It isn't Christmas without...

[Saxomaphone]

Tinsel for me. I LOVE Tinsel. It has a unique smell which I love. I have SO MUCH Tinsel, it's crazy!

[HolliDee]

For me, it just isn't Christmas without hearing White Christmas by Bing Crosby as well as all the wonderful old music I grew up with at Christmastime! That along with the smell of freshly peeled oranges for some reason. LOL

[sheepsnot]

I know what you mean about the oranges, Hollidee. On the last day of school before Christmas, our school bus driver would give us a candy cane and an orange. In PA we didn't have the big oranges too often, so I guess he got them from the south somewhere. They were huge! I have experienced Christmas under so many circumstances, I really can't say it wouldn't be Christmas without such-n-such. I've done without a tree, without gifts, without family (while stationed overseas), even without eggnog! I suppose I could say it wouldn't be Christmas without hope. Sounds corny, I know.

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

:-) It would not be Christmas without being with part of my family. One year, I could not get anyone to work for me over the Christmas holidays (I was living out of town) so I quit work - and moved back home - I got a job shortly after the holidays - moved into my own place before Easter. I just wasn't ready to be away from my family at Christmas. I am very traditional that way. For the first two years, I was with my husband, I slept over at my parents on Christmas Eve - I even had to share a bed with one of my brothers and the other one slept on the sofa. My husband (then boyfriend) came over later that day.

The first year, I was away from my parents, I spent Christmas with my sons and grandchildren (and my husband) so it was not as difficult as it would have been if I had celebrated it on my own. I hope I never have to experience that - how lonely it must be. :-(

:-? . . . And this was the first year that Santa forgot to put Christmas oranges (Clementine's) in my stocking - I was disappointed because I know I had been good all year and certainly deserved one or two - quite possibly a crate of those sweet tiny oranges. :wink:

[peavey]

It wouldn't be Christmas to me without the lights. Lights on my tree, lights on other people's trees, lights on houses and on the city lampposts. It's a sight to behold when it's snowing like crazy and the lights are glowing through it all.

[HolyNight7]

I share Hollidee's love for the traditional Christmas music. I love the music the smells all the neighbors houses lit up and decorated. There are some people who really go all out here. I think they over compensate for the lack of snow. I live away from my mom and my sister and that has been the hardest part to get over every year for Christmas. This year we used webcams and watched each other open presents. My father is here but I really miss my mom and sister because they are more festive. Although this year my dad did buy lights for his apartment window and he even talked about getting a tree. That's a spirit he hasn't had in years so I think I'm having a positive affect on him.

[HolyNight7]

Oh what is with the oranges. I never heard of oranges for Christmas. I am originally from PA.

[Twinkle]

I guess I have to say it wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas tree! Of course, the Christmas music is all part of it but we must have at least one Christmas tree in our house..we usually have a couple, one on the lanai and one inside. Since I live in the tropics, I keep it snowing all year long on my desk top because this is the only snow I will see.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a289/Lizilu2/Christmassnowscene.gif

[HolyNight7]

Twinnkle.

You crack me up. It is snowing on my desktop as well. I also live in the tropics. I live right where Hurricane Charlie hit but fortunately my apartment complex did not suffer much damage. My poor dad I talked him into moving here. I told him we don't get hurricanes on the west coast. A few days after he moved here we got hit by Charlie.

[skiparooney]

:smile: for me its watching the skipttes in their chrissy play, an hearing (8) silent night (8), (8) away in a manger(8), the tinsel, the fairy lights, the mince pies steaming in the oven, the baubles, the smell of the christmas crackers :???: watching a movie on teh tv with all the family around whilst munching on a humungus tin of chocs, oh yeah and last but not least ............... the thought on christmas eve that Hes on his way !!!! :smile:

[Jeff Westover]

>>Oh what is with the oranges. I never heard of oranges for Christmas.

Oranges are a big Christmas tradition with a lot of folks and it dates back hundreds, maybe thousands of years. St. Nicholas, as legend has it, during his time as a bishop heard of a family in desperate need. The family had three daughters and their father could not provide any dowry for his daughter to marry. Without a dowry she was destined to a barren life as a spinster. And having three daughters meant his problem was compounded.

