Last year, Christmas was pretty small. This year... L was joking when he said people might have to bring their own chairs, but I'm not sure they won't. Everyone I've asked so far has said yes, and I'm trying to think if there's anyone I've forgotten. L and I and the boys, Mrs Holmes and Mrs Hudson, Anthea and Harry, the on-duty members of the security team plus one who can't go home for Christmas. Someone might need to bring an extra table too. Maybe an extra kitchen.
I'm really looking forward to it. Christmases were always pretty quiet affairs when I was young, just Mum and Dad and Harry and I, at least two of us not speaking to each other, and one or more of us well and truly pickled before dinner. This was the sort of Christmas I wanted back then, with loads of people and ridiculous decorations and more food than anyone could possibly eat. We've got two out of three already.
I'm really looking forward to it. Christmases were always pretty quiet affairs when I was young, just Mum and Dad and Harry and I, at least two of us not speaking to each other, and one or more of us well and truly pickled before dinner. This was the sort of Christmas I wanted back then, with loads of people and ridiculous decorations and more food than anyone could possibly eat. We've got two out of three already.
156 comments:
...The family you choose. :)
...right.
I can help?
You thought you might get a choice? :)
Just...trying to make up for inviting half of London.
It sounds like it will be awesomely awesome!
(I could be influenced by the fact that I've been playing Chanukah songs all day, but I don't think that's it. :))
I'd rather half of London were here than on their own.
Honestly, I'm veering from being excited to utterly terrified, and cooking...cooking I can do. And I want to. So it's good.
That's not terror, that's anticipation. :)
I suggest letting Mycroft figure out the seating. He'll figure it out to the exact square centimeter. (And there's always room for one more!)
Oh, and here's my sister's biggest party tip (and she has a living room/dining room/hall that all flow into each other, so she's hosted upwards of 50 to a sit down meal):
Paper and plastic. Plates, cloths, flatware, cups--nothing goes on the table that can't either be eaten or tossed. Then there is no fuss about spills or cleanup--everything gets rolled up and dumped.
I'd rather half of London were here than on their own.
I know. :) Me too.
RR - Good idea, I think I'll do that.
About Mycroft I mean. Probably not the paper plates.
Mycroft will undoubtedly figure everything out. And I think only Mrs H will need to provide a few chairs - or the security team can bring a couple up.
But crockery we can do properly. It's only...11, 12?
Terrified probably wasn't the right word. It's just been a very long time since I've done anything apart from work at Christmas.
She just hates having the washing up hanging over her, even with a dishwasher. Makes the kitchen a bit nightmarish. That's just her, though. (And not having matching anything for 50!)
You might want plastic tablecloths anyway, though. There are some very festive ones--and they play nice with spills.
Twelve I think, yeah. Unless there's strays from work you're planning to bring home? We should be fine.
Mrs H might have to provide the odd serving dish, too. I'll talk to her. I'm fairly sure it will be impossible to stop her helping, anyway. Also very handy to have two kitchens at our disposal...
RR - I sort of hate plasticy stuff like that. If it comes to it, we can just buy some fabric for a couple of quid that we can chuck. And that'll absorb spills, instead of re-routing them into surprise rivulets onto the floor. I mean, I know it's a practical idea, but...yeah, I think we'll be okay. 12 isn't that many.
And no, Danger, no strays from the Yard. I can't imagine any of them would want to spend time with their DI anyway.
I definitely need to order food though.
How many of those will be around for Christmas Eve, Danger? Cos I'll get fish for that, being a good Italian boy ;)
That's the fun of doing it yourself--you get to do your way. :)
How did Sherlock's private concert go?
Sherlock played impeccably, as you'd expect. And has agreed to grace the school concert with his playing. We'll all be there. Well, I'll do my best to be there. I'm not exactly in his good books right now, but I daresay he'll have forgotten that by morning.
Excellent! (And as you say, exactly as I'd expect.)
And well, if not precisely forgotten, at least put down to excusable grown-up-ness. ;)
You know, if I had twelve coming for Christmas Dinner, I'd probably be happier cooking than (and if possible hiding in the kitchen the whole time) than anything else. But I'm relatively anti-social :-p
It sounds like you're going to have a wonderful day :-)
Now, Sherlock. You know he wants to come and he WILL come if at all possible. If someone gets murdered and they need him to help figure it out, well, that's not Lestrade's fault, it's the fault of the murderer.
Wait until it happens to get upset--he might well be there and you'll have wasted a perfectly good snit.
(And John and Mycroft are still wanting to come and watch you! And you could ask Mrs. Hudson and Anthea if they want to come, too.)
Sherlock, I promise I will be there if I possibly can.
Nameless - that's exactly what I meant up in my third comment. I know what I'm doing with the cooking. Whatever else is going on, I can lose myself in that, and I'm glad to do it. I hate not being busy.
Not sure about Christmas Eve. It might be just us and the boys.
