Xmas Is Coming.

[iwillbekingin2030]

what do u like most about the holidays (besides family)?

[Mara]

Hmmm, there's so much to choose from (suspect I'm still a child at heart during this time of year - gentle smile).

 

I love getting the fresh tree ... even if it means the children ooh and aah over what seems like hundreds of them before we all make a decision (and it's usually pouring rain - grin).

 

I love trying to get the tree to stand straight in it's holder, laughing over the inevitable tangle of xmas lights and watching the children ever so carefully help put the decorations on the tree (with the kitties trying to bat the lower ones off as fast as they go on).

 

There are so, so many things ... finally tucking children in on Christmas Eve, turning off the lights and simply enjoying the magic of the tree (this can be shortly before dawn sadly - if one is foolish enough to buy "easy to assemble" toys).

 

But perhaps most of all, watching the sheer delight on everyone's face when they zip into the room so early on Christmas morning to see what Santa has left them under the lit tree and with xmas music playing. We have a tradition in our family ... children may open all the wee gifts in their Stockings but not touch the gifts under the tree until we adults have a chance to guzzle down at least one cup of very strong coffee. And we open gifts by starting with the youngest child and taking turns, each trying to draw things out as long as possible before that part of the magic ends.

 

Yup, I absolutely love Christmas! :)

 

And everyone else's favourite things about the holiday?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

children may open all the wee gifts in their Stockings but not touch the gifts under the tree until we adults have a chance to guzzle down at least one cup of very strong coffee.

 

My God what an admirable trait Mara, I shall adopt this very attitude this Christmas.

 

Well that is if we decide to buy them anything.

[shrimply]

While were growing up christmas formed a slightly strange routine. We have our meal on christmas eve, and few of the family stay over but it gives christmas day mostly to ourselves. Then in the morning the stockings were explored before a big cooked breakfast. After that we start on the presents under the tree. And we have the whole day not worrying about christmas dinner.

 

Me, lol. first of all I get to finished my exams, then I get to host a christmas party.

 

But after I get home, well its the smell of fresh pine, the crisp frosty mornings, the open fire, and of course the food.

Edited December 7, 2008 by shrimply

[RandyL]

When I was a child I thought as a child. It was all about getting a few select toys. We didn't have a lot of money but I was still over joyed.

 

As I grew a little older it was about the songs and the decorating and the whole experience.

 

As a young adult it was just about getting paid time off from work.

 

And then my life turned. As things went bad and I lost everything important to me Christmas turned into a time that I wanted to ignore. But my family and friends would have none of that and made the days better then ever.

 

And then my life got better just before another Christmas. I was beside myself as I was once again on top of life and celebrated by buying gifts to those that had helped me.

 

Since that time I have rejoiced in helping others enjoy the holiday just as others helped me. They rarely know my name but I was there anyway.

 

In the past few years I have been lucky enough to watch my grandson grow to 5.5 years old this Christmas. Sure he likes the toys but it's the whole experience he enjoys the most. He loves to decorate and loves to sings the songs. Just like I did. It warms my heart to help him enjoy it.

 

He is also asking the usual questions. Is Christmas pretend? Why do we have Christmas? Is Santa real?

 

I was prepared to answer thanks to my life.

 

Yes Virginia. There is a Santa Claus.

 

Merry Christmas to all. Let the spirit live all year long.

[Goku]

Wow, those are touching stories! Christmas is considered a major festival here but sadly people don't celebrate it in its true spirits. When I was a kid, we used to go around the city and sit in Santa Claus's laps. The Santa Claus, unlike in America or other English countries, used to be accompanied by a Joker rather than a gnome or reindeer but it was still a memorable experience.

 

I don't know why, but sitting in old Santa's lap and asking for a wish made me feel complete. I used to feel contented, satisfied .... happy. Those were the times when I was carefree and innocent. Now too, I go around the city and meet Santa Claus's at various stores but I no longer feel the joy or the true spirit of the festival. That's unlucky and pitiable but that's how I feel.

 

In the end, I just have a quiet dinner with family and friends. This is what gives me the peace and the hope that perhaps, it will be a better Christmas next time. :)

 

Merry Christmas to all.

 

-- Goku

[Dalo Harkin]

Christmas dinner with the kids is good :)

Helping the youngest unwrap all the presents.

Running around like a loon for batteries - as I always forget to stock up on them.

Being able to have over a week off from work with my kids :)

[Mara]

What wonderful stories and thanks ever so much to all of you for sharing!

 

When I read of the sadder Christmas', I realize this must be an especially difficult time of year for so many. And sadly continues to be for so many - huge drat!

 

I especially smiled at the 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus' ... for there is, there really really is a Santa Claus - huge gentle smile. (There must be for he's never, ever let me down yet! :)).

