You know Christmas isn’t far away when…

[Techniquest]

In many European countries, Christmas Eve is the big night of celebration, where a big meal is had in the evening, and those of a religious persuasion go to midnight mass.

Christmas Day is more of a time for relaxation and chillimg out, and is perhaps more similar to Boxing Day in the UK, especially given that 26th December is not a public holiday in countries such as France.

Very different to here then, where it's travelling day and shopping day on Christmas Eve! Christmas Day, to be fair, with my lot is relatively chilled. It's crazy really that I get relegated from the kitchen when the big meal is getting cooked, yet I'm the one who cooks vegetables more than anyone else! Mind you, the others wouldn't like my veg, as I cook it without salt!

 

[Strathclyder]

When you see decorations and crackers in your local Co-op/Keystore branch. I internally despaired when I laid eyes on them eariler this evening, even though I knew they'd appear around this time.

 

[seaviewer]

......but does anyone know what the trains are supposed to be doing (strikes apart). NRT seems to think there is a Saturday service south of the Thames on boxing day. As I was a bit suspicious, I asked it about Christmas Day and it returned with a normal Sunday service. Now I am very suspicious.

 

[Pete_uk]

My local Wilco's has Christmas trees out and Tesco has Santa Kellogg's Corn Flakes.

 

[dk1]

My local Wilco's has Christmas trees out and Tesco has Santa Kellogg's Corn Flakes.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in much of the retail sector now.

 

[Peter Sarf]

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in much of the retail sector now.

Boom boom . There, I have corrected the words for you .

 

[dk1]

Boom boom . There, I have corrected the words for you .

Haha, the Elves where sadly still at work at a local garden centre on Saturday but we should be rest assured it’ll be open this weekend.

 

[Ivor]

Boom boom

When…….Basil Brush is advertised in Pantomime.

Sorry couldn’t resist the “Boom Boom”

 

[317 forever]

We start looking up train times and engineering works over Christmas. I have looked up some for a potential day trip on December 24th or 27th.

There is even a thread about tickets for Christmas Day advertised for sale!

Southern rail letting you book for Christmas day!!!!

Just been looking at what if any services Southern will run to Gatwick airport on boxing day on website as wanted to find out 1st service on boxing day and they are letting you book tickets for Christmas day!!!! So do Southern know something that none of us know!!!! I am sure its just its not...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[dk1]

We start looking up train times and engineering works over Christmas. I have looked up some for a potential day trip on December 24th or 27th.

There is even a thread about tickets for Christmas Day advertised for sale!

Southern rail letting you book for Christmas day!!!!

Just been looking at what if any services Southern will run to Gatwick airport on boxing day on website as wanted to find out 1st service on boxing day and they are letting you book tickets for Christmas day!!!! So do Southern know something that none of us know!!!! I am sure its just its not...

www.railforums.co.uk

I think this year engineering works are the least of the worries. You can navigate around those. Its industrial action that could raise its head as late as the second week in December.

 

[Cambus731]

One of my ex girlfriend's birthday is on September 24th.
Her mum used to say when that date comes round, I feel Christmas isn't far away.
even though its over 20 since we parted, once September 24th arrives I feel Christmas is coming.

 

[dk1]

One of my ex girlfriend's birthday is on September 24th.
Her mum used to say when that date comes round, I feel Christmas isn't far away.
even though its over 20 since we parted, once September 24th arrives I feel Christmas is coming.

Do you still keep in touch with her?

 

[317 forever]

One of my ex girlfriend's birthday is on September 24th.
Her mum used to say when that date comes round, I feel Christmas isn't far away.
even though its over 20 since we parted, once September 24th arrives I feel Christmas is coming.

September 24th/25th do create the feeling that Christmas is coming. These are always on the same day of the week as December 24th/25th.

Admittedly anyone born around September 25th will have been conceived around Christmas but that's another story.

 

[gswindale]

I try not to start thinking about Christmas until at least a week after my Birthday which normally coincides with the October half term week.

 

[Cambus731]

Do you still keep in touch with her?

I am on good terms with a couple of ex's yes

 

[dk1]

I am on good terms with a couple of ex's yes

That's nice to hear. Shame when it all just ends.

 

[32475]

When you have a big family discussion about who’s turn it is to host Christmas this year and nobody else volunteers so you ask if they all want to come to your house and they all say yes.
On the plus side they have to abide by our house rules and also we don’t have to host it again until 2025.

 

[ABB125]

When "Countdown to Christmas" Nectar point special bonuses start to appear...

 

[317 forever]

We talk about dates for Christmas socials.

 

[Techniquest]

When "Countdown to Christmas" Nectar point special bonuses start to appear...

I think I saw that pop up recently, I haven't looked at my Nectar offers for a couple of weeks. They've been getting on my wick with not issuing bonus points when they're meant to, with it taking either several days to turn up or, as has happened at least once, never been issued. I've been using Nectar since it launched 20 years ago, right now though they can go away and I've taken my business elsewhere for a while!

Christmas is definitely on its way, I've had to get full-finger gloves out. Today I managed much of the day without them though which was awesome for mid-October It's also on the way as I'm planning my last hair cutting of the year!

 

[Peter Sarf]

When you have a big family discussion about who’s turn it is to host Christmas this year and nobody else volunteers so you ask if they all want to come to your house and they all say yes.
On the plus side they have to abide by our house rules and also we don’t have to host it again until 2025 2023.

There corrected it for you !.

 

[brad465]

When Slade, Mariah Carey, Buble and others appear on the radio and rub their hands with glee at the big pay checks they'll get for doing sweet **.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Christmas chocolates start appearing in supermarkets.

 

[dk1]

I haven’t seen the Turkey Feast sandwich in M&S yet

 

[32475]

There corrected it for you !.

Haha. You might well be correct!

 

[MotCO]

Hot Cross Buns start to appear.

 

[gswindale]

Hot Cross Buns start to appear.

Off topic, but I tried to order some Belgian Buns from Tesco last week, search came up with No Matches, but why not try Hot Cross Buns!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I saw a customer in a coffee shop in Southwest London a week or so ago wearing his Christmas Jumper. !!

 

[Techniquest]

I saw a customer in a coffee shop in Southwest London a week or so ago wearing his Christmas Jumper. !!

I've seen a Christmas cardigan being sold recently in my shop, so it won't be long until the jumpers etc are dusted off around the country. It definitely feels way too early to wear such a garment!

 

[Purple Train]

When the Christmas stuff goes up in shop aisles, I know I've just missed it.

To be perfectly honest, I don't really get a sensation of it being nearly Christmas until December 1st, whatever the supermarkets might want. The only thing that the early mince pies and the horrible over-commercialisation (don't get me started on that) makes me do is roll my eyes. It doesn't give me any perception that Christmas is near.
And in case anyone asks, no, I'm not Ebenezer Scrooge.