Happy MeFi Holiday Wishes! December 24, 2014 2:55 PM Subscribe
And to all a good night. :D love, yoga
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. May you not run out of your favourite beverage and the fictional being of your choice bring you what you wished for.
posted by arcticseal at 3:41 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by arcticseal at 3:41 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Happy Hump Day everyone!
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:47 PM on December 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 3:47 PM on December 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
Happy Yuletide to one and all! You're seriously all the goddamn best!
I wish everyone a stress-free holiday, lots of joyfulness and luck. May the coming year bring you everything that you wish for.
Unless you wish for a zombie apocalypse. I mean, I understand the attraction of starting civilization again from scratch and having straightforward objectives in life and clear enemies, but I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't do to well when the zombie apocalypse comes.
If the revolution comes, I'll be fine, I have a list of people who'll be up against the wall and don't worry, none of you are on it. Well, practically none of you. But I'm not going to wish for the revolution if you don't wish for the zombie apocalypse.
Also, no asteroid strikes, nuclear wars, plagues (man-made or natural), astronomically close supernovas, ape and/or octopus uprisings, alien invasions or mass outbreaks of internet toxicity. I wouldn't do well in those either. So no wishing for that unless you want to go on my list. Which I won't have cause to check because I'm not going to wish for the revolution.
So happy Yuletide to you all! Or, as it will be known after the revolution, Eighth Day of the Cantilevered Xylophone. Not that I'm wishing for that happening.
posted by Kattullus at 3:55 PM on December 24, 2014 [17 favorites]
I wish everyone a stress-free holiday, lots of joyfulness and luck. May the coming year bring you everything that you wish for.
Unless you wish for a zombie apocalypse. I mean, I understand the attraction of starting civilization again from scratch and having straightforward objectives in life and clear enemies, but I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't do to well when the zombie apocalypse comes.
If the revolution comes, I'll be fine, I have a list of people who'll be up against the wall and don't worry, none of you are on it. Well, practically none of you. But I'm not going to wish for the revolution if you don't wish for the zombie apocalypse.
Also, no asteroid strikes, nuclear wars, plagues (man-made or natural), astronomically close supernovas, ape and/or octopus uprisings, alien invasions or mass outbreaks of internet toxicity. I wouldn't do well in those either. So no wishing for that unless you want to go on my list. Which I won't have cause to check because I'm not going to wish for the revolution.
So happy Yuletide to you all! Or, as it will be known after the revolution, Eighth Day of the Cantilevered Xylophone. Not that I'm wishing for that happening.
posted by Kattullus at 3:55 PM on December 24, 2014 [17 favorites]
happy winter!
alternatively:
happy summer!
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 4:01 PM on December 24, 2014 [6 favorites]
alternatively:
happy summer!
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 4:01 PM on December 24, 2014 [6 favorites]
Happy Winter Holiday of Your Preference! May you all get receive the gifts you desire; may we all enjoy peace, prosperity, good health, and great wisdom.
posted by easily confused at 4:14 PM on December 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by easily confused at 4:14 PM on December 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
peace on earth; goodwill to all.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:19 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by crush-onastick at 4:19 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Happy Christmas everyone! Health and happiness to you and those you love. May your toes be ever warm and your cocktails ever cold.
posted by billiebee at 4:28 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by billiebee at 4:28 PM on December 24, 2014
Happy Zulu Time Christmas, all!
posted by running order squabble fest at 4:31 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by running order squabble fest at 4:31 PM on December 24, 2014
How The pb Saved Christmas! (1966 animated version)
posted by the man of twists and turns at 4:35 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by the man of twists and turns at 4:35 PM on December 24, 2014
Mods bless us, everyone!
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:03 PM on December 24, 2014 [10 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:03 PM on December 24, 2014 [10 favorites]
Happy new year everyone!
posted by oceanjesse at 5:07 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by oceanjesse at 5:07 PM on December 24, 2014
Happy post-solstice! Especially for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere because yay for longer days. May you all have enjoyment and relaxation and laughter in the coming days and forever n ever.
posted by rtha at 5:15 PM on December 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by rtha at 5:15 PM on December 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
How The pb Saved Christmas!
No problem, I just changed a couple fields in the database by hand. I hope everyone else's holiday season is saved as easily if it needs saving.
posted by pb (staff) at 6:11 PM on December 24, 2014 [10 favorites]
No problem, I just changed a couple fields in the database by hand. I hope everyone else's holiday season is saved as easily if it needs saving.
posted by pb (staff) at 6:11 PM on December 24, 2014 [10 favorites]
Happy Holidays! May 2015 bring you and yours all that you wish!
posted by wiskunde at 6:26 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by wiskunde at 6:26 PM on December 24, 2014
When I was a child, I used to lie under the silver tree, watching the color wheel go 'round and 'round. I knew that I would get presents, for sure, after making a list from the Sears catalog. But watching the blue and green and red, circling around, again and again, was so very soothing to me. Christmas is not about things, it's about feeling secure. I was warm and happy, lying on the floor, watching those lights go around, and around again. That I had a home and parents who cared for me, I didn't appreciate it at the time. I just knew I loved those lights. I bought a color wheel and a silver tree, years later, but it wasn't the same. You can't buy love in a box.
What I wish for you is the feeling of love, that I had, those many long years ago, lying underneath the tree, watching that color wheel, red, and green, and blue. Knowing that when I woke up, there were people there who loved me enough to buy me the doll whose hair came out of her head because that was the thing I most wanted in life at that time. People who loved me.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:28 PM on December 24, 2014 [33 favorites]
What I wish for you is the feeling of love, that I had, those many long years ago, lying underneath the tree, watching that color wheel, red, and green, and blue. Knowing that when I woke up, there were people there who loved me enough to buy me the doll whose hair came out of her head because that was the thing I most wanted in life at that time. People who loved me.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:28 PM on December 24, 2014 [33 favorites]
I have extended the empirical thought sheild of LEON to our brothers and sisters of Iceland, in the name of yul brenner.
Merry Christmas Metafilter!
It will be a better year. Because it better be.
And for those mefis alone your not.
Just back end a thread, stay on target, do not drive pb bonkers with...
Mrs. Clav also says a, ah "merry goodnight"
yes dear, I called...but
posted by clavdivs at 6:34 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Merry Christmas Metafilter!
It will be a better year. Because it better be.
And for those mefis alone your not.
Just back end a thread, stay on target, do not drive pb bonkers with...
