Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Northern Lights

I found many of K's comments in accord with much pf my own feelings on the festive season. Having no children and therefore perhaps less family pressure to embrace the Christmas spirit. Humbug!,

I do find as I grow older I am becoming more cynical of the commercialisation of Christmas especially the increasingly drawing out/extension of the pre Christmas run up, and its losing some of the magic it once held. It feels often like a hamster treadmill , a wheel originally designed to keep the hamster fit, now serves to indoctrinate the hamster to endure the wheel out of boredom with the confines of its captivity.

Christmas Day will always be special as we stay with friends near Barnard Castle, with the obligatory Sue's home made pate and lots of bottles of Barolo in toe. In their company Christmas Day and Boxing Day are relaxing and fun. It embodies the spirit of Christmas I enjoyed as a child.

Other than Barnard Castle or enjoying a few days with family in Dublin over Xmas, often enjoying a pint or two of Guinness in our favourite pub, in front of a roaring peat fire, the rest of the so called festive season they can keep with the exception of peace on earth and goodwill to all. Xmas for many often leads to too much over indulgence and subsequent over loading the credit card, for the sobering long and stark January when the credit card bill hits home...............I've often found that sometimes less is more.