Christmas Wish List and Traditions.

[daisy]

Well Christmas is early this year in retail.

Just wondering if anyone's children have already started giving the lists to pparents and any other people.

My sister is thinking of hers and already asked what I want--duh? I will have to think.

My favorite traditions are family visits, lokking at Christmas Decorations and I really enjoy seeing all the animated dancing characters that come out each year. Yes, the clerks hate me 'cause I play them in the stores.

And the
Christmas movies. Just saw Fred Claus and I recommend it.

And then of course I saw the list from St. Thomas of items needed for less fortunate families to help them celebrate Thanksgiving.

Anyone else?

[Conveyor Belt]

My kid started with the list after last Christmas.

The only thing different is he's getting better at writing it. Isn't that what it's all about anyhow, tricking the kids into better penmenship?

"No, son. Santa can't read that. You're going to have to start over... what? well you can quit if you want, but if you quit, Santa's not going to bring you anything... maybe a snerfblaq... well, that's what it SAYS!"

[thornton04]

Conveyor Belt - LOL..thats a great idea.. i will have to remember that for when my son gets older.

My son is only 14 months old so this will be the 1st Christmas that he opens his own presents. We dont have many family traditions.. just eating a lot.
Im getting together with some other moms tomorrow to work on "Christmas in a Shoebox". We really enjoy doing that every year.

[pooker]

Ehh got a little brother in Ok , maybe get him.... clothes. ..... no I wouldn't hated it myself.. . gonna get him a toy..... but what toy to get? Optimus prime > all > tonka willey.. that was a waste of money

[Augustus McRae]

Thank God my three kids are "semi-grown" but now I have a new 6 month old granddaughter this Christmas! For the past decade or so, I go three places to Christmas shop: Main Street Books, the record store on Hardy Street whose name I can never remember, and the bank. This year, I'll make a run to Toys R Us also.

EStratton will get some kind of "ball" for Christmas - he has for 30 years.

[pooker]

Are you married to Estratton?

[Augustus McRae]

Are you married to Estratton?


Nope...

[bpitt]

My 1 y.o. wants a 'puppy'. At least that's what she keeps saying anyway.....

[Scarlett O'Hara]

When my girls were younger, Santa would hide one gift and leave a clue to the next clue, and so on until they found it. It made Christmas morning last so much longer. We have some very funny videos of them looking for the present. Inside, outside, at the mail box, etc., all in their Christmas pajamas and usually no shoes. After thinking they were too old, We haven't done it for several years but they said last year they really missed it so I guess this year, I'll be up late writing clues (they always had to rhyme for some reason) for a hidden present for a 22, 21, and 20 year old.

What you will do for your kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-D:-D:-D

[jkspatty]

Ok, I know ya'll are going to make fun of me, but we buy our dogs gifts, and set them out under the tree. Then we play with them and their new toys and then take pictures. Alright, go ahead start bashing.......:ohnoes:

[mac]

Ok, I know ya'll are going to make fun of me, but we buy our dogs gifts, and set them out under the tree. Then we play with them and their new toys and then take pictures. Alright, go ahead start bashing.......:ohnoes:


Oh my GOSH! You FREAK! :laugh:

Kidding.

We don't have any kids yet, unfortunately, and I'll be happy if I can talk my husband into letting me get a real tree. We have a tiny crappy fake one. I love real Christmas trees.

I do have some decorations that I'm eager to put out. I'll start after Thanksgiving.

After my sister and I got older, Christmas got kinda lame for a while. She eventually started procreating, and suddenly it was fun again. Christmas morning is more fun with kids.

[dollfus46]

My kid started with the list after last Christmas.

The only thing different is he's getting better at writing it. Isn't that what it's all about anyhow, tricking the kids into better penmenship?

"No, son. Santa can't read that. You're going to have to start over... what? well you can quit if you want, but if you quit, Santa's not going to bring you anything... maybe a snerfblaq... well, that's what it SAYS!"

