Its not xmas yet

[Marco]

I think Xmas should be limited to one week around the 25th Dec, it might be more meaningful then.

I don't disagree, Mike. But it is what it is.

And for those who enjoy the important aspects of Christmas (family togetherness, religious celebration and/or relaxation from work/merry-making), but not the odious and ever-growing commercial side, we're grateful for it and like to get the most from the festive period.

Not least because those of us who've also forked out £60-70 for a quality real Christmas tree, and painstakingly spent time decorating it, would like to get some use out of it before it gets taken down again, and most likely burned or put in the bin!

And most artificial trees are simply dire...

Marco.

[Marco]

Agreed! As a child, the Christmas tree was brought into the house from the garden a week before Christmas Day, transplanted into a new tub and I was allowed to decorate it (with vintage large-bulb lights and glass baubles as mentioned by Marco). The room decorations also went up at the same time. And it all came down on Twelfth Night.

Yup, that's undoubtedly how it *should* be done.

However, like I said, especially as few people now grow their own Christmas trees (we've tried, but they've failed to establish themselves properly), if you've gone to a garden centre and shelled out a not insignificant sum of money, on a real tree, then it's nice to get some proper use out of it, which wouldn't really be the case with what you propose.

It would be down not long after it had been put up. Of course, that wouldn't matter so much if the tree had come from your own garden, and cost hee-haw....

That's why we put up our decorations and tree on Del's birthday (13th December), as it's something nice to do then, which we both really enjoy, and between then and the Epiphany, allows a decent amount of time for us to enjoy our tree and the rest of the decorations

However, the idiots who start putting up theirs in mid November (or earlier), particularly the vulgar and unsightly OTT outdoor variety, with flashing lights/Santas, and so forth, should be shot!!

Marco.

[Mikeandvan]

I don't disagree, Mike. But it is what it is.

And for those who enjoy the important aspects of Christmas (family togetherness, religious celebration and/or relaxation from work/merry-making), but not the odious and ever-growing commercial side, we're grateful for it and like to get the most from the festive period.

Not least because those of us who've also forked out £60-70 for a quality real Christmas tree, and painstakingly spent time decorating it, would like to get some use out of it before it gets taken down again, and most likely burned or put in the bin!

And most artificial trees are simply dire...

Marco.

My xmas memories consist of dad getting pissed and 'offering us out'. Or an awful dinner at a crappy restaurant. On the third day of xmas ye shall find your family and enforced togetherness intolerable and ye shall start aguing, on the 4th day ye shall bugger off home, a few days early!

[Marco]

Lol - I'm sorry to hear that. For others and I, things were (thankfully), and continue to be, rather different!

Marco.

[struth]

Son's one is up... Someone came and helped him. He is chuffed with it as its a new one and looks good. ive looked one out but not done anything else. will get daughter to decorate it i think as it might kill me

[Marco]

Don't even attempt it, mate. Plus, women are generally more creative/artistic, so she'll probably make a better job of it!

Marco.

[Gazjam]

Flying out to Sweden for this Christmas, cant wait to experience how another Country does things!

[Macca]

I'll be in Nottinghamshire which is basically the same thing.

[Barry]

Flying out to Sweden for this Christmas, cant wait to experience how another Country does things!

I loath Christmas so much that a few years ago I decided to spend Christmas in a non-Christian counry, vainly hoping I would avoid it all. No chance - there were Christmas trees, Christmas decorations and a 'Yo ho ho' Santa!

[Marco]

Oh that'll be fab, Gaz! They do Christmas properly in Sweden, like they also do in the likes of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as they're properly geared up for it

Which part are you visiting, and who are you going with?

Marco.