Johan (OUG):

The skill of writing is the skill of using words. Yours certainly widen the mind's eye and take the reader beyond the ordinary to a new and exciting experience. The experience for me is of a sensory kind in which I see new things. It's also an intellectual kind in which I think new things; and it's also an emotional kind in which I feel and understand new things. Thank You - long may you continue to enrich our lives on this forum.

My family's Christmas has always been a quiet one. Alas, this year, for the first time in my short life, I won't be travelling to see my family - instead, I'm expecting (and sadly not with much excitement) a rowdy affair with my other half's family.

Growing up, there were only four of us in Australia. No big Christmas spread, just a very simple picnic in a scenic park somewhere. Gifts are a very minor part - $100 each or thereabouts. As my brother got married, 4 became 5; when they had a daughter, we became 6. I used to feel a bit of resentment as my sister-in-law's family seemed to break our already compact Christmas unit apart, taking them away from us for a good part of the day. Then they invited us in and, after our family Christmas is over, we have a sort of extended family Christmas.

For me, the joys of Christmas are (in no particular order):
Midnight Mass
Decorating a small tree (no brash, tacky or meaningless baubles - just the special ones we have brought back from our various excursions around the country and the world)
Time with the family
Knowing that everything has been good for another year, and
Hoping that everything will be good for some time to come.

I have no idea what this Christmas will bring - I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be a little empty without my mum, dad and bro to celebrate with. Nobody else seems to 'get' our minimalist Christmas ways!

Otokonoko:

I can identify with your missing your family at Christmas. One year,
hubbie and I decided to spend Christmas on the Gold Coast as a treat for the kids. We left our parents and extended family behind. It just wasn't the same, and I missed the family so much that we decided to never again spend Christmas without our entire family taking part. We
now holiday after Christmas. Christmas with the family comes first. I
know it's hard when you have to split the family - but perhaps you could suggest that you all share Christmas - taking it in turns, or share in the cooking perhaps? (everyone bring a plate of something) so that the family wouldn't have to be split up? Anyway, I hope that you do make the most of this Beautiful Season, and that you do get to see your own family. All the Best for the New Year.

Hi there LEXI...

What a nice thread you've initiated. Though, I'm well over the buzz that Christmas used to bring when I was young, it's still nice to know that many herein celebrate Christmas in their own way.

From twenty three YOA on, most of my Christmases have been spent 'on duty'. Either a 0700 - 1500, or 1500 - 2300 and lastly the 'dog watch' 2300 - 0700.

Any shift performed on Christmas Day does seem to dislocate the traditional Dinner too (ours at least), and being a copper, you couldn't very well front up with grog on your breath either ?

Funny though, all the blokes on shift seemed to take on a more 'human face' on the day - I have no idea why, they just did ? Even though, I can hear many of our critics offering all sorts of uncharitable explanations, as to why ?

In later years, as a detective, Christmas Day could either be dead quiet, or you'd be run off your feet with enquiries. Nevertheless, I still found the Day as, I dunno, something special I suppose.

Again, a great thread LEXI, it really is.

o sung wu:

I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to work on Christmas Day. Thank You for reminding us of the people like policemen/and women, nurses, hospital staff, paramedics, ambulance officers and many others to whom we owe a tremendous debt for the services that you have provided and continue to provide to the rest of us, while we enjoy our Christmas with our families. Where would we be without you guys? Anyway, Thanks also for your kind words, and I'm so happy that you like the thread. Christmas is about sharing and giving - and you've done that by example, well and truly - you embody the Christmas Spirit. I wish you every Happiness throughout Christmas and the New Year as well! Thank You for contributing to this discussion, and adding an extra dimension to it! Take Care.

I'd like to Thank everyone who contributed to this thread and wish you all the Blessings of Peace and Happiness at Christmastime and Always!

"Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
Its 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 summer's day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute..."

MERRY CHRISTMAS