A Different Christmas

[smittims]

I don't know if you've done this before.

Many years ago, when I had an involved role in my church, I was off into town early Christmas Day and, on the deserted road, saw a man in walking gear, rucksack on back, striding off into the country. It was one of those fine, mild Christmas days we seem to get more of these days, and I guessed he was, for some reason not spending Christmas with family and had chosen that day,when the shops are shut, no trains are running and there's not much else to do, to do That Walk he had always planned .

This year, for various reasons, I'll be alone* on Christmas day , and it reminded me of the various different, non-traditional ways of spending the day: clearing out the shed or the loft, perhaps, building that kit of the Titanic you've never gotten round to : there's an anecdote of John Ireland that was intended to sum up his misanthropic personality :

'Waht are you doing for Christmas, John?'

'Oh... sorting through some old papers...'

I'd be interested to hear of various other 'different Christmases'. (not forgetting, with sympathy, those who have an unplanned Christmas Day in A & E) .

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* In case anyone's interested, I should add that this is entirely my choice. I always spend Christmas at home, but that's not the family's plan this year. I feel too old to go gadding about in cars on the day so I've decided to stay at home and look after Billy.

[LMcD]

I don't know if you've done this before.

Many years ago, when I had an involved role in my church, I was off into town early Christmas Day and, on the deserted road, saw a man in walking gear, rucksack on back, striding off into the country. It was one of those fine, mild Christmas days we seem to get more of these days, and I guessed he was, for some reason not spending Christmas with family and had chosen that day,when the shops are shut, no trains are running and there's not much else to do, to do That Walk he had always planned .

This year, for various reasons, I'll be alone* on Christmas day , and it reminded me of the various different, non-traditional ways of spending the day: clearing out the shed or the loft, perhaps, building that kit of the Titanic you've never gotten round to : there's an anecdote of John Ireland that was intended to sum up his misanthropic personality :

'Waht are you doing for Christmas, John?'

'Oh... sorting through some old papers...'

I'd be interested to hear of various other 'different Christmases'. (not forgetting, with sympathy, those who have an unplanned Christmas Day in A & E) .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* In case anyone's interested, I should add that this is entirely my choice. I always spend Christmas at home, but that's not the family's plan this year. I feel too old to go gadding about in cars on the day so I've decided to stay at home and look after Billy.

Every year, a few thousand people in the UK file their tax return on Christmas Day.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Every year, a few thousand people in the UK file their tax return on Christmas Day.

Yes they’re called freelances .

[LMcD]

Yes they’re called freelances .

[vinteuil]

... after watching the Michael Powell 1978 Return to the Edge of the World revisiting his 1937 film, I find that on the island of Foula (the stand-in for St Kilda), population 38, the inhabitants still follow the Julian calendar, and will be celebrating Christmas on 'our' 6 January. (Actually they are one day ahead of the true Julian calendar because altho' they observed leap-year in 1800 they failed to do so in 1900.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Edge_of_the_World

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foula

.

[smittims]

Thats a good excuse for anyone who sends their Christmas cards late (or, indeed, birthday cards).

[Petrushka]

I don't know if you've done this before.

Many years ago, when I had an involved role in my church, I was off into town early Christmas Day and, on the deserted road, saw a man in walking gear, rucksack on back, striding off into the country. It was one of those fine, mild Christmas days we seem to get more of these days, and I guessed he was, for some reason not spending Christmas with family and had chosen that day,when the shops are shut, no trains are running and there's not much else to do, to do That Walk he had always planned .

This year, for various reasons, I'll be alone* on Christmas day , and it reminded me of the various different, non-traditional ways of spending the day: clearing out the shed or the loft, perhaps, building that kit of the Titanic you've never gotten round to : there's an anecdote of John Ireland that was intended to sum up his misanthropic personality :

'Waht are you doing for Christmas, John?'

'Oh... sorting through some old papers...'

