Merry Christmas & a Happy new year

[usedtobefast]

while i may not be as bah humbug as dim, i agree on the overspending for sure.
this song is quite good and, well hits close to home. Robert Earl Keen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg

cheers

 

[usedtobefast]

turkey, ham, pork, roast veggies, pudding, etc. I would like to have Christmas in the snow. I have only ever seen snow once in my life, so I think it would be cool. Any snow fights on christmas day like all those xmas movies suggest?

about those snow fights the answer is yes, a total blast,big fun.

 

[krebs303]

Hey dim,I'm a Christian and I agree with you. I only celebrate the New Year on the day. It's the only day I watch American football. I just make sure i have black eyed peas and collard greens for good luck in the new year.

 

[usedtobefast]

Hey dim,I'm a Christian and I agree with you. I only celebrate the New Year on the day. It's the only day I watch American football. I just make sure i have black eyed peas and collard greens for good luck in the new year.

being a Texas native, we do the blackeyed peas as well. i can't go for the greens. always to much like lawn clippings for me oh and Happy New Year
and yes Merry Christmas. remember Tiny Tim.

 

[I Watch Cycling In July]

Our midsummer Christmas always used to involve my entire extended family on my Mother's side eating roast turkey and hot vegetable outside in the sun in the middle of the day. I used to love it as a kid; charging around with all my cousins, going to the beach while the oldies slept off their lunch then getting heaps of presents.

Now Christmas means spending time amongst a swirling mess of family politics, painful memories, unreasonable demands and disappointed expectations. On the bright side, we have several waifs and strays parties to go to on the evening of Christmas day itself, so that will cheer us up.

So, best wishes to you all for Christmas and the new year, and I hope your families don't drive you round the frigging bend.

 

[I Watch Cycling In July]

Convincing yourself that next year is going to be less **** than this year was, and making a bunch of resolutions that you stick to for approximately 7 hours.

Bah Humbug

I once resolved never to make another new year's resolution. It's the only resolution I've managed to keep.

Hope your next year is less **** than the last one.

 

[Spare Tyre]

Our midsummer Christmas always used to involve my entire extended family on my Mother's side eating roast turkey and hot vegetable outside in the sun in the middle of the day. I used to love it as a kid; charging around with all my cousins, going to the beach while the oldies slept off their lunch then getting heaps of presents.

Now Christmas means spending time amongst a swirling mess of family politics, painful memories, unreasonable demands and disappointed expectations. On the bright side, we have several waifs and strays parties to go to on the evening of Christmas day itself, so that will cheer us up.

So, best wishes to you all for Christmas and the new year, and I hope your families don't drive you round the frigging bend.

Gosh, sounds like my family. And my partner's. Which is why I'm happily pretending the occasion doesn't exist.

I have philosophical issues with the occasion too, similar to that Dim outlined above. It's not my favourite time of year, that's for sure.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Well as an atheist I obviously dont beleive in any christian festivals, let alone christmas. I go along with it under severe sufference, We are having family over which to be honest, is my way of ensuring that the day isnt nearly so chaotic and gluttenous as it would be if we were to go to them.

Watching people go horrendously in debt buying presents that nobody wants (I mean come on, when was the last time anyone wore Brut aftershave). Kids demanding ever the more techno and expensive presents. People eating enough food to feed a small african nation for weeks (and throwing away enough food to feed a small african nation for months), sending christmas cards to people who are on your list but you dont even know, and watching my tv licence money go to pay noel edmonds to sit in a studio in june wearing a ****ing reindeer jumper and talking ****.

And besides, if Jesus did exist (which is likely), then he was almost certainly born in late september

Bah humbug.

As for new year. An excuse to drink even more and spend even more money. Go through £40 in phone credit texting people happy new year because you feel obliged to. Convincing yourself that next year is going to be less **** than this year was, and making a bunch of resolutions that you stick to for approximately 7 hours.

