Anyone collect vintage Christmas? I did a lot of research in the last few months about early-mid 20th century Christmas and have bought a few vintage Christmas items. I have never been much for collecting anything but have been having fun with this. Anyone else collect anything like this?

What is the difference between Perimenopause and menopause? I thought it took a year. I seem to have tons of books about becoming a teen but nothing about growing old.

You are not being an idiot, BUT, on that note, I would recommend caring toward your mom on this. She is in the wrong, but anything could be going on with her right now. How old is she? Our parents can struggle with their own emotional issues before we realize because we always see them as parents, not as people who need us, maybe even more than we need them. I actually think it is kind of sweet that she is worried about your husband. I would just send her the text that he is fine and let it go. Next time she asked, it would be okay to say "yes, I checked in with him and all is good, thanks for asking." I remember my grandpa always stressing when us kids would drive to visit him. Now it is funny to realize that when I was in college, he was only in his early 60's. He loved us and was happy to see us, but he could also imagine everything bad possible happening on the drive to his loved adult grandkids.

How long did that take?

Has anyone done this? I returned an Amazon package to Kohls. Techinically, I sent it with someone to return. That person returned an Amazon box that had something in it, unsure what, and not the correct package. I only realized a few days later and I sent an email. I never heard back. It has been a couple weeks. I am guessing that what was in that box is gone. (I am thinking what was in that box was Christmas candy that I held back on Christmas day, but I don't really know. I just know something was in the box). I am wondering what happens next? Will they find the box in a year from now? Will I ever find out what was in there? Or is it more likely that the box has been tossed in to some sort of warehouse, never to be seen or spoken of again. edited to add: the return was for something that was only $30 so not a big ticket item or electronic. The candy was likely worth more.

Everyone, humans, through all of history, have been through stuff. But the mantra these days is to compete over who is the biggest victim and needing "safe spaces" because they cannot cope. Then their entire identity becomes all about how rough their lives have been. Not everyone from any generation IS whatever it is that their generation has been marked by. The current "thing" in society is creating an entire identity being all about victimhood and ableism. There has always been people who want to sit around and blame everyone else and everything else for their woes. Just that this particular generation coming up right now is particularly marked by this. Quite frankly, this board is not a good sampling of what general society is going through, as an overall or average. I have seen some on this board that think that most of the country is full of wealth that was inherited. That notion floored me. I kind of don't care much about the list of the one single parent whose child has a medical condition or the first generation student working their way through school. This is all stuff that was the norm. This was all just what made people. Now days though, it is the thing to harp on, as if they are the first ever to go through this and all past generations has had everything handed to them. I am well aware that there is a particularly large number of people on this board that has had life just handed to them, but THAT is not the norm. I am glad when people jump in and work hard and live their lives. I think it is mind numbing when the 24 yr old has posted another picture in a bikini with her duck mouth or tongue sticking out and tattoos labeling her a victim and claiming she cannot more forward in life because she once had a bad relationship, but it has nothing to do with the fact that she refuses to keep a job because she was asked to work an extra few minutes on day or more than 3 hours on another day. Not everyone of this generation does this and those who do will just eventually either move on or be left behind in life.

I do not think therapy helps. From my recent experiences and observations, the current mindset is that everyone is a victim and there is no joy in just being okay. Even Hallmark movies are based on victimhood. My husband and I were just talking last night about how with the younger set (college age and through 20's and maybe further) seems to be falling all over themselves with a competition as to who is the biggest victim. They even put on tattoos with "meaning" to the effect of "balance" and "survivor" and various punctuation marks. These people are bored and constantly watching TikTok and whatevever else to build up this mindset and it is all around them. I am not sure if they could even relate to each other otherwise. I am not sure what to do about it. But until you can find therapists who are not feeding in to this mindset, it won't help. It is a fight against modern culture to put an end to this. There has always been something that the younger culture does that the older culture is not okay with and this is today's mentality. Media (which is generally run by trolls and politicians) have built up this culture of "I am a victim" "I am a survivor" "I have not been handed enough" "everyone else is handed everything" "entitled entitled entitled butthurt."

I have two strings of bubble lights on one of my trees. That means 14 bulbs total. When I turn them on, after a short bit, about half will bubble (7-9 not bubbling each time). I give it plenty of time and the rest won't bubble, not even when I try flicking them or shaking them while connected. After a long time, I will unscrew the unlit ones, turn them upside down and shake. Then they will bubble. Then I can re-screw them in and they will remain bubbling while on. But, once I turn them off and let them cool down, then turn them back on, those same candles will fail to bubble. I am talking, I have even let it go over night with it left on before shaking. Is this normal or are these defective? I bought them off Amazon so I can still send back or exchange before I pack them away for the year. But I don't want to do that if this is normal. I know that having to tap or such some to get them going is supposed to be normal, but unscrewing and shaking is not something I can find information about online so I am unsure if it is normal.

I just loved Biltmore Christmas this year. Of course, I love Jonathan Frakes so that put me over on that one. But it was a good all around story.

