Christmas, do you honestly like it?

markhewitt1978

One of the main things we've learned from previous Chrstimases with our daughter is that on Christmas Day she gets overwhelmed with presents from us, two sets of grandparents, her cousins, other friends of the famliy etc, all on the same day. You can't tell them not to buy stuff for her!

We don't want to give up the Christmas morning at home but we've thought about trying to spread things out a bit, so for example the grandparents give her presents on Boxing Day instead for example.

lancew

PBlakeney wrote:

You are doing it wrong. Should it not be Christmas in England, Hogmanay in Scotland?
That is how it usually works in our family.

We've done that in the past great fun!

ballysmate

seanoconn wrote:

I like turkey, I like pigs in blankets, I even like brussel sprouts

Unfortunately this year I will be feasting on carp, soused herring, strange dumplings, stuffed cabbage leaves and all number of Polish delicacies Oh well, serves me right really

Is it better than the tinned carrots and watery gravy of last year?

seanoconn

Ballysmate wrote:

seanoconn wrote:

I like turkey, I like pigs in blankets, I even like brussel sprouts

Unfortunately this year I will be feasting on carp, soused herring, strange dumplings, stuffed cabbage leaves and all number of Polish delicacies Oh well, serves me right really

Is it better than the tinned carrots and watery gravy of last year?

How the **** did you remember that!?

Yes at least I won't be subjected to burnt over cooked mush anymore

BelgianBeerGeek

Whichever way you do Christmas it's fairly rubbish. This year I am fairly organised, and even know what to get Mrs BBGeek. Last year was spent away for a week with relatives and not being able to do what I want when I want annoyed me so this year I ain't going anywhere. Christmas day I'm having champagne and steak and eggs for breakfast them I'm watching Shrek in front of the fire.
If it's not pi**ing down I might even go for a bike ride first.

VTech

arran77 wrote:

VTech wrote:

Last year was the worst ever for us but I am determined to make this one a good one.

I remember that, hopefully the first anniversary won't be too painful for you and your family VTech.

Cheers, really appreciate that.
I am definitely going to enjoy this year. Im going to spend most of it with the family.

norvernrob

I love it, always have but it's even better now my son is 3 and really gets what it's all about (family and presents, I don't entertain any religion in my house). I tend to go a bit overboard with presents for my wife and son but who cares.

finchy

seanoconn wrote:

johnfinch wrote:

Those stuffed cabbage leaves are quite nice, as is the carp. You having it fried?

I can eat Gołąbki but not too much, I find the rice inside quite filling. Yes fried carp, I love fish but all the bones make it hard work. I'm being mean, my Polish Goddess is an amazing cook and I'm very lucky.

Yeah, they seem to be quite unacquainted with the concept of fish fillets over in that part of the world. We get two Christmases here, Hungarian Christmas on the 24th, English Christmas on the 25th. Unfortunately I'm not getting halaszle (a lovely, fairly spicy carp soup) as my wife doesn't really like it and it's too much bother for one person.

Monkeypump

Bloody hell, I knew there were some miserable buggers on here, but talk about p*ssing on everyone's chips!

If you don't like what everyone else does, make your own traditions. Me & Mrs MP decided how we wanted to spend Christmas a few years ago, and we've always had a great time. It's time off work, time to enjoy a little indulgence and spend time with people you care about. Can't see how that's a negative really.

The one thing we decided to do differently this year was spend a little time (and money) on those who might normally have a miserable time around Christmas (not you lot!). So, we've donated to the local food bank, and will give up some time to help there. If you all hate it so much, why not try to make someone else's Christmas a little better???

Preach over. The commercialization is, of course, ridiculous but we don't have to buy into it. Put a little thought into gifts, rather than throwing cash at them, and it really does spread a little joy.

Ho ho ho you sad old buggers!

pblakeney

Monkeypump wrote:

Ho ho ho you sad old buggers!

Feck off!

pinno

Right you miserable lazy b*stards. How many times have I seen - 'Commercialization'. It is not Commercialization, it is commercialisation, okay?

