SarahJo Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I HAVE to wrap next week ... as the kitchen is out of bounds (being replaced) and I am wrapping 40 books for the Nursery part of the kids school . Have 4 sets of 10 fab books ... one is called Hungry Hen . Still in the name of "helping out" and all that, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 I can Louise. It's all about being ripped off by capitalist, money grabbing companies - who aim their marketing at children, making life difficult for parents and making us all skint all year just for one day. Blame Coca Cola for commercialing Christmas by inventing Santa Claus and his 'red' coat and white beard. How did that come about from celebrating the birth of Jesus, which costs nothing. (sorry was that a bit strong? I hate these multi nationals who care for nothing more than profit, and will get at our good nature to increase the size of their bank accounts, as well as empoying as little people as possible to do all the work) Rant Over. You're right Gina. I absolutley LOVE christmas and although I'm not deeply religious in the church-going sense the anti-capitalist in me does come out a bit. But for me it's not about the pressies - its about getting a proper break from work at the same time as all my friends and family and playing board games and having get togethers etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Yes, Red, I totally agree. We seem to have lost the real reason of Christmas. My religion is atheism, if you can call it a religion (?!) so for me Chirstmas just means stress and expense. I don't get to see my Mum much as she works in retail and only gets two days off, by which time she is so exhausted from the Christmas rush, she feels like locking herself away in a quiet room for the day. I think it's drawing a balance between having fun, keeping a control on expenditure and making the most of time spent with loved ones without being tied to the kitchen sink! Cor, that was a bit deep and meaningful wasn't it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Spot on Gina - shame about your Mum - I used to work in a shop when I was at Uni and I hated having to work such long hours over christmas when I just wanted to spend time with my family/friends. (especially agree with the bit about the kitchen sink!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 It can be hard work being at home too with all the cooking and clearing up. Delegate - that's what I say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Sheila said: Also, I can never write cards early. I like to think of people as I write "Happy Christmas", I just can't do that in Nov. Anything could happen in a month Me too! I met someone recently who had her (ghastly!) round robin letter written by the end of September and all the cards done by the middle of October. I write my cards when I can but always post them on the last posting day so that they arrive at Christmas and not too early. I don't care if they arrive after Christmas because the season lasts for 12 days. One year, I was really behind and it was the day before last post and I still hadn't written the cards (We send over 100 ). I sat down and wrote them while watching Gosford Park. It took me several hours but I didn't do anything else and it was a really lovely day. Now I look forward to a day writing cards! This year I might watch Out of Africa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 Yes I write cards in Dec. I ought to add that I put decs up on the friday before Dickens of a Christmas in Olney (first sun in dec) We always have someone come with us (mum and dad this year) and get home for festive nibbles and it just wouldn't be right without the tree etc up. I think I have a very active inner child!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I must confess I do send cards to people I won't see and I do put up a tree and a few other decorations but that is it I don't do the whole commercial present thing and it is nothing to do with mean I have every thing I need and useless presents aren't going to make me happy being with those who are special is far more important. To some people it is different they want things but I have gone through alot in my life and have realised that 'things' are the least important in MY life. Each ot their own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 It's personal isn't it. I have a selfish family member and will be donating money to help the aged rather than spend on someone who doesn't deserve. The season of goodwill is about giving from your heart so that's what you are doing louise, good on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Exactly! I am not at all religious either, but relish the week off with my nearest and dearest (yes, and even my sister for an afternoon). My parents still give us presents, and especially the grandchildren (they are sending a flock of poultry to Africa for the little ones this year - they also get something to unwrap). My parents don't want or need anything, but they like a photo of Rosie, Phil and I. My sister and I don't exchange pressies - we have wildly different tastes and there's nothing she needs. But we give to each others children. Like Buffie, I have a strong inner child, and love to get all festive. Rosie leaves her letter to father Christmas on the hearth with a drink of milk and mince