Mrs Eirenist and I have noticed a dearth of Christmas cards with religious themes in the shops this year. Unless you count Santa Claus (well, he was originall a saint), and snowy village scenes with church spires. Plenty of penguins, though, and, for some reason, the Household Cavalry.
I can feel the chill here in our summer season. Nice photo!
I usually send none. I sent one this year to a couple who were a great help this year, and will be writing several individual and one group one to staff who helped me wonderfully in my placement, accompanied by some festive treat I am yet to decide on.
Pleased to report I have written and posted all the Christmas cards.
We plan to put the decorations up tomorrow or Friday. Having a December birthday has its downsides, but I'm grateful for mine as I always insist the decorations are up by then. If my husband had his way I don't think they'd go up until Christmas Eve, and maybe not even then.
We plan to put the decorations up tomorrow or Friday. Having a December birthday has its downsides, but I'm grateful for mine as I always insist the decorations are up by then..
It is Eldest Grandson's birthday today. When he was small his mother insisted that his birthday should be his day and not trammelled with `Christmassy stuff, so their (and our) decorations didn't go up until the w/e following.
That was a decision I was happy to make, as working in residential social care meant that by the time Christmas actually arrived I had already undergone several Christmassy events and was sick of it all.
An actual Christmas Day service is all I really wanted by Christmas, and that feeling still lingers all these years later.
I know what you mean @Roseofsharon, son had a few Christmases in the hospital. It felt like the Santa visits began on Dec 1 and we were all a bit Santa-ed out by Christmas Day.
My Nanna and my Dad were both December birthdays, but over before Christmas Day, so fortunately not a problem, though sometimes a bit expensive and at times my inspiration for 2 gifts in such a short timeframe was lacking.
Have tweaked the decorations a bit today and think I am set now. Just the cards to get onto and I'm very glad to have posted our gift Christmas cake off to the consultant this morning. Note to self, if I make another one, use a tin that will fit in a standard post office box, I did find one but it was a bit larger than I would have liked because of the decorative tin I used.
We plan to put the decorations up tomorrow or Friday. Having a December birthday has its downsides, but I'm grateful for mine as I always insist the decorations are up by then..
It is Eldest Grandson's birthday today. When he was small his mother insisted that his birthday should be his day and not trammelled with `Christmassy stuff, so their (and our) decorations didn't go up until the w/e following.
That was a decision I was happy to make, as working in residential social care meant that by the time Christmas actually arrived I had already undergone several Christmassy events and was sick of it all.
An actual Christmas Day service is all I really wanted by Christmas, and that feeling still lingers all these years later.
I get that; I suppose it's what you're used to. I was born in the days when you had to stay in hospital for 10 days after having a baby and my mum always associated that time with helping to decorate the wards for Christmas, so she always insisted the decorations be up by my birthday and I therefore always want them up by then. One year when I was doing two jobs and working pretty much full time I didn't make it and the birthday felt all wrong. However, I worked with a (younger) woman who had the same birthday and whose mother was insistent that, "No, it's L's birthday, we concentrate on her before we think about Christmas."
I have several friends who have December birthdays and I know it's a bit of a pain - people are busy thinking about Christmas and aren't really interested in having to buy another present and card, and I had aunts who would give me a birthday gift saying, "That's for your birthday and Christmas" which I was ok with when I was small but with hindsight I think it was pretty mean!
My best friend at primary school had a birthday a few days before mine, so we used to say we were "almost twins." I've lost touch with her completely but always think of her around this time and wonder if she thinks of me.
Whereas I was brought up that nothing was decorated before my uncle’s birthday (mother’s brother, Dec 15th). I now make the same rule about my son’s (23 yesterday). But in fact I won’t be doing anything till the middle of next week. I’m sure the neighbours must think we’re terrible Scrooges.
Our daughter’s birthday was earlier this week. When she was growing up, the rule was that it was her call whether decorations went up before or after her birthday. Some years she wanted the decorations up before her birthday, other years she didn’t.
