wow - I can't believe its Christmas week...??

sporina

doesn't feel like Christmas at all here.. was in town earlier and it wasn't that busy and people just seem meh.. loads of my mates are grumpy... I'm not feeling it either but there are personal reasons for that...

no doubt the Covid restrictions are playing a role in the lack of festive buzz.. weather then not helping..

what are your thoughts on it?

does it feel "Christmassy" where you are? if so, how? if not, why?

PS Merry Christmas

SCOOP 64

Doesn't feel like less then a week to Christmas for me at all and i don't know why, still think i have plenty time to get things before im reminded.

Shilock

I went to a quaint little town in Clare today and shooped local in Ennistymon, there's a lovely shop with jigsaws and selling simple non electronic toy's for kid's as well as art and office supplies . Beautiful shop fronts and a hardware store which is like going back in time. The owner is a full of the Christmas spirit, I was way back in the que and he had a laugh with everyone. The athmosphere reminded me of Castleisland in Kerry during the 80's when I'd be out with my grandmother. West Clare seems to still have that old Ireland simplicity and elegance about it. The Christmas spirit today was warm, rural and a nice buzz without everyone in on top of one another.

Shilock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354121#Comment_118354121

Similar story with myself, I don't feel like I belong in modern times. I prefer simplicity and being happy in humble settings. Strings of light bulbs along the shops, Christmas music in the background, people with rosy red cheeks and organic looking shop fronts and everyone not looking petrified lol

Lazybones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354031#Comment_118354031

Lovely picture painted Shilock, thanks for sharing! The hardware shop sounds like Dwyer's?

We were staying in Ennistymon a few years ago and wandered into that shop. As you said it was like going back in time. An Aladdins cave of stuff, a real one stop shop! Ended up buying some lovely pieces there. We must also have met the owners as he sounds exactly as you described him.

A friendly man, with a word and a welcome for everyone. That rare kind of individual old style genuine friendly service that would make anyone who went through the door, a customer for life.

He even gave my son a small torch free of charge, explained to him how to use it. He made him feel as if he was the most important person in the shop!

Thank God that people like the owner and their shops still exist. They are a wonder in this modern high tech age. Long may they prosper!

Thanks again for sharing your lovely Christmas experience. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas full of memorable experiences.

Posy

I've deleted a couple of slightly negative comments- don't forget this is still the Christmas forum, even if it is all commercialised/materialistic etc these days. 😉

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354350#Comment_118354350

deleting comments? isn't that a sort of censorship? Christmas is not the same for everyone - aren't all experiences equal?? gee - we are not in Russia???? I am astonished

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354458#Comment_118354458

Did you not read the forum charter? I am astonished.

StevenToast

I didnt think my comment should have been deleted....i was just yearning for the olden days of christmas.....

In the spirit of the thread i just said i didnt feel like christmas.....

Anyway, it looks like forced happiness and joy is the way it is here....

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354479#Comment_118354479

Have a read of the forum charter please. Don’t post in here again until you understand the simple forum rules.

if these rules are not to your satisfaction you’re welcome to post elsewhere.

Still stihl waters 3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354031#Comment_118354031

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354263#Comment_118354263

Sounds like devitts, there's no dwyers shop in ennistymon but James devitt is one the nicest men you could ever meet, not many left now like him

Lazybones

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354793#Comment_118354793

Thanks Still, that's it! A lovely shop and James is a true Gentleman! Happy Christmas!

Shilock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354793#Comment_118354793

That's it, James Devitt. He is like some one out of a Charles Dickins novel, an absolute character.

Flinty997

Always felt less Christmassy if I don't have time to enjoy it. So I started taking extra time off at Xmas and enjoy it more. This year I had extra leave I had to take and thus finished work earlier. Always worn out at the end of the year, anyway. Catching to at home and on TV feels the right thing to be doing. My job gets quieter at Xmas anyway. So many people are off, the virtual office is a ghost town.

