debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 9, 2019 19:16:07 GMT -5
I had a lunch date with a friend. She was late, so I was able to get stocking fillers and several small gifts for DGS. (We are giving DGS a bike. It'll be delivered to Boston in Jan after they get home from Christmas in Europe, so we don't need much for here.) I finish work at 2 tomorrow, so I plan to go to the mall near school for DS2's and DDIL's gifts. I know exactly what I want so that should go quickly. DH and I plan to get the tree after work tomorrow. So I'm hoping to have a very good update tomorrow!!! Fingers crossed! ETA: If all goes well, we'll have the tree + 3/4 kid gifts + 1/3 kid SO gifts done! DS3 (the 4th kid) wants clothes, so I'll take him shopping when he gets home from college.
That would leave just two SO gifts, and another gift for DH (I already have one gift for DH.)
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 10, 2019 11:32:19 GMT -5
Success! I got DDIL's sweaters and DS2's electronics today, and then DH and I got a tree. But I don't love the sweaters, so I'll look for nicer ones at another mall.
Gifts still needed for: DS2's SO, DD's SO, DH.
ETA: DS2 just gave me a list for his SO. I'll probably go to the local mall after work on Thurs for her, and also to look for nicer sweaters for DDIL. I asked DD for a list for HER SO, but I'm not holding my breath.
ETA: Tree decorated!!!
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jerseygirl
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Post by jerseygirl on Dec 10, 2019 17:32:30 GMT -5
Shopping in the LLBean catalog, always nice quality
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 10, 2019 17:51:22 GMT -5
So we bought the tree, DH put up the lights, and I decorated it. And I even wrapped the presents! The presents are actually under the tree!* THIS IS INDEED A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!! Usually I buy the presents between Dec 20-24 and stay up all night wrapping them. Usually I'm too obsessed with finishing my marking to worry about Christmas gifts, but my exams are late this year. *OK, so I lied. The presents aren't actually UNDER the tree yet, they are on top of our Pirates' Chest, next to the tree. (That's an antique wooden chest with all our alcohol). I PLANNED to put the presents under the tree tonight, but Very Old Bunny was super curious, and I didn't want him chewing up all the gifts.
ETA: Also, I'm curious ... are there any other parents or grandparents of very young kids whose tree is sort of empty at the bottom? Our tree is definitely top-heavy LOL.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Dec 10, 2019 18:14:31 GMT -5
So we bought the tree, DH put up the lights, and I decorated it. And I even wrapped the presents! The presents are actually under the tree!* THIS IS INDEED A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!! Usually I buy the presents between Dec 20-24 and stay up all night wrapping them. Usually I'm too obsessed with finishing my marking to worry about Christmas gifts, but my exams are late this year. *OK, so I lied. The presents aren't actually UNDER the tree yet, they are on top of our Pirates' Chest, next to the tree. (That's an antique wooden chest with all our alcohol). I PLANNED to put the presents under the tree tonight, but Very Old Bunny was super curious, and I didn't want him chewing up all the gifts.
ETA: Also, I'm curious ... are there any other parents or grandparents of very young kids whose tree is sort of empty at the bottom? Our tree is definitely top-heavy LOL.
What in heaven's name is the alcohol doing in the chest? Alcohol first-wrapping Christmas presents second.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 10, 2019 18:21:36 GMT -5
That's just where the alcohol lives Tennesseer . Some people have an alcohol shelf, or even a bar ... we have a "Pirates' Chest" LOL. It's a really beautiful old wooden chest that DS3's MS theater teacher bought for a play. The theater teachers always try to sell the props after the play. I loved it and bought it (at cost, ie 20 euros/$22). Then I stripped off the fabric, sanded it and varnished it.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Dec 10, 2019 18:59:33 GMT -5
That's just where the alcohol lives Tennesseer . Some people have an alcohol shelf, or even a bar ... we have a "Pirates' Chest" LOL. It's a really beautiful old wooden chest that DS3's MS theater teacher bought for a play. The theater teachers always try to sell the props after the play. I loved it and bought it (at cost, ie 20 euros/$22). Then I stripped off the fabric, sanded it and varnished it.
I know. I was kidding you. Drinking first makes wrapping presents a little more tolerable.
