YaelAldrich Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We're in Chicago in the middle of a family reunion. Tomorrow (soon today) will be Xmas. We're Jewish (our immediate family is Orthodox, the rest of them not). Nothing (touristy) is open as far as I know except in the Jewish community (we're going to celebrate our wedding anniversary a couple of days early in one of the kosher restaurants which will be open). What will you be doing if you don't celebrate Xmas in any way at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Go to a movie. Go to a Chinese restaurant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 My dearest friend is Jewish and she always goes out for Chinese food and sees a movie with her partner and kids. I do celebrate Christmas and have gone to the movies on Christmas Day. There are always people there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Is the zoo open? Ice skating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 The zoos are open; but the weather isn't so conducive to hanging out for long periods with little ones and older ones. :) They ice skated already Maybe they'll be up for it again, but since it's so #$%^&* cold, it won't be for long. The kosher Chinese place is closed (it's in a grocery store which also closes). We don't have the kids watch movies (we're fanatics that way!). I did laundry and am going to go to bed! Have fun everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelbe5 Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I hope you enjoy your visit to Chicago! Oh, I realize now you may live in the area - I thought perhaps you were visiting for the family reunion. Sorry if I misunderstood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 Oh, we love Chicago! We've been out of the Midwest for a couple of years, so we are enjoying it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Sear's Tower? Is it still called that? Is that open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 The kids and grandparents are going to Milt's BBQ for the Perplexed -- a kosher, yummy hipster place in Lakeview; we're heading to Shallot's, the fancy kosher place in Skokie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 It's not called that anymore (but everyone does). It's open; don't know if we will go... But really, I wanted to find out what others are doing! :driving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Go to a movie. Go to a Chinese restaurant You don't celebrate Christmas? I can't believe I didn't know that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Dh is off work....dss12 is here and ds13 has a friend visiting. So sleeping in....I am making a big breakfast....and dh is taking the boys to gather some wood for our fireplace.....we may go to a movie later. I am putting on a roast potatoes carrots and onions with homemade bread for dinner. I made a cake today so we will finish that off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 You don't celebrate Christmas? I can't believe I didn't know that! Actually I do. I misunderstood the OPs post - I thought she was asking for ideas on what to do in Chicago tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Actually I do. I misunderstood the OPs post - I thought she was asking for ideas on what to do in Chicago tomorrow. Lol......ok. Whew...well at least I am not crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Having never celebrated Christmas I have to say it doesn't really register as a 'day' to us beyond the fact that dh is off work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SorrelZG Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I am expecting to do the usual things... And as I typed that I wondered, "That will be tomorrow, right? Wait, what's the date ..." and what do you know, it's 3:45pm on the 25th as I am typing on my side of the globe. So, yeah ... The usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We treat it as any other day, except the kids requested that this year they get all the public holidays off so we didn't do any school work today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We do celebrate Christmas but not necessarily in a traditional way. We have usually opened presents by today anyway so we do other stuff on Christmas Day. We deliver Meals on Wheels then go to a Chinese restaurant. Often the kids and I will play lots of board games, snack and watch movies. This year we are at a hotel with a water park having a blast. We will still go to the Chinese restaurant for lunch :) I know a lot of these hotels with water parks will let you buy wristbands even if you aren't staying the night. I 2nd going to a movie. I think that would be a lot of fun today. I want to see "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". Have fun with whatever you do! Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I have a friend who volunteers at the NICU on Christmas. She brings a big dinner to share with the families there. Her daughters were in the NICU on Christmas one year, and even though they don't celebrate, they really appreciated the volunteers that evening. I have another friend who volunteers in a hospital laundry. It is something her synagogue does. They get enough volunteers to man the laundries of many of the local hospitals so more people can have the day off (with pay) to spend with their families. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Lol......ok. Whew...well at least I am not crazy! You're not alone. I thought the same thing when I read her post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Also Jewish. Absolutely everything here is closed. DH is home so the original plan was to cut school short and go hiking or maybe biking, but he seems to have come down with a cold and is cloistered in the bedroom hacking away. I guess we'll just do school and go to the park. It is chilly but the kids are definitely going to need to get out. In fact, I can hear them already downstairs .... Happy early anniversary to the OP, and hope everyone -- celebrating or not -- has a lovely day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We are going to a breakfast place that's open today. I also have to work for an hour today. Then we are just having a normal day. We might go walk around the outdoor mall because no one will be out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We are going to a breakfast place that's open today. I also have to work for an hour today. Then we are just having a normal day. We might go walk around the outdoor mall because no one will be out. Will any stores be open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajfries Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 DH has today off work so he'll be home. My sister is visiting family in town so she'll stop by. It was really cute when I talked to her last week. She said, "And we plan on being out there on Wednesday." I was like "Wednesday? In the middle of the week?" She just said, "Uh, yeah." Then I put it together that "Wednesday" was Christmas. I was SO confused as to why she & her fiance wouldn't be working on some random Wednesday. Duh. Anyway, it was cute that she's sensitive to my not celebrating, but I had to tell her that "Christmas" is not a bad word and that she needs to spell things out for me next time. