Alternative Christmas celebration and
Posted By: thoughts on 2008-11-14
In Reply to:
Does anyone here NOT celebrate the traditional Christmas with their kids...specifically I am referring to the "Santa" portion. I am thinking about doing this with our second child (currently pregnant). Our first child is now old enough to know the truths and it is kind of a relief to be honest. I have tried and tried to stress the importance of family and the true meaning over Santa but its really hard. Recently I have just been thinking that may be next time it would be easier all the way around to not follow that but wonder how it would work with school, people asking, etc.
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Some ideas I have used for the rare times I go out for NYE or any big celebration - sm
I make sure before I even start drinking that I eat something fatty such as cheese or nuts to get that going through my bloodstream before I add any alcohol, which I seem to have a low tolerance for anyhow and cannot never drink very much. I also steer clear of red wine at all costs. I also alternate a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage and drink it slowly. Of course, I also keep eating some good calories (meat and cheese, veggies, etc.) throughout the night. Have fun!! 
There's a better alternative
I would never apply that to my lashes with the risks it has. Why would you do that with a chemical that could potentially permanently change your eye color?! Scary!
It's expensive, too - about $120 a month (my pharmacist's quote).
If you get eyelash extensions, it costs about the same annually. I've gotten them before for a wedding and loved them. Takes a little more time and upkeep but not the risk and the same or less money.
Best to try to find a different alternative
Maybe your husband could cut a board the size of your door frame, and wrap it in sissle rope, it needs to be at the height of the cat, so he can fully extend his body if that is his habit or what ever habit he has, maybe he only does it low, but you should know, or maybe a carpeted piece of board, I know you can find a solution, and just be so thankful it is not your furniture that cannot be repaired, thanks so much for not considering declawing, I commend you for not taking that route, I hope I could be of help, all for the animals!!!! Sincerely!
Alternative to declawing
I use a product called Softclaws. They are plastic caps that you glue on you cat's front paws and it lasts about 5 weeks. They are kind of a pain to apply, but they really do work and Matt The Cat got used to them pretty quickly. I don't know, but maybe it would be worth a try before you opt for surgery. Here's the site. http://www.softclaws.com. Good luck!
Might ask if they believe in alternative medicine and the
s
The alternative sucks....nm
//
How about a healthy alternative
Healthy? What? For Superbowl? I know. I must be kidding, right?
How about a bunch of carrot sticks, or pre-peeled baby carrots, celery sticks, bell peppers cut into strips and some hummus. You can find good hummus at Whole Foods, and surprisingly, the Sam's near me has a really good one. Not everyone likes it, but it's one of my favorite snacks. You can also get pita chips and some baguette bread cut up into small slices to serve it with as well. Add some calamata olives and some bruschetta topping, which is roasted peppers in olive oil, and I think you'll have a hit that is not just the same old same old.
5 Alternative Meats To Consider
I believe I'll pass on all of them.
Meat consumption usually means beef, pork, or chicken. Mutton and venison are common also. My favorite Indian restaurant avoids both beef and pork for religious reasons, but sometimes offers goat as an alternative to chicken. In the past few years, rising food prices and concerns about the environment are leading people to try new and different sources of meat. Here are five you may have never thought about.
1. Raccoon
Raccoon meat is cheap if you know of a local trapper. In Kansas City, raccoons go for $3-7 dollars each, and a whole animal will feed five adults. Preparing raccoon meat isn’t easy or quick. Frozen meat must be thawed, then parboiled, then stewed. The cooking time is measured in hours, but those who have tried it love the taste. That is, if you can get past thinking of raccoons as vermin, roadkill, or cute little masked bandits. You’ll find one reminder: trappers remove the head and three paws, but leave one paw behind to prove the animal is not a dog or cat.
