topic Re: Christmas 2017 in Off-Topic

Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 21:43:02 GMT

Received my 1st Christmas card in the post today ... it's from a cousin I havn't seen in 4 years or so ... she wrote a lovely newsy letter ... & ... gave me her phone number ... ... I've put the card amongst my cat ornaments on the kitchen window sill ... I always put my cards up the time when I receive them

Tomorrow I shall put the Christmas tree up ... it'll be the small pink one ... the big green tree complete with fairy lights & decorations, wrapped up in the old airing cupboard is now more than I can manage

Re: Christmas 2017

Glory1 — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 23:26:28 GMT

Well @Anonymous I received my first Christmas card on Thursday and like you put mine up when received. The card was from my best friend who is off to Madeira next week on holiday and was being extra organised. Mine to the States and Australia went off yesterday. The UKs are still to be done.

As for decorations, Christmas cards and a Crhristmas tree on my phone are it. Being Jewish I don't really celebrate Christmas as such though I exchange cards and presents with my Christian and some Muslim friends. However, I DO NOT exchange Christmas cards with my Jewish friends nor would I expect to receive any from them.

Don't get me wrong I do enjoy the holidays but I see Christmas in the religious sense; not the present giving, card exchanging one. Even though I know Christ was not actually born on 25th December. From a strict religious point of view, Christmas decorations for me are not proper.

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 06:54:40 GMT

Hi @Glory1

My Christmas cards are written ... & ... it's nice to think of relatives & friends when I write, memories come back ... & ... it's nice to recive cards as I think of them again, some have some written news in ... I shall send the odd photo of my son Alex & his wife's wedding earlier this year

Appart from cards + small tree with lights + star on top ... = ... that's it

When my son was with me the big tree came out with sentimental ormaments on eg some from my mum many years ago & one of 'My baby's 1st Christmas'

I'm a spiritual person Gloria ... & ... as I've grown older ... & ... my son flown the nest, that side of Christmas means more to me

There are some people I use email with a Christmas picture as I don't have an address or phone number

I'll be on my own this Christmas & it won't bother me ... = ... some nice bits & pieces from M & S to 'bung in the oven', chox, & tv

My son & Mum like to ring me Christmas Day

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 07:22:45 GMT

Re: Christmas 2017

Glory1 — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 07:56:55 GMT

When I was a child and my parents were still together we celebrated Christmas and Hannukah. So I got presents for Christmas from my father and his brothers and sisters and presents from my mum and her brothers and sisters for the 8 days of Hannukah. Makes me sound a very spoiled child but I wasn't. My dad and his family made me understand the religious meaning of Christmas and my mum and her family the religious meaning of Hannukah. My dad also always reminded me that he worked hard to earn the money to pay for my presents at Christmas and on my birthday as did his brothers and sisters and my mum's brothers and sisters. My parents didn't want me to think 'money grew on trees' as was the great saying back then. And I was also taught it's not what your given that counts but that the person thought enough of you to give you a present at all.

We had a huge Christmas tree and mum, dad and I decorated it. It looked lovely with the presents underneath and Christmas wreaths on all the windows.

As an adult, living with my mum, before coming to England, no decorations were put up in our flat both of us being Jewish. But our landlords who were also friends decorated their house inside and out. Americans go in for Christmas lights, nativity scenes and all the trappings of Christmas outside their houses as well as in. The street, when I came home of an evening, looked beautiful with lights twinkling on all the houses.

As I say I love the holidays and spending time with friends. And the food and drinks, of course. And I love seeing my friends Christmas decorations - those that celebrate Christmas.

I will be spending Christmas day and Boxing day with friends but the rest of the holiday period on my own. I have so many boxsets and films to watch, and books to read, I need time to myself when there's not much on the telly.

Hope you enjoy your quiet Christmas on your own. Good food, some good films on the telly and a glass of Christmas cheer - excellent.

Re: Christmas 2017

Cleoriff — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 08:59:35 GMT

I may be a bit Bah Humbug this year (in terms of cards) I usually send and receive loads but I am thinking it's a very commercial costly exercise. It's a catch 22 really.

People like to know how we are and whats happening with us and family... so I might get cards, sign them and do a general catch up letter which I will enclose in the card....Still thinking about that one.

All presents are bought (thank you Amazon and other online retailers)

Another Catch 22 situation are Christmas decorations. I love them and the house is usually bedecked with lights, trees, mantle wreaths and other stuff. I always do them. Last year I was in Spain till 10th December and I had dropped hints about how nice it would be to come home to them already done. Mmmmm...came home..some were done (not to my standard) so I spent a day getting them all sorted (Hubby making usual comments that we would be paying the Electricity company their Xmas bonus's )

Still undecided about that one. We are out all over Christmas..so maybe not?....(But I like them...)

Re: Christmas 2017

Glory1 — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 16:35:15 GMT

I've cut down the amount of cards I send to the UK at least. It was becoming ridiculous really and expensive. Even after cutting down it's still loads. I must sit down this week and get to it.

