wow - I can't believe its Christmas week...??

Lovely picture painted Shilock, thanks for sharing! The hardware shop sounds like Dwyer's?

We were staying in Ennistymon a few years ago and wandered into that shop. As you said it was like going back in time. An Aladdins cave of stuff, a real one stop shop! Ended up buying some lovely pieces there. We must also have met the owners as he sounds exactly as you described him.

A friendly man, with a word and a welcome for everyone. That rare kind of individual old style genuine friendly service that would make anyone who went through the door, a customer for life.

He even gave my son a small torch free of charge, explained to him how to use it. He made him feel as if he was the most important person in the shop!

Thank God that people like the owner and their shops still exist. They are a wonder in this modern high tech age. Long may they prosper!

Thanks again for sharing your lovely Christmas experience. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas full of memorable experiences.

I didnt think my comment should have been deleted....i was just yearning for the olden days of christmas.....

In the spirit of the thread i just said i didnt feel like christmas.....

Anyway, it looks like forced happiness and joy is the way it is here....

Sounds like devitts, there's no dwyers shop in ennistymon but James devitt is one the nicest men you could ever meet, not many left now like him

If Carlsberg did Christmas'........

Definitely has crept up on me but I'm still not fully invested in it.

Have to admit - Girlfriend (I assume it stems from her family/siblings) does get wayyyyyy too much for others and myself for Christmas. Have pleaded with her before to calm down on it because there's no need. I'd rather treat each other on our birthday weekend (similar dates to each other). Can see though every day it went from her sister 'not getting anything with her partner and them saving money for a holiday' to getting to the point of almost hourly texts about different things that she wants and that she's getting him.

I love the Christmas atmosphere, but jesus the Marketing of it really is overpowering and almost overwhelming. I can't being to imagine how tough it must be for parents/partners who 'have' to get certain presents or feel obliged to, either out of pressure or out of embarrasment for not getting something of x value.

I have to be honest, I'm not feeling it at all this year. Possibly the least Christmassy I've ever felt. I suspect the covid cr*p and this being the first year the kids don't 'believe' is all playing its part. It's been a tough year for me work wise and since getting to the end of the work year I just feel drained. Hopefully it'll pick up a little as we reach the Christmas nirvana.

Could have written this myself. Can't quite put my finger on it, but there is no Christmas spirit in me this year. My sister and her family always come over for Christmas and they were waiting on PCR results until 7am yesterday morning and were due to travel today. Thankfully all were negative, but even knowing they are en route didn't help with the Christmas feeling. I finish work today and plan making mince pies and stuffing tomorrow, so I'm really hoping that will help. And like you, I've been flat out in work all December. Roll on 4pm...

Funnily enough, after doing the final grocery shop this afternoon in Dunnes (bedlam btw, utter bedlam) I'm starting to feel 'something' though that could also just be the after effects of the covid booster I got earlier today too 😀

I'm going to Dunnes in the morning for the final shop and hoping it's not bedlam, although if it is, maybe it'll help with the Christmas spirit!

Was in Cork City Saturday and was 'buzzin''

Went in Tuesday morning and spent the day in city and there was a great buzz around the place.

Every place I was in I was wished merry/happy xmas.

You must be fierce unlucky.

I went onto town on Monday at about 6.00 pm and it was buzzing. People in great form and was wished a happy Christmas in a few shops.

Can i ask - did you wish people a merry Christmas? It really works both ways.

Me too if I'm honest. I feel people are making more effort this year.

Have been wishing people happy Christmas for about a week now and have received loads back too. Eventually vaccination centre yesterday was buzzing with Christmas vibes with everyone I met there giving me a 'happy Christmas' as I was moved on through the different stages.