A Different Christmas

[kernelbogey]

I would normally be with a three-generation group of ten on Christmas Day, but circumstances this year mean we shall be just seven; then (an undecided) day or three later we shall be back up to ten and 'do it all over again'. I am very ambivalent about Christmas, for personal historical, rather than doctrinal, reasons (and loathe its commodification). But the excitement of the youngest tranche of the family (6, 10, 13), and quite a few bottles of Prosecco, keep the festive spirits up.

A few years ago, a friend recently divorced from her husband told me of the Christmas Day she was on her own because it was his turn to have the children for that day. She packed a picnic for herself and went to the seaside and had her picnic lunch blissfully alone on the cliffs.

[smittims]

Some rewarding stories there,thanks. I must confess Stanley Stewart sounds like a man after my own heart. I had more or less stopped doing Christmas but now we have three grandsons and our other son has recently married we often have nine round the table, but not this year.

[oddoneout]

Mine has been a singular Christmas for many years now. At various times friends have extended invitations to their celebratory meal, and there is always the option to help out at the various charitable activities in town, but I am happy to treat myself to something special to eat and my choice of radio or TV. The latter has become less appealing in recent years as what is considered suitable for Christmas viewing/listening diverges increasingly from my tastes. The only thing that can cause a bit of a downer is if my son and daughter don't get in touch on the day.

[Barbirollians]

Was on my own in 2020 due to COVID - I didn't like it - thinking of all those lonely rather than being alone this Christmas .

I have my parents staying and 10 for Christmas lunch this year . Am looking forward to it after a very work heavy autumn.

[Serial_Apologist]

Mine has been a singular Christmas for many years now.

In my case ever since I can remember, thus not so different. Partners I had always returned to their families for the day, or period. Apart from being the odd one in here I'm with Oddoneout - having for my sole pleasure a treasure house of recordings and DVDs etc. which I'll be keeping ALL TO MYSELF!

[Padraig]

'Ere, I'll 'ave you know my *festive* nut roast is a Thing to be Savoured - has chopped dried apricots in it, no less. If I'm honest, I'm not really keen on big parties and jollity, so the Christmas special in a steakhouse with my two next-of-kin will be fine. Boxing Day will be more to my taste with more family, sherry and nibbles, and cold cuts.

And we may sing jolly carols from my Carols for Christmas with St Patrick's Cathedral. I've just looked at the letter tucked inside dated 10 Dec '09 saying it was the tenth and 'last of a consignment', and the donor couldn't think of anyone nicer to give it to! Happy days. A lot of water under the bridge since then, Padraig.

Agus Nollaig Shona dhuit!

Agus an gceanna leat fein, a phrionsios fraincis, and to all boarders who celebrate the season in their respective ways.

[oddoneout]

In my case ever since I can remember, thus not so different. Partners I had always returned to their families for the day, or period. Apart from being the odd one in here I'm with Oddoneout - having for my sole pleasure a treasure house of recordings and DVDs etc. which I'll be keeping ALL TO MYSELF!

You've reminded me, it's time I pulled out my "Christmas" CDs to put all together beside the player, ready to dip into.

[LMcD]

Agus an gceanna leat fein, a phrionsios fraincis, and to all boarders who celebrate the season in their respective ways.

Merii kurisumasu!

[Serial_Apologist]

Merii kurisumasu!

And for New Age devotees, Merry Chrystals!

[Petrushka]

It's been a Christmas tradition in recent years for me to be totally self indulgent and purchase two or three big boxed sets. It started off with the Solti/Chicago SO in 2017 then the following year the Szell and Bernstein Remastered boxes. Don't know how long I can keep this going (I've done it every year since 2017) but the Sawallisch opera box and Cleveland/Dohnanyi are already awaiting for Christmas Day opening.

As I have a birthday in the middle of the year it's a good opportunity to do the same thing and get the boxes that have appeared since Christmas!

They are all stored in the overflow room upstairs.

[french frank]

Agus an gceanna leat fein, a phrionsios fraincis, and to all boarders who celebrate the season in their respective ways.

