View Full Version : Do you like Christmas?
hollygolightly
18-10-03, 10:41 PM
Talk of this (cough, cough) special time has now started here on NFHiB ;) .
What's your view?
bah humbug!! :badmood:
yah boo to christmas!! :P
christmas means to me, double time, working and having to travel to see family, too many adverts and children screaming in supermarkets, when the parents leave everything to the last minute and then fight over the last bag of brussels, even though the kids hate brussels and it will cause a row at the dinner table (I love brussels BTW!!)
its just another day, it lost the true meaning, if peolpe got the true meaning back I would be happier about the whole affiar.
so there thats how I feel :P
hollygolightly
18-10-03, 11:02 PM
Originally posted by HadEnough@Oct 18 2003, 11:55 PM
:rolleyes: Nearly finished my Christmas shopping
:sicky: :lol:
I can just feel that this Poll is going to be a good one! :P
my mum calls me scrooge! :lol:
I dont care!!
I enjoy baking my dog her birthday cake more than Christmas!! :lol:
i like leaving stuff to last minute...is part of the fun! iono it is a whole build up to what is usually an anti-climax day, but it rooled in all sorts of ways years go, which wsa good, and i love this time of year anyway...iono i just like the "crisp" air and stuff ..country side scenery all white with frost or snow....how great is that.
i think it will be enjoyedable is experianced as should..."ppl getting together" ..plus its good seeing kids (e.g. younger sister) as we were once...all happy over the little things.
i think the "spirit" is getting lost but its like that with everything these days morons all over the place...but this year it will be all happy and stuff beth!
"the stocking is half full :D "
no she cant have rich fruit cake as it gives her wind, and no human would want to to eat her specail birthday cakes!!
we are all different and I dont do Christmas the same way as you!
hollygolightly
18-10-03, 11:29 PM
Vernon, I think your view on Christmas is pretty much the same as mine. You've said it much better than I could, thanks :) :D .
its the effort of preparation and anticipation I dont like.
I like sitting with Matthew and having a glass of wine and crashing, after I finish work.......last year I had to do a shift from xmas day into boxing day.
I always think of the poor old workers at christmas, the nurses and firefighters etc, and the residentail workers. :rolleyes:
we make the best xmas we can for the people we work with, not that they ever appriacte it! :lol:
not everyone gets to sit with family at xmas, some people dont have families or friends.
many of the people I work with dont even get a phone call from family
other do great work, saving lives and other things, right down to the people who work in the tv studios to bring you the queen at 3pm
so christams for me is another working day, where I dont get to spend the whole time with people I love
so this year, instead of getting stressed out by the turkey not cooking on time, please look around at the people you are with and think how lucky you are.
thats one of the meanings of christmas.
hollygolightly
19-10-03, 12:24 AM
I choose not to have the patter of tiny feet (apart from paws) as part of my family. I know though that there are those who would love to but cant. :(
Christmas can be a time of great joy, but I do feel that much of that has been lost over recent years. It is special for children, who are taught about "santa", but then I feel sorry for parents who are pushed to spend to provide. Which is so wrong.
I was pleased when I got a satsuma! :P
BTW Beth, OH is working over Christmas as am I, so it'll be a quick dash to M&S on the 24th to get the left overs for a bit of supper on the 25th! :lol:
Bit worried about Crimbo this year, but it does make me appreciate even more the Christmasses past :sad: :)
When you have kids, it's definitely more fun. I was very 'Beth' (!) until I had littl'uns, now I quite like it again :D
Satsumas were the BEST thing in my stocking!!! My kids get them now!
I am starting to actually understand Vernon's chat, so I'd better go to bed :hihi:
Mazza
:newyear: :newyear:
sapphirelily10
19-10-03, 03:55 AM
I like snow underfoot when it's sunny and cold. And real Christmas trees. I'm always last minute. have been known to be still wrapping when Christmas dinner is being served......half the excitement.
Dispute the fact that some pitter-patter makes that much of a difference, sorry!
This year, would like to escape the country, take Christmas with a pinch of salt, in a hot environment.
Sapph
Blue Cow
19-10-03, 10:39 AM
I thoroughly enjoy Christmas and not just because it is time of work or a time to drink and be merry.
I do too.
It's easy to get caught up in all the hype, and I can see why some people just find it all too much :o
Christmas for me is a time to be spent with those that are closest to you. It's a time for peace and love to all and is a very special and symbolic time of year. I always try and make the most of special times like Christmas and birthdays, and I hope that everyone has a good one.
