The C word
 

No,not clique.....'Christmas'.

So there I was going about the usual chores etc,enjoying my day when I heard it.... a 'Christmas song' my body gave a shudder at the thought that Christmas season is once again upon us.

Personally, and at the risk of being accused of being negative ,I don't have the slightest inclination towards feeling festive till about the 15th of Dec and the best time of 'season' is 00:01 AM 2nd January.

I 'tolerate' Christmas more than I enjoy it :D ,partly due to being forced to socialise and partly due to the materialism and consumerism of it.....gone have the days of kids being happy with a colouring book or a jigsaw puzzle.
Myself,I live a minimalist life and find you can't beat a nice thoughtful handmade gift (or a bargain found during the year for little money).

Anyhow,Do you enjoy Christmas time or do you hate it like myself?
Who's already started wrapping presents,writing cards or put their tree and deco's up?



As much as I (expletive deleted) hate Christmas....

...I'd just like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

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I buy presents through the year. If I see something that I feel would be appreciated by a family member....and I have the readies, then I buy it.
I have been making Christmas cards since early August.(these I will sell and all of the proceeds will go to Cancer charities)
That said, I would prefer that all the Christmas advertising did not start until the beginning of December.
If I were putting a tree up, it would not be put up until Christmas Eve.....and would come down on the second of January.

We do less and less of the celebrating as we get older.
We will not overeat, we will not buy anything much more than what we would buy for any other weekend....Carmudgeonly? Maybe, but it suits us.

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You get upset about krimbo? You sad ass.
What you should be upset about is Black Friday, a really, really sad import from America, last year it was one day with idiots falling over each other for bargains just before Christmas.

Now we have Black Friday week, sites pushing themselves to extend this idiocy into November, I thought the original idea was supposed to be the last Friday before Christmas not the year leading up to it!
How much crap do they expect us to buy?
:o

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No one forces anyone to participate...in either Christmas or Black Friday.
I think this has back fired where the high street retailers are concerned.
I always tell myself that a 'bargain' isn't a bargain unless it is something that you really really want.

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im upset about black friday it suggests bargains cant be bought on any other day that may be white :eek:

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i wish this was true regarding christmas but i tried convincing my kids to just lie about having the latest games console at school and to their friends but it didnt wash

i do find it messed up when theres that much pressure put on parents at xmas to spoil their kids that they actually in a lot of cases spend more on a total strangers birthday than they do their own flesh and bloods birthday

im guilty of this as are more than likely most parents

and to top it off i dont even believe in god or this fairy tale of a virgin been pregnant but no one wants to be the parent that breaks the cycle by letting down their kids

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Theres supposed to be 12 days of christmas? yet the sad arses start it in november.:rolleyes:

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thats because they are a different set of "C" word :)

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Never mind Christmas coming early. We had a leaflet pushed through the door over the weekend about next May's local elections. It was for a prospective Labour councillor.

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Christmas can be what you want it to be.
If you want it to be an ordinary day then you can make it so.
This gets easier as your children grow up and do their own thing.....it is hard to pretend that Christmas is just another day while they are children and are hooked into the hype.....presents, parties, decorations etc.

It isn't necessary to go over the top with more food than you can shake a stick at.......to glug down all kinds of alcohol.
It is entirely up to you just how you choose to mark the day.

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maybe they are trying to get ahead of the news that Labuor have applied to put bus lane cameras up in accy..

you know because its more important to ensure no one strays over a line of coloured tarmac than say do things like put red light jumping cameras up or sort out accys many other traffic issues

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[QUOTE=Margaret Pilkington;1155784]Christmas can be what you want it to be.

I believe that many more people are of the same opinion as you, what gets my goat are the very greedy wholesalers who advertise presents for children which are priced out of the everyday people reach but buys them just to keep up with the Jone's . Shame on them (the wholesalers not the children)

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Don't talk to me about Black Friday or January sales
Attachment 51639

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Yes Pester power is alive and well at christmas and more powerful than ever.

When we were growing up we knew that we could not afford big price presents.....it did not stop us enjoying Christmas. In those days Christmas was really fun...but with very simple pleasures. Making paperchains.......playing board games and Charades......hunt the thimble, pass the parcel.....statues.
Oh that we could let our children and grandchildren experience something like that.

