CHRISTMAS 2015

[Jolly O'Leary]

It so exciting to see that the goal is going to be hit before Thanksgiving, guess my plans of posting into the late hours of Christmas Eve are out the windows, oh well, more time to watch A Christmas Story.

I suggested raising it 200 at a time. That seems doable.........should we take a Christmas vote?

[Christmas Crazy]

I wasn't planning to raise the goal. Just wondering how big our Christmas thread will grow by the big day. It's so great to see all the activity on this forum. Christmas is always better when you share it with friends.

I agree. Let's just enjoy our accomplishment of reaching
2500 Christmas Posts!!!

[ksrjreed]

Just received phone call that one of our Christmas gifts, her school jacket. This is her first year of marching band and like with my oldest two she gets her school jacket first year of marching band. She will be excited to see it, she has been all about it since the start of marching band. She came home one day during band camp and said I can't wait for Christmas, I asked her why and she said because she gets her band jacket. I know it isn't much of a surprise but the excitement is still the same.

[CandyKane]

With my Mom gone, I know that Christmas will never be the same again. And after 3 years, I've come to terms with it. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories I have, and even more thankful for the memories we are creating now. I am so looking forward to Christmas Eve at home this year. I want my daughters best memories of Christmas to be right here at home. My Mom has an amazing Christmas Village collection that's been packed away. Every year I have the best intentions to get it out and put it up. And every year it hurts my heart to even think about it. But my dd has asked if we can put up her Grandmas Village this year. And I am so excited to do it. I think this might be the start of one of our best memories yet.

[Christmas Crazy]

With my Mom gone, I know that Christmas will never be the same again. And after 3 years, I've come to terms with it. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories I have, and even more thankful for the memories we are creating now. I am so looking forward to Christmas Eve at home this year. I want my daughters best memories of Christmas to be right here at home. My Mom has an amazing Christmas Village collection that's been packed away. Every year I have the best intentions to get it out and put it up. And every year it hurts my heart to even think about it. But my dd has asked if we can put up her Grandmas Village this year. And I am so excited to do it. I think this might be the start of one of our best memories yet.

That will make very sweet Christmas memories of home and Grandma.

[Christmas Crazy]

Just received phone call that one of our Christmas gifts, her school jacket. This is her first year of marching band and like with my oldest two she gets her school jacket first year of marching band. She will be excited to see it, she has been all about it since the start of marching band. She came home one day during band camp and said I can't wait for Christmas, I asked her why and she said because she gets her band jacket. I know it isn't much of a surprise but the excitement is still the same.

That is so Christmas cool!

[Christmas Crazy]

How about just for fun, let's see if we can double our Christmas posts from last year.
2014 - 1369 Christmas posts.
2015 - 2738 Christmas posts?

[Noel+]

oh my Noel, just for fun I googled "Mexican thanksgiving dinner" and got at least 9 links that I want to check out on the first page...........I could consider some for Christmas dinner as I am less "set" on the side dishes then, just turkey, ham, and mincemeat pie required with carrot raisin salad and deviled eggs to go with the Christmas eve smörgåsbord.

It's definitely different! Thinking it over I realized I'll miss the comfort of the memory of sharing the traditional meals with my parents. Young people aren't held by decades of past memories. Just hoping he doesn't offer to host Christmas dinner too!

[CandyKane]

How about just for fun, let's see if we can double our Christmas posts from last year.
2014 - 1369 Christmas posts.
2015 - 2738 Christmas posts?

Sounds like great Christmas fun to me!

[Noel+]

We enjoyed a nice weekend. We went Christmas shopping Saturday and had a lazy day around the house yesterday. Last night we had popcorn, hot chocolate, and Christmas movies. One of the movies was 'Christmas with Holly'. Its so sweet.

Your weekend sounds pre-Christmas cute CK! Yes that movie is very sweet.

[Noel+]

It's cold, rainy, and dreary today. I just keep thinking if it was just a little cooler this would be snow. Or the much dreaded ice. We could be like Colorado with the blizzard conditions. The weather channel says it's the first named storm of the Winter season. I never wanna hear a storm described as brutal. Especially not in November. It might be a very long Winter. At least we'll have Christmas to cheer us up.

Just blow the snow & ice my way for Christmas!!

[Noel+]

I know that traditions change with each generation. But just like everyone else, I don't like change. I look at my own kids and I see the traditional Thanksgiving meal being replaced with anything but the traditional food items (Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rolls etc...). They just don't like that kind of a meal. I'm the only one that will eat any of the leftovers. Some traditions will carry over, but sadly some will go away. I know my daughter will still watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade each year. That is a tradition she has already stated she will continue. But my boys I'm not so sure about. Maybe they will inherit some of these traditions thru marriage.