Mrs. Clav also says a, ah "merry goodnight"
yes dear, I called...but
posted by clavdivs at 6:34 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm spending the first part of the holiday with some of the goofiest people I know--my delightful* in-laws--and we're all singing Jingle Rock Bell. Yup, they'd fit in well around here.
Merry holidays, happy new year, and hang in there, everyone.
*That's not sarcasm.
posted by wintersweet at 6:49 PM on December 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
Merry holidays, happy new year, and hang in there, everyone.
*That's not sarcasm.
posted by wintersweet at 6:49 PM on December 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
Merry Christmas, lovelies. :)
posted by kimberussell at 6:56 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by kimberussell at 6:56 PM on December 24, 2014
Happy Christmas!
I'm going to be offline for a couple weeks - taking a trip cross country.
Try to not ruin everything forever while I'm gone, mmmmkay ?
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 7:05 PM on December 24, 2014
I'm going to be offline for a couple weeks - taking a trip cross country.
Try to not ruin everything forever while I'm gone, mmmmkay ?
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 7:05 PM on December 24, 2014
Stop mumbling and cheer up!
Put down the book, pick beer up!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:42 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Put down the book, pick beer up!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:42 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
This year, I bobbled and then bricked an explanation of why Santa doesn't bring presents to Jews when my children asked about Hannukah, so I covered with EXTENSIVE LYING. I am just praying they don't ask Santa-related questions of their Jewish BFFs when we see them on the 26th.
I have two degrees in theology. Now my children think Jesus is Santa. I suck! On the plus side, I did get to eat Santa's cookies, so I guess it evens out.
Merry Xmas! (Where X=Santa)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:03 PM on December 24, 2014 [16 favorites]
I have two degrees in theology. Now my children think Jesus is Santa. I suck! On the plus side, I did get to eat Santa's cookies, so I guess it evens out.
Merry Xmas! (Where X=Santa)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:03 PM on December 24, 2014 [16 favorites]
Only on Metafilter do seasons greetings come with some caveats regarding a potential zombie apocalypse and violent revolution.
I love you all.
Happy (belated) Solstice!
posted by el io at 8:17 PM on December 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
I love you all.
Happy (belated) Solstice!
posted by el io at 8:17 PM on December 24, 2014 [3 favorites]
Happy Holidays Mefites! Thanks for all of the knowledge, laughs, and entertainment this year. I'm wishing the best for each and every one of you and your loved ones.
posted by Fig at 8:22 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by Fig at 8:22 PM on December 24, 2014
May you all have a joyous and relaxing holiday season.
Peace.
posted by 724A at 8:25 PM on December 24, 2014
Peace.
posted by 724A at 8:25 PM on December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Solstice and Riotous Ragnarok, everyone.
Okay, maybe not so much that last one.
May you spend your holidays with a full stomach, a happy heart and embraced in the warmth of your loved ones.
posted by misha at 8:26 PM on December 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Okay, maybe not so much that last one.
May you spend your holidays with a full stomach, a happy heart and embraced in the warmth of your loved ones.
posted by misha at 8:26 PM on December 24, 2014 [1 favorite]
Eyebrows McGee: "This year, I bobbled and then bricked an explanation of why Santa doesn't bring presents to Jews when my children asked about Hannukah, so I covered with EXTENSIVE LYING. I am just praying they don't ask Santa-related questions of their Jewish BFFs when we see them on the 26th.
I have two degrees in theology. Now my children think Jesus is Santa. I suck! On the plus side, I did get to eat Santa's cookies, so I guess it evens out.
Merry Xmas! (Where X=Santa)"
Raised Jewish. I do not know where you got the notion that Santa does not bring gifts to the Jewish children. To this day, my mom insists Santa spun the dreidel with the elves and won gifts for all the well behaved Jewish children.
posted by 724A at 8:27 PM on December 24, 2014 [16 favorites]
I have two degrees in theology. Now my children think Jesus is Santa. I suck! On the plus side, I did get to eat Santa's cookies, so I guess it evens out.
Merry Xmas! (Where X=Santa)"
Raised Jewish. I do not know where you got the notion that Santa does not bring gifts to the Jewish children. To this day, my mom insists Santa spun the dreidel with the elves and won gifts for all the well behaved Jewish children.
posted by 724A at 8:27 PM on December 24, 2014 [16 favorites]
Still got choked up at the end of "It's a Wonderul Life" tonight: good people (e.g., MeFites) really are the richest. I love you guys!
posted by wenestvedt at 8:42 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:42 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
And ate the rest of them. There have to be consequences.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 8:43 PM on December 24, 2014
posted by Mr. Yuck at 8:43 PM on December 24, 2014
I am so so full. I will emerge from this food coma to find everyone celebrating Christmas 2018.
I usually overcook somewhat, but really took it to the next level this year. I am now somnolently watching my pulse dimple the skin in the divot under my ankle.
A merriest of christmii to you all.
posted by smoke at 8:46 PM on December 24, 2014
I usually overcook somewhat, but really took it to the next level this year. I am now somnolently watching my pulse dimple the skin in the divot under my ankle.
A merriest of christmii to you all.
posted by smoke at 8:46 PM on December 24, 2014
O, unplanned teenage pregnancy
Your baby doesn't cry
Your fiancé is kind of cheap
You're sleeping in a sty
Yet in the sky there shineth
A star so very bright
Some pot-smoking astrologers
Will visit you tonight
When they get down to Bethlehem
They'll give you lots of stuff
Like gold from Izzy, myrrh from Steve
And frankincense from Duff
Some kid will play some bongos
Some cows will fail to moo
And Luke and Matt will write down all
The boring things you do
posted by Sys Rq at 8:48 PM on December 24, 2014 [20 favorites]
Your baby doesn't cry
Your fiancé is kind of cheap
You're sleeping in a sty
Yet in the sky there shineth
A star so very bright
Some pot-smoking astrologers
Will visit you tonight
When they get down to Bethlehem
They'll give you lots of stuff
Like gold from Izzy, myrrh from Steve
And frankincense from Duff
Some kid will play some bongos
Some cows will fail to moo
And Luke and Matt will write down all
The boring things you do
posted by Sys Rq at 8:48 PM on December 24, 2014 [20 favorites]
Invisible Green Time-Lapse Peloton: "I hope everyone gets laid tonight."