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Whaaaaat?
Have you got a time machine?

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The expression "The feelings mutual!" springs to mind, for the poor sods having to socialise with you, you owd misery chops! :s_aim1:

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hes just bitter because last year he paid for an entertainer to come sing at his xmas party... The dude that actually turned up was jj1985 with his midi-machine

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"I'm not antisocial,I'm anti idiot".....Sherlock

I'm usually forced to go for a few beers over the Christmas season and my local pubs seem to be the waterhole for Richards ;)

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I bet you've been waiting all year for a bloke in a costume to come ;)

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To get what I really wanted for xmas I had to get it myself!!

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Well, the good thing about buying your own present is.....You don't need to keep the receipt....and you know exactly what is in the wrapping.......and you won't be in the 'returns' queue come January.

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just to be clear you think all the people in your local pub are dicks?

good luck at your next pint in there you may end up wearing it:D:D:D:D

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Life keeps raising profound questions, such as:-
How the hell can someone as inferior as him suffer from a superiority complex?

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I've had to start thinking about Christmas early this year. I'm making my wife's present, and it involves a bit of software development.

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Ooh, that is intriguing.
Does she know?

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i watched CSI cyber the other night and it featured "special" toys that were operated over the internet..:eek::eek::eek:

im not saying this is what you are working on but just in case.... its already been done

Geeks are not what they used to be
:eek::eek::D

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She knows I'm having to make her something, she doesn't know what. I have all the gear except for a wifi module. That's where I'm stuck, I think I may have to learn something new. Never easy at my age.

Her favourite present is perfume, so she just sorts herself out usually and makes me wrap it. Even if I had a sense of smell, I'd probably fail at choosing something she likes.

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mine wants something smelly for xmas as well

she said " just get me something smelly "

ferrets and skunks get along with dogs right ?

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Not all but,at this time of the year it attracts quite a few young squires who enjoy drinking on a empty head :)

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and haven't we all done a bit of than in our time?
It is only the benefit of age and experience that allows us to recognise the daftness.
They are having fun...or what passes for fun at their age.
Live and let live. I am sure you could find a quieter establishment if you really looked.
There is one up Burnley Road in accrington. It is called a graveyard.

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Er ... no. There are some skunk that tend not to spray; they are called "rabid":eek: I guess with a skunk it's a lose-lose situation.:rolleyes: You could tell here that she needs to get out on her own a little more, and give her a couple of ferrets and a terrier and point her to the moors. Oh, and if you want to avoid buying her gifts in future; tell her that walking the moors will help her to lose weight then duck:hidewall:

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celebrating Christmas is an individual thing. This year our family will be one less......my brother having died earlier in the year. I think about his wife and family(they had only been married for a year - though they had been an item for a lot longer). How are they going to feel during the festive season...pretty rubbish I am sure.
My Ma has been very shaky(healthwise) this year.......so I am thankful that I still have her to think about.
We really have to be thankful for what we have....and I think that sometimes we forget our fortune. A roof over your head, a bed to sleep in, friends and family who, though we might fall out with, we would miss if they were not there.

Christmas needs to be looked at with some perspective, and while you may suffer it, rather than enjoy it....it will pass.
A month from now it will be gone

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I've been told to pack the armour away & despite what I want (monging it on the couch, watching crap telly, eating & drinking far too much as is good for me), I'm going to be having a happy Christmas at the Mother in laws down in deepest darkest Bavaria! ;)

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I can't have a Christmas Tree ... that's 'cause I have a Pookie and an Emma:



I know you've seen them before; but you haven't seen what they can do to a Christmas Tree.:mad:

One thing that I used to like was getting Christmas cards in the mail ... beats the living crap out of a screen full of dancing bananas in Santa suits. I remember when I used to get so many that I strung them across whole wall. And there were written messages in pen ... and all the words had vowels in them. Last Christmas card I got was from a furniture store where I had bought a couch and chair. Now the couch is full of cats, and there is a dog in the chair with her blankie and towel. Maybe if I whip out today and buy some more furniture, I will get another card.:D

And over here in the bilingual colony we have to deal with not only the "C" word, but also the "N" word.;)

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I would much rather have a Pookie and Emma to a Christmas tree Eric..........and if you send me your postal address in a PM I will send you(with pleasure) one of my hand made special cards.....for you to hang up.

