I hate Christmas

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absent and my very best wishes to you

To all those with sad memories – the main part of Christmas is over for another year. Those of us still working in jobs are probably back in harness today and gransnet is buzzing. Glad that you're still with us because every one of us will have sad memories at some time in 2012 as in every other year and look to our friends – face to face and on screen – for support and comfort. Glad you're all still here. Never mind Happy Christmas – HAPPY GRANSNET.

Christmas is OVER! Yippee. I just about survived it. Had a lovely lunch at ours with DS and family and enjoyed watching the little ones opening and playing with their presents. Then just as they were leaving and I was going to sink into the chair with a the door opened and DG and her family arrived and we had the whole rigmarole again - without the food as they'd already eaten. I was absolutely shattered - even DG's ex who came too which was nice, noticed I was rather pale! I'm usually up around 6.15 in the morning but on Boxing Day I didn't wake up until 8.30 - a lie-in, no less. Phew!At least NY won't have the pressure of presents but noone's told me what they're doing for NYD so I'll take it easy and wait............

I'll join you on New Year's Eve, since I will probably be on my own and maybe babysitting...sorry Kamil, kidminding!

I do enjoy the fireworks here usually!

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i'm going to look up deki now not heard of it before-thank you. If the sheer commercialism of Christmas gets too much order Round About a Pound a Week by Maud Pember Reeves. It's a Persephone book no 79 and it's an eyeopener but not necessarily a page turner. I have my grandmother's little notebook recording expenses to compare.

Yes JessM, sing up! And I'm definitely counting becoming a member of Gransnet as one of the most sensible things I've done in 2011!

with a rousing chorus of "Should virtual acquaintance be forgot..."

We should have a virtual Hogmanay just like our virtual Halloween. Where's biker with her inflatable friends?

That sounds about right Annobel. I hate NY too, always have. I can't stand being slobbered over by every randy OG in the room! This has been a pig of a year and I can't wait to see the back of it! Bah humbug indeed!!

Well, in saying that...I won't be having a 'dry' Hogmanay! Although I'd like to go to bed with my book, it doesn't mean I'll be able to read it...

Well, I intend to have a good time! Good friends, a couple of drinks, and the bells at midnight - sometimes a game of Trivial Pursuit! Oh yes, we know how to raise hell, we do!

Yee har grannylin whereabouts?

I cannot stand New Year! All the sentiment...and the waiting until midnight, hugging and saying things like, "Let's hope next year will be a better one..." No, if I can manage it, I'll be off to bed with my book!

me too. call me a grinch if you want.
DH is not a drinker (rarely has more than the one before he loses interest) and I find that it just makes me sleep even less well... The company of drunk people when you are sober is well... boring I find.
So I am usually thinking - drinking again after the office party stuff, a week of over indulgence at home and now more alcohol.
Need to remember to ring a few people in advance to say happy ny so that they don't ring us at 12.30...
Still at least since the credit crunch there are fewer grownups letting off fireworks in their back yards at midnight.
growl growl growl

I remember one particularly awful New Year,DH/OG in bed, staying up on my own, watching Tina Turner gyrating and wondering why the hell am I putting up with this!I'm all for logging on.Have to say,though, that I 've already booked a trip to NZ, for a month, with a friend for March 2012, inspired by Greatnan. Beware the influence of Gransnet!

I hate the New Year's Eve thing too grrranny. I find it rather sad saying goodbye to a year that has probably had it's fair share of troubles but at least you know what's what. Why welcome in something that you haven't a clue what will come with it. DH is usually in bed long before midnight and I sometimes stay up to watch on TV but that's rather pathetic sitting here on my own with glass of wine. Perhaps we'll have a New Year's Eve thread just for those of us on our own!

gow1 I had just been reading through this thread and saw your comment about Deki. Like shysal I am now looking at giving a loan but have to choose the person. Really glad you brought it up.

I had been feeling a bit less than enthusiastic about Christmas etc but reading about how others will be feeling, happy or sad, and how they get through has made me feel better. I'll have my mum with us on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and DD with GCs live only 3 miles away so they are near and I'll see them at some point. Anyone else hate New Year? shysal posted somewhere that she doesn't like large social gatherings as she is shy (how slow am I that I didn't pick that up from name). Me too. Useless and 'coped' by having one drink too many and making idiot of self. Now realise why and don't bother going - especially to New Year jollifications. plus one extra then

They have no shame. They turned a good news story about the way our school cut teenage pregnancies into a "shock horror estate of shame teenage promiscuity and teenage mums living on benefits" story in the blink of an eye.

Back in the 80s a friend's son took part in a TV programme comparing his state school on a housing estate with a nearby feepaying one. Some pupils were interviewed in the playground about their experiences. The outside of the school was pristine and well-kept, but the crew decided it was too clean and carefully sprayed graffiti onto the walls in the background to the shot.

Some of those interviewed were achievers (friend's son went on to a distinguished career) some were not. Most of what was broadcast featured those who had no time for school and were clearly not going anywhere very great, those who were heading for good qualifications were almost edited out.

Yes well I agree Ariadne. I knew someone who had a job as a stills assistant on London evening news. Her job was to find a pic of Thatcher or Kinnock or Big Ben for the news team. She always used to pick the most unflattering ones of Thatcher. And that is just a tiny example.
Well the joyous day is 2 weeks away. I have done and will continue to do the absolute minimum. inc no cards, no decorations and no entertaining as part of my one woman attempt to resist group pressure. I am with the Muslims on this. And other countries where all it amounts to is a day off work, not a month of over indulgence and over consumption.
I am finding that I am less SAD and grouchy this year. Gransnet? Jogging? who knows.
But for any of you who are feeling a tad mopey or who missed this thread last week... If you want to be cheered up by having a good laugh go to:

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1190403-My-daughter

The thread on mice has its moments too.
Any other funny threads that I might have missed anyone?

But the TV people choose their interviewees carefully, I'm sure, to provoke reactions. "The medium is the message." A poor little family doing the best they can is not "interesting" enough maybe?

Sorry - dire straits, like the pop group!

I was hearing about these 'pay day' loans that people are taking out to cover Christmas and will end up in dire straights, being unable to repay. I have never been in debt in my life, except for previous mortgage. If I can't afford something I don't buy it! Christmas does not need to cost a fortune, giving your love and time is the best possible gift. We really don't need the excessive amounts of food and booze!
It amazes me that on TV documentaries about the poor, those interviewed usually smoke and most of the women have fancy acrylic nails - they don't come cheap! They also seem to have all the latest phones and electronic gadgets. When I got married we had family-donated furniture, no carpets or kitchen appliances, and were quite content to wait until we had scrimped and saved enough money to buy those things. How times have changes, the young want it all!
Sorry, rant over!