Christmas

[sammy13]

Ok, people are putting up decorations, going to parties, buying pressies.

However for many it is not a time of celebration.

Lost loved ones, financial problems , family troubles, it all trebles at this time of year .

Wherever you are this season, and no matter what your take on it is just remember -

[Raffles]

sammy13... so true, and well said.

[archiecat]

A good time to give to charities instead of buying stuff for people who dont want whatever it is and will never use whatever it is.

Those of us that have, have enough, others are in a desperate need of basics, food shelter etc, and we should be thinking of them.

Christmas has become an orgy of self indulgence and waste in my opinion and we should do something to make it more significant/meaningful.

Sorry rant over.

[sammy13]

Dec 10, 2014 19:13:47 GMT archiecat said:

A good time to give to charities instead of buying stuff for people who dont want whatever it is and will never use whatever it is.

Those of us that have, have enough, others are in a desperate need of basics, food shelter etc, and we should be thinking of them.

Christmas has become an orgy of self indulgence and waste in my opinion and we should do something to make it more significant/meaningful.

Sorry rant over.

I agree , obviously we all buy for certain people kids especially,  but there are many out there who need our help more, an old coat or blanket would make someones life better.

I don't want anything, nothing at all, last year I broke down in tears because a friend bought me a placebo dvd. ???

There are many charities collecting , not only for money, but blankets, winter clothing, and people could always just take to the streets and hand it out.

[lairey]

We decided a few years ago to stop sending cards to everyone and instead to use that money to make a donation to Crisis. I would much rather someone in need had a decent meal and some support at Christmas than for friends and family to get a card that will end up in the recycling 2 weeks later.

[Raffles]

Dec 10, 2014 19:32:07 GMT lairey said:

We decided a few years ago to stop sending cards to everyone and instead to use that money to make a donation to Crisis. I would much rather someone in need had a decent meal and some support at Christmas than for friends and family to get a card that will end up in the recycling 2 weeks later.

The price of decent cards is ridiculous... and the only recipients who appreciate them are your old Great Grannies. I stopped giving them years ago when I realised they were only looking for the money within them. Sad, but true.

[lairey]

Dec 10, 2014 19:38:32 GMT Raffles said:

Dec 10, 2014 19:32:07 GMT lairey said:

We decided a few years ago to stop sending cards to everyone and instead to use that money to make a donation to Crisis. I would much rather someone in need had a decent meal and some support at Christmas than for friends and family to get a card that will end up in the recycling 2 weeks later.

The price of decent cards is ridiculous... and the only recipients who appreciate them are your old Great Grannies. I stopped giving them years ago when I realised they were only looking for the money within them. Sad, but true.

Exactly, add to that the ridiculous price for posting the bloody things, not to mention the hours wasted writing them.  Easily pays for one or two homeless people to have Christmas dinner, hot shower, clean clothes and somewhere warm and dry for the day.

Just imagine if everyone did it! 

[Deleted]

As long as nothing comes tween me and my Tia at Christmas, alls well. Christmas is for my kids, I give mine a good one. Its family time. I'm charitable throughout the year, christmas is the time for me and my boys. Nothing makes me feel guilty for this time of year.

[Raffles]

Dec 10, 2014 19:50:10 GMT @spikeyfridge said:

As long as nothing comes tween me and my Tia at Christmas, alls well. Christmas is for my kids, I give mine a good one. Its family time. I'm charitable throughout the year, christmas is the time for me and my boys. Nothing makes me feel guilty for this time of year.

I really, really wish you well at this time @spikeyfridge, and I used to be the same many years ago when the kids were young. Also I do the charity thing throughout the year, but it just seems like pi**ing in the wind.

But now, I feel so guilty about enjoying myself, that I don't... and sorry, I hate this time of year. I'm sure 24 hour news has a lot to do with it, we didn't know what was going in the world then.

This is my personal problem, and PLEASE don't let it prevent any of you from celebrating. Perhaps you have the right attitude, and SHOULD enjoy what you have got. Who am I to say. ???

[Greg]

Dec 10, 2014 20:07:14 GMT Raffles said:

Dec 10, 2014 19:50:10 GMT @spikeyfridge said:

As long as nothing comes tween me and my Tia at Christmas, alls well. Christmas is for my kids, I give mine a good one. Its family time. I'm charitable throughout the year, christmas is the time for me and my boys. Nothing makes me feel guilty for this time of year.

I really, really wish you well at this time @spikeyfridge, and I used to be the same many years ago when the kids were young. Also I do the charity thing throughout the year, but it just seems like pi**ing in the wind.

But now, I feel so guilty about enjoying myself, that I don't... and sorry, I hate this time of year. I'm sure 24 hour news has a lot to do with it, we didn't know what was going in the world then.

This is my personal problem, and PLEASE don't let it prevent any of you from celebrating. Perhaps you have the right attitude, and SHOULD enjoy what you have got. Who am I to say. ???

I'm with @spikeyfridge and Raffles just turn the telly off mate, apart from when the wizard of Oz is on obviously.

[Raffles]

Dec 10, 2014 20:18:40 GMT Greg said:

Dec 10, 2014 20:07:14 GMT Raffles said:

I really, really wish you well at this time @spikeyfridge, and I used to be the same many years ago when the kids were young. Also I do the charity thing throughout the year, but it just seems like pi**ing in the wind.

But now, I feel so guilty about enjoying myself, that I don't... and sorry, I hate this time of year. I'm sure 24 hour news has a lot to do with it, we didn't know what was going in the world then.

This is my personal problem, and PLEASE don't let it prevent any of you from celebrating. Perhaps you have the right attitude, and SHOULD enjoy what you have got. Who am I to say. ???

I'm with @spikeyfridge and Raffles just turn the telly off mate, apart from when the wizard of Oz is on obviously.

Can't do that Greg... wish I could... it's in my head. Something has got to happen, and I'm worried what it will be. ???

[Greg]

Raffles you worry too much, have another drink, bottoms up

[Ripshod]

As a single bloke I used to worry about Christmas, wondering what the hell I could do with myself over the holiday.

But, for the past couple of years I've taken great pleasure serving Christmas dinner to the residents at a homeless hostel, and the 'street' visitors. To spend some time with them and share the afternoon's TV viewing is a whole lot more rewarding than giving all I can afford to a child that wants 10 times more.

There's a whole lot more to life than ME!!

[sammy13]

Dec 10, 2014 20:34:57 GMT Ripshod said:

As a single bloke I used to worry about Christmas, wondering what the hell I could do with myself over the holiday.

But, for the past couple of years I've taken great pleasure serving Christmas dinner to the residents at a homeless hostel, and the 'street' visitors. To spend some time with them and share the afternoon's TV viewing is a whole lot more rewarding than giving all I can afford to a child that wants 10 times more.

There's a whole lot more to life than ME!!

That has given me a very warm feeling.

I wish there were more people in the world who shared your views

[Raffles]

Dec 10, 2014 20:34:57 GMT Ripshod said:

As a single bloke I used to worry about Christmas, wondering what the hell I could do with myself over the holiday.

But, for the past couple of years I've taken great pleasure serving Christmas dinner to the residents at a homeless hostel, and the 'street' visitors. To spend some time with them and share the afternoon's TV viewing is a whole lot more rewarding than giving all I can afford to a child that wants 10 times more.

There's a whole lot more to life than ME!!

Says it ALL!