Not long to go now that we are well into December and Xmas is in the air.

I am not a religious person (normally only go to church for Weddings & Funerals), but I do enjoy the carol singing we always have in our Complex Reception area on Xmas Eve, when residents (& holidaymakers) come together to enjoy the atmosphere and sample the free Sangria, sausage rolls, and mince pies on offer. I always act as DJ for the occasion and after the carol singing play all the popular Xmas hit songs.

I try and put aside any differences I might have had with others just before and during Xmas week, and my wife and I try and be pleasant to everyone we come across, even though they may have done or said some not very nice things during the year.

My birthday is December 11th, and that is when I really get into the Xmas mood, and the festivities last a long time here as the Canarians themselves make more of an issue of the 3 Kings Day (January 6th), the day before (Jan 5th which happens also to be our Wedding Anniversary) the 3 Kings parade through the streets on camels throwing sweets to all the children, and this is followed by a big Fireworks display (despite Fireworks having also been previously set off at Midnight on New Years Eve).

My son's birthday is in fact on Xmas Day itself, and we have a number of other relatives who also have birthdays around Xmas time, so it is an expensive period but well worth it.

On Xmas Day in our complex Father Xmas (Papa Noel) rings his bell and appears at the Poolside and hands out presents to all the children (of all Nationalities), accompanied by his little helpers dressed in Elf costumes (including my wife), but he is glad to get out of his costume at the end as it is usually a hot day.

My birthday is this Friday, and besides going out for a celebratory meal in the evening, I am going to open a bottle of one of my favourite wines for lunch that I have been saving for the occasion.

All the decorations are now up, both at home and all around the complex, and planes seem to be landing every 30 seconds at Tenerife South Airport bringing holidaymakers  who like to enjoy their Xmas in the Sun, and our complex is totally booked up for the Xmas/New Year period, and we are looking forward to meeting again the people who come back year after year at this time and stay in our rental apartments. Before they go back to the U.K. they nearly always book again for the same period the following year.

Most people do seem in a better (more festive) mood here this time of year, and I think the good weather helps, but I do sympathise with thoses who are suffering the cold and floods that the U.K. is currently experienceing right now.

I have posted it before elsewhere - but I am going to do so again here as it is more appropriate. The pictures at the top of the card were taken in our former Glan Conwy village & home at Xmas, the ones at the bottom show Castle Harbour at Xmas some years ago, since then the Reception area and our Apartment have both been revamped considerably.

Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year (Feliz Navidad & Feliz Ano Nuevo) to one and all.
PS. Decided to also add some further Xmas photos taken around our complex last year.

It means someone can't spell 

Quote from: MikeDunn on December 09, 2015, 06:05:01 PM
It means someone can't spell 

Quite right everyone knows its spelt Crithmath. 

It's simply a time of commercialism where various organisations  try to sell you a lot of stuff that isn't needed and they usually end up succeeding because other people expect you to buy it.

It's not even a true religious festival. Historical evidence was that Jesus was born around Easter time. However due to dwindling numbers the Christians of the time (around the 10th century) changed the date to end of December to take advantage of the solstice, and other end of year pagan festivals, to piggyback off the festivities already existing.

So bah humbug from me, it means nothing of consequence, but I do celebrate solstice and new year.

Wow, good on you firefox, that really is bah humbug.

I agree with Firefox too, plus I get increasingly annoyed at continuous carols on radio and in shops.

I will spend the day alone as I do most days, so to me it's just another day.

I absolutely detest Christmas (or Consumerfest as I think of it) - a time of pointless gluttony and consumerism, when people feel compelled to spend money they don't have on crap for people who don't really want it anyway; A time for arguments when families are forced together with nowt to do but irritate each other as the world stops for the day. It is so ubiquitous that it's very difficult to avoid it entirely, although I do the best I can! For the past good few years I've made a point of going to work on the 25th December (it's a good time to do work on the network servers).

