Christmas 2018

[fuchsntf]

From years of our  4 older kids coming to us, life's stories of new house movement,young and brand new gran-kids

My wife and I will be on the move...

In Germany "Heiligeabend" is the major event,but we used to always have alternative years.  1 year,English 25th,the next year 24th and pressies!!!

Then 27th my wife's Birthday...

 

So this year,we drive ca 70km to my son .new house for "Heiligeabend".  With fresh Grandson Jonas,and great d-i-laws ,parents..ca 14-23hrs Raclette and delicies!!!  Bescherung/presents and some games!!! 

Then drive to my older expectant daughter new-house buy,...2 yr old granddaughter,25th traditional uk christmas...my son in law is English.

My other 2 daughters one grankid and  Grandhund with their hubbies are coming early also on the 25th. But son will stay at his house!!!

Grandhund-explanation...My middle-daughter and fresh hubby,have a 9month old Australian-sheperd!! Mogli ..

Already happy protective towards/with our gran-kids...

 

 My wife's Birthday 27th ,back to our place ,but son is "oncall".  so his family will be missing....

New year,...evening..and day...just me and My wife,with middle-daughter and Mogli. because of the dog ,they are coming to get away

from the fireworks in Mainz, Our village goes also crazy,(we don't need to buy our own!!). but not so long...and he can hide in the cellar!!

 

Could be well the last year of high % close  family Xmas celebration.My middle-daughter is off with hubby,to begin their life in Switzerland.

In the mountains..dog will love it!!  But my 4 kids now have diverse family answerabilities,so the big Xmas family gatherings will be few,and shared out!!

Our small house,will feel even smaller.....Though all my children had their own rooms!!

 

[RoboFox]

I for one love it. 

 

Christmas is about nostalgia, and I love getting out of the big smoke, and back to my childhood home to spend time with the folks, the grandparent. Seeing my sister and niece and catching up with old mates is great.

 

Long drive down to Devon to drop the missus off at her sisters' first, spend one night there then I'll be Chris Rea'ing all the way back to the 'shire. The driving is a nightmare, but it's tradition.

 

Just having a couple of weeks away from the relentlessness of full-time employment is in itself, enough.

 

Bring it on. 

[RonnieTodger]

Constantly back and forth between Leicester and Nottingham, but I’m looking forward to the days between Boxing Day and new year where I eat chocolate, moan at how much weight I’ve probably put on and watch darts.

[StanSP]

Be another year older.

[KingsX]

17 hours ago, foxfanazer said:

Volunteered to do the dinner this year. You know when you suggest something expecting everyone to say ‘no it’s ok’ or ‘we’ll all chip in’ and instead they say ‘that’d be lovely thanks’

 

 

[rachhere]

At the in laws where I am sure we will be incredibly well looked after, but still not really looking forward to it. I lost all my family by the age of 25 and I really don't enjoy this time of year as a consequence. Don't take it for granted folks 

 

 

[stripeyfox]

40 minutes ago, rachhere said:

At the in laws where I am sure we will be incredibly well looked after, but still not really looking forward to it. I lost all my family by the age of 25 and I really don't enjoy this time of year as a consequence. Don't take it for granted folks 

 

 

I think that resonates with lots of people. Christmas is a time when we feel loss most acutely I think. My very best wishes to you for Christmas and hope you can enjoy it

 

 

[ScouseFox]

just cried watching love actually. christmas is fu cking here the fellas. 

[SouthStandUpperTier]

3 hours ago, ScouseFox said:

just cried watching love actually. christmas is fu cking here the fellas. 

C'mon Scouse, it's bad but it's not THAT bad.

[Max Wall]

4 hours ago, ScouseFox said:

just cried watching love actually. christmas is fu cking here the fellas. 

I know it must always feel like you're on the outside looking in, but love will come to you someday too. Just be patient 

[Detroit Blues]

During my childhood, I could remember celebrations of Christmas in America starting sometime in mid-December, and petering out in early to mid-January. It seemed like a reasonable length to get together with family, exchange a few gifts, and celebrate a religious holiday.

 

Now, in the name of advertising revenue and retail sales, Christmas has spread like a cancer into the other holidays and seasons. It wasn't until the beginning of this "Black Friday" nonsense, that the Christmas season began starting a day after Thanksgiving. People would actually leave their Thanksgiving dinner to go stand in line to buy cheaply manufactured crap the next day. Then each store tried to outdo each other by opening earlier and earlier. Now Black Friday actually begins on Thanksgiving day, which is a Thursday....  

 

For awhile, the sanctity of Thanksgiving was the last thing stopping the outward expansion of Christmas. Once Thanksgiving was fully consumed, there was nothing that would stop Christmas from starting earlier and earlier. Halloween was a mere speed-bump in the path of Christmas. A single day that, radio stations switch from Christmas music to Halloween music, and then back to Christmas music. Store owners stand around on Christmas, nervously anticipating Halloween to end so that they can put up their Christmas decorations.

