To sum up Christmas 2025 I have an analogy befitting of Yelp - It was like the most beautiful, decadent feast laid out before me, complete with all my favorite dishes. Each one was expertly prepared to be the best it's ever been. I dug in, fully expecting to enjoy every single bite. But, for some strange reason, it was tasteless. In an attempt to find flavor somewhere I ate more, yet it made no difference. My discontent and frustration eventually dissolved into relief once the meal was over. The issue definitely wasn't for a lack of trying. I did what I've always done on the same schedule, such as putting up decorations and shopping for gifts. I drove around to look at other people's decorations. I listened to Christmas music and watched Christmas movies every chance I got. I attended events like my town's annual Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony, my son's school Christmas pageant, and Christmas Eve church service. Still, no matter what I did, the Christmas spirit eluded me. I actually entertained the idea that the alignment of the stars could have been to blame. Now, I'm no expert in astrology so I can't say whether some planet entered or exited one house or another. Or, maybe something else was or wasn't in retrograde. Who knows? I only know that this season's energy felt off. Despite my disappointment, I remain optimistic that future Christmases will embody all the same magic and joy as ones from the past. So I'm throwing in an extra star because haven't given up hope. read more

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Christmas to me is not just December 25th but an entire season that begins at Thanksgiving and ends with New Years. To me it's a celebration of the beginning of the winter season and a lead up to new beginnings in the year ahead. Thanksgiving is the best holiday in terms of food. However, Christmas is the winner when it comes to music. Not only that but Christmas has carolers! Now that's something special that no other holiday has. Oh gosh, I love those carolers!! When it comes to music it is hard to pick a favorite. I like the classic songs like Irving Berlin's White Christmas but I also love Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You! and Taylor Swift's Christmas Tree Farm is a great new song as well. I think Christmas music should continue until New Years Eve but the radio always stops it right at Christmas. There are only a few New Years songs anyways and they don't really get played. Christmas is a time for feel good movies. My personal favorites are It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. And also, the Hallmark Channel has a great selection every year. Honorable mention are those ugly Christmas sweaters although I think they are rather cute! Winter coats, wreaths, Santa, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, candy canes, kissing under the mistletoe, presents, the pine cone/cinnamon/cloves smell, and Christmas cookies definitely warm my heart. And of course, it's not Christmas without the beautiful decorations and lights everywhere. An uplifting sight at the darkest time of the year. And, of course, the beautiful Christmas trees in people's houses and offices. I love decorations and people and stores go all out with the Christmas decorations more than any other holiday! While Christmas might not be at the top of my list in terms of my favorite holiday of all time, it sure is a nice time of year that is so "merry and bright" and filled with "holiday cheer"! read more

Christmas - Christmas wreath...so pretty - Gift Shops Near Me - North Pole, Alaska

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I arrive at Christmas the way one arrives at an old hometown: with affection, mild dread, and the uneasy knowledge that the hardware store has been replaced by a dispensary and a place selling scented candles called Memory. Let's get the obvious out of the way. The holiday has become an online store with hymns. The birth of a savior now comes with a receipt, a warranty, and a suggested retail price. Every year there are more lights, more inflatable livestock, more things that blink urgently as if joy itself were running on a low battery. Somewhere an accountant is whispering "peace on earth" into a spreadsheet. And yet, here is the inconvenient truth, Christmas still works. Against all logic and capitalism, it still delivers. The food is imperfect, the gifts are occasionally baffling, and at least one relative will say something that should not have been said aloud. But then there we are, gathered together, briefly agreeing to stop whatever it is we usually do to one another and instead sit in the same room and remember who we are supposed to be. Children believe in magic. Adults pretend not to, while secretly hoping someone notices what they really want. Stories get told again, often inaccurately through the memory of time but lovingly. Time slows just enough to be noticed. That's the product you can't buy, no matter how hard the holiday tries to sell itself. I knock off a star for the relentless commercial drumbeat and the way simplicity has become an endangered species. But I give four stars because Christmas, flawed and overproduced as it is, still manages to manufacture something miraculous: shared memory. And that, last I checked, isn't taxable. Would I recommend it? Yes. Once a year is plenty. read more