The situation was so bad that he considered selling his oldest daughter into slavery just to have the means for a meager dowry for his two remaining daughters.

Word of his situation reached Bishop Nicholas, who in the dead of night donned his red-hooded cloak and tucked his long white beard inside of it and brought to the man and his family a small portion of gold to resolve the issue.

The legend is told many ways. Some say he merely left it on the porch. Others say he threw it up over the chimney when it landed in the girl's stocking as it hung by the fire to dry. Some say it wasn't a bag of gold but rather a ball of gold that he left in the toe of her stocking.

The orange is symbolic of the Bishop's gold and that is why many, through the years and even today, give oranges or, more importantly, put the orange in the toe of the stocking.

Jeff <--- has told this story before (one of my favs)

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

:-) Thanks for the story, Jeff. I don't think my mother is aware of it. She claims she placed the tiny oranges in our stockings to weigh them down a bit and to eat so we wouldn't fill up merely on chocolates, cookies and assorted nuts.

:-D The first or second time I received them, I enjoyed them so much that I asked for them in my letter to Santa. Isn't that a hoot. :lol:

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

8) I agree that it wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas Tree adorned with pretty lights and decorations. When I was younger, I loved tinsel - I thought it looked very expensive and that we were the wealthiest people in town.
Tinsel is great if you are decorating a Real Christmas Tree, but if your tree is artificial, I find it much too difficult to work with. I use garland for artificial trees. Lately, I have gone with blue and silver wide ribbon instead so that my ornaments are more visible.
And yes, the music and the special films and the trivia are wonderful highlights too. :)

[Stargazer]

My.. I really can't pick one thing! It's just...everything that comes with it. The whole package together makes everything so incredibly magical. But I'd have to say, either the decorations or the carols. The roaring fireplace, the traditional carols playing, hot chocolate in a mug, friends all around you, the lights twinkling everywhere, the warmth, the snow outside...amazing.

[digbugsgirl]

I agree with you Stargazer. There's not one thing that I could pick. It's all one big package. Well, if I had to choose I would say the spirit. It certainly isn't Christmas if you don't have the spirit.

Brandy

[sheepsnot]

I just wanted to tell the both of you how much I appreciate your being here on MMC. You have injected new life into our happy group. These summer months are slooooooooooowwwwww going here. Thanks for your memories and ideas.

[ReineV]

my family!!! I like the Christmas tree and the decorations and all, but really, it's not Christmas without my family. They make my holidays beautiful.

[elfworks]

charlie brown!!!!


:D


xo

[dvdguy]

rudolph, its just not the same without a rudolph viewing

[caseydbell]

being with family :-D

[candycanemartini]

Snow, snow, snow!! I just love it. When I was growing up we always had snow but now we seem to be going through a cycle where it doesn't snow until after Christmas :-? Nothing is more beautiful than large snowflakes gently falling from a pink winter night sky. Totally serene and utterly breathtaking!

[MarthaK]

This is a tough one!

For me, it's always Christmas, but it's not a complete Christmas for me without:

My own live Christmas tree and the ornaments that hold so many memories. I've put up a live tree every year; even when I was alone, even when I was in an apartment with no room.

My pets snuggled by the fire.

My favorite Christmas snack-ums: homemade fruitcake, turkey, ham and cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, toasted Nissu with butter, pumpkin pie, mince pie, peppermint candy canes in my hot chocolate.

My friends and family around whenever possible.

[JayIsh]

Cursing whilst trying to straighten the tree!!! :lol:

[Misfit Toy]

Well, it never is quite the same without snow. I've been lucky the last few years. As long as there is a little bit, I'm happy :playing:

[sheepsnot]

Really, misfit? I would have thought Toronto had snow every Christmas. I almost got a job there many years ago. It's not too terribly far from home (northwest PA).

[caseydbell]

well ofcourse family + lots and lots of lights :merry: :yahoo: :sparkle:

[Misfit Toy]

Really, misfit? I would have thought Toronto had snow every Christmas. I almost got a job there many years ago. It's not too terribly far from home (northwest PA).

Yea, you're only a few hours drive from here.