2. Camel
Camel meat is quite common in the Middle East, and is reportedly quite tasty. Australians are now encouraged to try camel meat as the continent’s million-plus wild camel population is growing out of control. Camels are destroying the delicate ecosystem of the desert, and they burp huge amounts of greenhouse gasses into the air. You can find camel recipes if you look, but beware that some recipes are more serious than others.
3. Squirrel
Eating squirrel is nothing new in America. Just a few years ago, advice came from the University of Kentucky that people should not eat squirrel brains because they may contain a variant of Mad Cow Disease. The rest of the squirrel is fine, if a little stringy. Now squirrel meat is being promoted in Britain due to an overpopulation of gray squirrels. The American invaders are edging out the native red squirrels. Brits who resisted squirrel meat for centuries are now patting themselves on the back as they eat gray squirrel and do their part for the balance of nature. You’ll find plenty of recipes for squirrel online.
4. Yattle
Yattle is the name given to a crossbreed of yaks and cattle. Yak meat has less fat than beef, because yak fat is near the skin, where it helps keep the cold-climate animal warm, whereas beef cattle distribute their fat throughout the meat. First-generation yattle are the result of mating between a yak and a cow or bull. Male yattle are sterile, but females can breed with bulls, resulting in a 25% yak ancestry for second-generation yattle. Yaks, and yattle, consume less food than cattle, and produce valuable fiber to make sweaters. Yattle meat is supposedly indistinguishable from yak meat.
5. Kangaroo
Kangaroos are both plentiful and meaty, with a low percentage of fat compared to beef. They are also less damaging to the environment than cattle. However, kangaroo meat is slow to catch on in Australia. After all, most nations don’t eat their national symbol! Some European countries consume more kangaroo meat per capita than Australia, possibly because of Mad Cow Disease fears. Environmental groups encourage people to eat kangaroo because the animals do not burp or fart and therefore do not add greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere -strangely the opposite reason people are encouraged to eat camel meat. Kangaroo meat is used in sausages, stews, steaks, burgers, and sandwiches.
The OP mentioned a site for alternative --sm
products. she said the list was quite lengthy and she printed it out. Perhaps she will provide a link for that particular site. I am sure there is something else we can use to soften our clothes.
The alternative list is in that article
and this is for many, many things but other than the mention of aluminum foil, I did not see an alternative for fabric softener on there. Aluminum foil? I would think that could break down and then you would have aluminum to contend with? Never-ending!!
alternative forms of protein
Don't make meat the centerpiece of your meals. Legumes & grains can be combined to make complete proteins. It's healthier & MUCH cheaper. Buy a great vegetarian cookbook, like Moosewood by Mollie Katzen.
I make my own nonfat yogurt 2 gallons at a time, then strain it. I use the whey as a buttermilk substitute to make my own bread. Sounds time-consuming, but it's really not. It's simple & can mostly be done while I'm working. Cost: yogurt about 3 dollars a gallon, bread (more nutritious than anything you can buy) about 35 cents a loaf.
alternative forms of protein
Don't make meat the centerpiece of your meals. Use it like a condiment, as in Asian cooking. Legumes & grains can be combined to make complete proteins. It's healthier & MUCH cheaper. Buy a great vegetarian cookbook, like Moosewood by Mollie Katzen.
I make my own nonfat yogurt 2 gallons at a time, then strain it. I use the whey as a buttermilk substitute to make my own bread. Sounds time-consuming, but it's really not. It's simple & can mostly be done while I'm working. Cost: yogurt about 3 dollars a gallon, bread (more nutritious than anything you can buy) about 35 cents a loaf.
I get blocks of cheese at Costco, cut it into smaller chunks & freeze some of it. This makes it kind of crumbly but it still melts fine & can be used in recipes.
I love an alternative rock band called
Minus the Bear and so does my 15 yo son. 
