All of our presents(mine and moms) are now in her living room. It's an insane amount for 8 people. Sort of embarrassing, but this is what happens when you have 2 women that love to shop--and one that is a super bargain queen. Especially when said shoppers start to shop very early in the year. Plus a few pics of my other lights....along the big railing on the sidewalk, down the side steps to the trellis thing, and the back porch.
I have them wrapped around candycanes down thru the flower bed.
Very blurry shot of the back porch.
It's hard to tell because some are behind the dining room table, and under the end table, and on the table, and buried under other presents. BUT, this is what over 500 presents look like. For 8 people. A lot of the little ones you can't even see because they are all just buried. The ones on the table are to me from mom and dad and it's killing me what's in that big green box.
I would like to say I'm not trying to be braggy about the presents. I just so love to give....that's why I buy so much, because each gift I buy is another one that I get to watch someone open up.
My dad thinks we are insane....he grew up during WWII and barely used to get anything. One year he got a tin with some toffee in it and that was all. He said he loved playing with the tin. I was like, Dad---come on now, you played with a tin......makes you realize how lucky we are nowadays.
I would like to say I'm not trying to be braggy about the presents. I just so love to give....that's why I buy so much, because each gift I buy is another one that I get to watch someone open up.
My dad thinks we are insane....he grew up during WWII and barely used to get anything. One year he got a tin with some toffee in it and that was all. He said he loved playing with the tin. I was like, Dad---come on now, you played with a tin......makes you realize how lucky we are nowadays.
Yep that is Christmas to me too Loz--I love to give--I keep telling my DH that him getting gifts IS NOT about him getting but about people giving----
and yes we ARE fortunate...my mom says she got her very first Doll at age 12--that year she got 2----but no money for them before that.
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Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Aww thank you.........I do put a lot of thought into things....I try at least. I start brainstorming lists very early in the year....probably by February I'm thinking of ideas already.
And you are so right Carol.....it's like Athena told me I would jump up and down when I open her little gift she got me....so I'll be jumping up and down some time during Christmas morning. It could be a spider and I'd jump up and down because she's so excited for me to open it.
Dad always tells us how during the war they'd get food rations...and for a while they each only got one egg a year and it was horrible because it was several months old. I mean we really are lucky. Night after night they had to sit in the air raid shelter, and sleep in there and everything--while bombs rained down on London. I'm very thankful that things aren't like that now.
and that is why I will save my gifts that were sent to me---I will have them to open on Christmas day and I have the anticipation until then---
about the war-- MOM was very little and they were lucky--they lived on a farm so they had more than some did--My dad lived first out in the country and then they moved into town but he said every bit of their yard was dug up and turned into garden---there were 12 of them...and while grandpa worked in the mines here---his family had a greenhouse in England.
grandpa came over in 1898--he was 14--he came with his brother who was 17.
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Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
As inviting as that invite sounds, that cannot ever be----well unless I get my kids to move with me---- NOT that i ever get to see them anymore-----I saw them today so I will likely not see them much if at all on Christmas EVE and then a bit Christmas morning and until say 3 or 4 on Christmas.
....I do not know what I have ever done wrong...I thought I was proud of them in their being so independant....but......Other mothers get to see their kids once in awhile-----To see mine is like pulling teeth.
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Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!! .....
Yeah some mothers can't get rid of their kids, some children even buy houses right across the street from their parents---but I wouldn't know who that is! :wink:
Loz, are you serious or are you being playful? 500 presents for 8 people, giving each person 62.5 presents EACH?!
Merme
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
I'm serious. I shop all year Merme, and my brain doesn't have one of those off switches to let me know when I'm done---so I just keep shopping. And I love to shop, and I love to give....and if I go shopping in February then I don't feel guilty buying stuff for gifts.
I know, I know, it's bad. One year it took us 4 hours to open everything up. It sure is fun though.
We were given two hands to hold, two eyes to see, two ears to listen & two legs to walk. But why were we given only one heart? The other heart was given to another for us to find.
I just like everyone to have a lot to open. My dad tells me and mom it's insane. Which I guess it is, but even the adults secretly love it, even if they think it's crazy.
I know I do! I mean I love opening presents, but just because I buy someone a lot it doesn't mean I in any way expect a lot back. That's not how I work. I just like being Santa Loz.
As inviting as that invite sounds, that cannot ever be----well unless I get my kids to move with me---- NOT that i ever get to see them anymore-----I saw them today so I will likely not see them much if at all on Christmas EVE and then a bit Christmas morning and until say 3 or 4 on Christmas.
....I do not know what I have ever done wrong...I thought I was proud of them in their being so independant....but......Other mothers get to see their kids once in awhile-----To see mine is like pulling teeth.
Carol... I think you don't realize how lucky you are to be seeing your girls as often as you do. When Brian lived up in Ithaca still, after having graduated college, we only got to see him about twice a year for those 3 years. Granted, he has been living with us now since July, but I'm sure that will be over before I turn around, when he gets his own place again.
As for gift giving... my family has narrowed it down to just one gift, and only for the children. I can't even fathom all those gifts that will be exchanged in your family, Loz, though I do know how rewarding it is to be able to shop for bargains, and the joy of giving as well. I hope all your hard work is appreciated by all, and that you have a wonderful holiday.
Carol...I know that you want to see your girls more but I also know how busy we all are and it is hard sometimes. Not trying to make excuses for them but my mom says the same thing to me all the time. I only live 20 miles from her but see her maybe once a month...sometimes not even that. I guess we all get busy in our lives and it gets hard. We should just make the time but it passes faster than we think I guess. Hopefully you get to spend some time with them soon.
That is lots of gifts Loz!! We have quite a few at my family Christmas too but mostly for the kids and not quite that many!! Have fun!!
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