What’s illegal these days is having a simple Christmas light display. You either have no lights, or every inch of your house covered with a blinding display.
This was a pretty cute Christmas strip seeing the DeGroots appreciate the comforts of simplicity and togetherness. I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I’m going on a 2 week trip to Japan so it’s not likely I’ll be keeping track of the strip for a bit. It’s my first international trip and the first Christmas I’m spending away from my family so today’s strip gives me a bittersweet feeling knowing I won’t be spending it with my family. I’m meeting up with a buddy so it’ll still be happy, just different. Anyways, I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!
As I understand it, Christmas is illegal in Afghanistan, Mauritania, Tajikistan, Iran, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia, Yemen, and Maldives
I admit I don’t read the comments when they get very numerous so maybe this has been suggested previously. But could it be that this is just the caretaker’s cottage and there really is a nice, swanky lodge a little further up the road? I worked for a company whose founder had a huge house and a full-sized house by the front gate for his security staff.
In two weeks we went from a perpetual Halloween party to snow. Yes, some place in the USA has snow. All you see is mud if you live east of the Mississippi River.
Why did Nancy spend hours decorating when they weren’t going to be home? The plan was always to be at the cabin; it just turned out to be more rustic than they expected.
The family is united in front of the fire. An ancestral scene capable of making you feel good. This long Christmas arc is special, above all because it involves parents and children in a way that hasn’t happened for many years by putting them together. I’m really liking this arc, simple, jet original,warm and very Christmassy.
A practical note. You should never go for a drive in the wilderness without taking some “just in case” supplies. Every so often, there are news items about someone whose car broke down or ran off the road and got stuck where there was no cell phone service. At that point having snacks and water in the car is very important. Brad should have known that and when he got coffee for his parents, he should have included granola bars and chips as a bare minimum. As written, they will be unrealistically rescued in the morning or the snow will have not only stopped but melted enough to drive out.
Luann there nothing simple about Christmas a brother has to take the wife to her parents house then come back to his parents house and make the parents wait hours.
I hope they’re home for Sunday’s strip. It’s nice that they’re making the best of a fiasco and not berating Frank any more than he has blamed himself, but there’s something unattractive about this middle-class family playing poor and assuring each other that inadequate food, small and grubby accommodations and a chill in the air are nicer than whatever Nancy worked to provide at home — because colored lights, evergreen-scented air, food on hand to make everyone’s nostalgic favorites, space with clean beds are nice, too, and you can be polite to each other under pleasant conditions as well.
Picky item – so they packed for this mini-vacation. “Make sure to pack enough shirts, sweatshirts, pants, socks, underwear, toiletries, food. Oh, and don’t forget the four mugs with our names on them!”
I used to leave seasonal greetings on the few Compuserve fora I frequented, but they’ve mostly disappeared. The problem with comics fora like this is that there’s a new discussion every day and people typically visit it only once (more often if they receive a message, but then typically only to read those messages). But this is probably the strip I hang out on with the most comments and the fewest trolls, so I might as well send greetings to all my friends here. My text is from Greg Lake and Peter Sinfield:
lvlax 11 months ago
Just offscreen is an R.O.U.S. telling Luann to quit hogging the darn sleeping bag. ;)
I love how the couch, which looked so small it was almost like a chair, is now big enough to hold 4 people on it.
.
This does make for a nice and cozy scene.. I have to admit that.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!
Tenax 11 months ago
Simple is the best kind.
e.professor 11 months ago
As William Shatner: Chestnuts….roasting……………..onanopenfire. JackFrost…………..nippingatyournose.
Tyge 11 months ago
Something different from Greg and Karen this year! 8^ )
Namrepus 11 months ago
What’s illegal these days is having a simple Christmas light display. You either have no lights, or every inch of your house covered with a blinding display.
sallymargret 11 months ago
This is my kind of Christmas.
Joe1962 11 months ago
Legal?
overtherainbow 11 months ago
Marvelous art. Keep it coming, Greg! Happy holidays to you, Karen, and all of us here at Luann. <3
Rockabore 11 months ago
This was a pretty cute Christmas strip seeing the DeGroots appreciate the comforts of simplicity and togetherness. I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I’m going on a 2 week trip to Japan so it’s not likely I’ll be keeping track of the strip for a bit. It’s my first international trip and the first Christmas I’m spending away from my family so today’s strip gives me a bittersweet feeling knowing I won’t be spending it with my family. I’m meeting up with a buddy so it’ll still be happy, just different. Anyways, I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!
howtheduck 11 months ago
As I understand it, Christmas is illegal in Afghanistan, Mauritania, Tajikistan, Iran, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia, Yemen, and Maldives
lopaka 11 months ago
A remembrance of what Christmas was all about once upon a time.