Shilock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118354263#Comment_118354263

Thanks Lazybones, I love authentic people and places. Giving a kid a torch must have been delightful for your boy. There's still places like that left in Cork, Dublin and other town's and cities. You'd know by looking at a shop front if it's family run or not. What I like is the randomised lay out of stock.

I love the buid up to Christmas and just seeing people going about and meeting and greeting, the old warm hugs years ago, the tea and coffee, buns and pastries in Bewleys cafe on Grafton Street Dublin, Cafe Aroma in Ennis or The old cafe in the George Hotel in Limerick. The steamy and noisy coffee machines, old fashioned cutlery etc

People all dressed up for their Saturday or Sunday in the town or city before Christmas. The usual drunk relative getting off Slatterys bus from London or Birmingham at spaights bus staying for Christmas and he half cut for most of the few days, coming home from the pub on Christmas Eve with battered tin biscuit boxes, and the smell of drink off them, but it was harmless drunkenness just a heavy drinker rather than abusive hostile alcoholism. The smell of cigarette smoke wafting around the house and during the winter it always reminds me of Christmas, that smell is no longer common now,or the strong smell of stale beer or porter as you walk past a pub with the door wide open and all the heat flying out the door lol

I could write a book about the Christmases of long ago.

I can remember watching it's a wonderful life on a black and white TV in my grandparents house in North Kerry back in the early 80's and the damp fields outside, going down through the acre in my wellies to the hen house for egg's, wondering to myself do the chickens know it's Christmas.

I also remember John Moriarty on the Joe Duffy show around Christmas time talking about Christmas long ago and he wondering did the cow's in the cow shed know it was Christmas. That's what lead me to reading his books, I could identity with being a kid and wondering if animals and birds knew it was Christmas time.

Aisling(",)

I think it happens every year that people can feel the Christmas buzz. I know I usually get a sense of anti climax in the days before. It doesn't last for me though.

I've a few lunches and dinners taking place around now. No hugging or that anymore but being able to chat and catch up with friends and family is really boosting my mood. I watched Scrooged last night in my decoration filled sitting room and just really felt the tingle.

It's unfortunate that the C word is impacting on us but I'm trying to look at the positives. Just reframing the narrative.

miamee

It is hard to believe Christmas is nearly here. I took a few extra days off so am off this week which was a great,idea. Time to finish off the shopping and do the gift wrapping without any huge pressure!

Covid has hit sisters house so they will be isolating for Christmas and not coming to the family dinner which is a bummer but so long as none of them get very sick I think we'll just,make the best of it and swap pressies when they are safe.

Pistachio19

Hard not to get into the Christmas spirit since college son came home and plays christmas music very loudly when he gets up (which in fairness isn't til about midday). We have our visiting done already so we have nowhere to be and nobody coming to visit over christmas. I look forward to the younger 2 finishing school tomorrow so we can all slob about the house watching christmas movies and eating crap for a few days.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118355654#Comment_118355654

If Carlsberg did Christmas'........

Caranica

It feels like this week has crept up on me for sure. Largely due to circumstances beyond my control. But still I'm determined to enjoy it. My parents are getting older and not in great health so have to treasure these precious family times.

callaway92

Definitely has crept up on me but I'm still not fully invested in it.

Have to admit - Girlfriend (I assume it stems from her family/siblings) does get wayyyyyy too much for others and myself for Christmas. Have pleaded with her before to calm down on it because there's no need. I'd rather treat each other on our birthday weekend (similar dates to each other). Can see though every day it went from her sister 'not getting anything with her partner and them saving money for a holiday' to getting to the point of almost hourly texts about different things that she wants and that she's getting him.

I love the Christmas atmosphere, but jesus the Marketing of it really is overpowering and almost overwhelming. I can't being to imagine how tough it must be for parents/partners who 'have' to get certain presents or feel obliged to, either out of pressure or out of embarrasment for not getting something of x value.

