nice and quiet and relaxing ... but if it's been snowing and the conditions are 'right' there's the obligatory play with the dogs and a snowball fight!!!!

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[hilldweller]

when you have to look like its something you have always wanted

That is one of the real "age" problems I find. I went to the NEC bike show and all I bought was a beefburger, just nothing else I wanted. I have all I need in that department.

Same in the house, we have all we need now.

Motorhome, well it's 13 years old but sound mechanically, nice one FIAT and the layout is as good as it gets as long was we can climb the ladder to bed.

But I guess I can't wait to see look on face of 2.9 YO granddaughter when she opens her presents.

 

[Jim]

Christmas is always a great cause for celebration for us as it's coming means that the 6 nations is only weeks away.

Hating Christmas, what's all that about? It's a bit like saying I hate August Bank Holidays

 

[Minxy]

I forgot to mention presents!

It had become a bit of a farce - we always bought thoughtful/useful presents for others but mostly got a load of tat in return, usually stuff from pound shops (charity shop benefitted though) but for a few years we've been thinking of not bothering as, apart from us, it adds to the expense for them and also we'd rather they spent on their own kids etc rather than us.

Last year we agreed to still do it although we'd said we'd be happy not to bother anymore (for the reasons stated above), however after the early pre-Christmas opening of presents by one of my sisters and the 'insult' that followed we've decided not to do presents for other family members now except my Mum, Chris's stepdad and wife - their presents have already been bought and wrapped and ready to go (just in case I get called in for my hand op before Christmas!), so for us it's all nice and calm already and should stay that way ... just got to get the 'courage' up to put the trimmings up ... last year I think it was Christmas eve when they went up and they came down before new year!!! Oh, and our main Christmas tree never gets 'undressed' I just bend the branches back in, cover it in an old sheet and a couple of black bags then stick it back through the loft hatch into it's 'special spot' in the attic ready for another year ....

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[Minxy]

That is one of the real "age" problems I find. I went to the NEC bike show and all I bought was a beefburger, just nothing else I wanted. I have all I need in that department.

Same in the house, we have all we need now.

I know what you mean, my hubby's stepdad's wife (not sure if there is a technical term ... step MIL maybe?) ... she asked us ...

"What do the people who have everything they need want for Christmas?"!

I couldn't think of anything but later came up with the suggested that a spare mains charger for my laptop would be a good idea so that when I want to use it in the bedroom I don't have to mess about moving the one that's in the lounge so hubby has 'bought' one on their behalf and passed it on so they can wrap it! No doubt I'll still get the usual chocolate Brazil nuts (a traditional gift from them each year) so I'll be a happy bunny!

 

[Cal54]

Think it's a lot of fuss and for most, too expensive. To me the best sort of Christmas would be a Victorian affair - presents are something you have made for people which shows you cared. Entertainment would be sitting round the piano singing Carols or playing card games. Perhaps I just see things through rose tinted glasses!!

This year our xmas lunch is going to be the weekend before, we are going out for a meal on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day will just be a buffet and any of our neighbours, specifically those on their own, will be invited to drop in for a nibble and a sherry. No drama!!!

 

[big map]

Think it's a lot of fuss and for most, too expensive. To me the best sort of Christmas would be a Victorian affair - presents are something you have made for people which shows you cared. Entertainment would be sitting round the piano singing Carols or playing card games. Perhaps I just see things through rose tinted glasses!!

This year our xmas lunch is going to be the weekend before, we are going out for a meal on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day will just be a buffet and any of our neighbours, specifically those on their own, will be invited to drop in for a nibble and a sherry. No drama!!!

You need to get some baileys in too.....

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[hilldweller]

No doubt I'll still get the usual chocolate Brazil nuts (a traditional gift from them each year) so I'll be a happy bunny!

A failing of mine at the pics, those bins full of huge nuts coated in the thickest possible chocolate. Not quality but quantity.

I think M&S Belgian chocolate ones for quality.

