Christmas. Knees up round the piano or hide for the duration

[Minxy]

So it's here again....Christmas!

Speaking for myself I think it's an overrated money spinning pile of pooh and I can't wait for January the whatever to get back to normal.

So how does everyone else stand, are we knees up round the piano with the family or, like me, a hide in a corner trying to avoid it kind of guy?

[TerryG]

Christmas is a time of year when the shops are filled with junk and too many people.
Roll on January!

(it is good for the economy though)

[Luxobarge]

Speaking for myself I think it's an overrated money spinning pile of pooh and I can't wait for January the whatever to get back to normal.

Fantastic - I thought it was just me! Totally with you on this one mate, hate it with a passion, roll on January say I.

[Martin Evans]

I'm between the two.

I do despair a touch at the over consumption and excuse it gives people for idiocy. However, that's their business. Some may say they dislike the hypocrisy, whereby people try to be nice for Christmas but will stab you in the back most of the time. To that you could say any respite is welcome (Like Christmas 1914 perhaps).

For me it’s a day off, where I don’t have to do much. It’s a time of reflection on times past and I suppose on how much water has flown beneath the bridge. I’m not ashamed to say I still like to see the Christmas tree go up or to hear anything from White Christmas to Merry Christmas Everybody being played. Christmas dinner is nice and yes, I’ll be watching the Great Escape on DVD or VHS. I expect I’ll have something classic car related off “Santa” and it’s nice to give presents too.

Our late cat, Meg, liked Christmas and enjoyed having a tree indoors, under which she could sit. Her nose could always detect a good piece of poultry and the keener she was to stay in the kitchen on Christmas Eve, the better the poultry tasted.

[rich.]

one of the many reasons i moved from the uk was christmas starting in june... over here the lights go up in town around the beginning of december, back in the uk in my local town they went up in july one year... i always tell kids that im going to shoot father christmas, but now ive two toddlers ive been instructed to stop...saying that i proposed to wifey christmas eve one year...

[alfaSleep]

Loaddsaa Cleeransse, January like!

Sadly, not much of Car Bitzz, like......

ErrIndoors does a mad 'Ohh! do for next Xmas' bit.... and can't find it again 01 Dec, though

I like Xmas.... just don't hammer me doorinn for Carols OK

alfaSleep

[rich.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IivaDS3eWrE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEe55NxFSSU


some carols to get you all in the mood

second song is not for the faint hearted,

[Mitsuru]

It's just an oversized Sunday dinner with about 4 members of the
family.
If I had my old girl on the road it would have been the best day to
take her out and giver a good stretch of her legs as most of the
roads would be empty! That would be the only good thing, so bring on the better weather please!

[Minxy]

In an effort to embrace Christmas here's another cultural song

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ziQ3umB2sZA

[tractorman]

My late father was a vicar, so you can imagine our Christmases weren't exactly what the shops would like! apart from the permanent reminders about "those less fortunate" and having to give a relatively large percentage of any monies we got as presents to the BBC's Christmas Appeal, we didn't get expensive presents - there wasn't the money in those days.

Father had three churches in his last parish and had at least four services on Christmas day, did services on the two or three days either side (various "religious days") and "Private Communions" for those unable to get to church (or, in one case, too lazy to walk down the church path - she managed perfectly well when her grandchildren were christened!). We hardly ever saw him apart from meal times and when he was asleep in his chair!

Now I'm alone - or "with dog", Christmas is more or less banned! No decorations apart from the cards I've been sent (and two sent to my late mother) and the big festive spend was a Tesco individual Christmas Pud and a box of after dinner mints (on offer)! The dog will get a present - she is already looking forward to the day, she knows it's coming because she smelt the "Selection Box" - and the vet comes a week or so before to give her a booster (she won't go in a car)! The vet was here yesterday and the dog is still sulking about his comments (and no, he admitted, she isn't fat!) In fact, in the last ten Christmases, the dog has had more fun than Mother or I ever did!

I'm using Christmas as an excuse to thank my neighbours and friends for the support they have given since Mother died. Perhaps that's one good thing about Christmas - it gives you the chance to remember friendship and kindness you have received over the last year.

To all who believe in the religious side, I hope you have a good time. To those who use it as an excuse to party and overspend, I hope you get what you deserve (probably a maxed out credit card). To the non-Christians: I hope you enjoy the break provided by a Christian celebration and to all the others, just enjoy the break from work!