SwellMama, I don't need to be reprimanded by you about how to pay my bills. If it wasn't for the tips, there would be no Christmas for my kids. That said, the newspaper company I work for tells us to solicite tips each December. It has always been done here and I was simply trying to figure out a way to do it respectfully. I felt your response to me was rather tactless. It is easy to attack people on the internet because we don't stand face to face with them, but the words hurt people regardless. I am thankful for my job as previously stated, but like any service person earns very little (such as waiters), I would hope my service would warrent a once a year tip. I always place their papers in their porch, not at the end of their driveways. I'm always quiet and I work hard to always be on time. Thanks for the responses everyone.

So it seems about 50/50 if I should or should not "ask" for a tip. I guess I can't go wrong if I do. I will either get more tips or I won't. May I encourage everyone to tip their newspaper carriers this season? Even if it is only $5 one time a year, most give that much of a tip every time they go out to eat. Carriers work hard for very little pay and Christmas tips are looked forward to all year. :)

So would you have a problem with the self addressed envelope as others have mentioned?

Does anyone have any advice on the wording? I truly am grateful for this job. It has helped sustain me through my divorce, homeschooling and now college also. I hate getting up that early but it is less time I have to spend away from my kids. All that, it doesn't pay well… except at Christmas usually.

I like the idea of experimenting. I may try that. I could get about $20 in stamps and give it a try.

Last year I only had one route, and it is the same as last year. I also have another route in addition and I have only gotten 2 tips off that route. I am really in shock somewhat.

Last year I only had one route, and it is the same as last year. I also have another route in addition and I have only gotten 2 tips off that route. I am really in shock somewhat.

Hmm, seems like a sase could be expensive… I'll have to look into that. OK, if I only did 140 of my customers, that would be 65.00. I think that is too much to gamble, don't you? Or do you think it is really likely that people will send me back a tip if it is that easy?

I have a paper route that I get up for 365 days of the year, in all kinds of weather at 4:20am. I don't get paid a lot but I look forward to the tips. I actually depend on them at Christmas to get me through the holidays and still pay my bills. I have 180 customers and only about 15 have given me tips this year. I haven't even made 1/3 what I made last year. To say I am disappointed would be an understatement. So, I am thinking of putting out a photo card on Monday with a short note. My thoughts are A.) People have simply forgot or B.) Some don't realize tipping is customary here. I would really appreciate help with my short note. Feel free to give me completely different ideas than I am presenting. Here are some ideas: "I hope you enjoyed my service this year. Thank you for remembering my family this holiday season." "I hope you have found my service exceptional. Thank you for your gifts" "Many Blessings from your Newspaper Carrier!" "If you have found my service exceptional this year, Please remember my family this holiday season" I know some are bad. Please comment on them, change them or give me all new suggestions. I would be super grateful because I only have one chance to get this right.

http://homeschoolwithminecraft.com/home.html What is minecraft exactly? It looks intriguing.

I would like to buy a pair or two of really comfy, warm tights. I am tall (5'8) and have a hard time finding comfortable tights. I am a size 12 pant if that helps. Any recommendations? I just bought some SmartWool socks based on recommendations here!

The traditions here are: I wrap each kids present in their "own" wrapping paper but only "I" know which paper belongs to which kid. On Christmas Eve, I place a piece of the wrapping paper in the toe of their stocking for them to discover on Christmas Day. They love the mystery of not knowing which gift (big or small) belongs to them and I love that they can't guess what I've gotten them. Stocking stuffers - Chocolate Orange here also. I also include fruit roll ups because they never get then any other time of the year. My oldest said she always thought they were only for rich kids as she was growing up so it was always really special to get them. I also include pop tarts (another thing I never buy), toothbrushes and nail polish for the girls, matchbox car for the boy. Sometimes Chapstick also. Also want to add that Christmas here is really done on Christmas Eve. I like to spend the whole day at home so we started having Christmas a day early a few years back. It gives us a chance to eat a relaxing breakfast and our own yummy dinner, play games and watch movies. Then on Christmas day, we prepare whatever we are taking to our extended family Christmas without the stress of just opened gifts that beg to be played with.

Wonderful ideas everyone! I really like the memory boxes idea, but since I didn't collect anything, I think I will get some pretty boxes at Michael's Crafts to put their jammies in and whatever else I decide. Then I will tape a note on the top that tells them to use their box to collect their favorite memories all year to share next year. I will also include some sort of bible verse and lovey dovey stuff about them. Maybe some sort of charge to keep up the faith and continue to pursue excellence in their lives.

You have some great ideas! Can you post some links do I know exactly what you are getting?

I am doing a "Green" Theme Christmas. I posted on my blog my first idea. http://saywhatchasee.blogspot.com/2013/12/green-theme-christmas-part-i.html I am going to be thinking up additional ideas to go with my theme. I might give reusable water bottles,

I want to give all my kids new PJ's this Christmas Eve, but I would like to add something fun in addition to that. I was considering a nice book or movie. Possibly some sort of snack or an inexpensive, but unique toy or gadget. Any ideas?

What are you getting your 8 ish year old boy this Christmas? Some things I am considering... Lego's Hexbug Inchworm Some sort of game Some sort of educational thing For my daughter, I really have no ideas… Need help!

My daughter said we shouldn't forget Meet Me in St. Louis. Also, I am in college and one of my classes we have to have a blog. Well, I am a few posts shy to finish it up so I decided to turn my question into a blog post. You can view it here: http://saywhatchasee.blogspot.com I added even more movies than were mentioned here, thanks to IMBD. Tomorrow I am going to make an Unlikely Christmas Movie list so feel free to keep adding those here. Thanks so much everyone!!

That looks really. I will have to get that. Thanks!!!

Great lists! Thanks Ellie. I especially like your "unlikely" list.

I don't know what it is about this time of year, but I get a hankering to watch Christmas Movies. I love the old favorites, mixed up with a few cheesy feel goods and everything in between. What are some of your favorites? I watched White Christmas already, still need to watch It's a Wonderful Life. I just saw Christmas Shoes and the Christmas Blessing the other day. Another fun one was The Christmas Lodge. After looking over my Netflix activity, here are some more I've seen: Dear Santa Lovestruck: The Musical Jack Frost

I have never heard of Kettlebell. I will look into that. I am really unfit right now so I am looking to start easy and build up. I'm not super overweight, just all pudge.

I am getting fat. I haven't ran consistently since I started college in August, I have spent more time eating poorly than well and I am all fat, no muscle. So now that I've got that out of the way, I'd like some recommendations for an at home muscle building workout. I was looking at resistance bands but I'm not sure how effective they would be. Also, I would need a video or book to show me what to do. I could do some hand weights if someone wants to recommend them. My plan is to get back into running 3x a week and muscle building 2-3x a week. I am also really interested in Yoga 1x a week. If you could, I would appreciate amazon links to any products you all recommend. So to summarize… Resistance Bands and video or book recommendation. Yoga Video recommendation. Any other strength training recommendation. I do have Netflix and Amazon Instant Video if there is something on there.

I am all about high quality foods for ultimate taste and nutrition and boxed potatoes just don't fit in that category.

Has anyone baked sweet potatoes in the ovenlike regular white baked potatoes? I was thinking it would be easier to do this and then scrape them out of their skin for a sweet potato casserole. Would this work or would I loose a lot of the sweet potato? In the past I have boiled them but I would like to skip that if possible.