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Awww ... ta. I'll do that. Hand-made! Even better. Oh, and don't forget the vowels.:D

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I think there will be plenty of vowels Eric.

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Down there you will be able to build snowmen and go sledging - oh yes, you do sledging all the time:D.
Have a great one DinG, don't overdo my favourite - Apfelkorn and Schlosser Alt chaser:)

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Shan't be doing them Barrie, what with Andechs, Aying, Engel, Ettal & Maxlrain (to name a few) all within striking distance of the "Dragons den"......... so many Kloster Braueries & just one of me! :D

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I'd happily swap spending time at the in laws for a day in the cemetery M :D.

I dunno,you've got all the stresses of Xmas....cooking the meal,shopping,wrapping pressies,decorating writing (and posting) of the cards.....Is it all worth it for one day of misery? Hmmm,it just seems like a anticlimax.
Perhaps it's old age creeping up on me or the fact I'm forced to wear Christmas jumper that makes me so miserable at Xmas :confused:

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They are only stresses if you allow yourself to be stressed.
Planning is the key......and being ready and able to change your plans should this be necessary.
I used to do all of that you mention, plus I did the Christmas shopping for the ward,bought and wrote all the cards, planned and sorted out a buffet for the staff and patients on Christmas day...worked a shift and then came home and did our Christmas dinner.
It is what we do. I do not expect it to be perfect......it just has to be something that will draw family and friends together.......What kind of mouse are you?
'Forced to wear a Christmas jumper'...my heart bleeds purple pee for you.
You are privlileged to have in laws to celebrate with...to have food to eat and a warm jumper on your back...Now, stop whining and shut up!

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Ha,Ha, What a cracker, (it's the way you tell em, Marge)

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Thank you Taddy....glad it made you smile....and crackers a re the order of the day aren't they ? :D

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I stopped sending christmas cards in 1964.

I was pregnant at the time and, with the prospect of having to give up work, that expense was my lowest priority.

If I lost contact with some friends because of it - I didn't miss them - if they took umbrage at not getting a card then they weren't worth having as friends anyway.

Now that I have no religious belief in christianity, I was amused to get a christmas card from one of my carers who is muslim. When I told her I was an atheist we both chuckled at the irony of it.

Too many christmas traditions are observed purely to conform to society's 'norms'.

I don't feel the need to conform.

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Screw society's "norms"! ... it's time to lighten up and have a good time with family and friends ... and have a gut busting meal. Even back in the day, who gave a shiite if all you got for presents were an apple and an orange, a sugar pig, and a new penny (which disappeared into the gas meter later in the day;)), there was food on the table and folks to share it with.

On the 25th, we turn a solar corner, and spring is on the way:alright:. All we have to do is shovel and shiver our way through three or four months of winter.:D If having a good old time (even thinking a few positive thoughts after a couple of drinks and tokes) is conformity, conform me in.:dancedog:

By the by ... and completely off topic ... if moose is on your Christmas menu, cook it in the crock pot with onion, garlic, celery root, and mushroom soup.:alright: Did a standing rib roast yesterday, and it was decent. Come to think of it, changing your menu at Christmas might make the holiday seem like less of a "conformity."

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I haven't got a crock pot big enough for a whole moose, would it be permissible to take the antlers off and leave the celery root on the chopping board?

If so I might be able to fit a small one in.

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id say pop it in the microwave but TOO SOON i guess ? :D:confused:

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We don't do Turkey.....it is far too big even if I give some to my neighbour and Ma.
One year the bird we were having hasn't thawed out properly so we had spud pie with red cabbage......we really really enjoyed it.
The bird was cooked the following day......and though it was passable the spud pie was great.....so what could have been a disaster was rescued by having a plan B.

I make Christmas cards......and while most of mine have very few religious connotations......other than the significance of the day, it is good to think that someone took the time to think about you......and think about you enough to send a card.

Margaret, it is lovely that you received a card from your Muslim carer......and while you might feel it is unwanted, it would be churlish to express that.
Be glad that someone thought of you.
I do not send cards to get cards.....I send them because winter is a miserable dark time......and these are a colourful reminder of friends and family. We may not see them often, but they are still there.