What are people supposed to call Christmas Eve and Christmas Day now?? (nm)
x
Home Alone 1, A Christmas Story, Home for the Holidays, Chevy Chase's Christmas, sm
There "The Gift of the Magi," He sells his gold watch to buy her a comb for her hair and she sells her beautiful long hair to buy him a chain for his gold watch. It used to be on "Short Stories by O'Henry" but that's long gone, long ago. Good moral to the story. I can't stand "It's a Wonderful Life" -- too depressing, especially with banks closing, too intimidating right now!!!
Christmas
 We are doing Chistmas a little different this year and I don't know if I like it. We are each taking $300 and buying stuff for ourselves and boxing it up. No one knows what the others bought themselves. Then the rest of us will all pitch in $50 and buy a gift to the others. Kinda confusing if you ask me! But it will be fun! Think it might be even less expensive than usual. Happy weekend~!
christmas
I like to start the first time it turns nice and cold - which in Texas is not usually too early! But my lists are always made and ready to go!
Christmas
I agree it is dumb not to let the employs say merry Christmas or any other greeting they choose. just my two cents.
Christmas
MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!!!!
Christmas
I did mean to capitalize Christmas! Again, Merry, Merry Christmas to everyone!
Christmas
I truly want to wish every single poster a Merry Christmas.
My want list for Christmas:
I want to recognize the Christ in Christmas as well as the fun of holiday celebration and cheer through many venues.
I want to be mindful of every human being that has less than I do, for there are many. I am the most blessed person I know:
I want to be thankful that my family is all with me, intact, in communication (hahaha), not estranged, and loving/enjoying being together.
I want to be grateful that I am gainfully employed and have other options if I so choose.
I want to celebrate that I have my health intact.
I want to live respectfully toward others because I live in a country that provides protection and security for me and others, God bless and save them, are willing to make the sacrifice to provide it for me.
Most of all, I want every person who feels lost, isolated, alone, left out that you are not alone. Just know that He is mindful of you. I know - not believe, but know - that God knows exactly who I am and where I am going and He will take care of me. I want you to know that, too.
Merry Christmas to each one of you and yours ...
Busy MT'ing
This is one sad Christmas.
One relative dying, another quite ill, but hanging in there, and now we have run very low on less scary diagnoses for my dog, and we suspect she has a brain tumor. Vet school is working her up, which I appreciate, and thank goodness I have another dog so the house isn't too quiet. But this rainy weather should quit so I could at least walk my healthy dog and feel a little better, not to mention what it's doing to anybody who needs to make Christmas travel plans, or in our case, probable funeral travel plans.
Sigh.
Sad Christmas
I'm sorry you are feeling sad, I can sympathize. This is the first year in a LONG time I will be alone on Christmas morning, between having my own children with me and then my grandchildren - oops, just got reminded I won't be totally alone - I have a little kitten, and she just jumped on my back! I'm sorry your pet is ill, they can certainly be a great comfort to us - I've only had this kitten two weeks, but already very attached to her. Also, I realize none of us who are believers are ever really alone.
All I want for Christmas is
Some good dictators this morning. Gosh, told them I would give a few hours this morning but why 1 bad dictator after another? Please, just this wish??? Don’t really want that much.
all I want for Christmas is to have the day off--sm
I did not *volunteer* to work, nor was I asked to work. I was just *given* work and *expected* that it would be done. I had to rearrange my whole planned holiday events schedule to get this done. I am REALLY upset. Thanks for letting me vent. oh, I am IC, not employee.
