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Christmas Traditions

Archive: 39 posts

Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition?

My favorite is being with family and friends.
My other was to make the house a "Winter Wonderland".

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac345/Lady_Luck__777/Christmas%20Decorations/hall.jpg

http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac345/Lady_Luck__777/Christmas%20Decorations/?albumview=slideshow

I hope you will share yours as I am always looking to add something special every year.

2011-12-09 20:34:00

Author:
Lady_Luck__777

Posts: 3458

I always throw a traditional snowball in all my friends' faces.

And so do they. SNOW FIGHT!!!1
Aside from that, just being together with family and friends.

2011-12-09 20:46:00

Author:
nysudyrgh

Posts: 5482

my favorite tradition is decorating our yard

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_ZalxR7wRZA/TtzfRbSjfTI/AAAAAAAABBw/Kak231SwXnY/s640/redneckchristmasdecorations.gif

Just kidding, we leave it up all year. No. We don't really have any traditions, well, we do open one gift on Christmas Eve for the Kids. Always pajamas. That's my wife's family. Just try to get together with family and have a great big meal.

2011-12-09 21:00:00

Author:
biorogue

Posts: 8424

2011-12-09 21:00:00

Author:
nysudyrgh

Posts: 5482

@ nys- wish we could get that much snow. Last year my daughter was able to make a 6" and a 3" snowman.
Kinda sad looking snowmen but she liked it.

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac345/Lady_Luck__777/Christmas%20Decorations/snowmen.jpg

@ bio- LOL, I don't think the HMO would allow us to add that unique decoration.

2011-12-09 21:06:00

Author:
Lady_Luck__777

Posts: 3458

My fellow soldiers and I make temporary peace with the ducks. Then while they're drunk and having a good time, we swim across the Delaware and kick their butts.

My family and I do the Christmas tree together alongside the traditional stuff (stockings, presents, decorations, etc.). Nothing that special

2011-12-09 21:10:00

Author:
Testudini

Posts: 3262

I change my avatars on forums ;D

Other than that, when we open the presents, we alternate, so it goes me, my sister, me, my sister etc. Once we're done we do the same with my parents.

2011-12-09 21:41:00

Author:
kirbyman62

Posts: 1893

I'm doing away with the whole medieval notion of a celebration of the resurrected God-King in my house.
No tacky decorations.... Just because it's Xmas doesn't mean all of a sudden I decide that Tinsel and Fairy Lights are a good idea. It looks gaudy.

I might start a tradition of burning a giant Santa effigy to get my point across

Traditions have to start somewhere after all. I mean, "traditional" symbols of christmas - like christmas trees, are all relatively modern.

It also used to be a tradition to beat your children on Xmas day, and their only gift would be the stick with which you beat them.
I notice that nobody thinks it's important to keep 'that' tradition alive

To prove how commited an atheist I am, I volunteered to work on Xmas day. That's starting to become a tradition for me.
I don't mind - it's just another day - though I'll get paid considerably more for working it.

2011-12-09 23:34:00

Author:
Macnme

Posts: 1970

2011-12-09 23:47:00

Author:
Lady_Luck__777

Posts: 3458

I just thought of a tradition that we do. We go to up close to Seattle every other year and while there we do a White Elephant exchange. If you are unaware of this it is where everyone brings a wrapped gift and everyone there draws a number from a hat. Whomever gets #1 chooses a gift 1st. They open it and ooh and aahh at the marvelous gift. #2 then decides to either choose a new gift or take #1's gift and so on and so forth until all has received a gift. The gifts can only be taken/stolen twice. It's really fun and get can get quite wacky. One year I had these cool ace remote control helicopters that I had taken off someone and got down to the last person and wouldn't you know it, that person took my helicopters! So I got to either choose a new gift or take someone else gift. I did get some cool BBQ tools. But that's not the point. It's just a really good time with friends and family and that's what matters.

I can agree with you Mac on one aspect. I'll not go into it here. This is suppose to be a happy thread.

I'm off to a Christmas party now. See ya'll later. Have a good night/day/morning wherever you may be.

2011-12-10 00:24:00

Author:
biorogue

Posts: 8424

My family really only has one tradition which is a big Christmas lunch with the family and then a second lunch the next day to eat the left overs.

