Who's doing what for Christmas?
Dec 9th 2019, 9:08 am
#16
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Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
However, a miniature Christmas tree, just 1 small gift each, some DVDs played on our lap top (our TV / internet couldn't be connected until 28th December), great walks admiring the City's decorations (despite being minus 15c), roast chestnuts in the market - & we had one of the best Christmases ever!
No pressures, no impositions, no pita relatives - magic!
Last edited by scrubbedexpat142; Dec 9th 2019 at 10:54 am.
Dec 9th 2019, 5:22 pm
#17
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
Sounds lovely. We have a little potted pine tree we decorated.
I do wish Vancouver was more decorated for Christmas but its not the most festive city.
I do wish Vancouver was more decorated for Christmas but its not the most festive city.
5 years ago we arrived in Budapest a few days before Christmas to be greeted with truly gruesome weather, having only 1 piece of luggage (everything else not due to arrive from the UK until late January). Unfamiliar with much, especially the language, Christmas was bound to be a limited affair, and it was!
However, a miniature Christmas tree, just 1 small gift each, some DVDs played on our lap top (our TV / internet couldn't be connected until 28th December), great walks admiring the City's decorations (despite being minus 15c), roast chestnuts in the market - & we had one of the best Christmases ever!
No pressures, no impositions, no pita relatives - magic!
However, a miniature Christmas tree, just 1 small gift each, some DVDs played on our lap top (our TV / internet couldn't be connected until 28th December), great walks admiring the City's decorations (despite being minus 15c), roast chestnuts in the market - & we had one of the best Christmases ever!
No pressures, no impositions, no pita relatives - magic!
Dec 9th 2019, 6:24 pm
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,374
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
This is the only significant vacation time I take each year, so I really look forward to it.
I should get 2 weeks off, but my clients may change that.
Lots of eating, drinking and spending time with the family - fantastic time of the year.
I may be persuaded to get out an acoustic guitar and play something that everyone can sing, particularly if they have had a few drinks. Fun time all around!
I should get 2 weeks off, but my clients may change that.
Lots of eating, drinking and spending time with the family - fantastic time of the year.
I may be persuaded to get out an acoustic guitar and play something that everyone can sing, particularly if they have had a few drinks. Fun time all around!
Dec 9th 2019, 11:36 pm
#21
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Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,851
Dec 9th 2019, 11:51 pm
#22
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Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,851
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
I love hearing of others plans - reminds me of when I was growing up and the house would be filled with relatives and friends and much merriment would be had. I still remember making paper chains to decorate the lounge and picking mistletoe for above the door; small boughs of greenery and holly with red berries to decorate the mantle. Our Christmas tree had glass birds that were candle holders, with tiny candles (similar to birthday candles), the irridescent feathers were quite beautiful. Happy memories 
Immediate family at dinner - which was lunch time
- with the rellies arriving for Christmas tea after xmas TOTP. Christmas pud which I didn't like but had a portion in case there was a threepenny bit in it.So many seated at the table that there was an old fashioned pasting board (hinged down the length so when folded it was more like a plank but sturdy) covered with a blanket and placed between chairs for all the kids to sit on.
Dec 9th 2019, 11:53 pm
#23
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,649
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
Hanging around in Toronto which will be quiet and boring. I will venture up to one of the local snow hills to board a couple of days to pass the time.
I don't half miss getting pissed in a pub on Christmas Eve.
I don't half miss getting pissed in a pub on Christmas Eve.
Dec 9th 2019, 11:54 pm
#24
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Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
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Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
Dec 10th 2019, 12:03 am
#25
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
Bells from egg cartons and silver paper. Pipe cleaner figures. Tree branches painted white and sparkle added. Dates. Clementines. Nuts.
Immediate family at dinner - which was lunch time - with the rellies arriving for Christmas tea after xmas TOTP. Christmas pud which I didn't like but had a portion in case there was a threepenny bit in it.
So many seated at the table that there was an old fashioned pasting board (hinged down the length so when folded it was more like a plank but sturdy) covered with a blanket and placed between chairs for all the kids to sit on.
Immediate family at dinner - which was lunch time
- with the rellies arriving for Christmas tea after xmas TOTP. Christmas pud which I didn't like but had a portion in case there was a threepenny bit in it.So many seated at the table that there was an old fashioned pasting board (hinged down the length so when folded it was more like a plank but sturdy) covered with a blanket and placed between chairs for all the kids to sit on.
We made bells out of the silver tops of milk bottles and paper chains cut from magazines. One 'main present' and a couple of little ones. Roast chicken for Christmas lunch, a huge luxury then. How things have changed, beef was so cheap then that it was an everyday meal. I always hoped I'd get the threepenny bit 
Dec 10th 2019, 3:44 am
#26
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
Probably nothing that exciting but fishing, crabbing and pawning but whatever I do I plan on staying as drunk as possible throughout the time.
Dec 10th 2019, 3:49 am
#27
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
But there's lots of decorations around!
Look for information on which houses and streets are decorated.
Go down to the Christmas Market ............ you have to pay to go inside, but you can walk around outside for free.
Go to the hotels, especially ones that are having the Christmas tree competitions.
Go to Stanley Park or Queen Elizabeth Park, free ............. VanDusen has great decorations, but you have to pay to enter
You have to get out and look around to see them, but Vancouver certainly is not an undecorated city by any means!
Dec 10th 2019, 2:47 pm
#29
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,113
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
Yeah I am with you James.....Christmas Eve...and everything is shut at 5!! WTF??? the pubs are packed on Christmas Eve in the UK!
Christmas Eve would be pretty low key if it wasn't for a knees up at a friends house.... its usually a good one.
I would have thought something would have stayed open in a city like TO biggest city in Canada?
On an unrelated note....any recomnendations for a good live music bar in TO? something that plays the usual classic rock/pop kind of stuff?
Dec 10th 2019, 2:49 pm
#30
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Who's doing what for Christmas?
Try The Keg - they are usually open til 10 - I've gone there for the past 3 years.. and many ethnic restaurants are too.
The Keg only closes on Christmas Day. https://kegsteakhouse.com/en/locations
The Keg only closes on Christmas Day.
https://kegsteakhouse.com/en/locations
Last edited by Siouxie; Dec 10th 2019 at 2:52 pm.