What comes to mind when you think of Christmas?

christmas - my son in his santas helper costume
Australia
November 14, 2007 8:39am CST
Simple enough question right? Well not so much. My nephew is preparing a christmas play at school and as my sister works I go help him at school. Well few days ago I was called if I can drop in to give the teachers a hand as they only had 2 teachers and over 50 kids. So off I went and in the middle of it the cd player didnt work so they had to get a new one from another class room. And me the vilage idiot started enretaining the kids (ranging from 6 to 8). I asked the above question and this is what I got "PRESENTS". Was I suprised no not really. What would your kids say? what would be your answer?
6 people like this
19 responses
• Indonesia
13 Feb 08
I have no kids, so I will represent them (I hope there will be them :)). I think Christmas is a gift. God gave us the most valuable gift in the universe: Jesus. So, that's is a good tradition to distribute gift to our kids, our family, anybody.
1 person likes this
• Australia
14 Feb 08
I agree with you that jesus was a gift to all of us christians and as he also recived gifts to celebrate his birth its good to share that with the people we love expecially kids but lately we are overdoing it we spend 1000's of dollars on gifts that become like a "have to" istead of just a gift. I mean how many times do we say I have to buy a gft for so and so instead of I would like to give so and so a gift to tell them how much I care for them and how much they mean to us.
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@peanutjar (5198)
• Canada
14 Nov 07
Hi violeta-va.My daughter would most probably say"Santa,presents,lots of food and going to meme's(meaning grammys for x-mas dinner)haha.My daughter wants to see "santa" so bad!!and keeps asking when he's coming,haha. Peanutjar:)
1 person likes this
• Australia
15 Nov 07
Lucky santa only comes once a year I hate to think if we had more celebrations like Christmas what would happen.
• United States
15 Nov 07
Hmmm, the first thing I picture when I think of Christmas is all the pretty lights twinkling against the crisp, new snow and the brisk air blowing across my fast that just feels "pure". Ahhh. After that I think of traditions, family togetherness and sharing. I'm not Christian. I celebrate Christmas solely as season for giving and sharing and passing down traditions that bind a family together. I love Christmas time.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
Oh snow and christmas how I miss that. I have not used snow and christmas in the same sentence for 4 years as we dont have snow for Christmas in Australia we have hot summer then.
• United States
15 Nov 07
My husband wants to move to Florida or Vegas but I don't know if I could survive Christmas without snow (not that it snows that often on Christmas anymore up here but it's the principle of the thing). I don't think I could do Christmas in the summer, it would just be too odd.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
trust me it is not the same it does not feel like christmas when you are dressed in shorts and t-shirt have the air-con on and are sweating like crazy. My first christmas in Australia was so strange. We light a fire outside and everyone gets together. So off we went to church and they had a big fire on 40C heat. some years we even have fire ban.
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
14 Nov 07
The first thing that comes to my mind is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that getting presents is fun and exciting, but the greatest Gift of all is Jesus Christ. It is His Birthday and so many times we tend to forget that. Let's remember the real reason for Christmas! Jesus Christ! God bless.
1 person likes this
• Australia
15 Nov 07
I do mt religius duties and I know the reason we celebrate it but I dont feel quilty for buying presents because jesus recived presents when he was born.
• India
14 Nov 07
All my college friends, come to my mind, and though not a christian, i used to wait for christmas to come, during my college days. As the college closes for Christmas Vacation, and i get 10 days of leave....and i can spend time with my family lol:) Take care and have a good day violeta-va.
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• Australia
15 Nov 07
well at least you got to enjoy the holiday by spending more time with your family
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
14 Nov 07
My son wouldn't have an answer, because he doesn't have much concept of Christmas just yet. Personally when I think of Christmas, I think of friends and family, decorations, baking, listening to holiday music with my mom. Shopping for a tree, decorating the tree and remembering the stories behind the special ornaments. That's the sort of stuff that I think of. Christmas shopping and giving presents is there too, but it's not the first thing that comes to mind, it's closer to the last thing.
1 person likes this
• Australia
14 Nov 07
well to many kids that the first thing. That is nice when all the things you just mentioned are things close to heart.
