Holiday Traditions

[ibjamn]

Last night Rudolph The Red-Nosed reindeer was on. We watched it, of course. David has been watching it since he was 4 y/o, had the record as a kid and knows all the words to the songs AND the dialogue. :)
We also light the menorah for Hannukah.
Last year we bought The Polar Express, this year we are gathering clothes/food to donate to the poor to celebrate Eid Al-Adha and that is our newest Holiday tradition.
What are some of yours?

[kimmienalex]

Watched it too so I could sing along... this year I started a new tradition with my kids,I'll be making something special for each one, an afghan, some good rubs, and some cool pic montages...I always give to Toys for Tots thru the USMC...good guys those.

[linza22]

Watched it too so I could sing along... this year I started a new tradition with my kids,I'll be making something special for each one, an afghan, some good rubs, and some cool pic montages...I always give to Toys for Tots thru the USMC...good guys those.

i watched it too. i always cry....a little sad and a little nostalgic i suppose.

i have different piles going in the sun room...pile for womens shelter - new and old; books - used; blankets collecting for the mens shelter and toys - new for the Angel Tree at work.

me and the kitties have our christmas the last night i am in town. we sing songs (they have their own Cat Carols), we eat snacks, open our presents and watch An Affair to Remember....i, of course, have my Sophia in a can champange...it's not the best but i love the little straws and cans!

[Michelino]

For at least twenty years in a row, my wife and I have grabbed a couple of tags off one of the community "angel trees" that pop up around here. If you are not familiar with these, the trees are filled with tags that contain individual wish lists of children or older teens that live in temporary foster care, long tern community homes or are in some other situation that will break your heart to read about...for example one of our teen-age angels this year lost both parents to violence recently. I have a good friend who, after several tragedies, grew up in one of those homes and listening to my friend's story about a stranger who bought him the sled of his dreams, quite unexpectedly, at a Holiday many years ago , that story got me started with this. So now, going shopping for a kid you'll never meet and buying presents you'll never see him or her open, gets us both in the holiday spirit more than any other tradition we keep.

And seeing Rudolph, which I watched on my grandparents grainy B&W TV the first year it was broadcast (when I was in fifth grade), takes me back to those magic days when the lights seems a little brighter, the christmas tree seemed a bigger and the season seemed to last forever in anticipation.

[ohio]

The Tenets of Festivus (http://www.vidlit.com/festivus/)

[Zydekitten]

On the Fourth Day of Lisa (from one of my newer traditions, The Twelve Days of Lisa which leads up to my birthday) . . . I watched and TiVoed Rudolph, so I can watch it again. I have always felt a special connection with that show, as it and I were created the same year. :D

I usually also put up my Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (another one of my fave Christmas specials) figures, usually get a tree around the time of my birthday.

I try to always find some way to give back to my community (Toys for Tots, Coats for the Homeless, Food Drive, etc.) - as I'm in a new community, creating a new life I'm not sure what I'll do this year, but I will do something in honor of this season of giving (any local suggestions are greatly appreciated!).

Lastly, my newest tradition started last year when I was here for my birthday, is to go to a Reveillon Dinner somewhere in town.

[AtPontchartrain]

Just before Christmas will be our 35th anniversary. We'll have to plan something! Can't walk through the Roosevelt lobby and have a Ramos Gin Fizz, given there's no Roosevelt ... but you know, we may go up and see the Natchitoches lights, of all things. Getting away isn't so easy this time of year.

[Belle]

I make the family sit down and watch "Elf" each year. I cry everytime!! They know I will. Such a softy

We are breaking a tradition this year and I am bummed.

I did the unthinkable. Bought a big beautiful FAKE tree. Can't believe it but it has become such a time trying to find a day that we can spend going out to the tree farm like we did for 17 years. I will always prefer playing hide and seek, wagon rides, searching for just the right tree, coming home to hot cocoa, turn on the tunes and decorate it. Don't like this new tradition but the clean up sure will be easier.:(

But on a good note this will be the forth year the kids donate what we would have just spent on "stuff" and bring joy to kids that have little. They really like doing this. They still get a cool gift but no "stuff" they really don't need.

We always invite a family from the Salvation Army shelter to Christmas Eve dinner and give them needed items. Meet some really cool peeps that way.

So we are making a new tradition that will be hard getting used to. Pulling a tree out of box just seems so unfestive but look forward to carrying on the ones that really matter. Just have to get a good game of hide and seek going in the woods.:)

This will be a great thread! Carry on....

[ibjamn]

Just before Christmas will be our 35th anniversary. We'll have to plan something! Can't walk through the Roosevelt lobby and have a Ramos Gin Fizz, given there's no Roosevelt ... but you know, we may go up and see the Natchitoches lights, of all things. Getting away isn't so easy this time of year.

You could walk under the canopy of lights on FUlton St. & have a ramos gin fizz at Grand Isle (next to the stage). :)

[Moon]

This time of year holds as much joy for me as it did when i was a child. Some would say this is because I never grew up. Whatever.

From right before Thanksgiving up until Christmas, I work with several of the advocacy groups around town. Gathering food for soup kitchens and clothes and toys for battered womens shelters. It is better to give than it is to receive, though there's nothing wrong with that either.

