Christmas - Yeagh! or Meh!

[1batfastard]

Hi All,
While I have been busy posting about the upcoming festivities it struck me that there may be some that who unlike myself (I love it) just want it over and done with.

This may be because of either emotional reasons or you just cannot stand the fact the true meaning of Christmas has gone. Instead replaced with ever increasing commercialism and seemingly all about getting you to part with as much money or get yourself into debt etc. etc. etc.

What do you think ?

Geoff.

[Nicos]

I absolutely love Xmas too.
Not the religious side ( although I respect that) nor the commercial aspect, but I just love the idea of being snuggled in at home for a few days with loved ones.
I love the traditions we’ve set up …and I still do them even though it’s usually just the two of us.
All the decorations have lovely memories of choosing them, and I love surrounding the walls with fresh greenery and lighting loads of candles…and the fires burning away….
Yesterday my ex sister- in -law told me that her daughter has such happy memories of all our Xmasses together that she’s now doing exactly the same things with her children. You can’t get much more of a compliment than that eh?

As far as Xmas gifts etc go, I now spend ages finding images on goooogle and send those in emails/ WhatsApp instead of cards along with messages/ updates.
My children and families choose simple practical things they need online and my OH and I spend £10-30 each on each other as something to unwrap from Santa. Oh and a bag of Dreamies treats for Hibou which she loves unwrapping.
It really doesn’t need to be expensive- it’s not supposed to be a competition or about being greedy. It’s just about being caring and thoughtful as far as I’m concerned and making new memories…..

[greenishfing]

Over the years my ideas of Christmas have changed. I have good memories of it as a small child with extended family. However it then went downhill after my parents separated when I was about 13. The last time I spent a Christmas at home I was 18.

In my twenties I spent Christmas all over the place. One of my best and most memorable Christmases was when I shared a house with two vicar's sons. Their idea of Christmas was to invite everybody we worked with who didn't have family to go to. We cooked the meal. I know we had turkey, lots of booze and lots of fun and played games.

I've tried ever since to do a similar thing and invite everyone I know who will otherwise be alone although there have been a couple of Christmases where we have been guests including the memorable Christmas when the oven blew up. Also one when my husband ended up in hospital on Christmas Eve. Christmas was delayed until New Year that year.

I never spend more than I can afford on gifts. My supermarket trolley tends to look similar to normal but with a bigger joint, extra cream and a box of crackers.

So I enjoy Christmas nowadays and embrace it.

[nick the grief]

I absolutely love Xmas too.
Not the religious side ( although I respect that) nor the commercial aspect, but I just love the idea of being snuggled in at home for a few days with loved ones.
I love the...

Drinking be honest

now I'm at the age where I can scowl at people as I bumble along, I can say that I have no feeling either way. This year for the first time for about 50 years I went away for christmas, only rather than being dragged to some Hotel and forced to join in we rented a cottage and Mrs G and I holed up with a couple of bottles of wine, a blazing log fire andhad a whale of a time, She was doing her Crochet and I was reading some of the books I'd stockpiled I would do it again this year (its now 2023 as I type this)

What I would change is all these darn fireworks that people think they need to let off ... its like the Blitz here I can only assume most of these numpties don't have pets

So there you go First rant of 2023

Happy new year

[Nicos]

^^^ te he….much less booze these days NTG… sounds like your Xmas was pretty much like my own tbh!

So yes, Many Happies for 2023 everyone. There were a lot less fireworks here at midnight, I’m guessing there is less money to ‘waste’ ….
Lets hope 2023 is going to be a better year than last for everyone ( even lottie who seems to of had a magnificent 2022 in many ways!)
It starts at home where we can do the influencing….so let’s keep Rary/Snoops smiles going ….well fed and topped up!

Thanks everyone for making the Vine such a wonderful place to visit….home from home …. xx