I find the run-up to Christmas is the disappointing time now that I know what is in the stockings because I fill them and I have been consulted on all the presents and there is just two of us putting up the decorations etc. It is just a long slog of sorting shopping out and doing things.
The joy of Christmas is the week itself; having all my family round, doing things together, remembering previous Christmases. It doesn't matter whether it is a 'big' Christmas when DS, DDiL and DGC are with us, which alternates with 'small' Christmases which are just us and DD, I love the events; church, stocking and present opening, peoples faces and reactions rather than contents of parcels, sitting around the table together. Laughing, talking, playing games.
DGD got so excited she woke her parents up at 11.15, 1.30, 3.30, and 5.30 to check whether it was Christmas and had Santa come. Parents gave in at 6.30 and she woke her brother and they went and fetched their stockings. Needless to say both got a bit temperamental towards the end of Christmas Day.
Now they have all gone back home and DD and DDil are already back at work. We turned the lights on for the last time today, went out for a nice lunch to celebrate the New Year and tomorrow will pack everything away for another year,
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Christmas, even if a low key Christmas is planned, I think the best bit, in a way, is the anticipation.
Just walking to the village shop earlier at around 5.30pm, looking at the houses with outdoor lights (or those whose inside lights could be seen from outside) made me 
.
Yes, there's all the usual run up crap, lose weight for the party season (whatever that might be) what to wear, what to cook, how to make it perfect (personally I would ban the words "perfect" and "Christmas" being allowed in the same sentence), shortly followed by "how to lose the weight that you have put on over the "party" season.
However, I would like to say that even now I still get a frisson on Christmas Eve. Being in the kitchen, cooking and swearing at the gammon, preparing some of the veg, making the chestnut stuffing, an early glass of something (oh go on, it's Christmas!) with the traditional service from Kings on the radio. I think of the wonderful sense of relief once the shops have closed, what you haven't got, you will do without.
But perhaps more than anything, I love to think of all those children for whom Christmas Eve must seem like the longest day of the year! And perhaps the one day that they actually look forward to bedtime!
I can remember that feeling myself, and recall the delight of stretching ones toes down the bed on Christmas morning and hearing that crackling, rustling sound that meant that the pillow case you had left at the end of the bed had been filled!
Sometimes Christmas can seem (to borrow or misquote something that I believe was applied to second marriages) like the triumph of hope over experience.
OK, the experience may not be all that we might like it to be, but if we are able to have it, isn't the hope/anticipation lovely?
It's a new year now with lots of hope and expectation, phoenix. I hope you have a super 2014, you deserve it. 
Never mind - Easter eggs are in a lot of the stores now - something to look forward to maybe (or not as the case may be) 
Rockgran , are you quite a new member do not seem to have seen your name before ?
Really,really hope you can visit with them next Autumn , Skpe is the next best thing I guess !
ROCK , I know there will be !
When are they returning ?
Bit puffed at the moment as I hit the shops this afternoon so will put my feet up, not as busy as I thought though .
Nonu - my grandson is an innkeeper in his first Nativity at his new school. Sadly he is in The Falklands now so I won't be watching but hopefully there will be a photo on Facebook. 
I've killed this thread haven't I? 
I did grin from ear to ear.
But I still didn' t cry!
It was the same this year when they sang carols at the garden centre. He just stood there with his mouth open looking stupid! He is a bright boy really. Just doesn't believe in throwing himself into anything he's not really bothered about.
Funnily enough, he was excellent in the church nativity when it was with a bunch of his best mates. 
I went a primary Christmas play last year. Grandson was appalling! Spent the whole time looking as though he was on a far away planet, and the play was awful! I didn' t cry. Bad granny!
I used to be terrible with the misty eyes when my girls were little. I must have have hardened over the years.
glamma everyone else will have tears in their eyes, too, so weep away (((hugs))) That's part of the enjoyment. You'll have other things to look forward to that bring out those lovely feelings. 
Such sweet happy memories Granniepam eh !
DS has a birthday tomorrow so DH and I will be babysitting from end of school until midnight ,probably. GD1 has to be taken to an old folks home to join her fellow Brownies and sing in a carol concert, she also has a solo spot too. DH gets the honour of taking her as I will have to put the younger one to bed. I would love to be a fly on the wall for that concert
nonu 
I am very lucky and do count my blessings.
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