There are several films I enjoy this time of year. One is the British production of Scrooge made in 1951 with Alastair Sim. Dicken's novel was a ghost story as well as a morality tale and this film captures both of those element brilliantly. Another is Bill Forsyth's Comfort and Joy. The cool thing about this movie is that it isn't about Christmas at all. The story deals with a turf war between rival ice cream vendors and takes place during the Christmas season. Midnight Clear is one of the best anti-war films ever made. It recounts the Christmas Eve truce that took place on a small stretch of the Western Front during WW1.

As for traditions, since the late 90's I've been spending Christmas in Pensacola. Since my girlfriend's family celebrates on Christmas Day, we spend Christmas Eve at the Flora/Bama Lounge. Good stuff

[ibjamn]

There are several films I enjoy this time of year. One is the British production of Scrooge made in 1951 with Alastair Sim.

This is my very very favorite Christmas movie! I have a ragged copy on VHS and I have watched it every Christmas Eve for 30 years or more. (On tv or on tape). It may be time for an upgrade. ;)

[Lester_leaps_in]

I always give to Toys for Tots thru the USMC...good guys those.

As a retired Marine, I thank'ya kindly.

Toys for Tots is my family's tradition, as well. Another tradition is that my youngest daughter (and only her) places the angel on the top of our tree.

When she was very young, I would pick her up and hold her over the tree so that she could do it. She's now 28, and has been taller than I am since she was 14.

If she is not available, the angel does not go on.

[Carolina Beadhead]

This is my very very favorite Christmas movie! I have a ragged copy on VHS and I have watched it every Christmas Eve for 30 years or more. (On tv or on tape). It may be time for an upgrade. ;)

YYR! NOBODY exudes the giddiness and joy of not having missed Christmas better'n Alastair Sim! :D

[Carolina Beadhead]

Favorite holiday movies not to be missed:

It's a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
White Christmas
A Night to Remember
Scrooge (1951)
________________________

Food, sometime during the season:

Sausage balls
Butterscotch Rice Crispies Treats
Mexican Bean Dip

Christmas Eve meal:

Prime Rib or Beef Tenderloin
Collards
Twice-baked Potatoes
Various other sides and dessert
__________________________

[Zydekitten]

YYR! NOBODY exudes the giddiness and joy of not having missed Christmas better'n Alastair Sim! :D
True . . . but I do also enjoy Albert Finney's (this version scared the crap out of me when I saw it as a kid) and Bill Murray's portrayals! :D

[ibjamn]

True . . . but I do also enjoy Albert Finney's (this version scared the crap out of me when I saw it as a kid) and Bill Murray's portrayals! :D

Is Albert Finney the one that's a musical? If so, I like that one a lot too.

Thanks you very much,
Thanks you very much
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me....

[djgriff]

We have watched Rudolph and Frosty about 50 times each already. We have them on DVD and the kids love them. This is the first year they are really aware of Christmas so it is kind of cool.

My wife runs an adopt a family program through our parish with a parish in a neighboring town where alot of the people are not so fortunate. There is a big immigrant population and many are day laborers who cannot find alot of work in the winter.

The needy families register in their parish and fill out a form with the pariculars of family size, clothing sizes and any special requests. My wife matches them up with families from our parish who are willing to provide them with some or all of the items requested. Anything from clothing, a few toys for the kids to used furniature. Plus every family who registers gets a gift certificate to the local grocery store for a holiday meal.

This is the fourth year and it makes you take a step back and think about what Christmas should be about.

[kimmienalex]

As a retired Marine, I thank'ya kindly.

Toys for Tots is my family's tradition, as well. Another tradition is that my youngest daughter (and only her) places the angel on the top of our tree.

When she was very young, I would pick her up and hold her over the tree so that she could do it. She's now 28, and has been taller than I am since she was 14.

If she is not available, the angel does not go on.

I wish to thank all who've served and all that are and are willing...Without your great sacrifices we wouldn't have all this Holly Jolly Merry Christmas in the good ol USA.
My kids always put the handmade ornaments they ever gave me on my tree, even now that they're out of the nest. Only this year, we'll be starting over thanks to some schmeckel head

[ozzie]

My boss is always extremely generous to us at Christmas. This year I've talked him into donating instead. Couldn't get him inspired to adopt a house in the ninth ward, nor anything in New Orleans (dammit), so we've decided to try and organise a boat for a fisherman/family in Bangladesh. Otherwise prolly some equipment for a school in India, or a wildlife park in Asia. I like the boat idea so I'm working on that at the moment.

The whole office (only four of us) is getting into it so hopefully this will become a tradition.

[mightyradgumbo]

At my work we do have a charitable organization which is tied in with CARE. We also do support Toys for Tots which, being a former Marine like Lester, is a cause near and dear to me.

At home it has been all jangled the past few years so no real traditions anymore...thinking maybe time to do some volunteer work at one of (unfortunately) many shelters in the area serving Christmas dinner.

[Zydekitten]

Is Albert Finney the one that's a musical? If so, I like that one a lot too.