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What a shame, had you cooked it that day, you would have been able to play that tradition Christmas game of 'last one in the bathroom doesn't get the bog', followed by that popular one for lovers of all things festive, 'Pass the toilet roll'.

Re: The C word
 

i dont think that white beard would survive 12 days of Christmas

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Nah ... it's only a baby. Canadians don't kill them; they take them for coffee.
Canadian Man Finds Moose Calf, Takes It to Tim Hortons (Video) - Daily Picks and Flicks

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Less, there was no way I was going to risk having the Turkey trots.

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Are you saying,

IN YOUR FACE SANTA, THIS IS FOR THAT TIME WHEN I WAS 8 AND YOU DIDN'T BRING THE PUSHBIKE I WANTED

Perhaps this will explain why he got it wrong that year?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYNc...bL0Pbn&index=9

By the way if you are of a sensitive nature don't play the rest of his xmas songs the above is the cleanest, everyone else enjoy!

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chubby brown did a xmas song called santa wheres my bike

cant post that here though lol

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AccyX I actually feel sorry for you (there's a first time for everything!) having to 'tolerate' Christmas. If you feel like that just stay in bed for the day, I doubt you'd be good company with that attitude. I'm sure if you really put yourself out you would find some enjoyment - you reap what you sow.

However, I do think it has become much too commercialised and is far removed from when I was a child, many moons ago. In those days money was noticeable by its absence but somehow my mother always managed to fill the pillowcases we put out, would be nuts, fruit, sweets, etc., and a special present. I have wonderful memories of Christmas.

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thing is dotti34 the main reason why xmas was better when we were kids is because we wernt paying for it lol

i knew kids were gonna mess up my xmas celebrations when i spent my first xmas as a parent smashed out my tree from a works do wrapping presents at 4 am lol


1 hour to wrap a rattle :D

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No, I don't think that is quite right.....about Christmas not being as good because we have to pay for it.
I think that as parents we give the wrong message to our children.....we raise their expectations too high. We let them believe that the more gifts they get, the better Christmas it will be......and I think we sometimes try to outdo the gifts given by other people.
When we were children(yes it was a long time ago) we knew our parents had not got a lot of money. It wasn't the thing in those days to buy things on credit.....in fact you couldn't do it easily. We did not expect a lot.....and were pleased with sweets, nuts, a tangerine wrapped in foil, a new coin and my favourite present was a large tin box of watercolour paints.
That is the difference. Children expect....their expectations fired by all the adverts on TV......and parents feel they have let their child down if they do not come up with the goods.

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Considering my stance: Every year I buy chocolates for people at work. This year my niece friend worked with us temping and she leaves tomorrow so I have bought them early and we have, overall have had some good temps.

The reason... I don't like Christmas cards. I find it to be a waste of money and a waste of resources(and there is always someone I forget haha) so I take in chocolates instead. I just spent £24 on chocolates to go around... So... Anyway. I ain't religious, Don't particularly care anymore in xmas; but its a good time as any to be nice to those you care about and those around you.

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I know full well,Christmas is what you make of it....its personal thing,you either get into the sprit and celebrate it or you don't.
I choose to opt out and not make a big song and dance about it but at the same time good luck to those who are gullible enough to fall for the BS.

Excluding the In laws, I'm lucky,I regularly spend time and socialise with family members and with homelessness the way it is and knowing there's folk with nobody at Christmas (the ones you should feel sorry for),I don't need a faux tree,sweater and few lights to remind me how lucky I am.

Don't get me started on consumerism,I know folk who start shopping mid year so they can afford everyone's presents and they still end up putting debt on their cards...utter madness.
Christmas is not just for kids it's for the corporations too (even more so).

What are you be having for Xmas lunch? Mrs E wants goose or Turkey with all the trimmings.... I'd be happy with chicken :D

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Would you like some nuts to go with your whine Jason?

