A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Home for the Holidays Christmas is on it's way..

..anyone starting to get prepared yet, 39 days until

I bought my Christmas cards so far as well as baby's stocking, first ornament and dress..it's a start.

Johnny just called and asked if we were putting the tree up for Thanksgiving. We've never had it up that early before but maybe we will this year.

I've started to take chistmas items out of the closet. I'm thinking a christmas exchange like we've done in the past might be fun. And I bought a new christmas CD from the post office from all places lol. I now have 3 christmas cd's. My plan is to buy one per year until I have a nice selection to play on the computer from the day after thanksgiving until New years. I already have my christmas cards I just need to update my list. Are we going to sign up for christmas cards this year? And are we going to do the christmas cards for the soldiers this year too? I sure have a bunch of questions for this post don't I? And I haven't even bought my turkey yet.

I like those ideas--all of them
so sign me up as a "yes that would be great"--on all counts--I have my Christmas cards here & ready to address now too.

_________________________________________


about waht I have done-

I have some gifts bought and my cards bought. decorations will go up the weekend after T-giving. it seems after that weekend if my house is not decorated, I get busy & then it hardly gets done in time for Christmas itself.

I usually don't do cards. It really hurts my hands to write, sign, address, etc.
I don't decorate because I'm so deep behind shrubs and trees it just doesn't seem much worthwhile.
We usually cut our own Charlie Brown tree but did not the last couple years.
I haven't done a bit of shopping yet. Although I ran into a few things I bought for Ted last year and promptly forgot about. So he will get those and anything else I find that suits his likes. All of my older kids will get cash. That is what will please them most this difficult year.
But I am not 'down' or sad. It is a lovely season and I like it bunches. I am chock full of spirit! Just honing the commercialism down a bit.

Same here Tina..I only decorate a small tree outside(need new lights this year though ) and put up a wreath on my door. I used to cut a small tree for inside but DH isn't impressed so he always goes to buy one at the tree farm(only $15 so it's not too bad)..although every year I try treat myself to a new box of bulbs for the tree..last year I didn't so I told DH that means this year I get two

It costs alot to decorate and it seems money is always needed for other things..as well as my gift list 'to buy for' has been cut down dramatically now..only my grandmother, mother, DD, granddaughter and Goddaughter this year.

ladies--I forgot to mention my decorations are a from years past--so only the time to put them up is invested. I may ask for a new rug/seat cover for the bathroom though.
(I gave Emily my bathroom set, as she thinks that mine are part of her Christmas--so now it is hers to put out.)

"She calls it "My Childhood"

I will not give up my keepsakes until I am ready to. It may be my kids' childhood memories but they are also mine. When they get settled into permanent situations, I may share some of them just so I can go see 'my' memories in their homes. But it needs to be my choice, not because they claim it as a right.

Well I like to add special ornaments each year. My current project is to move from my 3 foot tree to a 5 foot tree so I've been getting larger ornaments every year. I almost got a tree last year after christmas but Wal-Mart had mismarked it as usual and I won't buy there bait and switch items.

So it will be the 3 foot tree this year but I'll have my eye out for a 5 foot tree bargain.

Well I'll take on the Christmas Card List but I think someone else should take on the christmas present swap.

sorry I made it sound like that. It was my idea to give Emily the bathroom set. I knew it would make her happy, which it did do.

I signed up for the Christmas Card list, TK.

Well I have my turkey and an extra one to boot.. I haven't shopped yet.. but most of grands are cash or gift cards so easy to do and the little ones will get a book each and a toy they marked in the toysrus catalog... the twins who aren't verbel enough yet to ask are getting guitars cause they loved Nicoli's last yr...
I am going to make my banana breads this week and freeze them... they will go home with the families in goodie bags.. along with cookies , divinity, and fudge... extras I will give to neighbors...
I keep threatening to give all my Christmas decor to the kids too... will next time we move... will be downsizing and won't be room, I have stuff that was my moms and my grandmothers... don't know how some of it survived all the moving we have done in my lifetime.. that stuff I will keep..

Tamara a real tree costs a small fortune here... last one we bought was over 60.. so we now have an artificial one...makes less mess but do miss the tree smell-
Nana

And I am sorry. I have been chatting with another friend whose adult daughters are sort of demanding what they think they are entitled to now. Sometimes before Mom is willing to get rid of them. But she said it is easier to just pass it on than deal with all of the hormones....
The umbrage was sort of based on that.
And my own 19 year old said recently that she was going to have a good time going through my stuff when I die. I told her that talk like that would get her written right out of any will.

nana--why not go to a Tree farm or someplace and buy a real wreath or bough & put that up in the ho use--you still get the smell and not near the mess.

