UKH

I've got a cold, Mrs' son has severe shoulder injury, she is down there helping him and I'm driving down in the small hours.

On a positive note had a check up at hospital today - all ok.

Otherwise BAHHH HUMBUG.

In reply to mypyrex:

If only. I hate this time of year, shortest days, generally poor weather and to top it off the worship of money that is called Christmas. Can see the point of a mid-winter celebration and would be happy if we did Winter Solstice (21st) with a days recovery afterwards.

In reply to mypyrex:

The worst thing about Christmas is people keep wanting to bring religion into it.

In reply to mypyrex:
I'm less enthusiastic than usual, but I like the getting together and the eating, and the brightness of decorations, and the cheery Xmas tree.

It all brings cheer to the darkness.

In reply to Aztec Bar:


Almost, but not quite. The worst thing about Christmas is the rampant commercialism which amongst a myriad of other negatives "forces" weak willed to get themselves in debt.

In reply to Skip:

The pressure to have a good time can be a challenge too for some, for different reasons.

In reply to Skip:


The worse thing about Christams is people maoning about how shite Chritsmas is.

In reply to Skip:


The worse thing about Christmas is people moaning about how shite Christmas is.

In reply to Doghouse:

The best thing about Xmas is UKC giving us the "edit" option.

(Sorry - couldn't resist it - MERRY XMAS)

In reply to mypyrex:

Good news on the check-up! Colds and shoulder injuries will pass, as will Christmas

In reply to abseil:

I guess from a philosphical point of view what 'Christmas is' can largely depend upon the viewpoint of the person experiencing it.

In reply to Timmd:


Errrrr yes but I don't think I could pass 'O' level philosophy.

But I think 'What Xmas is' can depend (despite the best viewpoints in the world) on circumstances too.

Me, I'm lucky, I love Xmas and enjoy it, especially with children.

In reply to abseil:

Very true.


For me it's not as cheery as in the past, due to losing my Mum within the last 15 months, but I've a certain amount of determination to have a good Christmas anyway, and appreciate my family, and family friends and friends.

In reply to Timmd:


I am so sorry. And I hope you manage to have a good holiday season (as you said you have some determination to do).

In reply to Skip:


Skip, try doing Xmas on the longest days of the year. Boiling sun, BBQ Xmas lunch on the beach, sinking beers after beers after beers to keep cool. NYE when it's light until 10.30 pm., and warm enough at midnight to sit outside in shorts. That is the reality here in Aus.

Sounds neat?

Now then, think of going into winter with no Xmas and NYE to look forward too.

Doesn't sound so neat any more, does it?

In reply to stroppygob:
I like the cultural associations with this time of year during winter, like wassailing, which is/was basically ritualised begging. It took different forms, but one form was in the way a great uncle who was a lay Methodist preacher, who used to go around the farms in his area, and bless the farms and the animals and the people there, and wish them a prosperous and healthy NY, which left the people he'd blessed feeling obliged to give him some food and drink or some small change.

A bit questionable from a morality point of view, but there are Christmas and winter songs which have wassailing in them, which gives me a familial link to them.

In reply to stroppygob:

These are cool.

http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/blog/2014/12/08/the-yule-lads-are-coming/

In reply to mypyrex:

Whatever possessed me to buy a car that had it's MOT expiring a week before Xmas?! Fail and a few hundred £ lighter. Commiserations to my family members who I haven't bought gifts for yet!

Do love this time if year though. Generally an air of good spirits and cheer.

In reply to mypyrex:

I used to celebrate the winter solstiCe for years by a trips ups Curved Ridge. Given me a barrow load of nice memories as well as a crampon scar on my left calf.....