Maximus Decimus Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 It's that time of year again when everyone is getting ready for Christmas and each family has their own ways of doing things. I'm over in Ireland and last night we were wrapping the kids Santa presents. My in-laws were looking at us like we had two heads as they don't wrap them. The children walk in and all their toys are literally out for them to see. The usual argument ensued about which way is the normal way and I'm firmly of the opinion that this is pretty unique to their family. My usual line is, 'show me a film or TV programme where a child wakes up to unwrapped Santa presents!' My family doesn't have many uncommon traditions, perhaps the only one is where we go to Delamere forest on Christmas Eve. Initially devised by my dad to tire the kids out so we'd sleep in the night (never worked), it has been kept going whether there were kids or not. Anyone got any interesting ones? A Widnesian in Ireland blog What is the best system for Super League? An honest appraisal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrybill Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Nope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerrumonside ref Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Maximus Decimus said: It's that time of year again when everyone is getting ready for Christmas and each family has their own ways of doing things. I'm over in Ireland and last night we were wrapping the kids Santa presents. My in-laws were looking at us like we had two heads as they don't wrap them. The children walk in and all their toys are literally out for them to see. The usual argument ensued about which way is the normal way and I'm firmly of the opinion that this is pretty unique to their family. My usual line is, 'show me a film or TV programme where a child wakes up to unwrapped Santa presents!' My family doesn't have many uncommon traditions, perhaps the only one is where we go to Delamere forest on Christmas Eve. Initially devised by my dad to tire the kids out so we'd sleep in the night (never worked), it has been kept going whether there were kids or not. Anyone got any interesting ones? Unwrapped presents? Half the excitement was wondering what was in the big box! In terms of traditions, we hold a ‘give us a clue’ war between men and women teams amongst the extended family. Its sounds naff, but played in the right spirit with an emphasis on having a laugh with a little bit of cheating it seems to bring everyone together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Futtocks Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 This year, we're not having Christmas Day 'til the 27th, due to various family members not being available on the 25th. So, a bit non-traditional this time around. But the usual pattern of the day will go on. A few small presents in the morning, a glass of fizz and light snacks mid-morning, late lunch, presents, the obligatory turkey'n'booze coma, then late evening foraging leftovers, plus cheese & biscuits and large mugs of tea. Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. Ralph Waldo Emerson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboystu Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Our Christmas tradition for some years now has been to eat out on christmas day and then have a hot/cold buffet lunch on boxing day. Due in part to my tightarsedness I've decided to do it the other way round this year and save £30 per head! My wife and kids still aren't convinced but my old man is up for it.....if they don't like it they can pay for it next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hallucinating Goose Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 2 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said: I'm over in Ireland and last night we were wrapping the kids Santa presents. Wow, I read that really wrong! For a moment there I thought you were wrapping up children so santa could give them to someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 The whole family on Mrs Phil’s side always go to midnight mass on Christmas Eve even though none of us are religious in that sense. Tomorrow we go to my brother in law’s house, we get there about 11:00 we take all the presents with us for kids and adults alike. We all take some food to be cooked, this year we’re taking a huge piece of pork, by tradition the women do the cooking while the men sit around and natter, we’ll eat at 4:30-5:00 ish and then the men will wash up (very much against Roma tradition) then the kids will do singing and dancing while we have a few glasses of whatever (I’ll be behaving) Some are staying over, the rest set off home when the young uns are completely knackered "Freedom without socialism is privilege and injustice, socialism without freedom is slavery and brutality" - Mikhail Bakunin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 4 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said: It's that time of year again when everyone is getting ready for Christmas and each family has their own ways of doing things. I'm over in Ireland and last night we were wrapping the kids Santa presents. My in-laws were looking at us like we had two heads as they don't wrap them. The children walk in and all their toys are literally out for them to see. The usual argument ensued about which way is the normal way and I'm firmly of the opinion that this is pretty unique to their family. My usual line is, 'show me a film or TV programme where a child wakes up to unwrapped Santa presents!' My family doesn't have many uncommon traditions, perhaps the only one is where we go to Delamere forest on Christmas Eve. Initially devised by my dad to tire the kids out so we'd sleep in the night (never worked), it has been kept going whether there were kids or not. Anyone got any interesting ones? It's an Irish thing, my wife and her family don't wrap for the children either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Just now, Damien said: It's an Irish thing, my wife and her family don't wrap for the children either. We never had them wrapped as kids,I remember being surprised when I found out my English pals did "Freedom without socialism is privilege and injustice, socialism without freedom is slavery and brutality" - Mikhail Bakunin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Warrior Dragon Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 2 hours ago, The Hallucinating Goose said: Wow, I read that really wrong! For a moment there I thought you were wrapping up children so santa could give them to someone. Thanks, THG. You have just made a perfect case for retention and use of the apostrophe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Warrior Dragon Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 5 hours ago, Maximus Decimus said: It's that time of year again when everyone is getting ready for Christmas and each family has their own ways of doing things. I'm over in Ireland and last night we were wrapping the kids Santa presents. My in-laws were looking at us like we had two heads as they don't wrap them. The children walk in and all their toys are literally out for them to see. The usual argument ensued about which way is the normal way and I'm firmly of the opinion that this is pretty unique to their family. My usual line is, 'show me a film or TV programme where a child wakes up to unwrapped Santa presents!' My family doesn't have many uncommon traditions, perhaps the only one is where we go