Thanks you very much,
Thanks you very much
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me....
Yup, it is and the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come in it gave me nightmares for days afterwards! :eek:

I also remember being confused, as I had thought Albert Finney was a MUCH younger man than the one I saw as Scrooge :o

[funkkjunkie]

I watched Rudolph last night too!
The tree, which is now a 3 foot tall version-thank gawd, comes out of the box, and the Christmas music goes on the day after Thanksgiving. but yearround 3 different Santas stand proudly in my house because it just keeps me in the spirit. My giving to those less fortunate always involves a family at the school that is my workplace. I also head a drive at my school to collect new or slightly used books.
Christmas Eve = pizza with the kids, grandkids and my parents and then a drive to look at lights.
A new tradition I started with the arrival of the grands is every time they come to visit, we read a Christmas story and they get to choose a package to open. They live in my town so visits are frequent and these small gifts help them get through all the excitement and anticipation. The having to wait, wait, wait!
Traditional holiday snacks: cocoons aka Russian teacakes, decorated Christmas cookies, party mix, cinnamon bars and apricot fried pies.

[grisgris]

As usual, the single no family me will be working the day shift on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. I sure don't mind, let the co workers that have little ones have the day off. :D That & it helps pay for Fest, my favorite holiday.

[mymecca]

i don't oblige on that one...i'm not single and kid-free 'cause i don't want holidays off ;0) glad it makes fest $ for ya

[mymecca]

still jonesin' for christmas story, grinch and it's a wonderful life...other than that, no traditions...really try to ignore it as much as possible...bah humbug...the first year greg and i were together, we had a pants-free christmas...sure did dig that...can't do it this year with the teenager ;0)

[grisgris]

still jonesin' for christmas story, grinch and it's a wonderful life...other than that, no traditions...really try to ignore it as much as possible...bah humbug...the first year greg and i were together, we had a pants-free christmas...sure did dig that...can't do it this year with the teenager ;0)

Ok I spewed wine on the computer screen. Damn Sista El that sounds like a really good Christmas. Wish yall could have a no pants free Christmas this year.

[Corona]

Ok I spewed wine on the computer screen. Damn Sista El that sounds like a really good Christmas. Wish yall could have a no pants free Christmas this year.
bwahahaha! too funny El :)

not sure what we're gonna do this year. Some life changes so Sam and I are gonna have to start some new ones. We watch Elf and Trailer Park Boys Christmas Special....laughing is good for the soul right? I also sponsor a youth in care (ward of the state) who is living on their own. That always feels good..and then at work, we hook up lots of families with Christmas presents and stuff. That's my favorite part of my job :)

[mymecca]

for turkey day...snorty snort snort

[festbabe]

Most of my family is here in town, so we get to stretch traditions out all month long. Highlights include the all-day cookie bake-n-decorate marathon, throughout the month everyone bakes snacks and we trade out (banana nut muffins, chex mix, brandied pecans), the tuba christmas concert downtown followed by a liquid lunch, Christmas eve service (one year my sister & I ran around town and made FOUR services), and then Christmas eve night I sit on the couch in a dark house except for holiday lights and a few candles, drink some wine (or something stronger), reflect on the year winding down, savor the quietness, and STILL (at this age) look out the window to see if I can spot Santa's sleigh in the night sky.

[Belle]

Most of my family is here in town, so we get to stretch traditions out all month long. Highlights include the all-day cookie bake-n-decorate marathon, throughout the month everyone bakes snacks and we trade out (banana nut muffins, chex mix, brandied pecans), the tuba christmas concert downtown followed by a liquid lunch, Christmas eve service (one year my sister & I ran around town and made FOUR services), and then Christmas eve night I sit on the couch in a dark house except for holiday lights and a few candles, drink some wine (or something stronger), reflect on the year winding down, savor the quietness, and STILL (at this age) look out the window to see if I can spot Santa's sleigh in the night sky.

Sounds great~you can still hear the bell too!

[kimmienalex]

Most of my family is here in town, so we get to stretch traditions out all month long. Highlights include the all-day cookie bake-n-decorate marathon, throughout the month everyone bakes snacks and we trade out (banana nut muffins, chex mix, brandied pecans), the tuba christmas concert downtown followed by a liquid lunch, Christmas eve service (one year my sister & I ran around town and made FOUR services), and then Christmas eve night I sit on the couch in a dark house except for holiday lights and a few candles, drink some wine (or something stronger), reflect on the year winding down, savor the quietness, and STILL (at this age) look out the window to see if I can spot Santa's sleigh in the night sky.

My Daddy used to put us(all 4 of the offspring) out on the roof, we lived below Mt. Baldy in CA, and tell us to look for Santa's sleigh w/ reindeer in the night sky...the stars almost convinced me that he was spending the .34 microseconds @ my house bringing presents from the N. Pole(where in the HELL is the N. Pole)... Thank you daddy,rip

[festivalgirl]

We also do support Toys for Tots which, being a former Marine like Lester, is a cause near and dear to me.


Do you guys remember from the late 70's an SNL Commercial with Martin Sheen - Toys for Tarts. I think of it and chuckle every time I donate toys. :)

[mightyradgumbo]

Do you guys remember from the late 70's an SNL Commercial with Martin Sheen - Toys for Tarts. I think of it and chuckle every time I donate toys. :)

Sure do. That and Happy Fun Ball were two of my favorites.

