Christmas is coming

[Berties_Horse]

Christmas doesn't register on my calendar until after December 8th, I refuse to acknowledge the cynical (John Lewis, puke) commercialism in any shape or form. Tugging on purse strings of the gullible, but isn't that manipulative CGI penguin cute. Barely tolerable at the best of times, imagine people getting irrationally hyper for several months....considering the end product lasts a mere 24 hours.

[VitaminC]

Only 144 days until Christmas.

Time to start planning.

Will it be a 'normal' Christmas or will be hampered by restrictions?

Are you planning on anything different for this year?

When do you start the santa shopping?

Good thread. But surely it’s more suited to Any other business and not after hours.

Christmas in after hours never did go hand in hand

[dawg]

Not meaning to be gruff but dont anyone ask me to dress up like last year

[765489]

I suppose it's a good time to add in a Christmas youtube video ? Happy 144 days to Christmas everyone

[CelticRambler]

I do have some sympathies with Bertie, in that I think Christmassy things should keep themselves out of sight until the beginning of December at the earliest, otherwise Christmas Eve/Day becomes the end-point instead of the beginning, and I do like a good month of Christmas in January

That said, I haven't yet taken down the last of my decorations from 2020 and probably won't now! Ceiling garlands, with extra lights. The rest of them are down, but not put away, seeing as I had no visitors, so used the time to try out new arrangements and table centrepieces and whatnot, and progressively moved them into the rooms that the no-visitors weren't using coz it was easier ... and, well still no visitors and lots of other distractions so ...

But as an antidote to the hyper-commercialisation of Christmas in Ireland these days, my family there (well, anywhere) now only get gifts that I can grow and/or make myself, so yes, it's helpful to get started in good time. This year's theme will be the same as last years: tastes and textures of (my garden in) France for the family who couldn't get here to experience them in real life. I'd already made several pots of "Christmas" jam by the end of June, and over the last month have been regularly drying a selection of herbs that'll be going into the gift box.

[Scorchio]

That sounds perfect CR and more personal than the tat we all panic buy and then consign what we receive to landfill.

I'm not anti Christmas and it's a great time of year to have time off work, but I wish the buzz only started in December and it was all less consumerist. That genie is well out of the bottle at this stage though.

[CelticRambler]

The commercialisation itself doesn't bother me as much as the timing of it. Shops will do what shops do, but I just don't understand why people go out of their way to celebrate "Christmas" parties in November, or even October - and then complain that they're sick of Christmas by the 27th December.

It's one of the things I like most about living in France: Advent is Advent; Christmas is Christmas (and goes on till mid-January - none of this ripping the decorations down by the 6th); and in the North-East at least, along with the Swiss, Germans and Austrians, then it's the carnival-party season, when winter is at its worst and parties are the best way of keeping your spirits up!

[VitaminC]

144 Days to go!!

[Del.Monte]

So far ahead of myself this year and I don't why, possibly pandemic fatigue and only wanting to focus on positive things. I ordered my first Christmas card from Vistaprint in February and a further design in May. Both were made using original 1950/60s artwork purchased from the USA. There's something about this one I just can't put my finger on it but it should brighten up some of my friend's mantlepieces - far nicer than trying to hang up a text message or an e-card.

[VitaminC]

143 days to go.

[VitaminC]

142 Days to go

[VitaminC]

139 days to go now. Into the 130’s already.

[Osciiboscii]

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[Johnny Von Pintland]

Christmas is great fun. A big feed, a slab of cans, betting on the horses, work nights out, staying in bed late etc.

[silverbirch]

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[Osciiboscii]

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[Hairy-Joe]

I'm a total Scrooge about Christmas being advertised, items in shops, etc before the start of December. In December, I'm all for Christmas. I hate to see Christmas stuff in the shops next to Halloween stuff.

The one exception is organising the Christmas party. That has to be done early and some companies are organising them already.

[Osciiboscii]

I'm a total Scrooge about Christmas being advertised, items in shops, etc before the start of December. In December, I'm all for Christmas. I hate to see Christmas stuff in the shops next to Halloween stuff.

The one exception is organising the Christmas party. That has to be done early and some companies are organising them already.

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[Hairy-Joe]

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Oh I know, total Grinch from January to November. Then for December I'm totally up for Christmas.

Indeed over the past few years I enjoy going away to different countries for Christmas and experience how they celebrate and have their traditional Christmas fayre. I've been to Abu Dhabi, Athens, Budapest and Malta for Christmas. The best memory of Christmas dinner was a small bar/restaurant in Athens, listening to traditional music while eating pork cooked about 25 different ways. Best Christmas feeling in the city was easily Budapest.

[Hodors Appletart]

We went to Budapest in mid-December a few years ago, beautiful city!

[silverbirch]

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[Osciiboscii]

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[silverbirch]

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[Osciiboscii]

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[silverbirch]

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