The commercialisation of Christmas

by astra Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:10 pm

First topic message reminder :

Uh HUH!!!

No Kiddin'

We got a chrismas tree up in our street already.

Is this the first? Or have some been put up elsewhere?

(now where's the Purdy and Purdy?)

by stuart torr Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:53 pm

Bellatori, I have the edit button on the post i post I just use that one and send again goes back to the place you wanted it to be

by Dan Fante Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:14 pm

Bearman wrote:What about the big boxes of Quality Street, those oval boxes of sticky dates, or the huge range of creams flavoured with different alcohols that all the supermarkets stock, only at Christmas.

That goes back to when one of the Magi brought Jesus some extra thick double cream, flavoured with Courvoisier.

by stuart torr Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:19 pm

Guess he knew where to stick the sticky dates ay Dan

by Bearman Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:49 pm

Actually that reminds me - I wonder how much gold, Jesus was supposed to have been given, and what his parents spent it on (probably fags and lotto tickets).

For that matter, what would a working class family have done with Frankinsense and Myrrh?

by stuart torr Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:56 pm

took it to the pawn shop I expect Bearman. must get ready now daughter coming after school, post again later my man.

by Kazza Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:31 pm

Maybe this year I'll insist on being waited on - Christmas is, after all, a unique opportunity to act like a spoilt diva. queen

by Kazza Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:35 pm

Dan Fante wrote:
Bearman wrote:What about the big boxes of Quality Street, those oval boxes of sticky dates, or the huge range of creams flavoured with different alcohols that all the supermarkets stock, only at Christmas.
That goes back to when one of the Magi brought Jesus some extra thick double cream, flavoured with Courvoisier.

Sugared almonds and orange and lemon jelly slices - mum always bought them for Christmas, but I don't ever remember eating them.

by stuart torr Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:43 pm

Whyever not Karen? when I was young I use to scoff all the sweets yum yum.

by Kazza Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:07 pm

stu wrote:Whyever not Karen? when I was young I use to scoff all the sweets yum yum.

Sugared almonds break yer teeth!

by stuart torr Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:12 pm

Crush em first then they are ok

by Kazza Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:15 pm

stu wrote:Crush em first then they are ok

I didn't think of that. scratch

by Bearman Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:17 pm

Suck the sugar off the almonds and the put nut back in the box for some one else to enjoy.

by stuart torr Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:32 pm

Oh now Bearman, what if you got the one with no sugar?

by Dr Sheldon Cooper PhD Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:40 pm

Kazza wrote:Hi stu - aaw, I know what you mean, why fill your home with festive gaiety and fun when you're on your own? I used to go over the top with decorations when the kids were young, but this year its just the two of us. A few candles and some holly over the mantelpiece will do.

I've also stopped sending cards - yes I know its mean spirited, but I can't bear to think of all that wasted paper. I make phone calls and visit friends and family instead, and send e-cards.

What are we celebrating anyway, as atheists? We can make it whatever we want, ignore the tat and commercialism, and enjoy some good food, drink, and friends.

My sentiments precisely, I love the fact that I get a holiday to spend with friends and family, but the rest just goes over my head. Except for the kids, it's quite nice to see the very young ones get so excited. Cool

by stuart torr Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:55 pm

We all seem to be having the same feelings ,except of course the ones with small children which you expect.

by boatlady Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:39 am

Well, I always get a new sprig of mistletoe every December - and ceremoniously burn the old one on the fire.
I think it's an old English custom.
I decorate the garden gate for the local kids as this is a bit of a drab neighbourhood.
But Christmas Day is for staying at home and eating a bloody good dinner, in my view. I love that the shops are shut and the streets comparatively empty. Even better if it snows

by Kazza Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:48 am

Hear hear, boatlady! We also follow the custom of mistletoe burning, learnt from a white witch friend of ours. (I know I know, but it pays to be open-minded about people, sometimes.) Smile

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:31 pm

Hi karen, white witches? sounds lovely, no harm in them at all. you get quite a few down Devon way. stirpot

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:35 pm

Boatlady, why not take a cruise down the broad or wherever and pick a nice spot each year for your dinner? sounds good to me. Cool

by Dan Fante Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:44 pm

boatlady wrote:Well, I always get a new sprig of mistletoe every December - and ceremoniously burn the old one on the fire.
I think it's an old English custom.

It probably predates the celebration of Christmas. It's thought that mistletoe was sacred to the Druids. It's a parasitic plant that grows on other trees and I think it was considered sacred when it grew on oak, which is apparently very rare.

