AARoads Forum

How much are you in a Christmas mood this year, with 0 being bad and 10 being fantastic.

I'll say an 8 this year. Since I have an almost 3-year-old, holidays are a lot more fun now than they were before he was around just because I see how excited he gets about things. My wife's side of the family all gets together and goes skiing down by Salida, and we have a family friend who has an AirBnb down there, so it's nice to be in the mountains around Christmas.

I'm more of a Festivus guy myself.

This Christmas, I am reminded of when George Washington crossed the Delaware river. Crossing rivers seems to be the cool thing around here.

We put up the tree and the lights last weekend, I got most of my Christmas shopping done because I wanted to take advantage of a promo offer, and at my wife's request we've listened to some Christmas music, but as a general matter I feel somewhat ehhh about it. I think part of that is that this is a somewhat melancholy week for me—my father died a few years ago and December 3 was his birthday, and then December 7 is the day my grandfather died.

But certainly I'd rather hear all the Christmas ads on TV than the non-stop political mudslinging we endured for most of the year up to last month.

Tired of the luxury car or truck as a Christmas present ad.

DOGE forever tainted.

Quote from: Big John on December 05, 2024, 04:52:06 PMTired of the luxury car or truck as a Christmas present ad.

Honestly I think those ads are one of the hallmarks of Christmas in America. Yes, they're absurd and repetitive. But hearing "Lexus December to Remember Sales Event" takes me right back to sitting on the couch, watching incredibly annoying commericals during the 4th quarter of a football game that probably involves two teams whose coaches are about to get fired, are on their backup quarterbacks, and are one game away from playoff elimination.

When I began typing this comment my Christmas spirit was at a 3/10, but now it's at least doubled.

This is the time of year that not a day goes by that I don't look back on my childhood Christmases in Chicago and wish I could relive it all over again. The worst thing about it is, Seattle is more likely to have a wet Christmas, which is very disappointing for someone who's accustomed to the snow back home. Nonetheless, I try to make the most of it, with the decorations and endless holiday music marathons, but it just doesn't feel the same.

We're under contract on a house, so there's not much point in decorating or buying presents since that's more stuff we'll have to move when we close.

I picked 2 because coal keeps the lights on in Kentucky.

Christmas ceased being enjoyable and became an annoying burdensome joyless chore years ago.

I'm at an 8. Get to spend a couple days with the adult children, who we just give gift cards to. But they have "something fun" lined up for us in Chicago the next day. They'll we have a few days with friends as well.

Since we both have off for nearly two weeks, we will also have plenty of time to rest and unwind.

Quote from: Big John on December 05, 2024, 04:52:06 PMTired of the luxury car or truck as a Christmas present ad.

That's why I like this send-up from Saturday Night Live.

I was just given the entire week off from Christmas to New Year's. So that should considerably improve my outlook on Christmas. Except I told my wife about it and now she's starting to nag me about wanting to "go somewhere." I'd just as soon stay home and do nothing and sleep in every morning.

I need to know 4, 5, and 7!

0  - License Plate: KRAMPUS
1  - License Plate: GRINCH
2  - License Plate: COAL
3  - License Plate: HUMBUG
4
5
6  - License Plate: DIEHARD
7
8  - License Plate: REDNOSE
9  - License Plate: HOHOHO
10 - License Plate: XMAS ELF


Festivus should have been a plate.  I'd argue it out 0s Krampus.

Quote from: hbelkins on December 06, 2024, 12:11:45 PMChristmas ceased being enjoyable and became an annoying burdensome joyless chore years ago.

When it reached that point for me, I quit doing it.

The only thing about it that I really enjoyed was putting up the tree, but having cats makes that infeasible. (Especially my idiot cat, who would probably try to eat the damn thing.)

Quote from: Scott5114 on December 06, 2024, 02:49:57 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on December 06, 2024, 12:11:45 PMChristmas ceased being enjoyable and became an annoying burdensome joyless chore years ago.

When it reached that point for me, I quit doing it.

The only thing about it that I really enjoyed was putting up the tree, but having cats makes that infeasible. (Especially my idiot cat, who would probably try to eat the damn thing.)

Back in the late 90s, we actually bought a Scat Mat to put around our tree. It didn't work. They'd jump over it. Or pee on it.

These days, we have one who likes to chew on the tree, but the rest of them are pretty cool about it.

Quote from: hbelkins on December 06, 2024, 03:02:43 PM

Quote from: Scott5114 on December 06, 2024, 02:49:57 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on December 06, 2024, 12:11:45 PMChristmas ceased being enjoyable and became an annoying burdensome joyless chore years ago.

When it reached that point for me, I quit doing it.

