A Little bit of Christmas Spirit!

[English Lady]

I have been saddened to see many posts today from people who just don't feel Christmassy. People who feel lonely or poor or tired or hurt and many who are just jaded by the commercilism now placed around the season.


This thread Aims to bring a little Christmas Spirit into peoples hearts this Christmas Season.


Post all your little Christmassy tales here, things that have happened to you or things you've heard form others. Bits of information or memories that make your heart fill with the spirit of Christmas.


After all Tis the season to be jolly! Fa la la la la!

 

[English Lady]

A few little gems from my childhood.


My Sister and I used to help my Nanna put up her christmas tree every year. She always had the same decorations,some passed down from her mum all very sparkly and exciting to young children.

I vividly remember one time when i was about 7,(making my younger sister about 3)Helping Nanna with her tree as always, but My sister was not in the mood. She sat in the corner playing with the decorations with a frown on her face.

Soon i began to here Nanna and my mum giggling. I wondered why,and as i fell silent,pausing in my tree decorations I could here my little sister babling in what sounded like a very angry voice. When I looked over she had the Mary and Joseph figures form my Nanna's Nativity scene and she was arguing with them! Holding one in each hand and knocking them together. We have photographic evidence in fact...


Another year,many years later(well i think my sister was about 10) We were having Christmas dinner at Nanna's as usual when my sister yet again made a comment which has stuck with her ever since.

A few weeks earlier she had complained to nanna that her roast potatoes at tea were burnt and she didn't like it. Nanna took note..and Sarah kept reminding her to make sure she didn't burn her roast spuds on Christmas day.

When Nanna cooks the dinner she leaves the potatoes a little too long and the bottoms stick and burn a bit,everyone but Sarah knew this,Nanna just drowned hers in gravy and hoped she'd not realised.

"This roast potato is burnt!" She exclaimed part way into the meal,waving the offending potato in the air on the end of her fork and giving Nanna this hard stare....we all collapsed into giggles and Grandad took a photo of Sarah waving the burnt potato...and every year the story is retold!



OK so maybe these are just ramblings..but i hope it makes someone other than myself smile to read them

 

[English Lady]

'Twas the night before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"

 

[English Lady]

Anyone for a home made mincepie?


*not that i am desperate for anyone to reply to my thread or anything*

 

[midwestyankee]

Anyone for a home made mincepie?


*not that i am desperate for anyone to reply to my thread or anything*

Homemade mincemeat pie is one of my favorites, but it's nearly impossible to get anymore. That, and a good plum pudding, were the traditional desserts at our Christmas dinner. I still make a plum pudding for my family but haven't yet tried to do mincemeat. Hmmm.

 

[English Lady]

midwestyankee...well i must admit to buying my mincemeat in a jar..but i did make the luxury shortcrust pastry myself


My Nanna and Grandad used to make their own Christmas puddings. I remember one year we ate one which was 12 years old....ooooooooh yeah.....that was osme fine christmas pudding


Shopbought ones just don't taste the same at all....

maybe i'll make my own pudding next year

 

[The_Dragon_Tamer]

I have been saddened to see many posts today from people who just don't feel Christmassy. People who feel lonely or poor or tired or hurt and many who are just jaded by the commercilism now placed around the season.


This thread Aims to bring a little Christmas Spirit into peoples hearts this Christmas Season.


Post all your little Christmassy tales here, things that have happened to you or things you've heard form others. Bits of information or memories that make your heart fill with the spirit of Christmas.


After all Tis the season to be jolly! Fa la la la la!

http://www.bizart.com/christmas/images/ag_lights1.gif

Is this something that you were looking for My Fair Lady? I had it posted on another site but I think that it belongs here as well. Please tell me what you think.



Christmas in a Strange Country.

I was stationed in Ankara, Turkey. Since there really wasn't a base there justan Air Station right in the capital city, there was no housing except on the economy. When you are in a country that does not celebrate our holidays you have to decorate your homes for the children.

We lived in a very large apartment building not far from the Prime Ministers Residence. Across the street from our apartment building was a four star Turkish Command General, the highest General in Turkey. Next to his home was the Japanese embassy. Our living room was 32 feet by 36 feet, with two walls of windows and a balcony.

For Christmas we went overboard on decorating for the children and had a large artificial tree that we put in the front window all decorated. During our third Christmas an order was passed down to all Americans that no Christmas Trees could be in frontof windows or to be able to bee seen from the street. You see proscelitizing your religion is against the law in the Muselim Country plus against USAF regulations.

I came back from the war in the gulf to deal with a problem that came up between the Turkish General (actually his wife) and my wife. When the tree was put up, following orders we did not put it in the front windows. My wife was visited by the general's wife with an interpreter. She was upset and wanted the tree moved to the front window if we would as she enjoyed looking at it from across the street. It was tried to be explained to her that we could not. Then she asked to see the other decorations and over chai (tea) told my wife through the interpreter how much she loved the decorations and asked what they all meant. My wife not wanting to break any laws told her that she could not tell her.

