Put your 'bah humbugs' aside for a minute...who's looking forward to Christmas?

scotchgirl

scotchgirl

Active Member
Me Me Me!!

I love Christmas. I think I love it more now I have children of my own though. Such a magical time for them, and for my kids at least, it's not all about what they're gonna get, but the people they're gonna see, the concerts they'll go to, the days out they'll have etc.

I just love it!

Ho ho ho :)
 
stevetrom

stevetrom

Well-Known Member
Bah humbug

Money we haven't got spent on things people neither want our need

Celebrating a religious festival that most don't really believe in, or a pagan festival no one knows anything apt

Playing the same cheesy pieces we all played last year

Roll on new year
 
StellaJohnson

StellaJohnson

Active Member
I love christmas, you don't need to spend alot of money to enjoy yourself. Me and my partner get most of our presents from the £1 shop!

I love the time off work to enjoy yourself with family and friends!
 
T

The Godfather

Member
stevetrom said:
Bah humbug

Money we haven't got spent on things people neither want our need

Celebrating a religious festival that most don't really believe in, or a pagan festival no one knows anything ap
Playing the same cheesy pieces we all played last year

Roll on new year
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Oh you misserable fellow. I may need to send 'the boys' around to show you the real meaning of Christmas ! Enjoy while you can, you will be a long time DEAD my friend. CORLEONE.
 
eflatbass

eflatbass

Supporting Member
P_S_Price said:
Me - Lots of playing (10 - 4 most Saturdays) but I dont resent a minute of it.
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Frozen valves and feet: there are some memories I am quite happy to leave behind.


Christmas mornings as a parent of young children brought its blessings, but alas, the kids have long left the nest, and now my wife and I struggle to understand why there is so much fuss made over a two-day public holiday, where the religious connection is so unimportant to the majority of the public.
 
scotchgirl

scotchgirl

Active Member
eflatbass said:
Frozen valves and feet: there are some memories I am quite happy to leave behind.


Christmas mornings as a parent of young children brought its blessings, but alas, the kids have long left the nest, and now my wife and I struggle to understand why there is so much fuss made over a two-day public holiday, where the religious connection is so unimportant to the majority of the public.
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because for most people I know it isn't about religion at all. I don't think this is a bad thing. An 'excuse' (not the right word, but close enough) to all come together as communities and enjoy ourselves with our children, giving gifts, doing concerts, watching films on the telly with a beer in hand, eating Christmas food leftovers, cosying up in front of the fire with the kids, playing with new toys, going for walks. So many of these things are easily neglected or missed at other times of the year, what with the economy as it is, people can't afford to give up overtime, can't afford to travel 400 miles to see their families...why choose to be miserable at the one time of the year when you can have a couple of days off work (at the very least), and put yourself and your family first??
 
eflatbass

eflatbass

Supporting Member
scotchgirl said:
because for most people I know it isn't about religion at all. I don't think this is a bad thing. An 'excuse' (not the right word, but close enough) to all come together as communities and enjoy ourselves with our children, giving gifts, doing concerts, watching films on the telly with a beer in hand, eating Christmas food leftovers, cosying up in front of the fire with the kids, playing with new toys, going for walks. So many of these things are easily neglected or missed at other times of the year, what with the economy as it is, people can't afford to give up overtime, can't afford to travel 400 miles to see their families...why choose to be miserable at the one time of the year when you can have a couple of days off work (at the very least), and put yourself and your family first??
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I'm not completely miserable at Christmas. In fact, I have just bought a small chicken, two packets of ginger biscuits and four clementines. What else am I expected to do?
 
its_jon

its_jon

Member
I have not looked forward to Xmas for many years now.

I respect others right to be ott with the 'look at me im happy' thing though.

as long as people don't try to cheer me up at this ott time of year.

anybody acting 'normal' over the xmas time seems to be labelled as a Scrooge or worse.

I really don't like the monster xmas has turned into. and im not even religious !
 