Your edit noted, Padraig . For an instant I was embarrassed, thinking: "I didn't say that, did I? How smug!"

[JSB Rules]

As a brand new member, this is my first post: while having no wish to bring down the festive mood I have a 'confession ' to get off my chest. In March of 1974 (I was just 18) my mother died leaving my father bereft and basically clueless domestically. As Christmas approached he was persuaded by single men he knew from his working men's club to go away for two days - Christmas eve and Christmas day - for what would be a glorified 'booze-up'; yes he did ask me if it was ok and, frankly, I was glad he was going as I had no idea of how to get through the Christmas season with him. I spent three days drinking with my friends and in an alcoholic haze, going home at night to a house with no Christmas decorations (father had given them all to his sister as we would not be having Christmas again) and no Christmas gifts. Undoubtedly it was the second worst Christmas I ever experienced - the worst being the following year when father was dying of cancer - and ever since then I have done my utmost to make Christmas as special a time as possible for my wife (who I met the next year after father had died) and our children who came later. I'm almost 69 now but still as excited as ever at the prospect of Christmas but I always give thought to all the lonely folks who have no one as I know from experience how difficult Christmas can be when alone. God bless you all.

[pastoralguy]

As a brand new member, this is my first post: while having no wish to bring down the festive mood I have a 'confession ' to get off my chest. In March of 1974 (I was just 18) my mother died leaving my father bereft and basically clueless domestically. As Christmas approached he was persuaded by single men he knew from his working men's club to go away for two days - Christmas eve and Christmas day - for what would be a glorified 'booze-up'; yes he did ask me if it was ok and, frankly, I was glad he was going as I had no idea of how to get through the Christmas season with him. I spent three days drinking with my friends and in an alcoholic haze, going home at night to a house with no Christmas decorations (father had given them all to his sister as we would not be having Christmas again) and no Christmas gifts. Undoubtedly it was the second worst Christmas I ever experienced - the worst being the following year when father was dying of cancer - and ever since then I have done my utmost to make Christmas as special a time as possible for my wife (who I met the next year after father had died) and our children who came later. I'm almost 69 now but still as excited as ever at the prospect of Christmas but I always give thought to all the lonely folks who have no one as I know from experience how difficult Christmas can be when alone. God bless you all.

Oh dear. What a sad story. Glad Christmas got better for you. Welcome! Great to have you here.

[Pulcinella]

As a brand new member, this is my first post: while having no wish to bring down the festive mood I have a 'confession ' to get off my chest. In March of 1974 (I was just 18) my mother died leaving my father bereft and basically clueless domestically. As Christmas approached he was persuaded by single men he knew from his working men's club to go away for two days - Christmas eve and Christmas day - for what would be a glorified 'booze-up'; yes he did ask me if it was ok and, frankly, I was glad he was going as I had no idea of how to get through the Christmas season with him. I spent three days drinking with my friends and in an alcoholic haze, going home at night to a house with no Christmas decorations (father had given them all to his sister as we would not be having Christmas again) and no Christmas gifts. Undoubtedly it was the second worst Christmas I ever experienced - the worst being the following year when father was dying of cancer - and ever since then I have done my utmost to make Christmas as special a time as possible for my wife (who I met the next year after father had died) and our children who came later. I'm almost 69 now but still as excited as ever at the prospect of Christmas but I always give thought to all the lonely folks who have no one as I know from experience how difficult Christmas can be when alone. God bless you all.

Welcome from me too.
Nice username, btw; he might rule but I think he managed to break quite a few too.

My grammar school music teacher used to say that there'd been no music written since Bach, by which he meant that everything is there if you go looking for it!

[french frank]

As a brand new member, this is my first post: while having no wish to bring down the festive mood I have a 'confession ' to get off my chest.

We're always ready to hear whatever anyone wants to get off their chest - I do hope the sad times are in the past for you. Welcome to the forum. With a name like JSB Rules you're ultra welcome here. Join the celebraters and the moaners about Christmas, Radio 3, life, the universe and everything!