mrs bonce, I would rather have gone shopping on my own! well I more or less was on my own, just with this bag carrier with me, which to be honest wasn't required due to the lack of shops I actually managed to get in due to him sulking like a child!
hints are a waste of time, I need then wrote on a brick heading for his head for them to be taken any notice of
It means nothing to me whatsoever, but I get the stuff, do the cooking, organise the holidays and trips, do all the driving etc, etc.......But I don't bloody moan about it, because I am with my wife who means everything to me.
Fife Bloke: I sincerely feel for you mate, I do hope things get better. Chin up buddy, we are thinking of you.
I could happily do without it, but SWMBO likes it and I don't want to upset her! (Anything for a quiet life!).
No kids so a quiet time anyway.
When we were working we often went away-usually every other year which was great. Now retired we are not going to pay the inflated prices and put up with crowded airports!
Got a great deal on a Med cruise in April! Should be warming up then!
Shopping laptop/internet/Amazon sorted!
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
The main thing is, I get over a week off work. This year like every year for the last 5yrs my aim is not to chuck half the stuff away come 2017. So I try again. Told the kids not to get us anything and we will buy for the grandkids only ( Ive got enough aftershave for a couple of years) Christmas day.. Do the rounds to see all the kids & grandchildren and enjoy time with them. Back home for dinner, Our eldest will no doubt turn up for that. Boxing Day, see if anyone comes to see us. 27th off to let a Warners Hotel cook and entertain us for 3 nights with no children allowed, so peace for a few days and some time for ourselves.
I love Christmas, but every year, I feel a bit less excited, maybe it's a getting older thing? Or because there's no little kids in the family now.
The present thing is a bit of a pain, non of us need or want anything yet we all still buy for each other, end up every year hunting round shops, should think of something else to do really.
This year will be hard, as it's the first year, since my husbands 20 year old son died. It makes you realize what Christmas really is about, counting your blessings, spending time with family and friends x
Ladies I have perfected the art in getting a decent present. I send my OH an email as to where to buy me something I'd like at best price I can find it on line. There's no imagination but that's fine. Extravagant (useful) stuf that I couldn't justify splashing out on. A Magimix processor for example. This year we agreed to buy expensive walking boots for each other.
As for the excitement of Christmas. I can't really do with the commercialism but I love the family aspect. My youngest is now 16 and she absolutely loves it. She's just got our elderly 4ft artificial tree out of the loft and decorated it. She had to clean the lounge first!! The decorations are cheap, knackered or made when kids were little.
As far as THE day goes. I've made a cake and pudding as usual (as requested by 16yr old) My 18 year old will be home from university and my parents will stay for a few days. My mum (who would really like to cook the whole thing herself) will bring mince pies and sausage rolls and make triffle. I've bought a free range Aldi bronze for the last few years.
No one will spend crazy money. We'll have a lovely family day with nice food, maybe a stroll, crap tv, maybe a board game. Kids have step grandparents involved so it's always been a bit complicated but both 16 and 18 yr old still want to do it. While they do then I love the tradition of it and am happy to keep it up.
I sleep in my mums sitting room on Christmas eve as she doesn't have a spare bedroom. My most precious memory of last year is my 3 year old nephew sneaking downstairs at 5am before everyone else was up. I had the fairy lights on when he walked in. The look of joy on his face when he realised Santa had been was so magical. He got under the covers with me. We had a lovely hour together exploring his stocking. He was so thrilled to find 'gold coins' in the bottom and was quite content to wait for the others to get up before even looking at his other presents. He even commented that he must thank Santa. I wouldn't trade the memory of that morning for anything. A small child discovering Christmas magic and being so thrilled with it all while being grateful at the same time. It really set me up for the full day.
------------- Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good
Mzzy, one of my dearest friends lost her 23year old son on December 21st, so it is a very difficult time.
I lost my mother 12 years ago, she went into a coma on the 22nd December (my 40th birthday).
I make sure I am bust singing.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Do you enjoy Christmas or is it a chore?