'cause nothing's sexier than sleeping in the tiny guest bed at your in-laws house where the heat is cranked to about 105 degrees.
posted by octothorpe at 8:51 PM on December 24, 2014 [21 favorites]
'cause nothing's sexier than sleeping in the tiny guest bed at your in-laws house where the heat is cranked to about 105 degrees.
posted by octothorpe at 8:51 PM on December 24, 2014 [21 favorites]
We had Chinese food, and celebrated the last day of Hanukkah with some egg nog. Now on to Christmas. Best wishes for a peaceful 2015 for everyone.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 9:14 PM on December 24, 2014 [9 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 9:14 PM on December 24, 2014 [9 favorites]
I love spending the holidays, in part, with everyone here. May 2015 bring good things to you all.
I was going to say Merry MeMas, but then I realized it may be the wine talking.
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:18 PM on December 24, 2014
I was going to say Merry MeMas, but then I realized it may be the wine talking.
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:18 PM on December 24, 2014
Gods bless us, every one.
posted by Lynsey at 10:00 PM on December 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Lynsey at 10:00 PM on December 24, 2014 [4 favorites]
I rang in Christmas by driving fast on the FDR, listening to a terrific mix of disco on WFMU. Happy merry all!
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:23 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 10:23 PM on December 24, 2014 [2 favorites]
Happy Holidays all, and here's hoping for a mellow 2015 with more good news than bad.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:57 PM on December 24, 2014 [13 favorites]
posted by mathowie (staff) at 10:57 PM on December 24, 2014 [13 favorites]
Teacher says every time a bell rings, the lower natural frequencies have been carefully adjusted to fall in harmonically related ratios.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:01 PM on December 24, 2014 [18 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:01 PM on December 24, 2014 [18 favorites]
I got a 2-year-old with a nasty case of diarrhea over here. Hoping tomorrow morning is less smelly and she starts liking Pedialyte. And also happy holidays to you all
posted by Hoopo at 12:08 AM on December 25, 2014
posted by Hoopo at 12:08 AM on December 25, 2014
I'm making gluhwein! GLUHWEIN, PEOPLE!
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:29 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 12:29 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Happy Christmass to all that those people in away from their family,
Happy Christmass to people in countries where Christmass is a working day.
Happy Christmass to people who celebrate different winter festivities.
Merry Christmass to every Metafile
to every lurket and every top poster
to every moderater and every commenter
May you be loved, one and all
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 1:30 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Happy Christmass to people in countries where Christmass is a working day.
Happy Christmass to people who celebrate different winter festivities.
Merry Christmass to every Metafile
to every lurket and every top poster
to every moderater and every commenter
May you be loved, one and all
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 1:30 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
I ate like three lots of three cakes. That's as many as nine cakes.
posted by turbid dahlia at 1:59 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by turbid dahlia at 1:59 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
God rest ye merry Mefiers
Let nothing you dismay
Remember all the mods are
Working hard for you today
Deleting double posts and comments
Gone too far astray
O comments and in-te-res-ting links
Int'resting links
O comments and in-te-res-ting links
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:21 AM on December 25, 2014 [16 favorites]
Let nothing you dismay
Remember all the mods are
Working hard for you today
Deleting double posts and comments
Gone too far astray
O comments and in-te-res-ting links
Int'resting links
O comments and in-te-res-ting links
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:21 AM on December 25, 2014 [16 favorites]
Pace e Salute
Io Quonsarnalia
please stay warm and dry and loved and well-fed. please think for a minute about how not all of us can do so.
posted by dorian at 4:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Io Quonsarnalia
please stay warm and dry and loved and well-fed. please think for a minute about how not all of us can do so.
posted by dorian at 4:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
It's hard to be a nerd on Christmas
My online friends stopped posting silly memes
And instead of Metafilter I must watch stupid TV shows
As my family joins in singing, man my real life really blows
And when the fuck will someone post some viral videos?
I'm a nerd, a lonely nerd, on Christmas.....
posted by spitbull at 4:01 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
My online friends stopped posting silly memes
And instead of Metafilter I must watch stupid TV shows
As my family joins in singing, man my real life really blows
And when the fuck will someone post some viral videos?
I'm a nerd, a lonely nerd, on Christmas.....
posted by spitbull at 4:01 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
merry holidays and happy Christmases to all today. And a little extra joy and peace to those who need it.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Merry Christmas, Jolly Quonsmas, Happy Hanukkah, Felića Zamenhof Tago, and Whoop Chumbard!
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:08 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:08 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Bite me.
No seriously, go ahead. Put on the Rudolph nose before you do.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:32 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
No seriously, go ahead. Put on the Rudolph nose before you do.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:32 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Merry whatever you choose to celebrate. Or not, as the case may be. May your time still be spent merrily. Unless you don't want that.
posted by Too-Ticky at 5:35 AM on December 25, 2014
posted by Too-Ticky at 5:35 AM on December 25, 2014
Blackadder: Shall I begin the Christmas story?
George: Absolutely, as long as it's not that terribly depressing one about the chap who gets born on Christmas Day, shoots his mouth off about everything under the sun, and then comes a cropper with a couple of rum coves on top of a hill in Johnny Arab land.
Blackadder: You mean Jesus?
George: Yes, that's the fellow! Keep him out of it. He always spoils the X-mas atmos!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:55 AM on December 25, 2014 [9 favorites]
George: Absolutely, as long as it's not that terribly depressing one about the chap who gets born on Christmas Day, shoots his mouth off about everything under the sun, and then comes a cropper with a couple of rum coves on top of a hill in Johnny Arab land.
Blackadder: You mean Jesus?
George: Yes, that's the fellow! Keep him out of it. He always spoils the X-mas atmos!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:55 AM on December 25, 2014 [9 favorites]
Happy Cab Calloway's birthday!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 6:54 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 6:54 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Best wishes, everybody. I dont have a poem or a song or anything like that, but I am happily sending out pleasant mindwaves on your frequency, so you have that going for you, which is nice.
posted by Literaryhero at 6:56 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Literaryhero at 6:56 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
"I have two degrees in theology. Now my children think Jesus is Santa. I suck! On the plus side, I did get to eat Santa's cookies, so I guess it evens out."
Now my children think Jesus is Santa. I suck!
Um, no they don't. Kids don't think Jesus delivers an Xbox One with Kinect anymore than they think Microsoft delivers salvation.
posted by vapidave at 7:21 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Now my children think Jesus is Santa. I suck!
