Hi Lyn, As you say, Christmas time has a different feeling for everyone and emotions are all over the place. Bereavements, meeting up again, etc.etc. I enjoyed Christmas as a child even when finances were not good for Mum and Dad, there were, still, at least pressies for me and my brothers to open and probably this was the same situation for others too and I think that large pressies are not that gratefully appreciated nowadays but times have changed of course and we have to move with the times, don't we. I, along with my hubby nowadays try and not make too much of a fuss about it and tend to think of it as a normal Bank Holiday weekend for example, as we can meet up with relatives and family, eat and drink and have a good time at any time of the year anyway and not myself being very religious, we all know, Christmas was supposed to be a religious holiday originally but it's O.T.T. time for some people and O.K., that's how they, celebrate with their kids and if we had children to spoil too, I bet my story would be completely different. TTFN Sally -----Original Message----- From: Lyn Morgan - Email Address: moondustgrey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent On: 29/12/2009 09:52 Sent To: Guide Chat - Email Address: guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [guide.chat] BAAH HUMBUG Hi All Am I the only miserable devil on this list who absolutely hates Christmas with a passion and is glad when all the unnecessary fuss is over and done with. Sorry folks, I told you I was a misery, so feel free to agree hahaha. I just can't stand all the fuss and the rushing around it entails and the question which makes me cringe each time I here it is: "are you all ready?" Just my opinion, no offence meant. Christmas has different meanings to us all and in my case it will always have a shadow hanging over it because my dad died 3 years ago on Boxing day. Best wishes to you all for the new year. Roll on summer. Lyn from Hyde in Cheshire, England Skype name: starlightgold MSN: flowerpower1974@xxxxxxxxxx