Well, it's now December, so we're allowed to talk about Christmas
We were just talking about memories of past Christmas's and the traditions/routines etc that was part of your family growing up , or with your own family/kids now.
One tradition we had in our house was on Christmas Eve, my Mother would cook the turkey. With the smell wafting through the house all evening, you couldn't go to bed without tasting it. So, my Dad would always wait up for a turkey sandwich. As we got Older, we all followed the tradition.
So, it wouldn't be Christmas Eve without our warm turkey and stuffing sandwich. Forget the Christmas Day dinner. The Christmas Eve turkey sandwich was the real deal.
We've followed that tradition in all our homes , and we raise a drink and a sandwich in memory of our Dad on Christmas Eve.
A good memory I have of Christmas Eve is of people calling to the house. Aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours. Some before, some after mass. The people that was all around you growing up, some of them gone now. Sad to think of all the changes the years have brought. But it's another happy memory when I think of Christmas Eve.
What about your own Christmas traditions , customs or just good/funny memories?
When there actually was a midnight mass!
Similar to that.
Then at about 9 we were ushered to bed and it sounded like the monster of all parties started at around 10pm Christmas Eve. Open door policy.
Christmas day was presents (selection box, colouring in and the odd thing like a football or a spaceship), dinner around 1. Trivial Pursuits around 6.
Christmas Eve takes much less time now the children are bigger as there is no building of toys and much less inserting of batteries. Sort of miss it a bit having a few drinks whilst building f**king toys til about 2am
Quote from: Tony Baloney on December 01, 2024, 12:26:54 AMChristmas Eve takes much less time now the children are bigger as there is no building of toys and much less inserting of batteries. Sort of miss it a bit having a few drinks whilst building f**king toys til about 2am
Remember passing up Smyths Store charging €10 to assemble two Bicycles (€20 in all). Jez, it must have been 3am before I got them near being okay!
Allowed to open one pressie Christmas Eve 😎
Quote from: From the Bunker on December 01, 2024, 01:03:11 AMQuote from: Tony Baloney on December 01, 2024, 12:26:54 AMChristmas Eve takes much less time now the children are bigger as there is no building of toys and much less inserting of batteries. Sort of miss it a bit having a few drinks whilst building f**king toys til about 2am
Remember passing up Smyths Store charging €10 to assemble two Bicycles (€20 in all). Jez, it must have been 3am before I got them near being okay!
"Sorry kids, Santa may be magical and all but he's no mechanic"
We had the open door policy at mine for a long time on Xmas eve, covid stopped it and I'm kinda glad as getting some feckers to leave was hard work!
Building stuff was mental and arranging the toys on the sofa was some craic at 2 am knowing you are up at 5!
Now we do the family Xmas for her ones, again covid and illness has hampered things but hopefully this year it's smoother than previous
She's been practicing the roasties carrots parsnips and gravy recently.
If I'm being honest though I'd prefer a chicken to turkey for dinner. But hey ho the turkey will be in the oven on Xmas eve. The kids will be home and it's the longest time of the year I'm off, so not good for my waistline.
Where do we all stand on having Christmas crackers at the dinner table?
And more importantly, do ye wear the paper hats?
I always do, even if I'm the only one wearing one. What's the point in having them otherwise?
Having read both your posts on this thread I'm convinced you are me.
Quote from: AustinPowers on December 01, 2024, 09:31:44 PMWhere do we all stand on having Christmas crackers at the dinner table?
And more importantly, do ye wear the paper hats?
I always do, even if I'm the only one wearing one. What's the point in having them otherwise?
Mandatory. I have a large head and I'm from a long line of large headed people, so more often than not they're ripped. Still maintain that competitive edge with the crackers and sneak a grip of the "barrel". Usually a row over it.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on December 01, 2024, 09:35:48 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on December 01, 2024, 09:31:44 PMWhere do we all stand on having Christmas crackers at the dinner table?
And more importantly, do ye wear the paper hats?
I always do, even if I'm the only one wearing one. What's the point in having them otherwise?
Mandatory. I have a large head and I'm from a long line of large headed people, so more often than not they're ripped. Still maintain that competitive edge with the crackers and sneak a grip of the "barrel". Usually a row over it.
There are people who don't adopt this approach out there? Absolutely hold the barrel and definitely wear the hate!
1 present on Christmas Eve is a something that has developed in recent years.
Quote from: Duine Inteacht Eile on December 01, 2024, 09:35:40 PMHaving read both your posts on this thread I'm convinced you are me.
That sounds like something I would have said.