Um, no they don't. Kids don't think Jesus delivers an Xbox One with Kinect anymore than they think Microsoft delivers salvation.
posted by vapidave at 7:21 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
My best solstice season wishes of good will to all (and a belated shout out to celebrants of Pancha Ganapati, Human Light & Dōngzhì who haven't been mentioned yet).
posted by audi alteram partem at 8:28 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by audi alteram partem at 8:28 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Me & Pips are doing the "Jewish Christmas" aka Chinese food and a movie, although we're being daring and doing Indian food and Sons of Anarchy. We also sent my folks crack pie from Momofuku. They dug it.
posted by jonmc at 8:47 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 8:47 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Merry Christmas from Maeby, my Found Hound!
posted by workerant at 8:55 AM on December 25, 2014 [7 favorites]
posted by workerant at 8:55 AM on December 25, 2014 [7 favorites]
As a Trusty Sidekick, I celebrate Sancho Panza on this day. May you all have a trusty sidekick on your adventures.
posted by Floydd at 8:58 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Floydd at 8:58 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
O happy day! I got socks!
posted by pemberkins at 9:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by pemberkins at 9:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
Happy (belated) solstice and a Merry Christmas to all!
We burned the solstice candle a friend gave us, and pulled the Christmas crackers. Mr. gudrun has made a delicious chocolate cake, and we currently are in a lull in the festivities, so I decided to share with you all my German grandmother's old family hot punch recipe we used to have sometimes at the holidays (recipe sounds odd, but is actually quite good; trust me.)
Egg Punch
Mix 1 bottle dry red wine (or white wine, but we always used red), with one quart of brewed black tea (normal strength regular tea), 1 cup sugar (or to taste), one piece of lemon rind, juice of 4 lemons, and eight eggs. Beat mixture over low heat until thick and foamy. Don't let it boil. When hot, remove from heat and add a little rum to taste while beating. Serve in thick mugs to hold the heat.
posted by gudrun at 9:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
We burned the solstice candle a friend gave us, and pulled the Christmas crackers. Mr. gudrun has made a delicious chocolate cake, and we currently are in a lull in the festivities, so I decided to share with you all my German grandmother's old family hot punch recipe we used to have sometimes at the holidays (recipe sounds odd, but is actually quite good; trust me.)
Egg Punch
Mix 1 bottle dry red wine (or white wine, but we always used red), with one quart of brewed black tea (normal strength regular tea), 1 cup sugar (or to taste), one piece of lemon rind, juice of 4 lemons, and eight eggs. Beat mixture over low heat until thick and foamy. Don't let it boil. When hot, remove from heat and add a little rum to taste while beating. Serve in thick mugs to hold the heat.
posted by gudrun at 9:00 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone. May it be restful and joyful.
And if it is not, may you be able to endure with grace.
posted by nubs at 9:11 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
And if it is not, may you be able to endure with grace.
posted by nubs at 9:11 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Just consider, most of the next crop of September babies are being, or will be being initiated within the next seven days. Happy conception day one and all.
And happy Isaac Newton birthday to y'all as well.
posted by edgeways at 9:15 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
And happy Isaac Newton birthday to y'all as well.
posted by edgeways at 9:15 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Merry Christmas and I wish you all as many cookies as I've got! Mom-made cookies.
posted by Namlit at 9:48 AM on December 25, 2014
posted by Namlit at 9:48 AM on December 25, 2014
"Merry Christmas, the man threatened." --Wm. Gaddis, The Recognitions
posted by chavenet at 9:52 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 9:52 AM on December 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
pemberkins: O happy day! I got socks!
Oh good! Then you won't get eaten by the Yule Cat, the Icelandic Christmas monster who eats those who get no new clothes for Christmas.
posted by Kattullus at 10:33 AM on December 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
Oh good! Then you won't get eaten by the Yule Cat, the Icelandic Christmas monster who eats those who get no new clothes for Christmas.
posted by Kattullus at 10:33 AM on December 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
Unfortunately, the socks don't seem to prevent my parents' cats from using me as a scratching post and chew toy. But I'm glad I won't get eaten.
posted by pemberkins at 10:54 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by pemberkins at 10:54 AM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thank you for sharing your stories, you all are a kind of family to me and I wish you happiness.
I am celebrating Christmas without my soon-to-be ex wife for the first time since 1997, and away from my parents for the first time since 2004. I am taking a crack at the family peasant bread recipe and hosting some friends for a Christmas ham, but it's not quite the same. I had a better 2014 than 2013 and am hoping the trend continues in 2015.
Peace to you all.
posted by Kwine at 10:55 AM on December 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
I am celebrating Christmas without my soon-to-be ex wife for the first time since 1997, and away from my parents for the first time since 2004. I am taking a crack at the family peasant bread recipe and hosting some friends for a Christmas ham, but it's not quite the same. I had a better 2014 than 2013 and am hoping the trend continues in 2015.
Peace to you all.
posted by Kwine at 10:55 AM on December 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
The canine portion of the Fig family also send holiday wishes to all of you, and the 4-legged members of your families.
posted by Fig at 11:07 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Fig at 11:07 AM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
I invite you all to have a rocking Christmas.
It was the ONLY thing she asked Santa for. We HAD to get it.
posted by Elementary Penguin at 11:14 AM on December 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
It was the ONLY thing she asked Santa for. We HAD to get it.
posted by Elementary Penguin at 11:14 AM on December 25, 2014 [8 favorites]
Peace on Earth & good will to all!
posted by Going To Maine at 11:26 AM on December 25, 2014
posted by Going To Maine at 11:26 AM on December 25, 2014
Here's hoping you all received what you wanted for the holidays. But if not, take heart, you are not alone (nsfw).
posted by Kerasia at 12:26 PM on December 25, 2014
posted by Kerasia at 12:26 PM on December 25, 2014
May 2015 bring you and yours all that you wish!
It seems unlikely.
posted by Wolfdog at 12:28 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
It seems unlikely.
posted by Wolfdog at 12:28 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Then you won't get eaten by the Yule Cat, the Icelandic Christmas monster who eats those who get no new clothes for Christmas.
Thank heavens for my new slippers!
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:16 PM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thank heavens for my new slippers!
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:16 PM on December 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wishing all MeFites peace, the calmness of wisdom, the satisfaction of accomplishment and above all good health, for the year ahead.
