You know it's Christmas when....

[pinkkitty]

What makes you feel like Christmas has arrived? I always like it when Children in need has been on, because then you know Christmas is only a few short weeks, but i always feel like Christmas has truly arrived when:

* the Coca Cola "holidays are coming" advert is on (they should bring that back!)
* Starbucks start doing eggnog lattes, gingerbread lattes and peppermint hot chocolate.

what about everyone else?

[4GS]

When they release the latest Chrismas CD with Slade, Wizzard, Wham et al

[Reverandfunk]

it's September

[cheries]

I am soooooooo in agreement about the coca cola advert kitty. That advert sends shivers down my spine.

Starbucks do peppermint hot chocolate???????

There goes the stone I've just lost then...... :o(

[tillyfloss]

when the annual debate about when to visit which relatives on which day starts!!!!! :-)

[pinkkitty]

yes cheries, they do. They only used to bring it out as an Xmas special, but they still do their signature hot chocolate all year round, and they have optional peppermint syrup, so now you don't have to wait till Christmas to have one. hust ask for a hot chocolate with peppermint sypup - or buy a bottle and make your own at home. Mmmmm.

as for the Coca Cola ad - i downloaded a vid of the ad on Youtube, and in the comments box, someone had written that last year coca cola were celebrating some kind of milestone anniverasry, so they made a special advert, but this year the beloved holidays truck ad should be back. i also downloaded the old ToysRus ad from my childhood, and the andrex ad with the duck singing slade. ahh happy memories!!

[cheries]

Kitty I am so excited now you've mentioned Christmas. I have just put my Christmas holidays into my diary, I've got two weeks off.
I looooooooooooove Christmas, although it helps that I adore my family and we live in a big farmhouse with an open fire which just looks amazing at Christmas time.
I'm soooooo excited........

[toby99]

Whe you realise there is only one more pay packet until Xmas!

[Reverandfunk]

Bah humbug

Lets celebrate Christmas. What for exactly?

[cheries]

You miserable old g*t Reverand.
Christmas is wonderful. Stop being so grumpy xx

[Reverandfunk]

Jesus wasn't born at Christmas so what are we celebrating???

[cheries]

Is that the Church's official line on the matter?

[pinkkitty]

the chance to have some time off work, spend much needed time relaxing with our nearest and dearest, and give and recieve nice gifts that make you feel all warm inside.

[Reverandfunk]

The date of Christmas on December 25 does not appear until AD334 when in a Roman church calendar the Nativity of the Lord replaces the pagan feast of the Unvanquished Sun

The church hi-jacked all of the pagan festivals by saying 25 dec? Oh jesus was born then

Same with easter

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith /article657116.ece

[cheries]

pmsl @Rev.
You've turned into Legend overnight

[Reverandfunk]

Why do you need the excuse of an over hyped non historical event to spend quality time with your family and give them gifts?

Aren't there 364 other days when you should be doing that??

[tillyfloss]

sadly Rev yes but work gets in the way - plus it's all about kids and the excitement of Santa too don't forget! :-)

[sarnieken]

Curses, I was just about to ask this question.

Christmas for me properly begins usually on the 24th December when I finish work at whatever time and I hit the traffic, windows down and Christmas Album at full tilt, always with Fairytale of New York the loudest.

It starts though on the first weekend of December when I go to the Lincolns Christmas market. Sure, its commercialised and gets moreso each year but it is the first time I properly hear Christmas tunes and drink Mulled wine. This year I go with my new wife so I'm extra looking forward to it.
Also, my family will hopefully be together again in one place.

Other things on my list are -

* Coca-cola ad. has to be.
* Radio Times 14 day special hits the stands
* Easter Eggs hit the shelves (just kidding)
* Christmas specials of popular shows.

[legend758duo]

we know its xmas because ;

you cant get parked at the shops

you get shioved about in the shops ,

everybodys running around like headless chickens in the shops ,

noones got 2 minutes to be nice to you cos theyre busy buying buying buying .


tis the season to be jolly???

whatever treverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[pinkkitty]

I'm not Christian, but Wiccan, and while i celebrate Christmas with my husband, and then his family on boxing day, I don't believe in the whole "Jesus" aspect of it, which isn't to say i don't have respect for people who do.

I normally celebrate Yule in a big way, which usually falls on or around the 22nd December. Yule as a pagan festival is a time to be thankful for the return of the sun, as the days begin to become longer and the nights shorter, even though summer is still a very long way off.

I am always happy to have my friends and family around me, but that does't mean i don't love what the spirit of Christmas is all about - peace on earth, and goodwill toward men. it's just a nice happy time, that for most people probly counjures up happy cosy childhood memories of Santa and presents and exitement and wonder.

[cheries]

Well, Kitty, unlike some of the bitter and twisted Scrooges who have replied on here, I love Christmas and always get the feeling that it's here when;
* I hear "Fairytale of New York" on the radio
* My Mum starts playing carols on the stereo (usually November lol)
* Dad and I have to go into the stables and get attacked by mice just to try and retrieve the Christmas tree lights.
* The port and mulled wine comes out at the stables and everyone has to get a taxi home after falling headfirst into the muckheap.