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jerseygirl
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Post by jerseygirl on Dec 10, 2019 19:12:11 GMT -5
No more wrapping, only gift bags
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Dec 10, 2019 19:59:25 GMT -5
I shipped DS's Christmas box today, the size and weight cost me $46 to send UPS, yikes. Oh well. Expected to arrive by 12/18. Now I can focus on people we will actually see over the holidays! Did a huge grocery stock up with all the baking items, staples, etc; that feels very good.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Dec 10, 2019 20:02:22 GMT -5
That's just where the alcohol lives Tennesseer . Some people have an alcohol shelf, or even a bar ... we have a "Pirates' Chest" LOL. It's a really beautiful old wooden chest that DS3's MS theater teacher bought for a play. The theater teachers always try to sell the props after the play. I loved it and bought it (at cost, ie 20 euros/$22). Then I stripped off the fabric, sanded it and varnished it.
I know. I was kidding you. Drinking first makes wrapping presents a little more tolerable.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2019 20:34:16 GMT -5
As I've noted before, my Christmas To Do list isn't too complicated. So far I've written 18 letters I'll be sending to friends and family; 13 to go. Great time at the Sugarplum Fairy Ball with DS, DDIL and the kids; this year they had a special commemorative ornament (a hand-blown glass sugarplum made here in KC and a T-shirt celebrating the 25th Sugarplum Fairy Ball. I got one for each of the girls, of course. Then today I downloaded one of the pics a professional had taken when the kids were dancing with the ballerinas because the younger granddaughter was in it. Ah, what's another $12? And I think I may get myself a Christmas present- a pair of prescription diving goggles. There's a possibility of snorkeling on my next trip and I couldn't believe what a difference it made when I tried the pair they had on the last cruise- the equivalent of reading glasses so not precise, but a big improvement. I'm really hoping for more trips that include snorkeling around tropical fish, God willing.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Dec 10, 2019 20:34:20 GMT -5
I know. I was kidding you. Drinking first makes wrapping presents a little more tolerable. I remember those days. You should have seen the Christmas family dinner I made during my drinking days.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 10, 2019 21:48:05 GMT -5
Well, 85% of our decorations are up. This includes 50 yard inflatables. We'll get to the rest this Thursday and Friday evening.
33 Christmas Cards are addressed. I'm waiting for another box of cards to be delivered. That's 30 more cards, plus I need to purchase stamps.
We're hosting an office party breakfast on Dec 20. It should be about 20 people at our house for 1.5 hours. Need to determine a menu and shop for that this weekend.
Most of the presents are purchased. DS cannot decide if he's still with his alcoholic girlfriend. I've purchased a few small things for her, but I don't know if I'll purchase anything large for her.
I've purchased employee gifts for DH's employees and for my employees. I need to wrap those.
We also need a plan for actual Christmas Dinner--which will be at our house, but I don't think will be more than six of us.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Dec 10, 2019 23:15:34 GMT -5
Well, 85% of our decorations are up. This includes 50 yard inflatables. We'll get to the rest this Thursday and Friday evening. 33 Christmas Cards are addressed. I'm waiting for another box of cards to be delivered. That's 30 more cards, plus I need to purchase stamps. We're hosting an office party breakfast on Dec 20. It should be about 20 people at our house for 1.5 hours. Need to determine a menu and shop for that this weekend. Most of the presents are purchased. DS cannot decide if he's still with his alcoholic girlfriend. I've purchased a few small things for her, but I don't know if I'll purchase anything large for her. I've purchased employee gifts for DH's employees and for my employees. I need to wrap those. We also need a plan for actual Christmas Dinner--which will be at our house, but I don't think will be more than six of us. It sounds exhausting.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Dec 11, 2019 0:57:58 GMT -5
I have so much left to do! I've mostly finished shopping for the kids, picked up holiday cards, and taken the kids to a Santa breakfast. Still have to decorate, buy gifts for stockings, DH, secret santas and miscellaneous family. We are going to Zoolights on Thursday, an ugly sweater party Friday, and a holiday boat parade Saturday. I'm already exhausted.
I need to finish shopping and send out cards this weekend. I'd like to get the tree up too.
The plan was to make baklava for three holiday gatherings. We'll see if I follow through on that. I found date syrup at the store and really like it for a lower sugar sweetener so thinking of tweaking the traditional baklava recipe a bit. Date syrup instead of honey, add some orange and holiday spices like cardamom, cloves and nutmeg. It's just so labor intensive I'd hate to get the balance wrong.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Dec 11, 2019 7:38:41 GMT -5
I put the Christmas towels out and the wine bottle covers. Still need to address Christmas cards. I do have stamps and I found the cards.
New tree still needs to go up. Maybe if I don't get stuck at work a hour late tonight I'll have more energy at home.
I also washed the Christmas throw blankets for the living room.