To be completely honest, and I'm not trying to be the Grinch, but I would have loved to have see a gift free Christmas this year. It's only 2 weeks until the big day and I haven't bought a single gift, partly because I hate shopping but mostly because I have no idea what to get anyone because nobody wants anything. Or if they do it's not exactly something you would, or even could, give as a present, a car for example.

All I really want for Christmas is to spend time with my brother and his girlfriend again and I'm already getting that, though, I 'spose some rum-balls wouldn't hurt either

2011-12-10 00:58:00

Author:
SR20DETDOG

Posts: 2431

@ Mac- sorry if you found my decorations gaudy. I know they are not for everyone. My daughter loves all the tinsel and fairy lights. If I can give her happy memories for when I'm gone, that's all I can ask for.

I respect the fact that you have a different view of the season and I hope you will allow me the same courtesy.

In some instances that stick might not be a bad idea.

It's fine to decorate the inside of your house, that way I don't have to look at it... it's the people that decorate the outside that really annoy me (sorry if you've also decorated the outside - I'm sure yours looks lovely - and not tacky and gaudy like everyone elses

)

It's also an excuse to play those awful, awful christmas songs... is there anything worse than christmas music?

Christmas is definately for kids. Who else could believe in something so patently made-up as Santa (or Jesus

)

I save my celebrating for New Years.... That's the atheists christmas!

There is a joy in tradition though... there's something comforting about them... probably the familiarity, and the connection with the past. And if we don't up keep the traditions then they die (I'm doing my part to kill it off)
But also, my Dad cooks an AWESOME christmas dinner.... it's not the same if you have to reheat it though... that's the only thing I'll miss about christmas.

Christmas at my Dads is a tradition, even though he's remarried now and the new additions to my family are Chinese, and they've never celebrated christmas either (they're non practicing bhuddists). So Christmas at my Dads has changed a bit.
Instead of turkey roast and sprouts we now have dimsum and dumplings.
It's funny how traditions come about... and funny how they change.

I mean, tinsel and fairy lights were never "traditional" - but they are now.

I don't want to come across as "Bah Humbug"... those people annoy me aswell. I hope everyone has a lovely time over the "Prime Gift Giving Period"(as capitalists call christmas).
It's just really confusing being a militant atheist, living in a society where christianity is so culturally dominant.
Because in truth - christmas has nothing to do with christianity.

2011-12-10 01:20:00

Author:
Macnme

Posts: 1970

@ SR20DETDOG-
"To be completely honest, and I'm not trying to be the Grinch, but I would have loved to have see a gift free Christmas this year."
"All I really want for Christmas is to spend time with my brother and his girlfriend "

I agree, being with those you care for is the most important. I think there is way too much emphasis on buying.
What I would like is not possible, so I would just like to feel the joy that comes from my family and friends.

@ Mac-
I only decorate inside the house since that is what we see the most of.

"There is a joy in tradition... there's something comforting about them... probably the familiarity, and the connection with the past. And if we don't up keep the traditions then they die."

I would like to continue the positive traditions to give my daughter her own place of security and comfort when the outside world intrudes.

No tinsel and fairy lights were never traditional but if you're a 9 year old girl it will be one of the wonders you remember when you're old. lol

I agree there is way too much emphasis is on monetary gain.

As I stated before you and I have different views on certain things and I really don't feel the need to get in that discussion as neither of us will change the other's position.

The reason I made this thread was to share our traditions and to see others traditions.

2011-12-10 02:46:00

Author:
Lady_Luck__777

Posts: 3458

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as a "right or wrong" debate... I'm just shooting the breeze, trying to decide how I feel about traditions. It's an Interesting topic.

I'm still in two minds as to whether I would tell the Santa Clause lie to my own child. Luckily for the world at large - contraception has stopped me from having to making that decision.

On the one hand - it goes against just about every principle I hold as an atheist.

...On the other hand.... what right do I have to deny my child the magic of christmas?
The magic only works when they are little, because they believe everything a grown up says.
Traditions inform you culturally. These little rituals define who you are.
If I were to bring up my child as a strict atheist, then they would probably be the only "Atheist" child in their peer group, and would probably get picked on.

But is it better to lie about who you are and what you believe just to conform with society?