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You said that Christmas is what you make it.
If you do not like the consumerism, then the answer is in your hands.....don't buy anything other than what you would buy for any other day of the week....turn into work....you might have to walk it as there will be no public transport(some people DO want to celebrate with their family).
Stop worrying so much about what other people do with their lives.
If they are daft enough to buy presents all year round, but still overspend on the plastic, that is their lookout....unless they are asking you to pay the bill that is.
Just get on with living......and perhaps if you really want to make a difference and experience the real meaning of Christmas, maybe you might like to help out at a place where the homeless are given a hot meal, a shower and some new clean clothes.
Maybe, just maybe that would give you a little perspective on your own life. Make you appreciate what you have got!

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Accyexplorer, you ask what people are having for their Christmas fare. IF you have bothered to read the other thread about the happiness of Christmas past and present (or does that not appeal to you?) you will note that as far as my family are concerned our Christmas ‘lunch’ does not follow the usual line. We are a non-traditional family so will NOT be having turkey or goose.

In case you really are interested here goes. My oldest daughter is hosting this year and this is what she intends for the day. Our ‘lunch’ will start at about 1 p.m. with bubbles and nibbles. From then on there will be a continuous supply of finger food, antipasto, and then on to mains about 4 p.m. or whenever which will consist of a variety of fish dishes and meats cooked in various ways with accompaniments, some dishes will no doubt have an ethnic flavour. After that it will be dessert (to suit every tastebud) with a cheese platter option. (I’m getting hungry just thinking about it).

Of course liquid refreshments will be flowing throughout the afternoon but as we are all sleeping over there will be no worries about driving home that day.

In between the finger food and the mains there will be the obligatory cricket match. We have only one rule in this and that is if the one with the bat doesn’t hit some good ones then he or she is ‘out, boring’ and has to ‘walk’. This year there will be no chance of anyone hitting it over the neighbour’s fence as the nearest neighbour is over the hill and far away. (40 acres away to be exact!).

You will also note from that other thread that, other than to the children, we no longer give each other presents – instead we just enjoy each other’s presence.

Sorry for being so long-winded but AccyX you did ask…

…….and as for Mrs. E wanting a goose, I think she already has one!!!!!

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Goose? Prize Turkey maybe? :s_aim1:

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On the subject of food the last time I cooked a traditional Christmas lunch on the actual day was in 1967! It was a stinking hot day, probably about 105 degrees (in the old scale) outside and about 120 in my little kitchen. We didn’t have any air conditioning; don’t think we even had a fan in those days. When the kids were hot they played under the water sprinkler on the lawn.

I was 3 months pregnant with my third child and not having a real good time of it – I wasn’t very well at all. My in-laws and a couple of friends were coming for lunch and I was determined to do the right thing so I cooked a traditional hot roast Christmas lunch (how stupid can we be at times) with all the trimmings.

Somehow I was left to do the clearing up afterwards as everyone else went outside to try to cool off a bit (in 105 degrees – right!) with nice cold drinks. Apparently it wasn’t hot for me, only for them.

I was thinking about how everyone was staying on for the rest of the day and a couple of extras were also due to arrive. They would expect to be fed again later. It suddenly became all too much and I just sat down on the floor and cried…….I made the decision then that that was the last hot Christmas lunch I would cook and if anyone didn’t like it they could get well and truly what I’d done to the turkey.

The following Christmases (until my children grew up and took over hosting), and even after we had air conditioning, I did all the preparations the day before and on Christmas day we had seafood, cold duck (not really that keen on turkey), ham and chicken, and all the things that go with them, buffet-style. It didn’t matter how many came for lunch they just had to grab a plate and tuck in. No one complained – they wouldn’t dare – and the day was enjoyed by everyone, including me.

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Last Christmas we were nomads.....the one before that I didn't cook a thing.....himself and I had words and I withdrew all services. The only thing he got that Christmas was hot, sharp tongue and cold shoulder.....which there were huge portions of.....so it lasted a few days.
I am not sure what the menu will be this year, but suffice it to say it won't make the table groan.....I won't do a starter, or a pud.
I will just do a substantial Sunday roast of some description.....himself will probably finish off his dinner with strawberries and cream, or ice cream.

The media and magazines make people feel like they should do the perfect meal.......they raise the expectations so that those who cannot meet those expectations feel as if they have let the side down.
I have given up pleasing others....if I please myself I know that at least one person is happy!