[Phatpapa]

Holiday traditions, hmmm? Due to the fact I'm half Swede, we have a traditional Swedish dinner of meatballs, lutefisk (think lye), pickeled herring, cheeses, breads. and copius amounts of adult beverages on the Christmas Eve. In other words a Smorgisboard (sp) of goodness. On Christmas day, we start with bloodies, and have ham, oysters and leftover meatballs if there are any. The coolest thing about growing up in a Swede casa, as soon as I didn't believe in "Santa" (which was about the age of 5, thanks to a mean neighbor kid), we got to open presents Christmas Eve because that's when "Santa" visited in Sweden and stockings on Christmas morn.

[Zydekitten]

Sure do. That and Happy Fun Ball were two of my favorites.
Do NOT taunt Happy Fun Ball.

[Zydekitten]

still jonesin' for christmas story, grinch and it's a wonderful life...other than that, no traditions...really try to ignore it as much as possible...bah humbug...the first year greg and i were together, we had a pants-free christmas...sure did dig that...can't do it this year with the teenager ;0)
Un dress us, everyone!

[Corona]

Holiday traditions, hmmm? Due to the fact I'm half Swede, we have a traditional Swedish dinner of meatballs, lutefisk (think lye), pickeled herring, cheeses, breads. and copius amounts of adult beverages on the Christmas Eve. In other words a Smorgisboard (sp) of goodness. On Christmas day, we start with bloodies, and have ham, oysters and leftover meatballs if there are any. The coolest thing about growing up in a Swede casa, as soon as I didn't believe in "Santa" (which was about the age of 5, thanks to a mean neighbor kid), we got to open presents Christmas Eve because that's when "Santa" visited in Sweden and stockings on Christmas morn.
well of course he visited Sweden Christmas Eve....it takes time getting around the world so by the time he got to Canada early Christmas morning....it was time for our presents ;) ;)

[linza22]

One year, when we were getting a little older and starting to doubt Santa, my mom and her friends rented a Santa outfit, and went outside our bedroom windows, jingled the bells, yelled 'HO HO HO' and then came into the housewith presents. He then ate the cookies and drank the milk. we never doubted again.

[glinda]

Many versions of the single-no-kids xmas.... Tomorrow I'll host my annual holiday dinner for my book club - pushes me to get my massive decorating done early.

Mom will be here from So Carolina for a week around the big day. Before xmas we'll go with my niece & sister to a holiday play or concert. More family will be in over the weekend & there will be a gathering of 20 or more. Nearby brother & sister will take turns taking Mom out or to their homes so I get breaks. Yeah.

A gathering with old friends & kids that used to involve house to house caroling with hot adult beverages has evolved to skipping the house to house part. Still, we get together every year for about 20 now I think. This year we'll welcome old friends from California & Wisconsin back for the holiday.

And I'll bake some buttery toffee bars for all events. A high demand (and hi calorie of course) glinda treat.

And with all those wonderful blessings of family & friends, sometimes, when I get back to home and see my pretty tree and it's just me and the dog.... it's a lonely time of year.

[glinda]

Oh! Forgot a fav holiday movie--- Trading Places! Hee hee hee.

Course I love the Alistar Sims Carol and Wondderful Life and the Grinch (cartoon version only) too.

[Goose]

Great thread! :)

Jon & I celebrate Chanukah with my family and Christmas with his family. We spend one night of Chanukah with my family (usually at my parent's house altho it rotates)...my Dad makes the brisket & my mom, sister, nieces and I make the potato latkes...

Christmas with Jon's family is always at our home...his Dad and brother come over and Jon cooks us up a scrumptious dinner...usually prime rib or filet mignon roast. We don't buy a tree (I'd like to but Jon's not into it) so I decorate the big ficus tree in our living room with ornaments & lights...it's somewhat festive! :)

[Phatpapa]

One year, when we were getting a little older and starting to doubt Santa, my mom and her friends rented a Santa outfit, and went outside our bedroom windows, jingled the bells, yelled 'HO HO HO' and then came into the housewith presents. He then ate the cookies and drank the milk. we never doubted again.

Cute linza.
When my oldest was about 5, I too rented a santa costume and rode a rented horse to our house with a big old bag of presents. It was actually for his birthday which is on the 18th. Needless to say, I was a huge hit.

[funkkjunkie]

One year when the kids were little Santa "called" and said I just dropped your GI Joe tent in the yard. Went out to look and there it was!
When the kids were way older, probably 13 and 9 and no longer believers, I had moved all the presents to the coat closet in the living room. While one sat at the computer in the living room and one was in the bedroom, i managed to slip all the presents under the tree which was in the living room. Boy, were they surprised when they finally looked around and paid attention! And they began to hear the bell once again!

[ozzie]

I remember one year when my brother and I were about 7 and 9, our folks were digging a big patch out of the lawn in the back yard. It was dark, on Christmas Eve and they told us they were planting a rose garden so the yard would look nice on Christmas day. Because we were kids we just accepted that and got on with Christmas Eve stuff. In the morning we found all sorts of swimming stuff under the tree... towels, goggles, balls 'n stuff. Not terribly exciting as we were hours away from a beach and only went once a year or so. I can still feel the absolute joy of when we ventured outside and saw that the rose garden was actually a little above ground swimming pool. Man, it must have taken them nearly all night to do that (and about every dollar they had), but we were very happy kids!

[Amyloves...]

I love this thread!