Right. I'll be at work. Although I might do the night before, so I can spend the day with you all. I don't know.
It'll be nice, the four of us. Might do tuna steaks.
you'll have wasted a perfectly good snit.
HAH! Good one, RR; I'll keep that in mind for my niece in future.
Sherlock, I'm sure it is disappointing and frustrating that Lestrade's attendance is less of a sure thing. But he still may very well be able to go so don't get upset about what isn't definite :). If it comes down to him not being able to, it is doubly good that you played for him this weekend so that he wouldn't miss out. I'm sure John and Mycroft are still eager to see you perform at the concert.
Mycroft, you've been rather quiet since you got back. Hope you're enjoying the break so far! Did you and Sherlock manage to come to a consensus as regards Christmas decorations?
I thought you were working New Year's Day instead? Fish sounds nice.
I am, its just trying to share out all the crap shifts. The worst ones, everyone agrees, are Christmas Eve night, Christmas Day, New Years night and New Years Day. So I've picked one of those, and have to have one of the 'almost as crap' ones surrounding them. It'd be nice to spend Christmas Eve with you all though, especially if it is just the four of us.
Scheduling issues by HR, maybe?
On the other hand, even though there will be twelve people at the dinner, is it going to be a sit-down event? If it isn't, the logistics of trying to find seats for everyone is vastly simplified, and there's always the old "pillows and blankets on the floor" routine as last resort.
~A from NW
X, I am having a nice break, yes.
Sherlock was rather set on having something incredibly sparkly on top of the tree, but as none of us are religious we didn't really want a star. However, I didn't think Sherlock's suggestions were particularly fitting either (and he couldn't decide on one thing anyway). So in the end we made a reasonable representation of a comet. It is rather sparkly, but it isn't supposed to be real, just give the impression of the real thing.
Now we just need a tree to put it on.
Oh, how exciting! What a fantastic christmas you'll have! I will have to enjoy it vicariously through you lot. My family are all 1700km (1056 miles) away, and all my friends are leaving town to be with their families, so I'll be alone for christmas. I'm envisioning watching sitting on the couch with a carton of Egg Nog, some gluten free fruit mince pies, and watching "Nativity!" on DVD. Not so bad, really. I just hope it doesn't get over 30 degrees. A nice, mild summer christmas would be great.
A (sparkly representation of a) comet sounds like a very dramatic tree topper, Mycroft.
(I don't have a tree, just menorahs, so I'm particularly interested.)
it does look fairly dramatic, even propped on the mantlepiece.
And now, I've got one 6 year old in bed. One forty year old on the way to bed...and Mycroft can decide when he wants to turn in himself. One of the dogs is already snoring by the radiator.
I just need someone to put me to bed
Are you asking for volunteers? ;)
i'm not sure any of you could get here in time.
Got a busy day tomorrow, I hope, providing I can persuade a judge to grant me a warrant.
Have a good night, y'all.
Spoilsport. :)
And good luck on that warrant!
Oh, and a comet is a nice idea for a tree-topper. I'm sure it's more accurate than a lot of people your ages would make. Glad to hear your break has been nice so far, Mycroft.
Mycroft, Sherlock - I remember reading/hearing somewhere that the "Christmas star" might actually have been a massive supernova that outshone the sun way back then. Of course, a comet is just as impressive; do you have a particular favorite?
John - I hope your cold doesn't get worse and that you feel better soon. *cuddles (as long as Greg doesn't mind)*
Greg - We might not be able to tuck you in, but we can attempt to send you off to bed, nevertheless. =) Good luck tomorrow, and if that warrant is for kicking down someone's door, stay safe!
*hugs*
~A from NW
I'll add my voice to those telling you to go to bed Greg and go to sleep as well!
You can virtually cuddle him if he doesn't mind. He's too lovely for me to refuse you that!
I am off to bed. And hopefully tomorrow we'll be let in nicely. But I'll probably take a big key just in case. I'd like to think poisoners aren't the types to go in for a fight. But that would probably be famous last words. After all, if I'm meeting Mrs Holmes again it seems tradition now that someone breaks my face first.
Thanks.
This is your life, not Fiddler on the Roof. You may dispense with tradition.
Night night!
I...have no idea what that means, RR.
You need a brush-up class in (or a boxed set of) classic musicals! :)
For now, here is the opening number of Fiddler on the Roof (you don't need to watch it now!): http://youtu.be/gRdfX7ut8gw
I'm sure that Mrs H won't mind if you turn up unbruised for once, Lestrade.
Hope you both get a restful night's sleep, and don't get woken up too early by pointy elbows.
John - I hope you have an easy morning of it:-)
Night boys, all of you :-)
RR:
Who can learn the way to catch a nasty crook?
A proper crim?
Some not nice men?
The DIIIIIIIIIIII
The DI
Traditionnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Tradition!
LOL, DW! (Just don't include breaking the DI's face in there. :D)
Yeah, musical aren't really my thing.
