STORM2K

List them, funny or serious. Even if it's....

Leave town! LOL

No seriously, mine would be:

1. Put up outdoor lights before Thanksgiving.
2. Decorate inside before Thanksgiving, except for that dining room table Pumpkin/Fall centerpiece.....
3. Clean carpets before Dec. 1st.
4. Heavy duty clean before Dec. 1st
5. Stock pantry by Dec. 1st
6. Take family photo xmas card before Thanksgiving!

I know Thanksgiving is a lost holiday but I swear once that holiday passes, you blink and it seems like it's Dec. 25th already!

I'd like to know where late Nov. days and Dec. 1-24 go? LOL Feel free to list your own personal list of things you'll do differently next year.

Mary

lol - I hope to do A LOT of things differently next holiday season, Mary!!!

Cindy - I'm sure you do.....you could give serious answers, ya know...!

I wish so much for all of you affected by Katrina a much better holiday season next year. And it will be.

Mary

Ah - is my sis chastizing me?!!!!

Okay, put my decorations up - period! The only thing I've put out is my nativity.

Have my Christmas list made out BEFORE I go shopping, I'm going in the stores with no clue what-so-ever this year.

THEN I will leave town

Naw, I'd never do that.....I just meant you could get really serious with your list. You know, things back to normal down there.

I can't seem to finish my decorating either. I'm about to scrap a lot of it, there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. I could give up sleep.......LOL

Mary

To start decorating alot earlier...like early November...as this year we've gotten somewhat behind.

I guess a revised song of it being "The 12 Days of Christmas Decorating" would apply to my folks and I this year. lol

Eric

Me too Eric. I have relatives that take a full day or two and get it all done. Here I get sidetracked constantly - errands, chores, at-home work I have right now, just making dinner.

I wish retail didn't push xmas so early but decorating the week of Thanksgiving is really the way to go. My husband will have a major fit next year if I pull this off. But once it's out of the boxes and on display, what can he say? I'll just turn on some xmas music! LOL

Mary

I'd change nothing! LOL...We're freaks every year...and decorate way to early...have everything shopped for and wrapped, way too early...and do way too many Christmas things...lol...its perfect! Why change a thing??

Be more like this!!!

Seriously though, I never will be. I work best under pressure.

furluvcats wrote:I'd change nothing! LOL...We're freaks every year...and decorate way to early...have everything shopped for and wrapped, way too early...and do way too many Christmas things...lol...its perfect! Why change a thing??

Ah fur why'd ya have to go and rub it in? LOL

Sooo....are you ready for Valentine's Day by now? he he

Mary

sunny wrote:Ah - is my sis chastizing me?!!!!

Okay, put my decorations up - period! The only thing I've put out is my nativity.
Have my Christmas list made out BEFORE I go shopping, I'm going in the stores with no clue what-so-ever this year.

THEN I will leave town

Sunny, that's the most important decoration for Christmas. That's what Christmas is all about.

CajunMama wrote:

sunny wrote:Ah - is my sis chastizing me?!!!!

Okay, put my decorations up - period! The only thing I've put out is my nativity.
Have my Christmas list made out BEFORE I go shopping, I'm going in the stores with no clue what-so-ever this year.

THEN I will leave town

Sunny, that's the most important decoration for Christmas. That's what Christmas is all about.

That's what I thought, too, mama!

What I'd LIKE to do is take a room in a motel for a few days, and let Debi do her thing (bringing in everybody and their dog). I could use the privacy.

CajunMama - you'd be proud, I keep my nativity set up in the dining room china cabinet all year long. It's not complete, a few Hummel pieces that I proudly received from my Mother-in-law, up in Heaven now. Last year I couldn't bear to pack it away so I decided to just keep it out.

Mary

Actually I've done something this year that I have not in the past and it has greatly simplified presents...

This year we got almost everyone on our list the same thing--battery operated CO detectors. Up here the danger is that when there is no electricity from winter storms, there is no heat and people get creative about heating...

The other danger is from deep snow and people who do not realize that they need to shovel snow off vents for gas dryers, etc. etc.

If the power is out and you are heating with kerosene, a woodstove, etc. your plug-in carbon monoxide detector will not warn you--you need a battery operated one.

Not sure what next year's present will be--but I do like the idea of having a "universal" present for a bunch of friends.

Very good idea Daria. That would be a concern and it also simplifies your shopping list! My college age daughter Nina wanted to give out gifts on campus. I was encouraging her to think economically and suggested fleece scarves, she could make herself. Someone gave her one a few years ago and she loved it. So simple yet so nice. She took me up on this suggestion and said everyone loved the idea. She had a Martha-like day in her dorm room! She hand painted coffee mugs for the guys in her faith group, since they wouldn't want scarves but was glad to have some ideas. I didn't suggest the mugs, she came up with that one on her own.

Several years ago, I saw 100% wool couch throws on sale at Lands End, online, for around $15 each. Down from $40. I ordered 3 for my brothers and mom. That got the ball rolling, like you but in a different way. 10 months before xmas! Last year I found another great gift idea, terra cotta pottery muffin pans at Crate & Barrel online, used actually for taco/burrito toppings. 3 friends or neighbors received this gift and they were a steal, $7.50 each. Rounded those gifts out with caramel popcorn. Even bought one for myself. The dish looks so pretty, you almost hate to put it away.

This year I kept waiting for an item to jump out like that, to get me started months before December. Didn't happen! Sigh.....I've had little time for the computer this year. Must be the difference. You have to have time, to browse websites clearance sections.

Mary

Um, let's see....

Oh, I know! Next year I'll have more money to spend. Yeah, that's the ticket!

I'd start shopping for next Christmas from this January..that way Id have lots of extra cash by the time good ole Christmas 2006 rolls around... Plus not as much stress.



-justin-

I say it every year............

Shop earlier
Decorate earlier
Get family Pics. done to give as presents for in-laws and parents.
Save money just for Christmas.

We shall see if maybe just one of those sticks next time around.

I'll be HOME (with my family!!!)