F61
Christmas Past, Future and Presence... *deliberate twist*
December 06 2016
Comments
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RHP User
8 years ago
Because I've learnt to love it through my children. Over the years I've done so much to make Christmas what my children (and hubby) have wanted it to be that I developed a new appreciation for it (and other holiday times). There was absolutely nothing positive or fun at Christmas time whilst I lived at home with my parents. Presents were grossly disproportionate in both effort and cost between my siblings and I. Being of Greek heritage, all presents for the girls had a 'purpose' and it was too hard to find the 'fun' in getting a $10 dollar nightie every Christmas, whilst my brother unwrapped lego sets, electrical sets, TVs etc. I never once got a toy for Christmas off my parents. My sister and I were 'slaves' preparing and setting up a feast for guests whilst everyone else sat back and enjoyed :( As an adult I'm a stickler for spending equal time, energy and money on my children and we have established many wonderful family traditions. One of them is we always have one meal together as a family on the day, mixing both Greek and Aussie traditions :) Presents for me are about the things you may want, not need. It's about giving and sharing and appreciating others and the presents you've bought reflecting that you know a little bit about someone to surprise and spoil them. Merry Christmas, happy holidays etc 😘 Mary xx
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DynamicCouple36
8 years ago
For us, it has historically been a time for family gatherings , and so has both bitter & sweet memories. We have no family here in Australia and so we are sometimes sad, over Xmas, especially on Christmas Eve & Day. This year it will just be the 4 of us (our children and both young teenagers)
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RHP User
8 years ago
It will be the first time in over 15/20 years since we were all together. It is going to loud and fun :) Growing up Christmas was always special and I loved it. But I married a man who didnt believe in it and it was always a fine line between making it a special day for my son and not upsetting my husband too much. Since being divorced (years ago) I have always had my son in the morning so we could do the wake up to all the pressies under the tree. Beautiful moments. Then he would have to go to his dad's and I would be left alone. None of my family live near me so I would usually visit friends or just enjoy a very quiet day. But no matter what, Christmas will always be special. Not for any religious or commercial reason but for childhood memories.
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RHP User
8 years ago
Have been spent in the company of strangers.Once when I lived in California and once in Bali. My daughter is in the USA this Xmas so I am going to a friend's house. She has invited a few other people who aren't with family this year,I am looking forward to it. My worst Xmas was a few years ago.It was just me the dog and the Lite and Easy Xmas turkey...a miserable day indeed.Q
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Eiliethiya
8 years ago
A family breakfast with my family. But unsure on that this year as my brother & sister are not currently on speaking terms (extra sad as they're twins). I get the morning with my kids, and then they go to their father's after lunch. I spend Christmas night alone usually...but I prefer that to invading and intruding on friends and their family time. - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
8 years ago
Up until about 7 years ago Christmas has always been the best day of the year for me. Filled with lots of family and friends and food and love. In my early years it was great aunts and uncles and second and third cousins. And as I got older it was aunts and uncles and cousins or a Greek family that we were close with. Every year my dad would come over on Christmas morning for present opening and breakfast. This happened until I was about 30. Some years I would go and spend Christmas Day with his family or Boxing Day. With a step brothers and then step sisters our family grew, and then joining with Hubby's became a massive day of celebrations and sometimes too much running around. Then my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer, passed away and my dad moved 5 hours away. My cousins and aunts and uncles all couldn't be bothered with the big day (even though I one usually catering and hosting) but I think Mum's passing changed it for everyone. Now it's just hubby, the two kids and my step dad who lives with us and we care for. The first few years were hard. We only had our daughter, the in laws we're doing other things and without a house full of of people it felt empty to me. But I realised my kids will treasure their memories of the day whether it be because four people were around or 40. Sometimes we have drop ins, last year we had a few over the two days. I always cater for the masses so there's always food. I love giving presents and watching people's faces as they unwrap them. We used to do one at a time but now the kids can't wait so it's kind of disorganised chaos with paper flying around everywhere. I look forward to it again now. Not the same way as I used to, there's a big hole in my heart where my Mum used to be. But decorating the house with the kids, shopping for daddy's present and enjoying the day together engaged, laughing and loving are precious. We have started the tradition of a Christmas Eve pack. Each year the kids get new pj's, a new book about Christmas we read together, a DVD (Mummy like Elf) and popcorn. We have cut down on the amount we buy because although they love the presents, kids only need so much and the house gets taken over by neglected toys. We also do the usual charity toys and food for humans and animals. I'm usually all done with shopping for everyone by this time of year but have been slack. This year I want to try and stick to my goal of a new tradition for them - something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. But it's really easy to cheat that simplistic system if you're creative enough 😉
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RHP User
8 years ago
I hate and endure the lead up to Christmas. It's so busy. Huge crowds in stores. We're under a lot of pressure at work at this time of year, just like everyone else. Once Christmas Eve arrives, I'm more relaxed and love the time with family and friends. Even though my children are both adults, I still love to see their faces light up when they open their presents and I love spoil my two great nieces and play with them.
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RHP User
8 years ago
I LOVEEEEE Christmas. Christmas eve is my favorite time of the year, seeing all the little kids excitement on their faces. I think people are nicer to others in general at Christmas which is lovely to see - yes it shouldn't take a certain time of the year to be kind / think of those less fortunate but its better than never. It was sad after I lost my dad and I still miss him every year but luckily for me my dad was one of those people who always made xmas and birthdays super special so I have those memories to hold onto .