[festbabe]

I remember one year when my brother and I were about 7 and 9, our folks were digging a big patch out of the lawn in the back yard. It was dark, on Christmas Eve and they told us they were planting a rose garden so the yard would look nice on Christmas day. Because we were kids we just accepted that and got on with Christmas Eve stuff. In the morning we found all sorts of swimming stuff under the tree... towels, goggles, balls 'n stuff. Not terribly exciting as we were hours away from a beach and only went once a year or so. I can still feel the absolute joy of when we ventured outside and saw that the rose garden was actually a little above ground swimming pool. Man, it must have taken them nearly all night to do that (and about every dollar they had), but we were very happy kids!

Ahhhh, sweet story. It's hard for me to imagine swimming for Christmas ;)

[festivalgirl]

We celebrate HannaRamaKwanzaMas! It involves all Western Religions and was created by a Buddhist & an Atheist. The celebration involves absolutely no religion but lots of food and cocktails [not necessarily in that order ;)]

I think our collective asses are covered!! ;)

[translation: hannukah, ramadan, kwanza, christmas]

[BigDag]

Wow, y'all have a bunch of heartwarming and wonderful traditions.

All I seem to do each December is gain ten pounds.

[NYMAMA]

When my brothers and I were small ,every Christmas Eve Santa would drop a present on our doorstep as he flew over head in his sleigh on his way to start his rounds on the other side of the world. It was truly magical how the gifts always landed right on our doorstep and they were always new PJs and you could always hear a ho hoh ho in the distance(my Dad was the best). I continued this tradition with my kids, and now with my grandchildren.

[ibjamn]

We celebrate HannaRamaKwanzaMas! It involves all Western Religions and was created by a Buddhist & an Atheist. The celebration involves absolutely no religion but lots of food and cocktails [not necessarily in that order ;)]

I think our collective asses are covered!! ;)

[translation: hannukah, ramadan, kwanza, christmas]

Our theologies are very close, I'm a JudeBahaiScienChristiaHinduWiccadan.
(Created by Julie & Cayuga on the Big Gay Scetch Show on Logo.) ;)

[jolie]

Today I decided... that for the first time since pre-K. I will pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate my house & a tree. I'm very excited!!! Looking forward to stacking up the Christmas CDs starting today, sipping Champagne and decorating. Our family has had a post-K baby boom and with traditional places for Christmas gatherings gone.. we are working on making new ones in new places for the young ones.

[ShaSha]

Great thread!

Like many others, I got involved with an organization years ago through my job that provided "tags" with a child's name, their age, and what they would like as a gift. Being eternally 6 years old myself, I always looked for the tag from a 4 - 10 year old who wanted clothes so that I could also get them something fun (toys, books). My thought is that few kids would ever ask for clothes unless they really needed them. So, I get a bunch of mix and match clothes and then I can go for the toys. :) My new job doesn't have the same system, but like Mich, random giving trees pop up around here with the same sort of set up. It's gotten to the point that I have a difficult time shopping for anyone else until I've gotten the "tree" gifts together.

I'm still waiting for the Heat-miser Cold-miser cartoon to come on TV. I love the music in that one...I think it's The Year Without a Santa Claus?

I've become the default tree-erector at my mom's house. It started probably 15 years ago when my now 22-year old neice was just old enough to help me. So, I'd drag out all the stuff, dig through my mom's albums for the Motown Christmas record and we'd sing and decorate a day away. The 22-year old got bored with my antics years ago (again, eternally 6), same for my now 16-year old neice, but thankfully my 9-year old neice is still way into it. We decorate, laugh, sing...and at the end of the night get Chinese take out. :) Oddly enough, my dog of many years was always right in the thick of things when we put up the tree to the point of laying down on the tree skirt as soon as I laid it out.

The only other thing that I do every year is bake waaaaaay too many cookies on Christmas Eve. I'm going to try to end that tradition this year.

What a treat to write all this stuff...Christmas is my favorite holiday (6 on the inside), so I am grinning ear to ear right now. :D

[NYMAMA]

Sha lets hope we never run out of kids who like our traditions otherwise I will have to leave Christmas eve PJ's on strangers doorsteps and you will have to ask children on the street if they want to help decorate the tree.:p ;)

[festbabe]

Today I decided... that for the first time since pre-K. I will pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate my house & a tree. I'm very excited!!! Looking forward to stacking up the Christmas CDs starting today, sipping Champagne and decorating. Our family has had a post-K baby boom and with traditional places for Christmas gatherings gone.. we are working on making new ones in new places for the young ones.

THAT is great to hear! I'm glad the Christmas spirit has touched you!

[jolie]

THAT is great to hear! I'm glad the Christmas spirit has touched you!

Thanks!!! and one tradition that will continue is my annual Praline making marathon.

We either eat them with spoons off of the wax paper or they come out firm & beautiful for gift giving.:)

[Amy Winette]

We don't have much here, prior hereto, being the childless out of state ones, we've just come home and gone to the rest of the families' houses . . . Haven't had a tree in forever (and with 4 cats, I don't know if we could) ;) The only tradition I can think of is my family opens all presents Christmas Eve -- no one in our family has any patience :)

[ibjamn]

Today I decided... that for the first time since pre-K. I will pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate my house & a tree. I'm very excited!!! Looking forward to stacking up the Christmas CDs starting today, sipping Champagne and decorating. Our family has had a post-K baby boom and with traditional places for Christmas gatherings gone.. we are working on making new ones in new places for the young ones.

