Amens1961 said:

Are you looking forward to Christmas? its come round quick again. What do you get up to on the day?

I'm looking forward to the feel of Christmas, the other stuff about it, not so much. Every year is slightly different.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Not yet but I will be after Thanksgiving.

Right now I can't wait for Thanksgiving to see fam I haven't seen in a couple of years with the ritualistic things we do as a family (bird, oyster stuffing, Alices Restaraunt, etc).

To the point of the thread, I have to watch my Christmas movies and music to help get me in the mood. I love the season and getting together with family but now that I'm old as fuck (OAF) it's about getting the kids in my family gifts.

When you're OAF buying gifts for other people who are OAF seems like a weird practice to me anymore. If these people wanted something they would have it. Unless it's a specific thing that I know they could really use, I'm just buying people things. We all have enough "things" without my help.

[Edited 11/8/18 10:36am]

S2DG said:

Not yet but I will be after Thanksgiving.

Right now I can't wait for Thanksgiving to see fam I haven't seen in a couple of years with the ritualistic things we do as a family (bird, oyster stuffing, Alices Restaraunt, etc).

To the point of the thread, I have to watch my Christmas movies and music to help get me in the mood. I love the season and getting together with family but now that I'm old as fuck (OAF) it's about getting the kids in my family gifts.

When you're OAF buying gifts for other people who are OAF seems like a weird practice to me anymore. If these people wanted something they would have it. Unless it's a specific thing that I know they could really use, I'm just buying people things. We all have enough "things" without my help.

[Edited 11/8/18 10:36am]

LOL I like that, OAF

so you don't think giving something special to other OAF people is special?

Turkey day

OldFriends4Sale said:

SoulAlive said:

I am I love the entire Christmas season.I love going to crowded shopping malls to buy gifts.It's a hectic but fun time of year.I actually bought a few gitfts already!

hahaha I love the crowded shopping malls to lol I learned how to settle in a mode, like being invisible walking through the crowds. I love the energy

me too! I love the energy

OldFriends4Sale said:

S2DG said:

Not yet but I will be after Thanksgiving.

Right now I can't wait for Thanksgiving to see fam I haven't seen in a couple of years with the ritualistic things we do as a family (bird, oyster stuffing, Alices Restaraunt, etc).

To the point of the thread, I have to watch my Christmas movies and music to help get me in the mood. I love the season and getting together with family but now that I'm old as fuck (OAF) it's about getting the kids in my family gifts.

When you're OAF buying gifts for other people who are OAF seems like a weird practice to me anymore. If these people wanted something they would have it. Unless it's a specific thing that I know they could really use, I'm just buying people things. We all have enough "things" without my help.

[Edited 11/8/18 10:36am]

LOL I like that, OAF

so you don't think giving something special to other OAF people is special?

I guess it's more like each year I'm struggling to find something that I think they would like and then it just gets put on a shelf or in a closet. I like to give gifts that actually have a use or is something the person needs (even if they don't know they need it, LOL).

Always thought it was lame to give someone cash but now...I get it.

Dalia11 said:

Ha, all of us are getting older. I tell people you are not old, when you are 100 then you will be old or OAF! That is why alot of people do not give many gifts, it is too much, especially with big families. I am happy getting a christmas card and mug with candy. [Edited 11/8/18 10:52am]

When I was younger I used to tell people "Age is a state of mind" or "You're as old as you feel".
Now that I'm older, I finally get it, your body and mind changes based on the experiences.

I like the mug and card idea, small and nice while letting them know you thought about them.

Thanks for that!

and the Grinch's heart grew two sizes that day...

also,keep in mind that gift certificates are nice to give as Christmas presents put it in a nice card and there's the gift

SoulAlive said:

I love the season, and enjoy the same things everyone else does, along with my own quirky rituals.