So Sad this Christmas
Oh please, don't anyone flame me. I honestly can't take it right now. I am so depressed, I can't believe I'm depressed enough to write here. I am not a depressed person - ever. I don't know if its my age (50) or something else. My job? I don't know, but this Christmas just did me in........Every year I do the same thing - I really like giving things and am just boringly nice - a good old egg type. Laid back. Usually give stuff anonymously, so nobody knows. But at Christmas, I like to give little things. For instance, I will go up and down my street and put cards in mailboxes, signed your neighbor. I know some animal rescuers in my area, and will leave them a card, thanking them for their work, and stick little cat toys on it, if they are cat rescuers, or dog toys if dog rescuers - I just take a simple card and put cute stuff on it. No big deal, really, but something to try and be nice. I have a few elderly shut-in neighbors. I give them cards with little boxed cakes or stuff, potpourri - little things. I send cards to all my church members, my coworkers and yet....not a mention of it from anyone. I also will stick a card unsigned in a house who has really cute Christmas lights up or something, just saying how great their house looked this year, or whatever. My kids and I like picking a different house each year and doing that. But the bummer thing is - nobody cares. Nobody even smiles at me, nobody even acknowledges anything. I don't expect huge praises or calls or people stopping by, or announcements in the local paper, but a smile? I have passed some of these people on the street and they just grunt at me. They USED to be friendly, but now the attitude is just no big deal. I'm not even worthy of a small smile. My husband thinks that these people just take me for granted by now - that they just are not really nice enough to smile back. Or that I make them feel bad by being nice. I really used to enjoy doing this, but now am just so despondent about it. I have decided next year, no cards, no nothing, no reaching out to neighbors - just let them all alone. Is it me? Am I a jerk for giving out little cards and stuff? I am not bothersome. I'm really shy actually, and never impose, other than these Christmas cards, or if I know its their birthday or something. In this day and age, am I just a pain? The rest of the year, again, I give things anonymously, or practical things like dog food donations, etc. I won't stop that, but I just have given up on trying to be personable at Christmas. But I don't understand what I have done wrong... If I were a nosey neighbor type, always intruding or asking for something, I would understand. But I'm the exact opposite - never ask for anything from anyone. Is it just our times? Should I just go stick my head in a hole? 
sad Christmas
I wouldn't be surprised if you touch someone in a special way or bring a smile to someone's face out of all those people you give things to, even if you don't see that person (or animal ina shelter). When we do something kind like that, you never know how you may have affected a lonely person or needy animal and made their day a little brighter. Please don't stop being a "giver"! :)
Christmas? What's that?
Sad to say, about the only thing we really do for Christmas is I actually cook a traditional Christmas dinner. We haven't decorated the house or given gifts for years. Our son (now 20 years old) prefers money so he can buy what he wants, and my husband and I set an amount based on what our budget can handle and we each buy what we want.
Pathetic, huh?
Christmas is for everybody
Sorry I think that Christmas is for everyone. Yes the kids love it but sometimes the kids get sooooooooooooooo much that the adults are forgotten. When you give with resentment it is better not to give. I love shopping for everyone and put a lot of thought and time into it but not much money. I have two nephews and a niece that are grown and married who have children of their own that I am very close to. I buy for them because their kids get so much from Santa, grandparents, parents, etc. and I think of them as "my kids" and so I buy for them and not the little ones. I spend time with the younger ones (great nephews and nieces) doing Christmas decorations/cookies etc. And some of them are now 19 to 20 and they still remember those "special times." As for my stepdaughters, even though their Dad and I are divorced, I still remember them with something that I know that they like, special perfume, lotion, little things that they don't buy for themselves. They are now 27 and 25 and I still send them things which is more than their Dad does. Anyway, I admit it, I love to get things at Christmas if it is given with love and if someone can't buy me something, again spending time with me is nice and also appreciated. I just get tired of hearing "Christmas is for kids" as I think Christmas is for all -- and to all a good night. But I did hear some resentment in your note which is too bad.
Ahh.... since this will be my 2nd Christmas
I miss her telling me what, when, how, and why and my husband does, and so do my kids. Believe me, try to make it work - the real dilemma is once your mother is gone, you can do whatever you want! I'm not saying this to be brash, but really, I only wish one more time, I'd get that phone call saying what was going down, when, how, and what I was cooking all pretty much directed by my mother. Now, all I have is memories, and to stare a picture and wonder.................
Regarding Christmas
A letter from God to His children ...
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now having said that, let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish; I actually spoke of that one in a teaching that explains who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you have forgotten that one, look at John 15:1-8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army, or some other charity that believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.
