An Acrylic Christmas

Acrylic-bob · 03-12-2005, 04:55

The season of Christmas encompasses twelve days running from 25th December to January 6th, eg: Christmas Day to the Feast of the Epiphany.

I see nothing wrong in gathering resources and making preparations for the event in advance. That is only prudent, and, in the case of Christmas Cake, an absolute necessity.

It is only in the last thirty years that this season has been extended by common usage and the demands of rapacious retailers so that it now runs from early September to the middle of January.

This, like the extension of the fireworks season, does nothing to enhance the experience; since most mature people are heartily sick of the constant injuctions to "enjoy" oneself and "spend, spend, spend!" after the first week or so.

In the Acrylic household, Christmas begins at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Decorations are put up before bedtime, so that they may be a pleasant surprise for the younger, less jaundiced members of the household when they wake on Christmas Morning. That way the season retains its significance as being separate from the rest of the year.

There is, of course, much speculation on what gifts the season will bring, but any child attempting to dictate or influence the course of events will be sorely disappointed and will be advised of the traditional reward of such queries, ie: ashes.Which has the added benefit of teaching the hyperactive little darlings a valuable lesson about humility and their place in the pecking order.

It is my profound and unshakable belief that so long as the season brings the comfort of family, the companionship of friends and the forgiveness of enmity, then it will have been a very good Christmas indeed.

At this point I will add my best wishes for the coming season to all members.

SPUGGIE J · 03-12-2005, 12:12

At least a weeks maturing prior to serving for the cake then Ab?

Acrylic-bob · 03-12-2005, 14:05

Au contraire, for Christmas Cake I recommend at least three months with regular monthly libations of either Whiskey or Brandy to help it on it's way to maturity.

Gayle · 03-12-2005, 14:06

I'm sort of with you on this one A-B, although with having two small kids it's a tricky balance. Up until a few years ago I always put my Christmas tree up on the weekend before Christmas but my Mother in Law was horrified that I was spoiling Christmas for Maddie (Zack not born at that point). So now, bowing to in-law pressure I put the tree up a bit earlier, making a concession for the fact that the kids love it but not too early that it starts to wind me up.

This year, Maddie has been talking about Christmas since early November when she wrote her letter to Santa. They've been practising their songs at school since then too! The whole thing starts way too early if you ask me.

geoff70 · 03-12-2005, 15:12

i blame the supermarkets ,and the parents iv'e got to keep up with the jone's attitudes ...lets face it nowdays its a race on your street to see who spends the most on their kids ....or if someone has their christmas tree up in november im going to make sure next year my tree's up in october ...its just became one big competition ,but we must accept some of the blame as well ..

SPUGGIE J · 04-12-2005, 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

Au contraire, for Christmas Cake I recommend at least three months with regular monthly libations of either Whiskey or Brandy to help it on it's way to maturity.

I like Whiskey and Brandy so looks like 2 cakes for me.

Less · 04-12-2005, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

Au contraire, for Christmas Cake I recommend at least three months with regular monthly libations of either Whiskey or Brandy to help it on it's way to maturity.

Not quite correct AB Three servings per month is the minimum that should be used, one for the cake the rest for yourself!

lettie · 04-12-2005, 12:57

I used to make my Christmas cake in September and keep it wrapped in tinfoil in a big biscuit tin under the stairs. Every few weeks I would douse it in a miniture bottle of Brandy, then decorate it a few days before Christmas. It melted in the mouth and I would certainly not recommend driving after eating it...

I haven't made a Christmas cake for years and don't know where I've put my old recipe, but one day I may find it and give it another whirl.

I hate that Christmas starts so soon, putting up decorations in November and early December is complete overkill. The shops start selling Christmas food like Mince Pies so early that they have expired before Christmas.

SPUGGIE J · 04-12-2005, 18:28

Lettie if you do the cake again and its getting Brandy'd can I have some pretty please pretty pretty please.