All my presents bought and, those to the States and Australia, sent. Some to send here and the rest will be exchanged with the friends I'm spending Christmas with and those coming for Christmas dinner on the day. Some folks will still be there Boxing day because of long drive home or too much Christmas cheer 🤣

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 20:13:05 GMT

Re: Christmas 2017

Glory1 — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 20:24:53 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Re: Christmas 2017

jonsie — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 23:51:59 GMT

I'm not even sure where I will be come Christmas. There are no decorations here in the ward due to strict rules about infection control but also I tend to think due to the different ethnic beliefs of the multinational patients.

One thing is for sure, if I'm home there will be no decorations and no cards sent. Not just because my heart is in my beloved Thailand and I love and enjoy Christmas there and especially New Year, but I can't nip to the shops, buy and write cards them pop them in the post before the post early date.

No one knows my new address so the only cards I will receive will be from my sons.

So, I will be sending greetings via the usual electronic online apps. It's all I can do unfortunately but I will be missing someone so much that this Christmas will be tinged with great sadness wondering how one second of carelessness by a stupid man changed my life forever when I was living the dream. That's now turned into my worst nightmare.

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 11:27:25 GMT

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 11:33:08 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
I'm not even sure where I will be come Christmas. There are no decorations here in the ward due to strict rules about infection control but also I tend to think due to the different ethnic beliefs of the multinational patients.
One thing is for sure, if I'm home there will be no decorations and no cards sent. Not just because my heart is in my beloved Thailand and I love and enjoy Christmas there and especially New Year, but I can't nip to the shops, buy and write cards them pop them in the post before the post early date.
No one knows my new address so the only cards I will receive will be from my sons.
So, I will be sending greetings via the usual electronic online apps. It's all I can do unfortunately but I will be missing someone so much that this Christmas will be tinged with great sadness wondering how one second of carelessness by a stupid man changed my life forever when I was living the dream. That's now turned into my worst nightmare.

Hi @jonsie ... I'm sending you a pm ...

Re: Christmas 2017

Wa10 — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 15:28:57 GMT

Sending you a hug @jonsie

For many years I haven't done Christmas cards, because as a few of you have rightly said it becomes a very costly, commercialised exercise. Probably close to 10 years ago I made the decision to send a couple of cards only to close family members, and instead to make a donation to charity with the money I'd have spent on cards and gifts for the extended family and friends group. I tend to send my greetings by email or social media instead, and have always invited those who may have wanted to buy me a card or a gift to think about donating to the charity I was supporting, or one of their own choice.

This year I've begun working with a group in our local city centre who who support the homeless - distributing food and warm clothing as well as spending time talking to them, learning their stories and helping them to find the support they need to get their lives back on track. Rather than making a financial donation to charity as I have often done, I'm instead spending the money on the items most in need to hopefully help to make Christmas a little more comfortable for those who will be spending it in very difficult circumstances, and I'll be inviting friends a family to consider buying a pair of gloves or socks, or even giving an hour of their own time to help rather than spending money on gifts or cards for me. There but for the grace of God goes any one of us, and it truly breaks my heart that in this so called modern, civilised society so many have so much more than they will ever need when others don't have the basic necessities. 😞

As for decorations, given my craziness with the Christmas jumpers and outfits, it may surprise you that I don't actually bother at home! The reason being that I spend much of the festive period with my Mum and Sister, so we decorate her home instead. The day itself and a few days either side will be spent there, eating and drinking far too much and spending some quality time together - that's what it's all about! Will also be making a conscious effort to spend some as much time as I can with the group and the people mentioned above, hopefully bringing a little festive cheer into what will otherwise be an even more challenging than usual time for them. And of course I'll be at Church to celebrate the real reason behind Christmas with my friends there.

Re: Christmas 2017

jonsie — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 15:36:42 GMT

I applaud you @Wa10 if only there were many more such people amongst the so called priveged classes who could give a little bit back 😤
ps I'll send you my new address 😂

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 19:09:15 GMT

Credit to you @Wa10 ... & ... @jonsie

It's made me think where I can give a warm hat / scarf / gloves to in my town or near ... I'll research it online ... or ... at the town library

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 20:21:54 GMT

Re: Christmas 2017

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:34:09 GMT

Re: Christmas 2017

Cleoriff — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 19:45:05 GMT

Beautiful Christmas flower Jane...:smileywink:

Re: Christmas 2017

Wa10 — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 07:53:57 GMT

For many years I've not bought or sent Christmas cards, as I've thought that the money would be put to better use helping others less fortunate. Typically I've chosen a charity each year to make a donation to, but this year I've instead spent the money on food and warm clothing to hopefully help make Christmas that little bit more comfortable for our less fortunate friends without a warm, dry place to call home.

Rather than a generic Christmas card, I prefer to share my love with those I care about at Christmas by making them smile (hence the #ChristmasJumperCountdown) and with a personal message. So here is my message to you all, and to all of my friends and family this Christmas time. Wishing you all God's blessing for a fantastic Christmas, and the very best for 2018. x

Re: Christmas 2017

sheepdog — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 10:34:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

@Wa10: This is what we want to see for next years Christmas Jumper extravaganza