I have been most impressed with the three minute Advent messages in GB news programmes this month. A different message every day but it is repeated in several programmes. The Speaker today went back to Isaiah 25.8.."He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces".
The Canadian post office workers are still on strike, while we furiously and optimistically pile up our usual quota of cards and letters. It looks as if we'll have to drive to the post office in Niagara Falls (in the town of Niagara Falls...) to send off our overseas and US cards, which is no small irritation at this time of year. Numerous friends have announced that they are not sending any cards this year.
Christmas 2023 was about 2 months ago, I think. Global Warming has entirely screwed up my perception of the rhythm of the year. My house is 1/2 clean for company on the 24th, but there's a long way to go. I have overcome the annual mail-merge-mailing-label-creation-trial! My Christmas cards are nearly done! I have most the gifts purchased.
I am making progress but feeling rather off-kilter about it all. It has all been work. Duty. Checking off boxes.
Our cards are out (for the first time in years) and we’re ahead of usual on shopping. So, a relative few more gifts to procure, and then that leaves my favorite part of the season—baking.
I made Stollen today, to take to a party this weekend. Over the last few days I had candied the orange and lemon rind and made the marzipan that went into it. My idea of Much Fun.
My second set of outside lights arrived today, but it is windy and raining. This is going to be happening for several days. I had hoped to get them up by this weekend, but that may not occur. I may put them on my covered porch rather than the tree.
Mopping living room floors betokens warmer climes methinks.
Although not exclusively of course.
If I mopped mine I'd end up with a very damp carpet.
We have wooden floors right through our downstairs area, introduced a few years back when we redecorated our empty nest. With hindsight I wouldn't have put them in the living room area, though. It doesn't make for cosiness.
I generally simply vacuum them but mopping is necessary before the weekend because our daughter and family are coming. I can't actually remember the last time I mopped...
Decorations are going up today - I think we might make an evening of it with mulled wine and Christmas carols as we're pretty busy during the day. Yesterday I bought and wrapped the presents for my December birthday friends, so that's done.
I do know what you mean @Kendel . I love the family get-togethers at Christmas, and the way we're all out of routine for a few days, but the preparation is hard work. I look forward to that feeling on Christmas Eve of, "Well, it's too late now - what we haven't got or done we'll do without."
@Nick Tamen you make the baking sound glorious. I don't enjoy it, but really enjoy the eating. Which is bad for me. And means I have to redo the baking.
If I can work it in, I will make a few very delicious fruitcakes. Or maybe after Christmas to eat for NY.
I have now received four cards from people I haven’t sent to. They are all former colleagues or friends of Mr Puzzler. ( He was responsible for writing the cards to them when he was alive) . I did send to them last year as a sort of acknowledgement of their cards / phone calls when he died, but I hadn’t planned to keep in touch, certainly not with those I had never met.
I have wrapped the few actual presents I have bought, but the almost or quite adult grandchildren prefer money. No special food preparations needed as I shall either be out or on my own. I did look at some treats in the supermarket but I wished I could find a suitable mixed pack as I wouldn’t want to eat a quantity of any one item and my freezer is already full.
Still plenty of singing to get through though.
In the Deep South a lot of public school systems make the entire week containing Thanksgiving a vacation week (no school/classes), and so we've often enjoyed a relaxing time decorating for Christmas over a few days beginning on Thanksgiving Day Eve, culminating (as Mrs. The_Riv always prefers) with decorating the Christmas Tree after supper on Advent I. Alas, it was not so this year, as we traveled far and wide during Thanksgiving week, and were so tired after returning that we didn't even touch Christmas decorations until last weekend (Advent II). It was then that the outdoor decorations went up: wreaths with gold bows hanging in the top halves of our front windows, garland with small pine cones and berries wrapped around the post of our mailbox, red, green, silver and gold balls hanging from the branches of a smallish pin oak in the yard, and the two round, white pillars of our little front porch spiral-wound with a eight-inch wide semi-metallic red ribbon to make them look like giant peppermint sticks (these are my favorite outdoor decorations, and they are illuminated at night with two small outdoor flood lights staked to the ground).
