With Christmas time once more upon us, I think it wise that we set down the rules for a proper Christmas, like when and if to buy a tree, when to open presents, when to send cards unless the recent scare stops us from doing so. there are so many things about Christmas that needs to be understood so I am putting down a list for you folks to help me with.

1. Do you need to beleive in any church in order to celebrate Christmas?

2. Are real trees best?

3. Are E-mail Christmas cards enough?

4. How many lights on a house/yard are too many?

5. Which lasts longer, the gifts or the time it takes to pay for them?

6. Can it be Christmas without snow?

7. How many times must one watch "It's a wonderful Life and/or Miricle of 34th Street"
before they can remember the story line?

8. Has anyone else noticed that Santa has given up his pipe? (must be those damn California no smoking laws)

9. Do raindeer really fly? Where can I get the song Snow White Boomers?

10.What are the rules for Christmas in your home? (or other celegrations if you prefer.)

No, you don't need snow... but it's nice...
and you don't have to celebrate it on December 25, either!

With family demands, my kids having their Dad, his family and various and sundry in-laws and out-laws to visit, all wanting their attention on Dec 24-25, I decided that it would be a relief for all of us for me to have my celebration on (or about) Little Christmas (the feast of the Epiphany, when the three wise guys were supposed to have visited the babe in the manger). So I invite the kids and grandkids to a Christmas dinner in early January. That's when we do our gift exchange, too, so I can even shop after Dec 25!

I am not a religious person, but I look at Christmas as a time to be thankful for my friends and family, and to renew my spirit. The Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Year, all point toward a new beginning. It doesn't matter where you are, what the weather, or what the date is. Begin anew! Celebrate Christmas... all year long!

Peace, Love, Music & (((((((HUGS)))))))
~Wyldflower
<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/tiedye.gif" width=17 height=17>

(and I really like natural trees, but I have an artificial one, because I can leave it up far longer... from thanksgiving until mid-january)

1. Not at all. Christmas, Xmas, Yuletide, the biggest retail perioid of the year, can be celebrated as a Christian, pagan or secular holiday with slight changes of emphasis.

2. Probably, although they are more flammable.

3. Depends who you ask. I've retired from cards and i'm doing well if i get a few e-mail cards out, so i'd say more than enough. Others might think this is a bad attitude, to which I say, bah, humbug!

4. What are your electric rates?

5. I think you know the answer to that one.

6. Yes

7. You don't have to watch either one at all to remember the story line. They're engraved in our collective conscious.

8. The main question is, if he's given up his pipe, is he still jolly, or should we start calling him Santa Jones?

9. Santa thought they were flying when he had his pipe. He might be grounded now. No idea about the song.

10. That would be a whole other post.

re: #6
if you'd ever spent the Christmas season in Mexico, you wouldn't need to ask.

oy nathen!

let me answer these questions from a slightly different (read: kosher) perspective...

1. NO! Does any church believe in Chanukah? See??? Just enjoy the holiday, let the church (and temple) take care of themselves...
2. For the menorah, trees are a bit tough to stick into the little holders... wax candles work better... for the truly enlightened, oil cups are cool
3.Not sure... where do you stick the gelt??
4.More than 9 candles will confuse too many people... since that's all the menorah can hold! (except on friday night (shabbat) when you light 2 extra! but they get their own holder)
5.It only takes a minute to pay... but a lifetime to live down the shame and guilt if you bought the wrong thing!
6.No. Sorry... i've been in LA for one holiday season... too strange to even consider!!!!! Morning frost can be substituted in an emergency...
7.I agree with pat's answer here... except you have to include March of the Wooden Soldiers and Home Alone to that list now...
(of course, these have nothing to do with Chanukah, but then again, we get The Ten Commandments every year at Passover!)
8.I think he just keeps it in the back room with the shnapps... that's where he and the elves get together for some games of dreidel when business is slow... I mean, his nose IS kinda bulbous and red, a sign of drinking, and who can drink like that without smoking, huh??
9.Yes. Usually in the company of pigs. As for the song... I think it was re-done as "The Dreidel Song" by Don McClean
10.Beg, grovel, cry... the usual...
oh yeah... and LOTS of LATKES with homemade applesauce!!!! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/yum.gif" width=15 height=15>

hope i answered correctly!! what'd I win????

Final note... first candle for Chanukah is Saturday night! Talk about an early christmas!!!! sheesh!

1. No. (What Wyld said).
2. Yes.
3. I think so. I like e-mail cards of any sort as much as mailed ones.
4. Not quite so many that you're visible from space.
5. Am doing good this year--paying cash.
6. Yes, but not as much fun.
7. Once for the storyline, every year for the last umpteen years to quote the entire script.
8. Jeez. Never noticed!
9. Of course. What song??
10. Open ONE present Christmas eve. The rest on Christmas morning. Go to brother or sister's house (we don't have children--they do). Eat, drink wine. Play with all the cool new toys when we can wrest them from the kiddos. Eat, drink wine. Play cards. Go sledding (or watch) when there's snow. Can even swim this year--my bro put a bubble over his pool for year-round swimming. Enjoy family and friends.

We all pretty much include everyone's in-laws as extended family and just ALL get together. Makes for some large gatherings, but fun. (This Christmas is me and hubby and nephew on hubby's side, mom, sis, her hubby and 3 kids, brother, his wife and 2 kids, her mother, her brother and wife and their 3 kids--and any other "orphans" who need a place to be).

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Arnie:

oy nathen!

let me answer these questions from a slightly different (read: kosher) perspective...

