1200 POSTS BY CHRISTMAS 2009

[CandyKane]

- Early in 1843 as a response to a government report on the abuse of child laborers in mines and factories, Charles Dickens vowed he would strike "a sledgehammer blow" on behalf of the Poor Man's Child. That sledgehammer was "A Christmas Carol."

[CandyKane]

- In 1867, Dickens read "A Christmas Carol" at a public meeting in Chicago. One of the audience members, a scale manufacturer, was so moved that he decided to "break the custom we have hitherto observed of opening the works on Christmas Day." Not only did he close the factory on Christmas day, but also gave Christmas turkeys to all his employees.

- The Cratchit family is based on Dickens' childhood home life. He lived in poor circumstances in a four-roomed house that he shared with his parents and five siblings.

[Noel+]

Thanks for posting Dicksonian truths for us to read, CandyKane! I love his writings and my fave is A Christmas Carol!

[mistletoe misfit]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my American friends today!

I can't wait to watch the parade this morning.
Last night I wrapped a couple more Christmas gifts. I have wrapped nine so far. Most years I haven't even started wrapping yet.

[mistletoe misfit]

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday. I guess some of you will be out today to find great Christmas deals. I wouldn't like the long line ups, but the deals always look amazing. I wish we had sales like that here before Christmas. I saw commercials and it looked like many retailers in the States were even given out gift cards. Have a great bargain shopping Black Friday!

[ksrjreed]

Had a very good Thanksgiving yesterday, in the middle of the cleanup right now, was going to go shopping today but decided against it,,,,,,there are to many rude people out on this day and they can really take the spirit out of the season,,,anyway,,,,,we are getting down to crunch time and I love this,,,all the Christmas specials on TV this week and the local Christmas parades,,,,it is finally here and I am going to soak up all the positive moments of this season. Hope everyone has a good TGIF

[CandyKane]

It's hard to believe that another Thanksgiving has come and gone already. We had a good day, visiting with family and friends and eating way too much delicious food. My Mom really outdid herself on this years meal. I went early to help her with the cooking and I finished watching the parade with my parents. So now it's officially Christmas for me.

[CandyKane]

I went early and did a little Black Friday shopping. I did find some good deals. One store was giving out little bags of candy coins with some real coins mixed in. It was fun digging through the bags to find what was inside. There were several shoppers out but nothing like I have seen in the past.

I bought several things for the kids Christmas party.

[CandyKane]

My Christmas trees are finally decorated. They look so good. Hubby has some of the outside lights on but we didn't get them all up. Hopefull the weather will cooperate this weekend and we can finish up outside.

[CandyKane]

Although many believe the Friday after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year, it is not. It is the fifth to tenth busiest day. The Friday and Saturday before Christmas are the two busiest shopping days of the year.

[CandyKane]

Before settling on the name of Tiny Tim for his character in "A Christmas Carol," three other alliterative names were considered by Charles Dickens. They were Little Larry, Puny Pete, and Small Sam.

[CandyKane]

Charles Dickens' initial choice for Scrooge's statement "Bah Humbug" was "Bah Christmas."

[ksrjreed]

Well my three day weekend is done, back to work today, I really enjoyed Thanksgiving this year,,,,it seems like we always use Thanksgiving as a practice run for Christmas day as for the cooking goes. Anyway haven't done any shopping in this time span, waiting to see what deals are on cyber monday and then will go out to the stores on Tuesday,,,I think the stores will be safe to go into by then. Anyway went and looked at lights last night at two of the area parks,,,it makes me feel like a kid when I hear my children going crazy looking at the lights.

[CandyKane]

I took dd out to visit my parents today. The weather has been gorgeous so she got to play outside while I helped them with their Christmas decorations.

When we got home she walked with me to get the mail. I ordered a custom letter from packagefromsanta.com and it was in the mailbox. Dd carried it all the way up the driveway smiling at the Santa postage stamp. When we got inside I read her the letter. Her little face looked so excited. Even though she's just a liitle over 2 years old, she knows Santa. The package I got also includes a autographed Santa and Mrs. Claus picture and a picture of baby Rudolph. It's just too cute.

[CandyKane]

I also got my first Christmas card today. It has a picture of Santa on the front and inside is a dvd of the original Miracle on 34th Street movie.

[mistletoe misfit]

On Friday I learned of some awesome Christmas bargains that were taking place at Old Navy.
So yesterday I drove 40 minutes to the nearest store and waited in line 45 minutes til they opened. If you were one of the first 50 people you received a wrist band to get a free Lego Rock Band Game with purchase of $20.
DH and our three children need winter tops. The fleece tops and long sleeved tops were all on for $7 and 8$. I bought 2 fleece tops for DH, one fleece and two tops for DD5, one fleece and two tops for DD7 and one fleece and a sweater for DS. Ten really nice winter tops for a total of $82 plus the free game for DS. The only problem is I only have three sweater boxes for wrapping them all.
Hopefully I can find more at the dollar store.

[mistletoe misfit]

DH and the girls were on a float in the Santa Claus parade last night. DS and I sat and watched. He collected candy that was thrown to him by elves and clowns in the parade, so he could share with his little sisters after it was over.
Next weekend it is DH's work kids Christmas party. The kids always have a blast. There is a magician, lunch, gifts and of course the Jolly old elf himself pays a visit.
It is so close now!

[Noel+]

Happy to read that ya'll had a lovely Thanksgiving Day!!

My brother bought rolls, my sister made the pumpkin pies, and all I did was place in the oven/microwaves/stove top the items to cook. It was not our grandest Turkey Day but it was certainly a yummy one!

Time to truly countdown to Christmas. I long to feel healthy again so I can enjoy every moment.

We're watching Hallmark channel often for the Christmas flicks!!!

[CandyKane]

We had a very busy day at church. I'm in charge of the kids Christmas program and there is just so much to do. The kids are also making gifts for their families and it's very time consuming. But I know that it's going to be worth the effort.

[CandyKane]

I have a busy week ahead. I still haven't mailed out my Christmas cards but I hope to get them mailed this week.

It started raining this afternoon so we still don't have all the outside decorations finished. But we are getting closer.