saraha Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 One of my dds hung Christmas lights all along the ceilings f our first floor and we all loved them so much they have stayed up all year and turned on everyday at dusk. The neighbor knocked on our door a few months ago and asked if we were doing some kind of stranger things thing and I laughed and said no, and none of us have ever seen stranger things! It makes the perfect light to watch tv by and is just nice. We’ve gotten so used to them that if we are busy and forget to plug them in, the house feels weird 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogger Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 I had a great idea of doing photo albums for the college age but it isn't looking great so I need a new idea. Mostly, they need money. 😕 Younger two already have their Christmas gift because they needed skies early for the ski team so now what? Wrap a bunch of pretty boxes so the tree doesn't look sad? 🤣 Trying think of little thoughtful gifts for teenagers. It may be a lotion, comb, and sock year. My daughter can always use a journal and the boys like warm socks but the tree will look pretty empty. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 6 hours ago, saraha said: One of my dds hung Christmas lights all along the ceilings f our first floor and we all loved them so much they have stayed up all year and turned on everyday at dusk. The neighbor knocked on our door a few months ago and asked if we were doing some kind of stranger things thing and I laughed and said no, and none of us have ever seen stranger things! It makes the perfect light to watch tv by and is just nice. We’ve gotten so used to them that if we are busy and forget to plug them in, the house feels weird you can get a smart plug. You can control them via your phone, you don't need alexa/etc. You can also put them on a timer to go on and off when you want them too. - there is a switch on them, so you can still do it manually. I bought some for my pavilion/deck lights so I don't have the hassle having to go find the plug to turn them on - I can just use my phone. I bought my first remote plug a number of years ago for my christmas tree - so I didn't have to go behind all the furniture to turn it on. Then I got remote plugs for the lamps in my living room and family room. . . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eos Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) I've put off reading this thread until now, but my goodness you ladies are so ahead! I'm stumped for gifts. I generally buy most of my gifts at the Common Ground Fair but it was canceled for the second year in a row. I know they have the vendors on the website but I'm a tactile sort of shopper and much prefer to pick something up and visualize the person I'm considering it for and how they would use it. I often buy yarn there for gifts and it's just hard to not see the colors or feel the texture in person. Three young kitties and a real Christmas tree - I foresee conflict 🙂 Edited October 13, 2021 by Harpymom 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, gardenmom5 said: you can get a smart plug. You can control them via your phone, you don't need alexa/etc. You can also put them on a timer to go on and off when you want them too. - there is a switch on them, so you can still do it manually. I bought some for my pavilion/deck lights so I don't have the hassle having to go find the plug to turn them on - I can just use my phone. I bought my first remote plug a number of years ago for my christmas tree - so I didn't have to go behind all the furniture to turn it on. Then I got remote plugs for the lamps in my living room and family room. . . Good idea! Yeah, dh says it’s college dorm circa 1992 decorating, but I don’t care, they make me happy everyday 😆. The neighbors think we’re weird though and anytime someone stops by they just look around and go oooookaaaaayyyy but I stopped caring what people think about half way through 2020 😆 Edited October 13, 2021 by saraha 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 2 hours ago, Harpymom said: Three young kitties and a real Christmas tree - I foresee conflict 🙂 I wish we still had this problem. haha. Mostly ours have just batted the lower ornaments a little but I do remember one as a child that climbed the tree! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 13 hours ago, saraha said: One of my dds hung Christmas lights all along the ceilings f our first floor and we all loved them so much they have stayed up all year and turned on everyday at dusk. The neighbor knocked on our door a few months ago and asked if we were doing some kind of stranger things thing and I laughed and said no, and none of us have ever seen stranger things! It makes the perfect light to watch tv by and is just nice. We’ve gotten so used to them that if we are busy and forget to plug them in, the house feels weird I grew up with twinkle lights in the basement all year long. We have twinkle lights going back and forth across the basement ceiling by where we watch tv. So cheerful! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasProud Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 I have no idea what we are doing about Christmas. Dh and I were supposed to be in Africa the entire month of December ( him leaving this past week). I know we are doing Thanksgiving with mom. Typically, mom and I do not exchange gifts. We agreed over a decade ago that neither of us needed anything, so just to donate to a meaningful charity. One year she gave an operation for a child to have a cleft palate/cleft lip repaired ( I was born with that.) I guess I will donate to breast cancer research or something this year. But our kids... They will be 26, 24, and 20. They don't really need anything. I don't need anything. I could come up with creative ideas, but to be honest, between school and taking care of mom I don't have the energy. Probably just boring gift cards to places they like to eat/movies/Amazon. I have to admit that Christmas was much more fun when they were in elementary school. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildflowerMom Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 On 10/17/2021 at 6:42 AM, TexasProud said: I have no idea what we are doing about Christmas. Dh and I were supposed to be in Africa the entire month of December ( him leaving this past week). I know we are doing Thanksgiving with mom. Typically, mom and I do not exchange gifts. We agreed over a decade ago that neither of us needed anything, so just to donate to a meaningful charity. One year she gave an operation for a child to have a cleft palate/cleft lip repaired ( I was born with that.) I guess I will donate to breast cancer research or something this year. But our kids... They will be 26, 24, and 20. They don't really need anything. I don't need anything. I could come up with creative ideas, but to be honest, between school and taking care of mom I don't have the energy. Probably just boring gift cards to places they like to eat/movies/Amazon. I have to admit that Christmas was much more fun when they were in elementary school. I agree. I miss those early years and now ds20 just wants money. Every year, I still get him one 'toy', though, just to appease me. This year, it's a glow-in-the-dark football. Last year it was a small container of play foam and something else like that. I think it's become a tradition now for him to get something 'fun' (even if it's me who considers the item fun, lol). But, yeah, this buying gift cards and giving money is for the birds. 