theherd123 Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 After reading a number of threads on the forum about our loves & hates about the festive season I thought it would be a good idea to have them all in one place! So, in a short list, here and my loves & hates of the festive season!. LOVES Seeing all the gifts under the tree and trying to guess what I've got! Going to church in the cold The 'ready to burst' feeling after dinner The fact I have a dish washer! Time with the family Baileys! Mmmmm HATES Mince pies - what is it with squashed flies at this time of year! Never feeling I have enough time to do everything before the big day Sprouts - why? Non-stop ads on the TV OK then what are your loves & hates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Loves Giving presents that I have researched and searched for especially for the recipient and the look on their faces when they open them Cold turkey, bubble and squeak and pickles Christmas morning dog walk Seeing my children loving opening their stockings on our bed even though they are now 11, 13 and 16 they still love this bit of Christmas day possibly more that the big present opening. The lovely cooking smells Hates Carefully researching and searching for presents for children who have everything and barely aknowlege receiving them. Sales adverts on Boxing day Seeing something in the sales that I bought or have been given for Christmas that is 1/2 price People who drink too much and then cause arguments (this is why we rarely spend Christmas with relatives! - have carefully picked MIL and SIL and family this year who are no volitile) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Love Stocking (I'm nearly 50 and I still have one) Seeing family going to church on Xmas eve, even though I'm a non-believer singing carols, especially Britten 'Ceremony of Carols' with my choir 'girly' Christmas evening with my close friends Pimm's Winter Cup Hate Brussel sprouts Family rows the word 'Festive' people who feel that spending money equates to showing love and affection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 LOVE: The dinner...all of it The excitement of the pressis The stockings The shopping The Baileys The build-up to it all Ocado Christmas deliveries HATE: Being let down by my family,when they decide not to grace us with their prescence again The post Christmas let-down Feeling too full Trying to get an Ocado delivery slot People who write Xmas on their cards.........ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Love buying or rather making presents for people the dishwasher spending time with family getting pressies the omlet Christmas swap looking out the window at silly oclock to see lights on (ok, which child got parents awake with cries of "heeeeee's beeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!!!!!!!!!!") Hates PANIC!!! shopping, why, oh why?? people who feel the need to "out-do" someone with presents - who cares, its the thought that counts drunk drivers seeing endless frengrance adverts on TV - if I wanted some perfume, I would buy some perfume, I dont need a half naked woman to tell me this is better than the last advert stress ok, I think thats it cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Love The look on my loved ones faces as they open their presents. Time off work Croissants for breakfast Football on Boxing Day in the freezing cold (although I am away for it this year) The annual drama at Albert Square The dinner - including the sprouts Waking Phil up at stupid o'clock to tell him that Father Christmas has been. Hate Busy shops People who get negatively dramatic when 2 flakes of snow fall People who get really really drunk and spoil it for everyone else A gazillion Christmas special repeats on the telly People who write Xmas (it is taking Christ out of Christmas) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 oooh I hate Xmas instead of Christmas too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 love christmas tree & twinkly lights christmas eve & the shops are shut midnight mass seeing kids faces when they open presents even though they are now grown up going to SIL for christmas dinner so less stressful having a relaxed lovely christmas with OHs family and our friends seeing my lovely Dad on christmas eve & buying him lunch accepting that my own family are a pain & can't be bothered to include me, this year for the first time ever have sent cards but not sent presents to any of them, so won't be disappointed when I dont even get a card. hate continuous ads on tv stupid panic buying when the shops are only closed for 1 day drunkness to the point of rowing/crying/falling over & generally spoiling everyones day SPROUTS yuck piles of washing up, when everyone except me is asleep (not this year though cos I'm not in charge of the kitchen ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Loves The careful planning, buying, keeping secret and wrapping of presents. A traditional tot of whisky in my Christmas morning tea Getting out the family silver cutlery for Christmas Dinner The Queen's message Christmas Carols Home made Christmas pud Roast parsnips Phoning my cousins in Canada A lovely brisk walk in the cold after lunch The cats enjoying the wrapping paper more than the toy mice it was wrapping up! Hates Feeling too full after Christmas Dinner The horrible sinking feeling of panic on Christmas morning as you realise all you have to do that day! Having to do the washing up! Boxing Day Sales Realising I've eaten Christmas Dinner wearing my mucky clothes because I forgot or didn't have time to change! Those blasted Rotary Club people who come round playing recorded carols and then expect you to donate - would it be too much effort to actually sing the carols themselves? People making me have another drink - when I say only one glass, I mean it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Loves Carols in the square in our village on Christmas Eve The infectious pleasure of the kids on discovering their stockings Indiscriminate agreement to whatever the kids are telling us being the only cost of probably the longest lie-in of the year (the kids don't even insist on us being awake whilst we're agreeing). Dripping on toast for breakfast. The morning service - probably the most family-oriented and engaging service of them all. The excuse to cook something unashamedly special. The excuse to drink something unashamedly special. The fact that simple honest charity and goodwill is usually taken at face value for once. Hates Aled Jones singing "The Snowman" (nothing against