Bah Humbug

Each to their own. I personally think that it is great that people spend time with family and are showing generosity. Yes everyone does eat a lot of food but a lot is also donated. My opinions of christmas are very much contrary to yours.

 

[Spare Tyre]

Each to their own. I personally think that it is great that people spend time with family and are showing generosity. Yes everyone does eat a lot of food but a lot is also donated. My opinions of christmas are very much contrary to yours.

I think it depends on your family. Perhaps you have one of the families who get on well and enjoy time together. Lots of people don't.

As to the generosity issue, something about giving unwanted stuff to people who already have vastly more than they need is a bit offensive to me. I prefer generosity in the form of donations to organizations which provide micro-finance or clean drinking water or basic medical supplies or schoolbooks and the like to the terribly needy in Africa.

 

[pedaling squares]

I have only ever seen snow once in my life, so I think it would be cool. Any snow fights on christmas day like all those xmas movies suggest?

Yes! You have to get away one winter (ok summer) and check it out. The local ski hills are literally crawling with Aussie seasonal workers, surely some of them can't ski. What's one more?

Watching people go horrendously in debt buying presents that nobody wants (I mean come on, when was the last time anyone wore Brut aftershave). Kids demanding ever the more techno and expensive presents. People eating enough food to feed a small african nation for weeks (and throwing away enough food to feed a small african nation for months), sending christmas cards to people who are on your list but you dont even know, and watching my tv licence money go to pay noel edmonds to sit in a studio in june wearing a ****ing reindeer jumper and talking ****.

Religion aside, surely everyone can get on board with the goodwill, be nice to others, eat like a pig, and get plastered with the ones you love traditions. I don't do any of those obligations like cheesy cards and expensive gifts for kids. I don't follow any particular religion either, but I sure have a great time at Christmas. Anyway, I have this great image of you curled up on the sofa, half-snapped, writing crap you don't believe in cards you'll send to relatives you don't like, and yelling at some w*nker in a bad sweater on the telly. Enjoy the season dim!

And with that I'm off to pour out the rest of my Brut aftershave...

 

[knewcleardaze]

This kinda sums up my view on Christmas. Bah Humbug!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU6XZ2GQd48&feature=related

Though I do like me some rappin Waitresses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyEztz6nY9Q

 

[Francois the Postman]

Likewise the Christmas eve tradition is far from fully Polish, though since i was the only european in my school, i always thought it was.

You might have Polish blood, but you are certainly native enough to think that Europe is "over there"


Apart from that, have some great days everyone!

 

[L29205]

I would also like to wish one and all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

Our son has about 10 days off from school, my husband may take a day or two off, and I probably will keep plugging away at the news writing. So no real break or vacation this year.

We will celebrate on Christmas Eve, as is traditional in Germany The tree is up and the presents under it, in the American tradtion, but they will be opened late Friday afternoon.

Susan

Wow, this is spot on to my family's Christmas. I guess this American of German descent still has a few tradition hang overs. One would think 3 generation would have given in to the melting pot but I guess presents an evening early may win.

 

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on your family. Perhaps you have one of the families who get on well and enjoy time together. Lots of people don't.

As to the generosity issue, something about giving unwanted stuff to people who already have vastly more than they need is a bit offensive to me. I prefer generosity in the form of donations to organizations which provide micro-finance or clean drinking water or basic medical supplies or schoolbooks and the like to the terribly needy in Africa.

I actually find the whole present receiving thing fairly embarassing (embarrassing to the point that we asked for no wedding presents - instead nominating five charities for donations - raised about £3k in total - i find the wedding present thing even more sickening, in the old days people married and moved into a new home so presents were a great help, nowadays people live together before, have most of what they need, and weddings are a convenient excuse to get even more stuff :/). The wife and I come from very different families. In my family (which is very small, mother, grandparents, one aunt, two cousins) we all stopped buying presents once we entered adulthood. If during the course of the year we happen to see something small that we think someone will like we buy it and put it aside, but we dont go out looking for presents. Mother for instance has been a teacher for 40 years, is on a damn good pension, has everything she wants, and doesnt need anything. The wifes family are the other extreme, the amount of presents they buy, even for the most distant second cousin, twice removed is crazy.