I'd be interested to hear of various other 'different Christmases'. (not forgetting, with sympathy, those who have an unplanned Christmas Day in A & E) .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* In case anyone's interested, I should add that this is entirely my choice. I always spend Christmas at home, but that's not the family's plan this year. I feel too old to go gadding about in cars on the day so I've decided to stay at home and look after Billy.

I, too, will be spending Christmas Day alone and for the very first time in my 70 years. My brother has to work on Christmas Day (and Boxing Day and the 27th) so we've decided to go European and have our Christmas lunch on the evening of Christmas Eve instead.

In truth, I'm not that bothered. Every Christmas Day has its own characteristics and I'll be happy enough with the CD boxed sets I've indulgently purchased for myself. General present opening when my brother is back from work at around 20.00 so I won't be totally alone.

It's interesting to recall those Christmas Days when we had extended family gatherings in our house. Most of them are now dead (or might as well be) and only a few are left scattered in various countries here and there.

[french frank]

We've gone from a family three-generation gathering of nine to a depleted three this year. The dominant (young) male has turned down the suggestion of the cosy neighbourhood pub round the corner for Christmas Day lunch in favour of a branch of a national steakhouse chain. Being long-suffering and of great goodness, I shall not stay at home alone with my festive nut roast, but the prospect of being with the large, noisy groups of unknown merry-making fellow diners induces nostalgic Melancholy...

[Padraig]

I'm a Christmas sentimentalist; roaring fires, jolly good company, open door, old friends. Never ever happened though I did try.
From the basic nine - fifteen or so, we have arrived at a current ten for this Christmas dinner, a big difference being that the two original hosts are now the invited guests to another's home.
But whatever the jollity there's an image that has haunted me since I read it just now. It is 'sitting alone with my festive nut roast'. Dickens could not have said so much so succinctly.

[french frank]

But whatever the jollity there's an image that has haunted me since I read it just now. It is 'sitting alone with my festive nut roast'. Dickens could not have said so much so succinctly.

'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 else to give it to! Happy days. A lot of water under the bridge since then, Padraig.

Agus Nollaig Shona dhuit!

[pastoralguy]

I was working during the first Covid Christmas and when I came on shift I was informed by the night shift that word had come through that fifteen of our residents had tested positive. I basically spent my day spoiling the resident’s NOK’s day by telling them that their loved ones, who were not allowed visitors, had contracted COVID and were therefore at a higher risk of succumbing to it. I remember calling one NOK and could hear Her Majesty giving her Christmas message in the background.

That was a real Christmas low!

[french frank]

That was a real Christmas low!

Very trite to say things can only get better, but such experiences as those are quite scarring, lingering even after years. Unfortunately, they have a habit of being more 'memorable' than the good things

[Petrushka]

I was working during the first Covid Christmas and when I came on shift I was informed by the night shift that word had come through that fifteen of our residents had tested positive. I basically spent my day spoiling the resident’s NOK’s day by telling them that their loved ones, who were not allowed visitors, had contracted COVID and were therefore at a higher risk of succumbing to it. I remember calling one NOK and could hear Her Majesty giving her Christmas message in the background.

That was a real Christmas low!

In similar vein, going to see my poor dementia ridden mother in the care home on Christmas Day in 2011/12/13 while Her Maj was giving her TV message in the background counts as the most God-awful Christmas Days I've had. Different? You bet!

[LMcD]

In similar vein, going to see my poor dementia ridden mother in the care home on Christmas Day in 2011/12/13 while Her Maj was giving her TV message in the background counts as the most God-awful Christmas Days I've had. Different? You bet!

I shall join my wife and other residents of the care home for Christmas lunch. Not exactly what we'd planned, but there you go (as they say)

[hmvman]

So many poignant stories here. I do recall our friend Stanley Stewart, late of this parish, who lived near me and we used to go to the recorded music society meetings together. I was concerned that he was going to be alone at Christmas but he cheerfully told me not to worry as he would be perfectly happy indulging in reading, TV films, DVDs and CDs. He certainly had plenty to go at; his room was, quite literally, floor to ceiling with books, and the aforementioned discs.