Get excited about Christmas 2026!
Discussion
Well, Halloween is has been and gone, so what's next to get excited about? 
Usual disclaimer: it's absolutely fine to hate Christmas/want nothing to do with it until December/mid December/Christmas Eve etc, each to their own, but it would make sense that if you are one of those people you simply don't click on this thread? Just a thought....
But, anyone that DOES like to start thinking about Christmas, how is it going to shape up this year?
I've already got the some of the usual boxes ticked - Christmas at Kew, Darts at Ally Pally, Santa visit, just over two weeks booked off. The 'big day' being hosted at my Dad's place this year, quite a few of us on the actual day.
My only slight grumble is that it has been somewhat forced upon us that we are having my FiL stay at our house for a fairly big chunk of my time off. It's been a very long tough year at work, and I've been so excited about having two weeks off, so I can't pretend I'm not a bit annoyed that I'm going to have to be in sort of 'hosting' mode for a fair bit of it, instead of sitting around in my pants watching darts and properly switching off.
As with most things I'm sure it won't be as bad as I think it will be, but it's a bit annoying.
Usual disclaimer: it's absolutely fine to hate Christmas/want nothing to do with it until December/mid December/Christmas Eve etc, each to their own, but it would make sense that if you are one of those people you simply don't click on this thread? Just a thought....
But, anyone that DOES like to start thinking about Christmas, how is it going to shape up this year?
I've already got the some of the usual boxes ticked - Christmas at Kew, Darts at Ally Pally, Santa visit, just over two weeks booked off. The 'big day' being hosted at my Dad's place this year, quite a few of us on the actual day.
My only slight grumble is that it has been somewhat forced upon us that we are having my FiL stay at our house for a fairly big chunk of my time off. It's been a very long tough year at work, and I've been so excited about having two weeks off, so I can't pretend I'm not a bit annoyed that I'm going to have to be in sort of 'hosting' mode for a fair bit of it, instead of sitting around in my pants watching darts and properly switching off.
As with most things I'm sure it won't be as bad as I think it will be, but it's a bit annoying.
As Im retiring next spring, this Christmas will be the last one where I can use the excuse 'Sorry, I'm working' when receiving invites I don't want to go to 
The only thing I don't like about Christmas is the expectations placed on people, with the obligation to do certain things, see certain people etc. I find it a bit stressful when all I want to do is do what I want to do (which is stay at home)
The only thing I don't like about Christmas is the expectations placed on people, with the obligation to do certain things, see certain people etc. I find it a bit stressful when all I want to do is do what I want to do (which is stay at home)
Edited by The Gauge on Monday 2nd November 09:27
The Gauge said:
As Im retiring next spring, this Christmas will be the last one where I can use the excuse 'Sorry, I'm working' when receiving invites I don't want to go to
The only thing I don't like about Christmas is the expectations placed on people, with the obligation to do certain things, see certain people etc. I find it a bit stressful when all I want to do is do what I want to do (which is stay at home)
Try "Sorry ,I am spending Christmas on a cruise", everyone will just accept it as you will have recently retired. The only thing I don't like about Christmas is the expectations placed on people, with the obligation to do certain things, see certain people etc. I find it a bit stressful when all I want to do is do what I want to do (which is stay at home)
Edited by The Gauge on Monday 2nd November 09:27
I don't mind Christmas at all and do like all the decorations once they're up - my wife does an amazing job decorating pretty much the whole house.
Due to our work commitments the dec's will go up probably 29 and 30 November, only additions I have seen arrive so far this year are some actually quite tasteful cushions.
My son and his fiancée are out of the country at Christmas itself and both myself and my wife are on early shifts on the day so I believe we are having a pre-Christmas weekend around the 12th and 13th.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone decorations on here (however beginning of November is a bit early in my books!).
Due to our work commitments the dec's will go up probably 29 and 30 November, only additions I have seen arrive so far this year are some actually quite tasteful cushions.
My son and his fiancée are out of the country at Christmas itself and both myself and my wife are on early shifts on the day so I believe we are having a pre-Christmas weekend around the 12th and 13th.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone decorations on here (however beginning of November is a bit early in my books!).
XF-Andy said:
I don't mind Christmas at all and do like all the decorations once they're up - my wife does an amazing job decorating pretty much the whole house.
Due to our work commitments the dec's will go up probably 29 and 30 November, only additions I have seen arrive so far this year are some actually quite tasteful cushions.
My son and his fiancée are out of the country at Christmas itself and both myself and my wife are on early shifts on the day so I believe we are having a pre-Christmas weekend around the 12th and 13th.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone decorations on here (however beginning of November is a bit early in my books!).
Yes agree early Nov is too soon, we'll no doubt be blitzing it all weekend of 5th Dec as we're away the one before Due to our work commitments the dec's will go up probably 29 and 30 November, only additions I have seen arrive so far this year are some actually quite tasteful cushions.
