OS Annual Christmas Thread

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

I just got back from my first and my 2 little pylons first Peterborough Santa Clause parade. Oh boy is there a difference between a small boroughs parade and the parade in Toronto. Huge difference between actual floats and trailers pulled by pick up trucks. That being said, it was a blast. Mary and Christian got 43 candy canes! Lol. This was their first parade and it will be something I never forget. This will become a definite Stewart tradition.

We will be watching the Toronto parade tonight at 7pm.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

I used to be a tight-wrapper of lights, but I've converted (out of laziness) to a up-and-down pattern that works around the tree gradually. Less reaching around the tree (as we set ours up against a curved wall, and that back part is hard to reach), easier to take down.

I sort of wish there was more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I realize this is largely a US-centric lament, but it seems like things accelerate too quickly between T'giving and Xmas, and it would be better if it was a bit more spread out (IMO, of course). That having been said, it is nice that it's sort of a 'holiday season' at the end of the year.

Also, to put my grinch hat on (borderline grounds for expulsion from this thread), it's impossible to get anyone to do any significant work between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

That is exactly why I start November 1st. I try to milk the most out of the season as possible. I remember as a kid, we didn’t decorate until December 1st, but that slowly changed as I got into my teens. Now my Mom decorates in early November. I love that we still get together as a family at my folks to paint new decorations and decorate the tree every year.

As for trying to get people to work between US Thanksgiving and Christmas…you are telling the truth. I think a lot of it is, people are burnt out by the end of the year coupled with the switching of the seasons, and people feel like calling it in. As a “retired” teacher, ( I’m only 49, turning the big 50 in March) and I know my students were done by December. I was always exhausted by the Christmas break, but that was because of running the student council and coaching the basketball team on top of teaching phys’ed.

[Majingir]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Watched first 2 episodes of the Santa Clauses.

Definitely has a different feel compared to any of the movies.

At times it just feels like they're pushing modernized world too much. Just 2 episodes in, but feels like Elizabeth Mitchell hasn't gotten as big of a role as I would have wanted to see. Although some points they've been bringing up in the movie hopefully means some long standing questions finally get answered after decades such as

Spoiler

Why did the elves move on from the prior Santa so quickly?

Who was the last Santa/Mrs Claus?

What is the history of Santa?

What happened to Bernard?

At least we got some follow up and seeing what happened to Charlie. The actor reminds me of Josh from Drake and Josh, in terms of how he looks today.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Watched first 2 episodes of the Santa Clauses.

Definitely has a different feel compared to any of the movies.

At times it just feels like they're pushing modernized world too much. Just 2 episodes in, but feels like Elizabeth Mitchell hasn't gotten as big of a role as I would have wanted to see. Although some points they've been bringing up in the movie hopefully means some long standing questions finally get answered after decades such as

Spoiler

Why did the elves move on from the prior Santa so quickly?

Who was the last Santa/Mrs Claus?

What is the history of Santa?

What happened to Bernard?

At least we got some follow up and seeing what happened to Charlie. The actor reminds me of Josh from Drake and Josh, in terms of how he looks today.

Trina and I are starting episode 3 tonight. I feel the same as you. It feels off. I hope it’s because they are building up to something good. I like that Mrs. Claus is getting her shine. Lol.

[Majingir]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Trina and I are starting episode 3 tonight. I feel the same as you. It feels off. I hope it’s because they are building up to something good. I like that Mrs. Claus is getting her shine. Lol.

She's had her funny one liners, but that's been it so far. Not sure if it's on purpose that they turned her into almost the exact opposite of what she was like in the 2nd movie (even after hanging out with Scott).

I do like Noel though. Bernard was good in the first one, but Noel is funnier, and Curtis wasn't so good.

[Smallville102001]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Don't mean to be negative but I am really not feeling it this year. I have been feeling stuck in life for a long long time. Basically sense 2012 thinks to not being able to find a job. I was stuck at a job I hated from 2012-2021 middle because not being able to find a job now matter how much I looked. I finally got out July last year to only find out at the begging of this year that places got bought out and that they are closing at the end of this year and I am terrified that I am going to have to go back to job I hated by force. The only reason I even got out of last job was because of a friend. Last year I was really excited for Christmas thinking finally life has turned around. So yeah 10+ years basically stuck in extreme depression just not feeling it. I have watched a few Christmas things including violent night awesome movie btw. But not sure if I am even going to put up anything this year.

[NoleFan]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

From Halloween 2021 my Dad was in the hospital fitting a rare form of lymphoma. We lost him in January. I gotta say though...the holidays, well Thanksgiving, wasn't as bad as I thought it would be despite spending last Thanksgiving having dinner in a hospital room.