From Heima, the Sigur Rós documentary: Sé Lest.
posted by Wordshore at 3:19 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
From Heima, the Sigur Rós documentary: Sé Lest.
posted by Wordshore at 3:19 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm at my family Xmas dinner right now and I seriously JUST got this hand-stitched item from my brother, who has no knowledge of Metafilter and found it at a vintage store on Bloor Street and just thought it was funny. How weird is that?
Merry Xmas everyone!
posted by chococat at 3:55 PM on December 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
Merry Xmas everyone!
posted by chococat at 3:55 PM on December 25, 2014 [6 favorites]
Mele Kalikimaka, ya bastids. Love and Joy and drinks for everyone.
posted by benito.strauss at 4:06 PM on December 25, 2014
posted by benito.strauss at 4:06 PM on December 25, 2014
Happy anniversary of the death of James Brown, everyone.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:52 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:52 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Happy anniversary of the Egg Nog riot!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:00 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:00 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Christmas in New Hampshire is slightly more reasonable than Christmas in Cote d'Ivoire. Instead of butchering a pig, I ate a lot of chocolate and pie and salmon and twice baked potatoes. Instead of 93 degree weather with sun and the Harmattan wind, it was about 40 and rainy. Instead of being surrounded by monkeys, I was surrounded by cats and a very enthusiastic dog. But it is nice to know that people are celebrating family and friends and togetherness pretty much worldwide, even in places where things are very challenging. I'm nervous about a family gathering with political clashes tomorrow, but it'll be OK because we're family and for the most part, we'll get along and smile through the awkward bits! Enjoy your socks and food and Chinese food and alcohol and friends and internet times. Happy end of 2014!
posted by ChuraChura at 5:13 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 5:13 PM on December 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
We had booze and cannelloni and watched Laurel and Hardy and the cats got catnip and now everybody's full and happy and I wish all of you the same!
posted by languagehat at 5:33 PM on December 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 5:33 PM on December 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
Hoping the new year brings comfort and peace, friends. Pie would be okay, too.
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 6:20 PM on December 25, 2014
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 6:20 PM on December 25, 2014
My current Facebook status is a selfie, showing me bedaubed with a crudely-painted rainbow on one cheek, and a butterfly covering the whole of the other cheek and portions of my nose.
It is captioned, "guess whose niece got a face painting kit from Santa?"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:09 PM on December 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
It is captioned, "guess whose niece got a face painting kit from Santa?"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:09 PM on December 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
Happy holidays to all of you... to those that have "favorited" me, to those that wish there was a "ban" button to silence me... to the mods who've encouraged and admonished me...to those I've friended on various social media sites...to those I've angered, to those that I've affirmed... To all of you... I hope that 2015 is a good year for you...I hope to interact with you here, I hope to learn from you and be challenged by you... Know that YOU have made MetaFilter the place where I come for information, laughs, enlightenment and friendship...
Peace...
posted by HuronBob at 8:10 PM on December 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
Peace...
posted by HuronBob at 8:10 PM on December 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
Just starting Christmas dinner! It smells good.
Oh, and Merry Christmas to all!
posted by Kevin Street at 8:13 PM on December 25, 2014
Oh, and Merry Christmas to all!
posted by Kevin Street at 8:13 PM on December 25, 2014
It's 11:30ish here at my parents' house, and it's a bit of a Christmas miracle because for the first time my partner and I, though unmarried, have been allowed to share a bed under this roof. (My parents are mostly reasonable, but this has been a sticking point.)
We have eaten well, had fun with my cousins, and reading this thread has been the perfect way to cap off an absolutely lovely day. Kiwi and Aussie mefites, I hope you are enjoying boxing day.
Happy everything!
posted by ocherdraco at 9:38 PM on December 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
We have eaten well, had fun with my cousins, and reading this thread has been the perfect way to cap off an absolutely lovely day. Kiwi and Aussie mefites, I hope you are enjoying boxing day.
Happy everything!
posted by ocherdraco at 9:38 PM on December 25, 2014 [4 favorites]
A belated Merry Christmas everyone! Look at what my lucky dog got!
posted by Ned G at 1:31 AM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Ned G at 1:31 AM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Sunday morning I unwrapped an old, pitted aluminum nutcracker that my wife stumbled across in a New Orleans bookstore with ColdChef while on a business trip. Gift Number One.
That was quickly followed by Gift Number Two, a Christmas morning call from ColdChef himself, regaling me with the weirdly awesome tale of how he and my wife got it.
Gift Number Three was desjardins (who was in town for family stuff) coming over to our house for Christmas dinner. She got to eat my overcooked duck while my son matter-of-factly started a very grunty poop with the bathroom door open. Never saw my wife move so fast.
All were reminders that, though this place wears me out sometimes, it has brought more amazing people and rewarding relationships into my life than any place on the internet. I am forever changed because of this place.
I celebrated with a bunch of you in NOLA on the 10th anniversary, got sloppy in pubs in London and Florence with others, and really enjoyed the quizzical looks from the Americans one table over in a Munich cafe while I explained that yes, tracicle and I are married, but no, not to each other, and yes, we've been good friends for a decade, but we only just met today.
Thank you, all of you, for building this thing. Thank you for my Christmas and my friends. I hope yours was even half as good as mine.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:44 AM on December 26, 2014 [18 favorites]
That was quickly followed by Gift Number Two, a Christmas morning call from ColdChef himself, regaling me with the weirdly awesome tale of how he and my wife got it.
Gift Number Three was desjardins (who was in town for family stuff) coming over to our house for Christmas dinner. She got to eat my overcooked duck while my son matter-of-factly started a very grunty poop with the bathroom door open. Never saw my wife move so fast.
All were reminders that, though this place wears me out sometimes, it has brought more amazing people and rewarding relationships into my life than any place on the internet. I am forever changed because of this place.
I celebrated with a bunch of you in NOLA on the 10th anniversary, got sloppy in pubs in London and Florence with others, and really enjoyed the quizzical looks from the Americans one table over in a Munich cafe while I explained that yes, tracicle and I are married, but no, not to each other, and yes, we've been good friends for a decade, but we only just met today.