 

[frogijock]

I am only starting to enjoy Christmas since I retired as I worked 28 of the 30 Christmas's before then

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I hate it another gross waste of money by people who cannot afford it to give to the retailers who push it so hard.
I find it a lonely time when I feel left out. I used to volunteer to do the Christmas and boxing day shifts in the Hospital just to get some company, but the hospital always just forgot that something to eat over 12 hours would be nice, even the sandwich shop was closed.Mars bar and left over mince pies with a few selections left in the tub that were not the liked ones. BAH!!! humbug.
The only good thing was the days are getting longer again. I hope they will anyway.
I might do off in the van and find a field to eat worms in. Nowhere is open and nothing to do or go.

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[simsy56]

I hate it............christmas is a business!

Craig

 

[movan]

We were very poor when I was little. I used to get just a couple of presents off mum and dad .. and that was fine by me .. from a very early age my lovely dad taught me that giiving to those that have even less than us is the bestest feeling in the world and gives you so much happiness, as well as those to whom we give.

Christmas morning we used to walk through the countryside to the local orphanage a couple of miles away and we took two or three presents. We then walked back and had something to eat .. small meal.. before dad and I playing with whatever presents I had been given ...

My worst Christmas ever was when my dad had double pneumonia and we were told he wouldn't survive. I spent all Christmas day sitting on his bed playing with my present ....... 8 green plastic bells,(doh, ray, me ..etc)

Dad got better eventually .. probably thought he couldn't cope with listening to those bloody bells for any longer!

Miss you dad. Xx

 

[movan]

@Ambilkate

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[Gromett]

Neither love nor hate it. I just ignore it and wait for it to pass.

The only problem is work goes quiet over the 2 week period sometime 3. But this seems to get longer every year.

Just wish the festivities didn't start so early. I hate going into shops this time of year when they reduce the normal stock and pack it with useless (to me) Christmas crap.

A successful Christmas for me is the one where I manage to not get any cards (avoid the guilt). And don't hear my first Christmas tune until at least the last week of it.

 

[ROB1CHELSEA1]

Love Christmas
Rob&Jane

 

[Anthea M]

We always had a traditional Christmas as children with mum ,a single parent making the puddings ,Christmas cakes ,mince pies ready for the turkey on Christmas Day .
We had one present under the tree from Father Christmas and a small stocking at the end of the bed with small toys and sweets and an orange of course!. Other presents were from family and we always wrote our thankyou letters in the afternoon.( I realised that was mums relaxing time!!)
We still try to carry on these traditions and as this is the first Christmas in my 60 years without her we will carry on.
I ve also taken something small from mums house for each person and am wrapping them up for them as a token from her.( I hope they don't think it's maudlin it's just something I'd like to do.)
However you spend Christmas and it is a personal thing for everyone , I hope it is a peaceful one if you like it quiet or a noisy one if its a family occasion.

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[Forestboy]

Love the family get together part of Xmas but hate the commercial side.
Our house will be full for 4 days that's the best part.

 

[bigguspeckus]

is it me or does christmas period seems to extend for months, my neighbours had their decorations up in november, ( got two young kids ). the shops seem to sell a load of tat. sending cards to people that can't even be bothered to visit, even though we have visited them. whatever happened to putting decorations up 6 days before and down 6 days after.

Dunear in Narfuk wees havtur buy tat, cos'un thas arwl wees'cn oarford, caint oarford tur due no vistin ither, lessun ass in warkun distunce,
taint no muny no moor'n Narfuk eeconamee ,,,,

growun turnups, drivun trakturs un shovlun shite dunt pay liek'ut ussd tur,
arwl wees gart plennuy'ov dunear in Narfuk Borr is dorgs thart bark a'lart un cows thart fart a'lart.

Assa gorn'abee anuvvur misrabull Chrusmuss dunear in Narfuk Borr....

 

[bigguspeckus]

I hate it another gross waste of money by people who cannot afford it to give to the retailers who push it so hard.
I find it a lonely time when I feel left out. I used to volunteer to do the Christmas and boxing day shifts in the Hospital just to get some company, but the hospital always just forgot that something to eat over 12 hours would be nice, even the sandwich shop was closed.Mars bar and left over mince pies with a few selections left in the tub that were not the liked ones. BAH!!! humbug.
The only good thing was the days are getting longer again. I hope they will anyway.
I might do off in the van and find a field to eat worms in. Nowhere is open and nothing to do or go.

Kum yew darn'ear Borr, wees aint gart furk'orl butt yous wun'aftur eat furkun wurms,

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