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Mater and I will be having chicken, veg (including sprouts) and Christmas pudding. After, she will have a Babycham while I'll have a couple of Fosters. There's not much on TV (I've looked at the Christmas edition of the Radio Times), although I might watch a Daniel Craig James Bond and also a Jason Bourne film, whilst the sprouts wreak their revenge.

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Ours will be "Germish/Denglish" (that is, it will be in an English style using German ingredients) & yours truly will be master of cremation! :D

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It sounds like there are a few households that are sorted......well apart from the actual cooking that is.
Micheal, your meal sounds spot on to me.....and Babycham......haven't had a Babycham for over 30 years. It used to be my drink of choice(I know, very juvenile) but the last time I had it they had changed the recipe for it and it was less sweet. I liked it sweet!

Son, I hope you and yours have a great day.....don't worry about charred grub.....a good wine wahes away the taste of embers.
I hope there will be no one forcing you chaps to wear a Christmas jumper. :)

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Margaret, I remember your blog about the Christmas before last when you went on strike. It was hilarious. Sorry, I guess it wasn't funny at the time for you but the way you wrote it made me have a good old chuckle.

I'll bet your husband has kept quiet since then as to what you should make him for his Christmas lunch. Lesson well learnt.....

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Dotti, I am glad it made you chuckle.......and yes it was funny, looking back.
It is these kind of episodes that make Christmas memorable(although sometimes it is for the wrong reasons).

No,he hasn't kept quiet.......and I know not all men are like the one I hitched my star to,,,,but he doesn't learn easily from past mistakes....he makes them over and over again.
I would trade him in for a quarter of dolly mixtures sometimes......and I don't much like dolly mixtures!
I guess it is too late now to get my money back.

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Booby, maybe:rolleyes:

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When my offspring were still living at home with us we always had a tree but most of the decorations were edible – wrapped chocolates and sweets. Once the day arrived it was open slather and I never had to worry about packing up the decorations afterwards ‘cause there weren’t any left!

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Christmas (long past) - down the mecca, grabbing every unattached female for a christmas kiss before falling into a taxi with a hot dog smothered in onions, getting out of bed just as christmas dinner is served, what the heck is a christmas card? Does my Gran really think that a quid and a selection box is a valid gift?

Christmas (recent 'ish' past) - dragging presents from the hiding place in the loft, putting together a 'Wendy House', adding stabilisers to the first 'two-wheeler', screwing the legs into the football table, pushing all the plastic bits of games from their mouldings, trying to get the lego back into the box, the annual Disney VHS xmas release after lunch, rows and rows of xmas cards from mates, kids friends, workmates, people you know because of your kids. Gotta invite my Gran for a few days *sigh*, probably get a quid and a selection box again..

Christmas (present) - What the heck do I buy the wife? Probably get a phone call or skype from the kids..a few cards from workmates, relatives and once a year old friends who will be sending these cards long after I'm dead and gone. The dog will eat more of the turkey than me. Wish my Gran was here.

Christmas (future) - Sat here waiting for my grandson to pick me up, really looking forward to the company...think i'll leave the half dozen cards on the mantle, got some pound coins and selection boxes, saved them up from my pension for the last few months....

Moral...don't analyze...just seize the day and enjoy it for what it is before it's too late

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Thanks for putting things into perspective for me folks,Merry Christmas....


.... I refuse to do that "text talk" malarkey....but lol ;)

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Great post, Guinness. As you say, seize the day and enjoy it. Be thankful that you can, however and with whomever you spend it. Especially love the bits about your Gran.

With our family, like so many others these days, because of their busy lifestyles (work, socially, etc., etc.) and distances involved we find it extremely difficult to all get together at the one time, so when the opportunity arises we make the most of it.

Even so, this Christmas my oldest son and his wife and family won’t be spending the day with the rest of us, mainly because of distance and other arrangements. However, I know we’ll be speaking to them on the day and will be seeing them just prior.

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Great post, Guinness. As you say, seize the day and enjoy it. Be thankful that you can, however and with whomever you spend it. Especially love the bits about your Gran.

With our family, like so many others these days, because of their busy lifestyles (work, socially, etc., etc.) and distances involved we find it extremely difficult to all get together at the one time, so when the opportunity arises we make the most of it.