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 DH has today off work so he'll be home. My sister is visiting family in town so she'll stop by. It was really cute when I talked to her last week. She said, "And we plan on being out there on Wednesday." I was like "Wednesday? In the middle of the week?" She just said, "Uh, yeah." Then I put it together that "Wednesday" was Christmas. I was SO confused as to why she & her fiance wouldn't be working on some random Wednesday. Duh. Anyway, it was cute that she's sensitive to my not celebrating, but I had to tell her that "Christmas" is not a bad word and that she needs to spell things out for me next time. :laugh: Lol...that is cute. I have friends that are like that.....if they accidentally say something about Christmas they are mortified......as if hearing the word offends me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I planned on staying in my pajamas but then I remembered I had to walk the dog :001_smile: We have gone to the movies in the past but the theaters are packed. I have two movies to watch. I'm reading a really good book I am going to finish. Help my daughter with her sewing. Scrapbook and knitting. Finish the day by baking a 3 layer cake with my son (with cookie dough filling and cream cheese frosting……his picks). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We have a mixed household, so we have stockings and opening gifts with DW#2 in the morning. Then in the afternoon my 2 kids and I go hang out with friends for a potluck get together which happens at most holidays for anyone in the particular social circle not bound by family obligations. Lots of years, DH and his brother go to the movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We're going to go on a hunt for Chinese food. Not sure yet what will be open. Try to find some way of getting some exercise (the Y is closed and it's near zero F out there). Play some games or play some music. It's a day off, after all. Bake something. It is pretty cold outside and the house could use a little extra heat. Light the candles in the ice globes out front -- it's winter. More light is always good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmiSays Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 My husband is home so it feels like a special holiday! If it wasn't so cold we would spend the day doing a nature walk and then a picnic. Since it is sooo cold we are just hanging out watching movies and playing games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherL Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We're Jewish and sometimes go to the movies. But this year since the weather is great here (71) we decided to have a picnic and go geocaching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We're having a pajama day. The special thing about this day for us is that it is mid-week and yet both DH and I are off work. I live in the Bible Belt, so there is pretty much nothing open. That means there is nowhere to go and no reason to get dressed. We got up, made omelettes, have been doing read alouds, taking turns through the shower/bath (I still like to be clean even if I do just get dressed in pajamas!), and DD and I will bake a cake together soon. We'll get some schoolwork done and I think we'll open up Qwirkle since it just arrived. 3yo DD has never seen a movie so I'm thinking today would be a great day for popcorn and Finding Nemo. It's actually pretty awesome to have such a relaxing, chilled out day. I can't remember the last day when there was nothing we HAD to get done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I planned on staying in my pajamas but then I remembered I had to walk the dog :001_smile: We have gone to the movies in the past but the theaters are packed. I have two movies to watch. I'm reading a really good book I am going to finish. Help my daughter with her sewing. Scrapbook and knitting. Finish the day by baking a 3 layer cake with my son (with cookie dough filling and cream cheese frosting……his picks). Don't mean to steal the thread: which book are you reading, Gingersmom? Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We're just hanging out. Kids are catching up on some lessons and alternating with minecraft. I'm reading, cleaning, not doing much. Yesterday we made cookies. Tomorrow we have to go to NY and play nice while I listen to how I'm ruining my kids. The kids will stay overnight and come home with my father on the 27th and he stays until the 30th and I have the privilege of listening to how I'm ruining my kids some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Will any stores be open? No, maybe a coffee shop. But it's a very nice area with great architecture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Don't mean to steal the thread: which book are you reading, Gingersmom? Alley Nowhere but Home by Liza Palmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 Finish the day by baking a 3 layer cake with my son (with cookie dough filling and cream cheese frosting……his picks). OK, who cares about the book! :drool5: What is the recipe for the cake!?!?! :drool5: I'll get home next week and make one of those for Shabbos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 OK, who cares about the book! :drool5: What is the recipe for the cake!?!?! :drool5: I'll get home next week and make one of those for Shabbos! Its from this cookbook- http://www.amazon.com/The-Cookie-Dough-Lovers-Cookbook/dp/1594745641/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388010674&sr=8-1&keywords=chocolate+chip+cookie+dough+cookbook Its an amazingly tasty yellow cake (but so much tastier) with a cookie dough filling (we doubled the filling), a chocolate ganache (we left it out this time, too much work) and it has a buttercream frosting. I was not a huge fan of the frosting and my son adores cream cheese frosting so that is what we are substituting. The cookie dough is egg free so we can eat with reckless abandon! Its a huge 3 layer cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Sittin' on the couch, watching movies, about to make chocolate cake! Even though I don't celebrate Christmas, the holidays always make me want to bake and nest. Probably all the commercials! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 We opened a few presents we received from the Christian part of the family and called them to wish them a merry Christmas. Then we cleaned the house, ate lunch, did Singapore and DS is finishing WWE. Kids will go to the neighbors to play with their presents later. I will be watching Die Hard later, my favorite Christmas movie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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