Happy Christmas

alexsandr

link broken. got some funny characters at start of the url

Axstane

The usual problems in replying to a thread - Fraser's of today on the Middle East.

Perhaps in the New Year Coffeehouse might get someone who knows how to sort these problems.

Meanwhile everyone have a nice festive season with hope for a more tranquil 2012 than the year we have endured.

Hexhamgeezer

Have a good Christmas Mr H

Ghengis

And the compliments of the season to all at the spectator

EC

Happy Christmas, Pete.

Before you head off to the pub, what are your personal recommendations for the films on offer this Christmas? - either on the telly or on DVD.

TrevorsDen

Can the economy stand the Speccy Coffee House closing down for an extended time over Christmas? I think you need to crack on and continue to generate the growth in much needed pixels.

All of which does beg a question. Given that the activities of journals like the Speccy generate nothing, except hot air, what credibility do we put to a GDP figure which puts a value to newspapers peddling aimless comment and to retailers selling endless cups of coffee to each other?

Merry Christmas

Lonesome Dave

Yes Peter, a very Merry Christmas and a happy, eventful New Year to you all at the Specs and in this Coffee House.

LD.

Little Englander

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, Fröliche Weihnachten, God Jul!

Hugo Chav

A Merry Christmas to the Coffee House.

2012 couldn't be any more exciting:

~Euro.
~Dollar.
~Pound.
~China: soft or hard.
~Club Med: who'll be the first to leave.
~North Korea.
~Middle East.
~QE to Infinity.
~Undeveloping Nation Syndrome.
~Mega Crash.
~And more of the same in 2013.

strapworld

Mr Hoskin, May I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all your articles. May they keep coming along.

May I also wish seasonal greetings to all the regulars, those I agree with and those I do not. Such is life in a country with free speech.

Trevors Den, I note your contribution was of the 'Scrooge' variety. Baa Humbug.

Anan

Isn't it supposed to be "Merry"?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

The Cat Anan

Anan - The English have long said "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Christmas" interchangeably. Perhaps you're one of the newer fellers.

Anyway, Happy Treats and cute photos in little Santa hats to all British pets and their household help!

wrinkled weasel

Very best wishes to the editorial team and the regular posters.

Just finished preparing the guest rooms. Going off to have some green tea and a ginger biscuit. Sorted.

Blessed Christmas.

Perry, a Heartless Curmudgeon

Every good wish for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the Good Hearts of the Coffee House.

Wassail!

jon dee

Best wishes all.

Austin Barry

Thanks to the Speccie for providing a marshalling yard for Wall scribblers, mad, bad and Planet Telemachus'.

Best wishes and, particularly, good health to Pete and all at the Speccie and their families.

Tiberius

A Merry Christmas to journos and commentators alike, and may Marley's ghost extend his activities from Fraser's office to Andrew Neil's.

David Ossitt

A happy Christmas to one and all, let us hope the 2012 bodes well for England.

Anan

Yes, I'm no doubt much younger than the racist cat :) We young English say "Merry." Perhaps you old foreigners say "Happy." But Merry sounds better - perhaps they missed it off your citizenship application syllabus?

Yow Min Lye

A Merry Christmas to Fraser and all the team at Britain's most fearless and incisive centre-right magazine.

strapworld

Just read that cleggy is determined to attend the next EU meeting alongside Cameron. Just who is in charge of this Government? I have suspected that Cameron would agree sometime, but with the EU superannuated cleggy alongside him it does look like the UK will be sold down the river. The rebel conservative MP's had better sharpen their axes and give a stiff New Year Message to Cameron.

Happy New Year ?

Verity

The cat Anan has never been to India, but his servant lived there briefly and she admires it and the Hindu dieties and likes Hindu names, which is why Anan is Anan. He is a very handsome cat and comes to his name.

Verity

Anan, "Happy Christmas" is a very common greeting. Perhaps you, being first generation, are trying too hard.

EC

EU meeting: Would cleggy getting the cold shoulder prevent Cameron getting the chop?

Noa

A Happy Christmas to Mr Hoskins, the Speccie team, the Coffee House demonically possessed software and not least of course, its fellow posters from the five continets; who educate, provide insight and provoke incitement, inspire, invoke laughter and empathy...

TrevorsDen

Merry Christmas Mr Strap - I do find it difficult to step out of character, even when it is intended to be a comedy Scrooge.

PS
I for one welcome the clear orange water being put out by the LDs. Orange water which on this basis will go straight down the plug hole.

Biggestaspidistra

A very merry Christmas to all and thank you to the Spectator.

Verity

Anan - You will also note the headline of Pete's post.

I have a feeling (can't be bothered to investigate it because it isn't important) that "Merry Christmas" was used more around the 1500, 1600 and 1700s when the word "merry" was in more common use. It travelled over to the Americas with the Pilgrims and the usage "Merry Christmas" was preserved. Certainly in the US, I have never heard anyone say "Happy Christmas".

Occasional Ostrich

Anan 23rd, 4:47pm

Happy holidays, as they say in Noo Yawk (and its environs).

Pete Hoskin

alexsandr: Apologies for that; I've fixed it now.

Jez

I've got a hangover.

David

Merry Christmas to all at the Spectator.

Pete Hoskin

EC: I haven't really seen the TV schedule, so I can't help you there. But, aside from the obvious, I do always enjoy watching Christmas Holiday (1944, and actually a Siodmak-directed noir), The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) and Cronos (1993) around this time of year.

I'll be writing up my favourite DVD/Blu Ray releases of the year for another website next week - will forward you a copy.

Benton Marder

God save the Queen and bless her realm
With plenty, joy, and peace,
And grant henceforth that foul debate
Twixt noble folk may cease!