Throughout this nearly complete work week we've pulled out various and sundry things from the bins and placed them around the house: Santas and snowmen, nutcrackers and bells, Nativity sets and dishware, pictures and our kids' arts & crafts from years gone by... it's getting there. Last night I finally erected our three-piece artificial Christmas tree. Every year I say we need to get a new one (mostly because this one is not pre-lit), and then after all is said and done I say I'll never want a different one. It uses two different styles of branch components/materials which make it appear more real than most. Anyway, I painstakingly released/relaxed/rearranged the branches to make it look as natural as possible, and then I started stringing the lights (all small, white, steadily illuminated lights -- no twinkling or blinkle-ing or flashing here!). I only got about halfway done with the lights because of impromptu overnight guests (two of our son's international soccer teammates from England who are flying home this afternoon), but I'll finish this evening so we can decorate with ornaments on Saturday.
Starting to decorate. Put the lights on the tree, don't have them plugged in yet though, Put various decorations around the apartment, including the stockings. Thinking what to do next.
Starting to decorate. Put the lights on the tree, don't have them plugged in yet though, Put various decorations around the apartment, including the stockings. Thinking what to do next.
I think our current sub-theme is to bake something!
Making fudge. I just found out a grandchild will be arriving for a short visit from out of state next week. I had already mailed her gift, so I am happy the tree is up.
Our decorations are up. It seemed hard work this year and I think that's partly because it's not nearly as much fun to do now that the children are no longer here to help. But we're looking suitably festive and ready for some of the family to visit this weekend.
All Christmas cards written, and those that need to be have been posted. A few to be delivered by hand in church on Sunday. I guess the next job is a bit of a tidy up, push a broom and vacuum cleaner around and polish horizontal surfaces so that the Christmas cards can be displayed on them. That will be my decorating done, no-one is climbing into the loft for anything more elaborate.
The tree is up, with lights and Moravian star topper. The ornaments will happen tomorrow or Sunday, after daughter’s kitten arrives (tonight) and we can assess how she does with the tree.
Praise the Lord for St. Amazon. They have (according to Mrs RR) 'Real' Christmas cards with a proper Christian theme. Many packs bought. They will arrive tomorrow. Peace and good will now reigns at home.
My kudos high!
Praise the Lord for St. Amazon. They have (according to Mrs RR) 'Real' Christmas cards with a proper Christian theme. Many packs bought. They will arrive tomorrow. Peace and good will now reigns at home.
My kudos high!
It's a pity St Amazon doesn't pay his taxes (or so I'm told).
I prefer to buy *Christian* cards from church-based charities, though I haven't done so this year. I rather like the idea of *Solstice* cards, but it's a bit late to search them out now - maybe next year, if I live...
Praise the Lord for St. Amazon. They have (according to Mrs RR) 'Real' Christmas cards with a proper Christian theme. Many packs bought. They will arrive tomorrow. Peace and good will now reigns at home.
My kudos high!
Praise the Lord for St. Amazon. They have (according to Mrs RR) 'Real' Christmas cards with a proper Christian theme. Many packs bought. They will arrive tomorrow. Peace and good will now reigns at home.
My kudos high!
I find that report a bit odd, given that the children in question are apparently 10 and 11 years old. Haven't children usually worked out that Santa isn't real by that age?
(If you ask my six year-old who Father Christmas is, he cheerfully replies, "Grandad" )
I find that report a bit odd, given that the children in question are apparently 10 and 11 years old. Haven't children usually worked out that Santa isn't real by that age?
(If you ask my six year-old who Father Christmas is, he cheerfully replies, "Grandad" )
Yes, I thought the tragic image of devastated and sobbing 11-year olds, with totally ruined lives, a bit over-the-top...
The same report crops up round about now every year, but the location, and the name of The Evil Vicar, changes.
I find that report a bit odd, given that the children in question are apparently 10 and 11 years old. Haven't children usually worked out that Santa isn't real by that age?