That's wonderful, Jolie. We won't have a tree because we're going to NH for Christmas and, like AmyP, we have a buncha cats but this week, for the first time since Christmas 2004, I mailed out Christmas cards. :)

[Zydekitten]

Oh! Forgot a fav holiday movie--- Trading Places! Hee hee hee.

Course I love the Alistar Sims Carol and Wondderful Life and the Grinch (cartoon version only) too.
Ooooh, I also forgot one of my top favorites: A Christmas Story from the wonderful Jean Shepard books.

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/041123/164724__achristmasstory_l.jpg

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

[Zydekitten]

I'm still waiting for the Heat-miser Cold-miser cartoon to come on TV. I love the music in that one...I think it's The Year Without a Santa Claus?
Yup, it is! One of my all-time favorites!!

http://www.claudepate.com/albums/Graphics/heatmisercoldmiser.jpg

They're too much!

[funkkjunkie]

Yay, jolie and jenn. An especially happy holiday for you girls! wonderful news.

[mightyradgumbo]

Today I decided... that for the first time since pre-K. I will pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate my house & a tree. I'm very excited!!! Looking forward to stacking up the Christmas CDs starting today, sipping Champagne and decorating. Our family has had a post-K baby boom and with traditional places for Christmas gatherings gone.. we are working on making new ones in new places for the young ones.

That is awesome, J. New traditions being born.....here is to a long history for them. I haven't been doing a tree the past few years but I think this year I am going to do a NOLA/Jazz Fest tree. Kill two birds with one stone-ease my NOLA jones and motivate me to do a tree :)

[jolie]

Yeah Gumbo...I'm feelin good about my tree... our decor is a mix between ocean (starfish/mermaids/santa on dolphin) and Music/Notes./....what thread am I on again??? Lucidisreallygood

[chicagomike]

You know Jolie I can just picture your house decorated and maybe even Santa riding up the bayou to visit/scare the kids. :p

[glinda]

You know Jolie I can just picture your house decorated and maybe even Santa riding up the bayou to visit/scare the kids. :p
mike you make santa sound like some creepy swamp monster! :)

[jolie]

You know Jolie I can just picture your house decorated and maybe even Santa riding up the bayou to visit/scare the kids. :p

Hey Mike...We had the annual "Santa on the Bayou" parade last week. Its the official start of the Holidays in Lacombe. All the town lights go up & stay up until Mardi Gras. Boats line up decorated, Santa on the first one, they pass nearby and throw beads and santa dubloons. Then for the rest of the day the boats are just running up and down the bayou, people partying, bbqing, lots of fun.

[sophisticated sissy]

Wonderful memories and generous gifting, everyone! This year I am buying a water buffalo for Christmas. It's through an organization called Heifers International. You can buy all sorts of animals, like chickens, alpacas, llamas, goats, rabbits and so on for people who need them.

I am married to a Jewish guy and we do Hanukah and Christmas. As a single adult, I never got into all the holiday stuff until we moved in together. I used to hate having a tree in my house. But, he liked all that stuff, so I started buying Poinsettias & pine roping & wreaths for decorations. Finally, one year, I took the plunge and put up a tree. He loved it! It was his first decorated tree.

I still love wreaths the best because of their symbolism. To me, they symbolize the completion of the year and unity. My other favorite decoration is the little carousel with candles that goes 'round and 'round from the rising heat from the candles. I think it comes from Sweden.

One of our family traditions involves the Advent calendar. I'm not Catholic, but I like them because of the mindfulness they create.

Anyway, it's always so funny because, every year, my husband always does the Advent calendar backwards! I've tried to explain it to him, but he doesn't get it. I guess it's just in his DNA or something due his Torah reading skills.:)

Through a local social agency, our household sponsors a family for the Christmas holiday. We get to meet the family and find out what they want and what sizes, etc., and do a lot of listening as well. There are so many families who are having a tough time making ends meet due to health care expenses and child care expenses.

We also give more to the local food bank between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. I like 2nd Harvest, too, because they distribute food that may otherwise end up in a dumpster.

Jenn, I hope you will forgive me, but I've been giving all of my change to the Red Kettle since Thanksgiving.


As long as I spend time with loved ones during the holiday season and get to hear Charlie Brown's Christmas at least one time, I am very satisfied.


Best wishes to all.

[Staxsun]

Wonderful memories and generous gifting, everyone! This year I am buying a water buffalo for Christmas. It's through an organization called Heifers International. You can buy all sorts of animals, like chickens, alpacas, llamas, goats, rabbits and so on for people who need them.

I've been giving to Heifer Project International for many years. I've always believed in the 'teach them to fish rather than give them a fish' philosophy. They also teach people to share the gift by giving offspring to others in their situation.

[sophisticated sissy]

Yes, s'wonderful!
The gift that keeps on giving!

[pokerchick66]

We don't have much here, prior hereto, being the childless out of state ones, we've just come home and gone to the rest of the families' houses . . . Haven't had a tree in forever (and with 4 cats, I don't know if we could) ;) The only tradition I can think of is my family opens all presents Christmas Eve -- no one in our family has any patience :)

lol, that does not surprise me.

[Jaypee]

Wow. You guys all do interesting holiday stuff...