 

As for all those trips to sit on Santa Claus' knee - aah, they were wonderful indeed! Well, except for one instance when I was 5. Santa was lovely and kind and ever so jolly - but right in the middle of his asking what I'd like for Christmas ... he 'tooted'. Loudly! Ever so hard to be a good and polite little girl when one's eyes are nearly watering - huge gentle smile.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Ever so hard to be a good and polite little girl when one's eyes are nearly watering

 

Was that because you were trying to stifle laughter Mara or because of the smell. :D

[Dalo Harkin]

Wolfey just needs the red suit to pass for santa :D

[Mara]

Must have been the smell! :)

 

We were at a local xmas tree farm the other day and they, with the kindest of intentions, supplied a 'Santa' for the children. Hmm. Poor man sat there alone as none of the children believed for a moment he could possibly be Santa ... unless Santa developed an eating disorder over the past year that caused him to loose about half his body weight. Oh dear - gentle smile.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I've played him mate, trust me. :(

[Mara]

Oh gracious, what could be worse!!! Children have such high expectations of Santa.

 

A few years ago at the little one's Preschool, Santa was called away on an emergency and my poor husband was asked to 'fill in'. Huge dilemma as there wasn't a chance that the little ones wouldn't recognise him (he picked our two up every single day and all the children knew him), no matter how lovely the Santa outfit was and how much we 'padded' him up.

 

Finally came up with a solution (we'd only had a one day warning) ... Santa wrote the nicest of letters to my husband on his very special writing paper from the North Pole ... explaining he'd been called away and could my husband please fill in for him this one time. The teacher read the letter to the children and the little ones oohed and aahed while passing the "magical letter" around ... and everyone had a great time! Huge happy smile!

[Mara]

Sadly, I suspect some Santa's helpers may have to go through therapy after their experience - huge gentle smile!

 

 

Scared of Santa photos -- chicagotribune.com

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I think that's actually Randy after a skin full of Jack Daniels :D

[RandyL]

That's it. You're going on my naughty list.

[Dalo Harkin]

Lol - it does look like you Randy :p

the first one anyway

[BeeCeeBee]

Continuing the current trend of large-scale mergers and acquisitions, it was announced today at a press conference that Christmas and Hanukkah will merge. An industry source said that the deal had been in the works for about 1300 years.

 

While details were not available at press time, it is believed that the overhead cost of having twelve days of Christmas and eight days of Hanukkah was becoming prohibitive for both sides. By combining forces, we''re told, the world will be able to enjoy consistently high-quality service during the Fifteen Days of Chrismukah, as the new holiday is being called.

 

Massive layoffs are expected, with lords a-leaping and maids a-milking being the hardest hit. As part of the conditions of the agreement, the letters on the dreydl (a spinning top toy), currently in Hebrew, will be replaced by Latin, thus becoming unintelligible to a wider audience.

 

Also, instead of translating to "A great miracle happened there," the message on the dreydl will be the more generic "Miraculous stuff happens." In exchange, it is believed that Jews will be allowed to use Santa Claus and his vast merchandising resources for buying and delivering their gifts

.

One of the sticking points holding up the agreement for at least three hundred years was the question of whether Jewish children could leave milk and cookies for Santa even after having eaten meat for dinner. A breakthrough came last year, when Oreos were finally declared to be Kosher. All sides appeared happy about this.

 

A spokesman for Christmas, Inc., declined to say whether a takeover of Kwanzaa might not be in the works as well. He merely pointed out that, were it not for the independent existence of Kwanzaa, the merger between Christmas and Chanukah might indeed be seen as an unfair cornering of the holiday market. Fortunately for all concerned, he said, Kwanzaa will help to maintain the competitive balance. He then closed the press conference by leading all present in a rousing rendition of "Oy Vey, All Ye Faithful."

 

 

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!

[RandyL]

As a spokesman for the UCWW (United Christmas Workers of the World) I wish to state that the Union intends to oppose this merger at every step. We see this as just another blatant excuse to further reduce the Union work force.

 

Coming on the heels of a 50% reduction in the elf work force due to outsourcing of jobs to conglomerates like ToysRUs and Walmart we can not idly stand by while the corporations use excuses like a poor economy and globalisation to further diminish the Union work force.

 

We also fully expect the WFHW (World Federation of Hanukkah Workers) to oppose this merger as they are currently negotiating a new contract and will view this as an unfair negotiating tactic meant to pressure them to concede to yet more cutbacks and givebacks.

 

We will begin holding rallies and sit ins starting Dec. 24 at churches and Synagogues world wide to bring public attention to this matter. Large crowds are expected to attend at all locations.

[BeeCeeBee]

Dear Mr. L.

 

As indicated these negotiations have been continuing for many centuries and cannot and will not be influenced by your parochial concerns.

 

These same issue were raised by one of your predecessors in July of 1975 and we extracted an agreement (strike that) we all agreed that this was in the best interest of Peace on Earth. We were able to convince Mr. Hoffa then and we are equally sure we can show you the error of your ways.

 

Since it is December 24 and the merger is not to become official until the new year there still is time to discuss this.

 

We have scheduled a high level meeting to take place at our board room located in the end zone of the new Giants Stadium being built in the Meadowland in New Jersey. You know the one that will replace the old one built in 1975.

 

Please be there. Thank you

 

Beeceebee

enforcer err - negotiator

 

P.S. Come alone! We know where you live.

[RandyL]

Now this is some funny stuff.

[iwillbekingin2030]

belated merry xmas.

 

thanks for sharing everyone.... :);) i hope you all had a great xmas.