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As i have mentioned in some other threads, i am a complete fanatic when it comes to Christmas!

I LOVE the holiday so much!!! :-4

My official Christmas season starts the week after Halloween! I will be putting my tree up in a couple of days!

i will post pictures as i get my decorations up!



but instead of running around the garden, bugging everybody with all this Christmas spirit that comes bubbling out of me this time of year, i decided to contain it all in this one thread! :sneaky:

I always put my tree up the day after thanksgiving..ooooh i cant wait..i love the holidays..this year is gonna be even more fun..most everybody i know has agreed ot not buy presents this year..we are gonna have alot of get togethers and just enjoy the company..the way it should be..:-6

guppy;1045921 wrote: I always put my tree up the day after thanksgiving..ooooh i cant wait..i love the holidays..this year is gonna be even more fun..most everybody i know has agreed ot not buy presents this year..we are gonna have alot of get togethers and just enjoy the company..the way it should be..:-6


I'm really looking forward to this year too, with Jacob being 2 years old now, he can have a better idea of whats going on! it should be fun!! :guitarist

owwww no presents to buy huh? we have a gift list of close to 30 people and a Christmas card list of over 100! :wah:

you see why i have to start early! :wah:

presents to my kids..but not to my friends and family..There has been some sickness and some hardships in the group so to keep it fun and happy we all agreed to just have get togethers. :-6

guppy;1046010 wrote: presents to my kids..but not to my friends and family..There has been some sickness and some hardships in the group so to keep it fun and happy we all agreed to just have get togethers. :-6


awwww that will be nice! one of the best parts of Christmas anyway is getting together with family and friends! :-6

Not looking forward to Christmas to much this year. Finances are so tight we'll be lucky to get something for our youngest daughter and our 2 grandsons. I know it's not supposed to be about money and gifts, but I still get sad walking into Christmas at my mom's empty handed.

Hope6;1045911 wrote:





but instead of running around the garden, bugging everybody with all this Christmas spirit that comes bubbling out of me this time of year, i decided to contain it all in this one thread! :sneaky:
Bet ya don't :wah:

we don't put out tree up until sometime in december. I'm excited because it's fun to see the kids open their gifts. :-4

Hi Hope

I too adore Christmas. As I pack away the Christmas decorations from one year I am already planning and making notes for the following year.

I have now made all my Christmas cards they are normally photos of the dogs that I mount onto card and decorate but for OH and the kids I found an old photo of myself at about 3 years old standing by a Christmas tree that Ive had reprinted and that will be my special card to them this year.

I make my own Christmas puddings and Christmas cake and for years we have had a sort of open house on boxing day when people we know who don't have family close by or who are not able to be with family for whatever reason come to us.

I make a huge buffet dinner and its always a lovely day.

As my children have grown older things have changed of course but we have bought in new traditions to replace the childhood ones.

My daughter and I now go to a different Christmas market in Germany each year and my son helps me choose a tree and get it home.

For me its not about the gifts its about the being together to be able to enjoy being with family friends and loved ones and being able to welcome people into our home and to enjoy the friendship and warmth they bring.

My daughter and i are going to a christmas market this year too, but in York not Germany:D I used to have loads of family for christmas dinner, but as the kids are growing up now things change, so im finding it a bit sad nearing christmas and hoping its not just me and hubs, but this year my daughter has asked me to go to her for christmas dinner this year with her boyfriends family too, so i am looking forward to that:D I always do a spread christmas eve teatime and my brother and his family, plus my daughter, son and partners come over,, im going to have to get sorted a bit earlier this year as we are going away 11th till 18th december:wah:

shelbell;1046171 wrote: Not looking forward to Christmas to much this year. Finances are so tight we'll be lucky to get something for our youngest daughter and our 2 grandsons. I know it's not supposed to be about money and gifts, but I still get sad walking into Christmas at my mom's empty handed.