What's been really interesting for me, having a new chinese step-family... is seeing the contrast in our traditions.
Most traditions you just take for granted - my new step family have all of their own traditions, observing different dates in the calendar and celebrating/commemorating it in their own unique way - Like on April the 5th they burn money as a tribute to the dead.... they don't know why... "It's just tradition!"
And we have to explain all of our idiosyncratic traditions in a similarly vague way. We don't know "why" something is a tradition, we just know that it "is" a tradition.... and so we keep doing it.

For the past few years, each christmas I've been helping out my brother who's a care worker and looks after the disabled. We take them on a day out to see a christmas Panto.
I don't know if they have Panto anywhere else but Britian, but it's as Christmassy a tradition as tinsel and fairy lights.
Basically it's a load of C-list celebrities who re-enact a 'classic' tale, like Aladdin, or Sleeping Beauty. There will always be someone dressed in Drag (both a male dressed as a female and visa-versa), and lots of ritualistic chanting by the audience like "HE'S BEHIND YOU!" and "OH NO IT ISN"T". It's almost like Kabuki Theatre or something.
Despite all of it's cheesiness, sickly sentimentality, and bizarre ritualistic nature - it's also immensely enjoyable. When you see the smiles it brings to everyones faces, it's very hard to be cynical about it. I even find myself grinning like an idiot afterwards.

Do they have Panto in other countries?

Last Year was the first time that my 12 year old chinese step-brother had seen snow.
Imagine not playing in snow until you were 12?!
We had to teach him how to build a snowman (another unexplained tradition)

2011-12-10 03:31:00

Author:
Macnme

Posts: 1970

Well we told our daughter about St. Nichols and how it evolved into today's Santa. She has always known that the Santa she sees now is just someone dressed up. She still likes to pretend though. She will say something like "Do you think Santa would like these cookies?...Daddy did you hear me, I asked if you would like these cookies." She doesn't tell other kids because she doesn't want them to be sad at the truth.

Now, to me, what you are doing with your brother is a tradition and one of the things Christmas is about. Giving to others unselfishly.

The tradition of Panto is new to me. Thank you for sharing that.

2011-12-10 03:50:00

Author:
Lady_Luck__777

Posts: 3458

Honestly, my favorite traditions of Christmas is spending time with Family and friends.
I like decorating the tree with my family, and to me, Christmas is my favorite part of the year because of this.

By the way, love your tradition. I really enjoy seeing others have decorations and Christmas lights up, it's nice. ^_^
I also admire how your daughter doesn't tell other kids the truth about Santa not being real. Including how you didn't let her believe Santa's real, you saved her from disappointment if she would've found out on her own.

2011-12-10 11:42:00

Author:
Unknown User

Watching Die Hard 1. This year explosions will be super crisp with bluray. No better way to get into the christmas spirit.

2011-12-10 11:50:00

Author:
BasketSnake

Posts: 2391

Watching Die Hard 1. This year explosions will be super crisp with bluray. No better way to get into the christmas spirit.

That's a tradition of mine too!

I mean, it's a Christmas movie, right?

2011-12-10 13:03:00

Author:
RJA00000

Posts: 387

Hooollllyyyyy

2011-12-10 14:25:00

Author:
BasketSnake

Posts: 2391

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac345/Lady_Luck__777/Christmas%20Decorations/hall.jpg

http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac345/Lady_Luck__777/Christmas%20Decorations/?albumview=slideshow
That is some nice tiling.

2011-12-10 14:35:00

Author:
Ayneh

Posts: 2454

is there anything worse than christmas music?

Just(in) when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGFNmEOntFA

2011-12-10 16:12:00

Author:
Doopz

Posts: 5592

@SGR-
Thanks.

I didn't want her to find out the way I did.

@Basket and RJA-
Picking a good movie, sounds promising.

@Ayneh-
Thanks.

I layed it myself. What a pain it was but the results were worth it.

@Doopz-
Oh that is so wrong in so many ways (for my family)..lol
Not a tradition I would like to incorporate.

2011-12-10 17:22:00

Author:
Lady_Luck__777

Posts: 3458

I think what I like doing best is (like many of you) decorating my house and roaming stores to see how people decorated them. It may sound somewhat naive, but it makes me feel like I'm living in a better-looking world for a couple of minutes. I don't care whether God exists or not, what I know is that kids always seem joyful and cheerful in the streets, and it gives my whole family the opportunity to get together for an evening, that's what matters.

2011-12-10 18:24:00

Author:
Oddmania

Posts: 1305

Just(in) when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGFNmEOntFA

Odd. I was just listening to Aphex Twin's songs right now; I closed your video just after 10 seconds.