Mr Jones; purely an unfortunate association). Being marketed at (mitigated considerably by our not having a television). Regrets That the charity and goodwill so evident around this time rarely last much beyond the new year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Love carols crib service Christmas stockings for kids and their little faces snow Phone call from best friend in Os hate wet weather at CHristmas frayed temper when cooking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Love Getting the house ready with tree, decs and outside lights Buying presents Planning what to cook for hampers The marathon wrapping fest that seems to take me hours, Bing on the ipod! Cooking mince pies and other tasty treats Christmas eve The look on my nephew and niece's faces when 'Father Christmas' has been Friends over The fire lit on Christmas morning when we open pressies The cold weather The films on the telly Hates The adverts Sales starting Boxing day (why can't it all be closed for 2 days)? The mad rush in the shops for last minute things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Loves Decorating the tree with all my years of baubles and tinsels and lights Decorating the tree with all MIL's old baubles and tinsels Got my eye on Mother's baubles and tinsels too Decorating my mantel above the fire with garden greenery and gold sprayed things Fizz in the morning Christmas lunch - all of it especially the sprouts The gently reassuring calming nature of the rituals including Queenie Being with my OH Hates Not overkeen on any of the shopping Regrets My Dad no longer being part of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Funny how so many of you have put that you hate the adverts. Some I love,like the M&S,John Lewis & Coke ones. Others I loath,like that bloomin' Iceland thing with Jason Donovan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Loves Spending time with the family + friends Choosing presents and getting them ready to hand out Being at the farm and greeting 500 people with their Christmas dinner in a turkey hat being wished a Merry Christmas all day in the snow Going back to the childrens farm for the nativity and seeing Santa Hates The mad panic a few weeks before Having to take all the decorations down and having an empty house Sprouts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Yes, its not all the adverts - I do agree about the perfume ones, though! The Waitrose 'How can I keep from Singing' one is lovely. More 'love': Buck's Fizz on Xmas Day morning with sausage rolls (family tradition) Pannetone for breakfast (another family tradition) A lovely brisk walk on Boxing Day Hate: The word 'Xmas' as well - grrr piped music in shops people who send round robin 'newsletters' in cards - write me a letter, write in the card, ring me or just don't bother! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Love Xmas trees Fairy lights Licensed hedonism People having time to spend with friends and family Seasonal food Hate Short days (no joke on t'farm) People going mental in the supermarket My freezing cold medieval hovel Sprouts! The boils on Satan's bottom Carols- I'm sorry but I cant think of a reason why children singing about virgin's wombs is deemed acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 people who send round robin 'newsletters' in cards - write me a letter, write in the card, ring me or just don't bother! The trouble is with the size of our family, plus friends and colleagues and people who have helped us over the course of the last year, we would have to do this well over 100 times, something we simply don't have time to do, unless we want to close down for a few days to do it! We try to make it special, with lots of photos. Most people who receive the newsletter really appreciate it, and we do take the time to phone family and special friends in addition. I love to receive newsletters from my friends and family - it is lovely to read about what they have been doing, and see the photos. But then again, I guess you could feel it was impersonal. From our viewpoint, it is the only practical way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 LOVE going to the outdoor carol service in Bollington on Christmas Eve - thn back to SIL's for food and alcohol. The kids faces on Christmas morning/afternoon (the older they are,the later they get up!) Tinsel,fairy lights,Christmas trees Having all my family here for Christmas dinner. Opening our pressies after dinner (an old family tradition) Lots of alcohol daft games HATES Tescos! Ignorant people Getting pressies that have had absolutely no thought put into them. Sprouts!!!! Eeeeeeeewwwwww Cranberry sauce! WHY??? The mess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Love Christmas when it's over Christmas Eve when we work as a team Cooking dinner Wrapping presents Decorating the tree Eating the chocs of the tree. MIL not coming until Boxing day. Relaxing Hate MIL coming MIL coming MIL coming Buying for people who have everything like MIL Getting rubbish presents from MIL - like musical cake knife - gross! Getting presents returned because she doesn't like them from MIL MIL coming OH getting out party games - especially the one where you remember the things on a tray MIL coming MIL telling me what I can and can't do IN MY HOUSE!!! Er - have I been a bit stuck in a rut there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I see a trend somewhere in your hates Koojie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I missed out Hates Boxing day this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 You love your MIL don't ya Kooj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 LoveChristmas when it's over Christmas Eve when we work as a team Cooking dinner Wrapping presents Decorating the tree Eating the chocs of the tree. MIL not coming until Boxing day. Relaxing Hate MIL coming MIL coming MIL coming Buying for people who have everything like MIL Getting rubbish presents from MIL - like musical cake knife - gross! Getting presents returned because she doesn't like them from MIL MIL coming OH getting out party games - especially the one where you remember the things on a tray MIL coming MIL telling me what I can and can't do IN MY HOUSE!!! Er - have I been a bit stuck in a rut there? I get a funny feeling that your not reet struck on your MIL. What happened to good will to all men and MIL'S?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 When she gets put on Santa's nice list then I will. Hell will probably freeze over first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