😞 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I've started! Legos are in the house, got the last two small Harry Potter jammies at Costco, and I got enough snowy stamps for the Christmas letter. Hallmark's buy one get one free sale here starts tomorrow and I'll get some Christmas wrapping paper there (I like theirs best). 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Ali in OR said: I got enough snowy stamps for the Christmas letter.... Thanks for the reminder that I should get some holiday stamps. Regards, Kareni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 Two months now.... Regards, Kareni 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, Kareni said: Two months now.... Regards, Kareni EEEEEEEKKK!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Totally ready!!! Bring it on. I love the holidays and having all my gifts already and I am even more excited. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Why are you mean to me?? j/k *sigh* I've blocked off some time to get ready at the beginning of December. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 (edited) 21 hours ago, Kareni said: Two months now.... Regards, Kareni Not cool. Totally not cool. (Faith now running in circles with her fingers in her ears while screaming, "I can't hear you, I can't hear you!) 😱 Edited October 26, 2021 by Faith-manor 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 It isn't really Christmas time until @Kareni starts the unusual gift thread! 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Even Lands End is saying to shop early as they have some shipping issues. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 4 minutes ago, Ali in OR said: Even Lands End is saying to shop early as they have some shipping issues. Yes, I am worried. Dh wants to wait until Black Friday online sales for two gifts for the grandsons, but I really think that could be a very bad idea. The only thing I think could work would be ship to store, assuming he gets them from a store we have access to within an hour to hour and half drive, and then curbside pick up since they would arrive on a truck for that company with lots of other things instead of being dependent on USPS and UPS. But I would just prefer that he get them on the way now. My last JoAnns order which had items not available at any of the stores in my region took two weeks to arrive by FedEx. I cannot imagine how bad it will be a month from now! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 I ordered something from etsy this weekend, shipping from Germany. I just got the delivery information--my delivery window is around December 10th. I just wanted to give a heads up here in case someone is thinking of ordering something to your home and then shipping it on to family elsewhere. Regular USPS packages between my house and family are taking 10-12 days now. 😞 (We just got Halloween packages in the mail and I checked postmarks.) 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 Just one month until Christmas! Time flies.... Regards, Kareni 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 16 minutes ago, Kareni said: Just one month until Christmas! Time flies.... Regards, Kareni Nooooo! I won't be ready! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 We are pulling the fake tree out of the entryway closet tonight and testing the outdoor lights we never took down! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 eeek! I was doing so well, but I feel like I hit a wall in the last month. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooCow Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 I've been done for the most part, I did buy a new tree this year, the boys will be highly annoyed when they find out it's a huge pink tree!!! 😙 I saved Halloween candy for the stockings and already have stash of bags, wrapping paper, etc. Still have to wrap everything and buy my niece and her hubby liquor and a game....it's a tradition! Not sure what I'll get my other niece and her hubby if they come out 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditto Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 I'm ready! This has not been a great year and I am more than ready for it to be done. My fervent hope is that after a horrible 2 years, maybe, just maybe, 2022 will be kind and gentle. But, back to Christmas, it will be a quiet simple Christmas. All prep work that needs to be done is done. All candy and all food (except fresh) is bought. Presents, done. I even simplified the decorations down to just fresh live decorations that will go out back for the birds once Christmas is over. While Christmas is completed, I can't say the same for next 9 weeks lesson plans! Those will be completed next week (we finish our 2nd 9 weeks of school in 2 weeks and then have 4 glorious weeks off!). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 Lots of Christmas stuff happening now--I really picked up steam in November. We have the few outdoor lights that we're going to have done. I have many (but not all) presents, some of them wrapped. I was hoping to have the tree out by now to have time to debug the lights, take down the dead strings, install some new ones. That has not happened yet, but maybe this weekend. Need to write the annual letter soon too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 Yay! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 For me, it's not just Christmas. I can handle that. But my four adult kids and two girlfriends are coming and going for weeks during the holiday season and we don't have enough bedrooms, bathrooms, or refrigerator space for so many people. And deciding on meals and shopping is always a nightmare because of different diets, preferences, appetites, etc. It's just very very stressful. On top of that, we just found out my MIL's cancer spread to her liver and I'm 13 days away from having major reconstructive surgery on my foot, which will require a minimum of six weeks of bedrest with my foot elevated. I have to have EVERYTHING ready by then and try to organize everything to make it as easy as possible for my poor DH. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 Sending good thoughts for your MIL, @Kassia, and hopes that your foot surgery and recuperation will go well. Regards, Kareni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year. Regards, Kareni 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Merry Christmas! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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