I don't 'spose you have a Manger scene on the coffee table nor an angel Holiday Tree topper? Really, in all honesty, how does an atheist celebrate Christ's birthday? I'm not trying to be a smartass here. I don't know. Jews don't even celebrate Christmas. Kinda like crashing the party without an invitation.:kekeke:

[bpitt]

My 7 y.o. wants a new bicycle. I'm trying to convince her she wants a jr. dragster......

[countrygirl]

Ok, I know ya'll are going to make fun of me, but we buy our dogs gifts, and set them out under the tree. Then we play with them and their new toys and then take pictures. Alright, go ahead start bashing.......:ohnoes:
Yes, sometimes our pets are our "babies". My dogs are part of the family.

[Conveyor Belt]

I don't 'spose you have a Manger scene on the coffee table nor an angel Holiday Tree topper? Really, in all honesty, how does an atheist celebrate Christ's birthday? I'm not trying to be a smartass here. I don't know. Jews don't even celebrate Christmas. Kinda like crashing the party without an invitation.:kekeke:

It is and was a Pagan holiday LONG before Christianity laid claim to it. The pope couldn't stop people from celebrating the pagan rituals, so he made it a HOLY day. Same goes for Halloween, Easter, etc... I'm only using the word Christmas b/c that's what most people in the USA recognize it as. If I called it Winter Solstice it would just be confusing to people and spark a bunch of questions I don't feel like answering 100 times.

But to answer your first questions, no, there is no Jesus in our home, save for a Jesus action figure I bought my son to play with b/c I think it's funny to watch Jesus in war, and the many religious books and various versions of the bible I have. Mickey Mouse tops the tree.

Might I ask why a Christian would have a tree when the bible says this:

Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

[fuzzis]

I bake fresh french bread very late Christmas Eve, very early Christmas morning.

My Sner and I used to go to the movies and out to dinner on Christmas day. We went through a cycle where it seemed from Thanksgiving to Christmas, some one dropped dead, my daddy on Dec. 11, the same day that two years earlier we'd buried my granpa, a day before the Sner's birthday. It was difficult to find Christmas spirit there for awhile, so instead of decorating, etc, we went out. When I started dating the Xboy, we were folded into his chaotic Christmas celebrations.

And dollfus, I have several nativity sets in the house. One of them was hand-painted by my paternal Grandmother. She painted China, and her sister stole almost all of that from me after she died to sell in her floral shops. The nativities are part of my tradition; they're things I grew up with. (I have a beautiful red stained glass-esque star on top of my tree...we always had stars, I've never been comfortable with angels. The MS parents have a Santa on top of their tree)

[onlyme]

Christmas season in our house starts with the opening of the first door of the advent calendar. We always have an advent wreath and every Sunday we light another candle, sing and the kids play a few songs on their instruments. On December 6th they get a visit from St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of children who brings little goodies and leaves them in their boots. Christmas Eve is the day when Christkind brings presents, usually during mass when nobody is home and on Christmas Day Santa leaves one bigger present. We always make cookies together and I usually make Gluehwein several times for the adults. The tree stays up until January 6th. I love Christmas season and try my best to avoid all stores and "places of hectic" during December.

[daisy]

Christmas season in our house starts with the opening of the first door of the advent calendar. We always have an advent wreath and every Sunday we light another candle, sing and the kids play a few songs on their instruments. On December 6th they get a visit from St. Nicholas, the Patron Saint of children who brings little goodies and leaves them in their boots. Christmas Eve is the day when Christkind brings presents, usually during mass when nobody is home and on Christmas Day Santa leaves one bigger present. We always make cookies together and I usually make Gluehwein several times for the adults. The tree stays up until January 6th. I love Christmas season and try my best to avoid all stores and "places of hectic" during December.



Ok, what is GLUEHWEIN and is it a pastry or a drink? What country did it originate from? The name is different and it must be good.:clap:

[Honey]

In keeping with the Christmas story our kids ask for three gifts. Just another little way to keep the true meaning of Christmas in our house and not let it get too commercial. We usually travel out west to ski for a week the day after Christmas.

