I know it is August but...

Good grief, Ilrina, and I thought Morrissey's lyrics were miserable!

My earliest snapshot memory is at 2 years old and pushing my new toy pushchair with new dolly to my grandparents on Christmas morning. I was so excited. It was a magical day. Fast forward 25 years my 3 small children and I are decorating a Christmas tree, writing to Santa, calling up the chimney and leaving mince pies and sherry on the hearth in eager anticipation. OK, it was hard work but to see my children's faces on Christmas morning was worth ever minute. Let's fast forward again, 35 years this time, I am reliving the magic and wonder of that childhood with my lovely grandchildren. Amazingly they call up the same chimney that I did 61 years ago, and even more amazingly Santa is still coming down it every year. I would never deprive my grandchildren of this short- lived but wonderful time in their young world ever.

If it is that bad, forget it and book a holiday somewhere they don't celebrate Christmas - or join Jehovah's Witnesses, they say it is just an excuse for excess and people get into debt over-spending, and Dec 25th the wrong date for Jesus' birth anyway.

I must say mine have never been like that. Some full of activity, some quiet, but all provided a pleasant day with family and/or friends.

Would love to forget all about Xmas and give it a miss, or even go abroad maybe, but not allowed to as did won't have it.

She doesn't want to cook dinner and neither do I, so we are at a sort of stalemate.

It's only because of g.son that I'm putting up with it.

Call me grumpy, but I'm bored of the whole thing long before Xmas.

Thanks for reminding me that's it's fairly imminent.

I love Xmas, but try not to think about it before DD's birthday - late November. I also have an absolute rule - if things aren't finished by lunchtime Xmas Eve, s.d it!

I like Christmas, but it would be nice for someone else to host....( how do we persuade them?) don't think about it till after DDs and 2 DGD's birthdays at the end of November .

I like christmas, but for one reason and another it was going to be quieter this year. Which suited me this one time.
But now people are coming that I didnt think were. Oh well.
I will try and tame it down though, but there is someone in our group who really really really likes christmas. and we havent yet managed to calm the person down about it!

www.ucg.org/the-good-news/biblical-evidence-shows-jesus-christ-wasnt-born-on-dec-25
Jesus's birthday could have been at the end of September, so best get a move on with all your preparations, everyone!

biblelight.net/xmas.htm

!
Well now I am well and truly behind!

The second link, further down suggests spring!

Not miserable maggiemaybe, I am a realist.Elegran I don't need to go away( Poetic license in my lyrics, nor do I especially feel the need to join Jehova's Witnesses if for no other reason than that they all seem to wear dreadful shoes . We will just do our own thing in our own house.

The shoes are because they do a lot of walking, taking their message to everyone. It does keep them healthy, I must say - I know one who is in her 80s and she can walk me into the ground! I keep off certain subjects when talking to her, though, like having a common ancestor with all the other apes. We agree to differ.

I love Christmas. Everything about it. I still get as excited as I did when I was a child, even though now I do all the work. However, I love cooking so maybe that has something to do with it.
DD still has "alternative Christmas", usually about February, with all her uni friends as they did in their uni house. They are now in their mid 30s and every year they have to find a bigger house to rent for the weekend due to husbands,partners and children. It always sounds like they have a wonderful time, although DD has to make Christmas pudding as they are quite hard to find in February apparently!?

I love Christmas- but not the USA/UK way- eg when it begins in ... October (and on GN in August...) - and I like it simple, with natural materials, real trees that are only in the house for 2 weeks max, candles, wood burners, home-made stuff and presents- and good food without going crazy and having unpteen courses.

Goin away for 3 week mid November- so Christmas preparations will begin when we get back.

In the meantime - bah humbug - it is SUMMER and then it will be AUTUMN - Winter will come after that and no sooner. cheers.

I agreed with friends years ago that we would not exchange presents. I was getting stressed out looking for gifts they probably did not want and certainly did not need. I send one cheque to my sister in law by marriage and that is my lot.

I dine on my own and have exactly what I want. Lately I have been having the main meal on Christmas eve because the gas level was so low on Christmas day that it took forever to cook anything. It would be nice to dine with others or dine out but circumstances have changed and friends are well scattered.

I don't understand what the problem is over for hating cooking for Christmas As M&S and their ilk make it so unbelievably easy to not cook but simply heat through. They do all the thinking for you.

Judypark, I loved reading your post!