"CHRISTMAS" Thread - 1500

[Noel+]

Sounds like you'll need a lot of Christmas spirit during registration! Hang in there!

We'll be having Christmas in August this weekend. I thought about introducing the idea of a cookie exchange after it is all over as a fun stress reliever, but the administrativ cheif is not a 'fun-type' person and I'm only a temp. Maybe next year if I'm still there.

Absolutely! Maybe your neighbors would be interested in a Christmas cookie exchange in December? They're so much fun!

[Jolly O'Leary]

Absolutely! Maybe your neighbors would be interested in a Christmas cookie exchange in December? They're so much fun!

Uh........don't think so. What you have heard about the 'islamization' of Europe and Sweden in particular is true. Most of our neighbors are celebrating Ramadan this month. We open the balcony doors and blast American patriotic music all over the compound on American holidays, and then duck.

We also serenade them with Handel's Messiah at Christmas and Easter.
We like to live dangerously.

Happy Christmas in August!

[CandyKane]

Here's a link to a great site I just found. www.thetoymaker.com Lots of great free printables including toys and Christmas stuff.

[Noel+]

Absolutely! Maybe your neighbors would be interested in a Christmas cookie exchange in December? They're so much fun!

Uh........don't think so. What you have heard about the 'islamization' of Europe and Sweden in particular is true. Most of our neighbors are celebrating Ramadan this month. We open the balcony doors and blast American patriotic music all over the compound on American holidays, and then duck.

We also serenade them with Handel's Messiah at Christmas and Easter.
We like to live dangerously.

Happy Christmas in August!

Oh, the population is now higher Muslim than Swedish? I learned something new today.

[Noel+]

Here's a link to a great site I just found. http://www.thetoymaker.com Lots of great free printables including toys and Christmas stuff.

Thanks CandyKane! What fun for the kids!

[Jolly O'Leary]

Oh, the population is now higher Muslim than Swedish? I learned something new today.

Not yet. but Sweden is predicted to be a muslim country by 2049. Unfortunately, I'm not scheduled to die until 2050. You can read the Swedish news in english here at http://www.thelocal.se.

Christmas in August is being derailed by work. Have to do grocey shopping today and chores this afternoon. Must work tomorrow. On the plus side, my husband is now fully employed at a IT high school. We migh have to rethink Christmas in August and be content with Christmas in July as August is a very busy time for both of us if I keep a university job.

Merry Christmas in August! Bring on the Fall weather.

[Noel+]

Thanks for the link to the Swedish news.......it was fun to read in English!

Its a relief to know you're not scheduled to die til 2050! Know what you meant though.

Yes its 109F here and I'm more than ready for Fall.

We've already adjusted our Christmas plans too. It will be Christmas in its fullest form just with less spending. And that's a good thing because we are blessed!

[Jolly O'Leary]

We've already adjusted our Christmas plans too. It will be Christmas in its fullest form just with less spending. And that's a good thing because we are blessed!

Christmas in Sweden is alot simpler than the US. Decorations usually consists of Christmas curtains and linens, with lighted stars in the windows and a candelabra that looks amazingly like a menorah make popular worldwide by IKEA. The tree doesn't go up until the 23rd when Swedes across the an decorate it as a family affair. Then it stays up until Jan. 13. Gifts are usually based more on thoughtfulness than dollar amount and fewer of them. My husband's family had the tradition of saving one gift until New Year's.

I might be unemployed on Dec. 1, and if so, will spend December reorganizing the living room to try to make room for a Christmas tree. Most Swedish apartments are small by US standards and this was a 'bachelor pad' for 24 years.

I prefer the simplicity in gifts, but miss the decorations. I asked my parents to send the chintzy stuff from the dollar store in my christmas box. My mother used to transform the house from floor to ceiling on the day after Thanksgiving.

My usually oily skin is finally drying out, so maybe Fall is on the way after all. Woohoo!

Merry Christmas in August!