I'll never do the tie on the head at a wedding, but the paper hat seems impossible to prevent, unless sober.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on December 01, 2024, 09:42:36 PMQuote from: Tony Baloney on December 01, 2024, 09:35:48 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on December 01, 2024, 09:31:44 PMWhere do we all stand on having Christmas crackers at the dinner table?
And more importantly, do ye wear the paper hats?
I always do, even if I'm the only one wearing one. What's the point in having them otherwise?
Mandatory. I have a large head and I'm from a long line of large headed people, so more often than not they're ripped. Still maintain that competitive edge with the crackers and sneak a grip of the "barrel". Usually a row over it.
There are people who don't adopt this approach out there? Absolutely hold the barrel and definitely wear the hate!
1 present on Christmas Eve is a something that has developed in recent years.
We've been doing it 40yrs plus. Always said I was ahead of my time 😜
Least I don't have a big head like Tony 😆
We always had a great open house after morning Mass for the neighbours in the park. We were allowed open Santa Claus before mass, one present from under the tree after mass - but everything else had to wait until after dinner (about 4 or 5pm). Was torture but looking back now it was a nice stretch of the day.
In later years I loved being allowed to stay up with Dad to set up Santa for the younger brother and sister.
I do remember Santa forgetting batteries one year and on the drive home from Mass, Mammy lambasting the shite out of Santa for being a silly auld ballix that couldn't do one simple thing like remembering the batteries. Was a decade or so later that I laughed my ass off at that as poor Santa was driving the car.
Quote from: Puckoon on December 01, 2024, 10:40:29 PMWe always had a great open house after morning Mass for the neighbours in the park. We were allowed open Santa Claus before mass, one present from under the tree after mass - but everything else had to wait until after dinner (about 4 or 5pm). Was torture but looking back now it was a nice stretch of the day.
In later years I loved being allowed to stay up with Dad to set up Santa for the younger brother and sister.
I do remember Santa forgetting batteries one year and on the drive home from Mass, Mammy lambasting the shite out of Santa for being a silly auld ballix that couldn't do one simple thing like remembering the batteries. Was a decade or so later that I laughed my ass off at that as poor Santa was driving the car.
;D a lot of pressure on oul Santa! Having all boys I was saved from building dolls houses!
We also do the 1 present on Christmas Eve and have done since I was a wain. The children are big now and the number of presents is way down so maybe it's a dying tradition in our house!
Paper hat is a must! Dont trust anyone who doesnt partake.
My ones are now at the age were the presents get smaller and require less building but the prices go up :) I wont miss building things into the wee hours.
Tradition in ours now is that everyone comes to our house on the big day for the feed. It puts a bit of pressure on, but it's worth it, especially now that I'm at the age of knowing that every year of this company is a blessing.
A few beverages and a few tunes to complete the day.
It's round 2 of man versus food on Boxing day at the in-laws.
We always did the ham late on Christmas Eve, flavoured with cider, cloves and mustard. The Brandy butter was also made in advance (which would take its place with the plum pudding and custard for desert, and get doused again with whiskey or more brandy on Christmas Day). When young we were always told the animals were given the gift of speech for one minute at midnight, and the Da would ask if we heard the cats asking for ham (which at that stage was wafting all the over the house). Everyone was asking for ham, man and beast. Two glasses of whiskey and Christmas Cake and biscuits were left on the mantlepiece for Santa. We never thought to ask why two glasses of the good stuff. I must say that was a tradition I maintained myself. It was indeed a deserved reward at 2 or 3 in the morning.
Christmas doesn't mean much if you don't have kids although you should never make it known to your bosses that you are childless as they would take advantage of childless men expecting them to work extra hours.
Real men wear Christmas cracker hats !
Where do we stand on this new fad of matching pajamas for all the family? ;D
Quote from: AustinPowers on December 09, 2024, 11:25:43 AMWhere do we stand on this new fad of matching pajamas for all the family? ;D
Any man partaking needs shot
Quote from: quit yo jibbajabba on December 09, 2024, 11:34:49 AMQuote from: AustinPowers on December 09, 2024, 11:25:43 AMWhere do we stand on this new fad of matching pajamas for all the family? ;D
Any man partaking needs shot
Year 3 of the matching jammies incoming... Happy wife and all that. Our or my only saving grace is I'm not on any social media, so the pics stay local. Must admit, last year's set was fabulous
Ah Jog.. . And we were getting on so well lol,
I will offer a stay of execution as they don't be on social media, Christmas spirit n all that 🤝
Quote from: AustinPowers on December 09, 2024, 11:25:43 AMWhere do we stand on this new fad of matching pajamas for all the family? ;D
This has happened in ours but never a team photo or shared to the world. It also seems to have now ended. Great news.
