One of the things that is interesting about I'm a celebrity is how special everyday things are - like a piece of cheese or a pieceof chocolate. When we can have a piece of cheese etc... whenever we want it isn't so special. I think Christmas is a bit like that - when I think of some of the things I got, kids today would stick their noses up at them, but it was none the less special to me. My dad used to tell me that he got an orange, and that was really exciting for him.
The consumer society we live in has hijacked Christmas in that sense. Christmas is all about money and some even go into debt over it! You only get a real sense of the magic of it when children are very young. It is a bit sad when you think about it.
Great idea. I'll give cheese to everyone.
Lock them in the cellar for two weeks first with only rice and beans to eat or they won't fully appreciate it! They'll thank you for it.........hopefully!
I really bloody hate Christmas with a passion. All the two faced uncles and aunties pretending to be nice to my kids making small talk etc. They haven't bothered all year so why now. Plus I don't work hard all year to give my money away on presents only to find that they don't like them. But on the plus side I love spoiling my kids I make Christmas last for at least 2 days. They get up about 7 ish. We open are stockings go down have breakfast then open just a few presents. Wait until after lunch for a few more presents I try and space it out. As I remember when I was kid open all are presents at 6 in the morning then the day over by 6:30. So if you do have kids space it out my daughter 17yr and she says I love Christmas at your house dad because you make it last.
I was 8 years old when it happened. Uncle Terry came into my room.I was looking forward to another nice Christmas day. But, young as I was, I knew what his intentions were straight away. I was small for my age, but still I fought as hard as I could. He was just so big. So strong. He forced me to do that terrible thing and I was powerless to stop him.The shame, hurt, pain and confusion ruined my childhood and to this day I still wake up crying about it. But I was luckier than some. That was the one and only time I had to wear a CRYSTAL PALACE top
That it has to end. I love christmas. Especially now i have lots of nieces and nephews to entertain. One of the worst parts is the realisation that it's almost over.
Mainly the fact my birthday is in December, meaning people think it is OK to get me a joint birthday/Xmas present. It isn't. Not unless you're also going to worship me as the Son of God as well you skinflints.
In recent years however I've had to buy presents for my nieces and nephews. I have no kids of my own, but have 9 of the blighters in my family ranging from 3 to 12 years old. I never have any idea what to get them because I have no idea what kids like these days (is Power Rangers or Thundercats still a thing?) and I hate going into toy shops or to shopping centres. When my brothers do suggest what to get them, it is usually a week before Christmas, meaning prices are at a premium, everywhere is already sold out and it is usually some overpriced piece of plastic from China that they'll stop playing with by New Year's Day.
Also, people asking me 'What do you like/want?' if they cannot think of anything good. I make a few suggestions (whisky, interesting beers/ales, books on a subject I like, or a few shops I frequent where I could use a gift voucher). The big day rolls round and they've bought me some utterly pointless piece of crap that goes straight on eBay or into the bin. Merry Christmas you bell-end.
Yep,I'm another December birthday (22nd),always got two lots of pressies Spoilt little git that I am.
I'm 13th December so not that close to Christmas but always got two sets of presents and my parents never put up the tree/decorations/christmas cards till i'd had my birthday
I'm 13th December too. But instead of getting me a joint pressie, my mum would quite often somehow manage to use it as an excuse to not get me a gift for either occasion.
Mainly the fact my birthday is in December, meaning people think it is OK to get me a joint birthday/Xmas present. It isn't. Not unless you're also going to worship me as the Son of God as well you skinflints.
In recent years however I've had to buy presents for my nieces and nephews. I have no kids of my own, but have 9 of the blighters in my family ranging from 3 to 12 years old. I never have any idea what to get them because I have no idea what kids like these days (is Power Rangers or Thundercats still a thing?) and I hate going into toy shops or to shopping centres. When my brothers do suggest what to get them, it is usually a week before Christmas, meaning prices are at a premium, everywhere is already sold out and it is usually some overpriced piece of plastic from China that they'll stop playing with by New Year's Day.
Also, people asking me 'What do you like/want?' if they cannot think of anything good. I make a few suggestions (whisky, interesting beers/ales, books on a subject I like, or a few shops I frequent where I could use a gift voucher). The big day rolls round and they've bought me some utterly pointless piece of crap that goes straight on eBay or into the bin. Merry Christmas you bell-end.
Yep,I'm another December birthday (22nd),always got two lots of pressies Spoilt little git that I am.
I'm 13th December so not that close to Christmas but always got two sets of presents and my parents never put up the tree/decorations/christmas cards till i'd had my birthday
I'm 13th December too. But instead of getting me a joint pressie, my mum would quite often somehow manage to use it as an excuse to not get me a gift for either occasion.
well at least you get to share a birthday with me mate
That it seems to start (for some idiots, at least) earlier and earlier every year. Anyone with decs up in November should be given an indeterminate stay in a secure institution. That I am expected to spend my own money going on an over-priced (usually poor-quality) meal with people who I work with all year and choose not to socialise with at any other time. Having to pick what I want to eat at this meal in September, and then having some sarky sod mock being surprised when I tell them that I can't remember what I ordered three months before. Restaurants who double their prices for Christmas whilst temporarily removing their standard menu. People who moan about the use of the word Winterval. Christmas cards with nativity scenes on. Let's face it the whole notion of cards is pretty poor anyway, but it's just about bearable if you get a comedy robin or reindeer or perhaps santa stuck up the flu. Those awful ones of a badly drawn boy laying in a donkey's breakfast make me want to vomit. Christmas crackers. The ultimate tacky shit. Secret Santa. The Twelve Days of Christmas song. Having to go back to work when it's all over.
