Christmas past...

[mobertol]

While trying to get in the mood for Xmas this year I've been thinking back to other Christmas times - looking at particularly nice ones and trying to work out what were the magic ingredients.

If you could go back and re-live one particular Xmas in your life which would it be and why?

Mine would be Xmas 1974 when I was 11 years old. We went round to my maternal Grand-mother's for the day. There was a full turkey lunch which started at one and went on for ages, crackers were pulled and the Queen's speech watched -pretty much the same as in many house-holds up and down the country. We had Nanny's famous sherry trifle and played Bingo. Ate chocs and dates and nuts.

As well as me, sister Denise, mum & dad and Grand-parents, there were also quite a few of my great-aunts and uncles too.

I had received a telescope and Patrick Moore book for Xmas (educational stuff for me always) and my sister one of those large dolls heads with make-up and accessories to do it's hair. She spent most of the afternoon doing that and then finally i got Nanny's musical jewelery box out and made Denise up with her play make-up and covered her in jewels -there was a lovely photo of her but it got thrown out.

Both the living-room and front parlour had fires lit and there was a great atmosphere -even if it probably doesn't sound that exciting....

I've worked out that it's the people who were that made it a special time.

Time to start thinking who I can invite this year!

 

[cashman]

Its pretty easy to work out the magic ingredient Di, its kids.

 

[mobertol]

Its pretty easy to work out the magic ingredient Di, its kids.

Will I have to wait till I'm a Granny then to have a really good Xmas?

 

[groove]

Its pretty easy to work out the magic ingredient Di, its kids.

Groove agrees with Mr.Cashman on this subject. But for the kids xmas is a tiresome time of year, with pubs full of Sunday drivers etc.

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

Will I have to wait till I'm a Granny then to have a really good Xmas?

No, go to any primary school and watch their faces........Christmas is for children...adults are just bystanders....and cash providers.

 

[mobertol]

No, go to any primary school and watch their faces........Christmas is for children...adults are just bystanders....and cash providers.

How sad - this is confirmation that I'm just a big kid....

It's what I suspected all along...

That's why I buy the chocolate Father Xmases to put on the tree and the sugar candy stripey walking sticks....

James Stewart eat you heart out -that's why his guardian angel had to save him just before he chucked himself into the freezing river...

Hope mine are still awake

 

[cashman]

How sad - this is confirmation that I'm just a big kid....

nowt wrong wi being a big kid, i never grew up, n am too old to start now,you cart on.

 

[mobertol]

nowt wrong wi being a big kid, i never grew up, n am too old to start now,you cart on.

Will start to call you "Peter" then Cashy!

In the meantime -best wishes to you and Paris -hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Are you off to sunnier climes I wonder....

We are expecting plummeting temperatures from Monday(Can't wait!)

Good for the skiers in the Alps!

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

Growing older is compulsory, but growing up is optional...Lettie taught me that.
I remind myself from time to time.

When my daughters two children ask me how old I am....I tell them I am 14.
They used to believe me, but I think that now they are getting wise to my ploy.
Oh and they never, ever, ever call me that G word. To them I am Margaret, always have been, always will be.

 

[cashman]

Growing older is compulsory, but growing up is optional...Lettie taught me that.
I remind myself from time to time.

Letties a damn good teacher Margaret.

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

Yes Cashy, I try to remember it when my joints ache, and I want to do the splits

I'd only be showing off anyway!

 

[jaysay]

Christmas is defo for kids and Christmas Cards, I always preferred new year, after I found out there was no Father Christmas

 

[mobertol]

Christmas is defo for kids and Christmas Cards, I always preferred new year, after I found out there was no Father Christmas

What on earth do you mean -no Father Christmas -so who brings all the pressies and does the magic?!

 

[cashman]

Christmas is defo for kids and Christmas Cards, I always preferred new year, after I found out there was no Father Christmas

Ah but used to be one, its just the fact he was on benefits 11 months a year,so the Torys did away wi him.

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

My two strongest memories of Christmas are not pleasant ones.
I dislike Christmas, but I hate New Year. I always think that fate has something nasty in the wings waiting to leg me up....and they change the old year for a new one just as the old one stops pinching(like a new pair of shoes).
I never wait up to see the New Year in.......and New years day is just another day to me.
Where is March...bring it on, and be quick about it.

 

[mobertol]

My two strongest memories of Christmas are not pleasant ones.
I dislike Christmas, but I hate New Year. I always think that fate has something nasty in the wings waiting to leg me up....and they change the old year for a new one just as the old one stops pinching(like a new pair of shoes).
I never wait up to see the New Year in.......and New years day is just another day to me.
Where is March...bring it on, and be quick about it.

I have had loads of nice Xmases and can say the same for NY Eve too - one really memorable one in Edinburgh and loads of others with different friends through the years.
The Millenium was spectacular too - was on a farm in a tiny village near Turin -the Alps ark all around the area and the fireworks across the mountains were incredible. We had deep snow, a beautiful tree in the garden all lit up and a great party of colleagues, family and friends...plenty of mulled wine and Champagne and the kids with fireworks and sparklers were having the time of their lives...what a lot of hope was invested in the NY Eve - hasn't turned out to be the century everyone was hoping for so far though...

Over the last 5 years I've always seen in NY alone and it's so sad -my husband always covers for one of the men to stay off and is up milking at 2-30 am. I watch the TV and ring up family and friends as the NY comes in where they are...would love to go back to the partying days!

 

[susie123]

My dad's birthday was New Year's Eve so we always had a party when I lived at home, and I got used to celebrating. Lately we have stayed at home as not been invited to any parties nor found a decent pub to frequent. Still like the idea of celebrating it though. One year I'll do the party myself when the house refurb is done and it's fit to be seen.

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

For many of my married years I was working at Christmas...so Christmas was often postponed. Sometimes I was working New year as well.

 

[Less]

One year I'll do the party myself when the house refurb is done and it's fit to be seen.

Don't bother about the state of the house, why spend a fortune doing it up only for it to be ruined by a bloody good party?

Have the party now, then, if you've done it right you'll have an empty shell to apply you're own thought's to.

 

[susie123]

2

Don't bother about the state of the house, why spend a fortune doing it up only for it to be ruined by a bloody good party?

Have the party now, then, if you've done it right you'll have an empty shell to apply you're own thought's to.

Wise words Less, maybe the house is just an excuse...

But... we've already spent over 20K on damp, electrics, drains, plumbing, things you can't see... it was a wreck. Would like to make it look a bit more salubrious now.