Christmas makes me sad
#61
Re: Christmas makes me sad
My husband and the ex pats here am had a Christmas dinner in July. I was in England at my mothers funeral so I missed it.
Christmas will be sad for me, so I plan to pass over it quickly.
Christmas will be sad for me, so I plan to pass over it quickly.
#62
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Never too early for alcohol Britsinnz. The sun is always over the yardarm somewhere in the world
I actually enjoy Christmas in NZ, though I do miss some aspects of the UK Christmas like decent shops.
I enjoy that it is a more relaxed affair in NZ. We have adapted our Christmas to suit NZ conditions .
So we have a 'proper' Christmas meal on Christmas eve evening. Open pressies on Christmas morning. Head to the beach at Shakespear Regional Park at around 1pm & join a whole group of friends there. We share food....turkey, sausages, salads, Christmas cake & desserts. Have a paddle or a swim in the sea. All-in-all it's a very happy day. We usually leave at around 7pm, head home & enjoy a glass of bubbles in the spa.
I understand those that find it tough & that it just doesn't seem 'right'. I struggle with homesickness from time-to-time but for me Christmas isn't one of them. So I'm lucky in that respect.
We do a mid-winter Christmas with friends too so that helps.
Given the news that my OH came home with last night, this could be our last Christmas in NZ & so I feel ever so slightly discombobulated today.
I actually enjoy Christmas in NZ, though I do miss some aspects of the UK Christmas like decent shops.
I enjoy that it is a more relaxed affair in NZ. We have adapted our Christmas to suit NZ conditions .
So we have a 'proper' Christmas meal on Christmas eve evening. Open pressies on Christmas morning. Head to the beach at Shakespear Regional Park at around 1pm & join a whole group of friends there. We share food....turkey, sausages, salads, Christmas cake & desserts. Have a paddle or a swim in the sea. All-in-all it's a very happy day. We usually leave at around 7pm, head home & enjoy a glass of bubbles in the spa.
I understand those that find it tough & that it just doesn't seem 'right'. I struggle with homesickness from time-to-time but for me Christmas isn't one of them. So I'm lucky in that respect.
We do a mid-winter Christmas with friends too so that helps.
Given the news that my OH came home with last night, this could be our last Christmas in NZ & so I feel ever so slightly discombobulated today.
#64
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 35
Re: Christmas makes me sad
I'm from Yorkshire and used to a very boozy, festive, fun, cold, traditional Christmas. This is my first Christmas in NZ, and I'm spending it with my wife's extended family - of which every single member is teetotal and very formal. It's going to be, erm, different!
#65
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Never too early for alcohol Britsinnz. The sun is always over the yardarm somewhere in the world
I actually enjoy Christmas in NZ, though I do miss some aspects of the UK Christmas like decent shops.
I enjoy that it is a more relaxed affair in NZ. We have adapted our Christmas to suit NZ conditions .
So we have a 'proper' Christmas meal on Christmas eve evening. Open pressies on Christmas morning. Head to the beach at Shakespear Regional Park at around 1pm & join a whole group of friends there. We share food....turkey, sausages, salads, Christmas cake & desserts. Have a paddle or a swim in the sea. All-in-all it's a very happy day. We usually leave at around 7pm, head home & enjoy a glass of bubbles in the spa.
I understand those that find it tough & that it just doesn't seem 'right'. I struggle with homesickness from time-to-time but for me Christmas isn't one of them. So I'm lucky in that respect.
We do a mid-winter Christmas with friends too so that helps.
Given the news that my OH came home with last night, this could be our last Christmas in NZ & so I feel ever so slightly discombobulated today.
I actually enjoy Christmas in NZ, though I do miss some aspects of the UK Christmas like decent shops.
I enjoy that it is a more relaxed affair in NZ. We have adapted our Christmas to suit NZ conditions .
So we have a 'proper' Christmas meal on Christmas eve evening. Open pressies on Christmas morning. Head to the beach at Shakespear Regional Park at around 1pm & join a whole group of friends there. We share food....turkey, sausages, salads, Christmas cake & desserts. Have a paddle or a swim in the sea. All-in-all it's a very happy day. We usually leave at around 7pm, head home & enjoy a glass of bubbles in the spa.
I understand those that find it tough & that it just doesn't seem 'right'. I struggle with homesickness from time-to-time but for me Christmas isn't one of them. So I'm lucky in that respect.
We do a mid-winter Christmas with friends too so that helps.
Given the news that my OH came home with last night, this could be our last Christmas in NZ & so I feel ever so slightly discombobulated today.
I agree that it's never too early for alcohol! I hope your news was not too upsetting. Your Xmas sounds really good.
