A sheep, a werewolf and a walrus walk into a bar.

(15-11-2021, 05:17 PM)Leg End Reject Wrote: [ -> ]That's brilliant, Kol! You should record yourself rapping it for us.

Oh yeah, this must happen!

(15-11-2021, 05:17 PM)Leg End Reject Wrote: [ -> ]That's brilliant, Kol! You should record yourself rapping it for us.

Yes please do @Kol

Class Now where did I put my tinsel gun...? (I would love a tinsel shooting gun, I could make everything sparkly with just a trigger pull...!)

I was in Ikea on Friday and bought new baubles for the Christmas tree (which I have yet to buy). Today's purchase was a 1.5ft pre lit Christmas tree for the kitchen counter.
My first Christmas presents were also bought at the weekend (my nephew and nieces get books from me every year - even if they are too young to read yet).
My nephew told me that people who have their Christmas tree up already are silly as it is only November. He is 6

We're actually stupid organized this year, all presents bar two of my sisters who haven't given us lists yet have been purchased!

I have Neo's pres, my sis in laws present, nephew in law, mam in law, aunt and uncle get biscuits so they are done. Mam dad and bestie left. So much for not buying many presents

For the most part I do try to get nice things though rather than stuff for the sake of it and I can do it without going to great expense. Although aunt and uncle did just get biscuits....might get books as well.

Tree talk. Will it be a real or artificial one for you this Christmas?
The good thing about artificial is that you can re-use it for years. You don't have the hassle of going out and buying a tree and disposing of it every year. No needles falling off and no sap. You can also get them with lights already fitted now which sounds great.
Nice things about a real tree are the smell and they just look nicer and you don't need somewhere to store it for the rest of the year, also the artificial can be quite expensive.

Artificial for me, always buy a decent ones and it lasts years.

The hassle of buying and disposing of a real one every year (especially when I've no way to carry it as my car is too small), the limited lifespan, cleaning up needles for months etc. far outweighs the benefit of the smell.
Real ones can't hold as many lights and decorations either unless you like looking at a sagging tree.

(19-11-2021, 03:28 PM)Leg End Reject Wrote: [ -> ]Artificial for me, always buy a decent ones and it lasts years.

The hassle of buying and disposing of a real one every year (especially when I've no way to carry it as my car is too small), the limited lifespan, cleaning up needles for months etc. far outweighs the benefit of the smell.
Real ones can't hold as many lights and decorations either unless you like looking at a sagging tree.

The artificial is very handy indeed. It has been years since I've had a real one. I think the big appeal of the real tree is nostalgia and memories of it from your childhood.
There must be a good market for them though, you still see lots of them being stocked and selling every year.

I love real trees , the smell of them , nostalgia at it's finest I agree @Butty Brennan .

I have an artificial one now though ☺

Artificial all the way.
My friend would only ever have a real tree, but the artificial is handy (and I don't have any kids). I just use Christmassy smelling candles throughout the month for a nice smell.
I have bought a 1.5ft pre-lit artificial tree for the counter, but still need to get a proper tree this year (had to dump ours last year as it was in bits).

(19-11-2021, 08:46 PM)Mam of 4 Wrote: [ -> ]I love real trees , the smell of them , nostalgia at it's  finest I agree @Butty Brennan .

I have an artificial one now though ☺

I remember one year my sister heard that spraying hairspray on your tree would stop the needles falling off so she used about half a can on it! You couldn't go in the room the rest of the day without sneezing your head off. And the needles still fell off anyway   a fire hazard too.

What's everyone's favourite Christmas song?

(20-11-2021, 07:25 PM)jp liz v1 Wrote: [ -> ]What's everyone's favourite Christmas song?

Not a fan of most, but I do love Stop the Cavalry, Jona Lewie.

(20-11-2021, 07:44 PM)quickbeam Wrote: [ -> ]

(20-11-2021, 07:25 PM)jp liz v1 Wrote: [ -> ]What's everyone's favourite Christmas song?

Not a fan of most, but I do love Stop the Cavalry, Jona Lewie.

