Christmas is just around the corner

[kah22]

I've just went online and bought my first Christmas present. (Sorry that's classified) And I started to wonder how do you spend Christmas in Melbourne?



My Christmas consists of Mid-Night Mass. Armagh is the religious capital of Ireland for both the Catholic and Protestant faith so when it comes to the big occasions we really can put on a show. Mid-night mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral is normall broadcast throughout Ireland.



It use to be quite common to see a fall of snow when you were comming home from mass but with global warming and all that sort of stuff that seems to be a thing of the past. Pity.



I generally get home about 2.00am and have something to eat.



The house is invaded about 10.00 pm when all the nephews and nieces arrive with their Christmas loot and cast a beedy eye about seeing what else is in store for them. OK they also distribute presents, socks and aftershave that you wouldn't think of wearing seems to be very popular <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



They stay for about two hours and the whole house is in uproar but then Christmas is really for children. When they leave my sister starts into the Christmas dinner. She is a great cook and both her husband, my mother and I really look forward to itl



After diner of course there is the Christmas television - but it really has went to the dogs over the past number of years. I think this year I'll buy one or two DVD's a film, some general entertainment, something light, something Christmas.



I love Christmas, I love the build up to it.



How will you spend your Christmas.



Kevin.

[glen]

hi kevin, you know we have a st patricks cathedral in melbourne too! its the biggest catholic church in the city.



religion in melbourne seems to be an uncool topic to talk about (for fear of offending other non-religious people or people of different faiths). but the reality is that australia is still predominately a christian country and christmas is celebrated by many.



we have christmas carols (usually late at night)...and most people would go to church on sunday as well. then they often have a barbeque and invite the family. a bbq is very popular over here for when people want to come together as a group. usually people eat steak, sausages, salad etc and have some cold beer. and maybe a leg of ham.



this year i have my brother coming over to visit so the whole family will be together. should be good. no doubt the aunties and uncles and cousins will all get together.



i guess i have to start thinking about what presents to buy...i often leave this to the last minute <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



cheers, glen

[kah22]

[quote name='glen' post='1161' date='Dec 2 2006, 12:44 AM']we have christmas carols (usually late at night)...and most people would go to church on sunday as well. then they often have a barbeque and invite the family. a bbq is very popular over here for when people want to come together as a group. usually people eat steak, sausages, salad etc and have some cold beer. and maybe a leg of ham.



cheers, glen[/quote]



OHHHH I HATE it when you start talking about barbeque. The last bbq I was invited to had to be called off because of rain - and that was in the middle of summer <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[glen]

well maybe with global warming the weather in ireland will improve? <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> i know i used to complain about the rain in melbourne but these days we don't get very much rain at all. we have a drought at the moment.