For those of you who don't know who Aphex Twin is, he's an talented artist with "strange" music videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW-ZPTW4_IU

Good way to start off the Christmas holidays, no?

EDIT: Embeding removed by request.

2011-12-10 19:57:00

Author:
CyberSora

Posts: 5551

Oh, and watching this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmgf60CI_ks&feature=player_embedded

2011-12-11 09:54:00

Author:
kirbyman62

Posts: 1893

For me is getting together with family, telling some perverted jokes and have some laughs. Then open some presents but mostly just being with family and the ones you love.

2011-12-11 11:08:00

Author:
The_Lil_JoKeR

Posts: 745

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldw1pi1HUV1qf44ulo1_500.png

2011-12-11 11:35:00

Author:
Stephanie_Ravens

Posts: 188

In my house we always set out beer and some other alcohol out for Santa in lieu of milk. I think my dad started it after having a bad week and wanting an excuse to drink , but I thought it was hilarious to imagine Santa getting a DUI, so we went along with it.

2011-12-11 16:04:00

Author:
booXely

Posts: 654

I'm a little lost at some of these "traditions" that are posted. An "Alien" video, a cartoon? Yeah, you'll have to explain those to me.

2011-12-11 16:06:00

Author:
biorogue

Posts: 8424

I'm a little lost at some of these "traditions" that are posted. An "Alien" video, a cartoon? Yeah, you'll have to explain those to me.

I think they were just making fun of the Justin Bieber christmas song. To be fair, Bieber doesn't actually have that bad of a voice, he just chooses to sing terrible songs.

2011-12-11 16:12:00

Author:
booXely

Posts: 654

I think they were just making fun of the Justin Bieber christmas song. To be fair, Bieber doesn't actually have that bad of a voice, he just chooses to sing terrible songs.

You mean "she".

2011-12-11 20:32:00

Author:
BasketSnake

Posts: 2391

Just(in) when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

GYAAAH!

I used to have to play this song in the charity band I was in... if you think you hate that song, try having to learn it inside out and play it again and again.

So, I already hated the song to start with...with a deep passion.... throwing in old foetus face beiber just concentrates the hate into a rich sauce of pure bile!!!

"Thanks" for sharing

2011-12-11 21:38:00

Author:
Macnme

Posts: 1970

Christmas traditions?

Christmas Weather = Gaming Weather

http://k10.kn3.net/taringa/6/6/8/7/9/1/4/takehikoinoue/FA7.jpg

2011-12-16 02:12:00

Author:
ALEXhatena

Posts: 1110

You mean "she".

No, actually I don't understand why pepole make fun of Justin Bieber, he has talent.
We should start making fun of Rebecca Black. She doesn't know what talent is.

2011-12-16 02:16:00

Author:
ALEXhatena

Posts: 1110

No, actually I don't understand why pepole make fun of Justin Bieber..
Well let's just stop and re-think that one before we go pointing fingers.

My favorite tradition is dinner at grandmas with all my family Christmas day

2011-12-16 02:52:00

Author:
Littlebigdude805

Posts: 1924

Well let's just stop and re-think that one before we go pointing fingers.

Hmm... oh, I remember now.

2011-12-16 23:44:00

Author:
ALEXhatena

Posts: 1110

No, actually I don't understand why pepole make fun of Justin Bieber, he has talent.
We should start making fun of Rebecca Black. She doesn't know what talent is.

"Bieber's pepole" huhuhuhuh. I can do this all day.

2011-12-17 16:05:00

Author:
BasketSnake

Posts: 2391

I watch "The Snowman" on Christmas Eve every year. Have done... for ever!

2011-12-17 22:55:00

Author:
standby250

Posts: 1113

Realized a tradition I totally forgot about until I was roped into it today. Every year my grandmother (and great grandmother before her) spends DAYS making dozens upon dozens of Christmas cookies. My mom has been helping her out for years now and I guess it's finally my turn to start 'learning the tricks of trade'. Once we're finished, she'll make up cookie trays and give them to friends and neighbors and take them to every family function or party from now until the new year.

Good times with the family and lots of cookies. What more could I ask for?

P.S. Does anyone else have the Christmas pickle? I can't be the only one...

2011-12-18 10:39:00

Author:
Ninja_Gnome23

Posts: 198

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