Over ride the spell checker or we're all doomed to 'Ya know ya all, we goin out tonite to fill the trunk up with food from the soopermarket and on the way, fill up with gas...' blah blah sh1t blah.

finchy

Monkeypump wrote:

Bloody hell, I knew there were some miserable buggers on here, but talk about p*ssing on everyone's chips!

If you don't like what everyone else does, make your own traditions. Me & Mrs MP decided how we wanted to spend Christmas a few years ago, and we've always had a great time. It's time off work, time to enjoy a little indulgence and spend time with people you care about. Can't see how that's a negative really.

The one thing we decided to do differently this year was spend a little time (and money) on those who might normally have a miserable time around Christmas (not you lot!). So, we've donated to the local food bank, and will give up some time to help there. If you all hate it so much, why not try to make someone else's Christmas a little better???

Preach over. The commercialization is, of course, ridiculous but we don't have to buy into it. Put a little thought into gifts, rather than throwing cash at them, and it really does spread a little joy.

Ho ho ho you sad old buggers!

Don't take everything on here too seriously.

arran77

Monkeypump wrote:

The one thing we decided to do differently this year was spend a little time (and money) on those who might normally have a miserable time around Christmas (not you lot!). So, we've donated to the local food bank, and will give up some time to help there. If you all hate it so much, why not try to make someone else's Christmas a little better???

It's great that you choose to do this and it's something that I support as well but why just because it's Christmas does it prompt you to do this? Food banks and the like need help all year

Monkeypump

arran77 wrote:

Monkeypump wrote:

The one thing we decided to do differently this year was spend a little time (and money) on those who might normally have a miserable time around Christmas (not you lot!). So, we've donated to the local food bank, and will give up some time to help there. If you all hate it so much, why not try to make someone else's Christmas a little better???

It's great that you choose to do this and it's something that I support as well but why just because it's Christmas does it prompt you to do this? Food banks and the like need help all year

Good point, but we (i.e. me and Mrs MP) actually do various things year round (normally for seriously injured young sportpeople, and giving disabled kids a chance to access gaming - look up SpecialEffect, or the Matt Hampson Trust). We wanted to do something more local, and for those with more acute need (this is 'also' not 'instead of'). It just happened to be timing - I saw the advent calendar thing that Jason Manford tweeted, and yes, I know the timing reeks of cliched Christmas guilt. We got in touch with the local food bank and ended up doing a few things, which we plan to continue throughout the year.

I'm not one to preach, but getting off my backside and seeing it first-hand really hammered home how lucky I am not to be in that situation.

arran77

Monkeypump wrote:

I'm not one to preach, but getting off my backside and seeing it first-hand really hammered home how lucky I am not to be in that situation.

Ain't that the truth, more people should try it.

sarm34

I hate my family ...all of them
I get 3 days off Xmas day boxing day and new years day
from end of sept thru to Xmas eve work is mental so ruins Xmas for me as I bloody hate the run up to it
everyone buys me sh1t, so I go buy my own presents wrap them up and open them on Xmas day
plus its the wifes birthday on Xmas eve and it cost me double

I hate Xmas

Pituophis

For the first time in my adult life I have had to put up a bloody tree!
My son bought it me 5 years ago, and he said that as my second grandchild has just arrived, I should make a big effort and at least put it up for the first now he's old enough to appreciate it!
Self, self. self. They always expect everything to suit them.
I never put one up for my son, and he hasn't committed any Christmas massacres yet.
They'll expect presents next.

pblakeney

sarm34 wrote:

I hate my family ...all of them
I get 3 days off Xmas day boxing day and new years day
from end of sept thru to Xmas eve work is mental so ruins Xmas for me as I bloody hate the run up to it
everyone buys me sh1t, so I go buy my own presents wrap them up and open them on Xmas day
plus its the wifes birthday on Xmas eve and it cost me double

I hate Xmas

You like it really. Be honest.
You have better presents than most for starters.

Matthewfalle

No. I hate it. Love watching the kids bomb around like headless chickens but generally, meh. Humbug of the worst order

If they could move it to the summer so we could spend it down the beach a la Antipodean, now you're talking.