Apparently many messages wwent backand fourth between very high officials. I was called back to try and help settle the matter as I was friends with the General.

Having the General and his wife and Turkish friends who spoke english to translate for us, plus someone from the American Embassy over for dinner and tried to straighten the whole thing out. After dinner, the General's wife wanted to show her husband how we had decorated every room in the house.

Often asking questions about certain decorations and going against the law and regulations I told what certain decoration meant and why we celebrated the holiday and how this was forbidden in his country. Knowing some Turkish what I caught of what the Genreal said has several choice Turkish swear words in it.

The General asked if he could come back tomorrow with some "people". What am I going to say to a four star general "NO" lol I told him it was fine. Since the time was set for the afternoon we had snacks prepared as well as a supply of tea.

The next day we were visited by the general and some "people", the Prime Minister, The American Ambassador, and several other high political officials along with the Commandant of Interpol, whom I knew personally as we hunted and fished together. After some heated debate in our living room, the General and one of his aids looked around and unplugged our Christmas Tree, carefully picked it up and put in the front corner windows where we usually had it and plugged it back in. The the General's wife and my wife took the tree skirt and moved all of the presents to the tree.

Seeing an angel on the tree, my wife gave it to her, which she thanked her for it. After several kisses on either cheek we set good by to the all of the "people". Not quite sure of all that took place, we figured it was over.

The next day there was a knock on the door, answering it still in uniform it was the General and his wife and some of his aids plus and interpreter. Not thinking, I snapped to attention and saluted and held it until it was returned. Then a big smile and he grabbed me and kissed me on either cheek. They had brought Christmas presents for everyone, wrapped and they put them under the tree. The interpreter took me aside and asked if I had a book that explained what I had told the general earlier. Doing something I knew was illegal, I gave him one of my Bibles written in more contemporary terms. They stayed awhile and then left.

I was sent back to Saudi the next day. 10 days later was Christmas, on Christmas Eve I was ordered to Headquarters give a five day leave of absence and flown by private Turkish jet home to Turkey. My wife had been busy and had gotten Christmas presents for the General and his wife as well as the interpreter. Our other Turkish friends celebrated with us too.

I got back to the appartment to be surprised by everyone being their and a complete Christmas dinner with Turkey (no ham or pork products as it is against Muslem religion). The General and his wife and his interpreter, and 8 of our close Turkish Friends who I should really say family because that is what we are to each other.

After we ate we let the children open their presents first, and then we took turns openning ours. What they were wasn't important and I don't even remember. What I do remember and will never forget is the look in the General's eyes and the tears in his wife's eyes that they were asked to participate. It was a fun evening and lasted well into the night.

On leaving the General grabbed me and kissed me on each cheek and whispered in broken English "Thank you for Bible".

After they left I found out that when I left the last time an order was sent out that all Christians could put their trees in the windows for all to see. All because a general's wife was upset that she could not see ours.

It was the general who pulled all of the strings to get me back with my family on Christmas. I was happy that I could spend Christmas with them, but felt guilty as well when there were so many who could not. Two days later I was back at Rihad and then to action that is still classified.

It was a Christmas that I will never forget and neither will my family. Our Turkish friends were a bit ill at ease as their is a class system and the General was at the top. This I soon took care of by taking the Generals interpreter and having him say "Like in hunting and fishing, there is no class, no rich no poor, just friends enjoying doing the same thing. This is considered an American Residence and the same goes here, we are all friends" And we toasted that and the tension lifted.

Through one Christmas Tree in a front window changes were made. We never know how we impact people with what we do or say or even our actions. One thing is that kindness is seldom turned away.

I apologize for the length of this and my "rambling" on. It may mean little to others, but to me and my family and extended family it was the best Christmas ever. By the way that Christmas tree and all of the lights and most of the ornaments stayed in Turkey a gift to the General's wife, who still decorates it every year and celebrate Christmas. How do I know, we get a card and letter from them every year.

Remember what this season is all about.

http://www.bizart.com/christmas/images/ag_tree7.gif
http://www.creationsbydawn.net/christmas/holyfamily.GIF
http://www.creationsbydawn.net/christmas/lite-stringright.gif http://www.creationsbydawn.net/christmas/lite-string.gif

 

[English Lady]

Thank you so much Dragon Tamer..that is exactly the kind of thing i want posted here. Christmas Spirit shines through that story

 

[The_Dragon_Tamer]

Thank you so much Dragon Tamer..that is exactly the kind of thing i want posted here. Christmas Spirit shines through that story

I thank thee Fair Maiden that you liked my humble and simple ramblings.

 

[Icey*Fire]

Happy Holidays to you English Lady...

