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Post by sparks on Nov 30, 2016 7:03:39 GMT -5
I was browsing the forum and noticed that it's been quiet. I take responsibility for the majority of that as I have been so busy I didn't even have time to put together a Christmas contest this year.
It did get me thinking though. This time of year is my absolute favorite. I have had the house decorated since before Thanksgiving and have no apologies for all the holiday poo-poo-ers out there. There is something special about this season and I think it has become even more significant since I moved away from home 4 years ago.
So, I'm curious, what is your favorite part of the season? Whether you celebrate Christmas or a holiday of another religion, what about it makes it special for you?
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Post by papipeguy on Nov 30, 2016 10:54:11 GMT -5
32 years ago we got a group together to go to a tree farm in western NJ and cut fresh trees for Christmas. Around the corner is a bar ( The Red Wolf Inn) where we go to have lunch and I bring my guitar so we can sing holiday songs and have a bit of fun. The highlight of the afternoon is when we do the 12 Days of Christmas and I assign parts to adults and kids to act out for each of the 12 days. There are some hysterical theatrics. We usually get 30-40 people and now a third generation of children are coming. Our first time was when my wife was pregnant with our daughter and now Kate is 31 and loves this tradition, as do they rest of the "kids" we introduced this day to over the years. Here's a shot of me and my brother, Bob, "entertaining" the group. We'll be doing it again this coming Saturday.  |
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sjmiller
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Post by sjmiller on Nov 30, 2016 11:25:13 GMT -5
My parents live in Tennessee in the house where my mother grew up. I live just down the road. With my siblings and their families up in Ohio, the parents and I would do Christmas Day here and head up to Ohio closer to the first of the year. Since all our extended family we were close to passed away years ago, Christmas here became kind of depressing. Last year we decided to spend the holiday away from home and went to Disney World. It was a wonderful trip and so we decided to make a Christmas trip our new family tradition. This year we are heading to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. The idea intrigued my sister and so her and her family will be joining us. Very much looking forward to it.
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Post by puffy on Nov 30, 2016 14:02:05 GMT -5
My wife and I are the guardians of a small handicapped boy.We make Christmas really special for him.Making him happy makes us happy.
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Post by Darin on Nov 30, 2016 16:37:24 GMT -5
Thanksgiving is our favorite here ... savory foods, libations and family. I'm afraid that when it comes to Xmas, we are a bit in the poo-poo-er crowd. LOL Whatever you do, enjoy in good health and best wishes to you all!  |
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Post by sparks on Nov 30, 2016 16:58:32 GMT -5
Christmas for my family is THE holiday. We still do the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fish. I head back home around the 16th this year. I will spend the entire week before Christmas helping my Mother cook and prep. There is salted cod to prepare, calamari and a variety of other dishes. This all culminates in a 30 person sit down dinner on Christmas Eve with an open house to follow. When I tell you there is endless food, that's actually a bit of an undestatement.
Christmas is most definitely my favorite time of year. There is a running joke with all of my friends that if you want something from me, the best time to ask is between Thanksgiving and New Year. I have had the good fortune of growing up in a very close knit family with a lot of tradition that has been maintained. Even as an adult, it gives me some special things to look forward to.
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Post by papipeguy on Nov 30, 2016 17:55:07 GMT -5
 , what you and your wife do is truly beautiful. I just want you to know that it touched me. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 19:00:45 GMT -5
I try to visit all of the out-of-state kin through the other parts of the year. Lost both my step-father of 40 years and my Pops this year. Just a quiet dinner with Mom and probably some deep reflection.
Not to be too much of a downer but enjoy them while they are here.
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Post by papipeguy on Nov 30, 2016 19:28:41 GMT -5
Mark, you're lucky to have your Mom so do enjoy her at every chance. There are still days where I think about calling my folks to tell them things only to realize they are no longer with us. Make each day count is the lesson.
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Nov 30, 2016 21:13:38 GMT -5
...As the father of seven sons, 12-33, and two grandkids 11 & 13, Christmas is quite special...Much like Larry, the 4 boys at home 12-16 are all special needs children as well, only difference is, I adopted them years ago...I do try to make it special for all of them...however, I detest the commercialization that Christmas has become...All of my children are encouraged to give at least one new toy to the "Toys for Tots" program, which is very strong here in the Chattanooga area, and we normally donate food to the area food bank. On Christmas eve, I still read the "The Night Before Christmas" as well as the Luke 2 Bible Version...while mixing-in some of the Native Heritage regarding Celebrations...and yes, I smoke on of my stubby pipes as I read...