#66
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Never too early for alcohol Britsinnz. The sun is always over the yardarm somewhere in the world
Open pressies on Christmas morning. Head to the beach at Shakespear Regional Park at around 1pm & join a whole group of friends there. We share food....turkey, sausages, salads, Christmas cake & desserts. Have a paddle or a swim in the sea. All-in-all it's a very happy day. We usually leave at around 7pm, head home & enjoy a glass of bubbles in the spa.
I understand those that find it tough & that it just doesn't seem 'right'
We do a mid-winter Christmas with friends too so that helps
Given the news that my OH came home with last night, this could be our last Christmas in NZ & so I feel ever so slightly discombobulated today
#67
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: Christmas makes me sad
You are more than welcome to join us if you like.
We won't know the results of the news for a few months yet but it just unsettled me somewhat.
#68
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Less discombobulated now thanks
I do feel we are lucky to live in Pommyparaoa. I love having so many beaches on our doorstep. You should've let me know you were in the area.
For someone who doesn't adapt well to change, I'm quite proud of how I've adapted to Christmas in NZ. I suppose that knowing what comes after Christmas in the UK for me is a battle against Seasonal Affective Disorder helps here. I don't miss that at all .
We go pretty much all out for Mid-winter Christmas. All the traditional stuff, music, turkey & all the trimmings, Christmas pud, Christmas tree & decorations up. Crackers, party poppers & alcohol. We even did Secret Santa this year! So that helps make it feel really festive. It helps that there are lots of us, mainly Brits but Kiwis as well.
We are very lucky really but it has taken a while to feel this way.
I do feel we are lucky to live in Pommyparaoa. I love having so many beaches on our doorstep. You should've let me know you were in the area.
For someone who doesn't adapt well to change, I'm quite proud of how I've adapted to Christmas in NZ. I suppose that knowing what comes after Christmas in the UK for me is a battle against Seasonal Affective Disorder helps here. I don't miss that at all .
We go pretty much all out for Mid-winter Christmas. All the traditional stuff, music, turkey & all the trimmings, Christmas pud, Christmas tree & decorations up. Crackers, party poppers & alcohol. We even did Secret Santa this year! So that helps make it feel really festive. It helps that there are lots of us, mainly Brits but Kiwis as well.
We are very lucky really but it has taken a while to feel this way.
#69
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Thank you Pip. We did get rained off last year which was a real bummer but we all went to a friend's house instead. I shall offer to do the honours if we are rained off again.
You are more than welcome to join us if you like.
We won't know the results of the news for a few months yet but it just unsettled me somewhat.
You are more than welcome to join us if you like.
We won't know the results of the news for a few months yet but it just unsettled me somewhat.
#70
Re: Christmas makes me sad
SIL lives in Silverdale.
I'd rather go to the Pommy Paroa peninsular where there are nice beaches, if we've got a couple of hours to kill. We're over Queen Street, Auckland. If I walk from Britomart to the Library one more time I will have a funny turn. Brings back unhappy memories of February 2011. Anyway, nuff said.
#71
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 57
Re: Christmas makes me sad
This is my last Xmas in the UK. I love it. Not sure how I will adapt to a NZ one. Only ever had 2 summer xmases and don't remember thinking Great! Only that a turkey roast dinner and wrapping up to go outside feels right! I will have to start a new chapter of memories!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
#72
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Pip, so happy that you have plans made. Enjoy your meet up
Snap Shot...most excellent. Newmarket's a better place to go for shops, though it's never going to beat the UK . What I do love the city for is the excellent eateries such as Vivace's, Elliot Stables, Kermadec etc.
Let me know when you're next Ooop North
Merry Christmas to you & yours
Snap Shot...most excellent. Newmarket's a better place to go for shops, though it's never going to beat the UK . What I do love the city for is the excellent eateries such as Vivace's, Elliot Stables, Kermadec etc.
Let me know when you're next Ooop North
Merry Christmas to you & yours
#73
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Snap Shot...most excellent. Newmarket's a better place to go for shops, though it's never going to beat the UK . What I do love the city for is the excellent eateries such as Vivace's, Elliot Stables, Kermadec etc.
Let me know when you're next Ooop North
Merry Christmas to you & yours
Let me know when you're next Ooop North
Merry Christmas to you & yours
#74
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: North Shore, Auckland
Posts: 688
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Went over to newmarket for the first time in years a couple of weekends ago. Very impressed - went into lots of smaller independent shops, not just some huge homogenous mall with the usual suspects. I only went to see George in the coffee shop, but ended up with a few treasures. The IKEA shop was bigger and better than I'd expected, and the East European foodie store a delight.
#75
Re: Christmas makes me sad
Went over to newmarket for the first time in years a couple of weekends ago. Very impressed - went into lots of smaller independent shops, not just some huge homogenous mall with the usual suspects. I only went to see George in the coffee shop, but ended up with a few treasures. The IKEA shop was bigger and better than I'd expected, and the East European foodie store a delight.