I had to soak mine in water for so long (forget how long) & then let it drain well before I put it up. Then I misted it every day----it worked well.

not to worry, Tina--I was just afraid I had sounded as if I were complaining.

Sorry about the 19 yr old. But they can get that way at that age--she will mature.

I got most of my Christmas shopping done, mainly stuff for my kiddo... I haven't decided if I'm doing cards or not this year, things are tight as always...

I never took the lights down last year, I just kind of left them up but not on (they're not that obnoxious I swear), so at least that's done... have to test them to make sure they still work though lol...

Also need to bring down the fake tree and set it up, possibly Trey's airblown snow globe that I bought him last year, if I get around to taking down the canopy on the back deck...

Sorry trees are so $ there Nana.

We have three local tree farms where you can cut your own and about 6 places that sell them already cut. A normal size tree is $15-20 and a larger tree(8ft or more)is no more than $30. Mind you..these farms are just people who plant seedlings on their own property and cultivate them for sale..it's not a 'on the books' business, but the trees are beautiful none the less.

I'm not a real tree type person. But if I were I would probably grow them right here on the property. The pines I have are huge or babies that are trying to increase the forested area of the property. I normally dig those up. As I select cut I may add some nice noble fir for christmas trees.
I did get a baby fir tree from a neighbor last year. I should really go out and check if it made it through the summer. I forgot all about it. Shame on me.

TK, I always used to cut my own on our property but DH complains they aren't good enough(he got that from his mom). His father would cut a bunch of trees and bring them out..none were ever good enough. He'd even make holes to add branches from other trees to make it perfect for her

I'd rather an artificial tree(you can put them up earlier)..a real tree has a hard time to last 2 weeks with the heat in here. I even cut a spruce one year..didn't look the fanciest but did it ever make my house smell nice

Since my grand children have allergies we now have an artificial tree. I guess we've had one for 7 or 8 years. Part of the lights went out on the first one we got that was beautiful. I ordered it off QVC. I ordered one last year from Balsam Hill Tree Company and it's ugly. I mean awful. I tried to send it back and they have a no return policy after a certain date and I was out of luck. We used it last year but bought a new one that I actually got to see in person 2 weeks ago. Johnny's sister wants this ugly one. She usually doesn't even put up a tree but she said she'd use this ugly one this year for the family party. Maybe she can stick it in a corner and no one will notice it.

Johnny usually puts lights on the trees in the driveway and I imagine he will again this year. He's like a child. He gets so excited.

Shelley told me yesterday not to buy her children a bunch of junk. They have way too much stuff and no where to put it. Her children wear uniforms to school and church clothes to church and she said that they hardly wore all the clothes they got last year for Christmas and their birthdays. I do know that Darbi has outgrown the boots I bought her last year so I'll get her another pair of boots and so far that's all I know. Shelley and Ginger both have asked me what I want and I have no idea. I think I'm going to tell them to make a donation to the mens shelter in Charlotte in my name.

that is a wonderful idea

We are a cheap family. I try hard to think up a list of inexpensive things that I really want because I know how hard parents can be to buy for. I really need a new mop and have for a while. But waited so I could put it on my wish list. And a broom. Things like that. Then there is an ongoing list of small personal items that are ongoing. It makes my kids happy to have a list to go from. And I am happy to receive them.

I agree Tina..DD asked what we wanted this year. At first I told her nothing but then she said she was buying anyway, so I told her to buy us a little grandparent ornament. It's cheap and will be a beautiful keepsake

And I hope Santa brings me my own box of Turtles chocolates

I talked to Johnny and he suggested I get a donation for the food cupboard at church. His church has stopped doing international missions and is focusing on what they call home missions. They started out with a cloths closet and food bank but the clothes closet was too much of a mess and needed a lot of room so they've stopped that and bought freezers and are just doing the food now. It's a no questions asked opportunity for people to get food of all kinds if they need it for anybody that needs something. Johnny is constantly taking bags of food to people. He has a key to the pantry. He says if people lie and really don't need it then it's their problem and not his.

I emailed my girls and Ginger emailed back and said ok but she's going to get me a new MP3 Video Player anyway. I figured she'd have a hard time not buying something else whether I need it or not. She gave me a new MP3 player sometime last year, maybe for my birthday, and it's perfectly fine but I'm not going to argue.

PS Godiva chocolate raspberry stars would be nice too.

:wink:
Yes as a former daughter of parents I know it is important to really get something. That is why I develop a list.
Tamara, your ornament idea is a good one!

Is Godiva a chocolate??

yes ma'am it is--quality Chocolate too !!!