B

Blower

Member
stevetrom said:
If you need Christmas to spend time with your friends and family you have a problem
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Most family and friends time is routine, get home from work spend time with family, weekends see more of family... catch up with friends in between. Could be seen as a problem with the way most people live? Christmas for many is a time where routine is broken, watch CBBC with your children when you get up in the morning rather than go to work/school, have time to go and see mates you don't normally see, all that stuff!

Could say same as any time off but it's the fact that lots of people are off at the same time makes it special.
 
B

Blower

Member
its_jon said:
I have not looked forward to Xmas for many years now.

I respect others right to be ott with the 'look at me im happy' thing though.

as long as people don't try to cheer me up at this ott time of year.

anybody acting 'normal' over the xmas time seems to be labelled as a Scrooge or worse.

I really don't like the monster xmas has turned into. and im not even religious !
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This does rather go against all your enthusiasm for free music for kids, all children love Christmas and you rightly promote Christmas music on your site... but you don't like it!!
 
mikelyons

mikelyons

Supporting Member
I am really looking forward to my Christmas this year, because, in spite of it being my mum's first anniversary, my beloved and I are going to spend the entire holiday period in Vienna. Sachertorte, Gluhwein, snow, Vienna, city of dreams... Ahhhh. I may never want to come back to this ****hole!
 
its_jon

its_jon

Member
Blower said:
This does rather go against all your enthusiasm for free music for kids, all children love Christmas and you rightly promote Christmas music on your site... but you don't like it!!
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I don't like what xmas has become..this is true.

I have fond memories of xmas as a child and certainly would not deny xmas to any children.
I 'go along' with the spirit for the sake of others

However... for me personally (as an adult), it is a time of reflection. a time that brings up intense memories and thoughts.
Having to appear happy on the outside when your so sad on the inside is hard.
So I know this is coming...and will re-occur every 12 months.
I don't personally look forward to xmas....and although it goes against the grain to be honest about this, I am certainly not alone.

however, spending xmas quietly and fuss free does lead to people viewing you as humbug like.

Yes...Xmas music on FMFK.
Free Gifts as I see it. ... Unconditional
More to come over the next week as well.
so...yes. I understand the joy of xmas and am pleased when my grandchild or niece is mystified by the magic of it all
Personally though... deep down, its packed with bad memories for me and I also dread the coming of the xmas marketing machine.
Heavily religious people I expect will be equally appalled at some of the marketing that goes on over the xmas time.

so... barr humbug ;):p

But well spotted on the FMFK site.
Did you read any of the story's behind some of the music on the FMFK site ?

All children should have the opportunity to 'Love Christmas' :oops: This is not intended to be inflammatory but sadly many are not awarded that opportunity.
FMFK also raises awareness at this festive time as many people are so wrapped up in the holiday element of the moment they forget about the less fortunate.
One of the Xmas tunes on the site raises awareness of Homelessness and Debt with a link to the original Brass Band Aid - The Salvation Army,
Another links to the Samaritans. Lastly one linking to Barnardos.

As I said I am anything but religious.
but it hurts me each year to see the less fortunate subjected to injustice.
xmas should amplify our morality but more often exposes immorality in our society.
Some of us see a nicely decorated shop window.
Whilst others see the homeless man in front of it.

xmas for me is thinking of others. this can make me very sad.
 
jockinafrock

jockinafrock

Active Member
I LOVE THE WHOLE FESTIVE SEASON! :D

In my line of work the families, mostly the children, have had very few positive experiences of anything :cry: so to be able to pass on a true Festive spirit of compassion, empathy and giving makes it a very rewarding time for me. And no, I'm not a goody two shoes...
I love the Carol playing, even in the the bitter cold - I just stick on the thermals, a big coat and extra layers and ear muffs, and bob's your uncle! :icon_biggrin:
Last night I did a Carol gig in the dining room of a fellow player who is undergoing pretty heavy medical treatment at the moment and can't get to band; we played for him and his family, and I'm sure it was very much appreciated - very humbling.

