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What Do you miss on Christmas?

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muf kin poser
Full Member
Minuteman
Since I have been long gone from Nor-Cal, and my Granny has been in a home(now back at Auntie's House and about to go) I have really missed receiving Granny's Fruit Cakes. One was dark and wrapped in rum and brandy soaked rags. The other was always light and wrapped in Wild Turkey 101 filled rags. I do miss all my California family, but having my Granny send those fruit cakes and then getting a box from my brother and Pop with theirs is what really made Christmas for me since I have darn near been gone somewhere else for the last 14 years.
This year of course the kids are getting their 'tech', Panty 6 will unwrap her iPod kit for 'her' truck, and I get to watch them as they unwrap Christmas and have the fun of being a family together which is what really counts, but man I sure do miss Granny's Fruit Cakes
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

My kids are now teenagers, and I miss their excitment and wonder at Christmas, I had to damn near fight with them to get a Christmas list from them this year.
On a personal note, there was an older lady that always treated me like gold when I was a child. I called her "Grandma Agnus," and she would make me popcorn balls every Christmas. She has been gone now for at least 10 years, and every year I make a batch of popcorn balls with my two boys in memory of her.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

what i miss most is being 10 y.o. playing with my electric train and watching Mom's white artificial Christmas tree with the bubble lights.

i put up a single strand of bubble lights in her honor, they are fun to watch, but you just can NOT see the blue ones.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

My family, friends, and snow!! To me it just doesn't seem like xmas and could actually care less about it without them. Although the guys I am with are pretty damn close to being family it still isn't the same. Grew up in WI and it just doesn't seem like winter and the holidays without cold weather.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss the excitement I felt as a child watching Grandpa pass out the gifts one at a time to everyone in the family (about 60 of us lol). Mostly I miss what it used to mean. Not going on a religious tangent because I'm not qualified but it seems to have lost it's luster with the over the top commercialization of the holiday. Television commercials with kids dancing to hip hop music have replaced images of family and friends enjoying time together. Our local mall was decked out floor to ceiling with Christmas decorations before Halloween this year.

I guess I miss looking forward to it because I don't much anymore.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

i will be missing my son's first xmas this year sitting here instead with a few buddies in my plywood shack, lol. christmas is my favorite time of year and i'll be missing my family and friends the most over anything else.

merry xmas to all you guys though, and a happy holidays.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I guess I miss looking forward to it because I don't much anymore. </div></div>

Me too, the "holiday" music that is pure bullshit that is simply a soft rock song that says Christmas in it couple times. The steady flow of movies and programming promoting other than CHRISTmas, and other bullshit warm fuzzy themes that claim to be a part of Christmas but are simply a way to de-christianize a clearly christian holiday.
I miss the magical snowy nights, listening to real Christmas carols telling the story. And spending time with my family around the tree eating homemade treats and hot chocolate. Moms sugar cookies still are the best!!
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I don't miss a single thing from the Christmas of my childhood. That experience was oriented toward the presents I received, which was a very transient pleasure.

Now I very much look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ, which is the best present I ever have or ever will receive.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I lost my Mom last month and I miss her excitement for Christmas. For her, it could be Christmas season year round.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss the goodwill toward men. Has anyone seen it lately?
grin.gif
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

1 thing I miss is the anticipation of the whole family sitting down together and watching the movie "A Christmas Story". My whole family loves that movie. Now it's on all day and kinda loses it's luster after the 3rd time in one day. Oh and my grandmas cinnamon pickles. We'd eat those until we were sick.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

Sitting around the tree with my parents and sister and having pleasant conversation face to face with my Dad. My grandma's specialty was a walnut roll that was incredible. I have tried storebought, and nothing has come close. Lindy: That is a wonderful perspective and it is one I strive to achieve. I have to admit I do enjoy seeing my girls enjoying the bounty of earthly goods thier family can't resist bestowing upon them, and the smiles the stuff brings makes me forget the money spent.