We probably have similar weather. I wish we had snow every Christmas. Like I said, last few years have been great for snow, but every year I'm wishing away hoping we have some because few times there we've had nothing or rain. Or it just melted by Xmas lol. I love the snow. But it can be on the warmer side at times. Some are surprised to find out how hot it can get here in the summer, got up to 118 a couple of days there :o

[Christmas Cheers]

I'd have to say that I couldn't be Christmas without family, traditions and decorations.

I guess, most importantly, it can't be Christmas without Christ.


:merry:

[Ervserver]

peanut butter fudge and I must watch Holiday Inn and Bells of St Marys

[Ervserver]

...and SNOW ! I want SNOW 8-)

[sheepsnot]

It wouldn't be Christmas without somebody to give something to.

[joyful]

No snow for Christmas is just fine with me. It bothers me knowing that peoples loved ones are traveling to get home for Christmas on snowy, icy roads.

I too remember the "oranges", it was a treat to have oranges (sometimes tangerines) in our home at Christmas and my mom always bought a 5 pound box of chocolate (which I pinched to make sure I didn't get a jelly filled chocolate and my dad would eat the pinched ones). Ribbon candy was another tradition. LOL and having my dad shop for my mom and hour before the stores closed on Christmas Eve, which back then was 5 pm. Merchants allowed their employees to have family time back then.

When I was growing up the tradition was for the Christmas tree to be put up and decorated on Christmas eve and it stayed up until New Year's Day. Family visited for the entire week of Christmas. And the annual night of driving around looking at the lights on the homes, another tradition.

:cool:

[MarthaK]

It's not Christmas without .... the day OFF WORK!
I always feel sorry for the folks who still have to pull a shift or sleep one off and miss some special thing at home.

[Ervserver]

SNOW !! lotta snow :eek:

[dvdguy]

Jingle bells! I carry one with me

[Christy Carol]

Has to be the Christmas shows on tv. I think I cry more during Christmas than any other time of the year. Its the one time of year I can sit for hours at a time looking at the tv. I watch what I can and tape the others. I just love the way a good holiday movie can make me feel.

[mrshamm]

It isn't Christmas without seeing the ENTIRE family...very nervewracking but fun.

[KingMoonRacer]

To me Christmas would be nothing without the tree, my annual viewing of Christmas Vacation, my family, the feeling of Christmas Eve, and the 24 hour viewing of a Christmas story on TNT from 12:00 am to 12:00 pm on Christmas Eve and Day.

[Ervserver]

How many times do you watch in that 24 hours? I've watched maybe 6 or 7 times

[JanaBanana]

Oh boy so much to list!

To me it wouldnt be Christmas without the movie "Christmas Vacation, Christmas music playing in my home atleast 6 hrs a day and in the car, snow!!!.. I have to have snow.. spent one year in Ca and it was so not C-mas to me... new wrapping paper, it also wouldnt be C-mas with out my yummy smelling candles, decorating the weekend after Halloween, christmas comercials, our annual trip to the forest so mom(me) can get the "just right pine boughs" to add to my decore!..it wouldnt be christmas without my inlaws giving me "the look" because their daughter inlaw decorates for Cmas before Thanksgiving... baking, baking and more baking!

Ok I know there is many more things to list.. but will start there for now :)

[JanaBanana]

Oh and CHRISTMAS TREES the more the merrier!

[sugarplum fairy]

For me, it isn't Christmas without my family(especially my children), lights, Christmas tree, and Christmas cartoons.

[Chillywilly]

For me it wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas Tree. My last year living at home 25 year ago. My parent decided not to put up a tree for some strange reason. It was very sad the day. We had a lot of gifts and we had our lights up but without the Tree in wasn't complete. I wouldn't ever want to be without A Special Christmas Tree or Two. :wiggy:

[JanaBanana]

Goodness ChillyWilly how sad.. sounds somewhat like my inlaws :(

[Chillywilly]

You are right, It was a very sad day! One that I will always try to avoid happening again. So far so good 25 years and counting! cheesy

[JanaBanana]

Yeah a Christmas without a Christmas Tree wouldnt be Christmas :(

[RadioJonD]

Christmas ain't Christmas until I've heard my seasonal radio programs! Most air the weekend immediately preceding Christmas Day.

