It's that time of year again: Christmas 2021

[MrsDangermouse]

The term xmas being used openly on this forum is a bit of culture shock for me, living in the Dallas area -- the buckle of the Bible Belt. A lot of people here get seriously bent out of shape if you use "xmas." The Evangelical Christian folk get offended if you even say, "Happy Hollidays." They assume you are a member of the army waging the "War on Christmas." That is really a "thing" here -- a completely made up "War on Christmas."

CD

Xmas is pretty standard over here...not being religious myself I have no idea if it has any non-religious connotations for some people though.
Happy Holidays isn't something that's really caught on here, I guess our nearest non-religious/inclusive equivalent would be Seasons Greetings. Though its a little old fashioned, and you'd probably only see it written down, I don't recall actually ever hearing anyone say it to someone.

The origin of the word 'Xmas' is more Christian than they might think: Why Is "Christmas" Abbreviated As "Xmas"?

Interesting! I didn't actually know that. I kind of want someone to get annoyed by me using Xmas just so I can correct them now

 

[caseydog]

I kind of want someone to get annoyed by me using Xmas just so I can correct them now

Move to Dallas.

CD

 

[The Velvet Curtain]

The term xmas being used openly on this forum is a bit of culture shock for me, living in the Dallas area -- the buckle of the Bible Belt. A lot of people here get seriously bent out of shape if you use "xmas." The Evangelical Christian folk get offended if you even say, "Happy Hollidays." They assume you are a member of the army waging the "War on Christmas." That is really a "thing" here -- a completely made up "War on Christmas."

CD

Imagine how us Pagans feel about the Jesus botherers stealing our mid winter festival and most of its traditions and making it all about their God

 

[karadekoolaid]

I have to admit I´m uncomfortable with "happy holidays". It smacks of woke culture.It´s Xmas - or when Christ was born. It doesn´t matter if you´re religious or christian or not, because you get to celebrate anyway. Christmas Day is a national holiday in many countries, so why to we have to dumb it down to "holidays"? Next thing they´ll make the nativity gender-neutral, Mary & Joseph will be "in a long-term relationship", the shepherds will have to be certified as over 21 to enjoy the cup of wine, the asses will become mules( because they can´t reproduce) and the 3 Kings will become the 3 Queens and there will have to be at least one who is transgender.
I just wonder how Hindus react to Diwali, practising Jews to Hannukah, Muslims to Eid, and the Bhuddists to Vesak when you say "happy holidays"? I´d be a bit miffed.

 

[TastyReuben]

I am buying the stocking stuffers this year. My sister informed me we wouldn't have them because she didn't have time to do them. My mom would be heartbroken, so I am doing them. I made my first purchase today. This is an American Christmas thing. Hickory Farms doesn't have permanent stores. They have kiosks in malls for Christmas season.

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CD

I remember getting their catalogs in the mail when I was a kid (along with Figi's) - everything looked so good.

The origin of the word 'Xmas' is more Christian than they might think: Why Is "Christmas" Abbreviated As "Xmas"?

It's the same where I live with regards to "Xmas" - which is why I use it where appropriate.

And the weird thing is, many people know what the X is for, but they still are bothered by it, because Jesus is so awesome, you should be simply thrilled to use the long form. That's why, when someone tells me that (at least twice every holiday), I tell them I'll start calling it "JesusHChristmas," since we should get his whole name in there.

I'm amazed my house hasn't been set on fire yet.

I have to admit I´m uncomfortable with "happy holidays".

"Happy holidays" predates any "woke culture" or "war on Christmas." It was a perfectly acceptable phrase when I was growing up, and generally meant to be an easy way to say "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, oh and hope you had a good Thanksgiving as well" - yes, all Western-centric, but no one was worried about being inclusive back then.

From my point of view, nutjobs on both side are to blame for the current misery associated with a simple phrase of well-wishing - extremists on this one side insist everyone must recognize everyone else's particular holiday, and since it's too long to say, "Merry Christmas/Joyful Kwanza/Happy Hanukkah/Peaceful Ramadan/Did I miss one? Sorry!" we should use "Happy Holidays" as a catch-all, and extremists on the other side scream about a "war on Christmas" and mandate that it's "Merry Christmas" or else you're a Socialist/Communist/tree-hugging/sexually-confused/vegan weirdo out to destroy The Greatest Country On Earth.

That's why extremists in both side can go <bleep> themselves, AFAIC.

I've been saying "Happy Holidays," "Merry Christmas," "Enjoy the holidays," "Have a good'un," and a handful of other phrases since I could talk, and I still do, and I'll continue to do so. My rule of thumb is simple:

Shopkeeper: "Thanks for stopping in, and 'Merry Christmas.'"
Me: "Thanks. 'Happy Holidays!'l

Pharmacist: "There you go. 'Happy Holidays!'l
Me: "Thanks! 'Merry Christmas!'"

Why? Because I don't want to say the exact same thing back. It's like how if someone says 'hi' to me, I always respond with 'hello' - saying the same thing back is just...boring.

