| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/1/2008 6:57:27 PM | All that just to see those wide eyes of innocent children whom come by and take a peak.
What about us not so innocent adults? 
Seeing the Xmas light displays is one of my favourite things to do each year, and I'm finding more and more people are doing it less and less. I'm not sure if it's because of the cost of hydro , or the lack of time/interest/motivation/spirit that has caused the drop. Maybe both?
Christmastime has changed a fair bit for me. Circumstances play a big part in that, primarily my living situation and my financial situation. At first both caused me some sadness and feelings of guilt, but the spirit of Christmas never changed. Christmas was always primarily about getting together with family. And friends. 
And thankfully, aside from the few loved ones that have passed on, I still have that. | |
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/1/2008 7:52:03 PM | Walts & Bella, you made me feel a little guilty for my laziness... yes, things like the outside Christmas lights have gone by the wayside for me and yet it is one of those things I really enjoy about the season. These days I just put some up on the window 'inside' the house.
Putting the lights up on the house was one of "those" activities that we used to enjoy doing as a couple... and I just cannot get excited about doing it alone.
Thank you Walts, from all of us who truly enjoy the lights!
... maybe next year I'll convince my daughter to do it with me.. start a new tradition. | |
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/2/2008 6:31:30 PM | Christmas has changed drastically for me this year....there will never be a credit card christmas again in my life....nope ....never....I have a plan and that plan has used up most of my money....my children will only get a couple presents each this year instead of filling up half the living room with presents...I am happy though and I know my kids will be to when we can move to a brand new home and everyone will have their own space. I also dont want my youngest boy to grow up expecting tons of expensive gifts as over the years I have finally realized the Christmas is not about the gifts but its about being together and being able to love one another. They will still have the anticipation of Christmas morning as they will get Christmas presents from Santa, but it wont take 5 sleds and 3 credit cards to get there. I will never have to be depressed boxing day again 
I quit doing the Turkey dinner on Christmas day a few years back and I order in Chinese food so I can spend the whole day with my children and not the whole day cooking and cleaning and since I changed that tradition I have enjoyed Christmas day to the fullest...We even get out tobogganing or sledding even skiing on Christmas day now which beats the hell out of scrubbing a turkey pan and washing a zillion dishes. We do do a nice brunch after presents and my family enjoys it this way as well (at home or at the ski hill)....MOM isnt to happy about it but we just do Christmas dinner at her house another day during the Christmas holidays. Save a turkey eat Chinese | |
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/3/2008 9:45:09 AM | christmas is just like everything else...the only thing constant in anything is change..
christmas is no exception to the rule..why would it be...
as your circumstances change so will everything else in your life..
including your christmas experiences..
my christmas experiences run the gauntlet..
from as close as i'll ever get to exquisite ....to a living *hell* on earth...
i've been blessed to have had some really great ones...
on the flip side i've had some really weird and stressful ones...and everything in between..
through out all of the constant changes...the only thing i have to say about all of this is...
It's a wonderful life........... .........r.i.p. jimmy stewart...... | |
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Smylie
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Joined: 7/18/2005
Msg: 30 | |
| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/3/2008 4:04:39 PM | Christmas traditions for us are still going strong. We will put up the lights and tree this weekend as a family. Our best gifts each year are another tradition - we make something special for each member of the immediate family. The handmade gifts are the ones we look forward to the most. We will also be spending time shopping for items to donate to the food bank and Christmas toy bank.
These are the things we have done as a family since the boys were very small. We still see the best of the holiday spirit in our traditional activities.
Have a great day! | |
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/9/2008 5:22:54 AM | Well, after the last week or so, it seems that the Christmas "rush" is in full swing for the peeps out there. Now, I am one of the biggest fans of Christmas, it's season and what it is suppose to mean, BUT, enough is enough!
In less than 10 days I have been clipped by TWO different vehicles and their drivers while out playing on the roads for my work. So, just for a public service announcement I'll throw this out there. When you decide that you to run out and get some shopping done, get to the Christmas party, go visiting, realize that there are other people out there, and not just in other vehicles. Give yourself the extra time needed to get there safely, for you and others.
