Sick of it already

Shanna started this thread. Is that allowed under GN rules... don't you have to have posted 1000 times before you are licenced to do that?

I'll drink to that Roses

Shan you can post whatever you like, and when you like. after all, it's made an interesting thread.

Exactly NotToo and I now wish I had bought a bottle of Baileys.

Iam64 - makes a change from Brexit, though!

It's only November and already some folks are moaning about Christmas.

Absent I have been posting for quite a few weeks now. I don't consider myself still newish even if others do

Shanma I didn't tell you to ignore what you find uninteresting. I merely pointed out that you can. In the past we have had one or two newish members who seemed to think that they should read every thread and make a comment that they had read them, but without actually contributing to the subject under discussion.

Of course you have every right to post your opinions and, indeed, every right to loathe the Christmas hype.

No I dont think November is to early for Christmas talk. We have a very quiet Christmas if we are in the country and dont't really have much planning to do. I went into a big Tescos at the beginning of November and saw families with trolleys fulll of Christmas stuff. At first I thought this is a bit early but then realised that for a lot of people there was only one more monthly payday before. Christmas so it made sense. I love the christmas lights and all the lovely comfort food but hate the Christmas music in shops.

Maybe, Shanma, Christmas is the only time of year when everyone can get together. My family lives all over the UK and abroad and it's difficult to coordinate things so everyone can get time off together. As it is, my oldest and his family can't be with us this year and I know they'll be much missed by us and his siblings.

I love Christmas, but it is the lead up to it I like best rather than Christmas day.
I am paying for my Grandson as part of his Christmas present to go to a Winter Wonderland, a week before Christmas, and I am going with him and his Mother, my daughter. My other Grandson had his present in October, it was a Football shirt with the name and number of his favourite player. He knows it's for Christmas and he is grateful to get it early so he can wear it for matches
I agree the hype in the shops is too early, and I find it annoying, as other than my Grandsons present, I start Christmas off about the 12th December when we go pick out a real Christmas tree and decorate it.
I do not get into debt for Christmas either.

Yes, I'm wrapping presents for my sister and her family tonight, as we're heading up there soon to do the annual exchange of cards and gifts. I'm not in the festive mood yet, but it's full on here once the Christmas spirit hits! That's usually when I see the first Christmas ad that makes me cry (okay, John Lewis, bring it on....).

If I don't get my grandchildren's presents wrapped and off this week to a remote part of Australia they won't get them in time for Christmas. A parcel for one of their birthdays just took 3 days shy of 4 weeks. I have to do my shopping online and even for my 'here' grandchildren it takes time and getting started at the beginning of December just wouldn't give me enough. September is too early but not November. I love Christmas and will watch my Oz GCs open my presents on FaceTime and enjoy a little of their excitement and love.

I think we all plan and organise Christmas in our own way. Just because you think the build up is too commercialized doesn't mean you don't do Christmas well. I have just been reading about the origins of Advent and how it was meant as a period of fasting and contemplation before Christmas. How would anyone feel about starting a fast on the first Sunday in Advent-4 weeks before Christmas? That would upset all the retailers and the pre-Christmas parties wouldn't it!!!

I've always started shopping early and have everything wrapped by the end of November,I used to bake a christmas cake foor ten family members too and have up to 20 on Christmas day.Last year on Dec 12th my cousin msgd me on FB from Canada to ask could he come stay on Christmas eve and leave on Hogmanay ,we were delighted to have him.My daughter has taken over the Christmas day meal now and the tradition of open door ,so all are welcome I believe the last we spoke about it there were around 23 expected this year ,but that will probably increase

It does start too early and the commercialisation of Christmas is dreadful. We are lucky in that our family, although not local, are fairly near and we usually see some of them over the holiday but I feel very badly for those whose sons, daughters and grandchildren are hundreds of miles away. I doubt Facetime or Skype are a substitute for a cuddle so let's not rush into judging those who dread the whole thing.

Interesting answers, firstly to Absent, telling me to ignore what I find uninteresting, and janeainsworth asking why start another. For one thing I didn't say I found the post uninteresting, and my post is not really about Christmas, more about why people get so hyped up about it, and so early on.

Lillie. You say I put the damper on another post. That is not true and very unfair, I know it was the post about someone having about 14 People at a rented house over the Christmas period. I said it sounds a nightmare, and to me it does. I would hate it, that is not going to detract from the poster's pleasure, it is merely my opinion, on a similar note I think it was juggernaut who says I like to agitate, that is laughable. Am I to understand then that I should only post if I agree sweetly with everyone else?
Many on here have now taken a patronising approach to me, and made personal remarks, well sorry Girls I have as much right to post my opinions as the rest of you. To those who asked if I had sad memories regarding Christmases past, no I don't.

One of the things I dislike about it is that People seem to think they all need to get together, lovely Family times etc. It doesn't need to be Christmas for that .

Christmas I too commercial but I still love it and love preparing for Christmas. I find religious holidays and festival day give me something to look forward to

This list starts 3 months before i.e. October.
www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/christmas/ultimate-christmas-countdown-checklist
I enjoy Christmas and generally start my celebrations off by buying a nice medium sized poinsettia in November. Then its pack the parcel for Australia etc.

I also spend Christmas on my own but I buy food and wine which I enjoy and there is usually something watchable on TV on Christmas Day. I cannot really go anywhere for the day because I cannot drive in dusk because of my Macular Degeneration but I am happy staying here with memories of past happier times.

mernice,

Hear! Hear!

I too believe we create our own reality from our words, thoughts and actions.

If we don't like what is happening around us then we need to change what we are saying, thinking and doing in order to create a better life for ourselves.

At the very least, we need to know what battles to fight and what battles to ignore.

The Christmas hype being one of those best ignored and simply do what you love to do with family and friends at this time of year.

Byron Katie says there are three types of business, my business, your business and God's business.

And it pays in dividends to take care of your own business, let others take care of theirs, and let God take care of the rest.

Best wishes for you all this coming holiday.

Also VQ and mumofmadboys
My thoughts exactly.

sunseeker what a lovely post.

Xmas midnight service on board is very good. ( think the celebrant gets free ride for it)
There's usually a carol service and sometimes a philipino choir.
The ship is beautifully decorated with marvellous food etc. And I don't have to lift a finger! Bliss!

Well said mumofmadboys especially the bit about not getting too hung up about presents.

I love Christmas, always have. I love the church services, the carols, seeing family, talking to friends/ relatives on the phone, the decorations and lights in towns. I like the feeling of goodwill and the friendliness of strangers at Christmas. I love Christmassy food. Not to worried about presents. Good to give surprises to family but harder as they get older to replicate the excitement of years ago. Wishing everyone on GN a happy and peaceful approach to Christmas. ' Unto us a child is born.Unto us a son is given'.