Merry Christmas to you all and families.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

Many years ago after my divorce I bought myself the Star Wars trilogy at Hollywood Video on Christmas day since we were just swapping names at Christmas and my sis did not get it for me.

Every Christmas day since 1994 I watch the Star Wars Trilogy.

I don't have my daughter this year so there is no tree, no lights, and only some fancy PVC flutes I made for the kids (Total Cost about $8 after I bought a can of spray paint).

Next year, I have my daughter and I'll put the tree up, train up, and get back into it.

Not this year, Bah Humbug.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss the innocence of Christmas, you can never regain that, once you grow up it's gone and you can only watch as a parent or gr andparent. That's still cool but it's not the same.

Family - mine is not close so it's a chaotic yelling match to see who can oover talk and interrupt who. I get sick of it and leave after about 2 hrs.

Then I get up and watch Star Wars the next day.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss sitting/laying around the floor with my cousins and listening to my great uncle talk. Every time he speaks, it's "Back in Vietnam," "When I was in Germany," "In Cambodia." He's still around, but has been declining a lot over the past few years in health. I've always really looked up to him and still do. He's in his 70s now and he makes some of the fondest family/Christmas memories I have. Every time I see him, I make sure I sit and listen good. I know he won't be around for too much longer.

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Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I miss the innocence of Christmas, you can never regain that, once you grow up it's gone and you can only watch as a parent or gr andparent. That's still cool but it's not the same.

Family - mine is not close so it's a chaotic yelling match to see who can oover talk and interrupt who. I get sick of it and leave after about 2 hrs.

Then I get up and watch Star Wars the next day.

</div></div>
It is hard to explain but I think you put it to words well. I have kids so I watch it through them but I find myself more and more thinking about how christmas is not even close to being the same. Sounds like you family is like mine. My sister is always the one who has to be heard and wants to listen to no other than herself, after an hour of that and I am ready to go. My wife and I decided to keep Christmas about our family we switch every year, one year alone with just us then the next we do something with the Grandparents and family.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

1954 going to my grandparents house's, the home cooked meals but most of all the love we had for each other. The world was a differant one then this. Now we only have memories of those good times. MM
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss Christmas' at the family farm on my father's side. He was born there in a log cabin in 1898. Can you imagine that? It was in Washburn Co, WI right where the Brill river exits Long Lake. A great walleye fishery, btw, but that's another story. Later a grand house was built there by my grandparents who immigrated here from Norway. It was a beautiful place, 160 acres, and surrounded by hardwood forests. Unfortunately, it is no longer owned by the family.

Oh, almost forgot, and those wonderful Norwegian delicacies that they used to cook. Now I'm gettin' hungry for some lefse and lutefisk and all the baked stuff.

This was in the late forties and fifties, thru the early sixties. Mostly before the plastic and concrete world we live in today.

I don't miss it at all on my mother's side.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I miss the goodwill toward men.</div></div>

A story goes that just before Christmas of 2001, the Captain of a warship in a carrier battle group departing Norfolk for the Middle East got on the 1MC, and said, "Peace on Earth to men of good will. All others - stand by."
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss Christmas being a season of a few weeks. Several years ago I was in Wally World buying a hunting license the weekend before Labor Day. They were putting up the Christmas stuff in the garden department.

Seems now that Christmas stuff and Halloween stuff are out at the same time in almost every retail outlet.

I enjoyed the old days when it was at least a few days after Thanksgiving before they started running the Christmas ads on TV. The first one of the season back in my youth was Santa riding that triple headed Norelco shaver like a sleigh.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I really do not miss anything because I have kept all of my old Christmas tradition...single...married..divorced...kids with me...kids not with me...deployed in the middle of no where for many.
Christmas is what you make of it. I have always had a tree or a twig with something hanging from it. In 1970 it was a star cut and hammered from a 50 bmg case. Other years a live tree with old family ornaments. Alone or with many...did not matter...I have always celebrated Christmas.
I have never really lived in the past but always in the day and look forward to the next one. I guess that comes from never always knowing that I would be around for another day.
Merry Christmas to all...enjoy the Day and what it is all about.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I guess I mostly miss the family members that are not here,anymore.All the grandparents,my father,her father,her brother and sister.But,we have grandchildren,and life goes on.Merry Christmas,Everybody. Pete
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I miss the goodwill toward men. Has anyone seen it lately?
grin.gif
</div></div>

