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Jim's Cafe - Wed. Dec. 25, 2025
- Thread starter Lane
- Start date
Some of my memories are my mother asking, "what was your favorite present". She was such a good mother. And, my sisters and I trading our gifts. Sitting down to the holiday meal, where inevitably a fight would erupt 
, sled riding down the car wash hill, putting out presents for my children when they were little.
This year my friend and I drove around to see the lights. Im getting ready to make rib eye steaks for my sons and daughters father. The girls at work, said it wasn't right to invite him since I'm engaged, but I disagree. We are friends and I think its good for my daughter to see us getting along, plus he's really going thru it right now.
Im grateful that this Christmas I won't stay in bed, depressed like so many holidays and mychildren accept and love me. I wish you all the best possible.
, sled riding down the car wash hill, putting out presents for my children when they were little. This year my friend and I drove around to see the lights. Im getting ready to make rib eye steaks for my sons and daughters father. The girls at work, said it wasn't right to invite him since I'm engaged, but I disagree. We are friends and I think its good for my daughter to see us getting along, plus he's really going thru it right now.
Im grateful that this Christmas I won't stay in bed, depressed like so many holidays and mychildren accept and love me. I wish you all the best possible.
Thanks for opening up the cafe @Lane , and thanks for tagging me 
Some of my best memories are probably spending the holidays with my family in some really nice places. I think some of them are when we stayed at some really nice hotels. We really enjoyed those times.
This weekend I'm going to join a social events to socialize and meet some new people. I am really excited because I've been feeling really lonely lately, I hope that goes well.
I hope everyone's having a great holidays!
Some of my best memories are probably spending the holidays with my family in some really nice places. I think some of them are when we stayed at some really nice hotels. We really enjoyed those times.
This weekend I'm going to join a social events to socialize and meet some new people. I am really excited because I've been feeling really lonely lately, I hope that goes well.
I hope everyone's having a great holidays!
I have memories of Christmas in São Paulo where everyone of my stepfather's family would put up this huge wood table in the yard and the mother-in-law of my stepfather's first wife (her and my stepfather lived on the same lot) would cook a bunch of stuff with my mother and sisters-in-law of my stepfather.
We had barbecue, milk pudding, pavê, turkey, ham and more.
We would began the party around 5 PM and only end it on the next morning. In São Paulo's east zone everyone would make a huge party in the holidays, and at midnight, everyone would see the huge fireworks on the train tracks. The fireworks were so huge that they would make the ground shake.
Nowdays we do christmas in my hometown and I just want everyone to be less miserable. My parents argue a lot all the time and for some reason everyone this year seems to be in a bad mood.
We had barbecue, milk pudding, pavê, turkey, ham and more.
We would began the party around 5 PM and only end it on the next morning. In São Paulo's east zone everyone would make a huge party in the holidays, and at midnight, everyone would see the huge fireworks on the train tracks. The fireworks were so huge that they would make the ground shake.
Nowdays we do christmas in my hometown and I just want everyone to be less miserable. My parents argue a lot all the time and for some reason everyone this year seems to be in a bad mood.
Thanks for opening @Lane I was trying to figure out a theme for Christmas without hurting (emotionally) those who will be a Christmas orphan. I myself will be one but getting together with another orphan to have dinner with and binge watch tv.
One Christmas I deliberately stayed home by myself. the morning was fine and in the afternoon I went to see a movie which was supposed to be a comedy but was the most depressing movie ever. Then i went to my sister's place on an impromptu invitation (she worked during the day) and the whole family magically appeared at her house and we had Chinese food together. So I try not to be alone on Christmas although this year I feel I could successfully do it.
Merry christmas to all, and my sincere good juju to those who will be alone.
One Christmas I deliberately stayed home by myself. the morning was fine and in the afternoon I went to see a movie which was supposed to be a comedy but was the most depressing movie ever. Then i went to my sister's place on an impromptu invitation (she worked during the day) and the whole family magically appeared at her house and we had Chinese food together. So I try not to be alone on Christmas although this year I feel I could successfully do it.
Merry christmas to all, and my sincere good juju to those who will be alone.
Such a great Cafe @Lane ! Thank you for opening and the tag.
Most of my favorite memories during the holidays is puppeteering with my Family. We had some amazing shows that brought joy to faces in places you wouldn't expect. Puppeteering together brought our family extremely close as my kids grew up. Watching them grow and excel in many areas because of it has been a blessing to watch and be a part of.
This is an angle rarely seen by others... Yet it's the main view we see during shows and competitions such as this one.
my family came together at the holidays. Just the 5 of us... And we supported each other through everything that came our way. As long as we had each other, we could get through anything. i look back and wonder how i did it. And it's moments like this one pictured that kept us going through the roughest of rimes.
Now... holidays are much calmer. i miss doing the shows, however at this time, it is not possible. Maybe in the future. For now... with all my children having their own families and extended families to spend time with, we will get together when it is the least stressed for them. i don't want to add to the holiday stress of needing to be somewhere. So they fit me in when they can. It's not the actual day for me... it's the time spent with family that is most important.