I actually played Christmas music Saturday while figuring out how to connect the lights on our pre-lit tree (I never remember) so that they all work and I can get my 6 yo off my back.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Don't mean to be negative but I am really not feeling it this year. I have been feeling stuck in life for a long long time. Basically sense 2012 thinks to not being able to find a job. I was stuck at a job I hated from 2012-2021 middle because not being able to find a job now matter how much I looked. I finally got out July last year to only find out at the begging of this year that places got bought out and that they are closing at the end of this year and I am terrified that I am going to have to go back to job I hated by force. The only reason I even got out of last job was because of a friend. Last year I was really excited for Christmas thinking finally life has turned around. So yeah 10+ years basically stuck in extreme depression just not feeling it. I have watched a few Christmas things including violent night awesome movie btw. But not sure if I am even going to put up anything this year.

Smallville,

I’m sorry that you have to go through the job hunting hell again and or having to go back to the job you hate. I wish I had away to help, but know above everything else, you are still living and that’s the important thing. Keep kicking at the can as long as you have air in your lungs. I hope you find a little Christmas spirit as this years comes to an end. Keep your head up brother!

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

From Halloween 2021 my Dad was in the hospital fitting a rare form of lymphoma. We lost him in January. I gotta say though...the holidays, well Thanksgiving, wasn't as bad as I thought it would be despite spending last Thanksgiving having dinner in a hospital room.

I actually played Christmas music Saturday while figuring out how to connect the lights on our pre-lit tree (I never remember) so that they all work and I can get my 6 yo off my back.

Nolefan,

I have no words. Im sorry my friend and im happy that you had a decent Thanksgiving especially after last year. I hope that your little one helps lift your spirits. I can’t imagine how you feel. I saw my wife go through losing her father 2 years ago, and I was amazed at her strength. I truly believe our 2 little ones helped focus her love for her father into our kids. She also tells them stories about her Dad all the time.

I hope your spirits stay up and that you have a great Christmas.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

I always feel like my words may come out a bit hollow when people are hurting, but please know I truly wish the best your the both of you this holiday season.

[NoleFan]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Nolefan,

I have no words. Im sorry my friend and im happy that you had a decent Thanksgiving especially after last year. I hope that your little one helps lift your spirits. I can’t imagine how you feel. I saw my wife go through losing her father 2 years ago, and I was amazed at her strength. I truly believe our 2 little ones helped focus her love for her father into our kids. She also tells them stories about her Dad all the time.

I hope your spirits stay up and that you have a great Christmas.

Thank you very much, Mike! You’re right too…pouring into my kiddo and telling him many stories about PaPa really helps! I also learned how much children do understand about life and the loss thereof! Mind blowing!

Happy Holidays Guys!!


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[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

I watched Spirited tonight with my wife. We loved it. It’s getting 6.6/10 on the reviews. Crazy. I’m not a fan of musicals, but I really liked it. This movie will become part of our Christmas movie rotation.

[Smallville102001]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

From Halloween 2021 my Dad was in the hospital fitting a rare form of lymphoma. We lost him in January. I gotta say though...the holidays, well Thanksgiving, wasn't as bad as I thought it would be despite spending last Thanksgiving having dinner in a hospital room.

I actually played Christmas music Saturday while figuring out how to connect the lights on our pre-lit tree (I never remember) so that they all work and I can get my 6 yo off my back.

Thats hard I lost my grandma back in late march of 2019 the only one I have been close to that I have lost before. My grandparents on my moms side always been very close to has they would watch me and my sister when I was little and I have never went more than like a month and a half not seeing them used to live right up the hill from them. She had Alzhemer the last like 5 years or so of her life and also had really bad Arhrisist her last several years to and couldn't breath that great from like the 40 years she smooked before she stopped. So her last few years her life was not that good. My grandpa is still alive so I try to enjoy what ever time I have left with him has you just never know. He will be 86 in a few weeks. Around holidays I tend to think of my grandma more and the night she past I just kept listing to the song Lord I need you like over and over again.

Smallville,

I’m sorry that you have to go through the job hunting hell again and or having to go back to the job you hate. I wish I had away to help, but know above everything else, you are still living and that’s the important thing. Keep kicking at the can as long as you have air in your lungs. I hope you find a little Christmas spirit as this years comes to an end. Keep your head up brother!

Yeah I just hate what its doing to me all the frustration for like years and years has made me a very like bitter grumpy person and I know people say life is like valleys and mountains and like bad seasons but being I have basically been dealing with this for like 10+ years I am just like man how long is this season going to last am I ever going to enjoy life again instead of just felling like ever day is a waste.

[NoleFan]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Elf on the Shelf things…




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[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

We’ve had a weekend full of Christmas celebrations, activities and even had time to go to my friends birthday party. 5 of us got together and got our good friend/brother a Xbox Series X for his birthday. We came up with the idea on Thursday and gave it to him on Saturday. He was shocked. I was shocked we actually found one. It was a nice moment. I have a great circle of friends. The guy who we were celebrating and 3 of the guys that went in on the gift were in my wedding party.

So, needless to say we had a great weekend. We ended it with a family drive to look at the Christmas lights because it snowed this morning. It was nice. I love that my kids consider it a tradition already and they are only 6 and 3 years of age.

Hope you guys are getting in the mood. 2 weeks today is the big day.