Dalia11 said:

SoulAlive said:

also,keep in mind that gift certificates are nice to give as Christmas presents put it in a nice card and there's the gift

Exactly! Or some christmas scratch lottery tickets.

Nope, Christmas means nothing to me. The only reason I bother with it is for my brother's kids. Otherwise, I'd stay home and sleep.

The funniest part of Christmas season is watching mfers nearly killing each other during store sales....

"peace on Earth, goodwill toward men....

uPtoWnNY said:

Nope, Christmas means nothing to me. The only reason I bother with it is for my brother's kids. Otherwise, I'd stay home and sleep.

The funniest part of Christmas season is watching mfers nearly killing each other during store sales....

"peace on Earth, goodwill toward men....

Isn't that Black Friday?

Dalia11 said:

As the saying goes: "It's the thought that counts". And only kids should be getting gifts, adults do not need more stuff! Some cash or a gift card is nice to give for those who can afford it. I give money. [Edited 11/8/18 14:06pm]

lol seriously, I love giving gifts especially to adults in my life that I love. Not just random stuff, but unique things and things that 'accessorize' things they use and are a passion for them.

Adult toys lol

I gave me brother a drone for Christmas last year, we were like kds, outside in his backyard on the 25th sending it up in the air, watching it go over into the neighbors yard and get stuck in the tree lol

I like fun gifts, and definately things that are passionate to the person.

namepeace said:

I love the season, and enjoy the same things everyone else does, along with my own quirky rituals.

name a few... I have some too lol

S2DG said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

LOL I like that, OAF

so you don't think giving something special to other OAF people is special?

I guess it's more like each year I'm struggling to find something that I think they would like and then it just gets put on a shelf or in a closet. I like to give gifts that actually have a use or is something the person needs (even if they don't know they need it, LOL).

Always thought it was lame to give someone cash but now...I get it.

I told my people if it every got to the point where we are just handing each other cash or gift cards we need to just stop. I imagine us all just handing cash back in forth. You keep your cash I'll keep mine lol

OldFriends4Sale said:

S2DG said:

I guess it's more like each year I'm struggling to find something that I think they would like and then it just gets put on a shelf or in a closet. I like to give gifts that actually have a use or is something the person needs (even if they don't know they need it, LOL).

Always thought it was lame to give someone cash but now...I get it.

I told my people if it every got to the point where we are just handing each other cash or gift cards we need to just stop. I imagine us all just handing cash back in forth. You keep your cash I'll keep mine lol

Feel the same way, cash is never going to happen.

Soulive has something with those gift certificates but it would have to be a good one with a bunch of money on it. Then put it in a mug with some candy...

Who knew the Org would give me Christmas spirit? Amazing!

OldFriends4Sale said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

DaveT said:

I've read that Christmas isn't as big a deal in the USA as it is in UK ... is that the case?

We weren't a well off family growing but my Mum somehow always found the money to make sure we had a great Christmas (though it was probably still frugal compared to other) ... and I use to love it!

Now I'm adult and much better off, its not the same. The treats we only had at Xmas we have all year so it doesn't feel as special. And as an adult the stuff you have to do, like naff office parties, pretending to get on with relatives you hardly ever see, etc make Xmas a bit of a chore. As a kid all you had to do was eat, open presents and play with toys.

Sounds cheesy, but I guess its a case of having less but being richer for it ... that wasn't the case 90% of the time, but at Xmas it was.

I don't know about that. I think it's pretty big in the US.

.

people still have whole blocks of street homes decorated and lit. People go on drives through neighborhoods to look at the lights decorations. Lots of events centered around the holidays.

.

I hear you. I learned you have to really dedicate yourself to holding onto that 'magic' the innocence of the holidays. I see so many people get overrun by the overbloated expressions that numb people.

.

It's hard, but I try to stay away from foods that I enjoy for certain holidays and seasons whether it is the Memorial Day or the 4th of July / Summertime, Thanksgiving foods or Christmas

Even when it comes to office parties (looks like we are going to be forced to go to a new Bureau Christmas Party this year) I seek out people who are happy and enjoy the season.