Most of my favorite memories during the holidays is puppeteering with my Family. We had some amazing shows that brought joy to faces in places you wouldn't expect. Puppeteering together brought our family extremely close as my kids grew up. Watching them grow and excel in many areas because of it has been a blessing to watch and be a part of.
This is an angle rarely seen by others... Yet it's the main view we see during shows and competitions such as this one.my family came together at the holidays. Just the 5 of us... And we supported each other through everything that came our way. As long as we had each other, we could get through anything. i look back and wonder how i did it. And it's moments like this one pictured that kept us going through the roughest of rimes.
Now... holidays are much calmer. i miss doing the shows, however at this time, it is not possible. Maybe in the future. For now... with all my children having their own families and extended families to spend time with, we will get together when it is the least stressed for them. i don't want to add to the holiday stress of needing to be somewhere. So they fit me in when they can. It's not the actual day for me... it's the time spent with family that is most important.
My fond memories are from when I was a kid, still living at home with Mom, Dad and brother.
Christmas dinner was amazing. Mom was a great cook. We ate by candle light with the good china and silverware on the table. Dinner was usually a ham.
There were presents under the tree. It was a real tree. Dad always wanted one with 5 little branches at the very top. Five branches for the five points of a star. He would put the lights on the tree and the ornament at the very top. Mom and I would do the rest. We would also have a cozy fire in the the fireplace. Christmas music would be playing.
Christmas now is nothing like it was back then.
Christmas dinner was amazing. Mom was a great cook. We ate by candle light with the good china and silverware on the table. Dinner was usually a ham.
There were presents under the tree. It was a real tree. Dad always wanted one with 5 little branches at the very top. Five branches for the five points of a star. He would put the lights on the tree and the ornament at the very top. Mom and I would do the rest. We would also have a cozy fire in the the fireplace. Christmas music would be playing.
Christmas now is nothing like it was back then.
Christmas wasn't our primary holiday celebration. But there were sweet memories of that day and time of year and Chanukah and now for the past few decades the winter solstice has also played an annual part.
It will be a quiet day for me and alone. It wasn't supposed to happen this way this year but that seems to be the unfolding.
I wish everyone the best time for whatever this time of year signifies to them, if anything and take good care of yourselves however that looks!!
It will be a quiet day for me and alone. It wasn't supposed to happen this way this year but that seems to be the unfolding.
I wish everyone the best time for whatever this time of year signifies to them, if anything and take good care of yourselves however that looks!!
Christmas has always been about having the family together and I am even more aware of the importance of spending time together now as the kids are growing up and leaving home. The generations have moved on and my parents are no longer with us but that makes it even more important to make the most of being together. It’s not about presents or the food, it’s about time with each other, playing games and laughing together.
I know that this is not possible for everyone, so sending hugs to those of you who are struggling this Christmas.
I know that this is not possible for everyone, so sending hugs to those of you who are struggling this Christmas.
Cookies, always a good treat. This Christmas will be at my brother's house with the family. I am another that is partial to older memories with folks alive that are now long gone and having my childhood and young adulthood. Christmas was always here at this house after my grandparents built it in the early 70s and kinfolk from all around would show up, so would much of the neighbors this being a small farm town. All the sounds, sights and smells. My grandmother using a medium sized galvanized washtub to make dressing because there was likely to be two or three dozen visitors passing through. Plenty of activity between what happened here in the house, around town and spending time going the backgrounds to see others and never any telling what activity may take place. Hopes for all the best with the year end holidays and the new year just around the corner.
This Christmas will be at my brother's house with the family. I am another that is partial to older memories with folks alive that are now long gone and having my childhood and young adulthood. Christmas was always here at this house after my grandparents built it in the early 70s and kinfolk from all around would show up, so would much of the neighbors this being a small farm town. All the sounds, sights and smells. My grandmother using a medium sized galvanized washtub to make dressing because there was likely to be two or three dozen visitors passing through. Plenty of activity between what happened here in the house, around town and spending time going the backgrounds to see others and never any telling what activity may take place. Hopes for all the best with the year end holidays and the new year just around the corner.
Thank you so much for posting this Christmas cafe, and for tagging me too @Lane
I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s Christmas memories, it all sounds quite nice and fun. I have lots of good Christmas memories, basically anything that didn’t involve my miserable stepmonster lol. She was pretty much always mean, even on Christmas. But enough about that negative nonsense.
Seeing my mom and sis was always especially delightful and enjoyable, and even more so on Christmas for sure. We’d always have a big dinner even though it was just the 3 of us there. Opening presents, especially as kids, was always very fun and exciting. I always got lots of cool & fun toys and other stuff that I enjoyed a lot.
In my adult years, Christmas has continued to be a very special time of year, and for the most part still a time of joy and celebration. We always exchange gifts and have the special dinners (no longer with real turkey, but the fake ones are good too) and also watch some Christmas movies. I always get to see my sis for it so that’s really nice too. Only other times we really see her each year are mother’s day and our birthday’s. She lives pretty far away now though so that’s part of why.
