[mobertol]

My parents have also lost all interest in Xmas -they prefer to either go on cruise or just stay at home and do nothing in particular.

Makes me very sad -the last really good Xmas i had was when they came over to us 5 years ago. Christmas to me is a real family time -many of the traditions I follow come through from my own childhood and are little traces of the family even further back...

I don't enjoy the mad spending rush and massive shopping trips to supermarkets that are typical of today.

I do enjoy thinking about and giving gifts, listening to traditional Xmas music and spending a few quite evenings hosting dinner parties for family and friends. (Italian and English cuisine) I buy Xmas crackers on the internet -they don't exist in Italy and are much appreciated here.
I love my 24 yr old fake green tree and it's odd assortment of decorations -each with it's own history - my simple white lights and setting to and making a home-made cake, my own mince-meat and ginger biscuits....as well as the Italian infiltration of home-made ravioli...
It really is the little things that make the magic.

This year i'm just not in the mood - for various reasons- will end up having a mad rush instead of being ahead of the game as i usually am no doubt.