Here we have a lot of 'Ganong'..because it's a chocolate factory from our province.

Good chocolate is good chocolate--no matter of the name...

Even bad chocolate is good chocolate in my eyes

Chocolate with raspberries is a great combination.

Lindor chocolates are my current favorites except they cost and arm and a leg. And at this time of year I have to have the orange chocolate. Not that I'm a chocolate freak or anything.

Mmmm, Truffini Truffles...

Lindor does have some great chocolates though... And Sees Candies has some great chocolates as well...

We (the new girlfriend and I) found this nice little candy shop downtown Milwaukie, but they don't accept credit/debit and they don't have any sugar free options... Though I know of a really nice diabetic friendly bakery in Clackamas (city next to mine)

Godiva's are my favourite but soooo expensive. They make Lindors look cheap. Ilove going into their shop and seeing what samples they are handing out, Best way to get good chocolate.

Godiva chocolate never has interested me. I suppose most people have their own tastes.

I got new outdoor Christmas lights..they are just the old style miniatures but they were within the budget..woohoo. Ya, as you know it doesn't take much to excite me

yea!!! new Christmas lights!!!!
That is great!!!!

I think the lights are one of my favourite things about Christmas. They are just so cheery, especially when driving to work in the dark and home from work ing the dark.

Well yesterday I visited our little local '$1 to $5' store, they had a lot of Christmas stuff.

So after spending another $20...I have all my paper, tags, ribbon, bows, tape, some wall decor and a few glass ornaments for family(for an ornament exchange). They had hand painted glass balls with ribbons and sayings for only $3...I seen them for $12 at the 'card store' in town

Slowly getting things done.

Sounds like I need to go to the $$ store in the town where I go to Therapy, Tamara, you sure got some nice ornaments. --Perhaps on Wednesday I will have time.-----

Chocolates and candy bought

Christmas M & M's bought. I get plain & peanut--I also bought the mini candy bars---(I will eat the dark chocolate ones somehow)

Tree & decoratiosn not up yet

Now I want peanut M&M's

sorry

I'm telling ya. You need to try Godiva chocolate rapsberry stars. Delicious!!!

I like Christmas lights too. I like colored and clear. I like peanut M&M's too.

Let's turn on the lights and eat.

I don't like raspberries the only fruit that gives me shivers even to think about the taste.

I'm ready----sounds like a good plan to me!!!!

We did all our out door decorations this past weekend from lights on the house to lights on the fence, an inflatable santa and we even decorated several of the trees in the yard. It was alot of fun though I wasn't the one 20 feet up on a ladder.

Sounds great Shani...still way behind here this year.

How's it going everyone?

...and wondering how Lynne is fairing out with her preparations for Hanukkah as well.

ooops, sorry Lynne...I forgot is was the first of December this year

Maxi and I are thinking of a roast beef for Christmas dinner because neither one of us wants turkey again so soon & he doesn't care for ham.

He is going to put up the outside lights on Saturday. Our neighbors here in the complex have done their decorations very well so we wanna get ours up too.

Also this weekend, we need to finish up our shopping.


A good holiday chocolate is Lindt Dark Chocolate With Orange. It comes in a large bar which breaks into flat squres. It actually has bits of orange in it! YUMMY! and slivered almonds.

i have to agree with Maxi on the choices.. i am sick of ham an ham an turkey..........

maybe a pizza party.. think I will get one for myself an freeze it . no ones coming an I cant go out with this cold .

So .........thanks maxi.....who cares what we eat?

dodge

I am goiong out to eat Christmas Dinner--I hear it is again Turkey--but at l east it is not ham---I really do not care for ham as a hot dish at a meal and that is fortunate as I cannot have ham anymore.

Gee I wonder what else I am going to get to eat?? I cannot wait to find out---

I am cooking turkey..but I love turkey, we don't buy it often because of the high price.

A lot of people go out to a Chinese restaurant for Christmas now..they throw a big buffet on Christmas day.

I agree w/ Sheri ~ we should decorate and eat. Chocolate is a good choice after decorating.

Yes, Tam, I know people here also who go out for Chinese buffet on Christmas Day. That idea just doesn't feel homey enough for me to be interested as much as I love Chinese buffet. I do like to do little or at least easy cooking on The Day, so I get why it appeals to others.

But I make our strada the night before & pop it in the oven that morning so we have a nice breakfast while we open gifts.

Then I want to play and enjoy Maxi and not worry too much about cooking. I swear it always seemed like my mom & grandmom spent the entire day in the kitchen getting a real feast together for the big family. Then us kids had to pitch in to move the large tables around, put the ironed cloths on them, lay out the polished silver, etc. It was big doings.

