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

[ed_blackadder_1]

Now that is a good idea.                     

[rose2008-2008]

I have done all the works party bit and used to enjoy it,,,, choosing a new outfit and make up, shoes ect. Dressing up at someones house and getting a taki into town together , then drinking and dancing as much as possible and go home feeling ill ha ha.. NEVER AGAIN done that worn the t.shirt A LOT!!!!. I cannot drink now , cannot even walk in heels anymore. I just like a quiet time really with some goodies and the telly. And my furry friend.

[notgrumpyreally]

I never liked works parties either. Like it even less now because we'd have to pay for it! We only have 3 staff so we give them money.

[rose2008-2008]

There used to be a silly atmosphere where everyone used to be talking about who was doing naughties with who when they should not have been. I think that sort of thing is so SILLY and having parties where you cannot bring your partner (as these used to be) is inviting trouble!!!!. People should learn to keep their parts to themselves and their loved one.

[ginap.123]

I don't know about that, I've managed to go to works dos where I & my colleagues have all managed to keep our 'parts' to ourselves when we haven't been with our other halves. People who choose to play away from home will do it anyway, works do or not. It seems a pretty low opinion of people if you think they can't behave when they are away from thier partners.

[notgrumpyreally]

I agree. How could we go on girls weekends etc if we couldn't be trusted? I went on a 3 day cruise with the girls last year and liked it so much I booked on one two months later with OH. He was packing and asked if it was dinner suits on the Saturday night and I honestly couldn't remember what men were wearing. I remember what the Neil Diamond singer was wearing though!

[chickengrandma-2008]

I've been going out with a group of female friends every week/fortnight for 38 years now.  Not one of us has ever got any parts out and are all with our original husbands of 45 years.  

[ed_blackadder_1]

Sorry ladies but our christmas parties at work used to be like the ones Rose is talking about, everyone got very drunk very quickly and got up to allsorts, also the next day there was  a lot of cattiness about what people were wearing and what about his/her partner wern't they awful/ugly whatever, not my idea of a fun party and I have been to some really great ones in the past, I just find works parties can be very two faced and not enjoyable at all. There is a lot of brown nosing going on if you get my drift, who can creep around the boss the most.  I haven't been to ours for 12 years and don't intend to start now.  Other parties yes but not a works one.

I go out once a month with a group of friends without our partners and we have a great time and behave ourselves and we have all been married over 25 years.  It just seems to be the CHristmas party that brings out the worst in some people.

[notgrumpyreally]

Today seems to have been invite day. We now have sixteen various things to go to but I haven't planned one yet. We have friends coming to a dinner party on the 14th and I'm wondering if I can get away without doing anything else! No Saturdays free and I have nothing to wear 🙂

[dark_castle1]

ed, here as it has been for many years over the festive season it shall be my wife and I with our dog. Until three years ago when it would have been my wife, myself and two dogs but sadly Suzie went to Rainbow Bridge in August 2011.

No family or friends visit us at any time. Here seems to be the only real friends we have.

[merc1_clocks]

 Oh corgi...you is lovely...their loss

[chickengrandma-2008]

I second that mercs.  Corgi is a gentleman and a very nice man.

[notgrumpyreally]

Can I third that? x

[10phizz]

I spent over 40 years doing all the catering for a large family, OH plus 5 children. MiL (could write a book about her !) my parents and often OH`s cousin , her husband and several of their 6 children with partners. Plus OH`s aunt. Fed between 16 to 25. at Lunch time ,followed by Christmas tea (High tea  cold meats, salads, Trifle, fruit salad, cakes crackers cheese biscuits etc ) call it what you will. All sat at tables , all the good china and posh cloths...........this after a full English breakfast !

What an idiot I was.

They all had a wonderful time........I spent it in the kitchen

. Someone would usually help with the wasing up.

My mother used to bring some mince pies and often made me take £20 towards expenses.

Now OH and I go to one of the kids houses, they have family gatherings for extended family because they remember the good ones here.

My idea of a perfect Christmas day ? Me, a sandwich and the remote cos I NEVER watched any Christmas TV.

[chickengrandma-2008]

I think some mums (me included) want so much to make everyone's Christmas as happy and traditional as possible.  They plan and save and cook and clean and have everything just so for the family and parents and any waifs and strays that happen along, that they don't actually have Christmas.

I'm enjoying it now (although feeling a little guilty, but that's a sacrifice I have to make) because my son has taken over my role.  He does all the planning, buying and cooking of the Christmas dinner and tea.  He does a much better job of it than I did too.

[petitecalicocat]

For many years  all thefamily spent Christmas day at hubbys grandparents . Since they passed on i took over so everyone came to us, although we were never a large family .

Over the years the family has become fewer just our two sons , us , mil & her brother & his wife & one sons two dogs .

This year could be very quiet  as both sons have partners now , so its the old problem of who to go to each year now .

Eldest will  understanably want to be with his GF & her little girl & her family ,   the plan was they would come to us for Boxing day but as son hant got a car atm it may not happen ..will see how it pans out 🙂

New Years Eve is always spent with close friends,  we used to go out but since friends  DD was married we tend to go to her house:)