Hey Everybody! Christmas is the time of year to enjoy & share with family & friends. Some people will spend this time alone & isolated too!
This is a safe place where people can post and say hello, chat or send wishes to others and have a 'Virtual Christmas/New Years'!
Whether you have plans for Christmas/New Years or having a quiet one you can kick back and just enjoy company of others. Its been a long year. Even if you have never posted on Beyond Blue before you are very welcome to come in and sit around our 'Virtual Christmas Tree' and chat :-)
You asked for this Paul here it is for all.
Santa (AKA Kanga Peter) Ho Ho! :-)

Good stuff Peter Kanga

CMF x

Thanks CMF the people asked for it so I thought I would at least start it off. See who puts in.

Kanga

Bah! Humbug!

Isn’t that awful!!

It’s not that I don’t enjoy Christmas it’s just that it comes around so fast & costs so much. Even when I try & spend less on gifts it still ends up a lot which is a real strain on the budget.

I hate shopping for presents so I cheat now & buy what I need online. That can be quite fun when all the things start arriving at our door.

And then there’s the food. My husband spent many miserable christmas days alone with only a can of baked beans. Food is the joy of his life so we spend heaps on extra food.

We are blessed with good friends to share the day with & I do enjoy that. I wish I was more into the religious significance of the day. Maybe one day.

I remember Christmas was fantastic when the kids were young. It’s different without kids or grandkids in the mix.

I envy those of you who can really get into the spirit of Christmas. But I will enjoy the day itself & I am whittling down the gifts left to order.

Now I just need to get into the spirit of the season. Cheers, Lyn.

Lyn there are many who feel that way because of a lot of different reasons. One of which is they don't like one relative or another. As soon as its Christmas they may get together, be nice when they walk in the door. Shore as hell by the end of the meal or shortly after. The gloves are off referee has to be called for. If they do as I do. To avoid those arguments is stay away. Whilst some of my siblings had children or I had children. In to it in a big way. Now my farther is not around I can not stand where my family have gone with Christmas. To the point. Where I am better off alone, or with people who need a hand up out of a bad situation. The only thing I ask of them is they must really try to fix the problem. I have Seen people turn there lives around. From having little hope, to owning homes giving up drugs. Married Children. .

Kanga

In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of a very hot summer So when Santa Claus delivers his presents. He's not taken around by reindeer because; they can't stand the terrible heat. He's taken around by six big, white, old man kangaroos. Called the six white boomers. Early on one Christmas day, a joey kangaroo. Was far from home and lost. In a great, big zoo “Mommy.... Where's my mommy?” “They've taken her away. We'll help you find your mommy, son. Hop up on the sleigh”. So up inside the bag of toys the little Joey hopped. But they hadn't gone far when Santa stopped Unharnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why. Then he heard a far off booming in the sky (boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom) Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun. Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. On his Australian run. Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat Took his fur-lined boots off to cool his feet. Into one popped joey. Feeling' quite okay. While those old man kangaroos kept pulling' on the sleigh Hey! Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. Racing Santa
Claus through the blazing sun. Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. On his Australian run Then Joey said to Santa, "Santa, what about the toys? Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys? " "well, they've all had their presents, sonny. We were here last night. This trip is an extra trip. Joey's special flight. Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun. Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. On his Australian run. Soon the sleigh was flashing past. Right over marble bar "slow down there!" cried Santa "it can't be far Hop up on my lap here, son And have a look around" "there, there she is! That's mommy! Bounding up and down! “Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun. Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. On his
Australian run..Well, that's the bestest Christmas treat. That joey ever had.
Curled up in mother's pouch feeling snug and glad. The last they saw was Santa heading northwards from the sun. The only year the boomers worked a double run. Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun. Six white boomers. Snow white boomers. On his Australian run.

Kanga

Dashing through the bush,
in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It's Summer time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day,
Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut !,

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Engine's getting hot; we dodge the kangaroos, the swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too.
All the family's there, sitting by the pool, Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer’s day,
Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce, are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes 'round to go, we take the family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing up.
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer’s day,
Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute

What a lovely thought :)

This will be my first Christmas in my new house, where I live alone. Christmas day should be okay though, I expect I'll be with family for lunch or dinner.

I can't decide how much Christmas to bring into my new house. I'm not a fan of the commercial side of Christmas but I want to 'be involved'. I've decided that I will buy presents for the kids in the family, so that will be 4 of them. :DD Also thinking I might do something for charity, that might be fun.

I will wait and see on the decorating.

But since this is virtual *pops up a 7ft tall Xmas tree in the corner of the chat room* Someone else can decorate :D

Welcome to the chill out room Me I am not int the commercial side either I would rather b with family first If not family then generate one with friends who dont have one either.

