Christmas, What does it mean to you?

[Spannerman]

So this is Christmas.............what does Christmas mean to you in the year 2003 is it something to celebrate because it is just there, or do you celebrate it as part of the Christian calendar, perhaps you don't celebrate it at all.

Today I think we are very lucky to have what we get today, I was born just before the outbreak of war in 1939, my earliest recollections of that dark time was the rationing and Christmas brought us a train set, a blackboard and easel, an orange and a few nuts, plus plenty of love, with a visit to church was a must.

How do you remember those days, young or old?

[Tab]

Well I was born during the mid 1930's and can remember the war clearly,
I can remember my friends coming along saying that their father had been killed in this place or that or that they had gone with their ship.
I can remember that things were worse for a long time after the war with shortages of food, coal and electricity. Oh and that winter of 46/47 what
horrible time that was with power cuts all over the place no coal for heating and snow several feet deep that lasted for months, burst pipes which caused your water to be cut off until a plumber could come which could be days. Certainly not the good old days.

[may18]

Im not particulaly religious.

For me, its simply a time for family.

[Sisyphus]

So this is Christmas.............what does Christmas mean to you in the year 2003.

Today I think we are very lucky to have what we get today

How do you remember those days, young or old?

I celebrate Christmas as Christ-mas. Sadly, it's just become an over-commercialized glutfest.

Couldn't agree more, spanners. We are lucky. Trouble is so many people don't seem to realize how lucky they are. No matter how much people have [some] want more and more.

It's not so much what we had in the 'old days' - which was little enough - it's what we didn't have. The pressure of: 'Named' goods; gotta have the latest £120 pair of trainers or I'll be left out; if you ain't got the latest computer game you're a loser. etc.............

Despite what kids have got these days, I'm glad I was born when I was! I certainly wouldn't want to swop. And despite us having so little I don't remember ever feeling unhappy at Christmas.

[lew]

Well I don’t like Christmas, its just another corporate holiday, people think they have to spent hundreds to be a good mother father etc, I cant stand it and make a point of being miserable ever year, not making a Christmas list, and changing the subject when people ask me what I want...


Simply… Christmas a load of bollocks...


lew (bar humbug)

[Guest]

Christmas, yes i`m glad i`m not one of todays kids, who has to have everything with the designer label, the computer games etc, all of which will be forgotten in a few weeks time, either because its not trendy anymore, or because its been made overseas for about 5p, and sold here for at least £50, and its broken. Christmas? I`m going down the pub!! have a skinfull, and hopefully fall asleep till its opening time again.......... enough said.

[Sisyphus]

Well I don’t like Christmas, its just another corporate holiday, people think they have to spent hundreds to be a good mother father etc, I cant stand it and make a point of being miserable ever year, not making a Christmas list, and changing the subject when people ask me what I want...
lew (bar humbug)

lew

Why not try and make it what it's supposed to be. 'Goodwill to all men', and all that. Limit the cost of prezzies to, say, £20. Try and find something useful, fun, unusual, etc..... for twenty quid!??! People might actually get some fun out of it. And so might you.

Next time someone asks you say, 'Surprise me - but it shouldn't cost more than a tenner.' Gets them thinking, you thinking. Opening presents can actually make some craich!

Instead of being miserable why not find some old codger who's really, GENUINELY, miserable at Christmas without having to 'make a point' of being miserable. Spend half an hour having a cup of tea and a chat. Buy them a box of Roses, or something. Believe me, you'll have made a real difference to someone's life.

Gotta be better than pretending to be [or working at being] miserable. Ain't it?

[Spannerman]

The hype leading up to Christmas gets my goat, the shops are mainly overflowing with people and goods, the car parks and buses are full, tempers sometimes get very short and the whole meaning of Christmas seems to have been lost in a time warp of commercialism.

It's not always possible for me to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, I'm not a religious freak, but I feel as if there is something 'present' which occasionally draws me to a medieval church to pass on my thanks for what I have had in my lifetime. Sadly these churches are now under lock and key, either through vandalism, theft or just falling numbers of the congregation, it is a sad reflection on society really but I just hope that those that don't stop to see what this festive season is all about ought to take stock for a minute or two and reflect on the world around them and what they can do for other people instead of what people can do for them.

God rest ye Merry Gentlemen/women (to be PC)

[Sisyphus]

take stock for a minute or two and reflect on the world around them and what they can do for other people instead of what people can do for them.

Here, here spanners!

And even old codgers can find older, or lonelier, codgers to share a bit of humanity with. I know one old dear of 78 who goes round visiting 'the old people'

[Aldo]

The only difference christmas makes to me is that we have turkey instead of chicken, that and the christmas only fools and horses, couldn't miss that now could I.

[Sisyphus]

The only difference christmas makes to me is

I can see me getting a reputation for evangelism if I'm not careful. But what the heck...........


Aldo,

So why don't you make a difference to Christmas then? You can do it you know you can

[mattt_h]

to me XMAS is just another piss up like new year

[kwew]

And even old codgers can find older, or lonelier, codgers to share a bit of humanity with. I know one old dear of 78 who goes round visiting 'the old people'

My grandmother does that she just said to me today that shes going to the old folks home where her sister used to be to chat to the residents (shes 82 she could be some resident mothers ) ill go with her but, i know its good to help in the community but i really dont like it, i feel like if i cared that much that i should help out all year but again i dont want to help that much, i realise this sounds mean and nasty but at least im being honest and i will be there listening to the old folks whether i like it or not.
Im sure some of you will think less of me for saying this but im not mother theresa. I feel my little is enough

[Sisyphus]

i feel like if i cared that much that i should help out all year but again i dont want to help that much, i realise this sounds mean and nasty but at least im being honest and i will be there listening to the old folks whether i like it or not.

I feel my little is enough

Don't do yourself down kwew. You're doing more than most. And, OK, it can be 'uncomfortable'. But I just wish there was a 'thanksometer' which could show how much the people you visit appreciate your efforts.

Is your little enough? There can never be enough - but if others did the same as your 'little' then there wouldn't be a problem.

Oh, yeah, AND GO GRANDMA!! :laola:

[Sticky Blue]

I'm not a bible basher, born again Christian or anything like it but there is a spirit in Christmas. I have been to mass and do go... perhaps not as often as I should but I do try. Visiting the old folks homes is one way and it is doing something. Have a quick look out of your door and see how many of the older community don't have visitors on a regular basis. Knock on their door and ask them if they need any shopping. Ask them if everything is OK. Choose one and buy them a card and put a bottle with is, only a half bottle but it might just brighten up their Christmas.

Mattt... why not have 2 drinks less and drop off a bottle at an elderly neighbours?

Christmas isn't about ME... it is about US, the family of man and the family unit.