The pre-Christmas supermarket trip with whole families going crazy to snap up everything in sight as if they can't last 48 hours without a spend up. I was going to say that our local ASDAs looks like a scene from Survivors just before Christmas, but to be fair it looks like a scene from Survivors most days.
The Queens Christmas Speech. What a borefest.
Anyone who boasts that they did their Christmas shopping in August. Anyone who did this, hasn't got enough going on in their life.
Some of the old crap that somehow sneaks past the decency censors and finds its way on to tv or radio. Carols from Kings, is a particular anti-fave.
The whole Christmas Dinner Thing. Three hours to cook. half hour to eat. Two hours to tidy away. Why can't I have a cheese sandwich or call up for a takeaway instead.
I like Christmas, essentially for the family togetherness (i have a very small one!). But increasingly can't be bothered with all the palaver. We now eat what we like on the day rather than make a huge roast dinner that no one really wants. Sorry @Essex_Al, but Christmas cards do my head in. The routine of sending a card to distant relative people who I know I'll never see again in my life nor would I recognise if they walked past me and the cards themselves cluttering up the place. Just can't be bothered with it any more and there are so many immediate ways to keep in touch these days. It's the only day of the year when I drink before lunchtime! Hic.
Someone mentioned the absent friends thing. At a time of year families are in contact it is very poignant remembering people who have been a part of Christmas. My dear sister passed in August so this year is reduced for me.
It is also very sad that Christmas shines a light on how lonely some people are.
I am always amazed how many people celebrate it but don't know why it happens at all, a bit like non churchgoers wanting to marry in a church.
Mind you it is nice that for a while people are kind and thoughtful to each other, the best day of the year to drive anywhere tends to be Christmas day.
I love Christmas and especially the build up, the couple of days before Christmas Day where I drink an incredible amount at work and do bugger all work. Also the bit between packing up work and returning to it in the new year where the hardest decision is what to gouge and drink that particular day.
I do, however, hanker after the days of my youth when there were only 3 channels on the tv and we could look forward to National Velvet on Christmas Eve, a 25 year old Hollywood blockbuster never seen before on the small screen and the Great Escape on Boxing Day. That's really the one thing I don't like about Christmas now, the telly nowadays, no surprises now that we have 500 channels 24 hours a day. The tv times/ Radio Times are not something I look forward to buying anymore.
The only thing I dislike about Christmas is the fact that I turn into a blubbering, sentimental wreck now my parents are no longer here. I only have to hear the first bar of Silent Night, say, or see the opening credits of It's a Wonderful Life and I'm off. I'm going to St Barhtolomew's carol concert on Sunday and I imagine I'll give myself a hernia trying to hold it all in. Merry Christmas,all.
Must be hard at this time of year when there are close relatives who aren't around any longer.
I have both my mum and dad still about and also my brother and sister in law (all be it in different countries), plus my Mrs has all hef family. Reckons we should do more to get together, in one place, at this time of year. Instead of sending the online, gift wrapped presents and making do.
Comments
Too much time indoors does my head in.
Best thing is seeing my kids and spending time with them.
Cheese footballs however, they can feck right off
Then me when finishing the tree off with the last bauble, me doing the same with this
The glass reindeer ain't going to look the same wired to the tree.
Other than that, it's great.
I'll never pay to go into a pub at xmas and new year's eve, that is a take on.
Particularly at new year, people going out for their once a year jolly then wonder why other people don't go out as to avoid the masses.
The only thing crap about Christmas this year is having to watch us get turned over at the toolbox. Fingers crossed it gets called off!
It is also very sad that Christmas shines a light on how lonely some people are.
I am always amazed how many people celebrate it but don't know why it happens at all, a bit like non churchgoers wanting to marry in a church.
Mind you it is nice that for a while people are kind and thoughtful to each other, the best day of the year to drive anywhere tends to be Christmas day.
I do, however, hanker after the days of my youth when there were only 3 channels on the tv and we could look forward to National Velvet on Christmas Eve, a 25 year old Hollywood blockbuster never seen before on the small screen and the Great Escape on Boxing Day. That's really the one thing I don't like about Christmas now, the telly nowadays, no surprises now that we have 500 channels 24 hours a day. The tv times/ Radio Times are not something I look forward to buying anymore.
I only have to hear the first bar of Silent Night, say, or see the opening credits of It's a Wonderful Life and I'm off.
I'm going to St Barhtolomew's carol concert on Sunday and I imagine I'll give myself a hernia trying to hold it all in.
Merry Christmas,all.
I have both my mum and dad still about and also my brother and sister in law (all be it in different countries), plus my Mrs has all hef family. Reckons we should do more to get together, in one place, at this time of year. Instead of sending the online, gift wrapped presents and making do.
I estimate we'll get there in time for Boxing Day.