[dollfus46]

Are you married to Estratton?
Geeeez Pooker. I never know if you're kidding or serious.:laugh:

[dollfus46]

Ok, I know ya'll are going to make fun of me, but we buy our dogs gifts, and set them out under the tree. Then we play with them and their new toys and then take pictures. Alright, go ahead start bashing.......:ohnoes:

Good for you jks. One ATTA BOY, GIRL, for jkspatty! We do the same thing with Ian. He gets his name called by the person handing out gifts too. He loves it!! Loves to tear into the paper to find a chew bone, a new collar, a stuffed toy. He loves to chew plastic coat hangers in two. So my son gave him a half dozen plastic coathangers. Wrapped up, bow and all. He also loves to go to sleep with a sock in his mouth, so he gets all my unmatched socks rolled into a ball, wrapped and tagged, To: Ian. Don't make the mistake of wrapping ear cleaning solution or anything like that. They can tell. Heh heh heh.:smt023

[EricStratton]

We used to go to the Waffle House late on Christmas night......We also have the annual Family Christmas Trivial Pursuit Showdown.....you have to watch two movies every Christmas at my house too...."A Christmas Story" and "Christmas Vacation".....

[dollfus46]

Not enough family to have traditions anymore. That's sad. I remember as a little shaver, my grandfather always gave me a Falstaff beer for Christmas. And we always left beer, cheese and crackers out for Santa. I thought that was a good idea. Dad assured me Santa would have had a belly full of cookies and milk by the time he got to our house. Now just how gullible can a kid get?:smt086

[Scarlett O'Hara]

From their very first Christmas, I've always gotten my girls an ornament for Christmas. I spend lots of time choosing just the right one, something that has to do with something they've done that year, something they are known for saying, an interest, etc. We've had Beatle ornaments, Elvis, Beach, Shoe, Lucy, Crowns, and even a taco. Last year, Bonnie Blue #3 got a pickle ornament because she always calls and says, "Mom, I'm in a pickle." The only bad thing is when they get married and leave all these cute and sometimes expensive ornaments are going to leave with them for their own tree and my tree will be left bare!!!!!!!!!!!:cry::cry::cry::cry:

[Engelbert Humperdinck]

I like it when the girls parade around the house in the new lingerie I traditionally buy for Christmas Eve, then in the morning we see what kind of toys bad Santa left for them. Then we load up in the Hummer and...

Wait, wait, that's a movie I saw once. I'll need more time to think about this tradition thing.

:smt118

[dollfus46]

From their very first Christmas, I've always gotten my girls an ornament for Christmas. I spend lots of time choosing just the right one, something that has to do with something they've done that year, something they are known for saying, an interest, etc. We've had Beatle ornaments, Elvis, Beach, Shoe, Lucy, Crowns, and even a taco. Last year, Bonnie Blue #3 got a pickle ornament because she always calls and says, "Mom, I'm in a pickle." The only bad thing is when they get married and leave all these cute and sometimes expensive ornaments are going to leave with them for their own tree and my tree will be left bare!!!!!!!!!!!:cry::cry::cry::cry:

That's a wonderful idea Miss OH. I forgot I buy a new ornament every year with the year on it. This year it will have Christmas 2007.

[dollfus46]

It is and was a Pagan holiday LONG before Christianity laid claim to it. The pope couldn't stop people from celebrating the pagan rituals, so he made it a HOLY day. Same goes for Halloween, Easter, etc... I'm only using the word Christmas b/c that's what most people in the USA recognize it as. If I called it Winter Solstice it would just be confusing to people and spark a bunch of questions I don't feel like answering 100 times.

But to answer your first questions, no, there is no Jesus in our home, save for a Jesus action figure I bought my son to play with b/c I think it's funny to watch Jesus in war, and the many religious books and various versions of the bible I have. Mickey Mouse tops the tree.

