Christmas Eve Traditions :-)

antimatterx wrote: »

Just giving this great thread a bump.

My Christmas eve tradition is going into town, just to wander around the shops, and soak in the Christmas atmosphere. I head in with my 2 brothers and my parents. We then head into a pub for a drink on the way home and pick up a takeaway.

I'm 23 and live at home as do my brothers (am the oldest of 3 boys), so my Christmas hasn't changed drastically all my life. I love it. Other Christmas season, but not Christmas eve traditions I've started over the last few years is 1) Going to the same restaurant each year with my family on the 23rd, and one Friday in December, me and my friends go out on a pub crawl. They're great fun!

So, as with most people, my traditions (quoted) are going to change this year. My family unfortunately will not be going to town.

This is down to 2 reason, 1) of course Covid, and 2) one of my dogs died this year, leaving us with 1. She suffers from extreme social/separation anxiety and is never left on her own. We had planned to bring her on a walk in Stephens Green, but she had ACL surgery 5 weeks ago and unfortunately is crate bound until after Christmas.

We may get out as a family of 4 to a pub / meal, but one person will have to stay at home and mind the dog. (Both of my brothers don't really like going for out, so I can take my parents out over the Christmas at least.)

Dickie10 wrote: »

had an awful xmas eve last year, my father got a stroke on the 21st december. spent 3 weeks in hospital. thank god had no ill effects and back in great health now. spent xmas eve last year in the hospital til 11:30 pm, christ its a lonely place. i will always remember walking out at 11:30 watching a young mother run in with her 5 year old in her arms obviously sick with something, horrible to see on christmas eve

Just reading back through these, and when i came to this the tears have started for some reason. I think it might be the thought of a christmas without my father and how close that was to happeing or maybe the mother coming in with her child on christmas eve and thier didnt seem to be anyone else with her. I will never forget the lonliness of that night driving home. Just think of how lucky you are this christmas eve and of all those who cant even think of the day it is let alone any plans.

Dickie10 wrote: »

Just reading back through these, and when i came to this the tears have started for some reason. I think it might be the thought of a christmas without my father and how close that was to happeing or maybe the mother coming in with her child on christmas eve and thier didnt seem to be anyone else with her. I will never forget the lonliness of that night driving home. Just think of how lucky you are this christmas eve and of all those who cant even think of the day it is let alone any plans.

I remember when I was 10 in casualty with my father to get my knee stitched up, a man rushed in with an infant. I’ll never forget the “oh fùck, my world is in the balance” look in his eyes.

Christmas will be different this year. I am 22 and have always spent Christmas at my grandparents. We will be going to another county this year to my aunties new house and enjoying it as a family. It will definitely be different, but fun.

We plan to go for a chinese on Christmas eve and have a couple of drinks, something ive never done before, usually we just go to grannys and chat and eat chocolate.

The other half and I are expecting our first kiddo in summer. she's from Austria, where there are completely different christmas traditions and characters. We are going to have fun mixing them. Presents on both 24th and 25th maybe, but the question of Christkind vs Santa is on going. They may be mutually exclusive.

Yeah, this one is due a read again from start to finish soon.

I remember last Christmas Eve I was walking to the chemist and I seen a family visiting their elderly relatives but because of covid they were seeing them through the window. Little kids banging on the window and waving. It was absolutely heartbreaking. I hope nothing like that happens this year and everyone has an extra special Christmas since we were robbed of one.

I've bought that set as part of Mr. CLs Christmas present...I'm super excited about seeing him make it with the mini elves 😍

Bump. Happy almost Christmas eve

Same my traditions kind of died because of COVID last year. We used to go to town every Christmas Eve. But that stopped, and it's not happening this year. Will probably go on a walk with the dog somewhere she doesn't usually go. It's sad that things end, but things move on, I think.

But yeah, looking forward to Christmas anyway. Should be good, but Christmas Eve is far, far superior. Looking for chill day. I'll help my prepare the food, probably will get a Chinese in the evening and soak everything in.