And I need to update my list for DH. I have no surprises which he is sad about. He worked on black Friday and I was off. I found deals on most things on my list before that or on Friday.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 11, 2019 8:22:18 GMT -5
Done:
Tree is up and decorated.
In-laws gifts and album is done.
Dsis - gifts could be done but I might pick up a couple more things.
Dh gifts done.
My folks gifts done (at least for what they'll actually open).
Holiday cards mailed.
To do:
Kids gifts @ 75%. I need to return 1 gift for DD and get a different item and then finalize their experience gifts. Pick out what will be the Santa gift. Get pj's and book for each to open Christmas eve.
Dh will hopefully go get ornaments for nephews and kids today.
Mom, sis, and I and the kids are scheduled for cookie baking and decorating both days this weekend. If I can get a head start on dough tonight and tomorrow that would be ideal but somewhat unlikely. I'd also like to try fudge. I've heard it's easy and the kids loved handing out cookies to the neighbors last year. I'd love to keep that tradition going and add in some fudge.
Confirm what I'm wearing to my company party.
Buy gift for company party (super stumped here- have never been to one of their parties. Gift amount is $25, not white elephant but anyone could end up with it. My thoughts are wine, coffee, or lottery tickets but I also have no interest in leaving my house for said gift. Would prefer amazon drop it off at my door).
Wrap gifts - we have homemade cloth gift bags that mom, sis and I have made over the years for many. I'd really like to make reusable snowman gift boxes to put them in. So we'd have little snowman stacks around the tree. Not sure that will happen this year but always a goal.
Holiday crafting...I usually make ornaments for everyone. Might be a year or too behind. Wonder if I could catch up?
Re-do dgm section of photo album for myself and my parents. Sit down with mom and get dgm history letter written to put in album. Those albums won't be here by Christmas but will still get it done and mom and dad will know it's coming.
The scariest part is despite my to-do list being so long I'm still so much farther ahead than I normally am at this point.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2019 9:23:25 GMT -5
I'm totally not feeling Christmas this year at all. Zero interest in taking part whatsoever. The tree tote is brought up from the basement, but not up yet. I have bought a grand total of 2 gifts. One for my nephew and one for older son. I spent 2 hours perusing Amazon last night trying to become inspired, but was not at all.
Work has me really stressed out and busy which is probably part of it.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 11, 2019 10:38:37 GMT -5
Forgot about teacher gifts which I'd practically the whOle school and has to be done this weekend. Dh will do baked goods and get gift cards for their classroom teachers. My bath bombs were big hits last year and I'd like to do them again but it's going to be tight to get that done this weekend.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2019 18:24:09 GMT -5
We bought the centerpiece of our Christmas dinner today - a frozen, deboned chicken stuffed with crawfish dressing and coated in Cajun spices. Our local Cajun meat market has these deboned chickens stuffed with white rice, broccoli & cheese, twice-baked potatoes, alligator, shrimp, brown rice and eggplant, or cornbread dressing. They are all good
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moneynerd
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Post by moneynerd on Dec 11, 2019 20:46:21 GMT -5
As I've noted before, my Christmas To Do list isn't too complicated. So far I've written 18 letters I'll be sending to friends and family; 13 to go. Great time at the Sugarplum Fairy Ball with DS, DDIL and the kids; this year they had a special commemorative ornament (a hand-blown glass sugarplum made here in KC and a T-shirt celebrating the 25th Sugarplum Fairy Ball. I got one for each of the girls, of course. Then today I downloaded one of the pics a professional had taken when the kids were dancing with the ballerinas because the younger granddaughter was in it. Ah, what's another $12? And I think I may get myself a Christmas present- a pair of prescription diving goggles. There's a possibility of snorkeling on my next trip and I couldn't believe what a difference it made when I tried the pair they had on the last cruise- the equivalent of reading glasses so not precise, but a big improvement. I'm really hoping for more trips that include snorkeling around tropical fish, God willing. Do it! I bought a pair of prescription pair of swim goggles probably 10 years ago. I'm near-sighted, and I've worn glasses/contacts since I was 16. I had forgotten what it was like to see clearly underwater. It was amazing. I bought a prescription snorkel mask before I went to Hawaii in 2017. I knew I would be snorkeling there, and I want to be able to see while I was doing it. The boat we used did have prescription masks you could use, but the masks had the same prescription for both eyes. Buying a mask meant I got exactly the prescription I needed for each eye. $50 well spent!