Cork Lass

i have to say that I really feel it's very christmassy at the moment. Giving the house the Christmas clean and nipping into the shops to pick up the last few bits and pieces - I'm loving it 😍

DvB

I have to be honest, I'm not feeling it at all this year. Possibly the least Christmassy I've ever felt. I suspect the covid cr*p and this being the first year the kids don't 'believe' is all playing its part. It's been a tough year for me work wise and since getting to the end of the work year I just feel drained. Hopefully it'll pick up a little as we reach the Christmas nirvana.

CarrieAnne

May the magic that is Christmas fill all hearts... offer hope, laughter and consolation as required.

Take a moment, in the middle of the madness... feel it... its there waiting to fill our hearts and minds with hope.

AND I know everyone gives out about commercialisation and consumerism... and I am as guilty as the next for the trimmings.... BUT the best part of Christmas is that moment.... when you pause... and it might be over a mug of tea with your Mam or friend... or watching a Christmas Ad... or your now 16 year old remembering past Christmas memories... and you know.. you are in Christmas and making new memories and glad for it.

I rarely get to post, but try find time to read... I love this board the year round... for those that like me, who know its important to remember Christmas every day of the year.

May the blessings of the Christmas season be with us all.

pigtail33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359536#Comment_118359536

Could have written this myself. Can't quite put my finger on it, but there is no Christmas spirit in me this year. My sister and her family always come over for Christmas and they were waiting on PCR results until 7am yesterday morning and were due to travel today. Thankfully all were negative, but even knowing they are en route didn't help with the Christmas feeling. I finish work today and plan making mince pies and stuffing tomorrow, so I'm really hoping that will help. And like you, I've been flat out in work all December. Roll on 4pm...

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118359640#Comment_118359640

Here here!!!

Loughc

Fitting I feel.

Loughc

I’ve posted elsewhere that due to having a 3 week old our routine and traditional Christmas is out the window.

So it doesn’t feel like Christmas at all for me. But I have to admin over the past couple of days I’ve been getting the Christmas vibes. Lots of people wishing me happy Christmas giving me that happy/excited feeling.

DvB

Funnily enough, after doing the final grocery shop this afternoon in Dunnes (bedlam btw, utter bedlam) I'm starting to feel 'something' though that could also just be the after effects of the covid booster I got earlier today too 😀

Loughc

The big shop in Dunnes yesterday for me (utter bedlam too) gave me a well needed boost.

pigtail33

I'm going to Dunnes in the morning for the final shop and hoping it's not bedlam, although if it is, maybe it'll help with the Christmas spirit!

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118361951#Comment_118361951

gee thats just reminded me of the whole wishing one "Merry Christmas".. I have been out and about in shops and not once have I been wished so.. people are really not feeling it this year.. I was in town at 7pm and twas dead.. Cork City

limnam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363441#Comment_118363441

Was in Cork City Saturday and was 'buzzin''

Went in Tuesday morning and spent the day in city and there was a great buzz around the place.

Every place I was in I was wished merry/happy xmas.

You must be fierce unlucky.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363523#Comment_118363523

gee you wer very lucky... like, I was actively looking for an xmas feeling in town but nada.. walked up the coal quay at 7pm and it was dead.. sign of the times..

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363441#Comment_118363441

I went onto town on Monday at about 6.00 pm and it was buzzing. People in great form and was wished a happy Christmas in a few shops.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363551#Comment_118363551

I really doubt any city is dead at 7pm on the run up to Christmas 🙄🙄

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363551#Comment_118363551

Can i ask - did you wish people a merry Christmas? It really works both ways.

tscul32

I've been wished a merry Christmas loads of times.

Cork Lass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363844#Comment_118363844

Me too if I'm honest. I feel people are making more effort this year.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363866#Comment_118363866

ive noticed the same myself 😀

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118363679#Comment_118363679

you think i'm making it up?

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118364314#Comment_118364314

I most certainly do. 🙂

DvB

Have been wishing people happy Christmas for about a week now and have received loads back too. Eventually vaccination centre yesterday was buzzing with Christmas vibes with everyone I met there giving me a 'happy Christmas' as I was moved on through the different stages.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118364424#Comment_118364424

thats totally your choice 🙂