The annual I love Christmas thread

Trevor · November 10, 2009, 07:56:52 AM

Christmas in Africa is wayyyy different to that overseas ~ no snow, no cold, nothing.

Blistering hot day, spent having a beer or two or ten around the pool or by the beach having a barbecue [braai] by the fire, good food, good friends and family and a good day had by all.

Great is the word for a Christmas and a true African lunch with pap [maize meal porridge: delicious] and meat. All washed down with an ice-cold beer.

Trevor · November 10, 2009, 07:58:14 AM

Errrmmmm.......problem: one moerse [huge] headache the day after, but its' worth it.

Jack · November 10, 2009, 08:09:43 AM

A little something to get everyone in the mood - I just can't get enough of this stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGyGNxHtvRk#

Newt · November 10, 2009, 08:36:36 AM

I love Christmas. My family and I are already preparing. Gingerbread to bake (The kids invite some friends over and we make and decorate houses every year. This year the older ones are making their own 'big' houses. Should be fun!) Cookies and candies to plan, jams and jellies to finish putting up. I like to put gift baskets of homemade goodies together for friends and family. Right now I am browsing cookbooks, looking for special breads to bake and treats to make. The whipped shortbread is a staple. And the mulled cider is almost always on. Mmmm.

On the day, no barbecue here: we do big turkey (usually 25 pounds) with my deadly stuffing.

Yes it is all about sharing the food and the good times.

I have been collecting ornaments for the tree all my life. We get a seven-foot *real* tree and rearrange the living room furniture for it. I then go nuts encrusting it with individual ornaments, most of which have stories and memories to share. And then more hot cider and cookies!

But the absolute best part for me is going outside or into the barn in the dark of Christmas Eve and just listening. The feeling is overpowering: what the word 'awesome' truly means.

OH I hope it snows in time!

Mr. DS · November 10, 2009, 08:37:42 AM

Sorry can't join...

Newt · November 10, 2009, 08:43:12 AM

Quote from: The DarkSider on November 10, 2009, 08:37:42 AM
Sorry can't join...

May you find joy elsewhere in life.

Jack · November 10, 2009, 08:43:44 AM

Quote from: The DarkSider on November 10, 2009, 08:37:42 AM
Sorry can't join...

We're going to make it our project to bring you over to the pro-Christmas side, even if we have to drag you kicking and screaming

Trevor · November 10, 2009, 08:57:51 AM

Quote from: Newt on November 10, 2009, 08:36:36 AM
On the day, no barbecue here: we do big turkey (usually 25 pounds) with my deadly stuffing.

Mmm, sounds good: what's in the stuffing?

Newt · November 10, 2009, 09:06:53 AM

Quote from: Trevor on November 10, 2009, 08:57:51 AM
Quote from: Newt on November 10, 2009, 08:36:36 AM
On the day, no barbecue here: we do big turkey (usually 25 pounds) with my deadly stuffing.

Mmm, sounds good: what's in the stuffing?

Ah: that's a secret!

But it does include an unhealthy amount of butter.

hellbilly · November 10, 2009, 10:04:22 AM

I love Christmas

It's probably my favorite season. We are already planning our holiday menu and I actually bought two presents last week.
Anyway, heres hoping for lots of snow. We had some decent snowfall last year but not nearly as much as in the good old days. I remember when we were snowed in over the holidays in the late 80s. One blizzard followed by days of non-stop snowing. All the streets were shut down and the snow in our yard was hip-high!

Mr. DS · November 10, 2009, 10:54:44 AM

Quote from: Newt on November 10, 2009, 08:43:12 AM
Quote from: The DarkSider on November 10, 2009, 08:37:42 AM
Sorry can't join...
May you find joy elsewhere in life.

I call that Halloween

Quote from: Jack on November 10, 2009, 08:43:44 AM
Quote from: The DarkSider on November 10, 2009, 08:37:42 AM
Sorry can't join...

We're going to make it our project to bring you over to the pro-Christmas side, even if we have to drag you kicking and screaming

Keep your egg nogg to yourself old buddy.

InformationGeek · November 10, 2009, 06:16:30 PM

I love Christmas time. I get to see all my relatives on Christmas day and I often go to a Christmas Party at someone's house. I also love when TV stations start playing Christmas movies and I get to watch such classics as It's a Wonderful Life.

HappyGilmore · November 10, 2009, 07:23:11 PM

Quote from: InformationGeek on November 10, 2009, 06:16:30 PM
I love Christmas time. I get to see all my relatives on Christmas day and I often go to a Christmas Party at someone's house. I also love when TV stations start playing Christmas movies and I get to watch such classics as It's a Wonderful Life.

Then I recommend you watch ABCFamily Channel. They usually have a "25 Days of Christmas" countdown starting December 1st. BUT NOT THIS YEAR. THis year they have a 'Countdown to The 25 Days of Christmas", starting tonight with two Christmas themed movies, and continues all the way through November, all the way through December.

I'm definitely watching.

I pull out my Christmas music cd's and Christmas themed dvd's about a week before Halloween.

As much as I love the Christmas season, so to speak, I kinda dislike the day. Not due to much stress or anything, but mostly cause by 8PM, I'll be at someone's house for a party, and everyone has a wife/husband/fiancee/boyfriend/girlfriend, and I'm usually stuck somewhere in a corner talking to my grandma while drinking a 12 pack. Sucks.

JaseSF · November 10, 2009, 09:19:14 PM

Love Christmas. What I think I love most of all about it though is family get-togethers...just laughing and loving and sharing the happiness of the time. The Christmas meal, presents and giving is great too though.

indianasmith · November 10, 2009, 11:30:08 PM

It's just a great time. Family, food, and reading the Christmas story out of Luke Ch. 2 before we open gifts . . . Christmas rocks!

The annual I love Christmas thread

hellbilly