pies. When she is off asleep, Phil comes round and helps me to deck the house out and put her pressies out under the tree. I don't think that she believes in FC this year, but is pretending for my sake! Last year, the P's took us all to lapland for the day - what an experience - I shed a tear when we met FC; he was sooo lovely and the children were enchanted. It was a very long day (def not for under 5s) but well worth it. They booked with Canterbury Travel and it was all inclusive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I'm not at all religious either but am very traditional. Yule is just as special as Christmas in our household. The Cathedral trip is part of that traditional Christmas feeling. I've always gone for as long as I can remember and the boys love that Christmassy feeling singing the carols. Singing carols reminds me of happy school concerts and that wonderful excited feeling on Christmas morning when we used to get up to find all those presents under the tree! We have an advent calendar I made from green felt when the boys were young which we fill with little Christmassy chocolates and little presents in the lead up to the big day. We also celebrate New Years Day with as much excitement. We don't have a big party on the 31st. None of us are particularly sociable but New Years Day is special with a roast dinner and the second Christmas Pudding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 Oh Clare that sounds lovely. Rosie is smart enough to know that it's good to believe. Can we all make badges like the ones in Miracle on 34th St. I Believe! Mikey put a christmas section on his ipod for me so I can plug it into the speakers and have xmas as often as I want. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleata Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 ive bought me pressies and just brought my 100% recycled paper woo. will start wrapping this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 ive bought me pressies and just brought my 100% recycled paper woo. will start wrapping this weekend Hey well done, you can be in my gang... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Oh Clare that sounds lovely. Rosie is smart enough to know that it's good to believe. Can we all make badges like the ones in Miracle on 34th St. I Believe! Mikey put a christmas section on his ipod for me so I can plug it into the speakers and have xmas as often as I want. BBx Clap hands if you believe in fairies! Rosie and I still do! My father built a fairy circle of tree logs for seats in their garden for Rosie. Bless Mikey - why do you call him the pug? He doesn't look the least bit like one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 It's his name for himself. He decided (no idea why) that he was a bald pug We describe other folically challenged chaps as pugs too but he's top pug (of course). Phil is also a pug I guess, well he is now! It sounds as if I am being nasty to him ( he calls me tweety becasue of my cheeks! )but he likes the term and it's meant with the deepest love and affection (been with him for 22 years now ) Another topic starting me thinks!! BBx Thanks for asking Clare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 That's a good un. I am sure that Phil won't mind being a pug too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I know a Pug too Apparantly when he was born his Mum called him Ugly Pugly, & it just stuck. Hes a nice looking chap now, but EVERYONE calls him Pug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 17, 2005 Author Share Posted November 17, 2005 Pugs are cool!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Anyone else made their Christmas puddings today?? It's Stir Up Sunday and boy have we been stirring! The kitchen smells spicy and vaguely alcoholic ! The boys have made their wishes as they stirred and so have I - nothing too greedy ! Guess what I'm doing tomorrow - a mammoth 8 hour steaming session ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 20, 2005 Author Share Posted November 20, 2005 Next year I want to make my own cake etc, haven't got round to it and the confidence is still needing abit of work . Let me know how they go and perhaps give me some tips for next year eh! BBX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 If you want to have a go at a Christmas Pud, Buffster, you can't go wrong with Delia's in her Christmas book. If you want the recipe, let me know if you don't have the book. It's lovely. Her Last Minute Christmas Cake made with a jar of mincemeat is smashing too, especially made with a jar of her recipe mincemeat!! I've been making them for years and they don't disappoint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Yuk! Yuk! Yuk! nasty horrible stuff No, Kate - I'm not making Christmas Puddings I am making mincemeat today though. I don't like that either but I do make mince pies for the others. Not half as much work as making puddings for hours. The smell of the spices on a cold day like today is heavenly Kate has her Christmas music on today............. I can't do that until it's at least December Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 Can't do carols. Way too early so it's Christmassy sounding music!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 20, 2005 Share Posted November 20, 2005 I'll let you off then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