I'll watch tomorrow.
And will endeavour to break the tradition, not my face.
Night all
Really? 'cause I could totally see you in "Grease" or "West Side Story." White t-shirt, tight jeans, fast car/bike, cool hair, maybe a bit of guyliner... :P
Sleep well.
West Side Story, "Cool": http://youtu.be/xkdP02HKQGc
(No leather, just gangs.)
Grease, "Greased Lightning": http://youtu.be/wK63eUyk-iM
(Leather and coveralls, but no gangs.)
You could argue that the T-Birds (and the Scorpions) were a gang. And possibly the Pink Ladies. Not exactly your local 4-H Club... :)
Just to clarify, not that I see you as the gang type, Lestrade. Just... reall cool.
So cool you need two L's for real, apparently. Apologies.
You have to admit that the Greasers in Grease are singularly devoid of menace. :)
Good morning! (Unmusically--I'm far too cold to throw song-and-dance numbers at you. Brrr!)
Is Sherlock a bit more resigned to another week of school this morning?
Morning.
Sherlock and I have had a discussion regarding him being good for John and the direct effect that will have on us doing nice things for him.
And how Molly (who does like spiders) doesn't like misbehaving boys in her mortuary, so if he wants a visit, he needs to be good.
He seems to get the idea.
Carrot and stick. Always a good combo.
And I sort of thought Molly would like spiders. :)
I just hope he actually goes through with it and doesn't cause John and Mycroft trouble.
He may not believe in Santa, but he definitely believes in Molly.
He doesn't believe in Santa? Has he seen "Miracle on 34th Street"? It's in black and white, so it must be true...
Did he make a card for Molly?
(I'd ask how you were feeling, Doc, but I'm sure you're tired of the question, so I'll just say welcome back instead.)
At six years old, you can't be expected to necessarily identify or understand the consequences of your actions; but Sherlock is remarkably good at taking on board the likelihood and impact of those consequences once it's been explained to him. It great to watch him learning how to make smarter decisions.
You better watch out
you better not cry
you better not pout
I'm telling you why
I've got a warrant to search your house...
And I'm pretty sure you've been very bad indeed...
lol You have to finish the song!
Be safe.
Not going yet.
Because I see him when he's sleeping, I know when he's at work...I think he's been very bad, so I want him at home for a nice arrest. (okay, that last bit wasn't a triumph of lyrical re-writing.)
I'm sure he appreciates it. No one likes being arrested at work.
Well, you have time to make it scan better... :D
Which reminds me of:
There was a young man of Japan
Who wrote verses that no one could scan
When told it was so
He said, "Yes, I know
But I try to get as many words in the last line as I can."
(I don't even pretend to write my own!)
Good luck on a quiet arrest with no smashed faces (or other injuries),
I would have no problem arresting him at work, I just hope he'll be sensible and tell us where the things we're looking for are if we do it at home. Had enough of searching houses recently.
By the way, Sherlock just called me - giving me a mild heart attack, given it's nearly a year since his first brush with the law (and other, more pleasant things...but that's another story). He wanted me to arrest Mrs T. Because she's told him off for holding an entire lesson in the playground about how Santa isn't real (he is, readers, don't fret). He says adults shouldn't lie to kids...she's trying to comfort distraught 4 year olds... She apologised to me when she found him on the phone, although I really don't think she has anything to apologise for! Anyway, just to warn you, when you go and pick him up...
Oh, dear.
(I imagine there's a new rule for Sherlock's rule book, but I can't help wondering how she phrased it, because he certainly made a reasonable application of a general rule--do not lie.)
Oh...Sherlock. I suppose I should've seen that one coming. Thanks for the warning.
I think his argument was very convincing (sounded convincing to me, anyway. All the science about speed he'd need to travel and everything), so I imagine it was to a playground full of brighter- than -average kids, too.
He doesn't understand why children would be happier thinking an old bloke broke into their house at night to leave presents than believe that their parents/guardians cared enough to give them gifts, either...
Like I said, convincing, but upsetting too, if you're four or five, I guess.
(he still expects a stocking, by the way. He made that clear to me. It's our job, apparently...)
How's your day, anyway?
I'm coming from a whole different tradition, and I know I don't get it and maybe I should keep my mouth shut--but why Santa? Isn't it nicer when gifts come from thought and care on the part of people who love you than a stranger who breaks-and-enters once a year?
Apologies if this is a stupid question--or worse, an inappropriate or rude one.
Oh, hah--I should have typed faster or slower!
Ro - we'd have you here, but it sounds like you're too far away from us as well. We'll be thinking of you at any rate, and the eggnog and mince pies sound pretty good.
L - It does sound convincing. Did you still believe in Santa when you were his age?
My day's not bad so far. I feel a lot better, and Mycroft's been showing me what he's learning at school. We might go skating after we get Sherlock. Or at least watch Mycroft skate while I try to explain to Sherlock why sometimes it's better to let people keep their illusions.
