Christmas Stocks

[lankeela]

could be affected by shortage of drivers to unload shipping containers - er what exactly is essential for Christmas that is not already available? Who needs a load of foreign tat just to give to someone who will stick it in the next raffle? Sooner they ban Christmas the better.

[evadora]

The worst thing about Christmas is the gluttony and the waste. Before I gave up work I did 5 years in an M & S Foodhall. The last Christmas I worked was the worst. One example was a couple with two large trolley overflowing with food/alcohol etc. Putting the items through I asked if they were having a big get together this year (loads of party food, christmas food and one hell of a large turkey along with bottles of wine etc and beer). The answer was "no, its just the two of us"!!! The bill was just over £800. Enough food for an army. It was not as if the shops were closing for a week, most supermarkets opened on boxing day. They were just an example, there were others doing a similar shop. More money than sense.

[pastafreak]

APG...we basically lounge and eat all day. Usually sloshed by 2pm...and still to start the super grazing. ;)

[pastafreak]

Evadora, I wonder what they did with what they didn't eat.
Don't answer...I can guess.

[jno]

buy British tat! Save your local tatter!

[fiveleaves]

Christmas is actually a Christian festival at least for Christians. By advocating banning Christmas it is a short step to banning Christianity

[pat2604]

Christmas has now lost its Christian meaning for most and actually become a time of greed and materialism and people spending more than they can afford. Certainly not a time of comfort and joy for many.

[jennyjoan]

I'm with you Lankeela - so commercialised and spending far too much unnecessary money.

[Mamyalynne]

Unfair to even think about banning Christmas - simply don't overspend,get in debt or waste food and let those who love the joy of the time enjoy it.

If you know of someone with no comfort or joy, then offer them some, if only in a kindly gesture.

[jourdain2]

I love Christmas, even if the children are all too busy with their own families to visit on the day. Our village has produced its own calendar as a fundraiser to help our Norman church and I've just sent 2 off, one to Bangkok and one to Australia, to friends/family who don't know what where I live looks like. Another 4 will be going to family.

We never go OTT with presents and try to make them useful and needed - e.g. 10 yr. old granddaughter will get a watch to help her organise when she moves up to secondary school. No-one gives us tat, but any received would go to a raffle for a good cause. I never start full Xmas preparations until mid December, but buy presents year-round as I see them in sales. We shall go to church Christmas morning.

Nothing is really essential. We have lights from years gone by and no-way could the 2 of us eat a turkey! I'll do a special meal of some sort and we'll see friends for drinks and nibbles. We're usually tired out by Christmas anyway, what with carol concerts (we sing) and so on. It's a wonderful day!

[Barsel]

One of the things I don't like about Christmas is the fact I don't drink alcohol and everybody else does!
I hate sitting there watching everybody else having a good time.

[dave50]

It's just a Sunday lunch with a few extra trimmings.

[Smowball]

Barsel - this will be my first Christmas alcohol free so should be interesting!!

[emmie]

my birthday falls on Christmas Day, so i have no choice but to make a celebration of it in a way, i like to spend it with family but last year was dire as i couldn't go because of covid. They live a long way from me so if i go its got to be for a week at least, i have fingers crossed that i am invited this year, otherwise it will be another dire time, seeing everyone enjoying themselves, i know it's effectively one day but that day is still special to me.

[Smowball]

A xmas birthday - wow! Just how far away do your family live Emmie? X

[emmie]

70 miles smow, they all live in West Sussex, i can't manage to carry or trundle luggage any longer, nor getting on and off trains, so usually go by taxi which is a one off mega expensive journey.

[rowanwitch]

I will be looking after my elderly mother (dementia, severe pain and mobility issues). My Christmas will be spent answering the same questions time and time again in between watching old musicals and programmes she doesn't think are rubbish! Trying to get her in and out of the bath, making food I stopped eating years ago, and trying not to throw her or myself over the balcony. My sister has the responsibility the rest of the year, apart from when I visit. She needs a break. Two years ago she was with me two months. I have said a month max this time. So I really don't care w h at will be on the table, and no point in doing Christmas as she always hated it, she hates everything and everyone to be honest the dementia has made her more of who she always was.

[naomi24]

I feel for you Rowan. That’s so hard.

[rowanwitch]

It's only a month, and at her current rate of deterioration she may be in residential care by next year.

[naomi24]

Probably best for all of you.