Might I ask why a Christian would have a tree when the bible says this:

Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

:laugh::laugh: That's not talking about a Christmas tree. It's talking about man made idols that are cut from the forest by man and decorated for worship that have to be carried around and nailed so they won't fall over, instead of a living God.:kekeke: Do not be afraid of OTHER peoples Idols. They cannot hurt you. They can't do good. Sheeeesh. It's talking about "Heathens" (disbelievers) who worship wooden Idols. :smt009

[dollfus46]

In keeping with the Christmas story our kids ask for three gifts. Just another little way to keep the true meaning of Christmas in our house and not let it get too commercial. We usually travel out west to ski for a week the day after Christmas.
WOW. That's special. Thanks, Honey.

[onlyme]

Ok, what is GLUEHWEIN and is it a pastry or a drink? What country did it originate from? The name is different and it must be good.:clap:

It's from Germany and it is hot red wine with sugar, oranges, lemon, a dusting of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Especially good when you walk around the Christkindlmarket when it is bitter cold.

[proudtobefrompetal]

In keeping with the Christmas story our kids ask for three gifts. Just another little way to keep the true meaning of Christmas in our house and not let it get too commercial. We usually travel out west to ski for a week the day after Christmas.

I think that's a fantastic idea. I say we're going to do that every year but things can get out of hand QUICK.

I have a friend whose children receive 3 gifts from Santa and 3 gifts from the parents. I think it's a great idea.

[dollfus46]

It's from Germany and it is hot red wine with sugar, oranges, lemon, a dusting of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Especially good when you walk around the Christkindlmarket when it is bitter cold.

A bit more potent, but sounds like our hot apple cider....similar but different Rather have it in front of a fire. I (representing the elderly)don't walk around in bitter cold weather. I'm not into pain.:laugh:

[proudtobefrompetal]

I buy my girls a new ornament each year - something special that relates to something they're doing or going through that year. It seems like we've ended up with more softball ornaments than anything!

On Christmas Eve, we eat gumbo with the relatives we only see once a year. Then it's off to my "adopted" family's Christmas - GREEN PUNCH!!! The nectar of the Gods!!! I literally get sick from drinking it every Christmas Eve.

[onlyme]

I think that's a fantastic idea. I say we're going to do that every year but things can get out of hand QUICK.

I have a friend whose children receive 3 gifts from Santa and 3 gifts from the parents. I think it's a great idea.

Our kids get one present from Christkind on the 24th and one from Santa on the 25th. The rest are from relatives. I never understood why some fictitous character should get all the praise while we parents have to face the stores and empy our wallets and get no thanks :evil:.
I always told the kids that the Santa present will stop as soon as they do not believe in Santa anymore - my soon-to-be-16-year-old just announced with a twinkle in his eyes that " Mom, you know that I still believe, right? Just checking...." Teenagers....LOL

[onlyme]

I buy my girls a new ornament each year - something special that relates to something they're doing or going through that year. It seems like we've ended up with more softball ornaments than anything!

On Christmas Eve, we eat gumbo with the relatives we only see once a year. Then it's off to my "adopted" family's Christmas - GREEN PUNCH!!! The nectar of the Gods!!! I literally get sick from drinking it every Christmas Eve.

What is green punch?

[onlyme]

A bit more potent, but sounds like our hot apple cider....similar but different Rather have it in front of a fire. I (representing the elderly)don't walk around in bitter cold weather. I'm not into pain.:laugh:

Yes, it is similar but mulled cider is a bit sweeter. Lately, Gluehwein has been made with fruit wines as well ( blueberry, elderberry etc. ) which gives it a sweeter note but I prefer the old fashioned, slightly tarter version. I like my Christmas seasons cold....makes it so much more comfy when you return to a warm, cozy home. :smt001

[proudtobefrompetal]

What is green punch?

Luvia knows what I'm talking about!!! It's the nectar of the Gods (I know - I've already said that).

It's lime sherbert, 7 up, pineapple, and I don't know what else. But the key is - it ferments for a couple of days before you serve it. I'm telling you - it's up there with sex!