Happiest of holiday seasons to all you Yelpers! Wishing you all the warmest and coziest of Christmases and that you all may be surrounded by love, joy, peace, and great food! The 2025 holiday season has been a bit chaotic for us (and for so many others too no doubt). I'm usually done with my "activities" after thanksgiving but this year we've had double visits from the (adult) kids and others due to an illness in the family - so I've been working overtime making sure everyone is well fed and just desperately trying to infuse at least a little magic into the season for everyone. But it has been nice to see everyone more than usual and heal some old wounds and bond etc. Counting my blessings! Christmas has never been a fave for me - I'm definitely team Thanksgiving and way more of a Halloween girl in general lol. It drives me nuts the way Christmas shopping creeps in earlier and earlier every year. I saw a store with Christmas stuff out in September this year smdh LOL!! And why is it that everyone becomes so aggressive during the holiday shopping? Surely it isn't just me that notices how all the stores - even grocery stores - are like war zones or survival scenarios lol?? I'm quite the introvert and my social battery is usually pretty drained by the time December rolls around. I always start out so excited for the holidays once Sept/oct approaches but am always SO relieved on Dec 26 lol! I do wish the major holidays were spread throughout the year a bit more. However, I do enjoy all the festive decorations and Christmas light displays and hot chocolates and all the cozy vibes. And who could complain about all the yummy food?? That being said, I'm ready to get back on my regular eating schedule and I hope I never see the inside of my kitchen again haha!! Anyway - I hope everyone has had a beautiful Christmas! I'm so thankful for all the Yelp love and look forward to following all your Yelp adventures to come! Happy holidays Yelpers!! Xoxoxo read more

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Christmas Day 2025 is a real quiet day this year for me. We held our family celebration during the day on the 24th because of family schedules.. So on the evening of the 23rd we acted like it was Christmas eve and had our Christmas dinner. The morning of the 24th we woke up to presents under the tree and a couple of surprises from Santa. The 24th really felt like Christmas other than we didn't attend any Christmas eve church service. We continued our Christmas celebration later in the evening on the 24th by having a game night. Christmas day is just an exceptionally quiet day. We can reflect the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus. We don't need the chaos of a routine Christmas but we miss having all the family present. The positive thing that has happened with our schedule is I have quiet time to catch up on corresponding with friends, writing Yelp reviews and reading Yelp friends activity. I want to take this opportunity to wish all my Yelp friends a Merry Christmas! I hope each one of my Yelp friends has a meaningful and enjoyable Christmas in whatever way you celebrate. read more

Christmas - A four foot tall table top Christmas tree - Gift Shops Near Me - North Pole, Alaska

To all my Yelpsters My Christmas Wish For You My Christmas wish for you, my friend Is not a simple one For I wish you hope and joy and peace Days filled with warmth and sun I wish you love and friendship too Throughout the coming year Lots of laughter and happiness To fill your world with cheer May you count your blessings, one by one And when totaled by the lot May you find all you've been given To be more than what you sought May your journeys be short, your burdens light May your spirit never grow old May all your clouds have silver linings And your rainbows pots of gold I wish this all and so much more May all your dreams come true May you have a Merry Christmas friend And happy New Year, too .. (Author - anonymous) read more

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Christmas 2025! After making yet another year, Christmas over the years has taken its toll on me. This year has been particularly painful. Sometimes fear and pain can creep in and take shape . The last few years have been contagious for me. Being plagued with anxiety and chaos. I've had periods of bliss and shine. Trying to keep the energy flowing to the positive side has been hard. Here we stand, stronger than ever. I've learned some lessons this last year too. Things that have changed me . Let me be your guide. Life is a constant journey and battle . I'm seeing the Christmas light through the darkness but trying to let the light in. A single candle burns for my sister who did not awake on this day. So young she died at 19! Her life was ruined or perhaps not. But her death was the result of pain and suffering for years for my mother, and sister. After their deaths it's just stopped. Life has given me joy yet again that sometimes I do not see. We are given a choice and a chance . Let's start a new life. Let's stand up and see that the future is unwritten. The events of past will live on forever. But we will perhaps live for them. Give them the life and dignity to "live," because they were not allowed to. Today is Christmas, we are changing the world and going to raise up and make it happen. The love that is inside will be set free . Forever more. Forgive and move forward, for it's how we grow and evolve together. To everyone Merry Christmas let love and kindness be your greatest asset and strength! read more

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Christmas is best expressed through the lyrics of O HOLY NIGHT - O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Savior's birth, A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name, all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Amen PEACE ON EARTH read more