I don't enjoy playing out on the roads at this time of year, nor do my crews. The sun comes up later and later each day, and the sun sets way too early. Yet, we still have to work. Just don't forget that the people out there working DO have families that they want to go home to, and they also want to enjoy their Christmas holidays. If you fail to understand this point, be forwarned,,,,you may end up having a nasty, grumpy old man in your face thru you car window. From personal experince, I can tell ya, I am not a very pleasent man when I see stupidity in action, especially when it comes to my guys' safety.
Please, please, be careful out there, and for pete's sake, turn your lights on and open your eyes!!! (not really sorry about this rant ) | |
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Xavery
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Joined: 4/22/2007
Msg: 33 | |
| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/9/2008 8:01:14 PM | | I think as we get older Christmas changes for us. For me, it is no big deal and I don't like all the shopping and crowds anymore. I remember being a child, teenager and young adult and hardly being able to sleep at night. I remember listening for the freaking reindeer on the roof and crying at the end of one Christmas Day because I would have to wait an entire year for the day again. I wish I had more of that in me now. Fortunately, it was only about 5 years ago my attitude about Christmas changed. It was after the Christmas in which I had a serious accident, but I think my attitude shift has to do with becoming less materialistic rather than any aniversary trauma. | |
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/9/2008 8:13:26 PM | I stubbed my toe last xmas......^^^^^.........very traumatizing too.......
But, I'm still goona buy mahself a shitload of goodies anyways......you know??
Comfort gifts.......... | |
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/11/2008 8:31:26 PM | | 4 years ago was the last Christmas that I celebrated with my family. Spent a fortune on food booze and presents for the holiday season. Only to have most of my then adult kids passed out before dinner. I put in a lot of work and effort into it and I just didn't feel like doing it anymore after that. It's great, save myself a couple of thousand a year. :) | |
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XHTML
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Joined: 6/5/2008
Msg: 36 | |
| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/22/2008 9:15:19 PM | Christmas has definitely changed.
Growing up in a small town with only a company store and devoid of independent retailers made for quite a different experience from what we endure today.
I remember the childhood excitement when the Christmas catalogs from both Simpsons Sears and Eatons arrived. We pore over the toy section for hours, hoping and making wishes. If we were lucky we might get one of those wishes granted.
Then a Christmas store was setup temporarily in the rec centre.... in early or mid-December, not immediately after Halloween either as is common today and they had toys as well as Christmas decorations and other stuff usually not carried in the company store.
One of the churches also created a Christmas store in the church basement. Townsfolk looked forward to that where they could buy homemade ornaments and other local crafted products. A friend tells me she still hangs on her tree some of those decorations up even now, 30+ years later.
Often it was bitterly cold outside and other than those who had to work everyone pretty much stayed at home. Some families would invite some of the bachelors who lived in the bunkhouses and we usually had one or two over at our home.
It was definitely family time and a much simpler time too.
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/31/2008 1:54:58 PM | Nicely summarised by LW III. "Suddenly, It's Christmas".
http://www.lwiii.com/discography.php?section=lyrics#lyrics18
Compliments of the season. | |
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| It seem like Christmas is changing?
Posted: 12/31/2008 10:03:33 PM | because you asked nice, heres the recipe you wanted. I haven't tried them yet myself, but sure intend to!
<div class="quote">http://metachat.org/index.php/2008/01/11/p29471
Mayan Cayenne Chocolate Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Cookies:
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups Valrhona cocoa powder
1 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 or more to taste tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup unsweetened chocolate chips (85% or better cocoa)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Topping:
Combine sugar and cinnamon for topping.
Cookies:
Beat shortening, butter and white and brown sugars. Add eggs, one at a time. Add next 6 ingredients and mix until evenly mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.
Use a melon baller to make small balls and then roll them in the topping. Place them on the cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart (they really expand).
Bake 8-10 minutes. They should still be soft in centre. Let cool 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack.
Makes a very savory sweet.
OP, I definitely agree, things aren't the same as they used to be, but Christmas is what you make of it. | |
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