to Delamere forest on Christmas Eve. Initially devised by my dad to tire the kids out so we'd sleep in the night (never worked), it has been kept going whether there were kids or not. Anyone got any interesting ones? To answer your question, MD - no, not really, we are creatures of habit. So, on Christmas Day itself, I will go to the village church where I sing in, and direct, the choir, for the Christmas morning service (hardly seems worth going home after the midnight mass a few hours before!) Meanwhile, some others in the family (who are my wife, our son and his girlfriend, who both live here with us, and our daughter, who I fetched from Winchester, where she lives and works earlier today) will take the dog for a walk. When I get home, it is present exchanging and - yes - unwrapping, accompanied by home-made sausage rolls and something cold and soothing to drink. Early afternoon is devoted to preparing the main meal - or at least what hasn't been done before. My wife leads on this; we assist as requested. She comes from a catering background, which I am sure helps; her mum owned and single-handedly ran, a café in Skipton (it's where my wife and I met; truly, the way to a man's heart is, indeed, through his stomach, despite what medical textbooks might say!). After eating the efforts of all that labour, the rest of the day gently subsides, as we each read newly acquired books or watch new DVDs, play new computer games, or watch some television, delighting in Morecambe & Wise (especially its political incorrectness!) and wondering why nothing half as good has come along since! Then, to quote Mt Pepys, "And so to bed!" - at least I think it was him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 4 minutes ago, Johnoco said: My parents were from Limerick and we definitely had wrapped presents. I’ve never even heard of this tradition, I’ll be honest. My dad was from Derry and mom from Donegal, I’m assuming it’s a regional thing but I don’t really know much more about it "Freedom without socialism is privilege and injustice, socialism without freedom is slavery and brutality" - Mikhail Bakunin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximus Decimus Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Phil said: My dad was from Derry and mom from Donegal, I’m assuming it’s a regional thing but I don’t really know much more about it My wife's family are from this area of Ireland (Strabane), so maybe it is a regional thing. A Widnesian in Ireland blog What is the best system for Super League? An honest appraisal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 17 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said: My wife's family are from this area of Ireland (Strabane), so maybe it is a regional thing. I can certainly vouch on it being a Co. Tyrone thing too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Rhino Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 My wife and I always watch Christmas films on Christmas Eve. Tonight's offering has been The Grinch, The Bishop's Wife and It's a Wonderful Life. It's a Wonderful Life is always on our viewing list but the others are changed year on year. However, in our 20 years of marriage, I'm still unable to get Die Hard onto our Christmas Eve viewing list. 2014 Challenged Cup Winner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hallucinating Goose Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 5 minutes ago, Wiltshire Rhino said: My wife and I always watch Christmas films on Christmas Eve. Tonight's offering has been The Grinch, The Bishop's Wife and It's a Wonderful Life. It's a Wonderful Life is always on our viewing list but the others are changed year on year. However, in our 20 years of marriage, I'm still unable to get Die Hard onto our Christmas Eve viewing list. Die Hard is the greatest Christmas film no question. Just wish santa would bring me a machine gun...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSantos Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 I have a 9 month old and wanted to start some 'traditions'. Its not gone well. Running the Rob Burrow marathon to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-dyas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayakman Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 23 minutes ago, MattSantos said: I have a 9 month old and wanted to start some 'traditions'. Its not gone well. He is a little young...wait til next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSantos Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 9 minutes ago, Kayakman said: He is a little young...wait til next year. Aye. Hes teething. Wife is not well and we're in China and not Fiji as i wanted Knackered. Sat in the hotel bar whilst theyre both asleep, hope this tradition doesnt continue. Still, lovely views and all that Running the Rob Burrow marathon to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-dyas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayakman Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 20 minutes ago, MattSantos said: Aye. Hes teething. Wife is not well and we're in China and not Fiji as i wanted Knackered. Sat in the hotel bar whilst theyre both asleep, hope this tradition doesnt continue. Still, lovely views and all that It all gets better..my wife feels sorry for you...we are sitting having our morning coffee...sort of been there and done that many years ago. Hang in there...I know your pain. Merry Christmas from Canada! Cheer up! (Wife is chuckling) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnM Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 2 hours ago, MattSantos said: Aye. Hes teething. Wife is not well and we're in China and not Fiji as i wanted Knackered. Sat in the hotel bar whilst theyre both asleep, hope this tradition doesnt continue. Still, lovely views and all that we're in China and not Fiji as i wanted Check your tickets more closely next year, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSantos Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Sat in a very snazzy bar drinking old fashioneds. An absolutely amazing placw to have a drink. Pointless without a happy wife and kid.. order another old fashioned to make sure Running the Rob Burrow marathon to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-dyas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattSantos Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 1 minute ago, JohnM said: we're in China and not Fiji as i wanted Check your tickets more closely next year, Met you once old lad. Golf day. Rather buy you a pint than Fiji. True story Running the Rob Burrow marathon to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie foundation: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-dyas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob8 Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 21 minutes ago, MattSantos said: Met you once old lad. Golf day. Rather buy you a pint than Fiji. True story Merry Christmas, Matt "You clearly have never met Bob8 then, he's like a veritable Bryan Ferry of RL." - Johnoco 19 Jul 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnM Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 53 minutes ago, MattSantos said: Met you once old lad. Golf day. Rather buy you a pint than Fiji. True story Indeed so. Aintree IIRC. Aslo in a pub in Liverpool with the Mighty Penguins with Justin Degan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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