.

My parents really spoiled us for Christmas growing up. The whole house smelled like Christmas.

.
I think sometimes the more people have to spend the more they overdo it, overbloated, extremely planned Christmas events.

.

Classic Christmas cartoons STILL lol, especially Charlie Browns(my brothers and I always call each other to remind each other when a cartoon is on tv) Christmas, cheesy Christmas movies, small gatherings for the month.. instead of putting everything on that 25th day. Sometimes I do a Cmas eve party

Some great advice here, especially about seeking people out who enjoy the season.

I've tried to keep some of the traditions I like going over the years, but its been tricky as both me and my missus have big families so the season gets overtaken by doing what other people want, just to keep them happy.

I've always wanted to go away for Xmas though, and this year we're finally doing it! Got a cottage in the Brecon Beacons booked for the week ... going to do some hiking, films in front of the fire, etc.

Even so, I'd love to go back to being 12 again just for one Xmas. We grew up in a little two-up-two-down terrace house, my parents and my three siblings, so it was pretty 'cosy'. Xmas Eve was always magical though as my Mum would cook the turkey in the evening so the whole house smelt amazing ... and we'd gather round the TV to watch something cheesy knowing Xmas Day was gonna be awesome.

I remember one year a school friend lent me his copy of Donkey Kong Country on the SNES for the Xmas holidays ... I have clear memories of us sat by the Xmas tree playing it on Xmas Eve with the waft of roasting turkey around us. If I get time I still play a little SNES DKC on Xmas Eve and it takes me back

My other fave is Boxing Day dinner ... mashed potatoes, cold turnkey, cold stuffing, pickled onions, sweetcorn pickle, some posh cheeses on the side. If I don't have that meal at some point over Xmas week, Christmas is ruined for me!

Dalia11 said:

I am buying christmas cards this week and mailing a few to family who sends me a card in return! I visit relatives on christmas. Yes I am looking foward to christmas. And two weeks later, it's my birthday!

I love sending out good Christmas cards and receiving good ones lol

The really top notched ones get framed and put on a wall. It's become a tradition now.

People think its fun.

S2DG said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I told my people if it every got to the point where we are just handing each other cash or gift cards we need to just stop. I imagine us all just handing cash back in forth. You keep your cash I'll keep mine lol

Feel the same way, cash is never going to happen.

Soulive has something with those gift certificates but it would have to be a good one with a bunch of money on it. Then put it in a mug with some candy...

Who knew the Org would give me Christmas spirit? Amazing!

haaaha yeah, This thread is making it hard for me to not jump into it early lol

My brothers wife keeps trying to go the gift card route. And it's not like there are a lot of people we are shopping for. I told my brother, I'm out if she keeps pushing the cash.

We grew up on a tradition my parents had from the south. Along with any presents, each person adult and kid would have a decorated box filled with fruits, nuts(and a nutcracker) and christmas candies. I think it's an old tradition from Europe.

We started doing that again.

We also grew up with the liquid lights that bubble when they get warmed. And a few years ago a found a bunch of them, new kinds(clear) and I bought a bunch. I have some in this picture

Dalia11 said:

OldFriends4Sale, two christmas trees. Are you a Gemini, Sag, Pisces,Virgo? Those signs like two of everything and tend to give people two gifts.

2 trees lol one more whimsical with santas and snowmen, the other more adult and classic

Dalia11 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

There are a lot of decorations that I wouldn't/couldn't do myself, but I love the way they look, especially when it's someone else's Christmas fantasy

Christmas Fantasy 😃 That reminds me of a Billy Joel song: It's just a fantasy, it's not the real thing". I love music. I should be a DJ!

lol I'll respond with a Prince song:

Chump change is 2 unravel the mystery, ah ha
But life is no fun, life ain't no fun without fantasy