I totally agree, Bob, and would like to think my thoughts about Christmas don't make me an 'unfriendly' person. I'm glad those who work for a living have some time off and how they spend that time is up to them. As I am retired it is no holiday for me so perhaps carries less meaning anyway.
I'm still keeping schtum about what I think of Christmas, though.

Quote from: MikeDunn on December 09, 2015, 08:27:11 PMWhat's the betting I'll be bored by Day 3 

Errr Why, has something terrible befallen your model railway ? !

Yeah, I need to find my mojo to get on with track laying 

Quote from: bridgiesimon on December 09, 2015, 07:57:54 PM
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.

Exactly that

Clare and I LOVE Christmas, favourite time of year in fact! All the brightly coloured lights and decorations, little festive events, and never tire of the cheesy old songs played over and over - Slade, Wizzard, etc

The commercialism only gets to you if you let it - this year is probably going to be the leanest and cheapest Christmas we've had since we've been together, but we're still looking forward to it just as much as ever as it's about being together and having fun


Paul

Christmas: Eat too much, drink too much and argue with the relatives.

Also 'Bah! Humbug!' is a quote from a book about Christmas. So if threatened with good will, I just say 'No, thank you!'

Which is not to say that I don't enjoy a good singsong and a nice bit of turkey, just leave the religious baggage at the door.

Which, technically, I believe we're supposed to do here.

Jen and I have a very quiet Christmas. As I worked away for so many years, it is a bit of quality time we spend together. No relatives, no visitors until after Boxing Day. We have a lovely lunch, open a bottle or three of champagne and snooze through the Queen's speech. Lovely jubbly.

It means the Motheri in law coming for dinner.!!!
Bob

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on December 09, 2015, 11:15:05 PM
It means the Motheri in law coming for dinner.!!!
Bob

I always found a turkey had more meat on it, Bob

Quote from: newportnobby on December 10, 2015, 01:21:00 AM

Quote from: Bob Tidbury on December 09, 2015, 11:15:05 PM
It means the Motheri in law coming for dinner.!!!
Bob

I always found a turkey had more meat on it, Bob

You haven't seen his Mother in Law


Paul

Christmas?
Hmmmm.
Nine days of Santa Specials which is manic but good fun.
A house full of wife, mother in law, youngest daughter and eldest daughter along with her family.
If I'm lucky I'll get to go out for a walk on my own.
Then I'll get to see the credit card bill and be told we can't afford any railway stuff.

 

Christmas to me is working six nights a week, 12 hr shifts, just so that the general public can keep the recycling going.

It's hard work organising all that paper to go through the right doors.

What's Christmas  mean to me I am now able to watch many Disabled children faces light up like Christmas tree thanks to some of you guys gifts of kindness and my local youth club   who the children truly have nothing or never even seen model trains Season greeting to one and all.mike

I think that says it all.

I am a Christian so for me Christmas is first and foremost about Jesus. Noting wrong with celebrating it on a different day to his actual birthday since we don't know for sure when that was anyway (and besides, the Queen gets 2 birthdays ).

I enjoy the festivities, food and family (although not the crass over-commercialisation) but for me, faith is the heart of it. I respect other people's beliefs (or lack thereof) and I do not claim that my way is right, just that it is right for me.

So please take your pick of the following salutations as best suits your mood. 

Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Merry Modelling
Happy Holidays
Happy new year
Bah Humbug