whats the best christmas you have had?

Mine was a few years ago whil my daughter was working in Majorca.  I just couldnt bear the thought of her over there and me over here, so, my friend and I flew out on Christmas Eve and came back on Boxing day. it was heaven.  I put up no decoration or cards as I wasnt staying at home.  on Christmas day we walked along the beach, and got text from friend to say bad snow at home. it was one of the most magical christmas's I have had.  I was also probably the most expensive! I had a house sitter stay with my dogs who was charging high rates as it was after all christmas.

after being married for 25 years , then having christmas with just me and the dogs (my choice)  and i have loved it ever since ,no manic cooking or stressing bliss !!!

One of mine was being with my family in Canada one year, with snow.  We were BBQ'ing in -12.  Then off for a walk.

Going to get the tree was an experience, we actually went and cut it down dragged it to the car and home. And i woke up to snow on my birthday.

We came home on new years day, it snowed like mad, I'd never seen it come down so thick and fast.  Almost got my wish to be snowed in, we were grounded for three hours and had a very rocky flight home. 

Otherwise, the first christmas I spent with my not so better half (I'm the better half lol).

The best one we had was 7 years ago, when my mum was still with us!! 

Never had one yet, just hoping that this one is the best and we get told that mum's clear of cancer and that she didn't have a heart attack yesterday

I think it is all the personal good news ( or lack of bad news) that makes a good celebration. Presents mean nothing if there are no treasured family and friends to share them with you. It's been a bad year this year, hoping that next year brings good things for us all :)

oh perro hope its good news ...

Got to be better than last year when we were stuck living with the inlaws! But it will be sad too as it's the first without Henry. Should be quite good though, we're hosting lunch this year so we get to call the shots!

My best one has to be when I was away from my family.

I was travelling and in Sydney, not the best of weathers on the day, but was living with 2 lovely guys and we had an awesome Xmas!! Pre-dogs and not a care in the world - wonderful.

I'd just love to have a proper BBQ for Xmas, something different, not a huge fan of tradition and like to mix things up and not follow the norm.

My childhood Christmases were the best ones, when my Gran was alive, we would get together with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins either at my Grans house or at one of my Aunts houses (once I think at ours .... my mum hated cooking for so many people !) We would play games and take all the dogs for walks, it was great.  Unfortunately we lost my Gran about 7 years ago, since then most of us have had children and we dont get together at Christmas anymore as everyone has created their own families and extended families.

there was a knock on the door xmas eve and then a huge scream from my mum, our uncle was standing there he had got away from the troubles in south africa, my mum had spent days on the phone trying to track him down as we had found out his farm had been taken we did not know he was alive or dead the days where awful but he look and tears on both their faces will stay with us for years and years,

the next best xmas i could wish for is that my nephew returns from iraq intact and he can see his child for the first time

Judgedredd, we shall all hope that your wish comes true :)

Oooh I remember so many childhood Chrismas Day's that were the best.

Since I grew up and left home, I think our first together was best, apart from me having to cook for everyone after only 3 months in the house!

This year it is just OH, me and the dogs - I am really looking forward to it.

One of my most memorable was the first christmas with my husband. Never having been allowed in the kitchen at home I didn't have much of a clue re cooking a Christmas dinner. I was very proud of my effort until he started to carve and there was this toxic smelling concotion oozing out of it's bottom, I hadn't taken the giblets out of the plastic bag.......

29 years later he still asks every Christmas if I had removed the giblets, even last year when we had salmon!!!!

Best Christmas' for me ar certainly when my children were young.
One year I got so sick with excitement for the I was sent to bed for a lie down

The whole business of santa coming and to see my child actually tremble with excitement.
No greater time for me than the magic of that.
Karen :)

Christmas Day in Colva, Goa - sometime in the 1990's. Woke to tropical birdsong, took my daypack and walked along the paddy dykes to the beach. Had buttered toast in a beach cafe then went for a swim. Families were walking to the local church for the Christmas service. In the afternoon I went for a walk and took photos - it felt like a hot summer Sunday afternoon in August!

In the evening a couple of tractor-drawn floats with very simple tableaus of the nativity scene passed through the village... featuring a young lad, a young girl dressed as Mary holding a doll, with a goat kid or donkey! Everywhere I saw stars - those star-shaped paper lampshades you sometimes get here are Christmas decorations in Goa, strung from outside every home with a bulb in each and twinkling through the palms. Many houses had built nativity tableaux in their front gardens lit with candles or fairy-lights. In the evening eaxch family went once again to church before setting down to their family dinner. No gifts or trees or Santas here.

A special meal cooked by the guesthouse's housekeeper in the evening, traditional Goan Christmas dinner. I gave them Christmas cards I'd found in the local town, they were delighted.

Up early the next morning to take taxi back to the airport and landed in rainy grey London on Boxing Day. But very very special and really captured the real meaning of Christmas.

they're all good...apart from the one when I was 6 and got given a pink velvet dress as my 'big' present :-l

Most have been good, some not so. Not having children & as I get older to be honest find them stressful, as if I should be enjoying every moment and I'm not. It's the level of expectation which goes with it followed by New Year and to be honest the best times have been when away living overseas and spending time with friends. Sydney Australia, friends, sun, warmth, outside in the fresh air can't be beaten.