Wait, didn't someone ask what we were making for Christmas Day? Now I'm too out of breath to respond!

I'll try anyway: Christmas Eve will be a pesto-filled pull-apart bread and dip, Christmas Day will be:

Standing rib roast
Roasted potatoes
Green bean gratin
Yorkshire puddings
Gravy
Spice cake
Christmas punch, cranberry wine, beer

Boxing Day will be leftovers.

 

[Morning Glory]

It´s Xmas - or when Christ was born

Nobody knows the actual day he was born or even the year. 25th of December was most likely adopted by the Catholic church in an attempt to undermine and take over pagan solstice ceremonies.

 

[LissaC]

I really don't understand why are we still celebrating Christmas, Easter, etc, when most countries claim to be secular states. I guess the people would go insane if they lost their days off, that's why!

Anyway I really have no love for the holidays and will be spending Christmas eve home alone which I did only once but I really enjoy There's always too much family drama going on this time of the year and I enjoy sitting home alone doing whatever I want and staying away from all the drama. I'll probably curl up with a book and a cup of tea and go to bed early and it will be lovely.

 

[Morning Glory]

There's always too much family drama going on this time of the year and I enjoy sitting home alone doing whatever I want and staying away from all the drama. I'll probably curl up with a book and a cup of tea and go to bed early and it will be lovely.

I'm with you there. Partner is tucked up in bed by 7 pm. I'll eat alone on Xmas night, relax and do what I want. Its a luxury.

 

[The Velvet Curtain]

I really don't understand why are we still celebrating Christmas, Easter, etc, when most countries claim to be secular states. I guess the people would go insane if they lost their days off, that's why!

Anyway I really have no love for the holidays and will be spending Christmas eve home alone which I did only once but I really enjoy There's always too much family drama going on this time of the year and I enjoy sitting home alone doing whatever I want and staying away from all the drama. I'll probably curl up with a book and a cup of tea and go to bed early and it will be lovely.

This year, for the first time in many years, Lu and I will be spending Christmas without visitors; so relaxing, reading, a nice walk, a glass of wine, gentle music and the food we want to eat. It will be bliss.

 

[TastyReuben]

I really don't understand why are we still celebrating Christmas, Easter, etc, when most countries claim to be secular states. I guess the people would go insane if they lost their days off, that's why!

There's no reason why they can't be just secular - that way, we keep our days off and we don't have to be bothered with the other stuff.

For me, Christmas is 100% secular, and it doesn't matter about pagan origins or Roman assimilation one jot to me. Same with all the other holidays that have religious roots that we celebrate. I grab the bits I like and do those, and ignore the rest.

Quiet Christmas is my favorite kind of Christmas.

 

[TastyReuben]

My wife's best friend just sent us a box for Christmas, and it included this nice little tin:

I forgot to take a pic, but the little stocking contains a Caramello bar, two little squares of Ghirardelli's chocolate, two little Christmas figures of peppermint bark (Santa and a snowman), and four little chocolate kisses.

I love the tin!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Very expensive hiking boots.

We've got a good collection of those as well. Lol.

2 pairs mountaineering boots each (min $500 a pair) (Scarpa Manta) these were our winter weight mountaineering boots for occasional crampon use.

2 pairs hiking boots each (mine are Lowa Renegade GTX mid) ($475 a pair)

2 pairs of hiking shoes (mine are Lowa Renegade GTX shoe) ($300‐400 if you can find them in Australia...)

Then there are the hiking sandals, also 2 pairs...

My only other footwear is waterproof, sloggies mid boot and shoe.

I'm actually going to have to buy some suitable footwear for my citizenship ceremony! Mind you, I'll have to buy some suitable clothes as well.

 

[Frizz1974]

Totes worth it. I never bothered until I had committed to walking across England but I bought some about 6 months before I left so I could wear them in. I also have a set of Asics that have a more “trail friendly” grip that I took with me as I find I do better on multi day hikes with a second set of comfy shoes.

I wore a lot of stiletto in my teens and could walk miles in them but I couldn’t walk to the bathroom in them without crippling pain now.

 

[rascal]

I got another one today. It's the annual card and family update letter from my Aunt. I have two more of those sure to arrive any day now. I haven't read the one I got today, yet. Not sure how I will read those family update letters people send while I'm sober.

CD

Lol, my late aunty used to send a letter to everyone she knew (hundreds, well known) from her farm. It contained stories of her travels, and her Imaginary things her two sons have achieved.
I've met the sons, my first cousins, they are boring nil achievers. Unmarried and average jobs.

Russ

 

[rascal]

This year, for the first time in many years, Lu and I will be spending Christmas without visitors; so relaxing, reading, a nice walk, a glass of wine, gentle music and the food we want to eat. It will be bliss.

11 of us here xmas lunch at 1ish. We absolutely love xmas day. Big lunch with leg lamb pickled pork and Turkey and all trimmings. then lazy day boxing day. Race meetings and our tab accounts are loaded for a day of racing and leftovers.

Russ