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:55 pm

Thank's for the info Dan, learn something new every day. thumbsup

by Kazza Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:32 pm

stu wrote: Hi karen, white witches? sounds lovely, no harm in them at all. you get quite a few down Devon way.

Yep, quite common round these parts, along with zyder drinkin' and paazties. drunken

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:41 pm

Well canny drink the zyder now my luv, but had a couple a pasties for dinner last night. elephant

by Dan Fante Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:48 pm

I love the Devon accent. I've got family down Devon and Cornwall (my surname originates from that part of the world - not 'Fante' Wink

). I got a phone call from someone from Devon the other day (who my lass had bought something off on ebay) and her voice made me nostalgic and a bit sad that it's been so long since I've visited the area.

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:54 pm

I use to live in north devon Dan, Barnstaple,then I left to do my nurse training, went to essex,now nottingham,relatives from yorkshire, what a mix eh.

by Dan Fante Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:07 pm

I'm a Geordie / West Country hybrid myself. Make of that what you will Wink

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:11 pm

Y I my lad, more zyder

by Dan Fante Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:13 pm

They love their cider like Laughing

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:32 pm

I did too, until I had to give up drinking.

by AW Tue Oct 15, 2013 6:50 pm

Hi stu,

My wife and I went for her 20 week ultra scan today. Everything just fine. I'm going to have a daughter around next March. Very Happy

by Bellatori Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:27 pm

AW wrote:Hi stu,

My wife and I went for her 20 week ultra scan today. Everything just fine. I'm going to have a daughter around next March.

the nice thing about daughters (I have two) is that they can always manage to piss in the toilet and not all round it as boys do... Very Happy

by Heretic Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:31 pm

Dan Fante wrote:They love their cider like

A wurzle

I was born in Hastings and brought up in the West Country and yes we do love our cider but not the stuff you find in supermarkets.

Heretic

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:50 pm

Brilliant news Tony, in my opinion daughter's are best, well I can compare twin son's against my daughter, and she win's leap's and bound's. Give your missus a hug from me in congratulation's you both deserve:D Very Happy

by AW Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:53 pm

Bellatori wrote:the nice thing about daughters (I have two) is that they can always manage to piss in the toilet and not all round it as boys do...

You're so sentimental and romantic Bellatori. Getting all gushy (no pun intended) on me!

by AW Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:54 pm

Thanks stu.

by stuart torr Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:16 pm

Pleasure tony

by boatlady Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:30 am

Boatlady, why not take a cruise down the broad or wherever and pick a nice spot each year for your dinner? sounds good to me.

Hi Stu, The idea has occurred but I don't think my mum would like it - she's 87 and can't get on and off any more - would mean leaving her alone at Christmas.
(btw that's not my boat - mine is much smaller)

by Dan Fante Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:44 am

Heretic wrote:
Dan Fante wrote:They love their cider like
A wurzle

I was born in Hastings and brought up in the West Country and yes we do love our cider but not the stuff you find in supermarkets.
Heretic

My relatives down there used to get it by the barrel. My Dad was staying down there once (before I was born) and he went to get himself a cider from the barrel. He told his uncle it was empty but it shouldn't have been since it was a fairly fresh barrel. The uncle checked by removing the tap and there was a mouse in there, completely bloated and dead, of course. He chucked the mouse outside, put the tap back on and poured a cider Laughing

by Kazza Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:34 am

Dan Fante wrote:
Heretic wrote:
Dan Fante wrote:They love their cider like
A wurzle

I was born in Hastings and brought up in the West Country and yes we do love our cider but not the stuff you find in supermarkets.
Heretic
My relatives down there used to get it by the barrel. My Dad was staying down there once (before I was born) and he went to get himself a cider from the barrel. He told his uncle it was empty but it shouldn't have been since it was a fairly fresh barrel. The uncle checked by removing the tap and there was a mouse in there, completely bloated and dead, of course. He chucked the mouse outside, put the tap back on and poured a cider

That doesn't surprise me! Good story Very Happy

by Bearman Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:39 am

Bellatori wrote:
AW wrote:Hi stu,

My wife and I went for her 20 week ultra scan today. Everything just fine. I'm going to have a daughter around next March.
the nice thing about daughters (I have two) is that they can always manage to piss in the toilet and not all round it as boys do...

Our oldest son is 21, has a home of his own, and is engaged to be married (not that we are happy about that at his age). But when he comes to visit he still seems to have paralysis of the arm that could otherwise lift the seat, which he still pisses all over, before shifting aim to the floor!

by Dan Fante Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:46 am

My mate's Mam and Dad had one of those tacky signs: If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be sweet and wipe the seat

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