Plenty of coffee (as we're teetotal), a gripping book, a game of Scrabble, a game of chess, an enthralling film or two, a box of chocolates, and a tasty home-made (vegetarian) meal.
Just the two of us, as we don't have any children, our parents are long-gone, and my sister is bedridden with MND.
But we're not supposed to want a simple, unpretentious Christmas. We're supposed to want a totally over-the-top Christmas, and in the four or five weeks run-up to the big day, we're urged to buy Christmassy stuff by the lorry load.
If you don't have a Santa hat or a Christmas jumper or a Christmas tree or a "Santa stop here" sign, or anything else that says "I'm celebrating Christmas big time, what about you?", you're clearly not pulling your weight.
It's not as if Christmas has any obvious purpose apart from boosting commercial profits and hosting family reunions.
I'd like to see Christmas disappear in favour of Thanksgiving, which the UK doesn't bother with. I like the tradition of giving thanks for all the good things in one's life, all the year's unexpected blessings.
That seems like a better idea than getting paralytically drunk and compulsively over-eating.
Well, it does have an obvious purpose, but most people ignore that. Less is definitely more when it comes to all the hoopla for any of the holidays. Your day sounds very relaxing and peaceful, Nick. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I wondered about that. Should I include remembering the birth of Jesus? Is that a purpose in the usual sense?
DeleteI must admit that if I try to imagine a red and green Christmas decoration in my house I react, "Yuck!"
ReplyDeleteI once wasted three days of my life listening to a local rock station that becomes "your Christmas station..." wasted until I clued in that all the music was for couples who call each other "Babe." Only secular music. Not a single carol. Presumably from a secret station policy.
What uplifts me is traditional carols, with reverence and exultation. Even without words, instrumental carols sound nice to me.
Sean: Only secular music and not a single carol? That sounds wonderful!
DeleteI know everything is Christmasy in stores and some restaurants, but I've never felt pressured by it. After my mother died my son and I decided to drop gift-giving and it's usually just Mark and I. We have a nice meal, music and a fire. De-alcoholized sparkly wine also makes an appearance!
ReplyDeleteSandra: No, I don't feel pressured by all the Christmas razzamatazz, I just find it annoying. Sounds like you too have a simple and relaxing Christmas Day.
DeleteA very similar Christmas for us too. No kids & most family is gone. We love it the way it is.
ReplyDeletePaula: Jenny and I too. We can relax without any obligation to be festive or Christmassy or whatever.
DeleteMy daughter and I decorate because we like being around all the decorations. My grandson likes them too. We have some family over and this year my daughters best friend who moved into our courtyard is also coming over.
ReplyDeleteMary: You really go to town on your Christmas decorations! It must take quite a while to get them all in place.
DeleteSince we spent Thanksgiving visiting family and friends in states, we are planning to remain home for Christmas and will enjoy a nice dinner with no need to dress and go out. Instead, we can wear the most comfortable clothing. I agree that Christmas hype is way over the top as far as shopping. We are not gift giving as our travels have been our gifts to ourselves. We did decorate with a tree and a nativity set, most of the pieces belonged to my late mother so it holds a lot of meaning for me. She passed away right before Christma, many years ago. I think that you and Jenny have a lovely day planned, enjoy.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: Indeed, no need to dress and go out, we can just slob around in anything all day! I like the idea that travelling is your gift to yourselves.
DeleteJust as the Christians took over the trappings of ancient Roman and Persian celebrations and turned them into "Christmas", so capitalism has now taken over Christmas from the Christians and re-purposed it. It's all just about pressure to spend money now.
ReplyDeleteInfidel: Too true, capitalism and money-making leave religion on the sidelines at Christmas.
DeleteThe purpose of Christmas is to remember the birth of Jesus, everything else is cultural extra.
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas will be full of family and some food but I'll be working hard and wont have much time for trimmings
Kylie: I wasn't sure that remembering the birth of Jesus was really a "purpose" as opposed to a simple "observance". But probably that's me just being my usual picky self.
DeleteAck, it's all about money. We don't do much, other than roast a bag of potatoes - which is very yummy!!
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Ms Scarlet: We'll be having roast potatoes too. Tastier than any other way of cooking them, except chips.
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