You kidding? Santa didn't come round our way, mum wasn't into it and he doesn't exist in Italy. Or didn't. Does now, I think. It was all la Befana then though.
Reassure Mrs T that I won't be arresting her.
Glad you're feeling better. Hate it when you're ill and I can't do anything to help.
You do help though.
La Befana?
She's a good witch. Brings kids gifts on the 12th night. I'll explain later. Got to go and see a man about a poisoning.
Wish my face luck.
She sounds amazing. I can't wait to see how this fits in with warding off priests and nuns.
Good luck, to you and your face.
(I still don't get why someone other than family/friends has to bringing gifts. Clearly I'm missing something... :( )
Good luck, L!
BE bringing!
I'm glad you're feeling better, John--and that you and Mycroft are having some real time together.
I think it started with a story about St Nicholas bringing gifts to good children on Christmas? How he knew they were good, I'm not sure. But it's just a story really. I don't think it makes that much sense when you examine it.
I mean, there are presents that come from friends and family as well, but only kids get to hang up stockings to be filled in the middle of the night by a jolly fat man with a flying sleigh
I guess it has more meaning if you're introduced to the idea as a child? Because I really don't get it. Is it really more exciting and fun? I'm all for exciting and fun.
There isn't anything comparable in Judaism--even gift-giving really has nothing to do with Chanukah. Chanukah "gelt"--small gifts of money to children, yes. (Or more commonly chocolate coins, for everyone.) gifts, no. (And there are gifts of food on Purim, but that's early spring.)
I always heard it started with St Nicholas giving gifts to the POOR on Christmas. People would leave their shoes to dry by the fire and he'd put gold for the families to buy food, wood, etc. as a sort of mitzvah (in the "good deed" sense, not the "613" sense). That's why we put oranges or tangerines in our stockings. I don't know when it became a "good or bad" thing, but I think of Santa as a handy disguise to do something good for someone unexpectedly and secretly. I'll stop rambling, sorry.
I'm afraid I'm not the best person to ask. I was never convinced he existed either, despite the best efforts of my parents and Harry.
I think of Santa as a handy disguise to do something good for someone unexpectedly and secretly
That's a nicer thought altogether.
I thought he was a handy threat against being naughty....
So, Danger, my face....
It IS a nice thought, DW (Kindness is one of the three "pillars" of the world in Jewish lore)--but how can anyone other than family play Santa in the gift-giving, stocking-stuffing sense?
Uh, oh, Lestrade...what happened? Are you okay?
So, Lestrade, what's the damage?
I don't have a good answer to your question, RR. Didn't get a lot of gifts from Santa. Got some from Rudolph, though...
Before you tell us, Lestrade, can we take bets? (just kidding)
Yes? Your face? Don't keep me in suspense...
Slightly more stubble than this morning, otherwise unchanged. Very much looking forward to seeing you.
Will you still be out skating when I finish? Or shall I just see you at home.
Excellent news! The arrest went well then?
I don't know, when will you finish?
It just occurred to me--it is a step forward that Sherlock called you, Lestrade, to administer justice instead of trying to do it himself...
Either you need a good scold, L, or you're hiding something. *frowns suspiciously*
RR - It's in his rule book. No arresting classmates or teachers.
Danger - sort of well. He put up a fight. But he's only scrawny. His door put up much more of a fight.
That rulebook must be approaching critical mass. (Maybe you can get it as a souvenir when he's done there. Every rule a story...)
Did you have another run-in with a door, then? Or did he just make you break it down?
RR- Your question wasn't inappropriate, or rude, or anything.
It's a bit awkward, sometimes, discussing Santa in a religious context. We're Catholic, and usually do a small thing for St. Nicholas Day, on Dec. 3, too. We sort of parse Santa as someone that took over for St. Nicholas, and distributes gifts to children to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. We usually have "santa" give a small gift, usually an ornament or something little in his stocking, but everything else comes from us. Just a little magic for Christmas, I think is what's all behind it, to wake up Christmas morning and find your stocking full of fun stuff and not really realizing your parents put it there the night before!
He's almost 6 now, and I'm sure he's about ready to get the "Santa isn't real" talk from his schoolfriends too. All Santa-believing kids go through it, but they get over it. I think he's pretty close to calling our bluff because we get a few side-eyes from him when Santa is brought up on TV.
Actually, Danger, I probably won't be done til late.
And yeah, we broke it down. Upvc doors are very hard to break down.
How late? Can you stop and have dinner with us out somewhere with pizza?
Once my son knew that we doubled as Santa, but his little sister didn't, he was told that if he let on there would definitely be nothing in his stocking. It worked very well!
Thanks, mazarin--I like the idea of a little bit of magic!
(Although I have to say that the idea of someone creeping around my house would have given me nightmares as a child! Yes, I am that neurotic.)