Kanga

Kanga, I love the six white boomers story. I don't know what there isn't more focus on that song. Carols by Candlelight for all the traditional songs, they should include that. The fact is, we don't have a white Christmas ( except for a few years back when we had hail stones the size of golf balls ) so why do we celebrate it That Way? Why have we never embraced the way our own country is at Christmas time instead of following the way it is overseas?

Crazy really.

cmf x

CMF to a certain point we have adapted the northern hemisphere concept moved it here at the samt day of the year. That's why some silly bugger changed it to Christmas in July so we could have a Christmas with snow. Any way to me Christmas is not about snow nor presents. It's giving which is what I see christmas should be about giving till it hurts then find something else to give.

Kanga. Peter

Hi everyone,

Ah Kanga thank you for the memories. I love the Aussie Xmas Carols!

On an unrelated note I once got given a book of carols as a kid written for cats.

Have never forgotten these bits...

We wish for the family goldfish

Why in bowl and not in our dish?

We wish for the family goldfish

To bring us good cheer!

We're sick of the budgie chirping

Let's eat him and all be burping

We're sick of the budgie chirping

Each day of the year...

Ahh Christmas...

Always makes me sad. I like to take my littlies for a night stroll to see the houses done up with lights though.

Thanks Kanga for this thread.

Good to see you about even a little CMF I've missed you.

Hi Kanga and everyone *waves*,

I’m liking this thread, will be great come Xmas time. I no longer have any biological family. I share Xmas dinner with a friend and quite happily spend the day by myself. :)

Looking forward to keeping up with this thread, cheers M :)

On the first day of Christmas,
My true love, sent to me,
An emu up a gum tree.
On the second day of Christmas
My true love sent to me,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the third day of Christmas
My true love sent to me,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs, and an emu up a gum tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing.
Two pink galahs
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me.
Five Kangaroos,
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me.
Six brolgas dancing,
Five Kangaroos,
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me,
Seven possums playing,
Six brolgas dancing,
Five Kangaroos.
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galas,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me.
Eight dingoes digging,
Seven possums playing,
Six brolgas dancing,
Five Kangaroos, a bounding,
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Nine wombats working,
Eight dingoes digging,
Seven possums playing,
Six brolgas dancing,
Five Kangaroos,
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Ten lizards leaping,
Nine wombats working,
Eight dingoes digging,
Seven possums playing,
Six brolgas dancing,
Five Kangaroos,
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Eleven numbats nagging,
Ten lizards leaping,
Nine wombats working,
Eight dingoes digging,
Seven possums playing,
Six brolgas dancing,
Five Kangaroos, m
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Twelve parrots prattling,
Eleven numbats nagging,
Ten lizards leaping,
Nine wombats working,
Eight dingoes digging,
Seven possums playing,
Six brolgas dancing,
Five Kangaroos,
Four koalas cuddling,
Three kookaburras laughing,
Two pink galahs, And an emu up a gum tree.

Kanga

Ooh thanks Vitsyra!

I love tree decorating!

My family make a huge deal about the tree and the "theme". They coordinate the decorations with the wrapping paper and house decorations (shudders). This year is blue and silver. Me... Couldn't care less about a theme. I just love putting up twinkle lights and tinsel. The more bling the better.

What about others? Does anyone want a theme or can I just go for it with the multicoloured decorations... And candy canes. A tree must be smothered in edible snacks 😊.

Would love to know what traditions other members have which help them make christmas meaningful.

Thx Kanga for starting this thread. I told Paul I would help out but just need time away from the forums. I appreciate you stepping in. I'm enjoying your down under versions of Xmas songs.

gosh it's so close, how dud it sneak up so quickly? No idea what I'm doing yet. Anyone else got plans yet?

Kanga, I posted to you on my thread.

Hi Everyone,

Yes, Christmas is coming, just have a look at the T.V. commercials and in the shops!

A few years ago my husband and I were very fortunate to be in parts of Europe for Christmas. I would love to return once more to see all the wonderful traditions, the Christmas Markets, the snow, the different foods and ways of celebrating.

Another year we were in Bali. That was so very different once again. Christmas trees were made out of everything from bamboo polls, to chillies, to plastic drink bottles. Shop owners stood at their doors and sang out Merry Christmas to all who walked past with huge smiles on their faces.

Christmas Day has been many different things to me over the years. Our family didn't have many traditions. We would go to the bush for a native pine tree for Christmas. Friends would give Mum and dad crayfish for Christmas lunch, Mum always made sure I had chicken to eat as I disliked crayfish.

I too have enjoyed reading the Aussie Christmas Carols, thanks Kanga and all for the contributions!

I guess Australia is made up of so many cultures and identities, some people like to keep their old traditions happening, while others are very happy to adopt different ideas and ways.

I for one enjoy looking in the shops at the different Christmas decorations that are available for sale. I'm happy to see that in the last couple of years decorations have more of a "home made" feel to them to me, not so much plastic, more textiles, textures and craft aspect to them.

