Grinch Corner

Spot on @AuntyRach !

 

Perhaps it's because we neither of us had big families, but when the parents were alive, although Christmas was a bit of a boring ritual after so many years, we liked each others' company It does seem a shame that there are so many disinterested folks and dysfunctional families. You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.....
Our most memorable Christmas/New Year was 2 years before we emigrated. I did traditional 'French' meals on the 24th and 31st complete with oysters, snails, lots of seafood My parents rose to the occasion magnificently although I often wonder if it was a contributory factor in my dad dying rather than being obliged to come over here with us

 

I've nothing against spending time with family over Christmas, I just don't like big parties with people who I don't have much in common with other than work. We will bring my parents here to stay for a few days and then (weather permitting) I'll take them to my sister's for a few days there. They don't drive (never did) and can't really manage more than local public transport on their own now. OH will drive over to his Dad's on Christmas morning, and bring him back here for lunch if he wants to come then take him home again (we only have one spare bedroom), but often he says he'd rather stay at home, which we respect.

 

I do think we are all pretty lucky to have that thing called 'choice', though.

 

.....
Definitely going to borrow that and keep it in reserve for times of need, if I may, @AuntyRach - no sane person could really mind that reason and may well see the funny side!!!

 

@ClematisDbee - yes just copy and paste and send as a message! Hehe.


MIL yesterday - “I don’t know what to buy everyone and can’t stand going round the busy shops”. She speaks for the masses!

 

Thanks! Is she the one you will be sending this 'message' to, by any chance, @AuntyRach ?

 

Haha - no need as she is off to her other son’s. I don’t actually need that excuse anyway as I’m in work - the ultimate get out of jail card.

 

Depending how well you get on, you could suggest Amazon?

 

Years ago I told my family I wasn't buying them Christmas presents anymore and would be donating a similar amount to charity and that is what I've done ever since; at least the charity actually says thank you.

 

That was what annoyed me @NigelJ , when I mentioned in an earlier post about giving to charity instead of buying umpteen presents for folk who really didn't need them. It's easier now because my daughters understand how I feel about it. I certainly don't need more 'stuff' that I can also afford to buy for myself if I want, and they're the same. If only their father's family could grasp it ,we wouldn't have to take stuff to charity shops every year....
Re that scenario with my family back in the 80s, I ended up having to buy them all presents, but I also drove into Glasgow one night and put an envelope through the door of a charity there. My conscience wouldn't allow me to forget them, but I was annoyed that I could have given them more if it hadn't been for the reaction I'd got. It's so much easier to donate to them nowadays, which also helps enormously.

It's strange how so many people can't grasp the fact that we aren't all caught up in it for weeks and weeks @Michael Hewett, and also that we're quite happy just doing our own thing. It's also a very difficult time for lots of folk, and many just want it all to be over and to get back to some kind of normality. I hope you get through it - at your own pace, and doing what you like to do, not what others think you should.

 

My wife is the worst person I know for not only failing to reduce the spend, but doing so after agreeing with the rest of the family to cut back. Over the past few years we've gone from just Christmas presents to having bags of goodies when the family come to us after Christmas. We spend Christmas Day at her sister's house and everybody is there! I know other family members are getting really P* off about it, but she won't listen.
She was actually complaining this morning that I haven't put the Christmas Tree up yet. The reason I haven't put it up is because the place the tree goes is covered with bags of presents. If I dared to move those myself there would be an even bigger fuss made.

 

Your wife needs to grow up @KT53

Thank you @fairygirl, I always do what I want - I am very stubborn

 

@Michael Hewett I must agree, but at age 68 I don't think she will change her ways now. She is the most stubborn person I know, along with her sister. I wonder where they got that from!

 

Sometimes I think we have to accept we are all different.
Personally I wouldn't mind it if Christmas was banned, but if I think back a few years that would have been different.

I did used to like Christmas once it had finally arrived, not the run up so much, probably about time off work and having a few drinks.
All the days are the same now.