Grandma Lea 11 months ago
Tis the season to remember and reflect, May you all have a blessed and safe holiday season
Wilkins068 11 months ago
Peace an Joy to all here!
snsurone76 11 months ago
TI wonder what’s happening in the rest of the “Luanniverse”.
Will Mr. Moneybags get away from his phone and computer to spend time with Tiff?
Will Stef spend the entire 12 days screwing Kip?
Will Bets and Gunther be able to avoid Al and Irma?
Will Toni end up in the hospital from fighting a 4-alarm fire without Brad?
And most of all—will Bernice take care of Puddles?
ilgoldstein 11 months ago
And to all a good night.
imagenesis 11 months ago
Today’s panel looks very cozy, I love the realistic looking fire. Merry Christmas everyone!
TexTech 11 months ago
I admit I don’t read the comments when they get very numerous so maybe this has been suggested previously. But could it be that this is just the caretaker’s cottage and there really is a nice, swanky lodge a little further up the road? I worked for a company whose founder had a huge house and a full-sized house by the front gate for his security staff.
eladee AKA Wally 11 months ago
Looks like the family is having a cozy little Christmas together. Nice!!!!
kaycstamper 11 months ago
Where did the snow go outside?
EMGULS79 11 months ago
If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for the DeGroots.
Rose686 11 months ago
Awwww, they look so comfortable cuddled up together.
Chopped Fowl 11 months ago
So, … what about the ‘facilities’?
Inside, outside, … should they have brought their own tp? ….
Ellis97 11 months ago
You don’t need a bunch of decorations and lights to have a merry Christmas. Sometimes, just being together is enough.
loubarra 11 months ago
Where’s Toni? I missed something
Just-me 11 months ago
Merry Christmas to all and may God bless and keep you and yours.
wolfiiig 11 months ago
Luann needs a real boyfriend who honestly cares about her. Will it happen?
Prescott_Philosopher 11 months ago
As Luann arcs go, this is a very good one.
ctolson 11 months ago
About time for the stench of burnt squirrel fur to come wafting out of the fireplace.
Lescoe Brandon 11 months ago
In two weeks we went from a perpetual Halloween party to snow. Yes, some place in the USA has snow. All you see is mud if you live east of the Mississippi River.
MS72 11 months ago
Nice fire, Merry Christmas!
Robert Williams @ Williams Web Solutions 11 months ago
Simple Christmas…like on the farm in Missouri with my grandparents and uncles who would be alive. :(
BJShipley1 11 months ago
Why did Nancy spend hours decorating when they weren’t going to be home? The plan was always to be at the cabin; it just turned out to be more rustic than they expected.
Aladar30 Premium Member 11 months ago
The family is united in front of the fire. An ancestral scene capable of making you feel good. This long Christmas arc is special, above all because it involves parents and children in a way that hasn’t happened for many years by putting them together. I’m really liking this arc, simple, jet original,warm and very Christmassy.
Huckleberry Hiroshima 11 months ago
Dad. Mom. Brad. I wonder what name is on Luan’s cup.
dwindy54 11 months ago
So is the Toni and Brad thing over? Personally if I were Brad I’d never have left home with her working.
RSH 11 months ago
Frank Frank…. listen up. You wanted to have family closeness. You’re having it now and everyone is enjoying it but you.
locake 11 months ago
This looks like a nice way to spend a couple of days. After 2 or 3 nights, they will be eager to get back to civilization.
Chris 11 months ago
it surprisingly still is… not that it ever needs changing. :J
timzsixty9 11 months ago
a “simple Christmas” is all ANY of us really needs
WilliamVollmer 11 months ago
Quiet. Don’t let the big retailers, and, the TV networks know about simple, and, quiet, Christmas celebrations. They’ll have an heart attack.
dblbaraje 11 months ago
I wish Toni was there!
kaystari Premium Member 11 months ago
I don’t comment much, but that is one crazy artistically beautiful fire.
hoffquotes2 11 months ago
Why did she spend all those hours prepping when she was going to be at a cabin no matter how big or small it would be
mepowell 11 months ago
A practical note. You should never go for a drive in the wilderness without taking some “just in case” supplies. Every so often, there are news items about someone whose car broke down or ran off the road and got stuck where there was no cell phone service. At that point having snacks and water in the car is very important. Brad should have known that and when he got coffee for his parents, he should have included granola bars and chips as a bare minimum. As written, they will be unrealistically rescued in the morning or the snow will have not only stopped but melted enough to drive out.
tutibug5 11 months ago
I love a happy ending. Also, enjoying the positive and pleasant comments today. Merry Christmas Everybody!
