Annual OS Christmas Thread 2024

[slickdtc]

Took Friday off and had a day of shopping and decorating. I’ll have to do that again and make it a tradition. The wife & I had a blast. We updated and upgraded our home decorations — we try to get at least one “thing” for the holiday each year. Did the yearly gingerbread house with my brother and son yesterday.

10 days!

My boy is so in to it this year. It’s crazy that in just a couple short years he won’t be, so we’re really savoring these magical moments. Santa got him his first video game console this year — a Nintendo Switch. I still remember when our family got a Sega Genesis so yeah, this is gonna be the best Xmas yet. Until next year!

[SmashMan]

Quote: Originally Posted by pietasterp

Yeah, he was sort of an evil genius, but his production when he was at his peak was marvelous. Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals....all with Spector's cacophony of brilliance. It just doesn't get any better. One thing that occurred to me that (for me, anyway) has reduced the "Christmas Vibe" around this time of year is the death of the shopping mall. Going to the mall around Christmas every year used to always put me in the holiday mood as much as anything, and now that that's gone, it's one less thing to get the holidays in everyone's mind/mood. Seeing all the decked out decorations, hopping around to the different stores, figuring out gifts for everyone, seeing those families with 20 bags of shopping each...it was all so glorious. Now it's like everyone just gets Christmas delivered to them by Amazon.

There's actually a mall not too far from my house and I go there once or twice during the Christmas season. I usually just buy from the Target at the end of the mall but I'll do a quick lap around the whole thing just to get that Christmas vibe first, yeah.

[mattlanta]

Currently deployed overseas right now. It's definitely a different experience being out here and away from family. But it's nice to be able to come back here and make my annual OS Christmas post.

I feel like message boards and forums nowadays are slowly dying away and we are one of the few communities that have maintained ours. I feel like this age belongs to the Discords or even Twitch communities. But I appreciate the ones who still post on here and keep it busy enough to be worth checking in once in a while.

Merry Christmas to everyone on OS and to their families! I appreciate you guys.

[mike24forever]

Quote: Originally Posted by mattlanta

Currently deployed overseas right now. It's definitely a different experience being out here and away from family. But it's nice to be able to come back here and make my annual OS Christmas post. I feel like message boards and forums nowadays are slowly dying away and we are one of the few communities that have maintained ours. I feel like this age belongs to the Discords or even Twitch communities. But I appreciate the ones who still post on here and keep it busy enough to be worth checking in once in a while. Merry Christmas to everyone on OS and to their families! I appreciate you guys.

First, thanks for your service. I cannot put it into words the respect that I have for those who are in the military. My uncle who was/is one of my hero's passed away 2 years ago after Christmas. He served in Iraq and Somalia. He was a signal operator and saw some heavy action. I only found this out after he passed. I thought he was like Radar from MASH. He also had bad PTSD and thanks to my Aunt he got help when they got married years ago. When he passed he gifted me his metals and had them put in a shadow box display for me. It surprised me and took me back because he has 3 children and he gave them to me. Also, welcome back to the annual thread.





Well gentlemen, we are down to single digits!!! 9 days to go and it is happening too quickly. I plan on spending a few hours wrapping presents tonight after my two pylons go to bed.



Have a good day and try to enjoy the time we have leading up to Christmas Day, as it can be stressful this time of year.

[mike24forever]

Quote: Originally Posted by slickdtc

Took Friday off and had a day of shopping and decorating. I’ll have to do that again and make it a tradition. The wife & I had a blast. We updated and upgraded our home decorations — we try to get at least one “thing” for the holiday each year. Did the yearly gingerbread house with my brother and son yesterday. 10 days! My boy is so in to it this year. It’s crazy that in just a couple short years he won’t be, so we’re really savoring these magical moments. Santa got him his first video game console this year — a Nintendo Switch. I still remember when our family got a Sega Genesis so yeah, this is gonna be the best Xmas yet. Until next year!

I love stories like this. I love hearing about our love for Christmas being passed down to our kids and nieces and nephews. It makes the season brighter. Love it.

[mike24forever]

Quote: Originally Posted by NoleFan

I go to “Motown” Christmas every year. The classics don’t have enough soul for me. Always smile when I hear The Temptations version of “Silent Night” because my Dad and I used to lead that with the men’s group at church before I moved away. I wanted to try to have a little reunion but he passed away in 2022.

I love Motown Christmas and Boys II Men Christmas album are on high rotation. I also have the Motown Christmas compilation, I think it's called 'This Christmas' , just like the Time Life Christmas albums.

[pietasterp]

Quote: Originally Posted by mattlanta

Currently deployed overseas right now. It's definitely a different experience being out here and away from family. But it's nice to be able to come back here and make my annual OS Christmas post. I feel like message boards and forums nowadays are slowly dying away and we are one of the few communities that have maintained ours. I feel like this age belongs to the Discords or even Twitch communities. But I appreciate the ones who still post on here and keep it busy enough to be worth checking in once in a while. Merry Christmas to everyone on OS and to their families! I appreciate you guys.

I know it might seem like pro forma nothing-ness, but with all sincerity, thanks for your service. I hope you have a nice holiday season and stay safe over there! May whoever you root for in the sporting world win all their games for you (unless they happen to play the Lions in the playoffs!).

[mike24forever]

7 days. 1 week out.

This time next week it will be full swing Christmas mode in the Stewart household. Crazy how fast Christmas arrives as an adult.

I have to head out today to get stuff for my wife's stocking and then I'll wrap her presents this afternoon.

Enjoy the rush up to Christmas gentlemen.