Does anyone have a favourite Christmas decoration or one they always wondered as a child "What is that doing on the Christmas tree?"

Mum had some bird decorations that looked like they were made out of real feathers. I had no idea why they were on the Christmas tree. The cat used to think they were a bit of fun though!

Cheers all from Dools

Hey Everybody! Christmas is the time of year to enjoy & share with family & friends. Many people will spend this time alone & isolated too! Any readers and new posters are more than welcome to post:-)

This is a safe place where anyone can post and say hello, chat or send wishes to others and have some peace during another busy and often challenging Christmas/New Years period.

Lets just enjoy each others company. Its been a long year for many of us. Even if you have never posted on the Beyond Blue Forums before you are very welcome to say hi :-)

Be gentle to yourselves.....I am trying to do the same. Happy Christmas/New Year everyone!

Paul

 

 

 

hi Paul, thanks for this post, it's always been a sad time for me once my Mum was admitted into a nursing home, now with my 2 little granddaughters and before with my 2 sons I pretend to love it, even though I don't them on Xmas day. Geoff.

Hi Geoff....thankyou for taking the time to post. I understand that Christmas is a sad (and sometimes painful) time of year as the memories dont leave us alone.

Whenever you have the time you are more than welcome to support others that are doing it hard here

My Kind thoughts as always...Paul

Hi Everyone :-)

Does anyone know the date when a Christmas tree goes up? Or even if it matters?

Have a great day

Paul

Hey Paul

December 1 i believe is the official date.

cmf x

Thanks heaps CMF for the help. Thought I would make the effort this year 🎅🎅🎅

Hi All,

That is an interesting question Pasul as to if there is an official date for the Christmas Tree to be put up. December 1st does seem logical like CMF pointed out.

I'm sure I have heard in the past of some people only putting up their tree Christmas Eve!

Here in South Australia, this weekend is the Christmas Pageant weekend in Adelaide. I've heard a few people over the years say they put up their Christmas trees and decorations after the Christmas Pageant.

My sister left her tree and decorations up for a whole 12 months or more one year as she said the colours cheered her up so much!

I have heard of others who wrap plastic or huge garbage bags around their Christmas trees after Christmas, return the tree to the ceiling space or the garage as it, then take the plastic off next year and the tree is all sorted.

We haven't heard from either of our families yet as to what they are doing for Christmas.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

Hehe ah Mrs D I can't say I've ever left the tree up (our family rule is the tree is up Dec 1 and is removed before new years day). But I like to leave the twinkle lights up. They are my favourite.

What a shame noone felt like answering about the xmas decorations yet.

My favourites are the four little ceramic foxes on ribbons Mum gave me once.

Hi MrsDools

Your sister has an interesting point about leaving the tree up all year as it looked so good and made her feel happy too! I dont think she would be the only one. When do you take your tree down?...and also what does the ' Christmas Pageant weekend' involve?

Hey Quercus....I hear you on the 'old christmas decorations from our parents as they mean so much....not to mention the sentimental value they hold for us.....I have a some as well...they are a treasure to me. Where was the reference about the Christmas decorations that no one answered yet? ( sorry....I just cant see it..)

If there are any posters that arent looking forward to Christmas (and there are many) you are more than welcome to post too!

My Kindest

Paul

I love the decorations my kids made in kinder and the angel or star I pit at the top.

dont know yet how I'm feeling about it but might hang out here. Feeling a bit lost in the cafe, so many new people, which is great but Kanga's not there and it feels strange (sorry, don't mean to offend anyone)

think im a bit lost.

Hi Paul,

Mrs D asked a while ago...

Does anyone have a favourite Christmas decoration or one they always wondered as a child "What is that doing on the Christmas tree?"

I liked the question. It seemed appropriate. I find Christmas hard because I am reminded of people I miss.

Lots of things like decorations and music. And traditions we carry on but don't feel the same anymore.

I was wondering if anyone else felt like that too I suppose.

Hey Country Music Festival, I hear you about being feeling lost as there has been some confusion happening here. I still believe that peter is reading every word we write. You never offend anyone as you have a kind heart....I hope that Kanga can post and say hello...he has been an important part of the forums

Hi Quercus....I hear you there for sure...Its a sad time of year for me too. I sometimes feel the older we get the less 'magic' Christmas is in our hearts and thanks for the reference Quercus/ from MrsDools :-)

"Does anyone have a favourite Christmas decoration or one they always wondered as a child "What is that doing on the Christmas tree?"

I only have a small handful of really nice decorations back from the early 1960's when I was a toddler..no laughing ;-) I treasure these more than anyone would know.....a couple of small solid plastic Santas....and an old cross for the top of the tree that still has a tiny bit of tinsel on it.....

Thankyou CMF Quercus and MrsDools....Hugs.....Paul x