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 
@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 ... 
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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.
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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 😂
ps I'll send you my new address 😂
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Beautiful Christmas flower Jane...:smileywink:
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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
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