I don't have any great story to tell, but thought I would share my very favorite Christmas as a little girl.
We were very poor as a family but so very rich in love and caring...
when I was seven years old, all I wanted was a doll named Betty Beautician. I saw her every time I went to the store with my parents and really really wanted her. She is the only thing that I asked for. We opened our gifts on Christmas eve, and that night as we began opening our presents, there was no Betty Beautician for me. I was sad, but my sister had bought me another doll and I was happy to have it. Well, after all the gifts were opened , my father said he had to go outside for a moment. When he came back inisde, he had the Betty Beautician doll I had so wanted. He had hid it in the trunk of his car to surprise me.

BOY,,,,I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I WAS.... I think I was the happiest little girl in the world that night. Because even at that young an age I knew what it had cost my Dad to buy that doll for me. It still to this day is the happiest Christmas of my life.

{{thanks again MOM and DAD... }}

 

[JennyOmanHill]

I have many many memories of Christmas past, most of them so warm and wonderful!

I grew up living with my Mom in my Grandparents' house, so every holiday was held there (filled with various aunts, uncles and such!).

My Grandfather did ALL the cooking, and Xmas was his favorite as his children would come and celebrate a Christmas eve bash (while I tried to fall asleep, imagining hearing the sleigh pass by!)

One particular year, the party was extremely raucous, and I remember getting a little angry that it was getting harder for me to sleep with all the noise (and I "knew" that Santa wouldn't arrive until I did!)

Well, it turned out to be the first "adult" party I was allowed to visit, since my aunt (after having a bit too much "egg nog") starting singing carols and playing my new Emeny organ! Then the canary my Grandparents were giving me starting singing away (she was downstairs), so with all the racket I was allowed to view my gifts, and my relatives, and share some holiday cheer before the sun came up!

It made me feel grateful that I no longer had to spend Xmas eve waiting for the reindeer to bring "Santa" to my house!

More importantly, it was great to be part of such a grownup outing and we ALL got to sleep late in the morning!

http://www.stanford.edu/group/nacf/pics/christmas.tree.gif

I also remember the real Christmas tree that my Grandpa would set up (as soon as my birthday was celebrated, which was a week before the holiday), and the time the entire family would spend setting up the decorations while we played our Xmas record albums.

Although these special Christmases changed after my Grandfather passed, I hold all the warm memories in my heart to this day.

Things change, but I hope I always enjoy the lights and music of the season! (It's also a great way to celebrate a birthday!)

 

[1sexylady]

I use to always to go my Mom's house on Christmas Eve and my brother's and sister's would come with their families.....see I am one of seven so it got quite crowded. My Mom always had a spread of food and she and my Step-Dad would wear the same Christmas shirts with their silly hats.
Then came the giving of gifts but My Step-Dad would always make a toast and remind us of what Christmas was about and how we should always be together even if it was not Christmas and be kind to all around us.
He died in 1989 and my Mom moved to Florida but I continue the Christmas Eve and we sing and talk but it is not done until my Mom calls and I put her on speaker phone so she can be there with us.
My family grew and some of us moved pretty far away but we are still close and talk about the shirts and silly hats....but we always remembered the toast that this special man made and teach it to our children...... MERRY CHRISTMAS AND REMEMBER FAMILY IS IMPORTANT AND TO BE KIND TO YOUR FELLOW MAN.......

 

[English Lady]

Thank you iceyfire..that is a lovely memory to have,thanks for sharing! It is always good to know the person buying your gift has thought about it deeply before giving it to you..and a surprise is always nice


JoH! Hiya...thankyou for your lovely post....christmas changes so much as you grow up...but I still firmly believe in Santa you know

 

[The_Dragon_Tamer]

Spirit of Christmas

On this Christmas morning
Let thoughts of peace prevail,
As holy bells are ringing,
Across the hills and dales.

As we celebrate the birth
Of our Saviour and our King,
Let us live in harmony
Seeing good in everything.

When festivities have ended,
And the memories fade away,
Let peace remain within each heart
As it did on Christmas Day.


http://www.creationsbydawn.net/christmas/kids-snow.gif

 

[English Lady]

oops..I must have posted at the same time as you 1sexylady...thankyou for sharing.

Family is important at christmastime and even if they drive us up the wall it is good to show that we appreiciate them


Thank you Dragon tamer for the lovely poem...I like it very much

 

[English Lady]

This is my daughter getting into the christmas spirit!



Bethannyannwillow christmas pics

 

[English Lady]

http://dev.escence.co.uk/englishlady/attachment.php?attachmentid=47&stc=1


a little ho ho ho for you all

 

[TantaLiza]

This is my daughter getting into the christmas spirit!



Bethannyannwillow christmas pics

Seeing children does help, EL! She's a doll baby!!! I'm sure it's hard not to be in the holiday mood around her!!!

Enjoy!!!

LizA

 

[English Lady]

Liza...it's amazing to see christmas though my little girls eyes....lots of sparkle *L* thank you!