The Princess Bride, although not especially Christmas-esque itself, is always on around this time, so that and Home Alone and A Charlie Brown Christmas and something else that I've forgotten.

National Lampoon, innit.

Dark Soldier wrote:

National Lampoon, innit.

DS knows. I would sacrifice every other film of Xmas to catch this.

regmcfly wrote:

The Crystal Maze used to be on Christmas Eve before The Snowman. Fuckasnowman,give me O' Brien's harmonica playing whimsy

ah kids you done shite but I have a magic button that will make you win!

Also a preview of the new series games always an exciting moment!

Christmas film viewing should include Gremlins, where possible.

Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys.

Elf is a cracker though, to be true.

Last night with mrs reg before we go our separate ways is Its A Wonderful Life, mince pies and mulled wine. Fucking love dat movie.

Gremlins is back in cinemas for one day only on 11th Dec. get ye to it. Also a great film.

Good heavens, fly on the wall.

"I'll just pop August Underground on, ok mum?"

"Alright dear"

Oh only about a week. Nothing major like yours.

I want to make Mary Berry's ice-cream Christmas pudding recipe at some point this year. I am DETERMINED.

cindemon wrote:

tin_robot wrote:

Christmas stuff.

This is almost my Xmas day(kinda scary), minus bottles of spirits from patients & the visit to the Muslim in-laws on boxing day, as its only been the last year of 17 they have actually started to speak to me. Throw in being a semi-drunk ninja whilst putting stockings on bed at a crazy time in Xmas morning & having a traditional pint or 2 with my brother at our local on the day & its almost word perfect.

Weirdly, this has probably become my absolute favourite bit of Christmas, and I'm dreading the time when the kids will be too old for me to do it.  Sneaking in whilst they sleep - and creating that bit of magic that I used to love so much as a child myself - makes me so disproportionately happy that last year I nearly woke my daughter because I was giggling so much...

Yep - enjoy it while it lasts - even a year or two in primary school sees the rumours going around.

Our younger daughter was pretty "well informed" on the subject but the older one seemed to be holding onto it - I had the task to revealing the lie when she was almost 11 - and she cried sore for a good 20minutes. It was heart wrenching - it was like pulling someone into the first part of the shitty adult world.

She was aware of the rumours and outwardly passed herself in company - but inwardly believed it because we told her it was true...feck.

Fine soon after - wanted to know all the details of hiding places etc. But doing it was like breaking someone bad news and they know its coming but are somehow in denial - wasn't easy.

As long as they never stop believing in Krampus; that's the important thing.

krs wrote:

As long as they never stop believing in Krampus; that's the important thing.

My brother in law (lives in Salzburg) sent me a video last week that he took in a nightclub of about 20 guys dressed in full Krampus gear, massive horns, claws, pelts and all, all rocking out to Back in Black by AC/DC.  Quite a sight.

Christmas this year will consist of:
23rd Dec - Xmas dinner with brother and sister in law (over from Austria until 24th), mother in law (who is working through xmas) ans some others from the wifes family from down here who have nowhere else to go.  

24th Dec - Work, followed by doing something christmassy with the kids.  Then prepare for getting kids to bed by leaving a carrot for Rudolph and a mince pie and a glass of very specific malt whisky for Santa.  Finish wrapping presents, creeping about like aforementioned ninja with stokcings, then bed.

25th Dec - Up at stupid o'clock (actually, they've both slept in on xmas day for the last couple of years), which is really no different from every day, open the stockings on our bed and then downstairs for uber-excitement and shrieking from both boys.  Breakfast for both before any presents are opened, then wait for mother in law to come over to witness the present carnage before her late shift commences on an adult elderly mental health ward (Merry Christmas!).  Commence present apocalypse, commenting of how ludicrous the amount of presents is - promising to keep a lid on it next year - and make a posh breakfast for the adults.  Play with the kids and open my own presents (games and booze mainly), then prepare for travel.

Lunchtime, drive the 150 miles to my mums house (which we wouldn't normally do, but she's own her own for the first time this year) and commence prep on the 2nd xmas dinner - I'll be doing my famous pork, sage and chestnut stuffing balls (well, they're famous to me at least and are the most awesome thing about dinner) - which also includes commencing drinking.  I think I'll be on the Teuthy Rexs again this year (3 fingers of Kraken Rum, topped with a bottle of Crabbies and a wedge of lime).  Eat about 5, after the rest of the family returns from in-laws, and open second round of presents.  Continue to drink and nibble throughout evening, chatting and perhaps playing games if we don't all have the meat-sweats.

Christmas for us is all about the kids now, and is the better for it.  While I'm not a fan if the build up, I do love the day itself.  It's simultaneously hectic yet relaxing and thankfully religion never gets in the way - although if the big JC does turn up, he's welcome to a dram and a shot on twister.

davyK wrote:

so adding to the mystery the following morning. Bits of carrot were thrown around outside as crumbs from the reindeer's mouth.

It's all in the detail, I love it.