The Christmas Thread

[swamprat69er]

Christmas stuff starts appearing slowly in stores here right after Halloween.

[Jimbuna]

I enjoy xmas day at home with the wife and kids (if the boy aint at sea), exchange presents, visit my mom then on to the wifes brothers house for an evening party.

I'm not really bothered what I receive because like others here I am able to buy what I want when I want it but I do enjoy spoiling the wife and kids on the day.

Things should really liven up if and when grand kids come along.

[Betonov]

I'll enjoy Christmas on Christmas, but the season starts tomorrow when decorations are turned on in Ljubljana



AND


Mulled Wine stands !!!!!!

[Tango589]

Originally Posted by Betonov

Mulled Wine stands !!!!!!

BRING ON THE XMAS CHEER!

[Skybird]

Both me and my parents are pissed by it. In mid-August already I saw the first stores rolling out christmas articles and -sweets - in mid-summer! Commerical amok-running everywhere, Weihnachtsmarkt in town - FIVE of them. Crowds, stinking smells, clinging coins, kitschy TV spots. Kollektive Pflichtübung in Rühreseligkeit - a mandatory collective excercise in unctuousness - I once heard somebody describing it. I think it was me.

Christmas makes us all vomit over here, my whole family, we are happy when it is over again - for another 6 months. Next seasons starts in mid-summer 2015.

My atheism has nothing to do with it. Actually, I have kind and precious memories of our family christmasses when I was still living with my parents. But commerce has plowed it all under, mercilessly, and somewhat damaging my precious memories as well.

And that is something that I will never forgive: that it was all hysterically ruined for the most profane of reasons.

I would follow the freakshow to some degree if I had children, but I would also protect them from it at the same time. But I have none, so: avoiding and ignoring it as much as I can.

And all that retarded sentimental mindless babbling on TV, christmas here, christmas there, babble-babble-babble. We're sick and tired of it. Sick and tired.

On 24th, we will, as always meet and do a family raclette. That is all. No actions taken on the other two days.

[vienna]

I am non religious (I like to say I had religion beaten out of me back in Catholic school), so I don't 'celebrate' the day. I did make an attempt once way back in 1969.: bought a tree for my family (mother, sister), got the fixings for a good meal, bought presents all around. It went well until my mother got into one of her dark states and went off like a bomb. Since then, I have nodded politely when others say "Merry Xmas", give the obligatory gifts at work. I'm also the person who volunteers to take the holiday duty so others can celebrate since I have no family. It is amusing to me how Christian religions have co-opted pagan religious iconography and customs to meet their own evangelistic ends...

Other than the above, I do hope any and all of you have a good time celebrating the holidays in whatever manner you choose. You all deserve at least one happy time a year...


<O>

[Betonov]

Celebrate it as a pagan holiday of the winter solstice then.
If the end of this depression fest called shorter days, longer nights is not a reason to celebrate and have a cup of wine, then at least have a cup of wine without a reason.

[Platapus]

It is one of my favourite holidays. I love christmas music, shopping, decorations, the lot. Now if I could only figure out how to keep relatives away, it would be a perfect holiday.

[eddie]

I celebrate Christmas the old fashion way, lots of food, lots of laughs, a big beautiful tree, with all the family squeezed in one house! Wouldn't have it any other way!