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flutterby
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Post by flutterby on Dec 11, 2019 22:01:51 GMT -5
We bought the centerpiece of our Christmas dinner today - a frozen, deboned chicken stuffed with crawfish dressing and coated in Cajun spices. Our local Cajun meat market has these deboned chickens stuffed with white rice, broccoli & cheese, twice-baked potatoes, alligator, shrimp, brown rice and eggplant, or cornbread dressing. They are all good Yum!
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Dec 11, 2019 22:04:44 GMT -5
@rayoflyte google Mamie Eisenhowers million dollar fudge. That is the recipe our family always uses. One batch makes enough for a 9x13 pan and a 8x8 pan. So plenty of fudge to go around and done in one batch. It also doesn't require a candy thermometer etc. I have never had it not turn out.
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flutterby
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Post by flutterby on Dec 11, 2019 22:06:31 GMT -5
This Christmas season is shaping up how it usually does:
1. Tree/house decorated Thanksgiving weekend - check 2. Kids (who at 21 and 23 aren't kids anymore) give me a couple lame/unreasonable ideas for gifts - check 3. Now it's December and neither kid will give me a list - [font color="#f12045"]check [/font][/p] 4. December is flying by and I feel like I should be buying something, ANYTHING!! so I shop for myself - check and check 5. I set a deadline, in this year's case December 10th, either give me a reasonable list or get nothing!!!! - check
And that's where I'm at. [/quote] December 10th has come and gone. No lists. I give up. I have a couple little ideas, but otherwise it's going to be cash/gift cards, which I'm sure they'll be happy with but is no fun for me.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 12, 2019 6:28:27 GMT -5
@rayoflyte google Mamie Eisenhowers million dollar fudge. That is the recipe our family always uses. One batch makes enough for a 9x13 pan and a 8x8 pan. So plenty of fudge to go around and done in one batch. It also doesn't require a candy thermometer etc. I have never had it not turn out. Thank you!
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Dec 12, 2019 8:38:53 GMT -5
Most of the decorating is done. No tree yet, but with the kitchen remodel still going on, I’m not sure if we’ll even have a tree. Bought most everything except DD’s kids. I’m still waiting for the list from her on what each kid wants. Got DH new slippers which is what he wanted and a couple of stocking stuffers.
I put up the Nativity set and my Dept. 56 village yesterday as well as stuff in the front yard and wreath on the front door. We’re going to DSIL for Christmas dinner, so I still need to find out what she wants me to bring. I usually bring a ham, but I need to check if she’s having a traditional dinner or not. Some years she changed it up.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 12, 2019 9:41:45 GMT -5
And I think I may get myself a Christmas present- a pair of prescription diving goggles.@athena53 my DS1 got his at the Red Sea, same day, very inexpensively. They may sell them much cheaper wherever you're going. flutterby my kids must be more scared of me than yours are of you LOL. I finally got a list for/from everyone except for DS3 who wants to go clothes shopping together. I went to the other (local) mall today. I returned the 2 sweaters I had gotten for DDIL, and found one much nicer one instead. I also got gifts for P (DS2's SO) and M (DD's SO), and a small kitchen item that DH wanted for his stocking.
I still need gifts for:
DS3 + another one for DH (I have one) I have NEVER been this done this early! It's just as well, because my final exams start coming in tomorrow.
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trippypea
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Post by trippypea on Dec 12, 2019 10:24:07 GMT -5
Luckily for me, I have been mostly finished present shopping for a while because we found out DH, who is the only one working (I've been a stay-at-home mom since the kids were born) is losing his job after Christmas. What a present! The house decorations are up and the Christmas tree is up, but only has the lights on it, no decorations. That's the kids' job and I told them they better get it decorated asap or I'm putting it back in the basement, lol. The outside decorations are not up yet, and every time we drive up to the house in the dark I feel like our house is Bill Murray's childhood house in the movie Scrooged. I'm not even sure I'm going to bother with them this year since Thanksgiving screwed everything up by being late this year.
No gifts are wrapped, but that's typical. I'll get that done next week.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Dec 12, 2019 13:31:03 GMT -5
I hope your DH finds a new job soon Trippypea.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2019 17:12:33 GMT -5
We got DH's new Stetson today. I am beginning to realize that hats, especially Western hats, are something of a cult status item with an infinite variety of shapes and styles and so many ways to personalize them with shaping and hatbands. I don't wear a Western hat, but if I did I'd be a hatband collector. The most exquisite hand-beaded Native American ones, the rattlesnake, complete with rattles, a skinny black one with silver filigree and coral beads, pheasant feathers, ………..
I now know more about the Stetson Company than I thought possible. Do you know they have a corporate division in Japan and one in Australia? And they make bourbon nowadays.
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