Favourite day of Christmas period (23rd to 27th)

[iff]

I prefer Christmas eve. No one expects me to do anything, and then from early afternoon I can just settle down and relax. 

 

There is no expectations from people or to socialise with people

[Black Tourmaline]

is it over yet? can it be over now?

[Ceebs]

45 minutes ago, festiff said:

I prefer Christmas eve.

Same, but I'm a massive slut for Christmas so I love it all.

 

And as far as I'm concerned, the Christmas season basically lasts all winter. 🙃

[everywhere and nowhere]

In Poland Christmas Eve is the most important day. It is on afternoon that day when a dinner is eaten with the family, presents are given (here they are traditionally placed under the Christmas tree)... I don't like big family gatherings, I'm generally not a sociable person and I don't feel good in large groups of people, but recently the Christmas Eve dinner is usually celebrated just among the three of us: me, my mom and her husband, B., at their home. All my grandparents are already dead, B.'s parents died too a few years ago (in circumstances which made me yet more sensitive to the problem of elderly drivers*)... My most beloved granny always used to come to us on Christmas, she stayed at my home, usually spent Christmas Eve with her younger son, and then uncle drove her back to my home... but in 2013 she felt so weak that she cancelled her stay and died just a few days after Christmas. 😩

Oh man, it turned out so sad...

 

*Mom and B. kept telling him: "You really shouldn't drive anymore", and he would always answer: "But I drive just a little bit, to the doctor and back". And finally he caused an accident. He was killed almost on the spot and his wife was in a bad condition and died a few months later. So I believe that a driving licence absolutely shouldn't be given indefinitely, people above a given age, like 60, should be required to periodically take vision tests and other examination to keep their driving licence. And, of course, we anyway should stop thinking that car = independence and independence = car, we should normalise not driving and not owning a car. This pro-car mentality affects also older people, particularly since they grew up in the time of a great boom on private car ownership. And not being able to drive a car is not a big flaw or impairment, it's just a characteristic. I'm tone-deaf and I can't drive and these are not my flaws, they are just characteristics. Actually, I'm even happy that I can't drive - it protected me from developing a car-obsessed mentality.

[LeChat]

Well, for me, I guess that would be Christmas Day, due to time spent with family, holiday meals, gifts, etc.

 

@everywhere and nowhere I'm sorry, for your and your family's loss. I've been worrying that my relatives might be killed in a car accident, one day.

 

So, many drivers--where we live--like to speed, everywhere; honk and pass my relative, who is going the legal speed limit; stick their middle finger out at them, etc.

 

I, also, worry about being hit by a driver, while I'm cycling, because they like to speed by me, fast, and/or very close by; pass me on blind curves when road rules state they're not supposed to because it's not safe, and other drivers are coming in the opposite lane, etc.

[Snao Cone]

I have to work on the 23rd, 24th, and 27th (usually, at least), so I chose the 25th based on that. It's the most chill day. I'm not that keen on the traditional dinner we have, and it does mean I have to wash a lot of dishes, but I also get to drink throughout the day. 

 

I think without time off work factored in, the most meaningful day to me would be the 22nd, because that's the anniversary of adopting Digger and I always think of him on that day. This is the second Christmas he's not around for. 😢 

[daveb]

When I was still working it was whichever days I didn't have to work.

 

These days they are all pretty much the same to me.

[BigBassFox]

Christmas day is way too hectic.

[ben8884]

I like Christmas Eve and Church services that take place then.

[Myssterry]

I have put 25th as I do try to enjoy the day with special food, a nice walk with the dog, and I am lucky and have presents to unwrap.  I prefer not to be social as I can do what I like and keep my own Christmas customs.  I hate the way Christmas has become an overblown "family" thing, that excludes those without families.  It is almost a bullying thing, leading to more loneliness and pressure for some than the rest of the year.

[Guest]

Euh... 23rd. Since for me it's the last day to experience a spark of anticipation. The holidays themselves are mostly loud and stressful. But I do love seeing the extended family if I can have enough calm spaces to take some breaks that is.