 

Now by the time Christmas Day comes around, it has already overstayed its welcome by a full two months. If your wife told you that your in-laws were staying over at your house for Christmas, and they showed in October or November, you'd be pretty upset

 

That's my rant on Christmas. I look forward to celebrating it for maybe 48 hours, and no more. 

 

 

 

[Max Wall]

6 minutes ago, Detroit Blues said:

During my childhood, I could remember celebrations of Christmas in America starting sometime in mid-December, and petering out in early to mid-January. It seemed like a reasonable length to get together with family, exchange a few gifts, and celebrate a religious holiday.

 

Now, in the name of advertising revenue and retail sales, Christmas has spread like a cancer into the other holidays and seasons. It wasn't until the beginning of this "Black Friday" nonsense, that the Christmas season began starting a day after Thanksgiving. People would actually leave their Thanksgiving dinner to go stand in line to buy cheaply manufactured crap the next day. Then each store tried to outdo each other by opening earlier and earlier. Now Black Friday actually begins on Thanksgiving day, which is a Thursday....  

 

For awhile, the sanctity of Thanksgiving was the last thing stopping the outward expansion of Christmas. Once Thanksgiving was fully consumed, there was nothing that would stop Christmas from starting earlier and earlier. Halloween was a mere speed-bump in the path of Christmas. A single day that, radio stations switch from Christmas music to Halloween music, and then back to Christmas music. Store owners stand around on Christmas, nervously anticipating Halloween to end so that they can put up their Christmas decorations.

 

Now by the time Christmas Day comes around, it has already overstayed its welcome by a full two months. If your wife told you that your in-laws were staying over at your house for Christmas, and they showed in October or November, you'd be pretty upset

 

That's my rant on Christmas. I look forward to celebrating it for maybe 48 hours, and no more. 

 

 

 

 Have you been visited by any ghosts yet Ebeneezer?

 

 

Any one who thinks American culture isn't starting to totally engulf our own should read your post. Our Christmas has been heading in exactly this direction for years.

Awesome.....as they we say.

[Milo]

Rented a house in Oxford with all the extended family either staying the week or popping in for a few days. 

Some are not so well and might not have too many Christmas’s left, so wanted to get everyone together. (Sods law that they all last another 10 years and this will be now be expected every year)!

 

Nice as no-one has to host and everyone chips in with chores. 

 

Cooking for 25 on Christmas Day, though, which could be interesting. 

 

Whatever you are choosing to do, I hope you manage to make the most of it. 

 

 ? 

[stretch1965]

Christmas Day at home then Boxing Day we have been invited to wife’s brothers for the day, now as a season ticket holder I’ve been told to go to the match and go straight there after and not to the pub.

Can someone start a thread on here after the match discussing what happened when it went into extra time then penalties which will back up why I only got to the outlaws for the last hour. 

 

[Buce]

 

"Oh", she said, "let's go to Asda", she said. "Nobody goes to get their Xmas food shopping at half past seven on a Saturday morning...", she said.

Two hours. Two fvcking hours of being stood in queues moving at glacial speed along aisles long since picked clean by the swarm of human locusts that presumably started their Xmas shop at an even more ungodly hour. Two hours impatiently waiting for Asda to restock said shelves (here's a radical idea, Asda: next year, why not employ more than two members of staff on the last weekend before Xmas? You know, just a thought. You could even rota on the ones with double-digit brain cells instead of relying on Baz and Weggy, who are presumably on day release from Rampton. Nothing against 'Care in the Community' but there's a time and place). Two hours of listening to seemingly endless renditions of classic Xmas songs destroyed on the Number 10,047th best selling album, 'Kev and Tina do Xmas - Live at the Saffron Lane Working Men's Club'. Trust me, you haven't lived till you've heard Merry Xmas Everybody played on the Hammond Organ.

 

Next year I'm ditching Xmas to do something more fun. Like sticking my testicles in a liquidiser.

[VLC86]

5 minutes ago, Buce said:

 

"Oh", she said, "let's go to Asda", she said. "Nobody goes to get their Xmas food shopping at half past seven on a Saturday morning...", she said.

Two hours. Two fvcking hours of being stood in queues moving at glacial speed along aisles long since picked clean by the swarm of human locusts that presumably started their Xmas shop at an even more ungodly hour. Two hours impatiently waiting for Asda to restock said shelves (here's a radical idea, Asda: next year, why not employ more than two members of staff on the last weekend before Xmas? You know, just a thought. You could even rota on the ones with double-digit brain cells instead of relying on Baz and Weggy, who are presumably on day release from Rampton. Nothing against 'Care in the Community' but there's a time and place). Two hours of listening to seemingly endless renditions of classic Xmas songs destroyed on the Number 10,047th best selling album, 'Kev and Tina do Xmas - Live at the Saffron Lane Working Men's Club'. Trust me, you haven't lived till you've heard Merry Xmas Everybody played on the Hammond Organ.

 

Next year I'm ditching Xmas to do something more fun. Like sticking my testicles in a liquidiser.

I’ve got to be honest, anyone who agrees to go to ASDA at any point in the year let alone Christmas deserves all they get.

[Countryfox]

58 minutes ago, Buce said:

 

"Oh", she said, "let's go to Asda", she said. "Nobody goes to get their Xmas food shopping at half past seven on a Saturday morning...", she said.

