Christmas adverts and programmes - real or fantasy

[ed_blackadder_1]

I have seen quite a few adverts and programmes that talk about Christmas and they are all about having big parties every night, buying that perfect dress for all the functions people go to,  the family Christmas is about 25 people, everyone has a fortune to spend on food and sparkly dresses, how to dress your table for the perfect lunch.

Does anyone here have Christmas like that.

Our family Christmas lunch is 6 people, everyone else is away doing their own thing, not that we have a big family, we never have a party because we don't have a huge amount of friends (not cos there is anything wrong with us that's just the way it is), we don't go out over Christmas unless it's down the village pub of a lunchtime. We have had people around new years eve, just a couple and we have an Indian or Chinese and watch dvd's.

So is our life the real one or the one on the adverts and TV programmes.

It is only 2 days after all, isn't it.

Feeling a little inadequate

[ilove2patch]

I might have done that sort of thing in my twenties but now I am a home bird. 

[chickengrandma-2008]

I suppose your Christmas is how you want it to be, or to suit your usual lifestyle.

Perhaps people who go out a lot during the year carry this on over Christmas, and those that don't go out much don't do much at Christmas.

We always have a family Christmas day which is from about 11am to only 8pm or so as there are young children, so that's 9 of us usually.  Sometimes there might be my daughter's inlaws and perhaps their grown up separated son.

Boxing day we go to daughter's for tea, unless she's gone to his parents. Son and his children might pop in.    That's about it really.

 I'm having 7 female friends over on 12th for a buffet and drinks and perhaps even some silly party games and we've been invited out on New year's eve, but it depends on how hubby feels.

Aslong as you have you nearest and dearest around you do you want never ending parties?  I don't.  

[myraandjim]

There will only be the two of us this year, family are all miles away and I think we have been forgotten this year! Will be nice to take it easy instead of having to cook for everyone though (that's what I am telling myself anyway)

[millielilac]

We have always had everyone to our house for Xmas lunch , there used to be up to about 15 people in the early years but the numbers have dwindled as older relations passed on....

Now only about 7 or 8 ....BUT this xmas is different ...son has a new house that is big enough for family to stay over so we are going there ...think there will be about a dozen in all ........and a couple of dogs....

It will be the first time away from home at Xmas for us in almost 40 years ...

[notgrumpyreally]

We go out quite a lot, we've got two black tie balls and a dinner in London. We also go to a few drinks parties etc. Christmas Day is a mix of friends and family. I love getting dressed up in something sparkly.

[twishy123]

We're having Christmas dinner at Swishy daughter's home this year....

Starting a new tradition so anything could happen,it's very much play it by ear....all mucking in I think...

There will be 7 of us altogether so I'm really looking forward to it...

       

[spring_rabbit]

The adverts and TV programmes are the fantasy that most people dream of, the reality I suspect for most people is close family for Chrismas dinner with some family members missing, and  small selection of items for tea as everyone has overeaten already

As for New Years eve, its either a party with friends where half the people are not drinking as they are driving or tucked in in bed with the Horlics well before midnight

[wskneil]

By choice my Xmas day usually consists of a day building a motorbike, and egg, bacon and chips for Xmas dinner! I will probably have to go fo Xmas dinner with Onions, Jan and her Mum and Dad this year.... deep joy!

[rose2008-2008]

Thats exactly put into words what i think about Christmas. When i was young i used to get really really excited and have a dream it was all like one big fantasy. I think adverts can make children think that!!!!!. not such a fantasy when you grow up and have to shell out all the cash for presents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Ha ha a... It is really for children!!!!!! in a way.

[notgrumpyreally]

Don't any of you go to parties anymore? You're a long time dead you know! Get out there and have fun!