[Guest]

Whatever day it's all over.

[blunose2772]

As a kid Christmas Eve. We'd go to my Grandparents house on my dad's side have a big meal and open presents then go to my great grandma on my mom's side house and open presents.

 

As an adult who had to work retail during Christmas December 26 because it's all over for another year. 

[Gloomy]

Christmas Eve because that’s usually the day I hang out with family and open a bunch of presents, and I still have Christmas Day to look forward to.

[The French Unicorn]

24th December. That's the day we have the best meal.

I am denying all accusations about me thinking with my stomach.

[verily-forsooth-egads]

Gotta say the 25th. Christmas excitement (gift unwrapping etc.) takes place early in the morning and by 9:00 it's just a tranquil day of reflection.

[Virelai]

23rd, because that's the furthest away from Spring.

[Dagomir]

Like @everywhere and nowhere said, the traditional Polish dinner on the 24th*, and, also, this year in a smaller group. The remaining two days of Chrstimas (as we also celebrate on the 26th in Poland) are just two days off-work to me, since I don't do anything special which I wouldn't do otherwise.

 

* just like @Frenchace , I'm totally not thinking with my stomach  

[everywhere and nowhere]

On 12/23/2021 at 9:35 PM, Frenchace said:

24th December. That's the day we have the best meal.

I am denying all accusations about me thinking with my stomach.

I personally don't even fancy Christmas food that much. Christmas Eve is a day of fasting, but for most people it means eating fish - and I'm a vegetarian and obviously consider fish to be meat. So only a part of traditional dishes are edible for me. But I like mushroom soup (I always eat two bowls: one without cream and one with), I like mom's apple sponge cake (I don't like traditional apple pie because it's too dry for my taste, but apple sponge cake is much more moist and soft) and I always hope for nice dumplings... The traditional Christmas dumplings in Poland are with mushrooms and sauerkraut... but I don't like sauerkraut (however, I like non-pickled cabbage and I like cucumbers pickled in brine). This year mom bought some mushroom-without-sauerkraut dumplings and I liked them. However, I like lentil dumplings best... but I dont like most store-bought ones because they contain onions. But my mom is too lazy to make lentil dumplings, even with me; I'm rarely able to persuade her. And I simply cannot make dumplings by myself - woth my allergy, e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y dry skin and small wounds on my hands I simply can't knead dough of any kind with bare hands - and doing it in gloves is quite hard. (And besides, because of covid market profiteering, price of single-use gloves has skyrocketed, I only have one box... and I need them even for washing my hair because shampoo hurts a lot in contact with scratches. So I need to use them sparingly, I'm not cooking  any dishes which would require gloves, such as dumplings, potato burgers...)

[Acing It]

On 12/23/2021 at 2:45 PM, Ceebs. said:

And as far as I'm concerned, the Christmas season basically lasts all winter. 🙃

groan.

[Acing It]

On 12/23/2021 at 2:54 PM, everywhere and nowhere said:

people above a given age, like 60

I'm very sorry to hear about what happened. But that age will mysteriously move up when you get closer to it. 🙂 60 is not old at all and shouldn't impede someone's driving skills. 

[Acing It]

17 minutes ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

Christmas Eve is a day of fasting, but for most people it means eating fish

Is yours the country where they eat carp? Goes to show how wonderfully diverse traditions are, even within Europe. 🙂 

[Acing It]

I put the 24th because that's when we traditionally celebrate Christmas as well. I can't ever remember a real fast on the 24th during the day, but we usually have a big meal in the evening and then later presents while the Christmas show on tv is on. When I was a child we had a big meal with grandparents and other members of the extended family, and then unwrapped presents. Then either midnight mass or mass on the 25th. Now not so much (without making this to a rant about the catholic church as an organisation lol). Now I'm 'getting on a bit' I'm not bothered as much but the 24th is still more special than the other days. 

