Members unicorn Posted Sunday at 07:46 AM Members Posted Sunday at 07:46 AM https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/chris-pratt-agreed-one-christmas-140019509.html "Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt had an agreement with Chris Pratt before she married him. Katherine told Fox News Digital she agreed with the Marvel star that if they got married, the holiday season in their home would begin Nov. 1. When asked if she would put her Christmas lights up right after Halloween, Katherine said, "Yes, it was an agreement that my husband and I had prior to getting married. Christmas lights and Christmas music start Nov. 1...". My husband tried to put on Christmas music almost a week ago, and I put my foot down: no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. Christmas was a big deal in his family, although, since they're fundamentalist Christians who've read the Bible multiple times, they must know that Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus or Christianity. vinapu 1 Quote
Members Riobard Posted Sunday at 10:57 AM Members Posted Sunday at 10:57 AM 3 hours ago, unicorn said: My husband tried to put on Christmas music almost a week ago, and I put my foot down: no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. Christmas was a big deal in his family, although, since they're fundamentalist Christians who've read the Bible multiple times, they must know that Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus or Christianity. Otherwise are you usually impersonating a flamingo? unicorn 1 Quote
a-447 Posted Sunday at 12:25 PM Posted Sunday at 12:25 PM I spend Christmas and New Year in Japan every year. As the emphasis there is on NY, Christmas day goes by unnoticed - which is fine by me! But I do enjoy visiting the various Christmas markets in the evening, mainly just to get something to eat. A typical Japanese Christmas cake is a sponge cake and Christmas dinner on the 25th is Kentucky Fried Chicken Thanks, but no thanks! unicorn and Ruthrieston 2 Quote
Keithambrose Posted Sunday at 01:54 PM Posted Sunday at 01:54 PM 1 hour ago, a-447 said: I spend Christmas and New Year in Japan every year. As the emphasis there is on NY, Christmas day goes by unnoticed - which is fine by me! But I do enjoy visiting the various Christmas markets in the evening, mainly just to get something to eat. A typical Japanese Christmas cake is a sponge cake and Christmas dinner on the 25th is Kentucky Fried Chicken Thanks, but no thanks! Some time ago, I was chatting to a Japanese lawyer i know, who had a big case for American clients. They wanted to attend the hearing of the case on Tokyo, but when he told them it was on Christmas Day, they changed their minds! Quote
PeterRS Posted Sunday at 02:43 PM Posted Sunday at 02:43 PM It's all getting earlier and earlier. Two weeks ago there were decorations and Christmas music almost everywhere in Taipei. And half the population seemed to be crowding around Chrismas trees to take selfies. Ruthrieston 1 Quote
jimmie50 Posted Sunday at 03:09 PM Posted Sunday at 03:09 PM Some of the big box stores in the Denver area had Christmas stuff out before Halloween. Seems like it gets earlier and earlier every year. Growing up, we always decorated about one week before Christmas and took it all down on New Year's Day. Me and my sister's family all tend to stick with that schedule regarding Christmas lights and other decorations. However, we have been know to listen to Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie beginning with Thanksgiving. Kind of hard to completely avoid those things once Thanksgiving is here. Quote
PeterRS Posted Monday at 03:59 AM Posted Monday at 03:59 AM Personally I loathe Christmas music being played and decorations put up more than about ten days before the 25th. We all know it is now purely a marketing gimmick to drive people into stores. One of the worst in my view is Starbucks. I have no idea who is in charge of music in their coffee shops but the Christmas music is almost all songs from the 1930s and 40s. Only once did I hear something different - a short piece of classical music which I recognised as part of the lovely Christmas Concerto by Arcangelo Corelli written in 1690. Since I have never heard it in other years, I guess the executive choosing the music must have been fired! Ruthrieston 1 Quote
vinapu Posted Monday at 04:12 AM Posted Monday at 04:12 AM when I get a Christmas spirit ? as soon as I get into liquor store unicorn, jimmie50, Ruthrieston and 1 other 4 Quote
Members unicorn Posted Monday at 07:45 AM Author Members Posted Monday at 07:45 AM 3 hours ago, vinapu said: when I get a Christmas spirit ? as soon as I get into liquor store Ruthrieston, BjornAgain and vinapu 1 2 Quote
Members Pete1111 Posted Monday at 09:47 PM Members Posted Monday at 09:47 PM I hung my festive wreath on the front door a week ago. First time I've done that this early. Thinking about getting my Christmas cards started early. Quote
jimmie50 Posted yesterday at 12:06 AM Posted yesterday at 12:06 AM 2 hours ago, Pete1111 said: Thinking about getting my Christmas cards started early. I have stopped sending Christmas cards in the mail. Gotten way too expensive between the cost of the cards and the postage. Much easier to send an e-card to close friends. I will get cards for immediate family which I give to them in person. Quote
