[Don_1 (OP)]

Yes, Christmas is coming again and thus far I have spent a small fortune on presinks for the grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law, a new tree, lights and other related paraphernalia. Doubtless I will have to dig deep into my now almost vacant wallet for some goodies for the missus also and still find the odd penny or three for booze and grub. Sheesh!

As an atheist, I justify this Christmas binge by the fact that it is also a time of pagan celebration and by the fact that 'she who will be obeyed' gave me my orders.

But I shall wear my black & white 'Santa' type hat with the legend 'Bah Humbug' emblazoned in the white fur trim and I will tell carol singers to bugger off. Poor Carol, she's a harmless young girl with an unfortunate surname.

Grumpy old git? Me? Little old Moi?

What's your Christmas beef (or turkey). Don't bottle it up, let it out here. You know you'll feel better for it.

[CliffordK]

Yes, Christmas is coming again and thus far I have spent a small fortune on ... a new tree

Around here one can buy a Christmas Tree Permit from the Forest service for about $5, then go up in the woods and cut one's own tree. 

It used to be a family holiday tradition, although I must admit that I haven't had my own tree for quite a few years.  I suppose I can leave a few trees in the forests.

[alancalverd]

The tuba is not the lightest of instruments, and brass is a very good conductor of heat. Every atheist muscle and bone hurts as I stand in the icy wind, playing meaningless carols for the greater glory of a yet another fundamentalist rabbi who died 2000 years ago. Followed by cheap wine adulterated with cinnamon, and scalding mince pies at a thousand calories per bite.

Absolute bloody nonsense.

I wouldn't miss it for anything.

[demografx]

Bah!

[demografx]

 Don_1, you said "don't bottle it up"!!

[]

[syhprum]

I don't think jesus was a fundamentalist more like a reformer who wanted to introduces love and forgiveness into the Jewish faith who came to a sticky end like many who preach love and forgiveness 

[bizerl]

I think we're all forgetting the real meaning of christmas...

The birth of Santa Claus!

My beef is that on Christmas day, my family feel it's somewhat okay to start drinking beer at 9:30am (AEST). Really? Is it ever okay to start that early?

In terms of presents, think of all the obnoxious spotty teenagers who you're supporting with their retail job that they need to buy itunes cards because they live at home and get everything else for free. In recent times, some stimulation of the economy probably doesn't hurt.

And I like the fact that my son is into lego because he's not quite up to the bigger sets, so poor daddy gets has to build them for him.  []

I think it's transcended it's christian origins to become something more sacred to an Australian...

A PUBLIC HOLIDAY! AND THERE'S TWO OF THEM!

[alancalverd]

My beef is that on Christmas day, my family feel it's somewhat okay to start drinking beer at 9:30am (AEST). Really? Is it ever okay to start that early?

Remember "It's five o'clock somewhere"?

The narrator states that he hasn't had a day off in over a year and that he wants to leave work and consume alcohol. The lyrics include the phrase, "It's only half-past twelve but I don't care. It's five o'clock somewhere", which means that even though it is not five o'clock in the narrator's time zone, it must be in another part of the world.

Yee-haw!

And if it's 0930 in Oz, it's still yesterday in England, so why not join us for a tipple - we're still enjoying the after-dinner port.