We need a little Christmas!

[mike24forever]

Enough has been said about 2020 and I have nothing really to add to it, except that it has been a rough ride and it all started with the loss of my father-in-law to Covid. I learned that my wife is even stronger than I though she was and she is holding herself and the family together. I think that she finds some comfort that we are moving to Peterbrough in April to be closer to her Mom. So, this will be her first Christmas without her father and the last Christmas in this home. The home we bought when we first got married 10 years ago and the first house that my to children will have memories of. No pressure on Christmas 2020.

So, let me get this out of the way:

I know it may be too early for this thread for some of you and I can appreciate that and may I say, please feel free to return when the time is right for you.

As you may know, I have been starting this thread for a few years going back now and I look forward to starting it every year. I have become friends with a lot of the guys that frequent this thread over the years and hope to make more going forward.

Christmas is a love of mine. I count down the days throughout the entire year (51 days and counting). My love for it has only grown and it has really changed for me the last 4 years. I am a 46 year old fart that loves Christmas and that I now get to share my favourite time of the year with my two kids. I only hope that I don't scare them away from it.

So, what is the purpose of this thread...well, I guess, it is to share our memories of Christmas past, our favourite Christmas songs and movies, to our favourite traditions. This year will be different for all of us. From social distancing to Covid shut downs. I pray that this year's Christmas is not ruined by the times we find ourselves in.

So, let me be the first to wish you Merry Christmas and to remind you to get your shopping done early. They are saying that do to the increase in online shopping because of Covid, that it may put extra pressure on the postal services. Just a little heads up. Other than stocking stuffers and a quick trip to Toys R Us to buy my daughter some LOL dolls, I am done all of my Christmas shopping. I just need to get my wrapping done.

[Caulfield]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

I'm sorry Mike, you are absolutely positively 100% wrong... we need a LOTTA Christmas. after all, anything worth doing, is worth overdoing.

usually I'm up in arms over the little extra weight I put on in November and December, but this year it's gonna be okay, I'll just shop in the husky department for clothes, okeydokey Okefenokee problem solved. I'm also hearing Walmart is going to have 3 Black Fridays this year, 2 on Saturday. what's better than a Friday combined with a Saturday, I dunno but probably not much lol.

bring on the foods, I am ready!

[Majingir]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

I was reading over last year's Christmas thread yesterday lol.

I was wondering if we'd see a thread even earlier than last year and we got it!

This year obviously will be such a crazy and different holidays than we've ever had. Its not about commercialization, but won't really be about family either since people can't have gatherings.

Will be weird for sure. The people you only see once a year, you won't see them in 2020, so it might be 2 years between when you see certain people!

I'm sure someone will try setting up some virtual Christmas gathering, but I find that being weird just sitting down looking at a screen with several different screens going on at the same time.

[countryboy]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

One of my favorite threads on OS each year.

First and foremost, Mike I'm sorry for your loss. I hope that while its hard, that you both will remember the good times and it will help you to cherish moments even more than before. This will be the 4th Christmas without my Mom and it hasn't gotten any easier. And in all honesty, it could very well be the last Christmas with my Dad as his health continues to go downhill.

I also want to encourage anyone that has the ability to please, please, please, consider giving donations to Toys for Tots, shopping for Angel Trees or any other charity that provides presents to kids on Christmas. With the state of our country, I'm so torn over the idea that a kid may not have Christmas because of the times we find ourselves in. I have started a challenge at my workplace to buy toys, electronics, or whatever that we will donate when the time comes in our area. So far we are kicking butt!

With all of that out of the way, I'm excited for Christmas as my son is 5 and is really getting into toys and things that I like, so its like I'm getting this stuff too. He's wanted and wanted a Nintendo Switch so that will be his big gift this year. I cannot wait to see his face when he sees it.

I have actually completed all of my shopping but still find myself grabbing things here and there for various people and reasons.