Have you ever considered making your mom a homemade Christmas present? Something out of your garden? As soon as I em my mom I can get you a recipe for Scon (Irish Soda Bread) homemade. To die for.:-4

shelbell;1046171 wrote: Not looking forward to Christmas to much this year. Finances are so tight we'll be lucky to get something for our youngest daughter and our 2 grandsons. I know it's not supposed to be about money and gifts, but I still get sad walking into Christmas at my mom's empty handed.


oh darlin! :-4

it's not about gifts honey it's about love and i know your mom knows you love her very much. :-4

abbey;1046292 wrote: Bet ya don't :wah:


owwwww you know me to well! :wah::wah:

but i'm gonna try! :sneaky:

qsducks;1046684 wrote: Have you ever considered making your mom a homemade Christmas present? Something out of your garden? As soon as I em my mom I can get you a recipe for Scon (Irish Soda Bread) homemade. To die for.:-4


I wish I had a garden, that would be cool. That recipe sounds good...that's one thing I can really do is bake! :wah:

Hope6;1047186 wrote: oh darlin! :-4

it's not about gifts honey it's about love and i know your mom knows you love her very much. :-4


Thanks hun, and I know that she knows too. Maybe along with ducky's bread me and my girls and now grandsons will bake our famous sugar cookies and some fudge.

shelbell;1046171 wrote: Not looking forward to Christmas to much this year. Finances are so tight we'll be lucky to get something for our youngest daughter and our 2 grandsons. I know it's not supposed to be about money and gifts, but I still get sad walking into Christmas at my mom's empty handed.


it is considered a sad time of year when finances are tight, for this is the one and only time of the year to enjoy, have fun, meet with family and friends, good cheer and all that stuff...........we to are strapped.

-so come to my place for Christmas dinner, good friends, good food, (did I mention you were cooking) is all we need.:-4

shelbell;1047330 wrote: Thanks hun, and I know that she knows too. Maybe along with ducky's bread me and my girls and now grandsons will bake our famous sugar cookies and some fudge.


sounds like a great idea! :-6

Odie;1048359 wrote: it is considered a sad time of year when finances are tight, for this is the one and only time of the year to enjoy, have fun, meet with family and friends, good cheer and all that stuff...........we to are strapped.

-so come to my place for Christmas dinner, good friends, good food, (did I mention you were cooking) is all we need.:-4


y'all all come to my place and i'll cook! :guitarist

Odie;1048359 wrote: it is considered a sad time of year when finances are tight, for this is the one and only time of the year to enjoy, have fun, meet with family and friends, good cheer and all that stuff...........we to are strapped.

-so come to my place for Christmas dinner, good friends, good food, (did I mention you were cooking) is all we need.:-4


I love cooking big holiday meals!!!!

Hope6;1048426 wrote: sounds like a great idea! :-6


Hope6;1048429 wrote: y'all all come to my place and i'll cook! :guitarist


Better watch out hun, you never know how many of us will show up! :driving::wah::wah:

shelbell;1048433 wrote: Better watch out hun, you never know how many of us will show up! :driving::wah::wah:


i might have to go rent a place big enough to hold everybody! :wah::wah:

A Christmas Tale

Funny poem

By Jacqueline Ramm

At this time of year it is patently clear

That the males are the ones who are blest.

Thoughts like "goodwill to men" we hear time and again

And we find them quite hard to digest.

As we women all know, men think they run the show,

And sometimes we allow them this pause.

But it gets on our nerves, like too many hors d'oeuvres

When we want to get at the main course.

Many times out of mind the same problem we find,

Leaving plans to the menfolk is risky.

Christmas spirit they think is some kind of a drink,

Such as vodka, Baccardi, or whiskey.

Since we carry the load, men keep out of our road,

We are ready and willing and able.

For it's perfectly clear, that the stuffed turkeys here

Are not always confined to the table.

The traditional way is now rather passe,

Lets give credit, where credit is due.

Then you'll see, man or boy, in return you'll enjoy

The fruits of OUR goodwill to you.

:sneaky:

shelbell;1048433 wrote: Better watch out hun, you never know how many of us will show up! :driving::wah::wah:


tis settled, were going to hope6's!

I will bring desserts and wine, lots of wine, and more wine!:wah:

Odie;1048460 wrote: tis settled, were going to hope6's!

I will bring desserts and wine, lots of wine, and more wine!:wah:


owwww i better start planning the menu now! :wah::wah: :guitarist

Hope6;1048479 wrote: owwww i better start planning the menu now! :wah::wah: :guitarist


don't forget:

-home-made cranberry sauce

-warm mince meat tarts and whip cream



and just buy a pre-stuffed turkey, after all the wine, will we really know if its homemade?:wah:

Hope6;1048450 wrote: i might have to go rent a place big enough to hold everybody! :wah::wah:


We can rent one of those huge tent thingys they use for weddings!! :wah::wah:

Odie;1048460 wrote: tis settled, were going to hope6's!

I will bring desserts and wine, lots of wine, and more wine!:wah:


As long as it's wine I'm fine....I HATE wine. :wah::wah:

Hope6;1048454 wrote: A Christmas Tale

Funny poem

By Jacqueline Ramm

At this time of year it is patently clear

That the males are the ones who are blest.