Blues Before Sunrise - 2003 playlist - http://tinyurl.com/ufava

The Bone Conduction Music Show

American Routes

Thistle & Shamrock

All Things Acoustic

Jugs, Jukes, & Jazz

Bama Bluegrass

Evening Jazz

The Crooners

Getting Sentimental Over You

and countless other internet sources!

[Dawnfletch]

Ive got a list of things. I just love it all.

[Andrex]

It's not Christmas without egg nog. I can handle not having a real tree, no snow, no family, etc.

But I must have egg nog. Hot Chocolate too, but I can (and do) drink that year-round anyways.

That reminds me, stores need to start carrying egg nog year-round.

[Chillywilly]

:snowball:Eggnog is very important to my children. If they don't see in the refridgerator at Christmas time they get upset! It is good to know that others feel the same way.

[Andrex]

Eggnog is very important to my children. If they don't see in the refridgerator at Christmas time they get upset! It is good to know that others feel the same way.

Indeed. ;-) cheesy

[Head Elf]

It's not Christmas without Christmas Trees, Christmas music, Santa, the spirit, the garland ..... I could go on and on, but everyone has that one special thing that says Christmas. Whoever said Spirit was right.!!

[Andrex]

It's not Christmas without Christmas Trees, Christmas music, Santa, the spirit, the garland ..... I could go on and on, but everyone has that one special thing that says Christmas. Whoever said Spirit was right.!!

The spirit is just about year-round for me, so if it was missing from Christmas I might not notice. :(

[Billy Battles]

I don't know if there is one thing that makes Christmas. I can't think of anything that would diminish Christmas for me.

[Sunshine73]

Tinsel for me. I LOVE Tinsel. It has a unique smell which I love. I have SO MUCH Tinsel, it's crazy!


Okay, I have to say that I remember, when I was younger, that we would absolutely cover our tree in tinsel. Seriously, there was so much tinsel on there that you could barely see the ornaments and the lights looked as though they were shining through a sparkling film of silver. We all thought it was the most beautiful sight! Now, however, I don't use tinsel at all because we have some ornament motors and, as I learned several years ago, even a tiny amount of tinsel gets wound up in those buggers and it takes forever to untangle the mess. But thank you for bringing back those forgotten memories of standing in front of our bedecked Christmas tree, all of us certain that we had the most beautiful tree in the neighborhood (the fact that you couldn't actually "see" the tree for all the tinsel, made absolutely no difference to us!) :tree:

[Sunshine73]

Ooops. Got so carried away talking about the tinsel, I forgot to add my response...

For me, the lights, the trees, the decorations, the music and the movies are all important but it just wouldn't be Christmas without my family. Dysfunctional, half crazy, loud, rambuncious though they may be, it wouldn't be Christmas without the whole nutty lot of them! :snowball::cry:

[kgstyles]

For me it wouldn't be Christmas without the spirit. I've been completely alone without family and trees and lights and music before on Christmas but in my heart I knew what day it was and what it meant to me.

[MissKringle]

It's the tree & the music & the christmas specials you see every year but never get sick of,
But mostly the tree, every year a beautiful, real, imperfect and yet perfect pine tree nestled in the living room, I decorate it with my mum & sometimes sister, dad is watching TV lol, i'ts lot's of fun & has a beautiful aroma and adds wonderful ambeience to the whole living area, I also have a little tabletop one there, we don't get snow in Oz at Christmas but we have a perfectly imperfectly perfect day nonetheless with seafood, a barbecue, presents and the whole family around, sadly not the whole crew will be there this christmas but i'm sure it will still be great! I also think there's a special magic in the decor, it comes out year after year and breathes all the special memories and stories christmas wouldn't be complete without, And the music is just beautiful! It's a whole package! Christmas is the best season ever!

[scooterbugs25]

Christmas would not be Christmas for me with out family coming together enjoying each other putting differences aside and just having fun..

most of the family has quit celebrating since my grandparents passed away, I will ALWAYS have it in my home, they are more then welcome to share our Christmas tree and our Christmas Joy!

It would not be Christmas w/out a tree the music and all the baking and functions we go too, w/ the church and school.. I love the old big band Christmas music! When I hear that style of Christmas my heart melts, I LOVE IT !!

I'm traditional so I love it all!

[Amanda Elf]

Family of course is the big one for me...wouldn't want to celebrate Christmas without them.
Others would be music (love Dolly and Kenny's Christmas cd), the lights..got to have a tree....and snow (with clear roads..lol).