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Merry Crimbo Yelpers! My Nanny (grandmum) used to adore the holidays and making things special for the family. Today on Christmas Day 2025, I made beans on toast and think fondly of the memories and the value she added to my life. She was incredibly giving and a matriarch of the family we could never replace. Since she passed when I was 19, I haven't celebrated much since outside of my now ex-husband's family or ex partners gatherings. My parents keep things low key if we do anything around Christmas and sometimes do some small things for Hanukkah. Can't be fussed for much, but enjoy spending time together. Though this year, I did get in the holiday spirit at a Yelp SE Phx holiday hangout. Loved seeing the festive decor at the venue, wrapping gifts even if I'm rusty, sweet treats, and more. Definitely made my spirits bright and lived one of my holiday phrases I say: May your spirits be as bright as the lights this holiday season. No matter how you celebrate, or even what you celebrate, wishing you good cheer and future this December! read more

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Christmas 2025 What is Christmas?!?! There's many versions of Christmas in this world. For the tiny tikes, toys and delicious foodies in the form of sweet treats!! As you grow older, it becomes cooler gadgets, friends, and entertainment. As we grow into adulthood, it becomes many dinner parties and shopping for that next trendy gift!!! So, what I just wrote maybe facts or fiction to some. Everyone has a past with traditions. Some of us go through different commercialized adventures. Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians. The family tradition is presents under a beautiful Christmas tree and feasting on a huge meal. Prayers of health, happiness, and peace. Families and friends share conversations. Some may watch movies, play music, or play games. I have come across people who do not celebrate. Some simply cannot afford it. Some over do it. For me, it's about the birth Jesus. We enjoy delicious meals and great conversations. Playing games with music in the background. We believe in sharing experiences. We enjoy traveling and exploring new places. It's about family and creating our own magic memories together. With that being said, I feel truly blessed. I found a love that is magical. We share a life that is Christmas every single day. I am forever grateful for the family and friends in my life. Merry Christmas everyone!! May the holiday season bring you special moments and happy memories... read more

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Christmas 2025 for me and my daughter is very unusual. We are both going through a lot. Me I'm fighting cancer and going through chemotherapy. My daughter is responsible for me now doing everything. She usually decorates the whole apartment for Xmas. This year we had to move furniture and belongings due to the future window installation. We decided not to put everything back to save energy later. Keeping this in mind we just don't have the space to set up the tree this year. I also have a hard time making my bed look nice because there's stuff stacked all around it! I did make it today for Xmas. (See Photo) I want to thank everyone who sent me cards and gifts. You are my Xmas. This morning I opened the gift from my friend June who went to public school with my daughter. It's lots of snacks! I'll have more than enough to eat when I spend hours in chemotherapy and at the doctor! May everyone have a happy holiday season! Remember what the holiday Christmas really is about. After all it's not trees, decoration, or gifts! It's love and adherence to the teachings of a Baby Child named Jesus! read more

