Thoughts on Christmas!

[Lizzie48]

Oma, I think people do overbuy as you say, just because it is Christmas. I agree with you about the small children, never mind, we have got ours grown up.

[Gemini]

I think it is easier with little ones Oma, before they know about labels and X Box, ipad, Nintendo and the like.

Little ones love the magic of Santa ,and I always think as long as they have lot of parcels, it doesn't have to cost a lot.
Several colourful presents costing a fiver or less make little ones happy Also my DD1, not poor but cautious with money, has given GS1 some fab things from charity shops when he was younger. A big Batman Cave springs to mind, and there were many more. A fraction of the cost in the shops.

I think some parents feel they have to spend a lot of money on presents at Christmas. I have never bought into that and never will.
I know it's hard for parents of older kids and teenagers though. They know what they want and it's all expensive

[Daisy]

Ladies, I am changing the title of this thread, and making another for present suggestions.
Poor Mimi wanted a suggestions thread and we have got into a discussion

Great minds, think alike, Gem. I was gardening this morning and thinking we ought to split the two threads - both totally valid and very interesting to know what people think.

[Daisy]

Oma - you are right - we all buy into it to greater or lesser degrees, and we all want to give our children and grand children the best we can.

Do any of you think back to your own childhood Christmases? I remember at junior school the fun of making miles of paper chains and lanterns to hang round the classroom, and joy of joys walking down to the church hall for a party - sandwiches, cakes, jellies etc,. Even the Christmas nativity play was fun - the top class did it - wrote it, cast it and rehearsed it. I always got to choose the music as I was the only person in the school who played the piano!

Didn't the week before Christmas seem endless, counting down the days etc - no Advent calendars then.

[Nanto2girls]

I don't mind the run up to Christmas,buying presents and wrapping them and writing cards.
But,once Christmas day is over,that's the end of Christmas for me.

[Gemini]

My mum is a bit like you Nan2. Says she loves Christmas but it is the run up really and the day (and Boxing Day which has always been a family day for us) Then she feels Christmas is over.

Daisy I loved making the paper chains, and those paper lanterns we coloured in.

[aggie]

I look forward to family being around , all going to Midnight Mass , home for ham sandwiches , frantic building of flat pack toys , and the Christmas dinner , none of that this year
Mass on line , no family home , any point in baking pies cakes and pudding?
I will be asked to take in parcels ( it’s started already ) but no need for secrecy , they all know what is coming !
BUT I am looking forward to zoom / FaceTime visits to various homes , hilarious ,

[Gemini]

Nice to see you Aggie

Yes, a very different Christmas for many this year.

[Oma]

Aggie how nice to see you ,
Yes its all different this year isnt it , it will be a year we all will remember that's for sure ,

That's the thing about them all growing up they all know what they want and are getting

SIL dropped the dog off this morning , I managed to pin him down what he wants , he wants boots so will send us a link to the ones he wants ,
He is usually the last to buy for so im pushing him now

[Gemini]

I'm glad Storm has decided on boots for Christmas Oma 😁😀🤭

[Oma]

Hahahaha ' I mean SIL loony woman would love to see Storms reaction to Doggy Boots hahaha

[Gemini]

[Daisy]

Aggie - you've summed it up perfectly - none of our usual family traditions. It's so sad and I think there will be a lot more lonely people this Christmas.

Gem - you can get little boottees for dogs - especially sledge dogs like Storm. It stops them shredding or burning their paw pads when they're racing on ordinary ground rather than snow.

[Nanto2girls]

Aggie, lovely to see you.

[Sum1Ls]

Aggie. Me too!
But Aggie, at least this year I’m spared doing the Readers’ Rota!