:newyear: :newyear: :newyear:
(ho ho ho)
Mistyeyeddreamer
19-10-03, 03:50 PM
When I was a kid Christmas was more about the family than food and pressies :( Mum and Dad didnt have two ha'pennies to rub together so pressies were small and sometimes none-existant.
As I got older and went to work things got better :) Then I married a soldier who became a policeman and although the pressies were there and the food was there, most of the time he wasn't :(
Christmas should be about being among friends and family and treasuring them. You can buy presents but you can't buy love (oh, ok some people are lucky enough to have both :P )
Commercialism and schmatzy films give Christmas an image that always fails to satisfy in the real world, which is sad, I suppose.
What is really sad is the fact that there are lots of people who for one reason or another have to spend Christmas alone or seperated from friends and family. Seeing scenes of merriment, hearing people planning parties etc must make their feelings of isolation so much more intense :(
Now I'm getting maudlin so I'll shut up ;)
Misty
christmas time there is always a higher rate of suicide too, and the sameratians receive more calls at that time of year.
my Dad was in the forces too Misty, he was a MOD firefighter, I remember one year me and mum had chicken and chips on christmas day.
he worked 8 christmas in a row when I was little and it was a huge deal when he got the first one off.
saying that out of 12 christmas days I have worked 10 of them!
A lot of the time is becuase workmates who have children get prefence....to me that is not equal opps, just because I do not have kids doenst mean I should have to work each year. this also happens at easter!
I also have a more personal reason for working christmas.
I try and work the early turn so I can spend the evening at home with my loved ones. it doesnt always turn out the way you want though :(
i have heard that too beth...not that your dad was a MOD firefighter...but about high suicide rate and ppl being unhappy at christmas...for the reasons misty said ...the media gives the impression of the "perfect christmas " everyone should have so if you don't have lots of friends or family you may feel ..whats the werd "inadequate" or something, makes you notice that much more what you don't have e.g. an udder half.
At least for this year i will try to be happy and nice to everyone! ..oh wait...that implies i wouldn't other times ..:P
I think the volunteer / samartian's type are so undervalued ..all the nice ppl who help out other ppl out of the kindness of their heart are!
a big hand to them!
*clap, clap*
did i digress.
yeah!
a big up to all voleenteer types :notworthy: :thumbs: :notworthy: !!!
sapphirelily10
19-10-03, 06:15 PM
In fact, a big hand to all those who volunteer or do paid work to make sure other people have as decent a time as possible over this time of year. And to those who deal with the fall-out of people having too good a time/a really bad time! ;)
Sapph :)
Annabel
20-10-03, 02:40 PM
:lol: :D :rolleyes:
I absolutely love Christmas, and I can put up with quite a lot of the hype that goes on. I have certain rituals I like to follow, and I know that I am carrying on the traditions of my mother...I do love Xmas decos and really go to town on them in my house. I DO NOT let anyone help or interfere. My husband doesnt understand it as his parents never had any decorations and he just looks at me as if i am barmy as I set about turning the house into a grotto.
i insist on a real Tree, or I dont bother.
I always go to Regent street to see the lights. or anywhere else that has a good display. i always have a good look in at all the xmas displays in the regent street stores especiallyhamleys and selfridges. my mum used to take us to see father xmas in there , but i dont do that with my daughter, i take her somewhere nearer to home.
my mum always used to take us as kids down there and i still love it. we also used to go to trafalgar square to the tree for carol singing.
the only thing is, as soon as it gets past boxing day, i dont want to know any more, and i want to take all the decos down and pack it all away.
my problem is with new year, i hate it! now that is what i call hype!!!! :happyparty: :present: bah humbug to the New Year!!! :santa:
:(
I hate new year too. I actually dread it. :o
I'll probably hate it even more this year :sad:
Mazza
:sad:
We love it now, for the kiddies.
J and I shattered by Xmas Eve - their excitment wears us out! We just love the look on their faces - hard to describe really, but it's great.
J loves new year, I loathe it. Either feel sad 'cause saying goobye to good year or dreading new year 'cause old one finished bad and new one set to continue in same vein! looks like this could be the case come January
Mazza - chin up. Don't really know what else to say.
John
I'm with Beth really, I don't think children these days are as happy with the little things (mine are all grown up now) I love to see friends and family that we don't get to see normally, but that always applies. I don't know a child these days who would be thrilled to find a piece of metal in their cake (sixpence or threepence) that was one of the biggest thrills (and the satsumas).