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@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
15 Nov 07
that's natural for kids who are brought up receiving gifts every Christmas. that's how kids in our family too. when Christmas is approaching they would think of new clothes and shoes. ^__^;; for me, when I think of Christmas I think of my godchildren. and how much I'm gonna be spending on Christmas gifts for them! LOL its unavoidable because all my godchildren never fail to go to our house during Christmas and they would expect something from me. that's how it is for every godmothers and godfathers like me. because its custom. ^__^
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
15 Nov 07
i have too many of them. ^__^;;
• Australia
15 Nov 07
well lets hope you dont have too many of them :))
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 07
Kids would say presents. But they also would say candy canes as well.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
hahah in that case and a nice visit to the dentist :))) just joking I am sure they dont eat too many
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
15 Nov 07
well my kids would say presents or snow but i would say the birth of jesus but also my family that i have.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
a nice mix of everything then :))))
@lisa_wxy (393)
• China
15 Nov 07
oh,chiristmas!i like the atmosphere around the city,turkey,sant,gifts,christmas tree......so many funny things.i still remember last year,on christmas eve,we went to our teacher's home,eating pumpkin pie,singing songs.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
I do like the atmosphere all festive and all that but at the same time its so busy and stressful
@lancingboy (1385)
• United States
15 Nov 07
I immediately think about Christmas Eve at my grandma's house. This is the only time of the year when all the family members are together at the same time (even though most of the people who go there live only about 5-10 miles away). Presents are nice, but I enjoy the family gathering even more.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
family is what matters after all if you dont have family no presents :)))
• India
15 Nov 07
well when it comes to christmas, three things comes to my mind- Santa, celebrations and long long vaccations. I think Christmas is the perfect time to relax and chill as well as celebrate. This the most cheerful festival. I love christmas. On christmas season, I get a long vacations from my college and a big reason to celebrate and enjoy..... When I was a child I used to wait for christmas whole year and finaly when it used to come at the end of every year, I used to enjoy a lot with my family and freinds. On christmas, I used to decorate my house as well as I can and wait for my gifts. I used to get lot of gifts from my parents and my grandparents on this day. I always had a feeling of meeting the santa at once. My mom used to say that on this day, Santa will come at night and place your gift near your pillow. When I used to wake up next morning I always find a gift lying near my pillow. I know that my parents have kept that gift there not the santa clause. Now also I like christmas very much. On christmas everyone have a great festive spirit and everyone wants to celebrate it in very cheerful and joyful way. I also get a long vaccation in the cristmas season. I like to spend the whole christmas season with my family and freinds. I love to send christmas e-cards to all my freinds and relatives......... now also cristmas is approaching closer. Its aorund a month left for that festive season to start. I have already started preparing for christmas and wishing all the mylotters MERRY CHRISTMAS in advance..........
• Australia
15 Nov 07
what a great happy memory you have of the way things were for you. Thanks for sharing
• Philippines
15 Nov 07
Every time that Christmastime comes, it always reminded me of my youth. My youth which was filled with memories of my happy family then. My dad used to decorate our christmas tree with all the tidings available and my mom has to bake cakes and prepare salad. But the most memorable to me was when i woke up at the middle of the night during christmas eve, my dad was the one putting some candies on my hanging socks. Then i pretended to be asleep. The next morning my dad says, hey Sta. Claus visited you again last night because you've been very good the whole year. So try to be good next year so that santa would come again to you. I just smiled with awe but thrill no more. But somehow,t'was my great moments that i cherished up to this time.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
Because we (christian orhodox) dont give presents for christmas and santa gave us the presents for new year. One year I kept watching on tv about how he puts presents under the tree so I asked my parents why santa didnt come and put presents under my tree. So that year my father came in my room (as that is where the tree was) and put a teddy bear only I saw him. he tried to convince me that it wasnt him but no use. So they gave up.
• Philippines
15 Nov 07
He he he he. thanks
@dancinman (119)
• United States
14 Mar 08
well i would say , that it proves that we as Christians, are not using the Bible as GOD instructs us to. we are s'posed to talk about its precepts all day and going to bed and getting up so that our children wont be lost forever.
• Australia
15 Mar 08
I am christian my self (orhodox) but I dont talk of religion all day every day not even Christmas There is no reason for me to do this I obey the bible and I am not using Gods name every second.
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
15 Nov 07
Well... of course... for children... it is all about presents. For me... once upon a time... but not anymore... It was not about getting presents... but buying presents for everyone. Buying a Christmas tree. Buying lobsters for Christmas eve and a leg of ham plus a turkey for that famous Christmas lunch that I was looking forward to. And not forgetting to order the "buche de noel"... which is the French Christmas cake. lol Then it was time to pack and go on holiday for 3 weeks. Those were my Christmas... and they were costing me a fortune.
• Australia
15 Nov 07
oh well at least you are left with good memories. As Christian Orthodox we dont buy presents for Christmas (which is on 6 january) instead we but presents for New Year. Well if I lived in Macedonia that is what I would have done but in Australia we do get presents for the kids and they get them on our Christmas or on new year.
• United States
14 Nov 07
The first thing I think of is the birth of Jesus Christ, and the real meaning of Christmas. Then, family and friends, decorations, trees, gifts for all, lots of food and all the work involved. It is fun work to a degree, but I am so happy when the whole thing is over and life goes back to normal. Happy posting..
• Australia
15 Nov 07
I am glad that family is one of the first thing that pops into your head. I dont think the holiday would be any good without family and someone to share the joy
@MarieJ23 (1040)
• United States
15 Nov 07
I always associate Christmas to giving and receiving of gifts, family gatherings and beautiful fireworks.. don't have kids yet but my nephew and some little cousins associate it to santa claus and gifts/presents for them...hehhee
• Australia
15 Nov 07
Yes it all comes back to the presents for the kids God bless them
@taurus67 (176)
• Philippines
15 Nov 07
of course I think of gift giving...but the most important is the family reunion.
• Philippines
15 Nov 07
my whole family and my friends with gifts and greetings.