>>What I can't stand is the endless adverts showing celebrities, like Jamie Oliver, advertising the upcoming event, yet they're filmed actually enjoying a X***s party that is yet still in the future!
>>
>
>I spend too much time staring blankly at a screen all day to devote more to it in the evenings so not familiar with this. There's a certain logic there though : Film yourself having a party in advance then all you'll have to do on Xmas day is watch the video.....

There's loads of them, if you ever watch ANY commercial telly you can't miss 'em. That Aimsley Harris "turkey" is always seen "washing up" the huge backlog AFTER his party, with a silly hat on. And you think "Why hasn't the rich b*****d got a dish-washer? Of course I know it's all make-believe but they're really asking us to suspend disbelief!
And people coming out of hardware stores with new appliances, into the snow! We don't get any damn snow! The whole thing just gives me the wildies.

>
>>>P.S. What's a 'secret santa' draw ?
>>You know, where everyone puts his name in a hat, and you draw a name out and have to anonymously buy that person an inexpensive gift, so everyone get a prezzie round the tree.
>>
>
>Ah. New one on me. I guess I've managed to avoid (at least at Xmas) environments where that might happen. But, approached with the right attitude, it presumably provides scope for some amusement.

You work alone then? Always have? Or always worked for Buddhists?
>
>>What's worse - I'm being Santa at my kids' school this Friday. YO - f*****g - HO!
>Garn - you'll love it.....

I did it last year. Could hear kids outside saying such as " ... Go on, it's really Grace's dad, isn't it?"
Didn't help that I'd heard Grace confiding such to someone earlier. Idiots think Santa doesn't know and hear everything ... or at least can't hear through the walls of a tent for Godssake!

Best

Terry