[everywhere and nowhere]

43 minutes ago, Acing It said:

But that age will mysteriously move up when you get closer to it.

I don't drive anyway and never will.

43 minutes ago, Acing It said:

60 is not old at all and shouldn't impede someone's driving skills. 

People at this age usually already have poor vision, for example. Being required to take tests is not the same as being barred from driving. In fact, why shouldn't drivers of any age re-take tests at least every ten years? Why should driving be perceived as a permission you get indefinitely unless you break the rules? A person of ay age can have health problems which mean that they shouldn't drive.

And I repeat: not driving and not owning a car should be normalised. Even small disturbances which nevertheless mean that a person can't learn to drive safely or, iif they do, they will never be able to drive "automatically" and any longer time behind the wheel will become an ordeal for them, are not that rare. About one in ten people, so I have read. Not being able to drive should never be shamed, it's better if bad drivers don't become drivers at all, and people who give up trying to drive for other people's safety (whether they have problems with driving or are "only" afraid) should be praised as responsible and not ridiculed as "lamers".

Fortunately, at least it seems that the younger generation is getting over western civilisation's car mania and doesn't anymore perceive it as obvious that as soon as one turns 18, everyone "should" start learning to drive.

[everywhere and nowhere]

46 minutes ago, Acing It said:

Is yours the country where they eat carp? Goes to show how wonderfully diverse traditions are, even within Europe. 🙂 

I don't approve of it. Carps are usually sold alive, kept in bad conditions, without enough oxygen in the water... Another example that eating meat is wrong and is always cruel. It can only become acceptable if we develop an efficient and affordable technology of producing meat in vitro.

[Acing It]

3 minutes ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

In fact, why shouldn't drivers of any age re-take tests at least every ten years? Why should driving be perceived as a permission you get indefinitely unless you break the rules? A person of ay age can have health problems which mean that they shouldn't drive.

That's a much better idea to putting an age limit  on it. I see a lot of bad and really bad driving on the road by people of all ages. It should be down to ability, not age. I do take exception to you stating that people at 60 already have poor vision. That's not necessarily true and easily rectified by wearing glasses. I can only assume you make that remark because you're far off that age yourself. There are wearers of glasses and people with poor vision at any age. There also are a lot of dangerous drivers amongst young people too, especially young people who are at the same time new drivers. 

 

You never wanting to drive also doesn't mean that other people won't have to for work. I do. I wouldn't be able to do my work without being able to drive and I only learnt to drive when I was in my 30s. I feel that society could be built less around the car as standard, but that's a different point. Good that you have that choice of not driving, but other people really don't have that choice. I too wish it were different as I don't like driving.

 

4 minutes ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

And I repeat: not driving and not owning a car should be normalised.

 

4 minutes ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

Not being able to drive should never be shamed, it's better if bad drivers don't become drivers at all, and people who give up trying to drive for other people's safety (whether they have problems with driving or are "only" afraid) should be praised as responsible and not ridiculed as "lamers".

I agree with both statements. 

[Acing It]

12 minutes ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

I don't approve of it. Carps are usually sold alive, kept in bad conditions, without enough oxygen in the water...

That's awful. I don't approve of that at all. It's cruel if nothing else. 

[The French Unicorn]

1 hour ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

I personally don't even fancy Christmas food that much. Christmas Eve is a day of fasting, but for most people it means eating fish - and I'm a vegetarian and obviously consider fish to be meat.

No fish where I live, though I guess eating guinea fowl is no better for you.

But I guess even in a vegetarian family, it would still be the best meal of the year for us. Because we put so much effort into it. It's not really what we eat, but how we cook it differently than usual.

[everywhere and nowhere]

2 minutes ago, Frenchace said:

But I guess even in a vegetarian family

Unfortunately, I'm not part of a vegetarian family. Everyone except me in my family eats meat.

[Janus the Fox]

The 26th or 27th, like there’s a sudden shift in attitude like in shops.  Off goes tne Christmas stuff, on goes the massive discounts and sales.