How much do you anticipate Xmas season?
Oct 25th, 2007, 11:37 AM
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How much do you anticipate Xmas season?
Iīve just watched on Spanish TV that Christmas lights are being installed in Madrid. We are just finishing October, isnīt it a bit early?
BTW, Christmas in Spain lasts a bit longer than in other countries. Our presents come (mainly) on Jan 6, although there is a tendence to have them too on the 24th (in the Basque Country we get our presents from the Olentzero, a coal maker from the mountains, on Dec 24).
BTW, Christmas in Spain lasts a bit longer than in other countries. Our presents come (mainly) on Jan 6, although there is a tendence to have them too on the 24th (in the Basque Country we get our presents from the Olentzero, a coal maker from the mountains, on Dec 24).
Oct 25th, 2007, 12:15 PM
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Here in Holland we have SInterklaas, on 5th December. The goodies for that - pepernoten, chocolate letters etc arrived in the supermarkets as the kids went back to school in September. There has been a lot of protest about it, and some shops withdrew the good for a few weeks - they are now back in the shops, which is Ok AS Sinterklaas arrives in his steamship (from Madrid!) mid November. Two of my sons celebrate Sinterklaas with their Dutch in-laws.
AS I am British we celebrate Christmas with gifts. Used to be on Christmas day but nowadays we do the gifts bit on Boxing Day as my eldest son and his wife go to her German family for Christmas Eve, and travel to us late on Christmas day.
I shall start thinking about Christmas in a few weeks. Make the pudding and cake, order the turkey (or goose or whatever).
The garden centres are full of Christmas decorations now, but other shops wait until December 6th, when Sinterklaas heads back to Spain, before introducing Christmas goods.
My main thing will be hunting down some good Christamas crackers this year, as I won't be able to get to the UK to get some this year.
AS I am British we celebrate Christmas with gifts. Used to be on Christmas day but nowadays we do the gifts bit on Boxing Day as my eldest son and his wife go to her German family for Christmas Eve, and travel to us late on Christmas day.
I shall start thinking about Christmas in a few weeks. Make the pudding and cake, order the turkey (or goose or whatever).
The garden centres are full of Christmas decorations now, but other shops wait until December 6th, when Sinterklaas heads back to Spain, before introducing Christmas goods.
My main thing will be hunting down some good Christamas crackers this year, as I won't be able to get to the UK to get some this year.
Oct 25th, 2007, 12:27 PM
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Christmas is my favourite time of year, although for a few years, with many upheavals in my extended family, I dreaded it. Then we went to England for Xmas last year and all my enthusiasm came back. We had the most perfect holiday, renting a cottage, attending local concerts, seeing the lights turned on in Stratford, going to the theatre, shopping at open air markets, decorating a tree and going to Christ Church Cathedral for Xmas Eve.
I know the English complain that the season has become too commercial but it is nothing compared to Canada and the U.S. I am struggling this year with how I can bring all the wonderful experiences I had last year to my celebrations this year. I can't help it, but I would much rather be in England for Christmas than anywhere else.
I know the English complain that the season has become too commercial but it is nothing compared to Canada and the U.S. I am struggling this year with how I can bring all the wonderful experiences I had last year to my celebrations this year. I can't help it, but I would much rather be in England for Christmas than anywhere else.
Oct 25th, 2007, 01:04 PM
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Christmas in Britain traditionally starts at the end of August, when most large stores have their Christmas card section open, and most of the population whine that Christmas is getting too commercialised and starting too soon. Both store merchandising and the general public's complaints about it have been going on for at least 30 years.
Most shops - even small convenience stores - have their full Christmas 'confectionery' (the trade jargon for sweets and chocolates) range fully displayed by the second week of October. The nearest small shop to my Cotwold house has had its Christmas wrapping paper next to the checkoputs since mid-September.
Christmas toy fairs in department stores have been opened by Father Christmas on the last Saturday of October for at least 50 years. But this is tending to drift later - a disgraceful, and unBritish, acceptance of American influences, with their bizarre belief that Christmas doesn't start till the end of November.
Christmas illuminations start being lit up this year from November 7 (in London's Oxford St) this year, so they must be under construction right now. No-one finds this odd.
We understand North America is uncomfortable about capitalism, and arrogantly believes its watered down version of making money from Christmas is an American peculiarity. It is peculiar: in Britain we have been a great deal more full-blooded about yuletide profiteering for a great deal longer than the neo-socialist states on the other side of the pond.
Most shops - even small convenience stores - have their full Christmas 'confectionery' (the trade jargon for sweets and chocolates) range fully displayed by the second week of October. The nearest small shop to my Cotwold house has had its Christmas wrapping paper next to the checkoputs since mid-September.
Christmas toy fairs in department stores have been opened by Father Christmas on the last Saturday of October for at least 50 years. But this is tending to drift later - a disgraceful, and unBritish, acceptance of American influences, with their bizarre belief that Christmas doesn't start till the end of November.
Christmas illuminations start being lit up this year from November 7 (in London's Oxford St) this year, so they must be under construction right now. No-one finds this odd.
We understand North America is uncomfortable about capitalism, and arrogantly believes its watered down version of making money from Christmas is an American peculiarity. It is peculiar: in Britain we have been a great deal more full-blooded about yuletide profiteering for a great deal longer than the neo-socialist states on the other side of the pond.
Oct 25th, 2007, 01:23 PM
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The rule in my house growing up was no Christmas music before Thanksgiving. Now that I'm a grown-up the rule is after Halloween.
By the way -- Rickmav -- your trip report inspired us. We're going to Stratford for the Christmas Tree Lighting this year. I hope we enjoy it as much as you did.
Merry Christmas!
By the way -- Rickmav -- your trip report inspired us. We're going to Stratford for the Christmas Tree Lighting this year. I hope we enjoy it as much as you did.
Merry Christmas!
Oct 25th, 2007, 01:58 PM
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Christmas decorations go up right after Halloween where I live in Canada. Christmas commercials have been on TV for awhile already.
In answer to your question, I do not anticipate Christmas as much as I used to. It has become way too commercial and materialistic for me. It is hard to get away from that, too, as I feel bombarded with it wherever I go. That obligatory gift giving drives me absolutely crazy!
For Christmas my family always puts together boxes for kids in third world countries instead of doing gifts and such. All my nieces and nephews pick out their very favourite toy and include that - it is a real sacrifice for them.
The part I do anticipate is spiritual for me. It is also important to be with my family and do the traditional stuff as play games, make pull taffy, go carolling, candlelight church service, etc.
In answer to your question, I do not anticipate Christmas as much as I used to. It has become way too commercial and materialistic for me. It is hard to get away from that, too, as I feel bombarded with it wherever I go. That obligatory gift giving drives me absolutely crazy!
For Christmas my family always puts together boxes for kids in third world countries instead of doing gifts and such. All my nieces and nephews pick out their very favourite toy and include that - it is a real sacrifice for them.
The part I do anticipate is spiritual for me. It is also important to be with my family and do the traditional stuff as play games, make pull taffy, go carolling, candlelight church service, etc.
Oct 26th, 2007, 03:01 PM
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BKP - Have a wonderful time in Stratford. How long are you going to England for - what is your itinerary? If you like chicken, make sure to have the Smothered Chicken with Bacon at the Garrick Inn - I can taste it now just thinking about it.