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RHP User
8 years ago
I know it can be a difficult time of year for many and loved by lots. I hated it as a kid because my birthday is so close to Christmas, I would be given one gift to cover both by my foster parents that I had to choose myself and then not do that good enough. No winning there. She left when I was 10 and he sent me back at 13... I don't remember Christmas on any level in particular until I was 16/17 or so and have a couple of photos of me on Santa's knee from around that time, lol. On Christmas day though, I was living in a unit of my own just after turning 18 and have a clear memory of walking up a silent and traffic free main road on Christmas day feeling so alone and lonely. My world became more whole when I met Mr P in my early 20s though and since then we've built a family and a collection of decorations and such slowly over the years. It is a pleasure to remember that first shopping trip together when I look at some of the decorations from that time. We haven't been able to bring ourselves to part with that first tree which lasted with love and care until we bought our current tree a few years ago. The current tree is sexy black with a looong line of plain blue led lights up the centre and a short line of coloured, plastic wrapped led lights that look like little presents. Decorating it this year created a bit of drama when Master 8 (grandchild) lost it after I'd explained the sentimentality of the decorations to them and one got broken. That though had nothing to compare with the shock they experienced getting up the next morning to find the tree on the ground! It was probably one of the pets. Poor child was so upset and there we were sweeping up broken decorations before the sun got up and trying to calm them at the same time. On Christmas Day we have a small celebration that is focused on the youngest one mostly. They head off with their parents for other family visits and come home to end the day with presents we left till then, a small feed and a few drinks before crashing. This year we plan to leave hot food till Boxing Day and get out the back with the rotisserie. My best wishes to everyone this season, love hate it or endure it. Peachy
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sweetgem
8 years ago
I love it, Peachy :) not because I celebrate it in the religious sense, but in joyful spirit sense as it is the best time for me to networking with people who I care about, cherish, and value a lot. It also is the only time that I get to dress up more in my beautiful outfits, as well as eating and spending more than I normally would, without feeling guilty :) Besides, it is one of the times that my whole family can come together without being interpreted by work commitments, especially nowadays that my mother is gradually leaving us emotionally and mentally :( - Posted from rhpmobile
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RHP User
8 years ago
Not religious and dont find any significance in Christmas. I do love the fact that it encourages family and friends to get together, however I like to do this on a regular basis anyway.I dont do presents, I dont like the commercialism of holidays.However, at the same time, I love that it encourages people to get away from the TV and do stuff around the house, put up pretty lights, all that shit. Normally Id be overjoyed at having holidays, but these days of no work all it really means to me is that my new project is taking longer than I had hoped it would
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lily1970
8 years ago
I could quite happily go to bed on Christmas eve and wake up boxing day......
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RHP User
8 years ago
For me has always been about family. Do not observe any of the religious traditions and now that my children are all adults I refuse to be stressed out or get involved in the hype of spending loads of money on presents. I only buy for my 3 children and my granddaughter :) Now I have a granddaughter the new tradition is to have a themed Christmas day. Her first Christmas was Disney theme and we all dressed as Disney characters and had a Disney decorated tree etc. Was loads of fun. This years theme is still not decided....going between the wiggles and bogan theme. Luckily??? I have enough clothes for both themes lol. To all RHPers- here is to a happy and healthy Festive season no matter how you choose to celebrate it xxx
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mrspollux
8 years ago
Quoting 'SoftandCurious'I think Mum's passing changed it for everyone. I look forward to it again now. Not the same way as I used to, there's a big hole in my heart where my Mum used to be. I'll be thinking of you Soft. This year will be my first without my Mum - it's already so different, with some family backing out of plans, and other family members included who couldn't be when she was alive. I will watch with curiosity, while trying in my own way to honour her memory. When it gets a bit tough (as time spent with extended family can) I think to myself "This isn't everything you are."MrsPx
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RHP User
8 years ago
Also gives me the opportunity to thank my friends for their kindness to me in what has been a difficult few months.Q
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Nowukas
8 years ago
Bah Hummbug!
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RHP User
8 years ago
Was the Roman festival celebrating the Winter Solstice and the God Saturn.Originally it took place between the 17th -23rd of December and was later moved to the 25th. It was celebrated in the family home,a time for feasting,goodwill,generosity to the poor,the exchange of gifts and decoration of trees. Like Easter this festival was co- opted by the Christians. ..History Today Q
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RHP User
8 years ago
That's an epic idea! Mrs P - thanks and back at ya ;) I bought the house next door to her - so even when I moved out I had everyday access. Christmas was her favourite day of the year - I don't know how her face didn't fall off from smiling all day. And that's the thing - we carry a part of them within us ❤️ The commercialism sucks. Hate toy catalogues. That why we are going to attempt to do only the four presents around the theme I mentioned. And why we give to charities with the kids being able to actually hand something over. We give all of the time, but they don't understand a debit coming out of our accounts, this way is a tactile approach to help teach them. But the rituals are a great way to bond over something that doesn't happen everyday. And I'm a sucker for some decorations to liven the house.
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Sawadee
8 years ago
I look forward to when it's all over and things return to normal.. Spending Xmas day with ppl I hardly ever see peeves me big time specially when they seem to think your there to wait on them , then do nothing but leave you to clean up after them.. Not everyone, there's plenty of immediate family I love to be around and that makes it worthwhile. Xmas is no big deal for me, just the way I am.
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RHP User
8 years ago
I can't wait till crass commercialised Christmas is done and dusted so they can hurry up and get the Easter Eggs out ;)
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Dorey12
8 years ago
Sorry to spoil your xmas but to me it's just another day.
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