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Christmas is coming .....

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kat100
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Kat100

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our Christmas time , the big countdown ....but what is our story ....feel,free to join in , let's see if we can keep it going untill the big day ...
Real , made up , sad , fun , let's get creating .... ....what is our story .... Please feel,free to add anything ....everyone welcome ....

So the last day of November has arrived , Black Friday has been and gone ...all feels quiet today, can't even hear a mouse, and presents are hiding all,over the house ....!
See story time now .....

In fact I am putting my feet up ....I have made a festive curry for later ...which I will enjoy with Tom (kat)
A lentil and aubergine one cooked in coconut milk ....yes I have a little potion of rice ...not much but just enough ...
Have been debating what to eat on Christmas day , may save the traditional untill the weekend of the 27!th and 28th in fact I think I rather like that idea ...
This means thinking of a new menu for Christmas day and Boxing Day ...something nice and simple ...but tasty ...
Back to today , I am not having a panic it is only a day ....
But for some reason I am rushing off to the City tomorrow , will get the early morning bus ... Do I feel under pressure ....I might do ...I just like to be prepared , I failed as a brownie being prepared ..never could get my housework and sewing badge ...
Back to festive thoughts ....tomorrow is the first of december ..I don't have an advert Calender so I think I will need 25 squares of a chocolate of my choice ...that will keep me going ...one a day , untill I can eat a whole box , only joking , I am just wishing ...
Two years ago I was diaganosed with this db it was a horrid christmas , not this year though , I am going to make it one of the best ....festive thoughts ...love kat x
 
Boxing day is sons birthday and we usually have a boiled bacon joint, I have to admit I loooove boily bacon stuff the turkey just give me the bacon, with stuffing and left over roasted veg yum, yum, yum. don't care what the others want give me the bacon
 
you be lonely this Christmas?
COMMENTS (210)


People are being urged to look out for elderly neighbours this winter
More from Nick
For most people this is probably the busiest time of year.

Nights spent at parties and catching up with friends, culminating with a Christmas surrounded by family.

But the festive period is not like that for everyone.

Age UK estimates about 450,000 will be spending this Christmas alone.

A combination of the ageing population and the fact families are dispersed across the country - and abroad for that matter - means it is not always easy to get together.

Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, says it is a "chilling" thought, which combined with the shorter days and poorer weather, results in the festive period being one of the most vulnerable times of year for the frailest in society.

But, sadly, the problem is not just confined to Christmas.

Research for the Campaign to End Loneliness shows that more than half of over 75s now live alone with many saying that television is their main source of company.


One in 10 report only having contact with family, friends and neighbours once a month.

It equates to over 800,000 people in England being classified as "chronically lonely".

Kate Jopling, director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, says the situation is "shocking" and desperately needs to be addressed.

She says research has shown showing that loneliness can have significant impact on health - both mentally and physically - with one study even suggesting that it was "as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day".

To be fair, the government and NHS has recognised there is a problem that needs addressing.

A Winter Friends campaign has just been launched appealing for a return to an "old-fashioned sense of neighbourliness" by encouraging people to check on elderly friends and neighbours over the winter months.

The aim is to get 100,000 signed up to free alerts that reminds them when bad weather is forecast and gives them tips on how they can help.

These include:

  • Setting aside time aside to drop in on an older neighbour or friend once a week - more often if the weather turns very cold.
  • Checking their home is warm enough. The main living area should be around 21°C and bedrooms should be 18°C.
  • Making sure the person is eating well and has some non-perishable foods in the cupboard in case they can't leave the house for a few days.
  • Offering to pick a prescription or giving them a lift to the GP - many elderly people take regular medicines.
  • Helping to keep them active by offering to walk with them if they are not confident, clearing snow from their path and making sure they have grippy shoes and a good coat, hat and gloves.
Meanwhile, a 24-hour phone service - Silver Line - has also been launched with Lottery money to offer the over 75s friendship, information and advice.

These initiatives will no doubt help.