Maxi and I like it more picnic style.

But to this day, I still enjoy polishing silver which was my job as a kid, too.

We have meat pie for breakfast on Christmas morning...then wonder why we feel so bad for the rest of the day

My favorite part of Christmas day is opening up a box of Turtles chocolates and eating them all my myself...ya that could be another part of feeling bad on that day also

We rarely 'feasted' on Christmas day unless invited somewhere. Or the couple of occasions we had people around. To me it is a day of playing with my children and just relaxing after the getting ready. I prefer something going in the crockpot for meals as called for and lots of snacky things throughout the day.
This year we will go to John's niece's. I do have to call to find out what I should bring.

We have coffee, hot chocolate, juices, cookies & nut roll around for breakfast on Christmas morning. Then when all the gifts & family time is taken care of we go to someone's house for dinner which is usually in the afternoon say 1 or 2.

This year My youngest had Thanksgiving, My brother is having Christmas eve & our family exchange (on the 19th)--& my sister is having Christmas Dinner. Next year one of them will sit out & I will take their place.

My immediate family will be here for Christmas Eve, stay the night and be with me in the morning.
I have invited my MIL & Mom to the house on Christmas morning as well.--we shall see if either comes.

For food we begin with tangerines because that is what Santa brings and it is healthier than some of the other options. Well unless you count the nuts! But food can be anything during the day. I like finger foods; crudities, canapes, hors d'oeuvres, etc. If you are feeding more than just a small family then the crockpot needs warming up! Chili is usually good or even a huge pot of gumbo on the stove.
As I've met people from all over I tend to adopt some new traditions. In New Zealand Christmas falls in their summers and BBQ's on the beach or in backyards are the seasonal thing to do. Sounds good to me!

Yes, tangerines are a must on Christmas morning here as well -- Santa always brings them.

I like to set the food for the morning more buffet style... the strada, the fruits & nuts, etc so Maxi & I can pick what we want & be casual.

I'm pretty excited for I was able to buy Maxi a very special gift. It is a man's ID bracelet & has his initials on the front. In the back, where no one can see but him, it says "My son, my pride, my joy" and I think he will love it. He is an old enough boy now to take care of a good piece of jewelry.

Beautiful gift Merme...

I have a box of Mandarin Oranges on the counter(like a mini tangerine)..a Christmas specialty here.

Mandarin oranges are so delicious and special, Tam, I'm glad you get fresh ones for Christmas. Because I am on dialysis, they are the only kind of orange I am allowed to eat bec/ the potassium content is much lower. The sad thing is, I can only find them here in a can! How blessed you are to have a box of the fresh! What a festive treat they must be!

I am thinking of making cinnamon buns for Christmas morning too although I usually do not serve or eat sweet things in the AM. Maxi's school is selling cinnamon bun kits for Christmas morning & it just sounded good to me.

Fresh mandarin opranges---wow I have never on my life seen them--what a treat that must be!!! I too have only ever had canned.
What a wonderful breakfasdt treat !!!

I usually do not fix sweet thigns for breakfast either, Merme, but I consider Christmas a special occasion. I ignore the cookies eaten and the nut roll is not really so sweet. I think the cinnamon bun kit is a great way to go---special and easy--what more could one ask???

Really? They sell fresh mandarins and clementines here right before Christmas..a 5 pound wooden crate full for $5. I am surprised you don't have them there..in fact shocked.

In the can here also.
I see Ireland an d Scotland have terrible weather on the news.

dodge

Yes we also have Clementines in the 5 lb box for $5. I'm thinking of getting some.

we DO have clementines here, I guess I should try them, huh???

Well I finished my shopping today, both online & in person. Now I just have to wrap & wrap and wait impatiently for the delivery trucks!

Monday night is my Avon district Christmas party.

Tuesday afternoon when Max is finished w/ school, we will both go to a medical appointment.

I hope to get my groceries on Thursday.

Then we'll be all set!

Church Friday night and our traditional KFC dinner at home afterward.

And then a lovely Christmas on Saturday.

That plan seems to work. Today I bought a hand mixer at Walgreen's for $9 so I can more easily make some of the recipes on my lists.

I have high hopes that things will go very well indeed.

Merme Happy for you .
Merry christmas to you an Maxi...
Sounds like a fun week.

i shopped 3 days in a row an now it is wait an see . I feel much cozier today.

N healthier.

dodge

I am so glad you are healthier, Dodge. That is huge for the holidays and for new grandbabies.

Thanks tina.

Yes barb, Tina is right--I agree with her.

Yup, me too

Thanks gang,

It makes the heart warmer to have friends like you on here.

dodge