I decorate my house inside and out with the family, and love seeing the smiles on folks faces - I couldn't do this as a child, so this is a bit about meeting my needs as well I suppose. And to see my family's faces as they open their pressies means the world to me - It's me that wakes them up in the morning! I can honestly say I get more out of that than opening my own things.

Yes, it has become very commercialised, but only if you let it - my kids have realistic expectations and have been taught what's important ( though it doesn't stop the young'un for asking for a Sterling Sop... :icon_lol:
 
P_S_Price

P_S_Price

Member
jockinafrock said:
I LOVE THE WHOLE FESTIVE SEASON! :D

In my line of work the families, mostly the children, have had very few positive experiences of anything :cry: so to be able to pass on a true Festive spirit of compassion, empathy and giving makes it a very rewarding time for me. And no, I'm not a goody two shoes...
I love the Carol playing, even in the the bitter cold - I just stick on the thermals, a big coat and extra layers and ear muffs, and bob's your uncle! :icon_biggrin:
Last night I did a Carol gig in the dining room of a fellow player who is undergoing pretty heavy medical treatment at the moment and can't get to band; we played for him and his family, and I'm sure it was very much appreciated - very humbling.

I decorate my house inside and out with the family, and love seeing the smiles on folks faces - I couldn't do this as a child, so this is a bit about meeting my needs as well I suppose. And to see my family's faces as they open their pressies means the world to me - It's me that wakes them up in the morning! I can honestly say I get more out of that than opening my own things.

Yes, it has become very commercialised, but only if you let it - my kids have realistic expectations and have been taught what's important ( though it doesn't stop the young'un for asking for a Sterling Sop... :icon_lol:
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Hear Hear!

Done 4 Sessions already (2 with my corps band, 1 with the Div band and 1 Dep). 6 hour stint comming up on Saturday; and offered to help out another band next week - Great!

Most punters seem please to see you and many stop just to listen or ask for their favourite.

But you do get many Bah Humbugs. (The manager in a well known Shoe shop in Rochdale Exchange, and the manager in another well known travel agency).
 
Will the Sec

Will the Sec

Active Member
This will be the first Chirstmas where my daughter will realise something different is going on, and having seen the joy in her eyes at the sight of decorations in the shopping centre, I am looking forward to it for the first time in yonks.
 
marksmith

marksmith

Active Member
Wow, there are some really miserable sods around, aren't there?
I have reached the stage of looking like Santa, so having young children of my own around, are long gone, cherished memories.
However, the magic of Christmas will never be taken for granted.
People are generally more receptive and polite ( no, you don't have to be religious or Christian to enjoy this bonus of the festival).
The decorations, trees (and of course crisp, frosty mornings), all add to the general 'colour' of this time of year.
A time to reflect upon happy times past, when long-gone relatives are remembered for happier times, rather than for the sadness of their demise.
Childhood remembered through the rose-tinted haze of presents, events and magical expectation that Christmas Eve and the impending visit of Father Christmas, created.
Christmas stories, songs, carols and tv, all add to the mix.
Over-indulgement has become a more recent trend, sadly over-shadowing the true meaning of Christmas and it's origins.
Queueing for hours at check-outs, empty shelves, lack of parking spaces at shopping areas: yes, they are a pain, but it's for just a few weeks a year.
My parents were not wealthy ( I grew up in inner-city terraces, devoid of such luxuries as bathrooms or indoor toilets!) but I can honestly say I never had an unhappy Christmas.
Maybe losing my dad in my teens makes me a little sentimental about the 'good times', but all too easily today, we fall into a pit of self-pity and victimisation, which taken into the perspective of what others are suffering, is nothing short of selfishness.
Enjoy Christmas for what it is, an opportunity to remember the good times, appreciate what you've got - and maybe give some time/effort to others.
You only have one crack at living, why waste it as a Scrooge/Victor Meldrew character?
Merry Christmas all!
 
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