General Chat

Ann like you, I find it very hard to get a card for Dad and not both Mum and Dad. Mum loved Christmas and Dad has never liked it. I think he must have gone along with it for us and mum because we only found out he had never liked xmas after mum died. Only last week he told me he never got anything for xmas when he was little. Bless him.

Yes, Yule is a magical time of year, if you can forget all the commercial excesses, and go back to basics.

I celebrate Yule

I used to get really stressed over Christmas Day, but now I just keep it as simple as possible. We visit the grandchildren in the morning, get the mayhem over, then come back for a quiet day with just my old Dad, plus the eldest grandson to stop him becoming too maudlin. Personally, I enjoy the time from the Solstice until Christmas Eve - then it just seems to fall flat

I've always volunteered too Stephen, and get great satisfaction from doing so, met all sorts of people, who lead a completely different lifestyle to me, but that makes life more interesting, some I liked, some I've disliked, and some I have loved with all my heart. I never feel ill at ease with anyone, whether they be a Lord of the manor or someone who lives in a hostel, it's not where they live or what they have, it's what they behave like as people that makes me like them, or not. I've met some peole who have spent most of there lives in prison, who I'd happily invite to my home, and I've met some who think they they are better than anyone else, who I wouldn't let past my door :-D

I like a bit of travel too though Island, my dad lived in Spain, and when he was ill I travelled there every other week, I just got used to it, mind you it was worth the travelling, it was hot :-D

Ann, I know exactly how you feel, my Mum loved the cards I brought her, so I miss looking to find her the right card with the right words. She died the Friday before Mothering Sunday, so she never got the cards I got her then (I would always buy her one for the words, then a funny one, so she would stop crying at the first one) But I still have them in my drawer, nearly 20 years after she died.

Your birthdays Christmas day the Robert :-D

Det, I really don't worry about food or who's coming for Christmas anymore, I'm sure there are loads of people who would like to say, don't buy me anything, don't worry about doing a big dinner, and just lets enjoy the day with friends and or family :-D

The woman in the Asda advert could have been me – rushing round trying to fulfil the mythical ‘perfect’ Christmas preparations. Can’t even relax over the meal as I’m thinking of the next course, or ‘is it done properly?’.

The weeks running up to it aren’t much better – who’s going to who and when? When can we fit in Christmas Mark 2 for those we didn’t entertain on the day?

OH’s idea of the perfect Christmas would be to hire a large house and have the extended family to stay. Even though they are fine, it would be my version of hell.

Ask anyone who has a birthday on Christmas Day. Do they enjoy Christmas?

I love Christmas, we spend some Christmases with daughter (like this year), and some with son, and some we choose to stay at home. I love the decorations, the carols and the Christmas music, buying and wrapping presents, making and writing cards.
My lovely Dad died on Christmas Day 2001 so at 5pm we raise a glass to him and remember how he and my mum who loved Christmas gave us some lovely times.

And yes I believe in the meaning of Christmas too and the nativity scene is part of my decorations. :-)

Lynda....it really is a pain like no other. My heart always lurches when picking a special xmas card for my lovely dad....and not my mum & dad....blubbering in WH Smiths is not cool! :-(

Very nice not to travel Lynda but my OH and I had to do 2 x 100 each way trips within Christmas week or life would not have been worth living. :-( :-(

My Mums birthday is just after Christmas Ann, so the first Christmas without her was not so hot, but I know she would of hated me being miserable, so, like you, I raised a glass and thought of all the great times, and there were so many :-D

Uzzi, You could perhaps do as Stephen does, and help the homeless, maybe go to a shelter to help serve dinner, or you could invite a lonely person to your hose for dinner? I had a houseful of people one year, one who had nobody in this Country, and a family, who had some problems, plus a couple of foster children, plus the usual family. I had to hire chairs and an extra table, we had a great time, well worth the extra work :-D


New years a bit tearful for me too Barb, it's my birthday on the 1st, and if I wasn't with my Mum she'd phone me as the clock struck 12, still miss those calls :-(

Geordie, I put my decorations up yesterday, really early for me, but got them in from the garage, and had time to spare so put them up, love the Christmas lights, on a miserable evening, makes me feel good, easily pleased me :-D

You keep at it Stephen :-D

There has always been a festival in December; long before Christmas, the Pagans have celebrated Yuletide at the Winter Solstice, to welcome the return of the sun, and to lift the gloom of the dark days. That is what it's all about for me, but commercialsim has ruined it.
But I always get swept along with the exitement of the season, put up the decorations and enjoy the festivities when they come. How you celebrate , or not, it's a personal thing.

Happy Yuletide!

Not the same for me now.

In the good times it was my mum his mum young kids and a good family time.

Now the mums are "long gone " and missed terribly. The kids are all grown with grown kids of their own all doing their own thing.

We get visits on Boxing day but I think without little ones the magic is gone.
Although we get an invite for lunch from my son and d. in law we prefer it on our own. Not being miserable by declining but thats how we want it.

Pretty table and all the trimmings with me saying " pull the cracker and put your damn hat on LOL
Oh forgot, tea at sons xmas eve.

New Years Eve I sob for England

The whole concept alienates so many people,the homeless. the aged etc there are more suicides than at any other time of the year.
I could go on but some enjoy christmas

I think for a lot of people Xmas is a sad time....especially for people that have lost their loved ones like AnnC. I lost my mum some years ago and that first Xmas was very painful for me and Dad......but every year since we have raised our glasses to the wonderful mum that made every Xmas so special.....so Ann raise your glass to all the lovely memories.....this year am looking forward to seeing my grandchildren enjoying the day.....My grandson said this morning....Nan I love your house its all cosy and sparkly......makes it all worthwhile really! :-)

NO.

I agree Sylvia, if there wasn't Christmas in December, it'd be pretty dim wouldn't it? Where I live loads of people decorate the outside of there houses with lights, father Christmas', snowmen, angels all sorts, some go completely over the top, the children love it :-D

I agree Roy :-D

I don't do all the hype bit, Sheila, so I'm never let down. I'm off to a concert in Trafalgar Square tomorrow, can't wait to see the tree :-D

I can understand that Ann, I know it's not an easy time for anyone who has lost a loved one :-(

Good for you Stephen, lovely thing to do :-D

I don't have to travel Island, my kids live round the corner, and we fetch Father in law, a few days before :-)

Not really, no. Too much hype and too much pressure.

Being obliged to travel long distances at the darkest coldest time of year has never been my idea of fun. I much prefer to see my people in the summer and enjoy long lunches and dinner outside.

I find it hard since my OH died - not the same any more - sorry to be a misery

I doubt it Lynda :-D. I'm not a killjoy, just that in the past it was mostly something of a let-down and never lived up to the hype. It's OK for kids, but those that are in the family, we rarely see. I make an effort to see family all year, not just at Christmas. In fact, it's often difficult at this time of year due to the weather!