I had to look up UPVC doors, Lestrade--they look expensive. Did he tell you where the things you're looking for are, or are you in for more searching?
Oh, Sherlock--I just heard a joke that I think would be good for your class.
What's the name of the knight who built the Round Table?
I don't know, Sherlock. What time do you all think you'll be out until?
John - where there parents of kids at the gates shooting evil looks toward the destroyer of fantasies?
RR - being plastic they just chuck the ram straight back at you. so you swing 16 kilos of steel at the door just to get it flung back. Means they take ages to get through and it's hard on your arms.
He was trying to flush drugs down the toilet. But yeah, we found what we wanted.
Good heavens--one wonders what he was doing while you were bringing out the siege weapons if he couldn't manage to dispose of all the drugs in the meanwhile! (Unless he had an enormous stash in there.)
And it sounds like a shoulder rub will be needed tonight.
But at least you don't have to comb through a whole other set of belongings!
We didn't even know he had drugs - we were after him for the poison. He just thought we wanted drugs. So was quite surprised when we picked him.for murder, not intent to supply.
It's all this unconsidered branching out. If he'd stuck to one kind of crime, he wouldn't have been so confoozled. ;)
A nice bonus for you, though!
We can stay out till you're ready!
L - I did actually get told off by one distraught mother who was having no luck re-convincing her four year old of Santa's existence.
Did he have no idea you even suspected him then? Amazing.
No, he thought he was far too clever for us dumb cops.
Ah well, Sherlock's heart was in the right place. It is bad to lie...
I'll try and finish about the normal time. Could probably do with a long hot bath more than dinner out, if I'm honest. Or a shoulder rub.
If he's desperate though I could come and meet you.
(Do you already know the Round Table joke, then, Sherlock?)
L - I think he was just worried you wouldn't be back until after he was asleep. Bath and shoulder rub can be arranged. We're just leaving now.
Ah, yeah, I think this bloke's brief is talking sense into him. I might be s bit late, depending how long that takes.
Did you skate? I'm jealous if you did.
I'm sorry you're hurting, L. Bet it doesn't make you more patient with this idiot, and serve him right.
Ah well, Sherlock's heart was in the right place.
It's quite striking that this is so often the case where he ends up getting into a mess of some sort, isn't it? Not that he's looking for trouble at all. And it's wonderful that he has a teacher that realizes that, and that if there's a rule he'll follow it.
I'm not too bad, RR. Just not that comfy repeatedly catching a big heavy hit of metal that impacts (and bounces back) at over three and a half tonnes. A bit...jarring.
And yes, he's definitely a good kid at heart. just occasionally a touch misguided, as far as other people might be concerned.
He did make it very clear that not believing in Santa didn't mean he didn't want presents though.
Yeah, recoil in the large economy size.
And of course not! Presents are presents, after all. :)
(And there's the extra warm feeling that someone took the time and trouble to figure out what you'd like and get it for you. Which is really the best part of presents.)
I skated a bit, but mostly watched Sherlock and Mycroft after one too many toddlers knocked me down.
Black and blue marks all around, then.
I wish I'd been there to pick you up again. Or, better, to grab you and hold you tight.
You can rub my shoulders better, i'll kiss your...bum ;)
Should be out of here in...ten mins? Need anything? Did you three eat out?
I actually wrote a paper on the history of Santa, and where he came from and what his true meaning is. It's very interesting from a sociological point of view.
Records indicate there was a St. Nick, who left not only toys but money and food for the poor. It was a political move, as well as a kindness.
The story pretty much remained that way until the late 1800s, when shop owners were suffering and trying to come up with ways to sell more goods.
Charles Dickens was asked to write a Christmas story to try and improve the holiday spirit so people would spend more money, which is where A Christmas Carol comes from. However, this also led to an increase in advertising. Which leads to Santa being reborn.
There was a letter written in the early 1900s. I think many of you may know about it. It was written by a little girl, asking if Santa really existed. I think Sherlock, and RR, may find the answer helpful.
http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/
In other words, although the person Santa was based off is no longer, the idea of him and his kindness still lingers. That, I think, is why parents fight so hard to keep children believing, not because Santa is a real person or because he brings gifts, but because he embodies all those things that make being a child magical.
Someone brought in the "Yes, Virginia" letter to the Antiques Roadshow a few years ago (here--her great-grandmother was Virginia.
I can't remember when I learnt that Santa was real. I do remember later, when I knew he wasn't, and my parents knowing that I knew, and us still playing along with it.
I mean, it's not believing in the story, it's just having a bit of a tradition that I think is nice, especially since we're not a family with lots of traditions. To this day, and I'm well grown-up, my mum put the gifts under the tree, next to our shoes, during the night of Christmas. Only now, I sneak in the leaving room in the morning to leave some gifts too. I have no idea if I would want my hypothetical kids to believe in Santa though.
P.
