A Christmas-lovers' thread!

In my childhood Christmas in Wales my memories are of the chapel Nativity concert and the local market in Neath full of holly and mistletoe, turkeys, geese and rabbits hanging from the butchers stalls. Buying a local Christmas colouring book and the Christmas edition of 'Look and Learn'. Sending my letter to Santa up the chimney. My socking had some coins a tangerine wrapped in white tissue paper and some nuts at the bottom. Christmas tree was put up a week before.
Had children in the 80''s, and loved going to their school and Sunday School nativities, once the Sunday School one was at 4.30 on Christmas Eve, that wasn't very popular. Loved dressing the tree with them and putting out a carrot for Rudolf and a sherry for Santa.Santa arrived by lifeboat in our seaside town. Still put a tangerine in their stockings and loved reading ' Lucy and Tom's Christmas' with them and watching all the cartoons, their favourite was Tom and Jerry's " 'Twas the Night before Christmas"
Nowadays it is me and DH at home but son, daughter in law and daughter still come on Christmas Eve for hot pork and stuffing sandwiches and turkey etc on Christmas Day. Make my own cake and mince pies and enjoy it all even the sprouts. My trusty recipes come from Delia's Christmas Cook Book which will make a reappearance very soon. Don't eat much chocolate but love milk chocolate brazils. I get out Rosamunde Picher's " Winter Solstice" and "The Christmas Carol" and have a good read.Loved reading all your Christmas likes and stories. It is a bittersweet time too when I think of lost loved ones but our toasts are to them and absent friends and especially to my Dad who said one year " The Queen won't have better than this in Buckingham Palace!"

I love buying Christmas presents for people. Unfortunately my DH thinks it is all a waste of money and has struck 'deals' with most of the adult family that we won't buy for each other; so I have very few gifts to buy (mostly for GCs) and receive even less.
To be fair, my DH has everything he wants, so he's very hard to buy for. On the other hand I always have a long gift list!

I love Christmas. I always manage to shed a tear for the ones no longer with us, can't help it. Always feel guilty when I go to one child or the other, but I can't be in 2 places at once and the only other alternative is to stay at home alone. My Son lives close by but my daughter lives over an hours drive away so I don't see her as often, not too fond of driving nowadays, but she has invited me the last couple of years and I have had a lovely time, even going to the pantomime on Boxing Day. Been getting ready for the tree going up. i.e. new lights, baubles etc and of Friday I intend to make the first Christmas Cake (I make 2) and get the vinegar ready for making the pickled onions Love , love, love it.

I forgot to say- I also adore cold turkey. Shame we won't be at home for Christmas this year, so no leftovers!

I love Christmas, no longer have to cook as I go to DD's. I start my shopping early to spread the cost. Christmas cards are written about 3rd week in November ready to post 1st December. Presents are wrapped from mid November onwards.

My tree now goes up around 1st December & stays up until 6th January, every-one where I live puts their decorations early December.

I detest the tv adverts but like to see the shops all decorated, love to see Towns looking festive.

Hilly, when we were away for Christmas one year I bought a very small turkey and put it in the freezer, to cook a few days later. Must have Christmassy leftovers to eat up in the run up to New Year! My freezer is only a titchy, under fridge one, so I was worried it wouldn't fit, but it did.

I hadn’t actually thought through the implications of going out for Christmas dinner. What will we do on Boxing Day without our traditional fry up?

Thanks Witzend for the solution to not having any leftovers. We are going to our DDs this year and will now get a small turkey crown so we too can enjoy "leftovers" after Christmas !
love a turkey sandwich on boxing day.

I 've done that too Witzend, cooked a small turkey and a small ham.