Even so, this Christmas my oldest son and his wife and family won’t be spending the day with the rest of us, mainly because of distance and other arrangements. However, I know we’ll be speaking to them on the day and will be seeing them just prior.

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Be careful what you wish for, AccyE.
One day, when you're old( or if you're really lucky, not so old) you might be looking forward to a Christmas with no family, no friends, no presents, no Christmas meal.
Just a nice quiet day, watching rubbish on TV(which you can't hear properly) with a ready meal on your knee.
Millions do.
I'm sure they enjoy it as much as you will.

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Yes it is sad that people are forced to spend Christmas alone when they don't want to.

I wonder which is worse. Spending Christmas alone or spending Christmas trapped in loveless relationships with people you can't bear the sight of? There must be millions of those.

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Both of those situations are equally bad.
My thoughts go out to those older folk who have family, but are left on their own.
My mum is 88 and I beg and plead with her to spend the day with us, but she won't.
So we take a Christmas feast to her.
She prefers to spend her day quietly.....and once we have delivered her (hot) meal we are 'dismissed'.

I know that these days there are a few logistical reasons why she won't come to us.She can't get upstairs in our house, and we have no downstairs lavvy.
I told her that himself would give her a piggy back to the lav.
This caused much hilarity......and she said that he might not get her there in time.

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Nice one Mr.Happy! If it's so cold & loveless why bother staying together up to & including Christmas if it's only going to compound your misery?

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Quite simple really, why be miserable alone when you can make sure someone else's Christmas is made more miserable by your presence?

It's the evil joy of sharing.

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That's the million dollar question in many cases, Mr DinG. Why DO some people stay together? Fear? Finance? Feeling of entrapment? Lack of ability to see an alternative?

Whatever it is, it happens.

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In your list you forgot these options, cowardice, lack of gumption, selfishness. Now I ain't no marriage guidance leech, social worker or communities & diversity wastrel, but to my mind people should get a backbone & if there's something that irks you do something about it!

I don't do sympathy for the miserable (usually self inflicted in most cases) because it's a wasted cause & just makes the "Victim" wallow even longer in their mire of self pity, short,sharp & brutal cures most ills, believe me I've applied it & had it applied on occasion, (working in a military welfare office for a few years certainly opens your eyes) so in the parlance ... " you need to man up & grow a pair mate!"

And to come back to topic, the incident rate was noticeably higher around Christmas time, fuelled by alcohol, monetary concerns & being under each others feet for longer than is comfortable, now if youse can manage your relationship under these circumstances good on yer, you've a good sound marraige/ partnership, but if you can't ....... well one or the other needs to pull the cord & bail! Niceties/hostilities blame can be sorted after the dust settles, but in the long term everyone will be the better for it.

Oh & Merry Christmas! (if that's at all possible after you pishing on this particular bonfire)

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Can't really argue against any of that. Let's hope all those who it applies to "man up and grow a pair"......

....oh and a very Merry Christmas to you too Mr DinG.

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Beats the living shiite out of the snot rags I used to get from my great aunt Jane. All I want this year is a tree I can smoke.:D

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Salmon, Cheese, any part of a Pig, Duck, Chicken in fact all sorts of food taste epic when smoked. A Tree? When that's smoked all you get is charcoal...

Ah, you need the charcoal so you can have a barbie with the rest of the smoked stuff.

Enjoy.

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Actually I do have a bit of a Christmas grouch, but it’s not about the spirit of Christmas or anything like that, it’s about how many Father Christmases there are in shops and malls. They’re everywhere! Telling little kids who ask ‘why so many’ that they are all the real bloke’s helpers is one way of getting round it but then it’s supposed to be his elves who help him not umpteen clones.

For instance, at a local shopping centre the other day there was a Father C in the mall then a few metres away there was another in one of the stores. They probably have their coffee break together.

By the way, I know one bloke who has played Father C for so many years that he actually thinks he is THE one. Has grown a long bushy beard and bleaches it white! Has this all year round. He even ‘ho, ho, ho’s’ when he laughs. When my friend says she’s just seen Father Christmas and it’s only the middle of the year I know exactly who she’s referring to.

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are these father christmas's daughters ? :D:D:D:D

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Ha! Ha! Ha!