No, but I did see Goodwill Hunting.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

We will be ready this year. A nice moderate tree with a few decorations and white lights with a shiny red tinsil wrapped around it. Money saved form last year filled the bottom with gifts for the kids and family, and a Blu Ray 1080p Yule Log complete with crackling flames(still no fireplace)
I can't say as I miss Christmas as a kid because I usually had three of them(Mom's, Dad's, Granny and Grampa's) which really honed in teh fact that I came from a broken home, but damn, Granny's Fruit Cake did make it better.
The joy of being with family and having that family together is what it's really about for me. Life's not too damn bad, but I would almost kill for just one more of Granny's Fruit Cakes with that sweet smelling, sticky, Wild Turkey 101 filled rag. Opening that sucker up, the sticky sweet smell, the candied fruit with the slight hit of the 101, it just makes it all come together.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

What has been lost, for me, in the transition from a kid to a man was made up for by being able to see the wonder and amazement my daughter shows this time of year. She's at a good stage right now, and is very appreciative of all aspects of the holiday. She understands about the religious meaning, the family she only gets to see once or twice a year and of course presents are always a hit with her. I'm very pleased with how she is turning out, my parents have seen to it that she is spoiled, but she's not a spoiled brat! lol
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

My most memorable christmas was ab out 1972 I think.

My dad got me a copy of Elton John's greatest hits - listening to Rocket Man, Bennie and the Jets etc.

Also got an album of the Eagles greatest hits.

The snow, the plastic M16's, radio control cars, Tonka Toy cars.

Had a GREAT childhood so I tried to do the same for my daughter but I only get her every other year.

In fact I've only gotten her every oher year for 3 years now so I missed al ot of her Christmases because her mother always said "You are ruining our Christmas taking my daughter".

but through that all my daughter and I have traditions of putting up the electrc train, tree, lights etc.

So next year I'll be into Christmas.

This year, bah..
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

PLEASE..., do not use<span style="font-size: 20pt"> <span style="color: #FF0000">X</span> </span>before <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #33CC00">mas</span></span>

spell it out CHRISTMAS..., it can not take that long to put <span style="font-size: 20pt"><span style="color: #3333FF">CHRIST</span></span> first !!
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I don't miss any of this because I try to carry on the traditions my grandparents taught me. This time of year for me usually is embodied in foods though:

It wouldn't be Jule without lefse:

norweigian-cuisine-lefse.jpg


rømmegrøt

2151968769_2cc9d36d79.jpg


Krumkake

krumkake-heap.jpg


goro.jpg


Also some Sunbakkles and BerlinerKranser and if I can manage to pull it off JuleKakke
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julekake.JPG
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COURAGEWOLF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't miss any of this because I try to carry on the traditions my grandparents taught me. This time of year for me usually is embodied in foods though:

It wouldn't be Jule without lefse:

norweigian-cuisine-lefse.jpg


rømmegrøt

2151968769_2cc9d36d79.jpg

Krumkake

krumkake-heap.jpg


goro.jpg


Also some Sunbakkles and BerlinerKranser and if I can manage to pull it off JuleKakke
laugh.gif


julekake.JPG


</div></div>
Alright Torfinn, that's way out of line tormenting me by posting stuff like this.
Mods... please delete his post!
wink.gif

 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I'm from Northern Cali as well and miss when my entire family lived within a few hours and we could all gather at Christmas time. Now we're spread out in about 6 different states, coast to coast. That's what we get for military service though.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

Going to my grandma's house to see family members who only visited at Christmas each year. Her homemade ambrosia, divinity and seafood gumbo. Football games in the yard and fellowship with family.

