1. No; in fact if I understand it correctly, Jesus was born in March, and the Christians decided to celebrate it in December to stamp out the pagan holiday; also to keep it more separate from Easter. Selective obliviosity is called for when people say it shouldn’t be celebrated as a secular holiday.

2. I love real trees, and since they’re farmed, it’s no worse than buying broccoli, I guess. Just bigger. But whatever you do that year is best.

3. To coin a phrase<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>, it’s the thought that counts, not the medium.

4. There’s no such thing as too many lights, as long as they’re on my neighbor’s house and not mine.

4. Which lasts longer, the gifts or the time it takes to pay for them? Give only cookies or homemade bread. (Some year, I’ll follow that rule.)

5. In Texas, it has to be Christmas without snow. Sometimes we wear shorts on Christmas. When we can’t stand it anymore, we go to a snowy place for Christmas.

7. Weren’t we all born knowing those story lines? It feels like I was. But I’ll never stop watching them every year.

8. He just has to hide the pipe now. See related story: http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/potsmoker_lawsuit011205.html

9. 1967 through ’72 were good years for spotting reindeer flying. Since then, I just have good memories of them.

10. Okay, you did ask! Our household is 3 adults. We rotate years; when it’s your year, you call the shots. When it’s my year, we have 2 real trees, one in the living room with our family heirloom and other favorite ornaments, and a little one in my sitting room with all my Southwestern and Star Trek ornaments. We usually get together with a couple of groups of family for a celebration. But our "real" Christmas can be anytime around the holiday season. It’s spent with a fourth very close friend. On our "Christmas Eve" we have shrimp (sometimes shrimp chowder) and wine, and open 1 present. On our "Christmas Day" we open stockings, have fruit and rolls, open presents, then grill steaks and mushrooms, & have all the trimmings. Then it’s nap time. It’s very snuggly, no matter the outside temp. I love Christmas!!!

Nathen, I remember Rolff Harris, but never heard that one....very cool!
Ceashel, what a beautiful Christmas you described!! I haven't recovered my Christmas celebration spirit since my Mother died, in '95. She loved all the trimmings and trappings, I celebrate quietly by remembering her joy at all that

just got this e-mail and thought it worth sharing as it answers some of these questions so well


To: All Concerned
From: Santa Claus

I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer serve
the States of Georgia, Florida, Virginia and North and South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, and Arkansas on Christmas Eve. Due to the overwhelming
current population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated by North
American Fairies and Elves Local 209 . As part of the new and better contract
I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies so keep that in mind.

However, I'm certain that your children will be in good hands with your
local replacement who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His
side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering
toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there are a few differences
between us.


Differences such as:

1. There is no danger of the Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus.
He has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that reads: "These
toys insured by Smith and Wesson."

2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave an
RC cola and pork rinds [or a moon pie] on the fireplace. And Bubba
doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff though, so please have an empty spit
can handy.

3. Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin' coon dogs instead
of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer
one time, and Blitzen's head now overlooks Bubba's fireplace.

4. You won't hear "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen .." when
Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you'll hear, "On Earnhardt, on Andretti, on
Elliott and Petty."

5. "Ho, Ho, Ho!" has been replaced by "Yee Haw!" And you also are likely
to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat!"

6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus' sleigh does have a
Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back Off."

7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street"
and "It's a Wonderful Life" will not be shown in your negotiated viewing
area. Instead, you'll see "Boss Hogg Saves Christmas" and "Smokey and the
Bandit IV" featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state patrol
cars crashing into each other.
And Finally,

8. Bubba Claus doesn't wear a belt. If I were you, I'd make sure you,the
wife, and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents
under the tree.

Sincerely Yours, Santa Claus
Member of North American Fairies and Elves
Union 1225

I have giving Nikki (Becky's 15 year old) all the decorations and told her to decorate my house as she sees fit, it is looking good.

Ceashell, you actually make me miss Texas! (The ONLY time I like snow is at Christmas.) Sorry, Nathan, <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/blush.gif" width=16 height=16> I directed a post and question (oil cups) to you that was meant for Arnie. But thanks for answering (I think). And thanks for the "Bubba Claus." That's a keeper.
Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to one and all.

Our Christmas rules were the same for years and years. Christmas Eve we'd spend with Bob's family and then we'd go home and make the kids go to bed and take out the presents and fill stockings. Christmas morning the first kid up got to wake everyone. My mother and sister live upstairs, so they'd be in on the whole Christmas morning thing, too. Tea, coffee and a little breakfast would be worked in there. Then we used to have Bob's parents and any other family who wanted to come over to dinner. Nowadays, my daughter is divorced and my granddaughter switches off the Christmas Eve/Day celebration with our family and her father's family each year, so now we're making up the rules as we go along. So far it's mostly working, especially the part where dinner is now at my daughter's house.

Pat, just what do you mean????

