1200 POSTS BY CHRISTMAS 2009

[ksrjreed]

Now that the rain has stopped have been working on the outside of my home getting it ready for fall decor, will be putting it out in a couple of weeks when the kids start back to school, and what a glorious day that will be.

[CandyKane]

I'm always excited about Christmas decorations. But this year I'm just as excited about decorating for Fall and Halloween. I've already put a few Fall things around the inside of my house. I can't wait until I can start decorating outside.

[Winterself]

I baught some wrapping paper last month during dollar generals half price wrapper sale.i got a 4 pk for $1.50 so cool.so im all done now with wrappng paper.mom went in and got 2 pks.great deal.but our dollar general is holding the sale until the paper is all gone.ah how nice of them..

[Noel+]

Winterself, I am waiting for the pre-Christmas sales too! Why spend more for the same items! You found a great bargain- kudos!

[ksrjreed]

I have started noticing stores around here are getting ready to start putting out Christmas decor, I can't wait, it seems like years since the sounds of Christmas have been in my home and I really miss it.

[CandyKane]

Most of the stores here are still trying to clear out the summer stuff and just starting to put out things for Fall. I noticed today that one store is already putting out Halloween stuff. Usually by the first of October our stores have Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas stuff out at the same time.

[Noel+]

Our Fall items go up at the end of September at the earliest because our temps are over 100F! After Halloween we have Autumn til Black Friday, and then we have Christmas everywhere! YAY!

[mistletoe misfit]

We just returned from our DD4 soccer tournament. They all had fun and were cute as ever. Holding hands and making new friends with children on the opposing teams.
The general store in the town it was held has a very friendly owner. He always chats up a storm the 4 times a summer we go there. He's my inside scoop on when the Sears Christmas Wish Book will come out. I thought I would ask today, and maybe be told that it would be a couple of more weeks. Much to my surprise it is out NOW!!!! Not only that but he gave me one. It has been a great day!!!
mm

[Mrs.Claus]

Was at Costco today and they have some Christmas items out. Gift tags, ribbons, and a few knick knacks. It funny hearing some of the comments people made.

[Noel+]

What great news Mrs. C! I wont be able to shop for about 10 days, but I plan on snapping up some ribbons at least. Christmas is coming!! YAY!

[ksrjreed]

I am actually excited to decorate for fall this year, last year we were in the process of moving during the fall and it was such a hassle to decorate once we got moved into our home, but this year I want to go all out for fall and then on November 1st I will go silly decorating the outside of my home for Christmas, I can't wait.

[CandyKane]

At church today we decided it's time to start planning for the children's Christmas pageant. Since this will be the first Christmas program we've had in several years I think we'll go the traditional route with a Nativity recreation.

I'm just so thankful that we're getting more kids involved in our church. It's always so wonderful to see their excitement.

[Noel+]

This Christmas, I may not be able to shop while supporting the family with my income alone, but we are totally focused on the true reason for Christmas. And I can always look.........and enjoy the glorious decorations!

[mistletoe misfit]

Noel, that's the true Christmas spirit you have.
We also wont have much for spending this year.
It's the little things you do together, the decorating and spending time together.
We get excited over the Christmas wish Book each year, we don't often order from it. But the children and I love to look through the pages over and over. DS 9 is more excited this year about looking through it than even the girls. I am so happy he still has that young childlike excitement about Christmas even in the month of August.

[ksrjreed]

Noel, I wish more people would have that way of thinking with Christmas, my wife and myself think that way and we try to keep our kids grounded in the true spirit of Christmas but they are kids and they can only see the present giving side of the holiday, but we will still work with them to let them know there is more than just presents when it comes to Christmas.

[CandyKane]

This Christmas people will be more focused on the true Spirit and less on buying gifts. There are so many things that families can do to celebrate without spending money. In our church we have one family with 3 young children. They are barely getting by right now. So I know they won't be able to buy gifts. I just realized that last year the kids names were placed on a community Angel Tree where they received donated gifts. So that's why our church family is really trying to focus on the Christmas pageant and Happy Birthday Jesus party. Because It's been such a rough time for so many.

[CandyKane]

I've been re-reading my "Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul" book. The are many wonderful stories in it and some really heartwarming Christmas stories. They help to remind me of the true Spirit of Christmas.

[Noel+]

Thanks for the encouragement Merry!, krsjreed, and CandyKane!

Yes, I think the economy just might be a positive for Christmas this year, because we are all focusing on Jesus & family! Simple joys are the best!

[CandyKane]

I got the Leanin' Tree Christmas card catalog in the mail today. All their cards are beautiful, especially the embossed and foil cards. They always send a free card with their catalogs.

[ksrjreed]

I have learned today that if anything can happen it happens all in one day, thats all I will about that, can't wait for school to start and to get to decorating the house for fall and then Christmas, my tree countdown keeps getting closer and closer.