Have you started anything yet? Shopping? Projects for decor? Cooking?
The cookies are frozen from all the 15 days of Holiday Cookies recipes I made the last few months. The tree is up, the house is decorated. We are not having Thanksgiving dinner here, so it wasn’t a problem.
We needed to be on top of things this year. For two retired people, you’d think we’d have loads of time, but noooooo. We are off to Florida next month for a few weeks. We will return home for Christmas (and so I can get my hair done). We will return to Florida in the middle of January, and stay there for a few months. I look forward to getting to know our new condo.
I guess I am as ready as I can be for Christmas a month out. The tree is up, the banister is decorated, and the table decor is finished. We bought the wine, and while I have not yet written up the menu, it is safely tucked away in my brain. 😉
I still need to buy my mother a gift, and I also need something for Hubby. Sonny-boy and I have a tradition where we go Christmas shopping together the week before the holiday, and this year we scheduled that for the 18th. We will do lunch, see Frozen, and complete our Christmas shopping – or in Sonny-boy’s case, start it. While I like our shopping time, I get upset because he never wraps his gifts until Christmas Eve. You’d think he could make it into bags at least as soon as he buys his presents, buuuuuut no. Still, we enjoy our time together and we look forward to that day every year.
I do wonder if there will be many more years when he and I do this together. He is graduating with his master’s in criminal justice next month, and on a dedicated job search. He really wants to live and work in NYC – which I find ironic because I danced across state when I didn’t have to live there after Hubby decided to leave his banking job. Even if he doesn’t end up 6 hours away, I foresee his life changing drastically – with a full time job, possibly a wife, kids and house, and little time for dear old mom. Maybe he’ll make me happy and get married and they’ll have a few kids sooner, rather than later, and I can take his children out shopping and to the latest Disney flick the weeks before Christmas?
We shall see.
So, how are your holiday preparations going!?
So, how are your holiday preparations going!?
Stephanie B says
From your last Christmas reminder I have actually made a lot of progress!! I have finished shopping for my little one, except for stocking stuffers and our Christmas Eve PJs and book. I bought my mother in-law a great gift for her birthday this weekend, but then decided it was so great that we should save it for Christmas, so I now have to come up with something else for her birthday quickly before we leave. Every year we decorate our house and Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, but since we won’t be home I am considering doing it this week if we have time before we leave. My husband wants some new part for his computer so that saves me the agony of trying to come up with the perfect gift. I have several people left to shop for, but I already have the gifts I purchased wrapped so that takes care of one big hassle!
I love that you are already thinking about traditions with future grandbabies and it is awesome that you have that tradition with your son. I hope my son will still want to spend the day with his boring mom 20 years from now 🙂
Ann says
It is a nice tradition, Stephanie. I have no long ago we started this – probably 15 years ago or so. Sometimes he reminds me, sometimes I remind him. Since he reminds me, I figure he likes it!
Sounds like you are doing very well! Putting up the tree so early was goofy at the time, but it is really wonderful now that it is done! Bet you will feel the same if you do it this week.
Ann
Patti says
I am behind! Gotta get a plan.
Love your Christmas tradition. I started one years ago for my nephews. I very painstakingly created an ornament for them every year. ( I am a decorative painter). I’d note the year, put their name on it, etc. UNTIL, I was at their home one year for Christmas. I always tied the ornament to the bow on their package. BIG MISTAKE. Do not do this. Wrapping came off, ornament went in trash. ( I dug them out & hung on tree, noting that NONE of my ornaments were on tree.). From there on out they got gift cards in an envelope. Some things you learn the hard way.
Ann says
WOW Patti. That is awful. You can make me ornaments anytime!
Ann
Patti says
Yea. I got over it. My sister had done this for our girls & they loved getting out her ornaments every year & hanging them on the tree. They took her ornaments with them when they moved out on their own & now display them on their own trees.
Silly me………..I thought little boys would be the same!! Now that I have a grandson, I can tell it’s very different. I’m going with Donna’s idea & have LOTS of wrapping paper. I might make an ornament or 2 & give to daughter to keep for him. Live & learn!!
donna says
I have completed what little outside Christmas deco that I do, front door and large front window deco/trim/lights/whatever I decide. And since the stuff was out, I have continued most of the inside deco as well. I have recently adapted the ‘less is more’ policy with furniture, knick knacks, etc. This carries well into Christmas decorating as well. Besides…I will limit the temptations offered to the 16 month old triplet grandbabies!
Shopping?? Nada…not a thing. But as always, not worried a bit about it. Sales are sales are sales and with BF sales already in place, it’s not to easy to get good pricing. It will all come together, it always does 🙂
Ann says
I’d so love to buy toys for 16 month old triplets… can’t wait for the gift-wrapping-paper explosion at grandma’s house!
Ann
donna says
Yeah – it doesn’t matter at all. Wrap an empty box! They have a blast ripping up the paper and climbing in the box or putting it on their head. I take advantage of these ‘cheap’ Christmas years while I can!