Christmas Is Once Again At Our Throats

[10-32]

Only 3 weeks out. Do you have your shopping done? Did you circulate a list of things you'd like to receive? Is the menu planned? Are you visiting or hosting? Do you experience family drama over politics or other stuff? 'Tis the season.

My step son is hosting and he lives 15 minutes away. The other step son/wife/granddaughter will be making the 1.5 hour drive.

[44044]

I wish it was over…

[4thIDvet]

Bah Humbug.

ADD: When Scrooge bought Tim the goose that ruined the whole movie.

[mrkalashnikov]

We always host but it's just immediate family Picked up our Christmas tree this AM at Home Depot, a Frazier Fir. Wife is currently decorating it and the living room as well. Played a couple of Xmas CDs to get in Ye Olde Holiday Spirit. Spirits and ales to follow.

[Solid Snake]

They just started playing Christmas music at work and I already hate it, I'm looking at you Mariah Carey.

That being said, with all the health issues with my dad and grandmother (which are still ongoing), it won't be much of a Christmas this year other than immediate family sitting down for dinner. And that's fine with me.

[Johnny]

It's just my wife and I, so holidays are simple and quiet. For Christmas, we do a little decorating indoors. We go on a Christmas Day hike usually in one of the state parks. For gifts, we mostly buy our own gifts and open them on Christmas Eve (per German tradition). For food, often we'll do a turkey with fixings kinda like Thanksgiving.

[10-32]

We always host but it's just immediate family Picked up our Christmas tree this AM at Home Depot, a Frazier Fir. Wife is currently decorating it and the living room as well. Played a couple of Xmas CDs to get in Ye Olde Holiday Spirit. Spirits and ales to follow.

I bought a small LED tree at wal mart a few years ago. Brought it up from the basement and plugged it in. Done. I'll put some shit up outside too I guess.
The tree
IMG_3080 (1).jpg
The hearth
IMG_3082.jpg

[Sheepdawg]

The good thing about three weeks before Christmas is the Medicare Advantage commercials will stop.

[4thIDvet]

I loved Christmas when I was a kid. Santa's comin the lights were up on our beach town main street from the sea all the way into town. Small stores big stores everyone had lights lights and more lights. Make the list for Santa of all yer wishes get mom a nice gift and dad old spice which he hated but hell we didn't know.
Then the big night trouble sleeping cause you know you want to hear those reindeer landing on the roof and Santa leaving those cool gifts his elf's wrapped so nice. My best X Mas memories the Mattel Tommy gun and the train set. Beautiful he left them both I was hoping for just one. Then time passes on and we do it all again for our kids, nephews, grand kids and all the family.
The purpose here is to make others happy to do your best to bring joy to others in any small way you can. You don't need lots of money just a smile a Merry Christmas to those you pass on the street or in the store. Saint Nick can't do it alone we all have to help.
Merry Christmas to all and remember our Troops who are away from home.

[aviator]

T'is the $eason for $pending.....lah lahlah, lah lah lah.

[Johnny]

I loved Christmas when I was a kid. Santa's comin the lights were up on our beach town main street from the sea all the way into town. Small stores big stores everyone had lights lights and more lights. Make the list for Santa of all yer wishes get mom a nice gift and dad old spice which he hated but hell we didn't know.
Then the big night trouble sleeping cause you know you want to hear those reindeer landing on the roof and Santa leaving those cool gifts his elf's wrapped so nice. My best X Mas memories the Mattel Tommy gun and the train set. Beautiful he left them both I was hoping for just one. Then time passes on and we do it all again for our kids, nephews, grand kids and all the family.
The purpose here is to make others happy to do your best to bring joy to others in any small way you can. You don't need lots of money just a smile a Merry Christmas to those you pass on the street or in the store. Saint Nick can't do it alone we all have to help.
Merry Christmas to all and remember our Troops who are away from home.

You're right. You don't need a lot of money to make Christmas special. Last year, my wife and I volunteered to help out at a local toy give-away on 24 December. I think we had more fun than the kids! We've volunteered to help out again this year.

[4thIDvet]

You're right. You don't need a lot of money to make Christmas special. Last year, my wife and I volunteered to help out at a local toy give-away on 24 December. I think we had more fun than the kids! We've volunteered to help out again this year.

Good man Johnny. Our local Moose club a few years ago has a female member who knows one of the managers at our Wally World. Over cocktails our member asked the manager if she has a bicycle they can donate for a needy kid she knows the family is down and in need. Maybe let me check I will give yah a call if I maybe find one. Ring bring a truck a BIG one out back on the loading dock.???
We head over with a truck?? For a bike?? Hmm what the hay??. We pull up the loading dock was loaded with bikes from end to end honest to God. We have more if yah need them? Guessing close to 200 bikes BRAND NEW. Every little kid in our small town got a bike they were smiling from ear to ear. God bless Wally World I will remember that X Mass.

[aviator]

Wife goes crazy at this time, everybody gets a few gifts, not just one, even my daughter's dog is getting a new toy and mattress. WTF? Grandkids, two electric scooters, one son a fancy piece of outdoor furniture he mentioned, other son a new fancy drone and those fancy glasses that interface with your phone, daughter..I don't even want to knnow, even the old Jewish lady across the street is getting something for Hanukkah.

[Johnny]

Good man Johnny. Our local Moose club a few years ago has a female member who knows one of the managers at our Wally World. Over cocktails our member asked the manager if she has a bicycle they can donate for a needy kid she knows the family is down and in need. Maybe let me check I will give yah a call if I maybe find one. Ring bring a truck a BIG one out back on the loading dock.???
We head over with a truck?? For a bike?? Hmm what the hay??. We pull up the loading dock was loaded with bikes from end to end honest to God. We have more if yah need them? Guessing close to 200 bikes BRAND NEW. Every little kid in our small town got a bike they were smiling from ear to ear. God bless Wally World I will remember that X Mass.

Great story! Kids love bikes. I still remember my favorites. Seeing the kids receive these bikes will be priceless.

Our "local hero" is our county sheriff. He personally coordinates all sorts of give-aways. He also gives all his road deputies "turkey tickets". Deputies will pull over cars for minor offenses and then issue the drivers "turkey tickets" which are essentially gift certificates for free turkeys.

[GimpyPaw]

Gotta go cut a tree, and buy some small gifts. Got the wife her main present. I’m always feeling prepared at this stage. In two weeks I’ll realize I forgot something and then shift to panic mode.