Anon - I think there's a bunch of years when kids believe in Father Christmas and the parents go all out to make it seem 'real', and then there's a while when the kids know it isn't real, but play along to humour the parents!
I bought presents for Danny, Sam and Rachel when they were little, because they knew all about Father Christmas from school, and I didn't want them to be disappointed. Just sweets and stuff, nothing impressive, but it was worth it.
*hugs Lestrade*
I wasn't usually that nice...
Uh, huh.
My siblings went through great effort to keep the magic of Santa going for me when I was little. It's nice being the youngest sometimes. I think for my parents it was as much for getting the older kids to have something special with me. But my brother loved it and when he had his own kids he would go out with them on Christmas Eve and throw carrots up onto the roof of the house for the reindeer.
Lucky squirrels. :D
(Lucky nephews and nieces, too. :))
I don't remember believing in Santa, but I sure believed in Rudolph. When I was 5, I asked the shopping mall Santa if he knew that the reindeer were mean to Rudolph and if he was going to make them be nicer. He said he was. When my brothers left cookies for Santa, I made sure there was celery, carrots, and lettuce only for Rudolph and the nice reindeer (i made a sign saying so). Rudolph left me a present, and thus was a tradition born. Now, I give Rudolph presents instead of Secret Santa ones.
Never neglect your transport. :)
I think lots of kids tend to realise Father Christmas doesn't exist sometime around seven or eight. So not surprising really that Sherlock's ahead of the rest.
RR - I think the St Nichols story involved a group of impoverished girls praying to be reprieved from being sold into prostitution; Nicholas dropped gold down their chimney to save them from that fate.
There isn't so much a tradition that some creepy bloke sneaks about your house; traditionally he dropped down the chimney, left pressies and went again. Most kids these days are told that "if you're awake, Father Christmas won't come". Pressies from Santa are in addition to those from others, not instead of.
The myth is like many others - follow the rules and be good and get a reward at some point in the future from a mystical being who sits in judgement. A concept familiar even to the secular amongst us :-)
Oh, Sherlock. What a complex set of social conventions you choose to blast through. Bless.
You don't count dropping down a chimney as breaking into a house :?
Actually, I'm pretty familiar with the stores/advertising/Dickens/Moore history of Santa, and also the Saint Nicholas stories. (I actually know a surprising amount about Christianity and especially Catholicism from my ventures into art history.) I was more wondering why people wanted to assign gift-giving to a stranger rather than themselves, since that is really a quite odd idea to me and always has been, never having been on either end of the equation. Sorry I wasn't more clear, and thank you everyone for your very interesting answers.
(My captcha was "liked", and I did!)
You don't count dropping down a chimney as breaking into a house :?
No not really, because he's been invited. Children are encouraged to write to Father Christmas to explain that they've been good and asking for specific presents. So it would be more of a disappointment in that situation if he didn't turn up and deliver you a gift :-p
And if the gift comes from you, then you lose the whole "ineffable reward for conforming" thing.
Like I said, RR, handy way of making your kids behave, in my (cynical) view.
"Be good, or Father Christmas won't bring you gifts" - and if they're not good, it's not YOU who's been mean to them, it's old St. Nick. You had nothing to do with it. He's the one who hasn't brought them presents. Plus he's got elves working for him, who are omnipresent, so the kids can't even get away with misbehaving out of view of parents.
He's like a virtual babysitter for December. Used to work on my little brothers and sister, anyway.
But you're not supposed to be rewarded in THIS life for good behavior! (Which is why the wicked prosper etc....)
Well, given I don't believe in any other lives, I'm not sure anything else would have been much of a motivator.
Oh, well, I guess it works if it works. I'd think if children are bribable they'd respond just as well if it were the parents doing the rewarding, but I have no experience in that area and have no basis for that assumption--I freely admit I know nothing. :)
Anyway, have a happy quiet and cuddly night--I'm heading to my T'ai chi class now.
the rewarding isn't the problem - it's when the reward is witheld. Then it's far more convenient to have your child hate a bunch of reindeer and an old beardy bloke in a red suit than have them hate you. They can't argue with him, see?
Have a nice time at T'ai chi.
It's not easy to be "the bad guy." But I don't know that the imposition of discipline (in a non-cruel manner, mind you) makes you a bad guy. I see a lot of that at work also, which just leads to all kinds of trouble.
Are you on your way to bed and your Dr. Hotson?
It seems to make me the bad guy until Sherlock forgets that I am.. :)
Doctor Hotson? Ha! Well, as he's feeling better, you know, I probably should take him to bed, just to make sure he's feeling okay. And check out his bruises.
I didn't come up with "Dr. Hotson" but I thought it was apropos and would make you smile (which you seem to need). :)
It did make me smile. And got a grade 3 glare from Doctor Hotson himself. (hey, you're not Sarah in disguise, are you? )
What is the maximum effective range of a Grade 3 Glare? Have Anthea and Mycroft calculated those yet?
Not last time I checked. Why do you ask?