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Post by Lady Margaret on Nov 30, 2016 21:25:45 GMT -5
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year, the beautiful lights are my favorite part of it. I used to decorate my dorm room and then would leave the lights up until May  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 21:57:54 GMT -5
Mark, you're lucky to have your Mom so do enjoy her at every chance. There are still days where I think about calling my folks to tell them things only to realize they are no longer with us. Make each day count is the lesson. Well stated. Thanks John. |
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Dec 1, 2016 6:42:45 GMT -5
...As the father of seven sons, 12-33, and two grandkids 11 & 13, Christmas is quite special...Much like Larry, the 4 boys at home 12-16 are all special needs children as well, only difference is, I adopted them years ago...I do try to make it special for all of them...however, I detest the commercialization that Christmas has become...All of my children are encouraged to give at least one new toy to the "Toys for Tots" program, which is very strong here in the Chattanooga area, and we normally donate food to the area food bank. On Christmas eve, I still read the "The Night Before Christmas" as well as the Luke 2 Bible Version...while mixing-in some of the Native Heritage regarding Celebrations...and yes, I smoke on one of my stubby pipes as I read...
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Post by sparks on Dec 1, 2016 7:38:36 GMT -5
Larry and Peter, while the rest of us do what we can when we can, you two gentleman chose to commit your entire lives to helping others. There are few more admirable things in my book. I am proud to know you and I hope that your examples will encourage others to give to those less fortunate when the opportunity arises.
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Post by crapgame on Dec 1, 2016 19:07:27 GMT -5
Family...having them over..family baking cookies...family dinners....driving around looking at lights...hot coco with a pipe outside
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Post by crapgame on Dec 1, 2016 19:22:44 GMT -5
Mark, you're lucky to have your Mom so do enjoy her at every chance. There are still days where I think about calling my folks to tell them things only to realize they are no longer with us. Make each day count is the lesson. Well stated. Thanks John. John one of the biggest rewards for me is being "family" for those at work who have no family to visit them. For many the staff is their family, and I know my dad would approve me being a "surrogate" son for the residents I help care for. |
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puffadder
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Post by puffadder on Dec 1, 2016 20:50:25 GMT -5
The holiday season here seems crazy with 25-30 for Thanksgiving, two weeks later 30-35 for a pre Christmas celebration because some family can't be here for Christmas, and about 30 passing through for brunch on Christmas eve allowing separated parents to share the 13 grandkids.
New Years eve is a quieter time with most everyone showing up one time or another for snacks on their way to parties, dropping the grandkids for the night. This is when we go over the Christmas pictures and enjoy each other and what we missed during the mayhem. In the morning it's breakfast at the fire pit stuffing the kids with pancakes and smores which has become a tradition.
It's a busy time of the year here and I'm glad friends and family can get together and put aside the daily worries for a bit.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 22:16:43 GMT -5
Being one of the Black sheep that the family don't care about. I think Christmas is a waste of energy and time. Energy could be spent in a more positive manner.
Also I spend time and effort thought the year trying to help others only to get craped on.
Bah hum bug
John R
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Post by Motto on Dec 2, 2016 7:34:18 GMT -5
Seasonal greetings folks, Christmas memories in this house I was born in, are of white Christmases with all the joyful Christmas festivities, from my first memories, of snowmen & Christmas trees & Mum & Dad teaching me hairy dog stories of Santa coming down the chimney. Family festivities of Mum & Dad & my sister, calling on my Grandma with all the war hero Uncles & Aunties & cousins, receiving gifts , sitting around the blazing fire while the elders would have their drinks, especially the exotic, but forbidden punch bowl.
Family & School & Scout celebrations, throughout the years, sledging in the parks & snow ball fighting with your pals. Visiting in icy conditions an Uncle & Aunty on Boxing day ( the day after Christmas , public transport permitting). Carol singing with the youth club followed by mince pies & a hot toddy, & carol singing around the big houses with your pals for some seasonal fun & a few pennies.