(If you ask my six year-old who Father Christmas is, he cheerfully replies, "Grandad" )
Tangent alert:
Time flies! How can your little one be six years old already???
/Tangent
I find that report a bit odd, given that the children in question are apparently 10 and 11 years old. Haven't children usually worked out that Santa isn't real by that age?
(If you ask my six year-old who Father Christmas is, he cheerfully replies, "Grandad" )
If you don't believe in Santa, he won't bring you anything.
Went to visit our 43m (141ft) Norfolk Pine in the old Anglican rectory grounds of our town last night, all lit up. A large number of house have Christmas displays lighting up the streets, with people wandering or driving past. Blow-up dinosaurs seem a favourite this year for some reason I'm not exactly sure of, but no complaints.
I find that report a bit odd, given that the children in question are apparently 10 and 11 years old. Haven't children usually worked out that Santa isn't real by that age?
(If you ask my six year-old who Father Christmas is, he cheerfully replies, "Grandad" )
If you don't believe in Santa, he won't bring you anything.
That’s it. I suspect that those blubbering 10 and 11 year olds had cottoned on to the unreality of Santa years ago and just played along with the myth in the expectation of more loot from their elders.
My sons refused to admit that Santa wasn't real until they stopped "coming home for Christmas".
Up until that point opening Christmas stockings at breakfast on Christmas Morning was a fixed part of the Christmas ritual, and an assumed belief in Santa was the basic criterion for him filling their stockings.
Being the filler, and thus knowing the contents of my own stocking, became a bit tedious, so I was relieved when they gave up the pretence
Mrs Eirenist explained to our three girls (who had been told by evil classmates that Father Christmas wasn't real): 'Father Christmas is the spirit of Christmas'. That, of course is what any vicar with an ounce of imagination would say.
What are they they teaching youngsters at skool these day?' If you don't believe in Santa, he won't bring you anything'.
Heavens to Murgatroyd, next they'll stop believing in the Easter Bunny and even, so help us, the 'Great Pumpkin'.
Comments
I usually send none. I sent one this year to a couple who were a great help this year, and will be writing several individual and one group one to staff who helped me wonderfully in my placement, accompanied by some festive treat I am yet to decide on.
We plan to put the decorations up tomorrow or Friday. Having a December birthday has its downsides, but I'm grateful for mine as I always insist the decorations are up by then. If my husband had his way I don't think they'd go up until Christmas Eve, and maybe not even then.
Tonight I'm embarking on my usual Christmas reading.
That was a decision I was happy to make, as working in residential social care meant that by the time Christmas actually arrived I had already undergone several Christmassy events and was sick of it all.
An actual Christmas Day service is all I really wanted by Christmas, and that feeling still lingers all these years later.
My Nanna and my Dad were both December birthdays, but over before Christmas Day, so fortunately not a problem, though sometimes a bit expensive and at times my inspiration for 2 gifts in such a short timeframe was lacking.
Have tweaked the decorations a bit today and think I am set now. Just the cards to get onto and I'm very glad to have posted our gift Christmas cake off to the consultant this morning. Note to self, if I make another one, use a tin that will fit in a standard post office box, I did find one but it was a bit larger than I would have liked because of the decorative tin I used.
I have several friends who have December birthdays and I know it's a bit of a pain - people are busy thinking about Christmas and aren't really interested in having to buy another present and card, and I had aunts who would give me a birthday gift saying, "That's for your birthday and Christmas" which I was ok with when I was small but with hindsight I think it was pretty mean!
My best friend at primary school had a birthday a few days before mine, so we used to say we were "almost twins." I've lost touch with her completely but always think of her around this time and wonder if she thinks of me.
Although not exclusively of course.
If I mopped mine I'd end up with a very damp carpet.
I am making progress but feeling rather off-kilter about it all. It has all been work. Duty. Checking off boxes.
I could do with a simple visit with a friend.