P.S. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love and remember I LOVE YOU.
~ God |
|
Christmas
"We plunged into the cornucopia, quivering with delight and the ecstasy of unbridled avarice."
My best one was the Christmas I
After everything was open and my brothers and I were so excited to be playing, my Mom asked me to get something from the kitchen. Of course it was dark because we'd get up so early. There it was my Barbie Dreamhouse in the kitchen! I loved that Christmas and it got lots of play...
 Fav foods are cookies, cookies, and more cookies that my sister-in-law makes. I have an aunt that makes Walnut cookies to die for! Every year she'd bring a tin, but we don't see her much at Christmas now that my parents are gone.
On a lighter note, I love seeing our kids opening their stuff! It brings back great memories! 
christmas
I like the idea of celebrating the birth of a new family when a child is born.
Christmas
I celebrate Christmas because to recognize the birth of Jesus...and I love decorating. I love to give presents, but do not really care if I receive any. Too many people have forgotten what this holiday is all about. I do not say Happy Holidays to people...I say Merry Christmas. If they don't like it, I don't really care. I'm tired of the liberals trying to take God out of everything. That's one of the reasons this country has gone to Hell and will continue to do so. This country was founded on Christian values, but most have forgotten that. A friend of mine is Jewish, so I do say Happy Channukah to her, but that's the only exception.
So, Merry Christmas everybody!
christmas
Put on some Christmas music, dance around and decorate your tree. You are not late! Make some sugar cookies, they are cheap. Donate a can of food, that is enough. Stick a bow on your head and you have got the boyfriend covered...
Merry Christmas!
It's Christmas eve....
What are you doing today to get ready for "the big day" tomorrow?
Any special activities or traditions you and yours engage in on Christmas eve?
Anyone have lots of cooking/baking in front of them today and tonight in preparation for tomorrow?
Any last minute shoppers or some with just a last-minute gift to pick up?
I'm curious...What's everyone doing today and tonight?
***MERRY CHRISTMAS, FELLOW MTs***
My Christmas........ sm
Tonight, we will have our annual Christmas tree with my mom and brother, who is still unmarried at the ripe old age of 45. I made a cheese log,2 dips, a jalapeno tuna tray thing, chocolate covered pretzels, and sugar plums for that. We stuff ourselves silly and exchange gifts.
On Christmas day, we have our Christmas dinner. This year it is ham and I am making "pink stuff" and green bean bundles to go with it and will do most of that tonight. Again, we will stuff ourselves beyond the bounds of human decency.
I'm done with my shopping, thank goodness. I went last night to finish up and the stores were absolute chaos!
Merry Christmas to all!!
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
We actually celebrated Christmas with my husband's side of the family last Saturday. This is the first year that almost everyone is going to be away (new baby coming, working, visiting out of town family). Tonight we're spending the evening with my best friends and their kids who happen to be my kids' best friends. They're like our family. Lots of food and opening some presents. Tomorrow morning the kids will open up their presents from "Santa" and then in the afternoon our friends are coming over to our house for Christmas dinner with lasagna and lots of other food and drink.
Walmart/Christmas
Okay, so Walmart has brought Christmas back. That will make some customers happy, but on another note, they've ticked a lot of customers off by doing away with layaway.
walmart/christmas
I don't think I've ever used it. I'm with you, I don't like standing in line! lol Anyway, I don't remember why they are closing it. It was in the paper here a while back. I just feel bad for those that rely on it for Christmas. One thing I thought was cool, from a friend, every time she goes to Walmart she puts $5-$20 on a gift card (same card every time)and uses that at Christmas. Unfortunately, I think I would use it up and not save it for Christmas! lol
Will work on Christmas.....