Thoughts like "goodwill to men" we hear time and again

And we find them quite hard to digest.

As we women all know, men think they run the show,

And sometimes we allow them this pause.

But it gets on our nerves, like too many hors d'oeuvres

When we want to get at the main course.

Many times out of mind the same problem we find,

Leaving plans to the menfolk is risky.

Christmas spirit they think is some kind of a drink,

Such as vodka, Baccardi, or whiskey.

Since we carry the load, men keep out of our road,

We are ready and willing and able.

For it's perfectly clear, that the stuffed turkeys here

Are not always confined to the table.

The traditional way is now rather passe,

Lets give credit, where credit is due.

Then you'll see, man or boy, in return you'll enjoy

The fruits of OUR goodwill to you.

:sneaky:


Too cute and funny Hope! :wah:

With all my four legged children i could see my house now this holiday season. I will have to attach the tree to the wall and ceiling. no blinking lights. or FUN pretties. on the last 2 rows of limbs:wah::wah::wah:If the tree makes it a week i will be in utter SHOCK:wah::wah:

JAB;1048494 wrote: Our family is pretty close to doing this too. Plans are to just get gifts for the kids. I'm fine with that too. I really dislike shopping.


I think its important to note that its not ok with Nomad.

Nomad wants stuff. Good stuff, no crap this year.

A favorite funny poem of mine by

Pam Ayres

It was Christmas Eve on a Friday

The shops was full of cheer,

With tinsel in the windows,

And presents twice as dear.

A thousand Father Christmases,

Sat in their little huts,

And folk was buying crackers

And folk was buying nuts.



All up and down the country,

Before the light was snuffed,

Turkeys they get murdered,

And cockerels they got stuffed,

Christmas cakes got marzipanned,

And puddin's they got steamed

Mothers they got desperate

And tired kiddies screamed.



Hundredweight's of Christmas cards,

Went flying through the post,

With first class postage stamps on those,

You had to flatter most.

Within a million kitchens,

Mince pies was being made,

On everyone's radio,

"White Christmas", it was played.



Out in the frozen countryside

Men crept round on their own,

Hacking off the holly,

What other folks had grown,

Mistletoe on willow trees,

Was by a man wrenched clear,

So he could kiss his neighbour's wife,

He'd fancied all the year.



And out upon the hillside,

Where the Christmas trees had stood,

All was completely barren,

But for little stumps of wood,

The little trees that flourished

All the year were there no more,

But in a million houses,

Dropped their needles on the floor.



And out of every cranny, cupboard,

Hiding place and nook,

Little bikes and kiddies' trikes,

Were secretively took,

Yards of wrapping paper,

Was rustled round about,

And bikes were wheeled to bedrooms,

With the pedals sticking out.



Rolled up in Christmas paper

The Action Men were tensed,

All ready for the morning,

When their fighting life commenced,

With tommy guns and daggers,

All clustered round about,

"Peace on Earth - Goodwill to Men"

The figures seemed to shout.



The church was standing empty,

The pub was standing packed,

There came a yell, "Noel, Noel!"

And glasses they got cracked.

From up above the fireplace,

Christmas cards began to fall,

And trodden on the floor, said:

"Merry Christmas, to you all."

shelbell;1048555 wrote: As long as it's wine I'm fine....I HATE wine. :wah::wah:


believe it or not, I don't even drink wine!

I will bring egg-nog and rum for me!

anyone else?

Odie;1048535 wrote: don't forget:

-home-made cranberry sauce

-warm mince meat tarts and whip cream



and just buy a pre-stuffed turkey, after all the wine, will we really know if its homemade?:wah:


:wah::wah: owwwwwww i hate cranberry sauce we never have it, :wah:

but yeah after all that wine we won't care what we're having for dinner will we! :wah::wah:

Hope6;1049178 wrote: :wah::wah: owwwwwww i hate cranberry sauce we never have it, :wah:

but yeah after all that wine we won't care what we're having for dinner will we! :wah::wah:


hmmmm never heard of no cranberry sauce with turkey, I will bring it just for me

and will bring eggnog and rum, don't do wine.:-5

shelbell;1048554 wrote: We can rent one of those huge tent thingys they use for weddings!! :wah::wah:


yeah theres an idea and we'll just hope it's not to cold! :wah:

southern yankee;1048727 wrote: With all my four legged children i could see my house now this holiday season. I will have to attach the tree to the wall and ceiling. no blinking lights. or FUN pretties. on the last 2 rows of limbs:wah::wah::wah:If the tree makes it a week i will be in utter SHOCK:wah::wah:


we have a toddler and a new puppy! i'm kinda worried about our tree too! :wah:

Victoria;1049157 wrote: A favorite funny poem of mine by

Pam Ayres

It was Christmas Eve on a Friday

The shops was full of cheer,

With tinsel in the windows,

And presents twice as dear.

