Dear Poirot,

I love children. (I'm a children's librarian - running
all the Storytimes, et cetera). And now with grandchildren
I get to live in that world all the time. Awesome!
Dealing with older kids must be quite a challenge!

Thankyou Lexi, my couple of hours in the kitchen at Xmas are really me playing and loving the peace and quiet while everyone else has to deal with the kids. Congratulations on the addition of a grandchild… a real baby for the manger. :)

I’m going to find a lego train now, I didn’t know you could get them. After years with toddlers I find myself with a group of 6 – 9 year olds and desperate for ideas to keep them busy. Last day of school today, might teach them the alphabet since no one else has yet. Arrgghh.

I am looking forward to Christmas, I have a kid who had never even trimmed a tree before and so the excitement coming from this one is really building up and it’s contagious.

Lexi, "how you celebrate this Festive Season"

We celebrate Christmas if that is what you mean. I am not into 'Happy festive season' and 'Happy holiday'.

All can enjoy Christmas and the most do regardless of belief. It is truly a multicultural celebration in Australia. Elsewhere too it appears.

For us it is family, friends and whoever wants to drop in. It is a time that reminds us to feel thankful and grateful. We all tend to forget that.

What isn't there to like about these wonderful traditions?

New Year is another time to be with family and friends, but anyone is welcome. There is a sense of hope and renewal. Again a reminder of how we should and could be living all of the time.

Happy christmas to everyone on OLO, including Graham and others running the show.

Always interesting to read others points of view on various subjects.

This year, the Boss is visiting daughter and family in Melbourne, so I will be entertaining a couple of near neighbors who are single blokes. One is bringing the starters, another the deserts and i will do the roast main. I find roasts easy and one can enjoy a few drinks while they cook themselves. Plenty left for salads next days. I expect my sisters and Co to arrive later in afternoon.

Hope all have an enjoyable Christmas and look forward to more disscussion next year.

Dear Piper,

Thanks Piper - and Good Luck with the 6 - 9 year olds.
Are they into swimming and do you have the time
to take them to your local pool?

I know what you mean
about children's excitement being contagious.
My grandchildren (3 in all) are toddlers -
a 3 year old, a one year old, and
now a new-born. Seeing things through their eyes is
sheer magic.

Dear onthebeach,

Thank You for getting back to this thread and you're
right, it is all about family and friends. It would
be great if we could keep this spirit alive all year.

Dear Banjo,

Right back at you!

I am looking forward to sparring with you once again
next year. I must admit you've made me re-think so many
issues this year.

My autistic one came home today telling me all about how the Easter bunny visited his school and gave him a present. Err… “gosh you lucky” says I. He either missed his lunchtime meds or the school is just messing with their heads.

We don’t need the Xmas spirit alive every day because every day seems to be something… International Don’t Shop Day was a few days ago. I fully supported International Goth Day… Not. Who makes this stuff up?

Will we get to the point where Xmas is known as International Gift Day?