Plans this year are celebrating together at home today and tomorrow (my friend was going to join us but won’t be able to now), going to my sis’s over the weekend to celebrate with her, then Monday we’ll be visiting with my friend. I like to think of it like I’ll kind of get to have 3 diff Christmas celebrations. We’ll be having our special dinner tonight, then opening presents later. It should be fun, been curious for weeks about what my mom got me lol. Also looking forward to giving everyone their gifts too of course, as always
Wishing a very merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it, and happy holidays to those who don’t. I hope it is a good time for you in some way at least.
I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s Christmas memories, it all sounds quite nice and fun. I have lots of good Christmas memories, basically anything that didn’t involve my miserable stepmonster lol. She was pretty much always mean, even on Christmas. But enough about that negative nonsense.
Seeing my mom and sis was always especially delightful and enjoyable, and even more so on Christmas for sure. We’d always have a big dinner even though it was just the 3 of us there. Opening presents, especially as kids, was always very fun and exciting. I always got lots of cool & fun toys and other stuff that I enjoyed a lot.
In my adult years, Christmas has continued to be a very special time of year, and for the most part still a time of joy and celebration. We always exchange gifts and have the special dinners (no longer with real turkey, but the fake ones are good too) and also watch some Christmas movies. I always get to see my sis for it so that’s really nice too. Only other times we really see her each year are mother’s day and our birthday’s. She lives pretty far away now though so that’s part of why.
Plans this year are celebrating together at home today and tomorrow (my friend was going to join us but won’t be able to now), going to my sis’s over the weekend to celebrate with her, then Monday we’ll be visiting with my friend. I like to think of it like I’ll kind of get to have 3 diff Christmas celebrations. We’ll be having our special dinner tonight, then opening presents later. It should be fun, been curious for weeks about what my mom got me lol. Also looking forward to giving everyone their gifts too of course, as always
Wishing a very merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it, and happy holidays to those who don’t. I hope it is a good time for you in some way at least.
When I was little we always had a Christmas party at my house a few days beforehand, and my great-uncle would come dressed as Santa and everyone would get pictures taken with him. He had a big white beard too, so he was pretty convincing if he wasn’t, y’know, your uncle. He did this for a lot of people; 4 or 5 parties, and all the kids on his block would get a visit from Santa.
I was just talking about it with my aunt (his daughter) a few hours ago. If I live long enough for my beard to turn white, I want to grow it long and do the same.
I was just talking about it with my aunt (his daughter) a few hours ago. If I live long enough for my beard to turn white, I want to grow it long and do the same.
Thanks for opening the thread @Lane and for the direction @may71
I have many fond memories of Christmas --
As a young kid of course -- picking the biggest live tree, decorating, making my grandmother's recipe for cookies with my mother, making trip across state to be with grandparents, having the biggest stockings made by my great grandparent always stuffed with practical stuff but still so much fun to open.
As a single adult continuing the traditions had as a kid of getting biggest live tree possible, making xmas cookies, giving gifts to friends, xmas eve candlelight service with parents...
As a married adult decorating house inside/outside for my husband's mom and aunt whom always spent the week with us, helping husband cook the special dinner and using wedding china & silver, having fire in fireplace, amazing large breakfast day after before all of us going shopping...
Now as a widow finding my way to keeping traditions - making xmas cookies as gifts to friends, sending out ecards, some decorating -- and figuring out new traditions - xmas eve's eve dinner at friends - xmas eve dinner at friends (this was impromptu tonight) -- and xmas day probably alone with Brinny which is ok (I think at the moment on xmas eve). Memories of xmas pasts bring comfort, laughter, and good tears as they say. And realizing how fortunate I am despite this being one of those firsts...
I wish all the very best for the holidays...may you find special moments of joy and peace...
I have many fond memories of Christmas --
As a young kid of course -- picking the biggest live tree, decorating, making my grandmother's recipe for cookies with my mother, making trip across state to be with grandparents, having the biggest stockings made by my great grandparent always stuffed with practical stuff but still so much fun to open.
As a single adult continuing the traditions had as a kid of getting biggest live tree possible, making xmas cookies, giving gifts to friends, xmas eve candlelight service with parents...
As a married adult decorating house inside/outside for my husband's mom and aunt whom always spent the week with us, helping husband cook the special dinner and using wedding china & silver, having fire in fireplace, amazing large breakfast day after before all of us going shopping...
Now as a widow finding my way to keeping traditions - making xmas cookies as gifts to friends, sending out ecards, some decorating -- and figuring out new traditions - xmas eve's eve dinner at friends - xmas eve dinner at friends (this was impromptu tonight) -- and xmas day probably alone with Brinny which is ok (I think at the moment on xmas eve). Memories of xmas pasts bring comfort, laughter, and good tears as they say. And realizing how fortunate I am despite this being one of those firsts...
I wish all the very best for the holidays...may you find special moments of joy and peace...