Yes like that too 

I find Mariah's new one cringe

(20-11-2021, 07:27 PM)jp liz v1 Wrote: [ -> ]

Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea is one of my faves, not the Dermot Kennedy one. I also love Last Christmas by Wham and It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

^^^^^ like that version Liz .

I have a soft spot for Let It Snow Just keep Kirsty McCall and The Pogues away from me

I like the old choir type carols the best like Silent Night.

Christmas you say? I've a song for that too..

Pearl Jam - Someday at Christmas 

(21-11-2021, 03:30 PM)jp liz v1 Wrote: [ -> ]

I've heard some dodgy versions of this song, but Jesus Christ, that's an abomination.  Noddy Holder and Jim Lea should have sued Steps for defamation.

(21-11-2021, 10:41 PM)lorcand1990 Wrote: [ -> ]

(22-11-2021, 01:11 AM)Zaph Wrote: [ -> ]

(21-11-2021, 03:30 PM)jp liz v1 Wrote: [ -> ]

I've heard some dodgy versions of this song, but Jesus Christ, that's an abomination.  Noddy Holder and Jim Lea should have sued Steps for defamation.

It is cheesy pop crimbo 

(22-11-2021, 02:23 AM)jp liz v1 Wrote: [ -> ]

(22-11-2021, 01:11 AM)Zaph Wrote: [ -> ]I've heard some dodgy versions of this song, but Jesus Christ, that's an abomination.  Noddy Holder and Jim Lea should have sued Steps for defamation.

It is cheesy pop crimbo 

You've misspelled crime against humanity

(21-11-2021, 10:41 PM)lorcand1990 Wrote: [ -> ]

No, no, no!
Didn't play the video but it's stuck in my head now

Is it acceptable to buy someone a vacuum cleaner for Christmas?

It would make life easier for the person to replace the existing traditional style one (which is great quality despite being about 20 years old but quite heavy). Looking at something light, cordless with a removable handheld part. However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping it might make them clean up more if it was easier

I have no good ideas for this person, they are difficult at the best of times but I also don't want to offend... Hmmm

If it isn't your partner, then yes I think it's acceptable! A fancy vacuum can cost a fair whack!
They just make life and cleaning up so much easier. I know I definitely vacuum more since buying one last year ( it's a pity not everyone else in the house does though)

Meh, I wouldn't worry about a surprise element in those cases..

" look I haven't a clue what to get you for Christmas so would you like Xxxxxx"

(23-11-2021, 05:01 PM)Trigger Wrote: [ -> ]Meh, I wouldn't worry about a surprise element in those cases..

" look I haven't a clue what to get you for Christmas so would you like Xxxxxx"

I'll be told not to spend my money on said person in that case but need something, and rather it be useful, because non practical gifts get kind of sneered at  

And not a partner (thanks ceejay), yeah that would be an awkward one

(23-11-2021, 05:59 PM)ari101 Wrote: [ -> ]

(23-11-2021, 05:01 PM)Trigger Wrote: [ -> ]Meh, I wouldn't worry about a surprise element in those cases..

" look I haven't a clue what to get you for Christmas so would you like Xxxxxx"

I'll be told not to spend my money on said person in that case but need something, and rather it be useful, because non practical gifts get kind of sneered at  

And not a partner (thanks ceejay), yeah that would be an awkward one

A fancy new vacuum cleaner is definitely practical.

Perfect sig for this too!

(23-11-2021, 02:07 PM)ari101 Wrote: [ -> ]Is it acceptable to buy someone a vacuum cleaner for Christmas?
.
.
I have no good ideas for this person, they are difficult at the best of times but I also don't want to offend... Hmmm

Now this might not work for you, but...

Each year I used to find myself in a similar position.
Experimented one year with breaking free of the 'straight jacket' of practicality.
A simple & pleasant painting ( from the railings on Merrion Sq FWIW ) was given.
Success   ( a permanent position in their bedroom )
Dont recall practicality being required for subsequent years



I'm forever hearing stories about Dysons being overrated. Is it true ?