Monday is my regular day to work so I will. My regular days off just happen to be at the end of the week so no Thanksgiving work for me. IMHO you should work in another field if you expect to be a insistent about when you will or will not work. Hospitals are open 24/7, do you think docs and nurses like being away from their families on those days? When I worked in-house we rotated holidays, usually only had 1 person working on the holiday to cover STATs, etc. Woked out great. BTW, why do you say we "deserve" those days off? You sound a bit bitter, did you have a bad experience?
work on Christmas
I agree. When I worked in house, we did get holidays off but at home we do not. Honestly, I don't mind to work it, but as I posted I'm on 3rd shift.
I get bluesy mostly AFTER Christmas, cuz it's all over.
/
Christmas questions
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? - Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Mom wraps, Santa stuffs stockings.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored inside, white outside
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put your decorations up? When I have time. Usually get the tree the first weekend in December.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Spending Christmas with my mom's parents who lived 2 hours away and then coming home and seeing my dad's parents who lived right down the street.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My cousin informed me in elementary school and took great pleasure in crushing me. 
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I always wanted to, but wasn't allowed, so now my kids each get to open one on Christmas Eve, and my oldest is in college and still likes to do this.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? colored lights, all the oraments I have gotten my kids over the years plus the ones they have made in school since they were little, star on the top. Probably nothing Martha Stewart would approve of - LOL.
11. Snow: Love it or Dread it? Used to love it, now dread it, but don't know why exactly.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Bionic Woman doll
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my family and Christmas Even services at church and singing all those great hymns.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? pumpkin pie
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas eve candlelight service
17. What tops your tree? star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Love to give and see the look on my kids' faces when they open their gifts.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum
Christmas questions sm
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog (loaded).
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap them all.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Weekend after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Baked ham.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going sledding in Garmisch, Germany. The adults went skiing. Lived in Germany 10 years as a kid, and every Christmas was great there. Very festive place during the holiday season.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 9 years old, my younger brother found all the gifts in the closet - I was devastated.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Leave that to my daughter and grandson.
11. Snow: Love it or Dread it? I like to look at it, but dread driving in it. We have enough here in Colorado to share with everybody.
12. Can you ice skate? I would be afraid to try it now.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My first Shaded Silver Chinchilla persian kitten. He lived to be 20 and I am now on my second one.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Giving.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Irish Christmas pudding with hot Bird's custard.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Baking Christmas goodies, watching Home Alone, and homemade Eggnog.
17. What tops your tree? Star.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle Bell Rock
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum.
christmas song
Happy Christmas by John Lennon
How much is your Christmas budget? sm
Our family budget is $1000 and that covers gifts for 19 people, including "Santa" for the 2 kids. What about your house?
Christmas Budget
We usually spend about $300 on each chlid (2) and we don't have too many more people to buy for so it's hard to estimate how much more we spend on the others. Of course having a 12 year old that wants all the big ticket items this year, it gets kind of tricky.
A Christmas Story
nm
christmas stress . . .
Due to the high stress nature of my husband's and my parents, we no longer tell them about the children's school events ( I know, sounds horrible, doesn't it?). My husband's father, whom we see three times a year, and has absolutely NO relationship with our children, called the school and found out when their concert was. He and his wife showed up last night, sat in front of us, he said two words to my husband (his son) all night long. When we got home last night and wanted to decorate the tree, my husband blew a gasket. He cannot handle it. It bothered him SO much that his dad showed up that he screamed and yelled at us until my daughter and I were in tears and my sons wanted him to leave. My daughter, lying in bed crying while I tucked her in said "we do this every year, mom". In order to get a grip on the kind of relationship my husband and his father have I would have to go on and on. basically, he adopted my husband when he married my husband's mother years ago. They split up the year we got married. My husband tried very, very unsuccessfully to maintain a relationship with him over the years and finally came to a point where he gave up. We have awkward moments and conversation when we are together. We have nothing in common, they don't really care about the kids, because they are not there to actually spend time with them and get to know them. We prayed for my husband last night, and my daughter asked me if something happened in his childhood. How do I get my husband to deal with this so we don't have to go through this every year?????
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