Quote from: lurganblue on December 09, 2024, 01:50:30 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on December 09, 2024, 11:25:43 AMWhere do we stand on this new fad of matching pajamas for all the family? ;D
This has happened in ours but never a team photo or shared to the world. It also seems to have now ended. Great news.
We used to get the kids matching pyjamas at Christmas, but they refuse to wear matching so that's done with in our house.
You wouldn't see me dead in Christmas pyjamas, strictly boxers and old t-shirt for the bed-time attire :)
Quote from: quit yo jibbajabba on December 09, 2024, 12:42:13 PMAh Jog.. . And we were getting on so well lol,
I will offer a stay of execution as they don't be on social media, Christmas spirit n all that 🤝
It was weighing me down too much, needed to share :-[
Quote from: JoG2 on December 09, 2024, 10:27:56 PMQuote from: quit yo jibbajabba on December 09, 2024, 12:42:13 PMAh Jog.. . And we were getting on so well lol,
I will offer a stay of execution as they don't be on social media, Christmas spirit n all that 🤝
It was weighing me down too much, needed to share :-[
It's ok. Just. But no more revelations I beg
My dad, God rest him, used to go soo slow on Xmas morn just to annoy hell out of us as we would all go down together,a traditional I've proudly carried on at much amusement to myself 😎😎
https://www.thejournal.ie/live-animal-crib-dublin-green-party-6569402-Dec2024/
At least common sense won over this time with this tradition. That Nara spokesperson sounds like a right laugh.
Quote from: Look-Up! on December 12, 2024, 02:13:09 PMhttps://www.thejournal.ie/live-animal-crib-dublin-green-party-6569402-Dec2024/
At least common sense won over this time with this tradition. That Nara spokesperson sounds like a right laugh.
Driving the animals back and forth from Wicklow to city centre every evening and morning? That's just cruelty. Put a feckin statue in there. It's not like Jesus Christ himself is in there too.
Quote from: weareros on December 12, 2024, 03:05:30 PMQuote from: Look-Up! on December 12, 2024, 02:13:09 PMhttps://www.thejournal.ie/live-animal-crib-dublin-green-party-6569402-Dec2024/
At least common sense won over this time with this tradition. That Nara spokesperson sounds like a right laugh.
Driving the animals back and forth from Wicklow to city centre every evening and morning? That's just cruelty. Put a feckin statue in there. It's not like Jesus Christ himself is in there too.
Of course he isn't in there, that'll happen on Christmas day.
Do you know nothing about cribs?
Quote from: johnnycool on December 12, 2024, 04:52:12 PMQuote from: weareros on December 12, 2024, 03:05:30 PMQuote from: Look-Up! on December 12, 2024, 02:13:09 PMhttps://www.thejournal.ie/live-animal-crib-dublin-green-party-6569402-Dec2024/
At least common sense won over this time with this tradition. That Nara spokesperson sounds like a right laugh.
Driving the animals back and forth from Wicklow to city centre every evening and morning? That's just cruelty. Put a feckin statue in there. It's not like Jesus Christ himself is in there too.
Of course he isn't in there, that'll happen on Christmas day.
Do you know nothing about cribs?
I have to remind my mother about that every year. But it just seems strange, all these people and animals standing around doing nothing for a month
Crackers like hen's teeth here in the states. We head to the rich cousins for Christmas eve (usually on the 23rd) and they always have the crackers sourced...real good ones as well with funny jokes, trivia and/or interesting facts, and metal trinkets, none of that plastic shite! But in saying all that...the feckin savages pull their own crackers!! My kids know better as I've taught them well. You have to learn to lose in life and that starts with the old Christmas crackers. Oh and paper hats are worn regardless of own opinion on the matter.
Quote from: weareros on December 12, 2024, 03:05:30 PMQuote from: Look-Up! on December 12, 2024, 02:13:09 PMhttps://www.thejournal.ie/live-animal-crib-dublin-green-party-6569402-Dec2024/
At least common sense won over this time with this tradition. That Nara spokesperson sounds like a right laugh.
Driving the animals back and forth from Wicklow to city centre every evening and morning? That's just cruelty. Put a feckin statue in there. It's not like Jesus Christ himself is in there too.
I'd say it's a lot tougher for the drivers than the animals.
Any Christmas films/TV shows you or the family would religiously watch at Christmas?
I would have to watch Scrooged and Home Alone if they were on. I can't help it . Watched Nativity the last few years as well. Great wee film
Oh and the Father Ted Christmas special. "And now, we move on to liars...." ;D
Used to take the kids to QFT for Xmas movie night, home alone always gets a turn, but my favourite Xmas movie is Jimmy Stewart's It's a Wonderful life, and they refuse to watch it, cause it's in black and white!