1. NO! Does any church believe in Chanukah? See??? The church of whatever, does, of course it's just another reason to avoid work.
2. for the truly enlightened, oil cups are cool, so like I can put my finger in without getting burnt?
5.It only takes a minute to pay... but a lifetime to live down the shame and guilt if you bought the wrong thing! Never heard of credit cards?
6.No. Sorry... i've been in LA for one holiday season... too strange to even consider!!!!! Morning frost can be substituted in an emergency...
7.I agree with pat's answer here... except you have to include March of the Wooden Soldiers and Home Alone to that list now...
(of course, these have nothing to do with Chanukah, but then again, we get The Ten Commandments every year at Passover!)

Oh the movie, I was thinking the TEM COMMMANDMENTS you know with the stone tablets and all.
8.I think he just keeps it in the back room with the shnapps... that's where he and the elves get together for some games of dreidel when business is slow... I mean, his nose IS kinda bulbous and red, a sign of drinking, and who can drink like that without smoking, huh?? You are so right and what about those raindeer.
9.Yes. Usually in the company of pigs. As for the song... I think it was re-done as "The Dreidel Song" by Don McClean
10.Beg, grovel, cry... the usual...
oh yeah... and LOTS of LATKES with homemade applesauce!!!! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/yum.gif" width=15 height=15>

hope i answered correctly!! what'd I win?
Christmas without guilt

Final note... first candle for Chanukah is Saturday night! Talk about an early christmas!!!! sheesh!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Happy Chanukah my friend and as always it's a pleasure to share the season with you

Ooooh, Nathan, latkes, good idea! I feel a new Christmas tradition coming on. Happy Chanukah! (Asked from a truly unenlightened one ... what are oil cups?)

In no particular order:

A) I intend to put the Star of David on top of my Christmas tree, just to make my relatives ask questions.

3) I saw reindeer fly once in person, but it was back in the 60's.

G) You can have as many or as few lights on the house as you like, as long as there is an even number of them. An odd number of lights just looks stupid.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pamramadama:

Ooooh, Nathan, latkes, good idea! I feel a new Christmas tradition coming on. Happy Chanukah! (Asked from a truly unenlightened one ... what are oil cups?)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think it has to do with virgins, sort of a lamp, but of course I am still trying to understand why the Jewish people don't have churchs, or to say it another way, way isn't the Jewish Faith a church?

1. No, you just have to believe in the spirit of the season. I don't have any affiliation to church (I don't believe in it), but I celebrate Christmas. It's a part of me, my traditions, and my heart. I don't think anyone can tell you what or how to celebrate.

2. Trees are a personal choice. I personally fancy the artificial kind. We have had the same trees in my house for years!

3. Depends on who you are sending the cards to. If you are pals, or online friends, then online cards are great.

4. It's too many when you can't find the house. Remember National Lampoon's Christmas? lol

5. That's a toss up!

6. Yes, but I like the snow. Makes it all worth it.

7. Not too sure. I don't have it memorized, so I guess 2 times isn't enough!

8. Santa knows he needs to take care of himself. Anyone notice he's on Weight Watchers? lol

9. Reindeer fly? I've never seen it, but why not? Snow White Boomers? I haven't a clue!

10. The only rule I have is to remember ME! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/laugh.gif" width=15 height=15>

Never ever forget you dear, December 25 will always be Kerry's birthday to me....


Snow White Booomers, are six elderly kangaroos that carry Santa across the noon day sun, it seems a little joy (baby roo) got itno his bag the night before and had to be returned to it's mom, and as everyone know reindeer do not fly in the day light and certainly not in oz where it is the middle of the summer in December.

So Santa gets six snow white boomers (elderly roos) to carry him across the noon day sky......

Now please tell me I am not the only one who knows this song or who love it.


here I found the song for you
Early on one Christmas Day, a Joey Kanga-roo
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo
Mummy, where's my mummy, they've taken her a-way
We'll help you find your mummy son, hop on the sleigh


Up beside the bag of toys, little Joey hopped
But they had'nt gone far when Santa stopped
Un-harnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky


Six white boomers, snow white boomers
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun
Six white boomers, snow white boomers
.. On his Aus-tra-lian run


Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat
Took his fur-lined boots off to cool his feet
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite OK
While those old man kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh


Six white boomers, snow white boomers
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun
Six white boomers, snow white boomers
.. On his Aus-tra-lian run


Joey said to Santa, Santa, what about the toys
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys
They've all got their presents son, we were here last night
This trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight


Six white boomers, snow white boomers
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun
Six white boomers, snow white boomers
.. On his Aus-tra-lian run


Soon the sleigh was flashing past, right over Marble Bar
Slow down there, cried Santa, it can't be far
Come up on my lap son, and have a look around
There she is, that's mummy, bounding up and down


Six white boomers, snow white boomers
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun
Six white boomers, snow white boomers
.. On his Aus-tra-lian run


Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had
Curled up in mother's pouch all snug and glad
The last they saw was Santa headed northward from the sun
The only year the boomers worked a double run


Six white boomers, snow white boomers
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun
Six white boomers, snow white boomers
.. On his Aus-tra-lian run


Rolf Harriss (1965)

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Nathen on Dec 05, 2001 ---</FONT></center>

Never heard it, Nathen. Love it already though, even without knowing the tune. Thanks for the gift. That'll count as your Christmas gift to me. And a good one it is, too. The right one. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

http://postcards.rootsweb.com/han.htm

for our Jewish friends and there are a lot of them

Thanks, Nathen--that link for Hanukkah cards solves some problems for me! (edited to say, well, "problems" is a bit strong; more like, it takes away the hassle of finding them myself; anyway, thanks!)

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Ceashel on Dec 06, 2001 ---</FONT></center>