Good thing is... Now that Junior is 13 and too cool for Santa, the lil one is just hitting that magical age that revives the spirit of the season.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss 2 things ... John Wayne Corcoran and I miss the books of Life Savers that my uncle Freddy used to give me as a kid. I always looked forward to the box of life savers from him ....

May the two above mentioned rest peacefully now.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

We celebrate Christmas Eve. So when my daughter was little we would get in the car and take a ride down ocean parkway "looking for Santa", after a bit I would point out an airliners lights and say there he is! We would head for home and let her in the door first, the look on her face when she saw that Santa had been there already was beyond anything.
Thats what I miss most.

The good news is that this year my granddaughter is old enough to go "looking for Santa" cant wait
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lindy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't miss a single thing from the Christmas of my childhood. That experience was oriented toward the presents I received, which was a very transient pleasure.

Now I very much look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ, which is the best present I ever have or ever will receive.
</div></div>

I agree. The kids are married and have their own families now. Our grandkids are 16, 11 and 7. Theirs are the only gifts we buy any more. Our kids just get cash. We'll probably take turns reading from the 2nd chapter of Luke after the kids have opened their loot.

Merry Christmas everybody. I hope everyone can get the real meaning of the season.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pat M</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My chistmas bonus and health insurance that i had 2 years ago - thanks rich fuc%er that run the economy :p </div></div>

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Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I don't want to bring the thread down or anything, but the truth is what I miss most is my old man.

dad.jpg


He died a couple days before Christmas 5 years ago. It's just not the same this time of year without him.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Inogame</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't want to bring the thread down or anything, but the truth is what I miss most is my old man.

dad.jpg


He died a couple days before Christmas 5 years ago. It's just not the same this time of year without him.

</div></div>
Handsome.
smile.gif
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

I miss my three grandparents that have passed on and seeing all of my family. Thank God I still have one granddad and he's still extremely able-bodied and around all the time.
I miss the magic of being a young kid on Christmas morning, running into Mom and Dad's room to jump on the bed, scare the dog, and drag them into the living room to look at what Santa brought me.
I miss having snow on Christmas day. It seems like all we ever get here is ice or rain anymore. We've got snow right now, and I'm hoping it holds out 'til Christmas!
I miss the multiple family get-togethers where I got to sit on laps, talk to the adults, and eat all the chocolate dream pie I wanted (after I finished my meal, of course).

I'm 26 now with a wife and a home of my own. I still have both my parents, her mom, and my granddad.
The excitement of spending time with all my grandparents has given way to a feeling of immense gratitude and a deeper connection with my granddad.
The magic of opening presents has been replaced by the magic of being with my family and watching their faces when they open up what we got them.
The Christmas Day snowfall has been replaced with the memories I have of that wondrous powdery stuff, as well as a feeling of childlike wonderment when I get a chance to go play in any snow at all with my wife and dogs.
We only have two get-togethers now, one with my mom-in-law and usually one of my wife's half-brothers; and one with my Mom and Dad and granddad. I can say now that I'm an adult, I appreciate them a whole lot more because I realize that life isn't certain. What we have now could be taken from us in a second. I've come to appreciate and cherish all the time I get with my family. We don't need special occasions to have family time, but there's something about the holidays that brings back cherished and special feelings and a certain state-of-mind that's attached to the true meaning and the magic of Christmas.
I still get all the pie I can eat, though.
 
Re: What Do you miss on Christmas?

Many memories in 40+ years.
Some good, some not so.
All are what we have been dealt.

Just pray for those that I miss, or worry about what they may be going through.

Think about times past, and what the future may hold for all of us.

Friend has missed the birth of his son, and will miss his first Christmas too.

Walnut roll= Nut roll.
If you know somebody that can do yeast dough, I can help with that one.(not hard)

Best fruitcakes are the ones made last year, and given special treatment.
Dark ones work best for that, and are great with Burbon.
Light ones are better with rums.
Sweet yeast dough with candied fruit.
Slice and toast in toaster. top with butter.
Another good one, no waiting to cure.

Holidays are for others, not us.

Have a safe one and prayers out to all.

TC