Nothing exotic here. I miss all the fun Santa stuff with the toddler scene...and that's been a long time... : (

The highlights for me include:

1. Unlimited Nutcracker on the victrola for the month of December only.

2. Frequent winter dinks: Eggnog (1 part light eggnog; 1 part skim milk; 2 parts rum or whiskey; sprinkling of nutmeg and cinnamon). Devil's Decaf (decaff coffee with a shot of whiskey, Kahlua, and Grand Marnier, whipped cream).

3. One brother (local) and I exchange gifts of liquor. One fun run to the packie does it...as our Dad says, "If it weren't for the damn liquor stores, my children would have no Christmas at all..."

4. Other brother (long distance) and I donate to a neighborhood, direct-service charitable cause in each other's names...such as the Boys Club needing new carpet.

Happy Hannukah (and thank you, IBJ for mentioning that, as I almost forgot to send HH wishes to my best friend, who is Jewish), and Happy Holidays to Threadhead Nation!

[pokerchick66]

Today I decided... that for the first time since pre-K. I will pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate my house & a tree. I'm very excited!!! Looking forward to stacking up the Christmas CDs starting today, sipping Champagne and decorating. Our family has had a post-K baby boom and with traditional places for Christmas gatherings gone.. we are working on making new ones in new places for the young ones.

At first, I thought you were talking about Pre-K as in pre-kindergarten! I was thinking, This poor child hasn't decorated for Xmas since she was four? I finally got it and I think that's awesome that you are able to decorate again, Jolie. Merry Christmas! :D

[pokerchick66]

Sha lets hope we never run out of kids who like our traditions otherwise I will have to leave Christmas eve PJ's on strangers doorsteps and you will have to ask children on the street if they want to help decorate the tree.:p ;)

Okay, I would love some Christmas pj's on my doorstep.

[pokerchick66]

You know Jolie I can just picture your house decorated and maybe even Santa riding up the bayou to visit/scare the kids. :p

Hey Mike! :D

[pokerchick66]

Wonderful memories and generous gifting, everyone! This year I am buying a water buffalo for Christmas. It's through an organization called Heifers International. You can buy all sorts of animals, like chickens, alpacas, llamas, goats, rabbits and so on for people who need them.

I am married to a Jewish guy and we do Hanukah and Christmas. As a single adult, I never got into all the holiday stuff until we moved in together. I used to hate having a tree in my house. But, he liked all that stuff, so I started buying Poinsettias & pine roping & wreaths for decorations. Finally, one year, I took the plunge and put up a tree. He loved it! It was his first decorated tree.

I still love wreaths the best because of their symbolism. To me, they symbolize the completion of the year and unity. My other favorite decoration is the little carousel with candles that goes 'round and 'round from the rising heat from the candles. I think it comes from Sweden.

One of our family traditions involves the Advent calendar. I'm not Catholic, but I like them because of the mindfulness they create.

Anyway, it's always so funny because, every year, my husband always does the Advent calendar backwards! I've tried to explain it to him, but he doesn't get it. I guess it's just in his DNA or something due his Torah reading skills.:)

Through a local social agency, our household sponsors a family for the Christmas holiday. We get to meet the family and find out what they want and what sizes, etc., and do a lot of listening as well. There are so many families who are having a tough time making ends meet due to health care expenses and child care expenses.

We also give more to the local food bank between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. I like 2nd Harvest, too, because they distribute food that may otherwise end up in a dumpster.

Jenn, I hope you will forgive me, but I've been giving all of my change to the Red Kettle since Thanksgiving.


As long as I spend time with loved ones during the holiday season and get to hear Charlie Brown's Christmas at least one time, I am very satisfied.


Best wishes to all.

Amen to the Charlie Brown Christmas and I would love to see your carousel!

[pokerchick66]

Okay, here's mine:

I usually listen to all the Christmas music on the radio station but I must have at all times my Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas cd. We decorate the whole house and outside, too the first weekend after Thanksgiving. I have one of those huge inflatable snow globes in the front yard that chicklet loves; the neighborhood kids like it, too.

Every year I take Chicklet to the rich neighborhoods to look at all the gorgeous, magical Christmas lights while we listen to Christmas music. This usually really puts us in the mood. I would really love to go Christmas caroling this year. I did it when I was in high school and that really gave me the Christmas spirit.

We usually have Christmas at my mom's so there's usually a lot of cooking going on when we get there. All the kids get to open one present on Christmas Eve and then we ALL open presents on Christmas morning. Oh, and we leave out cookies and milk for Santa the night before as well.

Oh, and being a single mom, I'm really not able to do the charity thing, though I would like to. Besides, I spend a fortune just traveling to my mom's in Louisiana every year.

My favorite Christmas movies:

It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
Scrooged
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (love that one!)
Charlie Brown Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Frosty the Snowman (I cried when Frosty melted the first year I saw it; I was five, I think)

Favorite Xmas foods:

Christmas Ham
Homemade yeast rolls
Fudge w/pecans
Rum cake
Eggnog
Rum and coke

[ibjamn]

Sissy, we had one of those carousels when I was a kid & living in Germany, I'd love to have one of those again, I loved that thing.