Philly1115 11 months ago
It’s my idea of a good time.
Joe1962 11 months ago
Luann there nothing simple about Christmas a brother has to take the wife to her parents house then come back to his parents house and make the parents wait hours.
tcayer 11 months ago
So she did all that, and didn’t BRING it? How long were they planning to stay if it HAD been a fancy lodge?
Azul0858 11 months ago
I hope they’re home for Sunday’s strip. It’s nice that they’re making the best of a fiasco and not berating Frank any more than he has blamed himself, but there’s something unattractive about this middle-class family playing poor and assuring each other that inadequate food, small and grubby accommodations and a chill in the air are nicer than whatever Nancy worked to provide at home — because colored lights, evergreen-scented air, food on hand to make everyone’s nostalgic favorites, space with clean beds are nice, too, and you can be polite to each other under pleasant conditions as well.
The Orange Mailman 11 months ago
I’m confused. This comic strip seems to be about Christmas and Luann.
eladee AKA Wally 11 months ago
I love the look of that fire and all the sparks! Merry Christmas DeGroots.
rob 11 months ago
Get over it Frank, enjoy this peaceful time with your family.
Caldonia 11 months ago
Decorating? I hope not too much, if you don’t even spend all the holiday at home. And I hope you shopped for more food for this cabin.
tabbah 11 months ago
I just love the artwork of the fireplace flames
RonMcCalip 11 months ago
“A simple Christmas… Is that legal???” LMAO! BEST LINE EVER! A Merry Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to one and ALL!
French Persons Premium Member 11 months ago
Now throw yourselves into the fire!
The Quiet One 11 months ago
Frank, everyone is settling in. Stop looking at the negative and look at the positive.
Doctor Go 11 months ago
Not under our current political system…
dlestersprint0 11 months ago
Brad’s one log sure made a nice fire.
WF11 11 months ago
Any idea what the figures/pictures are on the named mugs? They look kind of like masks to me, but that wouldn’t make sense.
Mopman 11 months ago
Picky item – so they packed for this mini-vacation. “Make sure to pack enough shirts, sweatshirts, pants, socks, underwear, toiletries, food. Oh, and don’t forget the four mugs with our names on them!”
reedkomicks Premium Member 11 months ago
Glad they finally sat down!
Dgwphotos 11 months ago
Darth Sidious will MAKE it legal. ;)
Wilkins068 11 months ago
One for The❤️Count
♫ Up on the rooftop
Crash bang boom
Annie Awful just landed
On her broom ♪
tutibug5 11 months ago
Probably my imagination – but if you zoom in on the middle FLAME – there is a portrait of a person.
jr1234 11 months ago
At least the kids aren’t crying BUT HOW WILL SANTA FIND US?
FunnyPageLover 11 months ago
Great atmosphere and all, but I’m still mystified (and miffed) about why Toni and Shannon are not included. Just weird.
smsrt 11 months ago
Well done Greg!
cherns Premium Member 11 months ago
I used to leave seasonal greetings on the few Compuserve fora I frequented, but they’ve mostly disappeared. The problem with comics fora like this is that there’s a new discussion every day and people typically visit it only once (more often if they receive a message, but then typically only to read those messages). But this is probably the strip I hang out on with the most comments and the fewest trolls, so I might as well send greetings to all my friends here. My text is from Greg Lake and Peter Sinfield:
I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
eddi-TBH 11 months ago
Looks like they have found a way to make the best of the situation.
BuckarooDave 11 months ago
Murray KrisMust. :-/
Sisyphos 11 months ago
Most of the DeGroots are dealing with their difficult stuation quite well. But Luann has to snark….
eced52 11 months ago
Under Bidumomics it’s mandatory.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace 11 months ago
When life gives you lemons, make hot cocoa….wait that isn’t right….on the other hand we do like hot cocoa
ianwhalley500 11 months ago
What happened to the cabin trip after 12/23/2023? I expected the family leaving to go home and seeing the lodge they missed in the snow storm.