One aspect which I find particularly inexplicable is this whole 'Christmas Market' thing. Until a few years ago the one in York was just one weekend, but now it drags on for about six weeks and hordes of people come for the opportunity to buy overpriced tat from modified garden sheds. Weird.

I'm sure I will get labelled as 'Scrooge' (not for the first time!), but I've no wish to stop people doing whatever they want - what I object to is the way it is imposed on everyone - the crap music, the false joviality, the 'celebration' although nobody is sure quite what they are celebrating. The default is opt-in and if you want to opt out you have to make a point of doing so.

'Ex' means former or Has been...

'Mass' means the property of an object most erroneously refer to as 'Weight'

therefore 'Ex-mass' or in text shorthand 'Xmas' is something or someone that has lost weight... 

Must mean me then cos I've lost weight!!

Anyway, seriously guys, why sooo grumpy? Whatever commercial nonsense is going on is a sideline to what it is all about for me - Family, friendship and FUN. It has been a very difficult year for all sorts of reasons in our household and we are looking forward to getting together to relax and enjoy each other's company. I have nearly 3 weeks off this time so may even get in some model making during the break - a win win situation!!

Best wishes and (dare I say)
    MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!!!

Simon

Quote from: MikeDunn on December 09, 2015, 06:05:01 PM
It means someone can't spell 

The word 'Xmas'  actually dates back to the 16th century, it supposedly was used as an abbreviation to save space by those writing manuscripts as vellum was costly. It is not a modern commercial term.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas

I'm a mine of useless information.

...and there was me thinking this was a friendly Forum, and members would be in a happy mood at "Navidad" (I'll say it in Spanish so I can't be accused of spelling it wrong!). 

LOL, you shouldn't ask questions if you're not prepared for honest answers    The majority of the world doesn't celebrate this, remember.

As Firefox says, it's not even at the right time of year.  It would seem that the old pagan festivals around the middle of winter were still more popular, and the then Pope decreed the move (no, I don't know which one, but I had thought it a bit earlier than the 10^th Century - possibly Constantine in the 330s ?), the old "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" routine ...  For anyone still convinced it's the right date - consider why the shepherds were watching their flocks    No doubt Ozzie Bill will be upset with me too (but then, he celebrates in the middle of his summer  ).

I also agree with Scrooge of York David, in that things like the Christmas Markets go on for far too long ... Halloween hasn't even arrived by the time some of these arrive    That's just commercialism trying to rip people off early.  And the tat that's sold in them ?  Just look at the German Market in Birmingham for prime examples 

After saying that - I'm taking over 2 weeks off work    What's the betting I'll be bored by Day 3 

I don't see what people's opinion of Christmas has to do with whether or not the forum is friendly and on that basis will keep my thoughts to myself
The only thing I'd suggest is if you think you won't like the answers, don't ask the question

Quote from: newportnobby on December 09, 2015, 08:27:32 PM
I don't see what people's opinion of Christmas has to do with whether or not the forum is friendly and on that basis will keep my thoughts to myself
The only thing I'd suggest is if you think you won't like the answers, don't ask the question

To my mind NN I think some topics are best avoided on a forum like this as they promote a range of emotive and sometimes very strong feelings. Such topics will almost guarantee conflict and bad feelings. I have strong feelings about Xmas (sorry for the spelling Mike Dunn) but would not inflict those feelings on this forum.
Anyway, I hope everyone gains much enjoyment from this end of year season. The most important thing is 'WE SHOULD ALL GET TO PLAY TRAINS.'
Seasons greetings to everyone!!

Well I like Christmas and what it stands for. It is a great time and people are generally good to others at this time. The commercialism is too much but markets etc will only keep coming back if people spend money there. I like to buy nice things but don't normally spend massive amounts on presents.
Regardless of faith Christmas is a commemoration of the official birthday of a guy who did exist and gave airings to interesting ideals. These ideals include loving others as much as you love yourself, not judging others, not returning violence with violence. Sounds quite reasonable to me and quite advanced thinking for 2,000 years ago.