Go to Work on Chrismas Day

The Spectator, UK ^ | 13 December 2003 | Digby Anderson

[usmc_chris]

Excellent idea.

[arasina]

Sounds good, except for that disgusting food included in the feast. Blech! :o)

[Eala]

The only thing They might know about it is that it is the day the decorations come down.

Ha. In the States the decorations come down the day after Christmas (or at least New Year's Day). They think the 12 Days of Christmas end on Christmas day...

[Miss Marple]

Not in my house. I remove the trees on January 6.

I like this idea. I think I will incorporate it, with modifications, in my family.

I especially like the idea of the elders getting privileges.

[Eala]

And the grub? Well, the Kings, being foreigners, surely mean we can get away from English food. They are supposed to come from Persia, but that is obviously out. It’s all very well being authentic but the food should be of the best, not things stewed with dried apricots and nuts.

I disagree. Our favourite restaurant is the Alborz, a Persian restaurant. Excellent food -- it would be a delight.

[Eala]

Not in my house. I remove the trees on January 6.

Same here. The tree usually goes up on Christmas Eve.

[usmc_chris]

I particulary liked this article because as I've grown older Christmas has proceeded to grow uglier and less devoid of any meaning. Doesn't the scene the author describe sound wonderful? Pity that most won't ever give it a thought.

[Eala]

Nor is 1 January a candidate. It is a very unEnglish day and the ceremonies associated with it are largely Scotch, stupid and occasionally smutty — in both senses.

Not sure what the last is about, but the Seattle Scottish Gaelic Society puts on a great Hogmanay -- often travelling from one house to another led by bagpipes.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Wow, that is a great idea and a great article. How can you not like a guy named Digby?

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[Willie Green]

I like this idea. I think I will incorporate it, with modifications, in my family.
I especially like the idea of the elders getting privileges.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... we know... "free" prescription drugs for seniors...
So now you're gonna make everybody else work on Christmas to pay for it...
But you forgot one thing... the tradition of laying everybody off the day before.

[Miss Marple]

In my family we have turned it into a celebration of the family and of the Savior. On Christmas Eve, I host a chili and ham supper (my dad grew up in Texas) and we exchange gifts that are made, not bought. (We have a name drawing around Labor Day.)

We also have a talent show and hand out crackers. Then everyone leaves for evening services.

[Miss Marple]

This is a thread about Christmas. Take your political ruminations about me somewhere else.

And, oh yes, go pound sand, Willie.

[hadaclueonce]

I will be working on Christmas Day, and New Years too...

[hadaclueonce]

I will be working on Christmas Day, and New Years too...

[Miss Marple]

We also have, in my family, the Scout Reindeer. My brother has a deer head that was in our cabin in Wisconsin.

Each year, when it is about time for those with small children to leave, one of the men holds the deer head outside the window and turns it left and right, so it looks like it is looking for children who aren't in bed.

This is quite effective in getting children to leave and get in bed when they get home. The Scout Reindeer reports to Santa, you know.

[scouse]

travelling from one house to another

That is known as "First Footing" and the visitor is supposed to carry a piece of coal in his/her pocket.

[Eala]

Correct. It's good luck for the First-Footer (the first to enter the house on the new year), to be a tall, dark(-haired) man, carrying a lump of coal in one hand, a flask of whisky in the other.

[MineralMan]

"It's good luck for the First-Footer (the first to enter the house on the new year), to be a tall, dark(-haired) man, carrying a lump of coal in one hand, a flask of whisky in the other."

I don't care about the rest, as long as the first-footer has the whisky.

[DesertFalcon]

A new holiday, complete with shopping list, and meaningless ritual. Just great. Especially the "preferably very old and deaf guest" part. "Now, for 49.95! The kids will never be able to tell the difference! Complete with malfunctioning hearing aid!"

True, Christmas has been perverted. But then again the concept of a holiday is twisted. Everyday deserves to be celebrated equally, and thanks should be given everyday to He/She/It that gave gave it to us in the first place.