[kidzrme]

It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without My Family...we Are Very Close And I Have Had To Work On Christmas Before, But As A Single Mother, The Option To Quit My Job Was Not There. I Also Believe It Would Not Be Chiristmas Without The Christmas Music, The Oldies, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis.....

[Snow is falling...]

....without getting the tree that I DIDN'T WANT, but loving it anyway!

[Cedarfarm]

Snow Is Falling....That is brilliant!!!!!! True spirit of Christmas! That's like trying to pick the 'right' puppy or kitty from a litter, just close your eyes and lift one out...you'll love it anyway!

[Holiday]

I agree - 1st & formost - it wouldn't be Christmas without my family (& friends!)

BUT also, peanut brittle, fudge, peanut butter cups, snow, shopping, crackers w/ peanut butter in the middle - dipped in chocolate, the tree, smokehouse spaghetti, Christmas Eve at my parents, decorating my parents house for them,candy making day (with my Mom & sisters,) wine day (the day my friends come over to "help" me put up the tree & decorate) lights, caroling, Christmas music, Christmas movies, cheeseballs, Christmas Morning Rolls, pretty wrapping paper, CANDLES, the list goes on & on - it's all those things put together that make Christmas, Christmas! :-D

[little miss icequeen]

It wouldn't be Christmas without somebody to give something to.

This is the right answer for me too.
I´ve had christmas without a tree, my family, snow and all those things that I thought I had to have, but if I hadn´t friends and family to love, it wouldn´t be christmas at all.

[emski4379]

Mostly without my husband and son. It would just be an incredibly depressing day without them.

Less importantly, it wouldn't be Christmas without the tree, lights, music, and the scents of the holiday. Mmm, I'm dreaming of having a nice hot cup of tea, sitting in the dark, and looking at my tree with all the lights on and a fire blazing.

[GRACELAND]

It would not be Christmas without The Carpenters Christmas Portrait album playing while trimming the tree - a tradition in my home for many, many years now.

And since I live in Memphis (5 years now) I have to hear Elvis Christmas songs as well!

[Chillywilly]

It would not be Christmas without The Carpenters Christmas Portrait album playing while trimming the tree - a tradition in my home for many, many years now.

And since I live in Memphis (5 years now) I have to hear Elvis Christmas songs as well!

Karen Carpenter is one of my all time favorite! Thanks for sharing how you enjoy the christmas season. :tree:

[EstherSmith]

What a lovely thread. I enjoyed everyone's responses.

For me, the tree really signifies Christmas. A few years ago, my mother didn't have a tree. I had moved out and gotten married, and I had always been the person to pick out the tree. For some reason, I thought that my sister would take over the job, but she didn't. It was soooo sad when we went over there on Christmas Day and opened gifts in the living room, sans tree. The next year, my older sister bought a small, tabletop tree that would be easy to set up and it made all the difference!

Of course, it wouldn't be a Christmas at all, though, without family and friends.

[haagarr]

It would not be Christmas without Santa.

[candycane]

i have one that no one has said yet, I suppose it's kind of an uncommon one, but for me it wouldn't be Christmas without small children, specifically ages 2-9. The avid Santa believers that are bursting at the seams with magic and excitement on christmas eve. I spend Christmas Eve at my great aunt's house every year and my youngest cousin is six years old, turning seven a few days before christmas. Playing with her on christmas eve, working her up about santa coming that night, checking the santa spotter on claus.com every 15 minutes... it completes christmas. I couldn't imagine spending christmas without the little ones. :D

[Holiday]

i have one that no one has said yet, I suppose it's kind of an uncommon one, but for me it wouldn't be Christmas without small children, specifically ages 2-9. The avid Santa believers that are bursting at the seams with magic and excitement on christmas eve. I spend Christmas Eve at my great aunt's house every year and my youngest cousin is six years old, turning seven a few days before christmas. Playing with her on christmas eve, working her up about santa coming that night, checking the santa spotter on claus.com every 15 minutes... it completes christmas. I couldn't imagine spending christmas without the little ones. :D

I agree - very good answer! :)

[holidaytwinkle5289]

It wouldn't be christmas without my aunt
She makes it exciting every year when she comes over.
She brings lots of food & gifts!
It's fun every year when she comes over.
I can't wait until this year!