Just think she might be calling Danger the same thing thats all.
Oh, bollocks. Just changed my phone language to polish.
Tgat wasnt vett clever.
If I were Sarah, Danger wouldn't make it out of the surgery. I'd "magically" find lots of things for him to do. :)
How did you manage to do that? And can you replicate it on the Doc's phone?
Ah, I take your point, Lestrade. But I'm with DW-- I think some temporary "bad guy-ness" is part of the job description. Otherwise they'd call it "friend" instead of "parent." After all, Sherlock doesn't hold it against you afterward. He gets that adults have to be the adults even when he'd rather they weren't.
( It's only a problem when adults don't want to be adults. As you know only too well.)
T'ai chi was lovely--I'm working on th Wu style, very different from the Yang, which is what I was doing before!
And I most sincerely hope you and Dr. Hotson (I didn't say that!) don't see this for another hour and a half at least!
Aw, John - you're sweet! But yes, I'm about 10 times further away from you lot than my family! One day I'd love to do a cold Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere.
And I remember ruining Santa for my little sister (well, I say remember - she never lets me forget!) It wasn't on purpose, more a case of me working out my deductions out loud. I tend to get excited when I learn new things or suddenly understand something!
My parents (especially my dad) were determined that I believe in Santa, and continue to believe for as long as I could. I don't know why, but there's a certain special kind of excited that comes with presents from Santa. More than presents from my parents. Mostly, I think they wanted me to believe in magic, because it's only really possible when you're a kid, and why not make the most of those few years before disillusionment sets in?
I know my dad would get up on the roof and stomp around, and sadly, I think I slept through it most years. One year, though, I remember hearing it and getting freaked out, and my mom told me it was Santa. My parents also filled our stockings, and left presents with tags that said they were from Santa. And they put out milk and cookies and carrots, and left the empty plate and made sure there were crumbs on it.
I don't remember when I stopped believing, but I definitely have a different sort of respect for my parents knowing what they did to make/help me believe. And if I have kids someday, I'll probably do what I can to keep the belief alive too.
RR, I think parents who grew up in the tradition of Santa want their children to experience Santa, just like they did when they were kids. I understand your point about wanting the love behind a gift to be properly known, but there's something really magical about the whole Santa experience that is a gift in and of itself. Here's this man/elf/magical being who goes around the world giving kids toys for no reason. He doesn't have to do it. He does it because he wants to make people happy. When you think about it, that's a pretty amazing and powerful myth.
And when kids have that very personal grounding in altruistic generosity, even if at a completely subconscious level, that leads to the adult myths about Santa being the spirit of giving - secret Santas, charitable donations going up around December, etc. Instead of a jolly fat man at the North Pole, Santa becomes a very necessary metaphor for generosity. He also adds another element of magic and spirituality to the season, especially for those who celebrate Christmas without much emphasis on the Christian elements.
My parents never played the naughty or nice card seriously; I remember I was shocked when a friend told me as an adult that in her family naughty and nice affected what was under the tree.
We weren't wealthy growing up and I have 6 siblings, yet my parents managed to make Christmas really big every year and Santa was a valued part of it every year. I can't imagine my nieces and nephews missing out on that.
It seems nobody knows the same story about St Nicolas, which is the fun thing about myths. The one I heard (it's in a traditional song) is that a bunch of kids got killed and salted by a butcher, and then St Nicolas come and resurrect them, probably punish the bad guy too. Less generosity, more cannibalism and zombie children in mine ^^;
P.
Anon - I think Sherlock will prefer your version!
And RR, I think mainly, because kids are taught to send letters to Santa, then to leave him out food and drink (and some for the reindeer), it doesn't feel like someone's breaking into your house. All about how you're sold the story, I suppose.
I'm kind of sad that we won't get to do that for Sherlock...but at the same time, I suspect Sherlock would arrange some sort of Santa-trap to ensnare him and catch him...so maybe I'm not so sad, afterall.
This has been very enlightening--no, I'm not being sarcastic, I mean that seriously, it's all very interesting. Thank you all for taking the time and trouble to explain.
Lestrade, I suspect you are absolutely right about the Santa-trap!
Sherlock - how sure can you be about Santa existing? After all, NORAD tracks him as he flies around the world (http://www.noradsanta.org/) and there's magic involved.
When I found out about the science of Santa, I told my parents - I have younger siblings, and I didn't want to wreck it for them. My parents told me that yes, they do buy the presents from Santa, but he sends them the money and tells them what to buy. It saves a lot on Reindeer fuel, and that way, he can concentrate on the kids who don't have parents to buy the presents. (I've never quite stopped believing in this version of the story, by the way!)
Well, if Sherlock doesn't want to believe in Santa Claus, perhaps he can spend his time looking around for Christmas Ghosts? As Shakespeare says, "To die, to sleep! [...] To sleep, perchance to dream." And according to Dickens, this is the time of year when ghosts walk the streets of London...
