To wear what I like for Christmas?

I've only been to Germany once and the food was wonderful! Everywhere we went, beautifully cooked and presented dishes in gi-normous quantities. I daren't go back; can't afford to replace my entire wardrobe with two sizes bigger.

Maw, nice cutlery, china and glassware are "de riguer" in this household for special occasions - and I use fish knives, too. ???.
You are so right, too, about that comment regarding German food. I agree wholeheartedly with what you say.
Each to their own, * Gabriella* but oh, what a sweeping statement about German food!

Ah, the Swindon Outlet Shop Jalima my second home.
I will be using the better ( can hardly say best) china and glassware at Christmas, but Norman need not bother to fetch the fish knives as no fish will be served.
Ideally I would spend the day in pj’s and woolly bootees, but jaws would drop, so will wear something comfortable but a bit dressy.

Am I alone in wondering at the element of inverted snobbery on this thread.
We have no problem with dressing “up” for a big night out so why the disparaging by some people of dressing your table by using a good dinner service, Crystal, silver if you have it and a damask or Christmas tablecloth?
I love beautiful things and why have them if you don’t use them? As for champagne tasting better out of a flute, I couldn’t agree more.
Each to their own but there is nothing Hyacinth Bucket in owning, using or enjoying the best for a special meal is there?

No, not at all, in fact it adds to the special feeling of the day,
Improves the look of the food and drink, and if you can’t use things at Christmas, then when can you?

MawBroon, I tend to stay with the plain (boring) white crockery when we have the family round. It protects my more expensive and much loved 'best' china when the young people help with the clearing up. That is, dropping stuff on the floor, or more likely banging it against the taps as they rinse off before putting it in the dishwasher. The 'best' china isn't dishwasher proof either.
Ditto glassware, we do have some beautiful crystal champagne glasses, not as many as we did have before we held a get together here which included many of the 'children's ' friends. I'm not complaining, I love having them round but I give up on trying to keep special things special

I used to do special dinners/suppers for myself and himself but let that slide. Perhaps the festive period provides such an opportunity, linen and the 'best' china

I fear all my good dishes esp the set I have specifically for the festive period will all be disposed of when I’m no longer able to use them. I love all that sort of stuff. When I left work to become a full - time mummy I was given beautiful Chrystal white and red wine glasses along with presents for DD and to this day I still have the complete sets of glasses but I know when the time comes DD won’t want them. My gran gave me many years ago beautiful cake forks which I treasure too. Why is it traditions like this are fading

Why is it traditions like this are fading sad

The size of the average home for a young couple has shrunk in half since my first home and is a FRACTION of the size of my parenta first home.

People don't have attics and sheds and spare rooms now to store anything that isnt regularly funtional any more.

I think your daughter was rude. You are going as yourself, and dressing as you like for the day that's in it.

Imagine if your SIL told his mother to make an effort as others feel uncomfortable either her dressing down??

We're (all 3 of us) are having a pub lunchm9n 25 Dec. For 3rd time. All sorts of attire at various tables. Each to their own and enjoying it

Ignorant? Never.
I find their food (and their country) dull and uninteresting.
My view does not make me ignorant.
Prejudiced? Yes
Show me a person totally without any prejudices. You'll be a long time looking.
I'm drawing a line under this 'discussion'.
Finis

By what right do you decide to draw a line under a discussion? How can a country which boasts Aachen, Regensburg, Bamberg, Weimar, Kronach, Wittenberg (to name but a few) be dull or uninteresting?

I have been to Germany once (years ago) at Easter time. We stayed in a very posh (for me) hotel in Bonn that was used to business people and visiting dignitaries. My DD was 12/13 at the time and to say they made her feel like a princess is an understatement. The hotel was not used to having children but we were way out of season and they spoiled her something rotten . I remember visiting a lovely place called Boppard (maybe not the right spelling but DH is fast asleep) where we took a cable car ride. It was a magical visit. The people were lovely, the food was fantastic...... only problem was the horrible North Sea ferry that I would never do again as long as I live .

MawBroon whats the point in having beautiful things if you don't use them

My point exactly. I would rather use and risk breaking. They are only things. I love setting the table nicely for visitors all year round. And of course a special effort at Christmas is nice. But if things are too precious to use more than once a year I'd rather not have them. I use my crystal glasses all the time. Just expensive enough to be nice but not too expensive to worry. Thats just my personal view. We all have different ideas and customs.
However I think we've digressed a little. Sorry Grapefruit.

Those who find a country dull and uninteresting merely display their insular mindset and lack of any intellectual curiosity.
More to be pitied really.

Waves at MiceElf, good to see you here again.

I often disagree with GG but surely a person is entitled to their opinion. (even if they do dislike Royal Albert..GG will understand)

I may have made a faux pas regarding my dislike for Royal Albert. I might have meant Prince Albert.

Well said, grumppa. And we could mention Beethoven, Bach (several of them), Brahms, Schumann, Handel.... and so on. Quite some cultural heritage, wouldn't you say?

I believe you GabriellaG ?

annep
Oh dear.
I thought that anyone reading my faux pas would have 'got' the joke. Apparently not.
When I mentioned my distain re Royal Albert china, I knew what I was typing. When I posted the 'correction' it was a joke about mistaking Royal Albert for Prince Albert. I was alluding to an aversion to Prince Albert piercings. (through the 4skin of a penis)

Well of course as you know from a previous post I'm too much of a prude to get that joke lol.

ask your daughter - "how does me wearing what I feel comfortable in for the occasion make everyone else, which presumably includes you, feel uncomfortable? "

i buy everyone new clothes including my married daughters and grandkids clothes for xmas day they are all smart and every year i forget about myself and hide at the back for pics after dinner. dress up why not its your special day too x merry xmas x

Gabriella that bit of info put me right off the little stick of Blackpool rock that I was nibbling on.?

Being an old fogey, I thought a Prince Albert was only a pocket watch.