[Full Cougar]

So what is everyones holiday wishes this year?

[Bob Tanner]

We just returned from Branson and seeing some Christmas shows. That put us in the Christmas spirit.

Personally, we don't celebrate much, shying away from the commercial side of the season; a few small gifts but absolutely nothing lavish. (If we don't have it by now it probably isn't worth having)

But, two things we are adamant about:

• It is Christmas, NOT "Xmas!"

• We say "Merry Christmas" and NOT "Happy Holidays (I am convinced that every time someone wishes another "Happy Holiday" in place of Merry Christmas, an elf dies).
  Also,there are Christmas Trees and NOT "Holiday Trees!"

So, Merry Christmas, a Respectful Chanukah, and a Happy New Year to everyone.

[Full Cougar]

The reason I said holiday was that I don't know if everyone on here celebrates Christmas.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Full Cougar

The reason I said holiday was that I don't know if everyone on here celebrates Christmas.

Please take no offense. That wasn't a slam at your using the word holiday. I use "Holiday" all the time and, in fact, once owned a 1955 Olds Holiday convertible. (VBG)

My personal feeling is that if anyone is offended this time of year by a reference to Christmas, they need desperately to get a grip on things and deal with it. It's a predominantly Christian ( which I am not a strict adherent of) country, which the majority of the population celebrates the holiday. If that is intolerably offensive, then possibly one should go into their homes, lock the doors, turn off all communication and stay they until around the 7th of January (Three Kings Day, also known as The Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas). That might make life easier for all concerned.

But then, I'm a crotchety old fart so be ye of good cheer and take my thoughts with the proverbial grain of salt.

[Full Cougar]

No I agree. I don't flip out when I see things about Hannukah. I think some people do though.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Full Cougar

No I agree. I don't flip out when I see things about Hannukah. I think some people do though.

To those people, who are in sore need of a life, I have but two words: "Oy Vay!"

[Bette]

Our Christmas is pretty much the same every year.
Family comes Christmas Eve for supper and present opening, then some of us go to the Candlelight Service at our church.
Christmas morning is a lot diff now that its just me and my husband. This year my brother in law works so we wont have Christmas dinner until the evening meal. Grandma and Grandpa will probably go to the grandkids house to check out their Christmas presents.
The gang came and we baked cookies last Saturday.
Today I have to go Christmas shopping. UGH UGH AND DOUBLE UGH! I haate shopping.
During Christmas vacation some of the grandkids come to stay over and we play all their new games and eat too much junk.
No travel plans, just lots and lots of family.

My Christmas wishes- well its the same every year, I would like so much to see real peace in the world.
this year I have another one--Cowboy Super Bowl win

[Seahawker 562]

Every year is the same for my family also, but I love it. christmas eve we have a little party with friends and family, then on christmas morning we st around the tree for about 4 hours opening gifts and just hanging out.
Im going shoppin today bette I like it.

Oh, and I would like the Seahawks to win the 09' season

[jks812]

Growing up my Mom always had our Christmas on Christmas Eve then went to the grandparents on Christmas Day. Now I do that. We have our's Christmas Eve, we eat, open presents(if there's any left) and then we go ride and look at Christmas lights.
My wish is the same as always, that my family and friends have a very safe and very Merry Christmas.

[Racer Duck]

when I was a kid, we waited anxiously for the sunrise so we could rush in and surround the tree with all it's goodies. we didn't have a fireplace, but we had stockings (actually Dad's big old wool socks) and there were all sort of (healthful .. but we didn't know that) goodies tucked inside.

over the years, we became adults and started our own families. but my Mom was adamant that we come for Christmas. one year we convinced her it was a real pain for some of us to have to have our Christmas boxed up and transported to her house and that we'd like to be able to let our kids have their Christmas at their own house. so we came up with a plan to have an "Early Christmas" a week or two before the actual date and all the families (including some friends) would get together for a wonderful day of socializing and relaxing and eating and opening presents.

as fate would have it, being the oldest child, after my Dad passed away, it fell on me to give the blessing before the meal. I remember being terrified that I'd "mess up" that first time (there were only about 25 people there - and I was about 30 years old!)

some years later, we noticed Mom was getting worn out at these things and decided we were gonna start rotating the location every year so that Mom could enjoy the event. and that's what we've been doing every since.

but now there's another generation who now have families and we're finding it harder and harder to get everyone together. for instance, this year my baby sister had the event at her house, but it conflicted with lots of other things: office parties, birthday parties, and my daughter's early Christmas for her kids and grandkids (yeah, I'm a great-granddad!)

one thing has held true thru all this "history" .. we celebrate Christmas and we all know "The reason for the season" and are truly thankful for that little baby in the manger.

our celebrations have always been our way to bring family together and to remember who we are and where we came from and to give thanks for our blessings.