Christmas - the stress has already started.

[Globalti]

In Britain we've already had all the music and stuff for a month. By the time Christmas comes we're sick of it all.

 

[Fnaar]

Yes, we put the tree up yesterday (far too early imho, but I was overruled by the missus/kids combo), so it's time to start thinking about Easter. Probably. Somewhere. In someone's mind.

It's all a bit silly really, all the rubbish that goes with Christmas. I remember overhearing a woman saying to her (presumably) daughter back in August ( ) "we'll have to start getting ourselves sorted for Christmas soon" ... fair enough, folk start saving cash etc, but I know she was just talking about buying cr@p.

My reaction to all of this is to refuse to take it seriously, but to enter into the spirit(s)

 

[Auntie Helen]

Somehow I've missed all the Christmas stuff in the shop (don't go shopping really except for food) so it only seems to have been starting the last few days for me. We did all our shopping online last week and it was mostly bike stuff so that was exciting! My parents and I have a 'no presents' agreement so we're only buying for Uncle James's side of the family.

I don't find Christmas stressful, mainly because there aren't children in our family so it's not such an important thing to get lots of wonderful presents. I have the in-laws coming for a few days and I've just invited a German friend who's on her own for Christmas Day to spend it with us. It should be a good overall day.

But the carols. I LOVE the carols! This year I've already sung at two carol services and have another three to go (I'm in a choir) and I find it just wonderful. Last night I cycled to a little Chapel in the village of Chappel to sing in a choir and it was a brill 26 mile round trip along dark and twisty roads with a brilliant traditional 9 Lessons & Carols service in the middle with mince pies afterwards and lots of friendly faces. What could be better?

 

[Fab Foodie]

As we're supposed to be having a baby any day now, Christmas doesn't really seem like such a big deal this year, but then my wife didn't grow up with Christmas so she finds it all just good fun, which means I am far more relaxed about it too.

's funny, we're having aTurkey...

(Best wishes to both of you by the way)

 

[Kirstie]

I just like spending time with my family and seeing all of my friends. Nobody i'm related to is particularly materialistic either. So no-one gets sick of it at all. We're all foodies as well so we enjoy preparing and cooking food. I think it would be different if there were lots of kids around, but there isn't, so it's nice and mellow.

Which reminds me...must post the xmas avatar.

 

[beanzontoast]

I don't find Christmas stressful, mainly because there aren't children in our family so it's not such an important thing to get lots of wonderful presents.

Spot on - when our children were little, it was (correctly) all about making sure they had a really happy time. And I think this is what my parents did for me. I can still remember my dad had secretly moved the furniture in our seldom-used front room the night before and had lit a fire in there on Christmas morning to get it nice and cosy so that I could spend the day Scalextric-ing to my heart's delight without the dog eating a crash barrier or six, or someone standing on a Mini Metro.

Aside - Mrs B found one of my son's old Christmas wish-lists last week from when he was about 6. Top of the list? A bike!

 

[snakehips]

Well the stress is showing on here. People are arguing about rooks and television programs in other threads.
And I have got to get the central heating working downstairs or there will be hell to pay !

 

[dustystreet]

no stress. had all the presents wrapped and under the tree with the card written and sealed for the other half last week! i can enjoy december now!