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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

The American (Christmas) dream

25 replies

nameymcnamechangeagain · 08/01/2020 13:27

Is it just me? I literally dream and so so desperately want to experience a Christmas like in the films. Everything about it just seems amazing and I want it! I’ve even thought to myself today that there must be others out there like me and therefore someone in the us should set up a business offering this experience out to us mere folk from other countries 😩🤦🏻‍♀️😂

OP posts:
Lordfrontpaw · 08/01/2020 13:31

What exactly though?

Knittedfairies · 08/01/2020 13:34

You do know Christmas as portrayed in films doesn't exist, don't you?

Lordfrontpaw · 08/01/2020 13:37

They seem to buy a lot of 'stuff' and go crazy with decorations. If you have a TK Maxx near you they tend to go overboard with seasonal 'stuff' too (it was all easter bunnies yesterday - do people really decorate their houses)?

BrieAndChilli · 08/01/2020 13:38

what is it about the american christmas you like so much in particular? I am a christmas addict but theres not much difference between an english and an american christmas really.
You can make a christmas however you like it.
or are you talking baout the whole town christmas vibe you get in movies? because i'm pretty sure that doesnt really exist in real life! (someone from america feel free to correct me on this?!)

Lordfrontpaw · 08/01/2020 13:47

Is it the matching family PJs? Grin

nameymcnamechangeagain · 08/01/2020 14:28

It’s not the matching family pjs lol. I can’t even put my finger on it! The town vibes, the community spirit, the decorations, the food! It might not exist, but I still want it 😂

OP posts:
DoloresTheDonkey · 08/01/2020 14:34

Ooh yes, it's always been my dream as long as I can remember to have an American Christmas movie experience. Sadly I think it's all untrue though Grin

Iambloodystarving · 08/01/2020 14:36

When we lived in LA, Beverley Hills had snow falls with fake snow swirling beautifully under the Victoria street lights around 8pm on the weekends. Imagine the DC's shock when they stuck their tongues out to catch the snow..... {grin} Grin Grin

We DID get it, probably exactly like the movies!

Manhattan on the other hand does an amazing Christmas.

RUSU92 · 08/01/2020 14:39

We had actual carol singers at our door this year - that felt like something out of a movie!!

I remember a film called Funny Farm with Chevy Chase about a couple chasing the idyllic country lifestyle from Norman Rockwell paintings and how it turned out to be quite different. Maybe watch that first!

But if you do set up your company, count me in! I’m a creative artist so happy to paint on anything with a festive vibe and I love Xmas Smile

RUSU92 · 08/01/2020 14:41

Oh and the food - for our family Xmas this year we decided to make a thanksgiving style feast with all the homemade stuffing, cheddar ‘biscuits’, sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top etc It was epic! The most foodie family member who is renowned for his amazing bakes said he’ll remember it forever Grin

RuffleCrow · 08/01/2020 18:48

But they don't have mince pies, turkey or roast potatoes!

I would like a snowy new york christmas though - just to see what it's like.

Lordfrontpaw · 08/01/2020 18:51

Or proper fruit cake. And bacon in everything!

SinkGirl · 08/01/2020 18:54

New York at Christmas for me - snow, ice skating, giant trees...

Otherwise I want a Wham Christmas.

NeverTwerkNaked · 08/01/2020 18:56

It's the snow that makes the movies I think

frankincenseandmur · 08/01/2020 18:56

I’d love it!

midwest · 08/01/2020 21:13

Christmas is smaller in the USA than the UK.
But the snow adds to the general hallmark vibe.
You don't get Boxing Day as a holiday though, it doesn't exist as a day.
I also think that cookies are a poor substitute for mince pies.
Also crackers are not part of the tradition.

Apocketfulofposies · 08/01/2020 21:53

Yes I work with Americans who are all astounded by Christmas crackers (but you can’t take them on planes so they can’t take them home).

Apocketfulofposies · 08/01/2020 21:55

And my American owned company had a Christmas lunch for us all and there were no potatoes at all!!! Shock

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 08/01/2020 21:59

@midwest I agree! I like to take a trip home to the UK over Thanksgiving, during which I stuff myself with British Christmas food. At least one mince pie a day. You can't even get the ingredients for a decent Christmas cake here. Grin

@Apocketfulofposies Ah, but they're starting to sell them here now, I bought mine at Home Goods last year. You have to rummage around in the "Holiday" section, but they can be found....

BiddyPop · 09/01/2020 11:11

Small, Midwest (and somewhat northerly) town life as portrayed in those Hallmark movies - the community potlucks, the church events, the local diner being the centre of the universe where everyone congregates, and there is time for everyone to bake cookies and pies and meet each other in the middle of the day.....that would be lovely (for Christmas).

The reality of life there, even if it was like the movies, would probably pall after a couple of weeks. Everyone would know everyone else's business. Limited shopping generally and probably food shopping too (yes, plenty of food, but limited range so far less choice). Lots more driving, of quite long distances, and no or more limited public transport (which American outside cities are far less likely to use anyway).

Some one of these years, we will get snow here, and enough time off to prep properly, and actually relax over the holidays, and see some movies etc. But still have things like spiced beef, proper roast potatoes, Christmas cake and mince pies, and continental favourites like mulled wine.

Movinghouseatlast · 09/01/2020 11:18

I think you mean the whole town Christmas thing?

I agree, as a child I wanted that SO much, and as an adult too if I'm honest! I sort of want the world to light up. I love the beginning of Gremlins when it is so Christmassy.

I have moved to a small Cornish village where the whole village gets lit up, all the shops are festive and decorated and a huge big deal is made of the whe thing. Most people put lights on their houses. New Years Eve is a huge village party too.

Because a lot of people are on holiday, everyone is jolly most of the time.

Because it's a village Christmas is kind of concentrated.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/01/2020 18:11

I want the whole American Christmas and Hallowe'en (not sure about Thanksgiving , I don't know too much about it)

They always have snow in films , dry , falling ,settling snow (not rain and slush)

In the HallMark movies there doesn't seem to be much Bah Humbuggery , Christmas is To Commercialised (unless it is someone who you know will be completely turned around by the end of the film)

I don't eat turkey, I don't really want marshmallows on sweet potatoes or cupcakes .

I quite like the idea of a Victorian Christmas but only if I was a rich lady not a servant Xmas Grin

SanAntonio · 11/01/2020 16:35

I have spent multiple Christmas's all over the USA. Much smaller than in the UK- really just 1 day and everyone back at work. Much less decoration in shops etc

SanAntonio · 11/01/2020 16:37

New York at Christmas for me - snow, ice skating, giant trees...

1 block of Christmas at rockefeller? Not usually snow in New York at Christmas. Snow in New York quickly become polluted grey slush.

You get all of that and much more in London.

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