The wifes mum only works part time, her dad is an electrician but hasnt worked for two months after injuring his hand, yet already they are two massive sacks of presents in the house to us from them. Probably £150 worth of gifts each year, which is over a weeks wages for them at the moment. They will have spent even more on the wifes sister and husband as they have the grandchild. They simply cant afford it. We are much better off than them, not wealthy but the wife earns a good wage. Sitting there on christmas day opening a bunch of presents in front of them that I know they cant really afford is frankly embarassing.

The amount they spend on food is insane. We just had a pre-christmas meal at their house and they cupboards were bulging, the fridge overflowing with food they will never eat. Thankfully they are coming here christmas day so we will have saved them about £300 in food.(We spent £70 yesterday and probably still have too much in)

I will be glad when its all over.

 

[Ferminal]

One tradition we are not doing this year is the driving between families for lunch and dinner

Eh, I envy you!

Xmas day is just too busy, always has been for me.

I agree with a lot of the prevailing sentiment. For me I'm happy to spend the day with my very close family, but as far as the extended family who you may not be close with (or not amicable with) it seems like a bit of a waste. I'd prefer Xmas as a day just at the end of the year to have a rest and take a look at things, where everyone can be happy and ignore everything else. Not a day where you have to tire yourself to make sure you enjoy it and please others. It's just awkward, if the only time for bonding is the 25th of December there's no point in it (it just feels so artificial).

Always have to make sure there's time in the day for introspection, go for a ride, go to the beach etc.

Christmas Eve (everyone finishing work and celebrating) and Boxing Day (much more natural day be it with friends, or family, cricket etc) > Christmas.

 

[craig1985]

I'll go visit my parents, and do the whole present thing. After that, in terms of what we will eat or any plans, I have NFI. Two years ago, I got as a work present was a carton of beer and a whole leg of ham. Last year my parents flew my grandmother and my aunt (on my mum's side) from New Zealand (where I was born, been here since I was 13) for Christmas.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I think it depends on your family. Perhaps you have one of the families who get on well and enjoy time together. Lots of people don't.

As to the generosity issue, something about giving unwanted stuff to people who already have vastly more than they need is a bit offensive to me. I prefer generosity in the form of donations to organizations which provide micro-finance or clean drinking water or basic medical supplies or schoolbooks and the like to the terribly needy in Africa.

Understood. I like to give something(s) to charity or money but also like to get something nice for myself. It is a way I treat myself. That may sound kinda selfish but I don't feel bad about it. Some families are close, some aren't. It is a shame but I do feel quite happy getting the family all together reflecting on the year that was having a good time. Unfortunately not all families are like that.

I guess some peoples Christmas experience can be a bit depressing because either their family don't like each other and the lengths some people go to buy things that they can't pay for. I guess I am lucky that I don't experience that so Christmas is quite enjoyable.

 

[Roland Rat]

I would like to have Christmas in the snow. I have only ever seen snow once in my life, so I think it would be cool. Any snow fights on christmas day like all those xmas movies suggest?

You're kidding!

No, they're nothing like xmas movies. For the first day of snow they can be, with people sledging and building snowmen. By the second day it's still nice to look at but from the comfort of a warm house. By the third day onwards everyone is utterly fed up with it as the country has ground to a halt.

 

[auscyclefan94]

You're kidding!

No, they're nothing like xmas movies. For the first day of snow they can be, with people sledging and building snowmen. By the second day it's still nice to look at but from the comfort of a warm house. By the third day onwards everyone is utterly fed up with it as the country has ground to a halt.