Thank you, all of you, for building this thing. Thank you for my Christmas and my friends. I hope yours was even half as good as mine.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:44 AM on December 26, 2014 [18 favorites]
Sunday morning? Weird. Yesterday morning. You know what I mean.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:05 AM on December 26, 2014
posted by middleclasstool at 8:05 AM on December 26, 2014
So this Christmas day was the day my 102 year old grandmother from Long Island died. She was a truly awesome lady, she was great to me, she stayed sharp and lived on her own right up to the end, I am going to miss the hell out of her, and 2014 can go take a running jump already
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:08 AM on December 26, 2014 [15 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:08 AM on December 26, 2014 [15 favorites]
prize bull octorok, you have my heartfelt condolences.
posted by Too-Ticky at 11:06 AM on December 26, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 11:06 AM on December 26, 2014 [4 favorites]
prize bull octorok, I am so sorry. Your grandma sounds like a wonderful person to have been close to.
posted by daisyk at 12:20 PM on December 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by daisyk at 12:20 PM on December 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
So far my Christmas has had all my favourite things in it and none of my least favourites, so I know I've been very lucky. There was even snow! We're staying at my fella's gran's house and right now he's blogging, the dogs are snoring, his mum and gran and I are reading -- about goldsmithing, Steinbeck and industrial music, respectively -- and we're all waiting for Christmas pudding and brandy butter.
To everyone reading this, I wish you a warm and calm end to the year. May we all have a good 2015 and enrich each others' lives just a little bit on this strange website (and off it).
posted by daisyk at 12:27 PM on December 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
To everyone reading this, I wish you a warm and calm end to the year. May we all have a good 2015 and enrich each others' lives just a little bit on this strange website (and off it).
posted by daisyk at 12:27 PM on December 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
My condolences, Octarok.
The best present I got this year was a dear friend's baby going home after six months in the NICU. The hospital told us that two babies per year born in the same circumstances survive and thrive, and it's been an uphill battle. I didn't want a damn thing for myself this year, just to hug everyone I care about, look them in the eye and tell them how much I love them.
Bonus: Also extra-grateful for the lack of family drama or arguments this year.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 12:56 PM on December 26, 2014 [5 favorites]
The best present I got this year was a dear friend's baby going home after six months in the NICU. The hospital told us that two babies per year born in the same circumstances survive and thrive, and it's been an uphill battle. I didn't want a damn thing for myself this year, just to hug everyone I care about, look them in the eye and tell them how much I love them.
Bonus: Also extra-grateful for the lack of family drama or arguments this year.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 12:56 PM on December 26, 2014 [5 favorites]
Y'all are forcing me to participate on FanFare. I thought that would basically never happen.
Merry Grinchmas to all and to all a Grinch night!
posted by Michele in California at 1:22 PM on December 26, 2014
Merry Grinchmas to all and to all a Grinch night!
posted by Michele in California at 1:22 PM on December 26, 2014
Oh prize bull octorok, I'm so sorry. I lost 3 elderly relatives within a month this fall, including my father, so I hear you about 2014.
Here's a poem for you (just sub woman for man and you will see it can be about your grandmother):
So Many Different Lengths of Time
by Brian Patten
How long does a man live after all?
A thousand days or only one?
One week or a few centuries?
How long does a man spend living or dying
and what do we mean when we say gone forever?
Adrift in such preoccupations, we seek clarification.
We can go to the philosophers
but they will weary of our questions.
We can go to the priests and rabbis
but they might be busy with administrations.
So, how long does a man live after all?
And how much does he live while he lives?
We fret and ask so many questions –
then when it comes to us
the answer is so simple after all.
A man lives for as long as we carry him inside us,
for as long as we carry the harvest of his dreams,
for as long as we ourselves live,
holding memories in common, a man lives.
His lover will carry his man’s scent, his touch:
his children will carry the weight of his love.
One friend will carry his arguments,
another will hum his favourite tunes,
another will still share his terrors.
And the days will pass with baffled faces,
then the weeks, then the months,
then there will be a day when no question is asked,
and the knots of grief will loosen in the stomach
and the puffed faces will calm.
And on that day he will not have ceased
but will have ceased to be separated by death.
How long does a man live after all?
A man lives so many different lengths of time.
posted by gudrun at 1:40 PM on December 26, 2014 [8 favorites]
Here's a poem for you (just sub woman for man and you will see it can be about your grandmother):
So Many Different Lengths of Time
by Brian Patten
How long does a man live after all?
A thousand days or only one?
One week or a few centuries?
How long does a man spend living or dying
and what do we mean when we say gone forever?
Adrift in such preoccupations, we seek clarification.
We can go to the philosophers
but they will weary of our questions.
We can go to the priests and rabbis
but they might be busy with administrations.
So, how long does a man live after all?
And how much does he live while he lives?
We fret and ask so many questions –
then when it comes to us
the answer is so simple after all.
A man lives for as long as we carry him inside us,
for as long as we carry the harvest of his dreams,
for as long as we ourselves live,
holding memories in common, a man lives.
His lover will carry his man’s scent, his touch:
his children will carry the weight of his love.
One friend will carry his arguments,
another will hum his favourite tunes,
another will still share his terrors.
And the days will pass with baffled faces,
then the weeks, then the months,
then there will be a day when no question is asked,
and the knots of grief will loosen in the stomach
and the puffed faces will calm.
And on that day he will not have ceased
but will have ceased to be separated by death.
How long does a man live after all?
A man lives so many different lengths of time.
posted by gudrun at 1:40 PM on December 26, 2014 [8 favorites]
prize bull octorok, I'm sorry. And gudrun.
2014 has been a difficult year for me too, bunch of people left, beginning with my dad.
But I like what Ned G's lucky dog got!
posted by Namlit at 3:14 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
2014 has been a difficult year for me too, bunch of people left, beginning with my dad.
But I like what Ned G's lucky dog got!
posted by Namlit at 3:14 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry about your grandmother, prize bull octorok. My grandma died on Christmas, 1982.
This was a red-letter Christmas. We got to sleep until almost 9 am before the boys couldn't take it anymore and woke us up. That's much better than the 4:30 - 5 am of years past when they were very little.
posted by double block and bleed at 3:39 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
This was a red-letter Christmas. We got to sleep until almost 9 am before the boys couldn't take it anymore and woke us up. That's much better than the 4:30 - 5 am of years past when they were very little.
posted by double block and bleed at 3:39 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Marie Mon Dieu, you are beloved on MeFi as well as out there in RL.
prize bull octorok, I'm so sorry for your loss, and gudrun, too. It would be as sad any other day, but it casts a pall on Christmas forever. Next year, please tell wicked, hilarious and endearing stories of your loved ones at Christmas dinner. My Dad died on a holiday, and it was always grim, avoiding talking about him while trying to celebrate.