Then the glass box TV getting centre stage like an unwelcome boring visitor that does not shut up....
Big Church carol services, & drinking in the club & pubs before going to midnight Mass....
Now it is quiet seasonal reflection & Christmas & Boxing day dinner with my sister & family as the "crazy" eccentric uncle with a white beard like Santa that smokes a smelly pipe like an icy snowman, & says the wrong thing to politically correct relatives.
I strum on my harp & blow on my whistles, but Christmas is not always a white Christmas these years , like it was in my youth.
Enjoy your family Christmas & your happy memories folks, & remember infant Jesus & Mary & Joseph amongst the stable animals with no home, times are hard, & getting harder, for young Christian families.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2016 20:09:27 GMT -5
As a young boy I remember Christmas as something really special, even after I got older my wife, daughter and I would go to her mother's house on Christmas eve to exchange presents and eat goodies as was their custom. Christmas morning we'd have our Christmas under the tree and then go to my mother's for Christmas dinner and exchange presents.
Of course me being at my mothers for Christmas meant the most to me, bringing back fond memories of when I was young and of course the fabulous dinner with all the trimmings. Since Mom passed and the daughter is grown and moved away now there doesn't seem much purpose in trying to have one here anymore. I try and keep Christmas by sending gifts to my daughter and grandkids and remembering what it's really all about but, the enthusiasm is pretty much gone. It's still is my favorite time of the season and I try to recapture it by watching the old movies like the 1946 Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful life, etc.
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Post by crapgame on Dec 5, 2016 11:41:11 GMT -5
As a young boy I remember Christmas as something really special, even after I got older my wife, daughter and I would go to her mother's house on Christmas eve to exchange presents and eat goodies as was their custom. Christmas morning we'd have our Christmas under the tree and then go to my mother's for Christmas dinner and exchange presents. Of course me being at my mothers for Christmas meant the most to me, bringing back fond memories of when I was young and of course the fabulous dinner with all the trimmings. Since Mom passed and the daughter is grown and moved away now there doesn't seem much purpose in trying to have one here anymore. I try and keep Christmas by sending gifts to my daughter and grandkids and remembering what it's really all about but, the enthusiasm is pretty much gone. It's still is my favorite time of the season and I try to recapture it by watching the old movies like the 1946 Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful life, etc. Alister Sim is one of the best Scrooges ever..add Patrick Stewart to that list and you have the two best Scrooges ever! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2016 12:47:33 GMT -5
As a young boy I remember Christmas as something really special, even after I got older my wife, daughter and I would go to her mother's house on Christmas eve to exchange presents and eat goodies as was their custom. Christmas morning we'd have our Christmas under the tree and then go to my mother's for Christmas dinner and exchange presents. Of course me being at my mothers for Christmas meant the most to me, bringing back fond memories of when I was young and of course the fabulous dinner with all the trimmings. Since Mom passed and the daughter is grown and moved away now there doesn't seem much purpose in trying to have one here anymore. I try and keep Christmas by sending gifts to my daughter and grandkids and remembering what it's really all about but, the enthusiasm is pretty much gone. It's still is my favorite time of the season and I try to recapture it by watching the old movies like the 1938 Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful life, etc. Alister Sim is one of the best Scrooges ever..add Patrick Stewart to that list and you have the two best Scrooges ever! Alastair Sim was in the 1951 A Christmas Carol, I prefer the 1938 version with Reginald Owen. (made a mistake on the date above) I believe the Sim's version leaves out parts of the story that the Owen version does not. Patrick Stewart was good in the Avengers but, IMO that's it sir. Also I really like George C. Scott but, his best role was in Patton, not Scrooge. I don't like remakes, only the originals will do for me. That piece of garbage remake they tried to shove down our throats called the Lone Ranger was a travesty and a joke. Clayton Moore will always be the Lone Ranger no matter how much they wish to line there pockets with some bad remake. Anyway, it's seems I've gotten off track a little, sorry about the rant. Merry Christmas sir.  |
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charl
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Post by charl on Dec 6, 2016 12:34:06 GMT -5
Some wonderful stories here! Thanks for sharing.
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