A thousand Father Christmases,

Sat in their little huts,

And folk was buying crackers

And folk was buying nuts.



All up and down the country,

Before the light was snuffed,

Turkeys they get murdered,

And cockerels they got stuffed,

Christmas cakes got marzipanned,

And puddin's they got steamed

Mothers they got desperate

And tired kiddies screamed.



Hundredweight's of Christmas cards,

Went flying through the post,

With first class postage stamps on those,

You had to flatter most.

Within a million kitchens,

Mince pies was being made,

On everyone's radio,

"White Christmas", it was played.



Out in the frozen countryside

Men crept round on their own,

Hacking off the holly,

What other folks had grown,

Mistletoe on willow trees,

Was by a man wrenched clear,

So he could kiss his neighbour's wife,

He'd fancied all the year.



And out upon the hillside,

Where the Christmas trees had stood,

All was completely barren,

But for little stumps of wood,

The little trees that flourished

All the year were there no more,

But in a million houses,

Dropped their needles on the floor.



And out of every cranny, cupboard,

Hiding place and nook,

Little bikes and kiddies' trikes,

Were secretively took,

Yards of wrapping paper,

Was rustled round about,

And bikes were wheeled to bedrooms,

With the pedals sticking out.



Rolled up in Christmas paper

The Action Men were tensed,

All ready for the morning,

When their fighting life commenced,

With tommy guns and daggers,

All clustered round about,

"Peace on Earth - Goodwill to Men"

The figures seemed to shout.



The church was standing empty,

The pub was standing packed,

There came a yell, "Noel, Noel!"

And glasses they got cracked.

From up above the fireplace,

Christmas cards began to fall,

And trodden on the floor, said:

"Merry Christmas, to you all."


:wah::wah: oh that is a good one!

Odie;1049182 wrote: hmmmm never heard of no cranberry sauce with turkey, I will bring it just for me

and will bring eggnog and rum, don't do wine.:-5


:wah: it's just my own weird eating habits that i don't like cranberry sauce! :sneaky:

i actually don't drink at all except for maybe a glass of wine at christmastime!

Nomad;1048739 wrote: I think its important to note that its not ok with Nomad.

Nomad wants stuff. Good stuff, no crap this year.


have you had a talk with santa yet and told him what you want?

It came without ribbons,

It came without tags,

It came without packages, boxes, or bags.

Christmas can't be bought from a store...

Maybe Christmas means a little bit more.

by Dr.Seuss



Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

by Oren Arnold



Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

by Norman W. Brooks



Faith ... Hope ... Love



And now these three remain: faith, hope and love...

O Holy Child increase our faith. Toss doubt and fear aside.

Dear Savior, touch our lives with hope and bid our sorrows cease.

As Lamb of God, you've shown us love. Cold hatred melts away.

...but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

gonna try to get my tree up tomorrow! :guitarist :sneaky::sneaky:

Hope6;1049968 wrote: gonna try to get my tree up tomorrow! :guitarist :sneaky::sneaky: when you are in process of decorating and the finish. PLEASE post PICS:)

Hope6;1049968 wrote: gonna try to get my tree up tomorrow! :guitarist :sneaky::sneaky:


its early November?

southern yankee;1050155 wrote: when you are in process of decorating and the finish. PLEASE post PICS:)


I will darlin! :-6 :guitarist

Odie;1050246 wrote: its early November?


:wah::wah: as i said in my opening post i always put my tree up the week after halloween, it makes Christmas last so much longer for me it seems the earlier i can decorate! :wah:

Remember the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas May God bless you richly throughout this seasonal time.

If you don't believe, you won't receive.

Love was born on Christmas morn.

Remember, Christ is in Christmas and all year long.

At this Christmas Season we remember and honour those who are no longer with us and cherish those who are.

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

my Christmas card this year is i think very interesting!

it's Santa in his sleigh driving up to a church, on the next side he is going in the church, and finally on the inside it shows him kneeling in front of a nativity scene, i love that it shows both sides of the Christmas holiday! :-6

ya a gooden:)

be happy hope:):-4

Tree doesn't go up till a week before Christmas. It's a live tree, no fake ones.