No just not the same. those were the days, I am taking a ribbing from my hubby now. I can stand it (he's off my Christmas card list now)
:sad:
Thanks John :kisss: :) :blush:
Red - come and see my boys - they must be freaks then, they're mad for shiney 2003 coins at the moment and would be enchanted to find a sixpence in their Xmas pud (if they'd only eat the stuff :lol: ).
They get satsumas too - and love them. Gosh, I must be a right old Victorian parent :( :D .
That sunshine thing does sound a bit nice Saph, but we still have the privilege of cooking for everyone and playing at taxis! One of these days, in my book of things to do now. Thanks ;)
I do like sherry though, and gluwein, and chocolate, and do recognise how lucky we are.
New year, Hogmanay, I still cant get through one without tears, I don't make resolutions any more its too depressing. Spring is the time to make changes anyway. And I never get the first foot I want, I may bribe someone this year actually, see if that works. :D
I did used to enjoy them, we used to have family parties and everyone had to do 'a turn' terrible when It was you but hillarious when it was a drunk old uncle. No frills just good company, now I am scaring myself.
:o
You n me both Mazza, and of course we are right, appreciate the simple things and you will always have something to value.
:)
one thing not a single person has mentioned yet................NFH!!!
how does yours act at crimbo?
Annabel
20-10-03, 09:28 PM
:D
I think kids do appreciate the little things, really, but all the overkill and hype in recent years has given parents the impression that they MUST go out and get the latest craze, or most expensive thing they can find for their kids. i am guilty of it myself...what with teletubbies, buzz lightyear, last year it was a dance mat...and what does my girly like best? her felt tip pens, stickers, and note books!!! if she found a sixpence in a bit of Xmas pud, she would be very excited...but i never make it , so fat chance for her!!!!! B)
Blue Cow
20-10-03, 09:48 PM
i always have a good look in at all the xmas displays in the regent street stores especiallyhamleys and selfridges
Annabel - that sounds lovely. I'm getting all in the Chrimbo mood and it's still October :santa:
I can't wait to take my little one to see Santa this year (I'm just a big kid inside!).
And I hope it snows too!!!
:newyear: :wine:
Blue Cow
Beth
one thing not a single person has mentioned yet................NFH!!!
how does yours act at crimbo?
VERY NOISY!
And they all walk around with tinsel around their necks and father xmas hats on. Just had a thought - tinsel around their necks.......tempting :hihi:
Well,
what with all this talk here I am certainly in the Xmas mood today - it's been snowing BIG TIME round my way! :lol:
:newyear:
If one more person asks if I have finished my christmas shopping I think I will explode!
its November still!!!!!
and no I havent even started it yet!!!!!! :blow:
Eskander
20-11-03, 03:23 PM
Beth, have you finished your ...... no I'd better not
Actually I really like Christmas - not the commercial stuff, just the family and having a nice time.
As for nfh at Christmas I expect mine will try unsuccessfuly to repair his clapped out old bangers - that's what he does every other day. Hmm. that gives me something to look forward to, the sight of the fat, grubby old pratt under the bonnet when I'm eating my Chrustmas dinner. :)
hollygolightly
20-11-03, 04:15 PM
I haven't bought a single Christmas pressie yet. Still trying to get birthday pressies for people :rolleyes: .
Although have come up with a great idea for those people who you never know what to get...I have a few candle-mad relatives and as part of a pressie they will all be getting these:
Hmmm.... naff or clever? (http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=1001&productId=60320) :lol:
Anyone got any other suggestions for people who have everything? :unsure: :blink:
OOooer Holly!!! :o a falic symbol!!! that will make people smile on chrimbo morning!! :lol: :lol:
Annabel
21-11-03, 08:48 AM
ha ha holly, but what a waste of money, methinks! a fiver for that...i am sure i could find something similar in my local cash n carry for £1, may be 79p...
i had to buy the MOST tacky thing the other day. my defence, your honour is that it had been reduced to half price...
it is a barbie xmas tree...its made entirely of pink feathers and has a set of decorations, all in pink (and shades thereof). the tree topper is the worst most hideous plastic swan with barbie's face on it!!!! :lol:
i love it!!!!! :D :rolleyes: :hihi:
Annabel
21-11-03, 09:57 AM
:)
yeah sweetpea, i went shopping in enfield, not far from me, last saturday, all i wanted was photo paper for my comp and some bits out of boots and the place was absolutely heaving. you could tell it was xmas shopping as well... it was mighty unpleasant, but i got a bit worried, if i leave my shopping any longer there will be nothing i want left, so when i got to work on monday i went in my local woolies and got a few things...thats when i saw the barbie xmas tree...teehee!