I made Stollen today, to take to a party this weekend. Over the last few days I had candied the orange and lemon rind and made the marzipan that went into it. My idea of Much Fun.
We have wooden floors right through our downstairs area, introduced a few years back when we redecorated our empty nest. With hindsight I wouldn't have put them in the living room area, though. It doesn't make for cosiness.
I generally simply vacuum them but mopping is necessary before the weekend because our daughter and family are coming. I can't actually remember the last time I mopped...
Decorations are going up today - I think we might make an evening of it with mulled wine and Christmas carols as we're pretty busy during the day. Yesterday I bought and wrapped the presents for my December birthday friends, so that's done.
I do know what you mean @Kendel . I love the family get-togethers at Christmas, and the way we're all out of routine for a few days, but the preparation is hard work. I look forward to that feeling on Christmas Eve of, "Well, it's too late now - what we haven't got or done we'll do without."
Exactly! @Nenya
@Nick Tamen you make the baking sound glorious. I don't enjoy it, but really enjoy the eating. Which is bad for me. And means I have to redo the baking.
If I can work it in, I will make a few very delicious fruitcakes. Or maybe after Christmas to eat for NY.
I have wrapped the few actual presents I have bought, but the almost or quite adult grandchildren prefer money. No special food preparations needed as I shall either be out or on my own. I did look at some treats in the supermarket but I wished I could find a suitable mixed pack as I wouldn’t want to eat a quantity of any one item and my freezer is already full.
Still plenty of singing to get through though.
Throughout this nearly complete work week we've pulled out various and sundry things from the bins and placed them around the house: Santas and snowmen, nutcrackers and bells, Nativity sets and dishware, pictures and our kids' arts & crafts from years gone by... it's getting there. Last night I finally erected our three-piece artificial Christmas tree. Every year I say we need to get a new one (mostly because this one is not pre-lit), and then after all is said and done I say I'll never want a different one. It uses two different styles of branch components/materials which make it appear more real than most. Anyway, I painstakingly released/relaxed/rearranged the branches to make it look as natural as possible, and then I started stringing the lights (all small, white, steadily illuminated lights -- no twinkling or blinkle-ing or flashing here!). I only got about halfway done with the lights because of impromptu overnight guests (two of our son's international soccer teammates from England who are flying home this afternoon), but I'll finish this evening so we can decorate with ornaments on Saturday.
Then maybe I can bake something, @Nick Tamen.
I think our current sub-theme is to bake something!
Cyril?
[Showing my age]
My kudos high!
It's a pity St Amazon doesn't pay his taxes (or so I'm told).
I prefer to buy *Christian* cards from church-based charities, though I haven't done so this year. I rather like the idea of *Solstice* cards, but it's a bit late to search them out now - maybe next year, if I live...
Well, if you're not sending Franz Gruber-falling-from-Nakatomi-Tower-Christmas-Cards are you really even celebrating?
His funnel is tomato.
Ahem. I'll get me Santa hat...
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/14/primary-school-children-left-in-tears-after-vicar-tells-them-santa-isnt-real
He could have told them about St Nicholas, I suppose.
(If you ask my six year-old who Father Christmas is, he cheerfully replies, "Grandad"
Yes, I thought the tragic image of devastated and sobbing 11-year olds, with totally ruined lives, a bit over-the-top...
The same report crops up round about now every year, but the location, and the name of The Evil Vicar, changes.
Tangent alert:
Time flies! How can your little one be six years old already???
/Tangent
What????
That’s it. I suspect that those blubbering 10 and 11 year olds had cottoned on to the unreality of Santa years ago and just played along with the myth in the expectation of more loot from their elders.
Up until that point opening Christmas stockings at breakfast on Christmas Morning was a fixed part of the Christmas ritual, and an assumed belief in Santa was the basic criterion for him filling their stockings.
Being the filler, and thus knowing the contents of my own stocking, became a bit tedious, so I was relieved when they gave up the pretence
Heavens to Murgatroyd, next they'll stop believing in the Easter Bunny and even, so help us, the 'Great Pumpkin'.