Christmas

These days I'm afraid I see Christmas as a hurdle to be got over. I always feel better on Boxing Day knowing that Christmas is almost over and we have spring to look forward to. How's that for wishing one's life away, though?

Thank you for the stollen suggestions ( love the stuff with good, hot coffee.)

I agree Roses stollen is delicious but I avoid eating anything with a hint of Christmas until sometime in December. When I see mince pies in M and S in the Autumn I am disappointed, but someone scoffs them otherwise they wouldn't be on sale.

I am still wearing my summer weight pjs, so it is far too early for Christmas food IMO.

Yes NanKate somebody does indeed scoff them ( it's my DH!)

I draw the line at getting the tinsel out ( or lighting up bushes) until December, but when you think about it, a bit of stollen is only a bit of ( delicious ) fruit cake. I may get an e-petition going btw 'right to eat stollen all year round'....bet you it would get thousands of likes.

Have to confess to starting to look at the bits that are being put out for christmas.
I dont like the december christmas 1/2 panic, so do try to spread things out, in relation to budget, buying, and preparations.

Well I did notice that Lidl have got their Panetonne and Pandoro in already, and the first big tins of Quality Street are creeping into the shops.

Noticed a sneaky Smyth's toy ad earlier tonight on ITV - no direct mention of Christmas but it was pretty obvious!

In my mind it's also too early for all.the Halloween that. Grrrrr

The Halloween tat? certainly a sea of orange plastic around.

Closely followed by the sea of multi-coloured plastic tat that is Christmas!

A local department store I was in today has all the trimmings, trees, ornaments, candles the lot. I just felt bored already. I don't put up cards or tree till December.

However I understand that if someone has a lot of relatives to buy for they may need to start early, Ive just realized that Ive only got two more pay days till xmas, October and November, my December pay comes at the end of the month so too late. I will be starting to make lists soon and may have to start buying.

Hate hearing about it until December I don't enjoy it any more so it's something as someone said earlier to be got through I don't remember when I stopped liking C....... I cannot stand how the things are in the shops so blooming early I am so bored with it all by November I d happily hibernate for a couple of weeks around C......time

Love the lights, a tree, family time (if it can be managed), traditions (religious and secular), some of the seasonal food, cards to and from those I care about, exchanging small,token gifts with beautiful wrapping. Dislike being surrounded by anything to do with it before mid November, 'Christmas' itself lasting for two weeks, over the top commercialism, tv adverts for more and more 'stuff', pudding, round robin letters, duty cards, anything without a good heart, too much alcohol, gifts given without love. Probably could think of more! In general I enjoy it, but my way!

I m sure Christmas is fine if you have a big family around

I love Christmas, but am so glad that in Spain, there is rarely much in the shops before November 15th. I do understand about people having to spread out expenditure over several months to buy presents, but I don't need a ruddy great tree with lights on in every shop to do Christmas present shopping. I buy over the year, putting stuff away. The only things I leave for the actual Christmas season is anything in the way of decoration.
Having seen that and being on a young mothers forum too, (not mumsnet), I see a lot of mums putting up decoration as soon as Halloween is past! I would think everyone would be bored with it by Christmas! And having to do all the extra dusting!
We decorate on Dec 13th and tree comes down on Jan 6th (Jan 5th is the coming of the Three Wise Men in Spain and they bring the presents to the childen) 12 days before, 12 days after - and as far as I'm concerned, that is already too damn much!
As for Halloween, I see from this other forum, people decorate a couple of weeks in advance - ridiculous!
We make a big fuss of Halloween in my language school, for the sake of teaching the kids about the culture of other countries. During October they will be making decorations, etc, but they wont go up till the night before the party (when I will be burning the midnight oil after they all go home)

I often have a dream about Christmas on my own. It would still be a 100% Christmas, with decorations Christmas food etc. Not sure why I have this dream because I love our family Christmases with children and grandchildren and would hate not to have them around.

I expect it's the thought of all the effort Monica as I sometimes feel a bit the same.

As a Christian I LOVE celebrating The birth of Christ but this shopping festival of Christmas drives me bonkers. Why is all this pressure put on folks to spend money (that folks don't often have) on things (that a lot of folks don't want/need!)?
When it's dark nights it is lovely to have some Christmas lights out to cheer us up. Our large back garden is very dark and for the last few years we have strung lines of white/cream small,stars around the trees, it looks lovely and cheery. (Bit like Greek graveyards now I think-mm).
It is great to be able to have time to get together with friends and family and share meals (no need to go over the top IMHO).
I'm going to suggest a Poundland Christmas amongst adult family and friends-I think a lot of folks will be relieved (and will have to be creative too!) lol!

But what about those on their own who's kids are away and whose friends all have their own families round Newquay I think there are a LOT of people in those situations especially nowadays with families all over the globe It's not a great time for everyone

Glammanana I don't see how budgeting is affected by when the things go out on display. I realise we don't know the prices until then, but surely budgeting is just that.Decide how much you are willing, or able to spend over Christmas, and save for it.

I really don't like when I hear people saying they have spent ridiculous amounts of money which they can ill afford, sometimes even taking out a loan for the Christmas period. As I said in my earlier post it has all become so commercial.

I don't want or expect expensive presents.I really love it if someone gives me something that they have made, and put alot of thought into. I really appreciate the fact that they have made it with me in mind, I don't care if it cost buttons.

I dislike Christmas as it emphasizes gluttony, poverty, stress, greediness, envy, jealousy and worst of all, loneliness in all age groups.

There is truth in all the posts....but I still like Christmas, we just have to make sure we do things our own way ( and forget about all the aspects that we don't like about it.)?

carer123 that may be the modern interpretation of Chistmas to some, but that is not what the original Christmas was about. And I would say that there are many who still remember what Christmas really means, and try to avoid those things and perhaps bring some happiness to others.

The "C" word should be banned until December