BUT, speaking of adult beverages, ya'll will either lover me or hate me forever for this:


HOT BUTTERED RUM
1 qt. vanilla ice cream
1 lb. butter
1 lb. brown sugar
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
Soften ice cream & butter then mix all ingredients together. Store in freezer ready for use. Add 2 TBS of mixture, 1 1/2 shots of rum & boiling water. Add cinnamon stick and sprinkle with nutmeg.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_15_13.gif

[sophisticated sissy]

Mmmm, slurp-a-licious!
I'll see if I can track down one of them for you, Jenn. They are so charming. I love to hear the ringing of the little bells.

[funkkjunkie]

Heifer Project International has headquarters in Little Rock and a working demo farm about 45 minutes from my town. Second graders at my school take a field trip there. Wonderful place, wonderful program. I've been giving to Heifer my whole life as my church collected for them when i was a youngun.

[Belle]

Today I decided... that for the first time since pre-K. I will pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate my house & a tree. I'm very excited!!! Looking forward to stacking up the Christmas CDs starting today, sipping Champagne and decorating. Our family has had a post-K baby boom and with traditional places for Christmas gatherings gone.. we are working on making new ones in new places for the young ones.

Sounds wonderful Jolie! Very happy for your heart {{{HUGS}}}

[jonnygospeltent]

Partly because I work for the Post Office and am so busy in December,but mainly because I'm a lazyass who puts stuff off and I'm cheap , I go out and get a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve every year.When my daughter was 4 the only ones left around were abandoned in a fenced off area in a K Mart parking lot.She was crying that I was going to get arrested for sneaking in and liberating one of them.We still joke about Grand Theft Christmas Tree.

[funkkjunkie]

Free the trees! Go, jgt!

[festivalgirl]

Sissy, we had one of those carousels when I was a kid & living in Germany, I'd love to have one of those again, I loved that thing.

BUT, speaking of adult beverages, ya'll will either lover me or hate me forever for this:


HOT BUTTERED RUM
1 qt. vanilla ice cream
1 lb. butter
1 lb. brown sugar
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
Soften ice cream & butter then mix all ingredients together. Store in freezer ready for use. Add 2 TBS of mixture, 1 1/2 shots of rum & boiling water. Add cinnamon stick and sprinkle with nutmeg.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_15_13.gif


Our Adult bevy of choice:

Unfiltered Apple Cider
Cinnamon Stick
Myers Rum



Keep cider & cinnamon simmering on stove. Ladle into mug. Pour in rum. Repeat!!! ;) :p

[ohio]

Sissy, we had one of those carousels when I was a kid & living in Germany, I'd love to have one of those again, I loved that thing.

BUT, speaking of adult beverages, ya'll will either lover me or hate me forever for this:


HOT BUTTERED RUM
1 qt. vanilla ice cream
1 lb. butter
1 lb. brown sugar
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
Soften ice cream & butter then mix all ingredients together. Store in freezer ready for use. Add 2 TBS of mixture, 1 1/2 shots of rum & boiling water. Add cinnamon stick and sprinkle with nutmeg.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_15_13.gif

MMMMMMM! That's it, gonna make have one right now!

[ohio]

Mmmm, slurp-a-licious!
I'll see if I can track down one of them for you, Jenn. They are so charming. I love to hear the ringing of the little bells.
We had some of those candle powered carousels when I was a kid. I remember going to GermanTown up in Columbus OH and there was a store chock full of them. Wonder if it's still there?

[ohio]

German Candle Carousel- this place has dozens of them: http://www.saint-statues.com/servlet/the-template/christmaspyramids/Page
http://www.saint-statues.com/catalog/137-1.jpg


Swedish Angel Chimes http://tinyurl.com/26gg49
http://www.plowhearth.com/plow_assets/images/shop/catalog/61592e.jpg

[ozzie]

Thanks for the info and comments on Heifer International, After Sissy's original post I spent some time on their website and looks like they do really good things. I've been looking at some stuff for my boss to do this year and thought I was set... however he's a farmer and I think he'll like this one. Cheers.

[chicagomike]

mike you make santa sound like some creepy swamp monster! :)
Nah... Everyone knows kids that are afraid of Santa Claus. Jolie that sounded like a great time....And finally... Hello Monica !

[ScoopJohnD]

Today I decided... that for the first time since pre-K. I will pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate my house & a tree. I'm very excited!!! Looking forward to stacking up the Christmas CDs starting today, sipping Champagne and decorating. Our family has had a post-K baby boom and with traditional places for Christmas gatherings gone.. we are working on making new ones in new places for the young ones.

Yay Jolie! And Yay everybody in the holiday spirit this year!

[sophisticated sissy]

German Candle Carousel- this place has dozens of them: http://www.saint-statues.com/servlet/the-template/christmaspyramids/Page
http://www.saint-statues.com/catalog/137-1.jpg


Swedish Angel Chimes http://tinyurl.com/26gg49
http://www.plowhearth.com/plow_assets/images/shop/catalog/61592e.jpg


How beautiful!

[funkkjunkie]

We had the swedish angel chimes growing up. I've seen them in flea markets over the years too.

[sophisticated sissy]

Thanks for the info and comments on Heifer International, After Sissy's original post I spent some time on their website and looks like they do really good things. I've been looking at some stuff for my boss to do this year and thought I was set... however he's a farmer and I think he'll like this one. Cheers.


Yay! I hope he does like like the idea, ozzie.