[happygolucky]

I sent the Asda add to my daughter as it was just how my Christmas was every year...not now though..... , sadly a lot of families are u Der pressure to make it all "T.V." Perfect, when in fact it can be the most stressful time ever, I still enjoy Christmas though xxx


I am too shell shocked re the Church......not much more to say on that, they are def going back in time.......

[HelenVF]

Have to say, regarding the Asda ad, it was potsed on another forum asking why people were getting upset about it and i really couldn't see why.  It's similar in my house, although not as extreme, ditto in my parents, sister, brother and numerous friends. It's an advert......

Helen

[happygolucky]

All the Christmas adverts are similar, I understand why, when /if in advertising you play to stereotypes, but, I am not upset buy it but it just re enforces old fashioned values, I hated that I was the only one in my marrage that did Christmas, all the prep etc etc, I even used to put toy's and games together on Christmas morning, while cooking the food, in an ideal world, both partners should help each other, its so much nicer to do things together and share the joy and hard work of any festive time. I would love to see an add with both partners taking a share of things but I fear it would cause major rows in a lot of houses!!! 
I put up with a lot until I went to college and studied Sociology amongst other things, then I finaly saw how unfair life could be.......now my life IS equal  and very very happy!!!!! 
 
I personally believe in equality!!

[doganjo]

I must admit I was very lucky with both of my 'dearly departeds' - they both helped in the house, even though they were working long hours, and both of them took an equal part in the Christmas preparations.  They both abhorred women being taken for granted as is portrayed in these adverts. Yes they are JUST adverts but they put across a very outdated view of the home, that if accepted will do no good at all to upcoming youngsters.  And I am talking 1968 for my first marriage and 1994 for my second, so I really mean outdated - the dark ages!

[deepinthewoods]

i agree. i think todays, maybe younger man in the house does take more of the responsibility for the children, house work etc. Some of that has to do with both are out at work as well, but alot is due to the fact that the  'feminist' change worked and was a good influence on the boys they brought up. my personal case is towards the more extreme end of the spectrum, i know, but i know many more good fathers supporting their partners, than bad. As a cross section of my peers.

[Moleskins]

Oh P Lease!
These ads show a happy family with the woman as the central role in Christmas. She's the one with the 'power' they're not sexist at all. What the.y don't show is all the blokes get up after dinner and do the washing up.

[happygolucky]

  actually Moleskins that is true, my ex and my current husband do the washing up!!!

My 2 daughters seem to have found partners that do their share......sort of,  not sure about my youngest daughter as her relationship is new  as yet and is a very very complex set up   

Like you say, behind every successful man there is a 

[plumseverywhere]

The ASDA ad sums up this house but misses some bits out!! I will choose, buy, hide and wrap 100% of the presents. Choose, cook and serve all the food (for 13 this year) all nativity play costumes down to mummy. I will make sure daddy gets there on time. I also have to buy all of the presents FROM my mum for all the kids and extended family, wrap them etc and just lately hubbys mum and gran get me to do theirs too. Oh and I have to sell some bars of soap along the way!!agh!!

[happygolucky]

I can relate to that Plumbs!! The worse Christmas was my mums last, she was only 63 but an Alcoholic and was a real live wire that could confuse anyone, my then husband had a radiator drop on his foot so he lay on the sofa all day, the kids had bad stomaches and my mum drove me to distraction!!!! I had no help at all and sat down, after our meal, around 4, only to be asked by everyone "whats for tea"?
I so wish I could re do that Christmas !!
 
 
 
 
hat last Christmas was the one and only Christmas I did very little, I went to stay in a hotel and then went on to my middle daughter and family where most of the cooking was done between my son in law and daughter, I do not think I actually did that much that day at all, I try to be with my family at some point and one year, stayed with my now husband, in my previous marital home in my ex marital bed, while my ex was on his own, he had a girlfriend but she stayed at her own house that night....I proceded to be left to cook everything!!!!!!!  not sure how many but loads, and when I cook at my own house I prepare as much as possible, so its easy!!!!!!  This Christmas day me and my husband will be taken out for a walk in the forest by the dogs, then return to a hot bath, fire and slob around with maybe a ready meal or snack foods......a real slobby day in front of the fire and films!!!

[Berkshire Boy]

Plums have you ever heard of the word NO.

[plumseverywhere]

I need to use it more often really don't I 

[RUSTYME]

Not being a foody and detesting what christmas has become , i don't do it !
I usually have beans on toast or cheese o t for dinner .
 My aunt will be staying in a holiday let this year and although she is staying there to 'avoid' christmas , she will do the usual , chicken , turkey , goose , pork every veg known to man dinner , i am not looking forward to it at all .
The whole thing is a load of bllx and i detest it !
2 weeks of bloody mayhem , oh god .
  I have made it clear that i will not be going shopping everyday , every other day or even once a week .
Oh how i hate this time of year .
 Happy 'x'mas everyone .

[happygolucky]

Rusty, I would swear  you are my brother, he almost posts the same stuff in E Mails to me, he however likes all the nice food around (in the sales after) and the TV.

I do actually worry about the amount of stress people face and the debut they go into to provide what is portrayed on adds or films when in truth, they may be very worried and then face the rest of the year paying for things that they do not need and also gym membership for food they overate.

I am just as guilty for over buying food at Christmas, just stand in a check out and see the amount of food that every one (even my brother) have in their trolley.....why do we suddenly need so much food?  I bet loads end up in the bin!!!
I am not keen on the forced being happy stuff either, we all have to be with people that otherwise would get on our nerves.........
 As usual we have had loads of enquiries for Christmas accomadation but we are not doing or taking any of them, if I said Yes, I would not be able to go out etc and they probaly would cancel last min so leave me stuck, I am looking forward to takeing my little girl and her little partner to the Panto this Chritmas, with my husband of course, then comming home to a nice big fire and sample all the wines as she has a wine company""
My idea of Christmas is a nice meal with people you love and enjoy being with, being warm and happy.......Happy Christmas Russ (maybe that women will pop in to visit with some mistily toe)

[RUSTYME]

Happy christmas Sandy !
 Yes , the insane spendfest is what i detest , along with the whole false sense of occassion .
Having no tv helps keep things normal for me , but the outside world can be a bit like the plague , it finds a way in somehow !
 
I tend to go more on the lines of celebrating the mid winter thing really .
The days start getting longer and sowing time is on it's way .
Avoiding all the plastic crap seems to be my main aim these days . People give me clothes etc , i always say i don't want anything thank you , but nearly everything is poly wotsit or nylon etc , i tell them what i do with it , but they never take any notice !
I don't wear plastic clothes , i burn them , such a waste .
 The stereotypical happy family is pushed to the limit at this time of year on tv and in the shops , and people just follow like sheep , why ?
It is all out of control now , and how much further commercialism can go i have no idea . The sexism side of things at this time of year is all pure tv and in the shops .
Avoid both and it doesn't exist .
As for the 'mistle toe' i have an antidote , onion sandwiches ! , very strong ones . Not to forget garlic munching as well .
 

[happygolucky]

THANKS!!
I laugh as my X always HAS to be with  his grandchildren at Christmas....that's wonderful for him as he is loaded!! and now they are all in Australia.....so..!! He is not good with the grandchildren,, or in fact give them big presents etc, just does what he thinks he should do!!!! (I'm not bitter )
My pleasure this year is a flask of soup in the forest with the dogs and my husband, his ancestry is unknown but I am sure Ebeneser is in there some where!!!!
Onions or Garlic do not bother me