If anything.....what does Christmas mean to you.

[grannieannie]

I was raised in a Christian family, so I have the traditional views of Christmas. I'm going to church in the morning....and my husband is coming with me....I hope the roof doesn't collapse...he never comes to church with me :lol: but I'm pleased he's agreed to come.

Lunch we will have at home, just the 2 of us, and for tea 5pm we'll be at Brian's youngest daughters house. She has a holiday home just 15 minutes from us, so it won't be a long drive. At our ages, 60 and 76, we don't like to go far or be out too late. There'll be about 20 of his family and it's always very friendly. Brian's ex wife is always there and she and I get along very well We only see the family for Easter and Christmas so it's a good time to catch up on what everyone has been doing.

My 2 kids and grandchildren all live interstate, so I don't get to see them unfortunately. My parents are both dead.

On Dec.23rd last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so as you can imagine, last Christmas was not happy for me, so I'm certainly going to enjoy this year.

Anyway, to all of you....I wish a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2012.

Love to you all.....Annie xxx :lol:

 

[Megzz]

To me it just means presents and a lot of food.

 

[saximus]

I love the time off work and getting to spend time with family that you rarely/never see. This will be my grandfather's last Christmas (if he makes it) so the emphasis on family will be extra special.
I'm strongly against religion so I have no spiritual connection with this time of year but what more do you need than to be surrounded by people you love, eating good food and giving and receiving gifts?

 

[Beard]

Spending too much on too many people, eating too much, drinking not enough, going somewhere for some amount of time (dependent on leave) then waiting for it all to begin again.

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

To me it means watching my husband hang out with his family whilst i miss mY mum and dad immensely, I love his family, but they're not my family.. But it also means watching the pure joy on my daughters face as she opens all her presents!!

 

[ShaunMorelia]

To me it means the birth of the worlds first zombie......


But what it really means to me is Family, Fun, Sun, Beach and no work!

 

[grannieannie]

To me it means watching my husband hang out with his family whilst i miss mY mum and dad immensely, I love his family, but they're not my family.. But it also means watching the pure joy on my daughters face as she opens all her presents!!

I know what you mean about...loving your husbands family, but they're not YOURS. I've been married to my husband almost 21yrs....and I love his family, most of his grandchildren weren't born when I married him and they all totally accept me....but as you say....they aren't MY family. I have a 37 yr old daughter, who has 2 little primary school aged boys...unfortunately my daughter and I don't get along very well. I have a 38 yr old son and he also has 2 school aged boys...I do get along with my son, but the daughter lives in SA and son lives in Vic.....I also have 3 older brothers and an older sister who I'm close to, but they have their own children and grandchildren. If I didn't have hubbies family I know I could join the celebrations of my siblings, but I do consider part of my husbands family. If religion isn't part of your understanding of Christmas that's fine....but I do think .... family ....is special. And...family....for some people can just be a close friend.

I feel terribly sorry for those who are in grief or have no homes or loved ones.

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

I feel terribly sorry for those who are in grief or have no homes or loved ones.

when you put it like that, i have it pretty damn good.

im personally not religious, but when matilda is older i will start taking her to midnight mass, a tradition that my mum started and that i want to continue with my girl.

 

[Beard]

You can't do that, she'll see Santa. If Santa gets seen by kids he dies, that right, dies, on the spot, just drops dead. Then there'll be no pressies til easter when he comes back from the dead. And pressies at easter would be confusing. What would the easter bunny think????

 

[grannieannie]

The first Christmas I ever remember was when I was 3. So that's...ummmm, 57yrs ago..LOL. Father Christmas, as we used to call him then, not Santa....had just left a teddy on the chair next to my bed. I woke up and called for my mum all excited about the teddy Father Christmas had brought me. But mum had to tell me to be quiet or I'd wake my 3 big brothers because Father Christmas was still in the house delivering their presents.

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

You can't do that, she'll see Santa. If Santa gets seen by kids he dies, that right, dies, on the spot, just drops dead. Then there'll be no pressies til easter when he comes back from the dead. And pressies at easter would be confusing. What would the easter bunny think????