My son and his fiancée are out of the country at Christmas itself and both myself and my wife are on early shifts on the day so I believe we are having a pre-Christmas weekend around the 12th and 13th.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone decorations on here (however beginning of November is a bit early in my books!).
UTH said:
GetCarter said:
Big Scalextric party on Christmas Eve. (Well just half a dozen+ guests, but a huge layout). £10 in, and winner takes it all.
More info on this!! Got pics of your setup? Sounds bloody awesome Layout covers 2 metres x 8.1 metres.
ETA exact measurements.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 2nd November 12:05
GetCarter said:
UTH said:
GetCarter said:
Big Scalextric party on Christmas Eve. (Well just half a dozen+ guests, but a huge layout). £10 in, and winner takes it all.
More info on this!! Got pics of your setup? Sounds bloody awesome Layout covers 2 metres x 8.1 metres.
ETA exact measurements.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 2nd November 12:05
I’m in, I love all things christmas!
will finish work 22nd and go back 6th jan, which is a nice time off. going to a couple of gigs the week before we finish (not christmas related, just bands i want to see) my wife has lots of ‘toil’ to use up, so will have a fairly easy time in december and think she’s gonna be off for nearly 3wks over actual christmas.
my daughters birthday is also hogmanay, so we kinda get to keep the magic/ fun of christmas going for an extra week to cover off her birthday.
no decorations going up any time soon, but looking at the dates, guessing the tree will prob go up sunday 29th, because that’s not a midweek task, and no way I can wait until 5/6th of dec!
will finish work 22nd and go back 6th jan, which is a nice time off. going to a couple of gigs the week before we finish (not christmas related, just bands i want to see) my wife has lots of ‘toil’ to use up, so will have a fairly easy time in december and think she’s gonna be off for nearly 3wks over actual christmas.
my daughters birthday is also hogmanay, so we kinda get to keep the magic/ fun of christmas going for an extra week to cover off her birthday.
no decorations going up any time soon, but looking at the dates, guessing the tree will prob go up sunday 29th, because that’s not a midweek task, and no way I can wait until 5/6th of dec!
I’m looking forward to Christmas this year as we are at home with my wife’s family (mum, brother, sister and two children) are coming up here. We live in the countryside so wood burning fire, dog, family and nice food should make it a nice day after a rubbish year.
I’m also irrationally excited about my present in 1986 my mum bought me a Tamiya Facon for Christmas and it was the best present ever. My mum sadly died earlier this year, but Tamiya have just re-released the Falcon so I’m buying it from the same model shop (or at least my wife is) 40 years later and look forward to recreating the excitement of unwrapping and starting to build it on Christmas day!
I’m also irrationally excited about my present in 1986 my mum bought me a Tamiya Facon for Christmas and it was the best present ever. My mum sadly died earlier this year, but Tamiya have just re-released the Falcon so I’m buying it from the same model shop (or at least my wife is) 40 years later and look forward to recreating the excitement of unwrapping and starting to build it on Christmas day!
Edited by tim0409 on Monday 2nd November 14:02
Edited by tim0409 on Monday 2nd November 14:04
itsallyellow said:
GetCarter said:
UTH said:
GetCarter said:
Big Scalextric party on Christmas Eve. (Well just half a dozen+ guests, but a huge layout). £10 in, and winner takes it all.
More info on this!! Got pics of your setup? Sounds bloody awesome Layout covers 2 metres x 8.1 metres.
ETA exact measurements.
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 2nd November 12:05
I have 8 x 2 metre x 1 metre tables, which come out once a year for a new layout.
tim0409 said:
I m looking forward to Christmas this year as we are at home with my wife s family (mum, brother, sister and two children) are coming up here. We live in the countryside so wood burning fire, dog, family and nice food should make it a nice day after a rubbish year.
I m also irrationally excited about my present in 1996 my mum bought me a Tamiya Facon for Christmas and it was the best present ever. My mum sadly died earlier this year, but Tamiya have just re-released the Falcon so I m buying it from the same model shop (or at least my wife is) 40 years later and look forward to recreating the excitement of unwrapping and starting to build it on Christmas day!
My Christmas memory, when I was about 10 or 11, is of the Grasshopper.I m also irrationally excited about my present in 1996 my mum bought me a Tamiya Facon for Christmas and it was the best present ever. My mum sadly died earlier this year, but Tamiya have just re-released the Falcon so I m buying it from the same model shop (or at least my wife is) 40 years later and look forward to recreating the excitement of unwrapping and starting to build it on Christmas day!
'Friend' over the road got one for Christmas, and called on me on Boxing Day, inviting me out to play with it.
What he actually meant was watch him play with it - he wouldn't even let me touch the control box, let alone drive the car.
To add insult to injury, he drove it very slowly and boringly.
Dick
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