The Christmas Thread

I haven't been to midnight service since 2002 but my old local church used to hold it and my OH went for last years one, not sure about the new village but this church seems more open than the last one, so probably a yes for this one as well.
I liked the company and shared purpose of being there and freezing to death in an ancient church with stone flagging seems somehow very christmassy lol

 

I remember performing during the holiday season. There was a Christmas show at my high school. I signed up to sing. My cousin, who was a senior played the piano. I sung Oh, Come All Ye Faithful to my entire high school in the gymnasium. I just walked up to the mic, waited for my cousin to get ready(she was playing an electronic keyboard for the first time). She played, I sang. I sang the best as I could sing. I just focused on my singing and my cousin's playing. When were finished, I was hit was a round of applause that was deafening. I then wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I walked away from the Mic but was stopped by the band director who gave me a hearty handshake , a big smile and a great compliment on my performance. In passing, I heard a girl say, "I didn't think he had it in him."
I got home from school and fell asleep. A few hours later, my mother woke me up to tell me what she had heard from my sister and cousin. The only thing I said to her was ,"I want some nuts." My mother produced a jar of dry roasted peanuts. I was surprised. She told me that I have to sing yet again. For my grandmother at the church we fattened. That Saturday night, I sang again(with a different pianist). My grandmother was proud and so was my mother.

Years later, I sang again. This time it was with various other people in the hospital where I volunteered. I also played the saxophone. At the end, I played Auld Lang Sine.
After I graduated from college, I played the saxophone again at another church Christmas program which was organized by my other cousin and his wife. Before the program began, he asked me what I was going to play. I was taken aback It was as if he didn't want me to play or embarrass him. I felt like telling him that I was going to play the John Coltrane version of My Favorite Things. I didn't. I told him that I was going to play We Three Kings, The Little Drummer Boy and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. When the program began, I got myself ready. When it was my turn, I spoke briefly to the audience about the theme of this performance. Bethlehem. I played those three songs and got a huge round of applause. And then I pulled an "Elvis has left the building." I had work early the next morning. Interesting times.

 

Some nice memories you have there, thank you for sharing xx

Ps We Three Kings is my favorite

 

The church program happened in 2001. I spoke a moment about the events of September 11the and how it could have happened to anyone and anywhere. I then mentioned that I was mindful of the past, aware of the present and hopeful of the future. That performance was very unique for me.

 

One Christmas when I was young, my sister got ticked off at my parents about her presents.

There are 5 kids in my family and my parents always spent the same amount on each of us. One year that got one of my sisters a bicycle, so clearly, she got less presents than the rest of us. She got made because she had less to open and ran upstairs and slammed her bedroom door. LOL.

She was quite the drama queen growing up.

Every year, we drive into Chicago to look at the windows at Macy's (there used to also be window displays at Carson's, but they stopped that several years ago), and the big Christmas tree, and the zoo lights. Then we'd drive around to a very expensive neighborhood where many of the residents have their houses professionally decorated and look at all of their lights.

We also try to see The Nutcracker ballet every year, though this year we skipped it.

 

Lol families hey and 5 kids to please all at once is never gonna happen no matter how you try.

I have that problem in my house at the moment, my Son asked for an xbox one last Christmas and I said there was nothing wrong with the 360 slim but he could have one next year, well it's next year now and I put away the cash and Bought him a 1tb x box one in the black friday deals + some games.

He was ok with that but now all the presents are under the tree and now his sisters have a substantial pile, he is asking if there is anything else for him?

On the look out for potential drama this Christmas:smt099

This sounds lovely I do love a good retail display, was hoping to take my little one into the grotto but she isn't keen on Father Christmas and couldn't get her to queue.
They had a Santa come to Nursery School but she wasn't keen and didn't want to go into the Nursery the next day because "he still might be in there" lol

 

It's been a hard decision in the making for the past few years but I've finally made it official, we no longer celebrate Christmas in this household and it feels damn good!

 

I wish my family would do that. We ain't got no damn money anyway.

 

What about Kwanzaa?

 

Word?
Why not?

 

I don't want to celebrate any of that.

 

Good that you did something you felt was right for you and your family.

Wondering why? How did you get to that point?

 

Holidays are so overrated. Nothing but money pits. I wish someone would put me a GTR under a damn tree!

 

Doesn't have to be. It's whatever you choose to make it in your own home with your family/friends.

 

I have no religious affiliations and I've became sick of Christmas many years ago. The commercialism of it really sickens me buy I kept up with traditional because I always thought stopping it at the time would have a adverse affection on my sons.

My sons are old enough now to understand why and not whine about it, I told them everyday in this household is Christmas, you have all your necessities and I constant reward you guys with good behavior and grades or just because.

 

Nice