On any given day, there are mefites suffering losses and joys. Hugs to all.
posted by theora55 at 5:44 PM on December 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
prize bull octorok, I'm so sorry for your loss, and gudrun, too. It would be as sad any other day, but it casts a pall on Christmas forever. Next year, please tell wicked, hilarious and endearing stories of your loved ones at Christmas dinner. My Dad died on a holiday, and it was always grim, avoiding talking about him while trying to celebrate.
On any given day, there are mefites suffering losses and joys. Hugs to all.
posted by theora55 at 5:44 PM on December 26, 2014 [3 favorites]
Before we knew what was wrong with my mom she kept falling. I was usually out in the fields and my son would go to her and say, deadpan, "Are you going to get up? You know I can't carry you." My mom thought that was very funny and she always got up and held him tight until that last time. It was and it wasn't, but it was damn funny when he told the story to the neighbors at dinner the other night. He does not understand why Grandma was laughing, but everyone else does.
I am sorry for everyone else's losses. The New Year is going to be a good one, right? Please?
posted by Mr. Yuck at 6:35 PM on December 26, 2014 [8 favorites]
I am sorry for everyone else's losses. The New Year is going to be a good one, right? Please?
posted by Mr. Yuck at 6:35 PM on December 26, 2014 [8 favorites]
These markers we set down in time seem like such random points in the unending cycle, the continuum, the orbits - I sometimes get weird about the idea of years ending & beginning, because really, we wake up and it's another day. But there are markers -- celestial markers, and some man-made ones, that remind us that we get to begin anew. Each year is not unlike each new morning, each new waking -- another chance too do it right - to make it better, to help, to grow, to learn, to love, to quarrel & to strive.
The days started to lengthen last week, here in the northern hemisphere, and I am trying harder than ever to use that as a marker from which to look forward. I hope to carry what i've learned into the days ahead and not be turned back by the burden of mistakes or regret.
Thanks to all of you for helping me learn, and to the friends -- real & imagined -- that I've gained here along my journey. You, the Royal You -- all of you matter to me. Feast now for the lean days ahead, keep an eye on the evening star and an ear to the ground for the first rustlings of spring. If you listen closely, you can hear the new shoots pushing up towards the sun.
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:01 PM on December 26, 2014 [15 favorites]
The days started to lengthen last week, here in the northern hemisphere, and I am trying harder than ever to use that as a marker from which to look forward. I hope to carry what i've learned into the days ahead and not be turned back by the burden of mistakes or regret.
Thanks to all of you for helping me learn, and to the friends -- real & imagined -- that I've gained here along my journey. You, the Royal You -- all of you matter to me. Feast now for the lean days ahead, keep an eye on the evening star and an ear to the ground for the first rustlings of spring. If you listen closely, you can hear the new shoots pushing up towards the sun.
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:01 PM on December 26, 2014 [15 favorites]
Merry Holiday!
Listen to Awesome Mix #1.
If you don't understand, watch the movie. It's a holiday classic.
(well, it is now.)
posted by eriko at 9:55 PM on December 26, 2014
Listen to Awesome Mix #1.
If you don't understand, watch the movie. It's a holiday classic.
(well, it is now.)
posted by eriko at 9:55 PM on December 26, 2014
I hope to carry what i've learned into the days ahead and not be turned back by the burden of mistakes or regret
Yeah, that is it. Sometimes I feel like I am beating Time with a wet noodle and then time melts and I wake up and look at the real clock and it is always 3 am. And there I am with no noodle. And the clock is ticking. Do your best everyday.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 12:20 AM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yeah, that is it. Sometimes I feel like I am beating Time with a wet noodle and then time melts and I wake up and look at the real clock and it is always 3 am. And there I am with no noodle. And the clock is ticking. Do your best everyday.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 12:20 AM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
My Boxing Day post on le fezbook.
If you're like me, you think of one thing when you hear the word 'Christmas'.
Haiku
So in honour of the season I present my own self penned holiday haiku.
I ate all the food
all the motherf------ food
breakfast lunch dinner
That is all.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 12:53 AM on December 27, 2014 [2 favorites]
If you're like me, you think of one thing when you hear the word 'Christmas'.
Haiku
So in honour of the season I present my own self penned holiday haiku.
I ate all the food
all the motherf------ food
breakfast lunch dinner
That is all.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 12:53 AM on December 27, 2014 [2 favorites]
Sitting in the Cincinnati airport waiting for my flight back to Pittsburgh after a week of family holiday stuff on the west coast. They're still playing Christmas music which is making my jet lagged brain hurt. It's the damn 27th people, give it up already.
I did get to meet up with an old college roommate in Oakland who I've known for thirty years but hadn't seen in five or so. That was a nice holiday bonus;
Hoping that everyone gets home from their respective holiday journeyd.
posted by octothorpe at 4:12 AM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
I did get to meet up with an old college roommate in Oakland who I've known for thirty years but hadn't seen in five or so. That was a nice holiday bonus;
Hoping that everyone gets home from their respective holiday journeyd.
posted by octothorpe at 4:12 AM on December 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
Am currently on a train home to New York after having crammed a fuckton of stuff into the rolling suitcase I had to bust out to haul the gifts home. Mom has tucked candy in my purse and I am wearing the trail shoes I bought after my parents presented me with the gift card to EMS I asked for, and after dad said "so if you want to hit up the sale at the one in Hyannis we can take you on the 26th."
It was a good Christmas; loud and boisterous and hectic and chaotic. We were all at my brother's place, and I had to sleep on the foldout couch downstairs and woke up too early and couldn't get back to sleep - so I decided that I could start coffee going at about the time everyone would wake up. But it was all worth it because that meant I was in the kitchen to catch my niece and nephew's first tiptoe down the stairs to see if Santa had come, and hear the excited whispers and then the thundering stampede back upstairs to cries of "mama! Daddy! HE CAME!"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:54 AM on December 27, 2014 [9 favorites]
It was a good Christmas; loud and boisterous and hectic and chaotic. We were all at my brother's place, and I had to sleep on the foldout couch downstairs and woke up too early and couldn't get back to sleep - so I decided that I could start coffee going at about the time everyone would wake up. But it was all worth it because that meant I was in the kitchen to catch my niece and nephew's first tiptoe down the stairs to see if Santa had come, and hear the excited whispers and then the thundering stampede back upstairs to cries of "mama! Daddy! HE CAME!"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:54 AM on December 27, 2014 [9 favorites]
Oh, and my nephew was REALLY getting into the unwrapping phase. We had three different waves of other relatives throughout the day, and every time someone new showed up he would go running ove to the tree, grab a present, ask his mama who it was for (he's only three) and then thrust it at its recipient saying "this is yours!" And then immediately go get another one. Sometimes if he didn't think someone was unwrapping fast enough he'd "help" them. I felt like grabbing him at one point and doing a Cusackian "you must CHILL! You MUST CHILL!"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:59 AM on December 27, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:59 AM on December 27, 2014 [3 favorites]
I don't wanna talk about it.
