This.
I hate Christmas, but I love all the winter stuff that goes with it, like the food markets in Manchester and the ice rink and all the pretty lights and stuff.

I hate Christmas because it's supposed to be a religious festival and I don't follow that religion. It also bugs me that it's rammed down everyone's throats regardless of whether you're interested or not. And if you dare to express that you dislike Christmas everyone thinks you're a misery guts without a soul.

I also don't like the idea of 'santa'. I hate that we all have to engage in this huge lie. If I have children I don't ever want to lie to them about anything.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 9:55, 5 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I fucking love the market in Albert Square in manchester
you get the hot wine stall and all sorts, I really miss that place.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:02, Reply)

yeah that's easily the best thing about Christmas
drinking hot blueberry wine and getting noms from the carvery place.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:09, Reply)

Go on, try it.
The "not lying to kids" I mean.

It's impossible. Well, it's possible, but they will grow up mentally scarred
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:03, Reply)

I understand that when they ask certain questions you should sugar coat the truth
but when I found out Santa didn't exist I was really pissed off with the adults, who I'd trusted, for making up such a load of bullshit and I don't want my kids to feel like that.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:11, Reply)

Really?
how old were you when you found out, then?
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:13, Reply)

21
I can't remember when I found out, 8 or 9 maybe, but my sister and I had suspected for a while because the letters from 'Santa' were written in my Dad's handwriting.

We still got a pillowcase full of presents each though, so we weren't bothered. I'm 28 now, and I still get my sack of extra gifts, though mostly they tend to be socks, boxers, a work shirt, aftershave and Haribo.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:18, Reply)

my mum never bothered with all that crap about letters to Santa, etc,
or the "if you're not good Santa won't bring you presents". When I was older she admitted that she was annoyed that she had to pretend this magical being delivered the presents when she was the one queuing up in Toys R Us for 3 hours in the snow haha
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:26, Reply)

my parents told me they bought stuff
but santa was the one to deliver it because it was more magic that way. If I ever breed, this is the story I will use
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:29, Reply)

yeah I suppose that's acceptable.
I don't want to be an uber bitch and ruin the 'magic' that Christmas holds for children, but I also want to educate them about what Christmas is really supposed to be about. I'll probably be a terrible mother.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:35, Reply)

the alternative is the implication that poor kids
must be naughty (because santa didn't get them anything). I was the kind of kid that would have asked about this so this is probably why that version of the story occurred
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:37, Reply)

about 5 or 6 I think
my sister woke up when my mum was in the room and my mum hates it too so she just went "oh well, guess you know now then!" and so the next morning my sister told me immediately. This is one of my earliest memories as well!
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:25, Reply)

The Christmas German Market in Birmingham is awesome
But it's always packed. Nice to get hot wine and a massive, strikethrough-baiting sausage.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:10, Reply)

strikethroughmaster

will that do?
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:17, Reply)

That'll do

( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:19, Reply)

pig

( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:35, Reply)

lying to kids is awesome

( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:16, Reply)

I remember reading a QOTW answer where someone said they babysat for kids
and just lied about everything and I have to admit I proper officelolled at it.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:27, Reply)

There's an IceRink???
oh I might have to go there!
(Poppet some assembly required., Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:30, Reply)

yeah!
There's a temporary outdoor ice rink every Christmas, it should be up when you're here.

www.spinningfieldsicerink.com/siteNorm/tickets.php
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 28 Oct 2010, 10:36, Reply)