Quote from: AustinPowers on December 14, 2024, 01:38:33 AMAny Christmas films/TV shows you or the family would religiously watch at Christmas?
I would have to watch Scrooged and Home Alone if they were on. I can't help it . Watched Nativity the last few years as well. Great wee film
Oh and the Father Ted Christmas special. "And now, we move on to liars...." ;D
One thing about Scrooged that struck me recently is that the visions presented by the ghosts, and particularly the future ghost, are extremely short. The ghost of Christmas future shows the future in a sequence of no more than 1.5 mins.
The Christmas card game on Christmas night. It felt like a real rite of passage being called to the table with the grandfathers and uncles, playing 25, a game that's sadly dying out, it would seem.
Jesus, it was like a bear pit at first though- you'd be absolutely scalded if you played wrong!!😅
I'm still not sure if it was character-building or traumatising!!
This tacky stuff on the ceilings
(https://scontent.fdub3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/470195535_953728673471681_1807943850862159925_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=sawc8Qyw-o4Q7kNvgFr7Hrv&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub3-2.fna&_nc_gid=Amxl6WbTEhsZDpe8OlD-tfv&oh=00_AYBNtWyOgQpjRJ6_fYcLYH7HHsxepakh5XkX6rjCjR2VQQ&oe=6763C958)
Quote from: Substandard on December 14, 2024, 09:55:25 PMThe Christmas card game on Christmas night. It felt like a real rite of passage being called to the table with the grandfathers and uncles, playing 25, a game that's sadly dying out, it would seem.
Jesus, it was like a bear pit at first though- you'd be absolutely scalded if you played wrong!!😅
I'm still not sure if it was character-building or traumatising!!
Oh yes you'd be eaten alive if you threw down the 5 of Trumps, thinking you were great, when someone else's card was already beating the person on 20.
Quote from: weareros on December 14, 2024, 11:30:43 PMQuote from: Substandard on December 14, 2024, 09:55:25 PMThe Christmas card game on Christmas night. It felt like a real rite of passage being called to the table with the grandfathers and uncles, playing 25, a game that's sadly dying out, it would seem.
Jesus, it was like a bear pit at first though- you'd be absolutely scalded if you played wrong!!😅
I'm still not sure if it was character-building or traumatising!!
Oh yes you'd be eaten alive if you threw down the 5 of Trumps, thinking you were great, when someone else's card was already beating the person on 20.
As said in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, grim memories and bad flashbacks!!
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 14, 2024, 09:02:34 AMUsed to take the kids to QFT for Xmas movie night, home alone always gets a turn, but my favourite Xmas movie is Jimmy Stewart's It's a Wonderful life, and they refuse to watch it, cause it's in black and white!
What about the colour version?
Quote from: Captain Obvious on December 14, 2024, 10:40:25 PMThis tacky stuff on the ceilings
(https://scontent.fdub3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/470195535_953728673471681_1807943850862159925_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=sawc8Qyw-o4Q7kNvgFr7Hrv&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub3-2.fna&_nc_gid=Amxl6WbTEhsZDpe8OlD-tfv&oh=00_AYBNtWyOgQpjRJ6_fYcLYH7HHsxepakh5XkX6rjCjR2VQQ&oe=6763C958)
Ah that brings me back. We used to put them up in school every year. We used to volunteer to help put them up to get an hour out of class.
Quote from: Aristo 60 on December 14, 2024, 10:15:12 AMQuote from: AustinPowers on December 14, 2024, 01:38:33 AMAny Christmas films/TV shows you or the family would religiously watch at Christmas?
I would have to watch Scrooged and Home Alone if they were on. I can't help it . Watched Nativity the last few years as well. Great wee film
Oh and the Father Ted Christmas special. "And now, we move on to liars...." ;D
One thing about Scrooged that struck me recently is that the visions presented by the ghosts, and particularly the future ghost, are extremely short. The ghost of Christmas future shows the future in a sequence of no more than 1.5 mins.
Are you comparing it with the book/ film?
And when I say film, I mean the Muppets version
Quote from: weareros on December 14, 2024, 11:30:43 PMQuote from: Substandard on December 14, 2024, 09:55:25 PMThe Christmas card game on Christmas night. It felt like a real rite of passage being called to the table with the grandfathers and uncles, playing 25, a game that's sadly dying out, it would seem.
Jesus, it was like a bear pit at first though- you'd be absolutely scalded if you played wrong!!😅
I'm still not sure if it was character-building or traumatising!!
Oh yes you'd be eaten alive if you threw down the 5 of Trumps, thinking you were great, when someone else's card was already beating the person on 20.
The arguments over whether you can hold certain cards off others or if you have to follow suit, every house nearly has their own rules. A great game