[Noel+]

Yes, I'm aware of the IKEA candelabra -- think it is pretty. I've seen pictures from Norway where they play stars in the windows as decorations -- must be similiar to Sweden -- and I love them!

Good luck on clearing a space for a Christmas tree in a bachelor apartment!

[CandyKane]

What a great weekend. We took a mini-vacation and went to hubby's family reunion. The convention center has a huge pool and an ice skating rink. Dd got to ice skate for the very first time. Of course the ice skating made me long for Christmas.

[CandyKane]

I had to run some errands so I made a quick stop at the store to pick up a couple things. I bought 2 cases of quart canning jars. I thought we might make some of the jars of layered cookie and brownie mixes for our church Christmas bazaar. I think they would sell. I know I'll buy some. I have 3 good recipes, 2 cookie mixes and a brownie mix.

[Noel+]

I had to run some errands so I made a quick stop at the store to pick up a couple things. I bought 2 cases of quart canning jars. I thought we might make some of the jars of layered cookie and brownie mixes for our church Christmas bazaar. I think they would sell. I know I'll buy some. I have 3 good recipes, 2 cookie mixes and a brownie mix.

Baskets & jars are one of my favorite Christmas gifts -- themed by a hobby of a family member/friend they're perfect You're smart to stock up now!

[Jolly O'Leary]

http://migs.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/pa ... ilippines/

Ran across this looking for a Christmas in September logo! hm....Christmas in August on August 31 might work out better for us some years. I also found a church in South Dakota who had a Christmas in August service on August 15, Mary Mother of God Sunday. Not sure if that is something they do every year or just because of the way the days fell this year. I've bookmarked the site so I can check next year!

http://www.sturgisglc.org/August15Bulletin.pdf

I was a church admin for 6 years and it was part of my job to surf the net to see what others were doing. :-)

Happy Christmas in August!
Day 2 of Registration

[Noel+]

Wow - those are great surprises! Until you I had never heard of Christmas in August and now look what I know! Thanks for sharing with us!

[Jolly O'Leary]

Wow - those are great surprises! Until you I had never heard of Christmas in August and now look what I know! Thanks for sharing with us!

Actually I grew up with Christmas in August as a missionary project. I had forgotten about it until I worked at a church again in the 90's, and then again in 2002. It was nice to see it was still around. Since the advent of computers and the internet, sometimes I run random searches when I'm bored usually on whatever holiday is coming up. One year I found the Korean movie with that title and went searching and then fell in love. It is a beautiful story. When I met my husband, we started a one day celebration that has grown usually, but this year diminished because we both have new jobs. You know how it is. But, I managed to watch Christmas comes to Willow Creek last night from 1987 with Tom Wopat and John Schneider. Cute movie.

http://old.wmu.com/resources/library/hi ... August.asp

I stole their logo.

Happy Christmas in August! I wish I could watch QVC online,but have to wait until September now.

[Mrs.Claus]

Was out shopping for appliances last night and went to Sears Home Centre and asked if they had a catalog or wishbook for the kids to look at while we shopped and she gave me a Christmas Wishbook to keep. Usually if you don't have a card you can't get a Wishbook until October. I was thrilled!!! Hubby just laughed at me and told me to calm down. lol Unfortunately we didn't get our appliances from Sears - we found an awesome deal at Leon's though.

[CandyKane]

Busy week. I did catch a little of the Christmas shows on QVC yesterday. I found a couple of things on Santa's Toy Shop that I debated about getting, but I didn't.

[CandyKane]

A friend is coming over tonight to make a diaper cake and some other decorations for another friends baby shower this weekend. Hopefully we can organize another crafting night to make things for Christmas!!

[CandyKane]

I was shopping at Wal-Mart this weekend and saw the new Christmas barbie. She is really beautiful. I didn't buy it cause dd was with me. I can't wait to add it to her collection.

[CandyKane]

I've been wishing for September and it's almost here! Hubby's work stresses have eased, the weather is wonderful, and Christmas is just around the corner. I'm so happy!