I look forward to discussing and sharing our Christmas stories with each other this year! 2020 hasn't been ideal in any way shape or form, but I hope that if nothing else it reminds us to cherish these moments we have with family and friends just a little more.

[mike24forever]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

It brings me joy knowing that you guys look forward to the Christmas thread each year. I have gone back and read previous years, just like Maj said. As I get older, I post here less, but I read a lot more. I start thinking about the thread in August, and I knew that this year's thread would be a bit different.

I love the idea of donating to Toys for Tots and other charities for children. ExtremeGamer has his yearly 24 hour marathon that raises money to fulfill wishes for sick children. I'll edit this later with the name of the charity. I donate to it every year, but I am drawing a blank on it's name. It has become part of my families Christmas traditions. I talk to my wife about it as it approaches and give her updates while Scott is playing for the 24 hours. I try to watch as much of it as possible. I also check in with Scott to make sure he's doing well during it. It was heartbreaking the year his internet went out. I felt so bad for him. Now he has his 2 sons doing it along side him. How awesome is that?

I love seeing the same guys post in this thread every year. It is like clock work. I see the views go up after I post the tread for the first time, and I know who has read the first post and then I see the names from the initial "LIKES", and then I wait for you guys to post. It is amazing how much this thread has become part of my Christmas traditions. I hope we are around doing this years from now.

[countryboy]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

I believe the charity is Extra Life


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[slickdtc]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

Checking in... tree went up on November 1st. My job gives more time off for holidays than any place I’ve ever been, so that’s cool. Christmas should be relatively normal for me as my family is really small and we keep it lowkey anyway. Looking forward to giving, eating, and yup, there’s a special Christmas Friday NFL game.

I’d like to watch more animated Christmas classic movies this year. The claymation ones are what sticks in my mind from childhood.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

[mike24forever]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

I believe the charity is Extra Life


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That's the name of the charity. Extra Life. Thank you for posting that.

Welcome back Slick and I did not know there was a football game on Christmas day. That's awesome.

[SmashMan]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

Apparently the main Christmas radio station here switches in 15 minutes. But it’s also 73 degrees, so...

Christmas has to be cold, damn it!

There’s just no concept of time for 2020. It’s somehow November already but it also feels like it’s been dragging on forever. Maybe it’ll feel more normal when we get into that Thanksgiving thru Christmas window.

[mike24forever]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

CHFI 98.1fm Toronto and Star 102.5fm Buffalo flipped on the 1st of November. It is always a big day with family. We all text each other to let each other know what stations are playing Christmas music.

Tonight the family watched my favourite specials, T'was The Night Before Christmas. It is absolutely my favourite.

[dickey1331]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

I gotta say living in Alaska certainly brings out your Christmas spirit a lot more than living in Texas. Something about snow and the cold I guess.


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[pietasterp]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

First Christmas carol heard on the radio this AM on the drive into work. Nat King Cole's rendition of "Chestnuts". As far as first carols of the year, that one's not too bad.

[Majingir]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

Just helped someone else sign up for Santa photos for their kid.

That was seriously as stressful as people made it out to be. This was Black Friday level of stress.

Waiting all day for the email to say that signups are open, and by time you click the link after getting the email, half the spots are already taken. I just picked whatever day was convenient for them, ended up being a good day and time.

I'm never volunteering to help with Santa pic signups again, this was madness.

[Caulfield]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

the first Christmas song I've heard on the car radio (and only one so far) this year was a version of Jingle Bell Rock I had never heard before, was a really good version too IMO , it was the Hall and Oates version

[mike24forever]

Re: We need a little Christmas!

I have been enjoying driving to the country club in 20 degree weather while listening to Christmas music in November. I'm hoping to get one more round in before they close for the season. It has become very well known at the club that I love Christmas, so I had many people wish me Merry Christmas on the golf course. The best part was the smile on their faces when they said it. We really do need Christmas this year.