[ed_blackadder_1]

No body we know has drinks or dinner parties, Maybe that is down to the money it costs, or maybe we are all home bodies.  We did go out when we were younger, it's not that we are too old or anything, just not the circles we mix in.  We have quite a few friends who live away and we visit them at various times of the year but Christmas is spent with their respective families. My brother lives away and usually spends Christmas with his other half and her family, OH brother and sisters live away too and they do their own thing.

It is nice to know we are normal and that the adverts seem to be a bit of a fantasy world.

Works Christmas party is usually full of clics and you can't let your hair down with the bosses there.

Christmas eve is chinese and a dvd, Christmas day just the 3 of us, lunch at about 3, just chilling, hubby works hard and long hours so it is nice for him to relax, Boxing day 3 extra for lunch, lots of bickering and falling asleep,(not by us)

New Years Eve this year will just be us two, son will be out on the town.  OH not interested in busy pubs with over inflated prices (his words)

A few girl friends and I will go out for a Christmas lunch or 2, and we do a fair bit of Christmas shopping expeditions (not buying just

soaking up the atmosphere),  We all seem to be in the same boat, we all like the things that go with Christmas but have hubbie or partners who arn't interested.

Personally I think Christmas is fantastic when you have young children about but all our children are grown up but don't have children of their own yet, so maybe that will change when they have.

[alexander400]

Well my christmas day is not like those adverts. Usually it is myself and my son who go down to my friends with his two boys so usually five of us. I prepare the veg at my house and he prepares the chickens and yorkshire pudding. Table is layed as usual with the exception of crackers.

When we shop we have to go to the cheap shop or cheap section and often the chicken is a reduced one put into the freezer a week or so before. We have to watch the pennies on all items.

We usually wear jeans and t shirts and neither of us can afford new items of clothing I am out of work and so dont have a works party to go to and he works nights in an engineering factory so no party for him either.

Two years ago his mum came over and caused friction between everyone including the kids...so she is now banned.

So NO........my christmas is absolutely nothing like the adverts!!!! Just another Sunday lunch with a few extras on the table....but still just as cheap. LOL

[alexander400]

Forgot to say that about the only thing that is purchased especially for christmas are a couple of packets of the ready ground percolated coffee with a flavour ie coffee flavoured with baileys. Three of these packets usually cost £5.00

[chickengrandma-2008]

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@notgrumpyreally wrote:
Don't any of you go to parties anymore? You're a long time dead you know! Get out there and have fun!

---

Different people have different ways of having fun though grumpy.  Going to a party isn't my idea of fun.  Been there, done that when I was in my teens and twenties.  My idea of fun now is a smaller gathering of personal friends that you can eat and drink with, have a good conversation, and at Christmas time play silly games like charades or having a fun quiz.

Much more sedate and refined than seeing a load of rowdy strangers getting p*ssed out of their heads and either fighting or throwing up!

[stan3502]

This year will be the first in over 20 that I won't be working so not really sure what will happen yet as planning to discuss it with the family next weekend when they are here for lunch

[notgrumpyreally]

You suggesting I go to parties where people fight and throw up CG!
I love parties where you wander round meeting people and snacking on yummy bits. It's even better now both my sons can drive and can repay all those Mum's taxis!

[dazypichu]

Will be having an 'early Xmas' in mid December when eldest and family come over plus youngest and his girlfriend so that will be 6 of us and then Xmas day will be me, youngest and my dad, no mum this year 😞  But I'll make it all nice and slave away in the kitchen for hours with a nice bottle of wine that won't be going in the cooking!!

Don't do anything for New Year, will just be me and the furries. But will go out for a meal with youngest and girlfriend after New Year, we promised ourselves that a few months ago.

[ed_blackadder_1]

Sadly grumpy I don't know anyone that throws that sort of party nobody we know knows that many people - We have a couple of close friends nearby and they are the same as us, most of us live in houses that arn't really big enough to have parties, not without removing all the furniture.

[notgrumpyreally]

Shall I have a FHG one and invite you all? I'll knock up some nibbles and we can raid the wine fridge.