Ok, I am not very into today for personal reasons. I am curious if you have rituals on this day.
I just had a cigar with a glass of port. My Dad always did and only on this day.

Anyone do something just today they normally don't?

That glass of port affected me more than I thought. RITUALS!

We still read T'was the night before christmas, even though the kids are grown and in their 20's and have chocolate covered strawberries on Christmas morning, even if we spend Christmas in Hawaii which is my favourite new tradition, but alas not this year.

Have covid.

Second year in a row.

Hoping it's not a yearly tradition but it could be!

Loads around the meal for us… five courses with an hour between each, to make sure every bit is appreciated and plenty of time for everyone to just relax. Only Traditional Christmas Carols in the dining room. Champaign and wine until meal end then brandies and coffee, shorts through the evening and then a film nibbles and Bailey’s on Ice once the kids are abed.

I just make a point of watching the Queen's speech, that's it.
Plenty of people find it weird, but I've done it every year since I was a kid pretty much, apart from the one I spent in Minneapolis in 2009.

BenWickes wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 25, 2021 3:29 pm

Ok, I am not very into today for personal reasons. I am curious if you have rituals on this day.
I just had a cigar with a glass of port. My Dad always did and only on this day.

Anyone do something just today they normally don't?

I don't ****. It's disrespectful on Jesus birthday!

elwaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 25, 2021 5:11 pm

Loads around the meal for us… five courses with an hour between each, to make sure every bit is appreciated and plenty of time for everyone to just relax. Only Traditional Christmas Carols in the dining room. Champaign and wine until meal end then brandies and coffee, shorts through the evening and then a film nibbles and Bailey’s on Ice once the kids are abed.

That sounds wonderful

Every year we play buckeroo with my dad.

He’s guaranteed to fall asleep whilst sat on the settee, usually whilst the festivities are going on and we’re all putting the world to rights.

We take turns in putting things on his head and seeing. How many items we can get on there before it all comes crashing down or he wakes up.

Even when he wakes up, he inevitably drifts off again in quick time so we go again.

We’ve just had round one.

All the fellas from the Macca tribe all meet in the pub for a couple of hours to play pub sports and have a few beers together.

They used to be well over a dozen of us, however more have now grown up, started their own families and traditions.
This year was our lowest turnout of only 8, but 4 generations of Macca was there all having a pint, it was wonderful after the last year was cancelled.

You never know whats around the corner, or how many more times you'll get to do that.

Before returning back where Mrs Macca's family came round for Christmas Dinner which after a nightmare over turkey yesterday was a wonderful meal.

Now led bloated on the sofa scrolling on my phone whilst the wife has a wine and relaxes in the bath.

Marry Christmas to you all, I hope you've all had a wonderful day.

Used to be every year me my brother, Dad and Grandad would go to the Thornton Arms for a couple of beers while my mum and grandma did the dinner, had to be back ready for dinner at 2. Grandad passed in September and with us all living far apart it’s been a very disjointed day. Merry Christmas everyone and treasure those family moments.

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 25, 2021 6:34 pm

I don't ****. It's disrespectful on Jesus birthday!

That sounds wonderful

Every Christmas dinner, my Dad would pour a tablespoon of Lamb's Navy Rum over his white sauce on my Mother 's home made Christmas pudding. He never touched rum again until the next Christmas Day.
He died in 1979 and every year since, I've done the same. Did it today. Love you Dad. Always brings a tear to my eye.

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 25, 2021 6:34 pm

I don't ****. It's disrespectful on Jesus birthday!

elwaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 25, 2021 5:11 pm

Loads around the meal for us… five courses with an hour between each, to make sure every bit is appreciated and plenty of time for everyone to just relax. Only Traditional Christmas Carols in the dining room. Champaign and wine until meal end then brandies and coffee, shorts through the evening and then a film nibbles and Bailey’s on Ice once the kids are abed.

Can we all come around to your house next year please ?

We have our meal and during the pause between main and pudding we exchange presents then. Only white wine served at the table no beer,red or spirits. Just been that wat seem time immemorial.

groove wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 25, 2021 7:19 pm

That sounds wonderful

It always is, the most wonderful day of the year…

Both Natasha and I take alternative courses so in effect we get a two hour break from the kitchen and everyone gets good food, and the kids plenty of time to enjoy their presents, served when they are ready for it, company and a really relaxed atmosphere to the whole day. It’s quite a change from chasing your tails all day. Highly recommended.