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At work not too long ago, someone called me Scrooge. I replied, "Yeah, Scrooge...but Scrooge without money. There's a difference." To my mind, Christmas is a holiday for kids and/or the religious (although, if memory serves me right, some conservative Christians are against the celebration of Christmas, considering it pagan and/or idolatrous). When I was a kid, I loved the holiday. No school, bountiful presents under the brightly decorated tree, family around, lots of food to eat, Rankin-Bass Christmas specials (as an adult, I have great difficulty watching the cartoons I once loved as a kid, but I can watch a Rankin-Bass re-run...corny as they invariably are...anytime). I remember Christmas as an adolescent. We usually went to church on Christmas Eve. I was turning against religion (for a start, I was questioning the idea that God could keep up with all the "thoughts and prayers" of the billions of people on earth), but I appreciated the bright lights, the celebratory air, the anticipation of the next day, the family togetherness, the traditional music (I'm talking Bach, not Burt Bacharach). However, I wasn't thinking about the birth of Christ. I was thinking about that girly magazine with Roberta Pedon on the cover that I had shoplifted from the Preakness Luncheonette, or that paperback book I was reading about Bonnie & Clyde (where others might hold Romeo & Juliet as their romantic ideal, Bonnie & Clyde was mine-- imagine robbing banks with the woman you loved!). Later, as a young adult, I came to appreciate Thanksgiving much more than I did Christmas. The food was pretty much the same, but without the stress of having to buy gifts with a negligent amount of money or make a pretense of being "jolly" or happy. Christmas as I entered my late teens and young adulthood became an excuse to drink and party with friends. (One Christmas, I returned from a festive night out. As I entered the warm house of my parents, coming in from the frigid air outside, I felt suddenly nauseous and ran to the bathroom, just making it in time and throwing up my guts into the toilet bowl. My mother, watching TV in the living room, said with alarm, "Oh, my God!" My father, checking me over with an analytical eye from the doorway, said reassuringly, "It's OK. It's not drugs. He's only been drinking." My parents weren't stupid or callous, but they were products of their era. Better drinking to the point of sickness than drugs. Unbeknownst to them, I could handle my drugs better than I could my alcohol.) As an aging man? I spent yesterday with some friends. We ate pizza, drank Coke, and talked. It was a warm, nice time. Today, I had dinner with my birth mother. I enjoyed the food and the company and the conversation. Tomorrow? I work. Hopefully, it will be a slow, quiet day. I wouldn't want to minimize Christmas for people that it's important to. Kids will have a wonderful time. The religious will go to church (although I have to say again, that the religious people I interact with are, by and large, some of the most un-Christ- like people I know. I think Christ admonished potential converts to sell all their possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, and then leave behind their families, and follow Him. Yeah. Sure. Hasn't happened a whole lot in the 2,000 years since, and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen all that much now, or in the future. The "Christians" I know worship a "prosperity" Christ as opposed to the "poverty" one quoted in the Bible I read. But, to quote the still-with-us but unlamented, occasionally funny Dennis Miller, "I could be wrong.") I know Keep Christ in Christmas Inc. has been very active, as it is every "holiday" season, and it reminded me of a conversation I had almost a year ago with an Ecuadorian co-worker on the day Trump was elected. He's a very nice, intelligent guy, but he was saying he voted for Trump because (a.) he had come to America legally and expected others to go through the same rigors he had (an argument that had a certain logic to it, at least, even if I don't agree with it) and (b.) he didn't want his 5-year old daughter being taught in school how she could become a boy if she chose to or (c.) he wanted to be able to go into a store or restaurant and openly say "Merry Christmas." My profound depression...the votes were coming in, and it looked like Trump was going to win...became even more profound, and I remember being rendered speechless. All I can say all these months later is-- I hope Trump is everything you wanted him to be. I hope ICE remembers that you're legal. And, by the way-- "Merry Christmas!" Finally-- let this poor (financially and otherwise), agnostic Scrooge declare--- "Merry Christmas!" "Happy Hanukkah!" "Happy Kwanzaa!" "Happy Holidays!" Or, to quote Tiny Tim (the Dickens version, not the "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" guy), and I say this with all sincerity, "God bless us, everyone." I think we could use a genuine blessing. read more

Not into Christmas as much as I used to be. It's become more of a corporate holiday for greedy companies and for those obsessed with material things. With commercials on TV and stores decorating earlier even before Halloween now, to myself and many others it takes away from the true meaning of what this day represents. As I'm getting older with younger family members now grown up and moved away, and other members such as parents who have passed or in poor health it gets harder to really enjoy Christmas. Bah humbug. Merry freaking Christmas. read more

Xmas is the festive time of year. Little elves, grinches, jingle bells and mistletoe. Peace on earth and goodwill to all! read more

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Christmas, for us, has never been about going over the top. Each year we focus on what the kids truly want and what they'll actually use. This year it was Legos and clothes for the oldest. My youngest wanted games, clothes, and crocheted items like wobblers and Fugglers. We put a lot of thought into the gifts we give our children. All year long, they're fortunate to get what they need and even some of what they want, but that doesn't mean they're spoiled. They're well behaved, appreciative, and understand value. We're not materialistic people and lean much more toward a minimalist lifestyle. We'd rather spend our money and energy on experiences, time together, and making memories than buying things that end up tossed aside or cluttering the house. It's hard not to notice how much focus there is on quantity over quality during the holidays. Watching kids play with something for two minutes before it gets forgotten just feels wasteful. It turns into piles of unused stuff and unnecessary clutter, and that's not what we want filling our home. This year, with the strong winds here in Las Vegas, we didn't even put up outdoor decorations. We kept it simple...soft flickering lights inside our regular lights along the front of the house. And honestly, it felt peaceful. Less pressure, less chaos, more presence. Overall, Christmas can feel very overrated when it becomes about excess. For us, keeping things simple made the season feel more meaningful, more intentional, and more aligned with what truly matters....our family and the time we spend together. read more