But I'm walking straight again.
Metaphorically speaking.
With a little bit of help from my friends.
And the blue.
All of you.
Still alive.
Looking forward.
Just enough.
Keeping on keeping on.
Amen for community.
Note: Everyone needs a hug.
posted by infini at 6:49 AM on December 29, 2014 [3 favorites]
But I'm walking straight again.
Metaphorically speaking.
With a little bit of help from my friends.
And the blue.
All of you.
Still alive.
Looking forward.
Just enough.
Keeping on keeping on.
Amen for community.
Note: Everyone needs a hug.
posted by infini at 6:49 AM on December 29, 2014 [3 favorites]
My condolences prize bull octorok. Its been 19 years but I still have a corner that mourns for my beloved grandpa.
posted by infini at 6:51 AM on December 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 6:51 AM on December 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
I am sad to hear about people's losses. And infini, I am glad things are going a little bit better for you.
As for the nubs clan, we had what we were hoping for - a quiet, simple Christmas. The past few years, Christmas has been high stress - three years ago, we were together but separate, it felt as there was a lot of unacknowledged stress and exhaustion in the house; two years ago, ms. nubs spent Christmas in the hospital, and last year we were at each other's throats as a lot of pent up frustration and anger all came spilling out about two days before the holidays.
This year, we've been enjoying our time together over our 3 day Christmas adventure (Christmas Eve with part of the extended family, Christmas Day with another part, and Boxing Day another part). Our families seem to have bought into the "less is more" idea with gift giving, which has made our lives easier. And this past Saturday, we ditched all the new electronic and non-electronic toys and took the boys skating. Now our oldest (9) has had skating lessons before, but he has some learning/developmental disabilities such that we hadn't taken him skating or for lessons in quite a while, and our youngest (5) had never been. It was amazing to watch our oldest step out onto the ice with confidence and notably improve over the course of an hour; and our youngest went from a couple of bad falls to moving around and clutching a hockey stick and playing the puck. They enjoyed it so much they begged to go again yesterday.
It's that simplicity and joy in doing things as a family that will mark this Christmas for me.
I hope 2015 is a better year for me personally, and for everyone on Metafilter.
posted by nubs at 10:06 AM on December 29, 2014 [4 favorites]
As for the nubs clan, we had what we were hoping for - a quiet, simple Christmas. The past few years, Christmas has been high stress - three years ago, we were together but separate, it felt as there was a lot of unacknowledged stress and exhaustion in the house; two years ago, ms. nubs spent Christmas in the hospital, and last year we were at each other's throats as a lot of pent up frustration and anger all came spilling out about two days before the holidays.
This year, we've been enjoying our time together over our 3 day Christmas adventure (Christmas Eve with part of the extended family, Christmas Day with another part, and Boxing Day another part). Our families seem to have bought into the "less is more" idea with gift giving, which has made our lives easier. And this past Saturday, we ditched all the new electronic and non-electronic toys and took the boys skating. Now our oldest (9) has had skating lessons before, but he has some learning/developmental disabilities such that we hadn't taken him skating or for lessons in quite a while, and our youngest (5) had never been. It was amazing to watch our oldest step out onto the ice with confidence and notably improve over the course of an hour; and our youngest went from a couple of bad falls to moving around and clutching a hockey stick and playing the puck. They enjoyed it so much they begged to go again yesterday.
It's that simplicity and joy in doing things as a family that will mark this Christmas for me.
I hope 2015 is a better year for me personally, and for everyone on Metafilter.
posted by nubs at 10:06 AM on December 29, 2014 [4 favorites]
I got to spend a solid week with my favorite brother and his adorable sons. And my awesome nieces, who have grown into gorgeous, smart, genuinely good young women. Plus the rest of my family, including my increasingly-fragile father. So there was some sadness there, knowing we won't have him with us too much longer. But it was a good holiday, with a lot of sunlight and good meals and just good times together (including a lot of good wine).
I hope everyone here gets a good 2015, with family and friends as you have them.
posted by suelac at 10:23 AM on December 29, 2014
I hope everyone here gets a good 2015, with family and friends as you have them.
posted by suelac at 10:23 AM on December 29, 2014
On a vacation from my vacation, after a riotous joyful house full of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents - it was merry (very!) but at the end of the three-day extravaganza, it wasn't just my 2 year old who was melting down.
I never forget to acknowledge, even if it is just to myself in a quiet whisper while standing in a houseful of noise and levity and merriment, how lucky I am to have this time in my life.
Season's greetings to all, and a happy (happier) new year ahead.
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:50 AM on December 29, 2014 [2 favorites]
I never forget to acknowledge, even if it is just to myself in a quiet whisper while standing in a houseful of noise and levity and merriment, how lucky I am to have this time in my life.
Season's greetings to all, and a happy (happier) new year ahead.
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:50 AM on December 29, 2014 [2 favorites]
at the end of the three-day extravaganza, it wasn't just my 2 year old who was melting down.
Heh; somewhere towards the end of the day, after the early morning present-unwrapping and then the Arrival Of The First Great-Aunt and then the Arrival Of The Second Set Of Relatives and then The Dinner followed by Another Spate Of Unwrapping, and then The Arrival Of More Relatives, I heard my nephew grumpily ask my brother, "Daddy, when are people going to go home?"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:53 AM on December 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
Heh; somewhere towards the end of the day, after the early morning present-unwrapping and then the Arrival Of The First Great-Aunt and then the Arrival Of The Second Set Of Relatives and then The Dinner followed by Another Spate Of Unwrapping, and then The Arrival Of More Relatives, I heard my nephew grumpily ask my brother, "Daddy, when are people going to go home?"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:53 AM on December 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by dg at 3:09 PM on December 24, 2014 [1 favorite]