[DanaC]

Very similar to yours Monster.

As a kid we always had a little nativity scene set up on the cabinet in the sitting room (which was where the tree and most of the more elaborate decs were: as opposed to the telly-room/livingroom where we mostly hung out) and a huge tree, with ornaments all over it and under it...and big piles of pressies. Tree always went up on Xmas eve.

The Christian aspects gradually fell away. To be honest the whole Baby Jesus thing kind of merged in with Father Christmas as a pretty and multi-coloured, glowing story anyway.

As an adult: all my immediate family are atheists, including the girls, so there is no religious undertone. We get together as a family, usually down at Our Kid's house*. As I live alone, my morning is a quiet affair: Pilau and i have our breakfasts (both have sausages ;p) and listen to Radio 4, intermittent Christmassy phone calls, then a walk with Mum and Dan. Then back to mine for a cup of tea and a mince pie (possibly a glass or two of sherry or Baileys). Then off our separate ways for a bit. Then Mum picks me up and we go to Martin's (leaving dogs at ma's house) and eat enough for a week.

Much jollity, much drinking and chatting and exchanging of pressies. The girls showing off their new tech etc. At some point we'll drift home.

Foodwise; it varies. Sometimes turkey, sometimes beef, or lamb, occasionally something less traditional (one year was an Indian banquet) or really old skool: we had goose a couple of years ago. There's always a good range of meat and vegetarian dishes, with separate lots of potatoes and gravy/sauces (meat eaters' spuds roasted in goose fat). All depends what is sparking Martin and Jen's enthusiasm :p They are both very good cooks. Between them they make the most amazing Christmas meals.


* translation: 'Our Kid' is Northern English slang for sibling.


[eta] one time when we had turkey, a few years ago, us adults had taken a little acid and ended up naming the turkey Janice. That was a strange Christmas dinner ;p