Annabel
21-11-03, 01:58 PM
I also have a lovely silver confection i bought from ikea a couple of years ago...if anyone here is an ikea fan they will know what i mean,
its a 6 ft collapsible xmas tree, made with silver tinsel with purple baubles on it. (there was a green one but that didnt appeal to me aesthetically, y';know)
i liked it so much that i had it in place of a real crimbo tree and put all the pressies round it!!!! my family thought i had lost the plot, but what do they know???? philistines!
a bit of tack is compulsory at xmas!
( i also have a fibre optic angel who puts her hands together and prays .everyone in my family keeps asking me where on earth i got it...i think they must be envious and want one for themselves)
:lol: :lol: :hihi: :hihi:
hollygolightly
21-11-03, 05:47 PM
You have to have tacky tat at Christmas, it is complusory. :lol:
Hazelnut, liked your idea of the Hamper :thumbs:
And, Beth.... sorry..... :rolleyes: :blink: :rolleyes: ... so that's how your mind works is it? :lol:
Eskander
23-11-03, 11:03 PM
I really, really do like Christmas, honest I do, but ...
"Was in Big W (woolworths) today"
Is Big W related to George W?
Has George got pink feathers on his tree?
Has Barbie got George W on her Christmas tree? (what a perfect place to stick the top branch)
What are "pink feather xmas lights "?
If George W hasn't got a "a fibre optic angel who puts her hands together and prays", he should have.
"They have started up Santa's grotto at Asda" well everything's alright then.
Deck the hall with boughs of holly .... etc :rolleyes:
Blue Cow
23-11-03, 11:08 PM
Hi Eskander
I'm so glad to hear that you are in the festive mood already :newyear:
What are "pink feather xmas lights "?
And I really do think that you should go to Woolworths and get yourself a set of these and display them in your front window to help spread the warm happy message of peace and love to all over this special time of the year :)
:salut:
sapphirelily10
24-11-03, 02:48 AM
Eskander!
Are you really suggesting we drape Hollygolightly all over halls everywhere?? Not sure there's enough of her to go round? :unsure:
She'd look good with "pink feather Xmas lights" tho', methinks :P :P
Sapph ;)
Annabel
24-11-03, 08:56 AM
:P :lol: :rolleyes:
me and my daughter got the pink tree out yesterday to see what it was like...
its sooooo grooossssss!!!! but i LOVE IT! :lol:
the little pink lights just set it off perfectly....btw
but i didnt like the way my cats were circliing round it menacingly... :D
here is the dreaded pink tree for all those wondering! :lol:
think pink!! (http://www.woolworths.co.uk/common/product.jhtml?pid=30055254)
Back to Holly's candle lighter whotsit,
you got a bargain there doll, I've just seen it for £7.95 advertised as the ''ideal Xmas gift'' :wow:
As for you Annabel, saying your family must be jealous of your angel...tsk :frown: :lol:
Annabel
26-11-03, 01:23 PM
Mazza, what can I say, its the TRUTH, so it is!!!! :P what else can explain their green faces????hmm? you tell me! :lol: :P
oh by the way, yes you guessed it, i have seen a very similar phallicised candle lighter similar to Holly's recommendation, in my cash and carry for £2.99 plus VAT.
Shall i put in a bulk order????????????? :D :lol: :P :hihi:
anyone else got the perfect most tackmungous xmas gift idea??? :) B)
I must admit, that I'm not really a Crimbo fan. I have this horrible habit of picking up a wrapped prezzie and knowing exactly what someone's got me. 'Thanks for the . . . . . I'll open it later (lol). And I'm dreading this year, my father-in-law passed in May and I still find myself looking for gifts for him (actually waiting to pay for one last week until I realised).
However, I'm looking forward to Yule (22nd). I have the day off, give my wife and daughter a small present of Silver Jewelery each. Bake some fresh bread. Take our dogs for a long country walk. have my own small celebration later in a private area in my garden, with all the garden torches lit, Mead in my cup, bread on hand. mmmm hmmm.....:wine:
Ogre
That sounds lovely Ogre!
crimbo is so commercialised, yule sounds much nicer
I dont really know much about it though, off to do a web search now!!
stupid me!!
winter solstice!! DOH!!!!!
I found this site, I thought it was very interesting!! yule (http://www.candlegrove.com/yule.html)
thanks for making me look Ogre!! :lol:
No probs :hihi:
Its when I'm up at 4am to greet the Sun at Midsummer it can hurt (still a goblet of Mead for Breakfast !!!!!)
Ogre
Each to their own Ogre! B)
As long as it doesn't involve whips - like Neighboured's 'lovely' neighbours :o :lol:
:D