And when it comes to Christmas, I've really made a mess of one thing. My kids no longer remember a Christmas at home. Ever since we moved down south, we've always traveled back north before Christmas. They only know spending Christmas Eve at one grandparents house and Christmas day at the other grandparents house. I wish I would have realised what I was doing at the time. But, they still have a great sense of spending that time with family. I guess that is what is important.

CC when making those type of decisions it's hard to foresee the future impact on our families. Every in law wants time -- especially at Christmas -- and we want to be fair. It's a juggling match sometimes. In the end - as you said - they remember being with extended family. And that passes to the next generation. Our memories & traditions are uniquely our own.

[Noel+]

I wasn't planning to raise the goal. Just wondering how big our Christmas thread will grow by the big day. It's so great to see all the activity on this forum. Christmas is always better when you share it with friends.

I agree. Let's just enjoy our accomplishment of reaching
2500 Christmas Posts!!!

I second that emotion! 2500 Christmas posts is an awesome accomplishment after last year's tally.

[Noel+]

Just received phone call that one of our Christmas gifts, her school jacket. This is her first year of marching band and like with my oldest two she gets her school jacket first year of marching band. She will be excited to see it, she has been all about it since the start of marching band. She came home one day during band camp and said I can't wait for Christmas, I asked her why and she said because she gets her band jacket. I know it isn't much of a surprise but the excitement is still the same.

Too Christmas cool ksrjreed! The anticipation for your daughter is equal to a surprise!

[Noel+]

With my Mom gone, I know that Christmas will never be the same again. And after 3 years, I've come to terms with it. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories I have, and even more thankful for the memories we are creating now. I am so looking forward to Christmas Eve at home this year. I want my daughters best memories of Christmas to be right here at home. My Mom has an amazing Christmas Village collection that's been packed away. Every year I have the best intentions to get it out and put it up. And every year it hurts my heart to even think about it. But my dd has asked if we can put up her Grandmas Village this year. And I am so excited to do it. I think this might be the start of one of our best memories yet.

That's a lovely new Christmas tradition CK. Your daughter will remember it for a lifetime. Your plans at home sound lovely. Does your father come to your house too?

[CandyKane]

With my Mom gone, I know that Christmas will never be the same again. And after 3 years, I've come to terms with it. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories I have, and even more thankful for the memories we are creating now. I am so looking forward to Christmas Eve at home this year. I want my daughters best memories of Christmas to be right here at home. My Mom has an amazing Christmas Village collection that's been packed away. Every year I have the best intentions to get it out and put it up. And every year it hurts my heart to even think about it. But my dd has asked if we can put up her Grandmas Village this year. And I am so excited to do it. I think this might be the start of one of our best memories yet.

That's a lovely new Christmas tradition CK. Your daughter will remember it for a lifetime. Your plans at home sound lovely. Does your father come to your house too?

No he doesn't. We always had Christmas Day at my Dad and Moms house and since she's been gone I try to keep things as normal as possible for him. Everything's the same except the food is not nearly as good. Mostly because I cook it

[Noel+]

CK: tht's so loving of you to keep his life as normal as possible to reduce his grief. And I bet you're a great cook -- especially at Christmas!

[Jolly O'Leary]

oh my Noel, just for fun I googled "Mexican thanksgiving dinner" and got at least 9 links that I want to check out on the first page...........I could consider some for Christmas dinner as I am less "set" on the side dishes then, just turkey, ham, and mincemeat pie required with carrot raisin salad and deviled eggs to go with the Christmas eve smörgåsbord.

It's definitely different! Thinking it over I realized I'll miss the comfort of the memory of sharing the traditional meals with my parents. Young people aren't held by decades of past memories. Just hoping he doesn't offer to host Christmas dinner too!

Got a facebook message from my aunt saying she had ordered the "thanksgiving tamales".....now to be fair many in San Antonio serve tamales along side the traditional meal, but once again just my family's way of doing things cheap and easy. I have a friend that says she serves tamales and queso as the starter. The ex used to bring tamales to Thanksgiving and Christmas because he was a very picky eater and wanted to make sure he had something to eat. Perky says he is missing out. Good thing he is too Christmas cute.....

my cousin's husband told us last year that he wished we were there for every holiday because then they had "real food": LOL

[Jolly O'Leary]

How about just for fun, let's see if we can double our Christmas posts from last year.
2014 - 1369 Christmas posts.
2015 - 2738 Christmas posts?

Sounds like great Christmas fun to me!

We can always try. If we make it great, if not, oh well. The important thing is to share Christmas with each other.

[Jolly O'Leary]

For Star Wars Fans, today is Wookie Life Day, the anniversary of the dubiously infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. Here is one of my favorite songs from the one and only Star Wars Christmas CD. I read that it has been re-released. I might just have to put it on my Christmas list.

It is always one of my goals to put up the little tree with red balls for this date, but I never seem to make it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzo4QDfJhvA