When I was 5 I saw it, the whole day I cried because I needed to go to the toilet but didn't want to go to the public toilet at the snow. So I would definetly like to go back to the snow now that I have verry little problem with going to a public toilet.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

turkey, ham, pork, roast veggies, pudding, etc. I would like to have Christmas in the snow. I have only ever seen snow once in my life, so I think it would be cool. Any snow fights on christmas day like all those xmas movies suggest?

Okay, that's interesting. I've never had pork or ham at Chistmas. Just turkey. In snow though... we've had snowball fights (always fun), played football in the snow, built snowmen, snowcaves. Mostly all when I was younger. My kids now do that stuff. Now for me it's just skiing and wishing the cold away so I could spend more time on the bike. Hey, the days are actually getting longer now!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Im also highly allergic to turkey which doesnt help.

 

[The Hitch]

You're kidding!
. By the third day onwards everyone is utterly fed up with it as the country has ground to a halt.

Only backword 3rd world countries like North Korea, Albania and the Unired Kingdom. Everyone else seems to manage with more than 1cm of snow without having every road, train and airport closed.

You might have Polish blood, but you are certainly native enough to think that Europe is "over there"


Apart from that, have some great days everyone!

Yes europe is over there. even when i see Paris Roubaix, as they go past an Auchaun i feel like im in a totaly different continent. The United Kingdom is unique in so many ways. Its not America, but its not quite europe either.

I think it depends on your family. Perhaps you have one of the families who get on well and enjoy time together. Lots of people don't.

As to the generosity issue, something about giving unwanted stuff to people who already have vastly more than they need is a bit offensive to me. I prefer generosity in the form of donations to organizations which provide micro-finance or clean drinking water or basic medical supplies or schoolbooks and the like to the terribly needy in Africa.

Im not big on christmas anymore either. I like the family bit because i have a loving family, but thats just 2 days, and in in the 21st century, the media sets the christmas money train off in about november.

Like everything else in the world, the media has squeezes every penny it can out of christmas, and i understand that i am one of the very few to have such a loving family. I realise now that most of the kids i knew as a child didnt know their fathers, and the broken familes problem, thats not even the biggest problem.

80% of the world is too poor for christmas.

From my experience life is never as perfect as it is made out to be. Well it has been for me, almost, but thats rare and pure luck.

 

[Spare Tyre]

Only backword 3rd world countries like North Korea, Albania and the Unired Kingdom. Everyone else seems to manage with more than 1cm of snow without having every road, train and airport closed.

The son and grandchildren of an acquaintance of mine were supposed to be coming from England to Melbourne for Christmas. They sat on a plane at Heathrow for 10 hours, were fed, watered and entertained and then told to go home. The family couldn't get a cabbie to drive them to their home about 2 hours from London (because of the dangerous conditions, presumably) so they phoned a taxi company in their home town, who got their best cab driver out of bed to drive to Heathrow to collect them.

Apparently this problem with the airport is because BAA has been a bit stingy with de-icing materials etc and had to forego use of one of their runways. If you have ever watched Heathrow on flightradar24.com you will know that both runways are usually in constant use, with arrivals and departures at less than one minute intervals. How they thought they could get away with one runway is beyond me.

 

[The Hitch]

Apparently this problem with the airport is because BAA has been a bit stingy with de-icing materials etc and had to forego use of one of their runways. If you have ever watched Heathrow on flightradar24.com you will know that both runways are usually in constant use, with arrivals and departures at less than one minute intervals. How they thought they could get away with one runway is beyond me.

I dont need flight radar 24 for the frequency of Heathrow flights. Its very close to me so the sound of planes flying off and coming in is what i call "white noise".

And the astounding thing about the snow is how little of it it actually takes to bring the city to a close. when i say 2 cm of snow i am not underexagerating. I remember early in the morning a year ago when it snowed i went for a walk at 6:30 am and there were people at the bus stop. A guy came and told them the buses werent running. THe city transport system actually sent a guy on foot to go tell the entire route the system was down.

 

[forumlurker]

happy festivus for the rest of us. it's a festivus miracle!