In the 1980’s the expression my bucket list started to appear in conversations when people spoke of things they wanted to do or visit. Then silly lists started to appear of the 10 things you had to see or do before you died. The expression the bucket list is now part of general conversations and it seems most people expects that you have a bucket list. I don’t!
Always being the contrarian, I don’t have one. I do not see why you need to do or see this or that during a life time, I just don’t get it. Until the 1970’s travelling far and wide was not common, until the age of mass tourism and cheap destinations, few travelled. Nowadays it seems everyone travels and have a bucket list, though travelling now is not has cheap as it was once when you could visit a country on $10. per day, remember those travel guide books, impossible now.
I can say that I spent my life travelling and living abroad so travelling some more now is not appealing, unless it is to a favourite city where I know where to go and who to see, like Rome, Vienna, Salzburg, London, Berlin, Palermo. What I have not seen in the world is no big deal and I do not need to go. There are places I really do not want to go back to, I did not enjoy them when I was there, example China. Some place have changed so much I don’t think I would enjoy them today as it would clash with my memories of them, example Egypt.
Travelling at Holiday time is also something I do not want to do, it seems that stories of things that went wrong and exhausting tales of family gatherings and all manner of unpleasantness abound. As someone said, you do not choose your relatives it is an accident of birth. Staying in town and with friends is our tradition. A nice meal at home with people we enjoy and same for New Year’s Eve, quiet and pleasant.
Now we still don’t have any snow maybe a sprinkle would be nice, not too much, just like icing on the cake.
And because this is the Season, my favourite Christmas Hymn heard in Roman Catholic Churches at Midnight Mass in French Canada. It was de rigueur as part of the religious service then. Ça bergers, assemblons-nous!
Shopping street in Rome, Via dei Condotti on the left is BULGARI at no.10 and just a few steps further you arrive at Piazza di Spagna and the famous steps, all decorated for Christmas.
Larry Muffin At Home 
I don’t have a bucket list either Larry and I have only traveled a little though each trip was lengthy by today’s travel standards. A month in Peru. Three months in Europe. Six weeks in Prince Edward Island and so on. Mostly, I think I like to live places rather than travel. These days, my partner finds air;outs and long flights difficult which in turn makes it difficult for me as well. We have settled into shorter painting trips, closer to home, that I can get us there by driving.
Wishing you both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the southwest coast of Canada!
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Terrill, a Happy Christmas to you and your family. Best Wishes in 2020.
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I’m uncomfortable with the idea of a bucket list. If I’m about to die and can’t possibly complete it, am I a failure? If I complete it, is it time for me to die? Why the pressure anyway? Do things you want to do and find pleasure where you can.
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Maybe because we live in a consumer society the idea of a bucket list is to promote consumerism in its many facets. But as you say do what makes you happy and forget the rest.
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I don’t have a bucket list either but there are places I’d like to visit in my life time, like the castles of King Ludwig II (Bavaria) !! … Rome, New york …
… And I get what you say about Holiday family gatherings … Have a nice Holiday at home with Will and your friends !!!
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I too abhor holiday travel, and prefer the stay-at-home celebration.
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Happy Holiday to you
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I suspect you don’t have/need a bucket list as you have lived a full life; there is no need to fulfill a void you had to begin with. The majority of folks ‘exist’ doing what they have to do to survive; they put off things like traveling and seeing the sights. You’ve done that (lucky fellow).
I have a Bucket List. I have one as without I will no accomplish things. There is a small chance if keep conscious this list I may get some of them done before I die. Without, I am certain I will reach the end with so many regrets.
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Travel and just do it! Avoid regrets.
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