The only thing about it that I really enjoyed was putting up the tree, but having cats makes that infeasible. (Especially my idiot cat, who would probably try to eat the damn thing.)

Back in the late 90s, we actually bought a Scat Mat to put around our tree. It didn't work. They'd jump over it. Or pee on it.

These days, we have one who likes to chew on the tree, but the rest of them are pretty cool about it.

Both of ours pretty much ignore it, which is surprising since they're still kittens.

I've always found dogs to be more conducive to having lots of Christmas decor.  My wife is hard core into decorating and all four of our dogs know to leave her stuff alone.

To qualify how into Christmas my wife is, all four dogs have a stocking.

Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 06, 2024, 02:20:04 PMI need to know 4, 5, and 7!

Suggestions?

4 - License plate: MAKEITSTOP
5 - License plate: SILENTNITE
7 - License Plate: PARTYTIME or JOY2DWLD

4 - XMARIAH
5 - ILKXMAS
7 - NOGDRNK

Quote from: Scott5114 on December 06, 2024, 02:49:57 PMThe only thing about it that I really enjoyed was putting up the tree, but having cats makes that infeasible. (Especially my idiot cat, who would probably try to eat the damn thing.)

Our previous cat (RIP) liked to pull tree lights out of the sockets.  One time she did that in the evening while the lights were on and she got shocked.  She steered clear of the lights after that.

Our cat ignores the tree, although to be sure it is an artificial tree. She even ignores the Nativity scene my wife sets up underneath the tree. I think she's more concerned about us rearranging the furniture (including her favorite couch) to accommodate the tree.

Christmas is another thing where, as I grow up, I have more respect and appreciation for what my parents did.

Christmas when you're a kid is straight up awesome, and you can't wait for it to arrive, you're counting the days, and everything about it is wonderful.

I'm sure Mom and Dad back in the day occasionally admitted to themselves, or each other (but never to us kids): "this... is kind of a pain in the ass." And it was a lot of work. (but it is fun seeing the kids' eyes light up)

Final 2 cents: I'm thankful for online shopping, music, video, TV, etc. with uBlock Origin. December is much nicer than it was 20 years ago.

Quote from: ZLoth on December 06, 2024, 03:15:01 PM

Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 06, 2024, 02:20:04 PMI need to know 4, 5, and 7!

Suggestions?

4 - License plate: MAKEITSTOP
5 - License plate: SILENTNITE
7 - License Plate: PARTYTIME or JOY2DWLD

Quote from: JayhawkCO on December 06, 2024, 03:17:36 PM4 - XMARIAH
5 - ILKXMAS
7 - NOGDRNK

Try these on for size:

4. NAUGHTY
5. NICE
7. HOLLYJOLLY

Quote from: wanderer2575 on December 06, 2024, 03:58:16 PM

Quote from: Scott5114 on December 06, 2024, 02:49:57 PMThe only thing about it that I really enjoyed was putting up the tree, but having cats makes that infeasible. (Especially my idiot cat, who would probably try to eat the damn thing.)

Our previous cat (RIP) liked to pull tree lights out of the sockets.  One time she did that in the evening while the lights were on and she got shocked.  She steered clear of the lights after that.

At least she didn't get fried like Aunt Bethany's cat in Christmas Vacation.

Quote from: wanderer2575 on December 06, 2024, 03:58:16 PM

Quote from: Scott5114 on December 06, 2024, 02:49:57 PMThe only thing about it that I really enjoyed was putting up the tree, but having cats makes that infeasible. (Especially my idiot cat, who would probably try to eat the damn thing.)

Our previous cat (RIP) liked to pull tree lights out of the sockets.  One time she did that in the evening while the lights were on and she got shocked.  She steered clear of the lights after that.

Seeing this video got me a little more into the Christmas spirit:

We took my son to see Santa yesterday and watched the Polar Express. Ready for the season!

Quote from: Scott5114 on December 06, 2024, 02:49:57 PMThe only thing about it that I really enjoyed was putting up the tree, but having cats makes that infeasible. (Especially my idiot cat, who would probably try to eat the damn thing.)

The cat I had long ago was fond of chewing on plugged-in electrical cords, plus just about anything other than the prescription cat food I left out for him, so a tree wouldn't have worked for me either. Instead of trees, I hung piñatas as my Christmas decorations (taking care to hang them beyond my cat's leaping range), which I'm still doing even though I'm between cats.

Exploding kittens...

Seems my annual "placing of the Festivus pole" on the 23rd has made the employee event calendar this year.

One of the great things about working in higher education, at least in most places, is that campuses usually close between Christmas and New Years. This year, because of how it falls, after I left work on December 20, I won't be back until January 2.  Really helps me to get in the mood for the holiday.