General Chat

Christmas is a sad time in many ways for me. I have lost two babies and my mother and father in law just days before it. I find now that I have my children, it's easier to cope with because obviously you can't be sad around them, but I have to confess it's not my favourite time of year.

Stu take a year out from christmas this year then and next year your look forward to it.....thats if you can.....its hard to avoid christmas nowadays its so commercialised

Christmas. Christmas, I'm looking forward to Easter had enough of Christmas already. LOL

We love Christmas here and I go overboard putting up loads of decorations. I'm looking forward to this year because last time the whole family had a tummy bug one after the other over Christmas and it was ruined. No one fancied the turkey. Sue

Hiya, sorry hadnt replied as i had to pop out earlier today to buy our daughter her winter wardrobe...her little boots are sooo cute and go beautifully with some of her outfits... Carol im sorry to hear about your mother passing away. You have your husband and children to help you get through christmas. Your from Dulwich, my dad just sold his other house there (his a property developer) and my sister lives just around the corner Forest Hill. Gwyneth sorry to hear about your mother also, like carol your blessed to have your grandson and other family around you to help you get through christmas.

me me me i just love xmas,cant waitxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I love Christmas!!!! I adore the nativity plays at school but I always cry. Getting the tree decorated (then finding half the baubles missing as my seven year old has taken them upstairs to decorate his little tree which is weighted down on one side) and putting all the cards up still cheers me up. Starts too early though and takes the edge of the excitement. Lorrainex

Like Carol, I'm not too sure about Christmas this year as my Mum also died in February. She'd want us to have a good time though, especially making an effort for my grandson, with whom she shared some lovely times in other Christmas'. I have a birthday over the holiday break so I guess we will all get together as usual, but I'm not wanting to celebrate in style. Gwyn

I love christmas, I love the planning and build up and watching my kids opening they're pressies. I also love to see all the pressies my 12 year old and 6 year old have made for me in school, they are priceless. My eldest daughter has just had a baby so we will have a baby in the house again. You have started me off now, must start planning LOL Jackie

Me!I love Christmas, we always make a big thing of it. This year will be busy,all the family are coming over,I cant wait!

I love christmas Tara and this year will be extra special as our grandchildren will be here, one due any day now the other due end of November. Heather x

For the last 30years we have spent christmas together as a family, my mum and uncle would join us for the day and we had dinner and a great time together, after my uncle passed away 6years ago we would collect Mum she was almost blind, but she would enjoy the day with us all (husband, me, 4 children + their husbands and wives and (grandchildren last christmas 5 gkids) but Mum sadly passed away in Feb 2006 and we can't face the thought of being at home without her, so this year we are going to Hilton Hotel for Christmas should be fine but I know Mum will be sorely missed. We now have another two new grandchildren to add to the party. Carol

I wasnt christened but still understand the meaning behind christmas.....when i was at school i took part in the school nativity and im sure they still do these....which is great for all people who are christians or not, helping us understand the fun way.

I think if you are not a real church goer the real meaning of christmas is lost. I know last year went to school nativity - first one and the whole story of baby jesus was so sweet - you do tend to forget that when your life is full of everyday stuff. Would love to bring up my children to remember what christmas and easter for that matter, is all about but with all of the commercialism - is that the right word - its very hard if you arent from a church going family.

Very good point

I recently came across this story and thought it was worth sharing :- Two women, dressed in their finest, were having lunch together in an exclusive restaurant. A friend saw them and came over to their table to say hello. 'What's the special occasion ?' she asked. One of the women told her 'We're having a birthday party for the baby in our family He's 2 years old today'. 'But where is the baby ?' the friend asked. The child's mother answered 'Oh I dropped him off at my mother's house. She's taking care of him until the party's over. It wouldn't have been any fun with him along'. How strange - a birthday celebration for a child who wasn't welcome at his own party ! Yet when you think about it, that's no more strange than going through the Christmas season, with all the festivities, without remembering the One whose birth we are supposed to be honouring. In all the busyness - party going, gift shopping and family gatherings - let's try not to forget the One whose birthday we are commemorating. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hope this hasn't put too much of a dampener on all the anticipation !!

Me - I love it!! Already got my cards, and lots of pressies. Decs will be up on Dec 1st, and the whole street has lights all over the houses. Its a competition amongst the Dads, to see who can go the furthest over the top! Lots of people bring their children down our street, just to see the decorations. Sharon xx

With all that effort Catherine your daughter will look forward to every christmas.....Its great that your making that effort to change the cycle......

Hi Tara Yes, I think you are right, it is the struggle of it all where big families are concerned and we were a big family. But I will persivere and keep putting up my huge trees, millions of lights, and enough tinsel to give any Santas Grotto a run for its money, and who knows my little girl will hopefully not grow up with the dread of Christmas that I used to have xxx

me very much I can't wait. All my festivities start at Halloween, all the kids on the stree dress up, we decorate the house, lanterns and spiders everywhere, kids have a great time. My daughters birthday is 2nd Nov so we have a party for her. My birthday 1st dec cakes to bake, rainbows to organise, xmas fayre, chocolate tombola. Then on the big day son Harry will be 3. We celebrate it xmas eve though. All round mine for xmas day, dinner, queens speech, all family infront of telly, playing usually millionaire dvd. Real laugh. catherine xx