vinapu Posted yesterday at 02:29 AM Posted yesterday at 02:29 AM 2 hours ago, jimmie50 said: I have stopped sending Christmas cards in the mail. Gotten way too expensive between the cost of the cards and the postage. Much easier to send an e-card to close friends. I will get cards for immediate family which I give to them in person. I'm still sending about 10 cards every year to elderly relatives who are not computerized yet. In my condo there's nice custom - people who don't need still usable stuff can leave it on designated table in the lobby for others to pick it up and use. Few years ago after Christmas somebody left couple dozen cards with envelopes , I took them ensuring I have supply of cards for lifetime. In my social circle we don't have habit of handing over cards to people we meet in person , handshake and hug are better. I have Christmas lights on balcony for good 2 weeks already Quote
PeterRS Posted yesterday at 03:24 AM Posted yesterday at 03:24 AM 19 hours ago, unicorn said: FIrst time I've ever seen a martini as a Christmas drink LOL Mind you, the Father Christmas in the pic looks as though he's already imbibed far too many of them. Ruthrieston 1 Quote
Members Suckrates Posted yesterday at 03:45 AM Members Posted yesterday at 03:45 AM As I've aged, getting into the Holiday spirit is less of a priority. In fact, all the prep and money is a burden, and you always get out of it LESS than you give. Some of us just enjoy Peace & Quiet in our golden years. And I certainly DONT need another pair of slippers or a fruitcake ! And ESPECIALLY here is the US during the TRUMP administration, all the joy of life is being sucked out of it, and there are so many more important things to focus on, other than gifts, decorations, and a VERY expensive meal. We are immersed in Fear & Worry. vinapu, floridarob, Ruthrieston and 1 other 4 Quote
caeron Posted 13 hours ago Posted 13 hours ago Never. I am not sure if it is I who has changed or Christmas, but the orgy of consumerism masked as peace on earth doesn't appeal. We don't celebrate. Hearing our house cleaner, a friend, talk about what she buys and the economic woes it brings just makes me shake my head. I am sure her experience is common. We are fortunately well off enough that if we need it, or truly want it, we buy it. As I've gotten older, I find there are fewer and fewer things that I want. vinapu, Ruthrieston and PeterRS 3 Quote
PeterRS Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago Some years ago my family and friends made a pact - no presents at Christmas and no cards. An exchange of emails is welcome as it helps bring everyone up to date with what has happened during the year. And a WhatsApp call around that time is always welcome. Mind you, if someone was suddenly to send me a 250 gram tin of Beluga caviar I certainly would not send it back. I might, though, ask what happened to the bottle of best vodka which should accompany it! Ruthrieston 1 Quote
jimmie50 Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago There are just six of us (sister, brother-in-law, nephew 1 + wife, nephew 2, and myself) so we decided several years ago to do a secret Santa type thing. We draw names and only buy for that one person. It can be from a list the person has created or totally a surprise item. Maximum amount to spend is $100 USD. That works well for us. Only need to worry about that one person and it is a reasonable dollar amount. Nothing too extravagant. As I mentioned previously, I don't do Christmas cards anymore via mail. The few I do send are e-cards online through free services. Not something I subscribe to or pay for. Ruthrieston and PeterRS 2 Quote
vinapu Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago 12 hours ago, caeron said: As I've gotten older, I find there are fewer and fewer things that I want. you must be my long lost twin brother Quote
PeterRS Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago 18 minutes ago, vinapu said: you must be my long lost twin brother You'e just angling for that $100 gift LOL Quote
vinapu Posted 26 minutes ago Posted 26 minutes ago 38 minutes ago, PeterRS said: You'e just angling for that $100 gift LOL no , two different subjects , my answer was to caeron , 100$ gift is jimmie50 narrative . I don't want any material gifts - have too much stuff already. Cash still accepted although I don't insist either. Quote
Members Suckrates Posted 2 minutes ago Members Posted 2 minutes ago 1 hour ago, PeterRS said: Some years ago my family and friends made a pact - no presents at Christmas and no cards. An exchange of emails is welcome as it helps bring everyone up to date with what has happened during the year. And a WhatsApp call around that time is always welcome. Mind you, if someone was suddenly to send me a 250 gram tin of Beluga caviar I certainly would not send it back. I might, though, ask what happened to the bottle of best vodka which should accompany it! I would, and request a sack of White-Castle hamburgers instead. I dont have a pallet for "bougie" cuisine.... Gives me diarrhea. But basically my philosophy has become "you keep YOURS, and i'll keep MINE"...... As for cards, over the years I would normally ONLY receive from people I never heard from DURING the year, so now I just forego the "once a year Nicety"..... its basically meaningless. To those I am especially close to, I pick up the phone and give them my holiday greetings. Quote