I saw the Habitat for Humanity store near me, had tons and tons of trees that have been donated by Lowe’s. I saw that a couple of other places I stopped in it too. I am referring to brand new in box Christmas trees. But I do want to recommend going with a 7 1/2 foot tree if you have a 9 foot ceiling to give yourself a foot and a half clearance at the top for the star, whatever you put on top. .

Yep. I tried to call with any reason why your parents behavior is OK and it really isn’t. They clearly prioritize going with their friends over you. This is not OK and you’re 100% right to be hurt. I am sorry they did this.

The train for under the tree is on the downstairs tree. I am thinking I could not fit it in here, but I do have a trolley that would go back and forth in front that I can try.

I’m going to try re-arranging like this. So far, my daughter keeps re-arranging the ornaments to feature for favorites in the front. I think that pink geometric one will forever be front and center. Meanwhile, my cute retro Rudolf keeps finding himself in places I can’t see until I hunt for him. Thank you!

I was thinking that about the white lights. I took a picture last night without the white lights and thought it might look closer to what I was going for. I was also thinking of adding in some garland. What do you think?

Here is another picture.

I do not think I did a good job, capturing the look for my retro (50’s and 60’s) tree that I was going for. I think the tinsel wasn’t right but I don’t think it could’ve turned out right because the tree is much more full than a tree would have been in the 50s and 60s. Also, I am using my mom’s old tree and it is very bright. I did put tinsel on there, as well as all the lights and even a finial style tree topper. I just don’t think it turned out like what I see in pictures of a midcentury tree. It’s okay. Is there anything I can do to fix it now or is it more like the actual tree is a problem in or is it something as simple as I need more tinsel or something? I am guessing because tinsel is no longer made of lead that I probably won’t be able to capture that old Timey look, at least not with the tree I have. Also, the lights are evenly distributed, even to the top. I don’t know why they are not showing in this picture.

You need a retirement type acknowledgment. Good job!!

By the way, I just love that tile!

I think a coral color would look great! But if you prefer monochromatic, that would be good too.

A few years ago, or maybe even last year, I don’t remember, people here suggested good books for Christmas gifts. Well, yesterday, my 22 yr old brought up that he loved the book about Echler that I gave him and he hopes to get another this year. I am thinking it must have been two Christmases ago, or more. Anyway, I need book ideas! I would like to buy something for each child. I figure a lot of people might like ideas so I will leave this open ended to ages and likes.

My 8th grader wants headphones with a microphone so he can "game" and have a server and do this with his friends. Son also happens to have no friends really. Kids are nice to him, but no one has anything to do with him outside of whatever activity he does with them such as church or scouts. He has ASD and does not really seem to get this. Also, his "gaming" is Minecraft basically. I have considered just giving it to him anyway. But then I picture his sadness when January comes around and he shows up at scouts or church and tries to get kids to join him on a server and they won't. Is there any point to these headphones beyond playing games with others? We are kind of thinking it will just cause more upset in the long run than any joy he would have on Christmas morning to get it. Unless I am missing something on the point of this. Also, we have no intention of allowing games like this with strangers online.

I do not like it when kids are simply being abused and not going to school, but the parents call it homeschooling. I do not believe abuse happens at a higher rate among real homeschoolers, but I do know that some abusers will neglect their children's education and not send them to school or keep them home to hide detection. That group of people should not be grouped with actual homeschoolers.

I ordered a beginner bass guitar set. But then I realized, I should just tell him to do the research in to what he would need. A few hours later, he told me he no longer wanted it as much as other things on his list. So that all worked out. I cancelled the order I made for the beginner set.

It does not have the ribbons or poinsettias on it. I added those in myself so I can change that up every year. That is what I love about it. It is very full and has lights, but everything else I can customize each year.

I bought garland that turned out to be perfect this year. Each box has 1 strand, 9 feet long. I bought 6 boxes. My stairs go where there is a balcony and then down the stairs. They the banister splits because there is a landing and the stairs turn and then the last of the stairs. Because of having no plugs next to the bottom section and no way to connect the top to the bottom in a practical way, I used unlit garland for the last portion, which would have taken one 9 foot garland. This left me with 3 boxes used and 3 boxes left over. Going over my budget, I did overspend for Christmas. However, I had planned to put in a portion of the budget on new garland and new lights this year as I knew I needed them. So keeping them is doable, I just do not wish to keep them if it is a waste. Each box was $50 which is a great price compared to what I have seen at other stores for similar garland. I got these from Costco. I suggested to my husband that we hang the other three strands over windows in our various rooms with naked windows. He says the garland is great, but he hates doing this because garland can be heavy so it is difficult and we have newly painted rooms. I am guessing I should just return the left over garland as we are not going to use it this year. But I do get worried that if I end up needing more garland on a future year, I won't be able to match it. We did not droop the garland this year so if we ever did, or if we wanted to also hang them from the lower part of the stairs, we would need more. What it really comes down to, would it likely be difficult to get similar garland on a future year if I ended up needing it? Or do stores tend to sell the same stuff year after year? Maybe I should return 2 of the 3 remaining boxes. They were $50 a box. I will try to include a picture. It is fluffy and dual light settings. So I can make them white or colored and change from constant to slow blinking to fast blinking to alternating. Here is a picture, but I am not done decorating the garland yet.