You took out presents and stuffed stockings,
what does that mean? Really Santa does all that doesn't he?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nathen:

I think it has to do with virgins, sort of a lamp, but of course I am still trying to understand why the Jewish people don't have churchs, or to say it another way, way isn't the Jewish Faith a church?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

ROFL nathen! never thought about the virgins!!!

as to the question of churchs... actually, from my vantage point, they used to call places of worship, TEMPLEs didn't they?? The jewish people certainly have that terminology... it wasn't until the christianites (sorta like blunderites?) came about and started calling their temples, churches..
I leave it up to you:

Main Entry: 1church
Pronunciation: 'ch&rch
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice,
ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of
kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit sura
hero, warrior
Date: before 12th century
1 : a building for public and especially Christian worship
2 : the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3 : a body or organization of religious believers: as a : the whole
body of Christians b : DENOMINATION c : CONGREGATION
4 : a public divine worship <goes to church every Sunday>
5 : the clerical profession <considered the church as a possible
career>


Main Entry: 1tem·ple
Pronunciation: 'tem-p&l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English & Old French; Old
English tempel & Old French temple, both from Latin templum
space marked out for observation of auguries, temple, small
timber; probably akin to Greek temenos sacred precinct, temnein
to cut -- more at TOME
Date: before 12th century
1 : an edifice for religious exercises: as a often capitalized : one of
three successive national sanctuaries in ancient Jerusalem b : a
building for Mormon sacred ordinances c : a Reform or
Conservative synagogue
2 : a local lodge of any of various fraternal orders; also : the
building housing it
3 : a place devoted to a special purpose
- tem·pled /-p&ld/ adjective

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pamramadama:

Ceashell, you actually make me miss Texas! (The ONLY time I like snow is at Christmas.) Sorry, Nathan, <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/blush.gif" width=16 height=16> I directed a post and question (oil cups) to you that was meant for Arnie. But thanks for answering (I think). And thanks for the "Bubba Claus." That's a keeper.
Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to one and all.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

well... i did kinda like the virgin angle... but just to give a direct answer, the celebration of chanukah is about the 'miracle' of the maccabees lighting the oil found in the desecrated temple, and expecting it to last only 1 day, and it then lasts for 8 days, giving them light while they cleaned up the mess! Thus, purists will use menorahs that have small cups of oil to burn each night... those of us on low fat diets stick to candles, and those who are fat free use electric menorahs... they're just real tough to blow out!!

Bumper, I'm glad you have good memories of your mother, as I do of mine. We probably wouldn't have established these new Christmas traditions, except that for a few blessed last years, it was up to us to "make" Christmas for our parents when they were failing but still aware, so we've just kept on going.

It's changed a lot in recent years, but growing up, Christmas had a very different flavor in Mexico than it does in the US. Santa wasn't a big part of it. In fact, our house was practically the only place in town that he dropped anything off. It was way cool, though: "Christmas" starts on Dec. 16th and runs through Jan. 6th, pretty much non-stop. Presents are there, but they're small, and the main focus is elsewhere. It's more about partying, and gathering with friends and neighbors, and food, and singing, and celebrating, and having processions,lots of lights of every shape, form and description, posadas, and pinatas. For Christmas istelf, gifts are given to those who perform any services for you and yours during the year: teachers, bank tellers, garbage collectors, the lady who does the mending, the counter-person at the dry cleaner, the guy who makes sandwiches for you at the deli -- they all get something. Kids get gifts on January 6th, from the Three Kings, but that's limited to what will fit into their shoes, which are carefully left outside their doors on the night of the 5th. These days, Santa and Christmas trees are playing ever increasing parts, but it's a whole new thing.

Much as I love Christmas, I generally spend it alone, like most holidays. It was OK in DC -- there were always a whole bunch of us who were broke and didn't have any family, so we'd meet at the clubs and hang together, making music. This year I'm hoping I'll finally be able to get a Christmas tree, but won't hold my breath over it. If not, maybe next year.

Happy Holidays, everyone. May these be the best ever.

Oh, yeah, there's also the obligatory:

Everyone looks at the tree and says,That's too many presents! Next year we definite have to cut back!"

The Mexican traditions sound so romantic and nice. But just wait; when Blunderland gets built and we all move in, just think what a holiday seasons we'll have!<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/bounce.gif" width=31 height=31>

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Ceashel on Dec 06, 2001 ---</FONT></center>

Muffy and anyone else ... open invitation ... any holiday! As Mom says, "you can always stick another potato in the pot." However, we are extremely musically-challenged. (We sing loud--but bad, very bad.) (By the way, I do thank God every day that my mother and my grandmother are still with us. The older I get, the more I appreciate the family I was blessed with.)

Pam's house is always full of love. It would be a great place to spend Christmas. And Bump, Muffy, all...I'm 15 minutes away from DFW airport when I'm at work. Let me know when you're comin'. We got extra potatoes to put in the chowder, too!

Thanks, Ceashel,would that I could,,,,
big big hug, Muffy..in case you didn't get what Ceashel alluded to, the plan is for an "Aging Blunderite Home", to go up, somewhere near Guthrie Center, sometime soon.. just imagine Larry & Arlo, herding aging, though still fiesty cats, Sarah Lee'll sing to us, make us purr, can you help too, Muffy?