[pattyjo]

It just wouldn't be christmas without Santa himself, music, kids, decorations , family relatives the whole christmas works , you know what I mean..
:merry:

[ReineV]

It definitely wouldn't be Christmas without my family, but I really don't think I would be able to properly celebrate without all my favorite Christmas movies, a big tree, hot chocolate and egg nog.

[Rennabelle]

I definately agree, it wouldn't be Christmas without my family. They are what makes it all worthwhile. Everything I do for Christmas I do with my family in mind. Even though they have their own families and starting their own traditions, they are the center of the universe for me. Even if they can't be here during Christmas we talk and have to describe what we are doing, how we did it, how the decorating went, where the village is placed, etc. I have only had 2 Christmases without one of my children here and that was because of military duty and sickness in the family. Other than that we are together atleast part of the time during Christmas and Christmas Eve. I don't know if it is because of Christmas or all the pies, but I'm not beyond bribery. ( I make about 30 pies each Christmas eve)

[JanaBanana]

Snow :)

[kidzrme]

I agree with candycane, It just wouldn't be Christmas w/o seeing it through a child's eyes.

[Ladybugkisses]

There are so many things about the season that make it complete for me. I love seeing all of the retails stores all decked out and ready to shine. The music and visiting a place here in Maryland called Valley View farms to check out what's new in the way of holiday decorations and we each buy a new ornament to put on the tree. Shopping with my mum. Staying up with my husband to wrap gifts after our little girls are tucked in for the night. Okay so I don't actually wrapp the gifts my husband does (he's just sooo much better at it than I am) I'm in charge of handing him the packages and giving him pieces of tape. I love all of the holiday movies, White Christmas, Christmas vacation, Peanuts Christmas, Rudolph and especially A Christmas Story; I can watch that one over and over again-it just cracks me up. I even like the Target TV commercials and the Halmark made for TV holiday movies. I love being in the kitchen with my mum and aunt. These two women played a huge roll in making such memoriable meals for Christmas, now that I'm married with two girls of my own I love the idea of them gleaning many of the cooking traditions I did when I was young and who better to teach them but the same women I had teach me. I even love bundling up my girls and we all pile in the mini van to drive around various neighborhoods to see everyone's homes all lit up and ready to put on a visual show for us. My husband is Dutch (born and raised) so he makes a mean mug of hot chocolate unlike any other I've ever had and to have a mug of that and snuggle up and watch TV or listen to music just makes me feel all warm and cozzy inside.

[MerrySouthernChristmas]

Christmas isn't complete without lots of things. Christmas isn't christmas without my whole family. Christmas isn't Christmas without the destruction of the kitchen while I'm decorating the gingerbread house. Christmas isn't christmas without someone forgettting to get _______ out of the oven. Christmas isn't christmas without the smell of oranges and cloves. Christmas isn't christmas without My nephew wanting to grab anything and everything from under the tree. Christmas isn't christmas without my favorite radio station playing 24 hours of christmas music from noon on christmas eve to noon on christmas day! Christmas isn't christmas without tradition.

[gennifyr]

Snow. Last year we had a green Christmas, it was horrible. Bright, sunny and warm it totally ruined the holiday for me. For me, snow isn't optional.

[kidzrme]

We have had lots of snowless Christmas', I agree with you gennifyr, it's horrible! :(

[Sanity Clause]

It is not a proper Christmas for me without...

An Advent Calendar in the run-up to Christmas.
A decorated Christmas tree.
A big pile of presents for everybody.
Christmas music
Christmas turkey and pudding
And a lot of merry Christmas fun.

[Annette1990]

It isn't Christmas if............
There is no snow on that day.

It isn't Christmas if....
You haven't watched all the holiday programs (ie: It's a wonderful life, Ruldolph, Frosty all of them)

It isn't Christmas if......
You don't have friends and loved ones around.

It isn't Christmas if...
Although I have always loved Christmas and decorating. It's even better now that I have a little girl to share it all with. Decorating, the music, the lights, the shows, gift wrapping all of it. She loves it as much as her mommy. And that there is enough to make me smile for the rest of the year.