Hahahahahaha

I just think the christmas story is beautiful, couldnt give 2 hoots about the religion side of it... No disrespect to people that do believe.
.

 

[grannieannie]

Another thing I remember about my childhood Christmases is when mum used to make puddings. In the days before decimal currency, pennies and half pennies were made from copper, but threepences, sixpences, shillings and two shillings were made of real silver. Mum used to make the puddings and carefully put threepences and sixpences in it to make sure everyone in the family got some momey in their slice of pudding. It was great fun searching for the money and making sure we didn't swollow any of it. The more I think of Christmases past, the more memories come back, things I haven't thought about for years.....

 

[Exotic_Doc]

To me this christmas is going to be special. I dont believe in religion, and even if i did..Im not even christian lol. But tomorrow my dad is flying in and bringing nana from overseas with him !! This is the second time she visits Australia, and im soo excited to see her. When i was younger, i was living overseas and nana lived in an apartment stuck to ours. So i literally was with her 24/7... She is an amazing lady and now at 74 i will treasure every moment with her and cant believe i get to see her again, im overwhelmed with joy !! On the other hand, im kinda sad mum isnt here. She is currently deployed at Christmas Island as she works for the Department Of Immigration. Its going to be a good christmas, and even with the whole religion thing aside, its a magical time where people are happy and cheerful and you get to kick back with mates have a beer and enjoy the spirit

 

[Darlyn]

Christmas for me means ringing all of my family down south and wishing them Merry Christmas.
I think back to all the Christmases I spent with them and thank christ I have lived in Darwin
for 20 years and don't have to suffer through all those fights again : )

SteveNt and I are off to the Darwin Railway club, for fine food and booze and share Xmas with
a heap of other people that ran away from their family. There called "orphan xmas parties" get lots of those up here.

Merriest of everythings to everyone for the festive season : )

 

[Wally]

The food is a little fancier, but it's just another day.........

 

[grannieannie]

The food is a little fancier, but it's just another day.........

I think a lot of people might think the same way Wally.

 

[tarafritz2011]

Christmas for me is sharing gifts, being with my family and eating heaps of amazing food we aren't religious so it's really just a big gathering for us. I love the whole atmosphere around it though and I love giving gifts so I've gone abit overboard this year...

 

[mysnakesau]

I respect the real meaning of Christmas, but to me, best of all is watching my kids open their presents. I was well into school before I learnt that Christmas wasn't about Santa Claus and presents.

This year christmas has been very disheartening for me as I have struggled to bring Christmas to my little girl who believes in Santa. I still haven't got her 'santa' gifts. Today I left for work half hour early so I could get a couple of pressies, only to find myself stuck in traffic so had to go straight to work. Normally takes me 8 minutes to get to work, today it took me 45minutes due to holiday traffic. Someone didn't want me going shopping, but too bad. I stopped on my way home from work....hahaha!

It really sux not to save for christmas and find yourself with nothing when the time comes. As soon as the banks re-open I am going in to open up a Christmas Club account and save for Christmas, all year round.

 

[grannieannie]

I respect the real meaning of Christmas, but to me, best of all is watching my kids open their presents. I was well into school before I learnt that Christmas wasn't about Santa Claus and presents.

This year christmas has been very disheartening for me as I have struggled to bring Christmas to my little girl who believes in Santa. I still haven't got her 'santa' gifts. Today I left for work half hour early so I could get a couple of pressies, only to find myself stuck in traffic so had to go straight to work. Normally takes me 8 minutes to get to work, today it took me 45minutes due to holiday traffic. Someone didn't want me going shopping, but too bad. I stopped on my way home from work....hahaha!

It really sux not to save for christmas and find yourself with nothing when the time comes. As soon as the banks re-open I am going in to open up a Christmas Club account and save for Christmas, all year round.

I'm sure your little girl will be thrilled with what... Santa ...brings her. And I think a Christmas Club Account at the bank is an excellent idea.....

 

[RichardBing]

Beer and Tucker