[Misc] Alternative Christmas

[Tim Over Whelmed]

As good atheists we've decided on a little change to Christmas Day in our house. Traditionally any neighbours drinks / family visits , carol services etc have been a three-line whip and with two teenage boys that's always a challenge for the Chief Whip, Mrs OW.

This year we've all agreed what food we'd like on the day from Hot Dogs to Beef Stew and an assortment of snacks and have declared Christmas Day and Boxing Day as a do whatever you want (so long as morally sound and legal) and just relax .... and I have to say I'm looking forward to it immensely.

Mrs OW and I will go to a friends for Christmas drinks probably and the boys will follow if they wish but we won't then face the Christmas lunch challenge and bloody parlour games.

We've organised a family get together on the 27th when we all need to fall back in line for one afternoon but that's it .... anyone else do anything outside of what is broadly the norm?

 

[Is it PotG?]

A couple of years back we booked in at the local Indian restaurant for Christmas Day nosh.

Great afternoon, great atmosphere, great food and no clearing up.

Magnificent.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

A couple of years back we booked in at the local Indian restaurant for Christmas Day nosh.

Great afternoon, great atmosphere, great food and no clearing up.

Magnificent.

We considered this but then agreed it meant we all had to be somewhere at a specific time and eat broadly the same thing, so it went West as an idea.

I think the main part the boys heard was "You can get up when you want and go to bed when you want", everything else was a blur once they placed food orders (*only food that can be made the day before and heated up etc)

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

A couple of years back we booked in at the local Indian restaurant for Christmas Day nosh.

Great afternoon, great atmosphere, great food and no clearing up.

Magnificent.

Curried Brussel Sprouts? What sacrilege! Leave the King of vegetables in peace.

……. actually I think Sprouts in a curry could be quite nice.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I sort of regard Xmas the same way I regard Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving etc etc. Totally respect those who fully embrace the occasion, but leaves me 95% utterly cold. Much prefer Boxing Day with its full menu of top class sport and associated gambling opportunities. Also always amusing when TUI are always first out the traps on 26th December with Families Jumping Into Summer Swimming Pools. Oh, and The Sales. Start queueing outside Next at 6.30am for some shitty shiny suit. Just keep spending money you can't afford on stuff you don't need folks, no pressure at all

And... RELAX!

 

[Nixonator]

As good atheists we've decided on a little change to Christmas Day in our house. Traditionally any neighbours drinks / family visits , carol services etc have been a three-line whip and with two teenage boys that's always a challenge for the Chief Whip, Mrs OW.

This year we've all agreed what food we'd like on the day from Hot Dogs to Beef Stew and an assortment of snacks and have declared Christmas Day and Boxing Day as a do whatever you want (so long as morally sound and legal) and just relax .... and I have to say I'm looking forward to it immensely.

Mrs OW and I will go to a friends for Christmas drinks probably and the boys will follow if they wish but we won't then face the Christmas lunch challenge and bloody parlour games.

We've organised a family get together on the 27th when we all need to fall back in line for one afternoon but that's it .... anyone else do anything outside of what is broadly the norm?

Any point whatsoever to your little rebellion?

 

[Is it PotG?]

Curried Brussel Sprouts? What sacrilege! Leave the King of vegetables in peace.

……. actually I think Sprouts in a curry could be quite nice.

Can't stand them, but this sounds pleasant enough:

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts Subzi with Turmeric, Cumin and Mustard Seeds. Easy Spiced Brussels Sprouts, served in a bowl with Dal and Rice.

Probably not best if on a football coach to Spuds on Boxing Day.

 

[A1X]

Not sure how "alternative" it is but I always make a tradition of continuing the drinking and watching the entire first session of the Boxing Day test from Melbourne, if Australia are doing badly then sometimes the second session is also on the cards (now that is an endurance challenge).

 

[Megazone]

We're vegans in my family so after the presents have been opened, we chop the xmas tree up, marinate it in mint sauce, sprinkle some Rosemary over it, chuck it in the oven for 2 hours. Yum Yum.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

A total break with tradition this year. My kids have decided to spend Christmas day with their other halves families. We're off to Morocco
Turkey couscous, anyone?

 

[Braggfan]

Curried Brussel Sprouts? What sacrilege! Leave the King of vegetables in peace.

……. actually I think Sprouts in a curry could be quite nice.

Sprouts in curry are amazing, they have to be left long enough so that they absorb the sauce. But when that happens they are lovely.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Sprouts in curry are amazing, they have to be left long enough so that they absorb the sauce. But when that happens they are lovely.

Noted! I will try it.

 

[pearl]

I sort of regard Xmas the same way I regard Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving etc etc. Totally respect those who fully embrace the occasion, but leaves me 95% utterly cold. Much prefer Boxing Day with its full menu of top class sport and associated gambling opportunities. Also always amusing when TUI are always first out the traps on 26th December with Families Jumping Into Summer Swimming Pools. Oh, and The Sales. Start queueing outside Next at 6.30am for some shitty shiny suit. Just keep spending money you can't afford on stuff you don't need folks, no pressure at all

And... RELAX!

Are you having a NSC Flounce? Or just a Jock Strop?

Seriously, I agree with most of that, but Christmas doesn't leave me cold ... I jus' ain't bovvered 'boutit

I do like the Hindu Festivals, Holi (?) and Diwali when they go mental with powdered paint in vivid colours and crazy fireworks and lights

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Are you having a NSC Flounce? Or just a Jock Strop?

I think you'll find the correct terminology round these parts is RANT

 

[Megazone]

I think you'll find the correct terminology is RANT

I'm with you.

So many people 'celebrate ' Christmas without the slightest bit of recognition for the birth of Jesus, who lets not forget, not only had the worst possible day to be born on for any child, the following Easter he was then back stabbed and crucified to the enjoyment of the public. He did a lot in that 4 months. Good on him.

Remember that when you're tucking into your roasted Hog. .

 

[el punal]

A couple of years back we booked in at the local Indian restaurant for Christmas Day nosh.

Great afternoon, great atmosphere, great food and no clearing up.

Magnificent.

Sounds good, but if you went to a Chinese restaurant for Christmas would you celebrate with prawn crackers?

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Couple of years ago we spent Christmas Day at Discovery Cove - swimming with Dolphins, snorkeling with turtles & fish, generally lazing in the sun all day, and eating as much food as we could. Awesome time had by all.
Wish every Christmas was like that....

 

[pearl]

I'm with you.

So many people 'celebrate ' Christmas without the slightest bit of recognition for the birth of Jesus, who lets not forget, not only had the worst possible day to be born on for any child, the following Easter he was then back stabbed and crucified to the enjoyment of the public. He did a lot in that 4 months. Good on him.

Remember that when you're tucking into your roasted Hog. .

When's he coming back? I'd like to know how he did that turning water into wine trick

 

[Mr Putdown]

When's he coming back? I'd like to know how he did that turning water into wine trick

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

When's he coming back? I'd like to know how he did that turning water into wine trick

Not everyone was quite so impressed though. As redacted from the New Testament, Judas stood up and shouted "**** off Jesus, you can put a tenner in the kitty like the rest of us!'