Anyone have any pictures of Mrs Claus' norks?

veronese68

I quite enjoy it. I've come to an arrangement with a friend of mine. Instead of me having to punch my brother in law my friend is going to punch him for me and I will go and punch his brother in law in return. Christmas isn't just about the exchange of gifts, it's a season of good will and you can also exchange other things. Like punching the brother in law.

markhewitt1978

The annual "What you do want for Christmas" thing can be a bit of a stress. This year we've said main present should be no more than £50, which is really difficult because if there's anything I need which costs less than £50 chances are I've already bought it! So ended up I'm getting some bike lights and chain cleaner I was about to buy anyway!

Matthewfalle

Veronese68 wrote:

I quite enjoy it. I've come to an arrangement with a friend of mine. Instead of me having to punch my brother in law my friend is going to punch him for me and I will go and punch his brother in law in return. Christmas isn't just about the exchange of gifts, it's a season of good will and you can also exchange other things. Like punching the brother in law.

You could set up a year round business offering a brother in law punching service. offer seasonal discounts as and when required - doesn't just have to be at Chrimbles - Ramadan, Divali, etc etc etc.

veronese68

Matthewfalle wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

I quite enjoy it. I've come to an arrangement with a friend of mine. Instead of me having to punch my brother in law my friend is going to punch him for me and I will go and punch his brother in law in return. Christmas isn't just about the exchange of gifts, it's a season of good will and you can also exchange other things. Like punching the brother in law.

You could set up a year round business offering a brother in law punching service. offer seasonal discounts as and when required - doesn't just have to be at Chrimbles - Ramadan, Divali, etc etc etc.

It would only ever be a reciprocal arrangement. The more I do the more he receives, the gift that keeps on giving.

diy

I hate Chirstmas from a personal point of view:

1. I can't buy stuff I want, because a) its over priced and b) I get winged at for not asking for it for christmas
2. I have the bloody outlaws round and they stay anything from 4-10 days. It then becomes an extension of their christmas traditions.
3. I hate all the searching for pressies for people and paying a premium for crap
4. I hate all the crap telly (Christmas films, old series)
5. I hate all the crap that people buy for me

The only good thing is a bit of partying and if you are lucky a chance to get shit-faced and maybe snog the office bike.

team47b

Matthewfalle wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

I quite enjoy it. I've come to an arrangement with a friend of mine. Instead of me having to punch my brother in law my friend is going to punch him for me and I will go and punch his brother in law in return. Christmas isn't just about the exchange of gifts, it's a season of good will and you can also exchange other things. Like punching the brother in law.

You could set up a year round business offering a brother in law punching service. offer seasonal discounts as and when required - doesn't just have to be at Chrimbles - Ramadan, Divali, etc etc etc.

I quite like the idea of putting out someone's lights during Diwali

pinno

Veronese68 wrote:

I quite enjoy it. I've come to an arrangement with a friend of mine. Instead of me having to punch my brother in law my friend is going to punch him for me and I will go and punch his brother in law in return. Christmas isn't just about the exchange of gifts, it's a season of good will and you can also exchange other things. Like punching the brother in law.

You lot have been doing this for years. :roll:

You must be of Sardinian origin V68.

veronese68

pinarello001 wrote:

You lot have been doing this for years. :roll:

You must be of Sardinian origin V68.

The clue to my origin is in the name.

ballysmate

Had the first festive argument with my missus yesterday.
She is getting stressed out over it and can't understand my total apathy towards the big event.

Flâneur

I've changed, I bought a Christmas tree. Admittedly it was only because my partner did not want a real tree in the house, so off I went and bought one. Pretty selfless gift I reckon

pblakeney

Ballysmate wrote:

Had the first festive argument with my missus yesterday.
She is getting stressed out over it and can't understand my total apathy towards the big event.

Sums up my household too.
IMHO there is some passing of presents and over indulgence of food and drink, which is not much more special than a family dinner.
Whilst I will enjoy the day, I cannot see any reason to get stressed about it. Especially this early.
I have not started any shopping, decorations or cards yet and feel that this is entirely appropriate.