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Long anticipated and here before you know it, Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. Peace and Joy to everyone on the holiest of birthday celebrations!!! read more

It's the most wonderful time of the year. A nice day with family. We have our traditions that make it a day to look forward to. Prime rib, homemade candy, Corti brothers ravioli and an array of cookies and baked goods. The love of family makes for a perfect holiday. read more

Back in the day, when I was a little six-year-old motherscratcher, I'd respond to Jimmy, Jim, kid, or YOU EFFIN BASTARD, GET THAT EFFIN BIKE OFF MY EFFIN LAWN. Yes, any of those got my attention, I had received my new shiny green bike that Christmas and I was one happy kid. Well, after a little mix-up with my half brother. See, I made a little deal the Christmas before when I got standard fare such as toys, shoes and other various and forgettable Elf creations. I promised Santa that I would be good, and if I would be good, would he bring me a green bike next year. I wrote the letter with my number 2 pencil, and even kept the writing neat and perfectly within the lines. After I sealed the envelope, I placed a big gold star sticker on it so my letter would stand out in the mail pile at the North Pole. I almost didn't care what kind of bike Santa brought, it just had to be green. Christmas that year was spent with my somewhat dysfunctional extended half-family including my very creative, albeit greedy, previously mentioned half-brother. We woke up early to a shimmering Christmas tree with all the lights flickering, loads of gifts and the holy grail of presents; A GREEN BIKE! That green bike was my version of Ralphie's Official Red Ryder Carbine-action, 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle BB gun with a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time (A Christmas Story). I stood on the stairway for a moment , open-mouthed while rubbing my eyes not really believing what was before me. Heart racing like a bunny doing the deed, I ran as fast as my shaking legs would allow, only to be beat to the bike by my evil half-brother hereby known as Mr. Meanie. Little fucker was a con and had gotten up earlier and changed a few tags around to better suit his gift needs. Unbeknownst to the parental units that are in cahoots with ol' white beard, he really did put his name on MY bike! Since the tag had lost much of its stickiness from being peeled off the originating present, it kept un-sticking, but he kept pressing down hard on that little bitch as if to darken the exclamation point that this bike was HIS. See?...It's mine, says so right here! He proudly showed me the tag that read: To Andrew Love Santa. I think the "Jimmy" tag ended up on a roll of tube socks (low blow dude). As my face did an impersonation of those veggie misters at the grocery store, my grandmother uttered eleven words that would change my life and kill the waterworks. "I think Santa made a mistake honey, get off the bike." My brother's kung-fu grip on the handlebars was not easily pried off, but my frown quickly turned to an ear-to-ear smile as I finally mounted my mean green road machine, then I gave a finger flick to the fake tag which helicoptered to the ground where it belonged. I couldn't wait to put cards in the spokes. VROOOOOM! Everyone got presents. I was happy. I was even polite and gracious. As I rode off into the back yard, I turned to Andrew and said "hey... nice socks." He mumbled something back, but I didn't quite hear it. Christmas ***** five stars Santa ***** five stars (at least this is my rating as a wee lad.) read more

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SOOOOOOOOOOOO overrated. sorry, not big into gaining a zillion pounds because its friggin cookie season! And that Italian food eating that occurs from the antipasta at 2 pm, the manicotti, the meat, potoatoes, veges, salad, first dessert, second dessert and on and on...oh and what's that about emptying my savings account to buy useless shit? oh I wonder if Mom wants another gift card? maybe a sweater for Dad? bah friggin humbug!!! oh, though, I did give it three stars for the TV shows- you know that claymation "Santa Claus is coming to town' and whatnot. that stuff is pretty solid. read more

Embarrassed, my face was wet as I tried to eat dinner by myself while everyone else had gone to bed. My boyfriend wanted to spend Christmas with the homeless so instead of stranger anxiety, I ended up selfishly walking around my neighborhood until my ears burned, envying my neighbors who were together honoring their relationships. He and I drove around Pasadena and San Marino to see Christmas lights, which may have inspired him to give me batteries for a gift. "Is this your high tech version of coal?" I asked. read more

i'm up early, as usual, except i would have slepted longer had not been the rain coming down like there's no tomorrow! so, boredom won over and led me to wikipedia. "christmas" has certainly evolved http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas pretty good read and a nice reminder of how "christmas" started abroad and made it's way here to the states. as a kid, i loved this day. now-a-days it's more like whatever's-clever lol. merry xmas everyone! read more