I just asked my mother how I would have reacted to the idea of Santa when I was a child (with no priming!) and she instantly said, "Oh, you would have been terrified! And if we had explained it was only that one night, you'd have gotten into bed with us, and if we'd have said that if you stayed there Santa wouldn't come you'd have been delighted."
So I guess it's just as well I missed out. :)
And today is Santa Lucia, where fearless Swedish girls wear a crown of lit candles. We did that at my old school (I'm not living in Sweden, but we were studying Scandinavia), and I really really miss that tonight (even if nothing in the world would make /me/ put lit candles on my head, I was happy being one of the maids that follow her).
P.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy%27s_Day)
Well, now I just have to throw my two cents in, no matter how belatedly.
Anon P. -- the cannibalistic St. Nicholas tradition is French, where the saint put the children back together years later, and that's why we get chocolate on January 6th (St. Nicholas Day). It's the version I prefer for myself, though Sherlock might also like the Germanic Krampus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus) who travels with St. Nick and punishes the bad kids. What's a holiday without a little terror? (Maybe avoid that link, RR).
For my family, there was a combination of presents -- most were from my parents and family and friends, but Santa would always bring one or two extra special items. And it was all about the magic of it, pure and simple. I was always grateful to my parents for presents, of course, and knew they loved me, but Santa was a much bigger and more special concept, and only once a year (whereas one could also receive presents from one's family on birthdays. :)). I see the same thing now with my niece -- she just LIGHTS up with excitement when she sees the carrots that she left out have been nibbled by the "reindeer" or the cookie crumbs left, and listening to NORAD tracking Santa the night before is ABSOLUTE UNSHAKABLE PROOF in his existence. It really is amazing the level of belief in magic one can have as a child.
Seeing that much excitement and joy on her face.... well, I kinda side with the upset parents in this instance. It isn't about lying, but about letting them have that faith in magic and unconditional generosity that much longer. Though I know that Sherlock didn't explain that there was no Santa out of malice, other older kids sometimes do. That's how I found out when I was... oh, 6 or 7. An older kid and his friends at school went around and told bunches of we younger folk and then laughed. :/ Not pleasant.
And lol Lestrade, I definitely made Santa traps when I was small, even believing in him. Basically unwinding massive balls of string all over my room like Sherlock did when he tied all your things together, except mine featured bells and levers to turn the lights on when my door was opened, because "Santa" always left our stockings next to our pillows.
It was a brilliant plan, except for the fact that I was a heavy enough sleeper that my dad could still slip in past all the string and bells and lights turning on without waking me. Ah well.
That was... probably considerably more than two cents. Heh.
HAH. My captcha word is MOLLY. CLEARLY SHE IS THE REAL SANTA.
X- my siblings and I still get a present from Santa every so often, and I'm in my 30s! I think my family was a lot like yours, though, and we would have the majority of gifts from my parents, and then one or two special gifts from Santa.
And although I know that the man himself doesn't exist (or does he?) I still believe in him.
For my family, Santa was a way of leveling inequalities. My family passes out the presents one to each person and then we take turns opening them. We realized quite early that we kids had more presents than our parents did and were indignant on their behalf and/or felt bad that we didn't get them as many things as they got us. So our parents would label some things from them and some from Santa, so that we didn't feel bad for not getting them enough. (Of course they tried to explain that they didn't care, but we thought they probably did and were just being polite).
Usually the presents that were special and based on who we were and what we'd like were from mom and dad and the ones that were practical and were there pretty much for the value of tearing off the paper (clothes and school supplies) were from Santa. Santa's magic was quite practically oriented.
Oh that's interesting. When I was little it was Santa who have the good gifts and mom who gave the socks and school supplies.
In case you have any room to squeeze in a few more decorations, I found these instructions for making spider snowflakes: http://www.instructables.com/id/Jacks-Paper-Spider-Snowflake/
:)
Pip -- my family still does too, actually. Now it's really for my niece, who will ask otherwise why Santa didn't like us, but that was hardly an excuse when my sister and I were both teenagers! Now I wake up when my dad brings in my stocking, but I still pretend to be asleep so not to disturb "Santa." It's a mutually agreed upon fiction. :)
Kholly -- same for us. Or Santa would being the things that were larger and hard to wrap (dollhouses, sleds, etc).
Santa brings my boys a stocking and a few gifts. They get innundated with stuff since my in laws are Jewish and my family is Catholic. We as a family celebrate Soltice, just to have one holiday that is just ours. My kids get their parental presents then and their Santa presents on CHristmas. I confess not above pulling the Nice/Naughty list gambit, but I tend to really hold that is reserve and emphazise the postitive- I tell them they are on the nice list when I get the present from Santa. (they are basically really good kids and have enough issues challenging them without adding in being told they are naughty)
Adults in my family usually get one small Santa present as well, just for fun.
Sounds good, Sabrina.
Santa may well bring John a present ;)
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