Are we all sick of :-

[Minstrel SE]

I just want to enjoy December as I do any other month. I think the main issue is not being allowed to feel as if I can step back and let others enjoy it if they want to.

I was having a nice evening with my friend and she said what are you doing for Christmas as if Ive got be be somewhere doing something to enjoy myself. The inference is which family member am I going to be bundled off to and the feeling that anybody is going to be sad if not joining the forced fun.

I get cards from people that have never phoned me and I havent phoned in years. Think about it...how ridiculous is that and you cant tell them not to bother or Im looked at like some sort of personality disorder loon.

The present giving and receiving lost any meaning for me about twenty five years ago and it was only any real fun opening a giant stocking as a kid. That was magical and perhaps thats where we should leave it for children to enjoy...then again the pressure is on for those children (and their parents) who wont get anything

I would rather my extended family bought a meal or treat for a homeless person or somebody in real need

Its such a stitch up job that anybody is seen as Scrooge McScrooge Face if they dont get into the spirit of Christmas

[Firebottle]

Scrooge McScrooge Face

OK let's start the SMF club

We don't do Xmas gifts, I agree it's far too commercialised and has been for years.

[Marco]

I see Black Friday is coming up too, another materialistic consumerism bonanza, designed to get the imbecilic masses to part with even more money on crap they don't really need.

My mantra for Black Friday for many years, 'not one penny' I don't buy anything at all on Black Friday, absolutely zero. Now you can if you wish, call me a miserable git over that, but it's total bollocks and I find it all rather distasteful

100% agree! It's fun though, laughing at pictures of vacuous chav imbeciles fighting over tat, like rabid dogs, as if it were the last morsel of food in existence... Risibly pathetic beyond words, but nonetheless great TV entertainment!

Almost as funny as watching hoards of mindless technology victims, camping overnight outside of Apple stores, to ensure that they obtain the 'latest and greatest' iPhone, when released...

And we wonder why the world's in the state it's in...?

Marco.

[Marco]

Christmas? I *love* it, but not the commercial side of things, which gets more out of control every year. You can keep that vulgar cack. As Catholics, Christmas is primarily about celebrating the birth of Christ (hence Christmas), so for us that always makes it special, and going to midnight mass on Christmas Eve

Then there's your friends and family coming round, spending time together having fun and enjoying each other's company, especially over some lovely food (I'm fortunate that Del is a great cook and my best friend an ex-chef), so I just take care of the drinks and do the washing up!

Plus, Del's like a big kid and loves everything about Christmas. Therefore, one of the nicest feelings of the year for me is getting up early on Christmas morning, while she's still asleep, lighting the log fire downstairs, so that the room is nice and toasty for her, switching on the tree, lighting some candles, then playing some carols in the background - basically getting things all nice and Christmassy.

Then I'll make her some breakfast, with a nice cup of tea, and get her up, so that when she comes down, the room's really nice and she can enjoy her breakfast. Then we'll open up our presents together. And as she LOVES snow, this year I'm going to buy a snow machine (as I doubt any snow will fall naturally) and make the garden outside look all sparkly and white, which will give her a nice surprise when she looks out the window.......!

The biggest joy for me is making her happy. It's the least I can do, and show that she's appreciated, especially with all cooking she'll be doing later, preparing the goose, etc. However, she's off work then for two weeks, so plenty of time to relax and enjoy herself. So yes, bring on Christmas and let's party!!



Marco.

[struth]

Im putting a tree up this year Had the mate round and he got all the gear out of the loft as I cant get up the ladder. Its been a few years since its been done due to various things

[Marco]

Nice one, Grant. It's nice making a bit of an effort, and I'm sure that the family will appreciate it when they come round

We put the tree up on Del's birthday (13th December), and always turn it into a bit of an 'event', decorating it all, which she loves, before going out to celebrate her birthday later.

It's an expensive time of the year for me, as I've got Del's birthday on the 13th, our wedding anniversary on the 22nd, then Christmas!

Marco.

[Audio Al]

It's an expensive time of the year for me, as I've got Del's birthday on the 13th, our wedding anniversary on the 22nd, then Christmas!


And dont forget me

[Marco]

Yesh, but I'll get your gimp suit in the sales!

Marco.

[Audio Al]

Yesh, but I'll get your gimp suit in the sales!

Marco.

Ooo , Nice

[struth]

Nice one, Grant. It's nice making a bit of an effort, and I'm sure that the family will appreciate it when they come round

We put the tree up on Del's birthday (13th December), and always turn it into a bit of an 'event', decorating it all, which she loves, before going out to celebrate her birthday later.

It's an expensive time of the year for me, as I've got Del's birthday on the 13th, our wedding anniversary on the 22nd, then Christmas!

Marco.

one of my grandads birthday was 25th lol he always complained he only got 1 present