But with the social care system under such strain (councils are cutting back on the home help they provide) not to mention the concern over the cost of energy, it promises to be a tough few months for many.

Article written by Nick Triggle Health correspondent

Sometimes a sad and lonely time for people, 450,000 of over 65's are alone at Christmas .
I do find Christmas difficult, if my daughter and I didn't go to my elderly dad's on Christmas day all he would have would be carers, no family, no friends

Christmas has changed so much over the past couple of years, I do love being with my teenager, and for that, I am indeed lucky..............

RRB
 
So true ..how many of us think of the elderly and those alone or just those who,go,without ....of which there are many ....
Christmas has changed so much I agree , what happened to the simple fun , and that pillowcase that was left by santa , and did anyone see Santa eat the mincepies ....can you visit me to on Christmas day RRB ...your dad is so lucky to have you x
 
Enjoy Christmas and your sons birthday ...and your bacon lol ...I am veggie I love the roasted veg
 
Just a thought why can't all Xmas cards be free to,post at Christmas .....my elderly aunts always wish for that ....all can get very expensive ..
 
I went Out to the shops this morning , lots of ladies were complainting that they didn't know what to,get their husbands for christmas , and all the right shirt sizes were out of stock ....what do men like under the tree
 

Kat a visit would be lovely, thank you, but alas no.............

I sometimes wish I could be a child/teenager again in the family home, looking forward to Christmas day, excited full of Christmas expectations, mum cooking dinner in the kitchen, and just a lovely simple life with no worries, concerns or 'what if's'................... take good care

Christmas wishes RRB x
 
Kat100 said:
Just a thought why can't all Xmas cards be free to,post at Christmas .....my elderly aunts always wish for that ....all can get very expensive ..
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I'm in the Scouts and we do a Xmas post service in our local area. No good for further afield cards, but maybe cuts the costs for cards people would post locally.
 
Christmas is coming and so are we. Hearing about cancellations and non bookers is very sad, but

lets look at it this way. Beautiful sunshine, fabulous beaches, brilliant people, cheap booze and feasting for every taste, the high exchange rate, the luxury of Luigis and great friends, be rude not to really. Looking forwards to seeing all who agree.
 
Kat100 said:
Just a thought why can't all Xmas cards be free to,post at Christmas .....my elderly aunts always wish for that ....all can get very expensive ..
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Have to agree Kat100 ,I was surprised how much stamps are these days.
 
Oh so do I RobinRB,I often say this to my dad I was more concerned on when I get older,wished I hanged onto that moment now not a care in the world they were the days .
 
Robinredbreast said:
I know, you would need to get a loan out to purchase a few stamp books lol
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Yes now which loan company do I choose,so many on offer at this time of year I hate these ads put pressure on vulnerable people at Christmas time.
 
But you
But you will be visiting my bird table on Christmas morning for your grated cheese
 
Snowy12 said:
Yes now which loan company do I choose,so many on offer at this time of year I hate these ads put pressure on vulnerable people at Christmas time.View attachment 8732
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Makes it more stressful ....I read an article about Joanna lumley , who described how she and her family , give very simple gifts in their family , keeping it simple ....far to much pressure these days ..then people get sad ...
Find those Sharks ....x
 
dtennant9 said:
I'm in the Scouts and we do a Xmas post service in our local area. No good for further afield cards, but maybe cuts the costs for cards people would post locally.
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That is nice ..giving something back to the community x
 
Just wondered if anyone here is going to be alone this christmas
 
Does anyone know of any support organisations for those in need or in need of company ...at Christmas time ...
I know it is one day , but people might like to know ....

I can only think of Salvation Army and age concern ....
 
Kat100 said:
Does anyone know of any support organisations for those in need or in need of company ...at Christmas time ...
I know it is one day , but people might like to know ....

I can only think of Salvation Army and age concern ....
Click to expand...
I think Shelter and Crisis are looking for volunteers to help with Christmas jobs
 
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