Christmas

[Troy]

How time flies, it is that time of the year again. In Adelaide you know that it is Christmas when the Pageant has been because right after that everyone gets up their decorations. That is also the time when people are allowed to put up their christmas trees, it isn't a strict rule it is just what is done. Christmas lights are up in most streets, it isn't anywhere near as popular in Australia but each year more and more people are getting involved. Personally I don't see the point and think of it as a waste of money but some people go all out.

For me the thing I most look forward to with Christmas is actually the day after, Boxing Day, because that is when the Boxing Day test match starts. Great day because I can just sit back, relax and enjoy a great game of cricket. I am not religious so I don't go to church around Christmas and I see it as a purely commercial holiday which is what it truly has become. It is all about time off, family (in small doses) and some gift giving. When I was a kid it used to be so much fun with the gifts but now it is more of a hassle because I, and my family, can afford to buy what we want so there is nothing I ever really "need" for presents. We set a spending cap of $100 per person and just try to buy a few things that each person would want. So much easier setting a smallish cap since it takes all the guesswork out of it, since you don't have to worry if the other is spending more.

On the day normally we have Christmas Breakfast with Krentenbrood (which is a Dutch fruit loaf that has a strip of marzipan running through the middle of it) and Kerstrakans (which is a Dutch almond pastry ring which is really really tasty). Then we normally have a cooked lunch at home. In the late afternoon/evening head to a few family members if we can be bothered. When I was young it used to be huge with family gatherings of 60+ people but over the years as the family split apart it never happens.

What do others do for Christmas? Are you religious or not? Do you go all out with the decorations like Christmas Lights and a massive tree? What do you most enjoy about Christmas? Are you big into gifts? Do you do the full Christmas dinner/lunch?

P.S. I think only a couple of people will get this but here it is; Is it Christmas?

 

[ThatGuyFromNukemHigh]

A few years ago, I would have said Halloween was the only "holiday" I ever cared about, but now that I have my own little one running around I understand why parents like to go all out & celebrate.

 

[zigglerHEEL]

A few years ago, I would have said Halloween was the only "holiday" I ever cared about, but now that I have my own little one running around I understand why parents like to go all out & celebrate.

How bout it! I have a 3yr old and a 2yr old and they have brought a whole new life back into Christmas for me... Always said I would never get a tree, I have one. Always said I would never put lights up on my house, I have some. Me and my wife have made Christmas Eve a holiday for just us, we exchange our gifts with each other after the kids have gone to bed, then we wrap all of their presents and set them up under the tree..... Can't wait to see the looks on their faces in 2 weeks.... Hope everyone on here has a very Merry Christmas or Holiday of their choice!

 

[Ozymandias]

I'm not religious any more, and most of my close family aren't either, so it's not been about going to church and stuff for many a year. I absolutely love Christmas, I love Christmas Day, one of the truest things I've ever heard regarding it (although he was actually talking about Christmas Eve, but for me it applies for both days) from Bill Murray in Scrooged;

It's Christmas Eve! It's - it's the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we... we... we smile a little easier, we... w-w-we... we... we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be!

That's what it's all about for me, giving presents, seeing the people you love being happy, eating together, drinking together, laughing together. Even if it's just for one day a year, it's worth it. It's a day I try to leave my cynical nature at the door as much as possible

As for what I do, we don't really do the tree and decorations, we'll put a few things up. We'll put the Christmas cards we receive on display, but bother with lights or anything. In the morning myself and my girlfriend will get up, exchange gifts and have breakfast. We'll then head over to my parents house around midday, more presents, first drink of the day. Sit down for dinner around 3pm, take a few hours to eat and drink, then afterwards maybe watch TV for an hour while everyone recovers after their dinner, then later we'll usually play a game together or listen to music and talk, it's always a good laugh.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

Christmas is very taxing on me because I am poor. But honestly, as long as I have loving family around me I'm good. It's not about the gifts, simply the family.

 

[ThatGuyFromNukemHigh]

In an appartment its a little harder to go all out, and we only have a small 2' plastic tree. But my desk is covered in lights, the windows are done up with that fake snow, and honestly watching the same christmas specials I grew up on with him is one of my favorite thigs every year. Me & the wife just put From Santa on all our gifts to each other, and because I am quite the geek, seeing his face light up when Santa brought me toys too is amazing.

 

[Aniking]

I'm already over Christmas. It's so commercialised that it's just sickening to me. I work at a supermarket and all I hear throughout the store are fucking Christmas carols my entire shift. It drives me crazy!

When you're a kid it's an awesome holiday as you get presents and it's all magical and shit. As you grow up you become less and less influenced by the gifts as you don't want want want every single thing you see and it becomes a more family orientated holiday. For me family events are so fucking boring and it makes me glad that I've never really been apart of a family who has to have a massive get together every single year. That's one thing I like about my parents - other than worrying about what to get my brother and I growing up, they don't care for much else. They don't care for Halloween either so I've never gone trick or treating, but I don't regret that at all. That's another over commercialised holiday.

Anyway, I'll stop being the grinch and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all that as there are plenty of people who love Christmas for the reasons I don't. Nothing wrong with that

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I love the Christmas Specials that play every year. Working around this time sucks though...

 

[Chriss]

I'm not really into Christmas. I mean, I don't mind Christmas as it's good to sit at home, watch Christmas movies with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands but Christmas is as Aniking said commercialised. The day after Christmas is what I like because usually that's the day when members of our family visit us and because I don't give a shit about them and I really hate some of them me and my friends to a local bar which is owned by my friend's father and we just talk about how our Chritmas was and we get drunk. Yeah...CHRISSMAS. :Sandow2:

 

[Troy]

I definitely think that it would be great when you have a child because you get back into the fun of Christmas again. I have a few friends that have kids and they love it with how into it their kids get and the joy that they get when they open their presents from Santa.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I'm not really into Christmas. I mean, I don't mind Christmas as it's good to sit at home, watch Christmas movies with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands but Christmas is as Aniking said commercialised. The day after Christmas is what I like because usually that's the day when members of our family visit us and because I don't give a shit about them and I really hate some of them me and my friends to a local bar which is owned by my friend's father and we just talk about how our Chritmas was and we get drunk. Yeah...CHRISSMAS. :Sandow2:

Get drunk in front of your family? Could probably handle the dicks better.

 

[Chriss]

Get drunk in front of your family? Could probably handle the dicks better.

Who said something about getting drunk in front of my family? Nobody ever, lol. We sleep at that bar all the time as it's as I said my friend's father's so my family members don't recognize shit. But they're starting to wonder why I get out everytime they come haha.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I was suggesting you get drunk in front of your family.

 

[Chriss]

Oh, the question mark confused.

No, that would be terrible. I would never...NEVER EVER get Christmas money from them so I'd rather listen to their rambling than get drunk in front of them.

 

[Crippler]

Fuck Christmas, it's just another day to me.

I do like eggnog tho.