Two hours. Two fvcking hours of being stood in queues moving at glacial speed along aisles long since picked clean by the swarm of human locusts that presumably started their Xmas shop at an even more ungodly hour. Two hours impatiently waiting for Asda to restock said shelves (here's a radical idea, Asda: next year, why not employ more than two members of staff on the last weekend before Xmas? You know, just a thought. You could even rota on the ones with double-digit brain cells instead of relying on Baz and Weggy, who are presumably on day release from Rampton. Nothing against 'Care in the Community' but there's a time and place). Two hours of listening to seemingly endless renditions of classic Xmas songs destroyed on the Number 10,047th best selling album, 'Kev and Tina do Xmas - Live at the Saffron Lane Working Men's Club'. Trust me, you haven't lived till you've heard Merry Xmas Everybody played on the Hammond Organ.

 

Next year I'm ditching Xmas to do something more fun. Like sticking my testicles in a liquidiser.

 

Just got back from the M&S food hall.  Greeted by 2 very nice young ladies at the door who helped pick out all our food and then helped us pack.  Had several little nibbles offered to us as we walked round the aisles pointing out what we wanted.  Waved away and wished a merry Christmas as we left.  In and out in 30 minutes.   

 

Ive always said ...   you get what you pay for ...    

[Buce]

2 minutes ago, Countryfox said:

 

Just got back from the M&S food hall.  Greeted by 2 very nice young ladies at the door who helped pick out all our food and then helped us pack.  Had several little nibbles offered to us as we walked round the aisles pointing out what we wanted.  Waved away and wished a merry Christmas as we left.  In and out in 30 minutes.   

 

Ive always said ...   you get what you pay for ...    

 

That's odd, CF, you usually send the gamekeeper, don't you?

 

Times must be hard when even the landed gentry has to tighten their belt.

[Countryfox]

14 minutes ago, Buce said:

 

That's odd, CF, you usually send the gamekeeper, don't you?

 

Times must be hard when even the landed gentry has to tighten their belt.

 

Very true Bucey ...but, I’d let him have the day off to go and do his shopping at Asda ....     

[Alf Bentley]

1 hour ago, Buce said:

 

"Oh", she said, "let's go to Asda", she said. "Nobody goes to get their Xmas food shopping at half past seven on a Saturday morning...", she said.

Two hours. Two fvcking hours of being stood in queues moving at glacial speed along aisles long since picked clean by the swarm of human locusts that presumably started their Xmas shop at an even more ungodly hour. Two hours impatiently waiting for Asda to restock said shelves (here's a radical idea, Asda: next year, why not employ more than two members of staff on the last weekend before Xmas? You know, just a thought. You could even rota on the ones with double-digit brain cells instead of relying on Baz and Weggy, who are presumably on day release from Rampton. Nothing against 'Care in the Community' but there's a time and place). Two hours of listening to seemingly endless renditions of classic Xmas songs destroyed on the Number 10,047th best selling album, 'Kev and Tina do Xmas - Live at the Saffron Lane Working Men's Club'. Trust me, you haven't lived till you've heard Merry Xmas Everybody played on the Hammond Organ.

 

Next year I'm ditching Xmas to do something more fun. Like sticking my testicles in a liquidiser.

 

Genuine sympathies, Buce, particularly if you're talking about the Oadby Asda.

 

I lived in Oadby 2001-2006 and had to go into Asda occasionally - though I avoided it most of the time. I can honestly remember few more alienating, soul-destroying experiences - and it didn't even need to be Xmas.

Constant promotional messages about discounts over the intercom. Moron customers standing with their mouths agape or chatting shite to friends, while their overflowing trolleys blocked every aisle.....solidarity, brother! 

[lifted*fox]

literally don't give a shit about xmas. 

 

gonna get super high and eat the cupboards bare at my parents house when I visit. 

 

seeing all the m8s and that tonight for japanese food and karaoke at some bless restaurant. 

 

that will do  

[VLC86]

Thought I would post an update, especially for @Buce...

 

Currently in Tesco, had to queue just to get in the car park. No trollies, place is absolute carnage... and I’ve got a stomach bug ? MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Buce]

4 minutes ago, Costock_Fox said:

Thought I would post an update, especially for @Buce...

 

Currently in Tesco, had to queue just to get in the car park. No trollies, place is absolute carnage... and I’ve got a stomach bug ? MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

On 22/12/2018 at 10:36, Costock_Fox said:

I’ve got to be honest, anyone who agrees to go to TESCO at any point in the year let alone Christmas deserves all they get.

 

[stix]

15 minutes ago, Costock_Fox said:

Thought I would post an update, especially for @Buce...

 

Currently in Tesco, had to queue just to get in the car park. No trollies, place is absolute carnage... and I’ve got a stomach bug ? MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Wigston? It’s fvcking horrendous in there today. 

[VLC86]

1 minute ago, stix said:

 

Wigston? It’s fvcking horrendous in there today. 

Yeah, if someone has have offered me a bed in dignitas 15 mins ago i would have gone.