Ho-Ho-Ho, or just Ho-Hum?

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Is the holiday season your favorite time of the year, or something you just muddle through? What tips and tricks make holidays better for you?

bluedahlia

1.  Shopping for ingredients with my DD's, then getting together to bake and make Torrone.  This year my grandson is old enough to help us decorate the tree. 

2.  Food!

jwilco

I usually look forward to the holidays but since my mom passed away two years ago it's been hard for me and my sister to get into the groove.  A lot of stress over shopping.  But we muddle through it. 

This Thanksgiving I have A LOT to be thankful for.  Thankful I found my BC early and it was treatable and I've survived my surgery, etc.  Very very thankful!!!!!!!!

duckyb1

I'm just a die hard..........not that I love the Christmas Holidays, actually I don'tlike them much......Probably from 6 children, little money, and trying to make gifts under the tree look like so much more, by running to all the sales...............yes it was tiring, but back the I did Xmas Eve, and Xmas Day dinner..................I have since stopped the Xmas day dinner, probably right after my husband died, which was 20 years ago...........but the xmas eve tradition still carries on, and it will this year too.....................I have been doing it for 53 years, when my 1st baby was born and I decided I wasn't running him all over town....................so everyone came to my house, and the tradition has continued.....................I always say "I love New Years", and peoiple say "why New Years", and I tell them .............................because that is when all the Xmas bullshit is over.......................my kids say to me "Bah Humbug".......................I laugh, but still go on doing every year.

This year we have 2 new additions this year.....great-grandaughters. and new "grand-in laws..........the crowd keeps growing...............hahahahahha

FireKracker

Its not even Thanksgiving and i refuse to even think about Christmas....my pocketbook is killing me and right now I feel like a ATM machine....been in PA celebrating my #3 great grandkid who was born on halloween....from the day i got here all i did was cook,wash dishes,go shopping and spend $$$$$$$ and we didnt even go shopping for the big day yet!!!!!!!!

And only GOD knows who will show up here with their appetite......gonna start cookin ASAP as people just show up her cause grannydukes cooks all their favorite Italian food.If anyone is Italian and comes from Brooklyn they know we people dont know when to stop!!!!!!

anyone wanna come over they are welcome...anyone alone come over.there will be enough food to feed the Army,Navy and Marines....

no ho ho ho yet!!!!!!!

208sandy

All my life (65 years of it) I had wonderful Christmases - first with my parents and then with DH - DH passed away two years ago this month and Christmas went with him - the first one I was in shock and went to two families that we were close with, then last year came home to Canada and spent Christmas with friend and family (we've been BFFs for 62 years) - this year will probably spend Christmas with same friend but just for the meal and then home but I WILL put up my tree and decorate it and I WILL do some baking and I WILL listen to Christmas music and watch favourite Christmas movies and I WILL be sad for a good part of the holiday because I miss my DH, parents and Sister so much (sister passed away 8 years ago from BC) - I have had friends in the past who "cancelled Christmas" when their Mothers passed away or husband did and they aren't any happier - somehow being in a tropical paradise (even if I could afford it - I can't) would make me more depressed, not less.  It is what it is.....

BarbaraA

I used to go all out for the holidays but I just don't have the spirit for it anymore. I have a small artificial tree I bought last year (always had a real tree) and still have my family over for Thanksgiving and Christmas but this year, I am only making two pies for T-Day and two for Christmas.

Hugs to all and here's hoping we all make it htrough.

kira1234

In the past I made a big deal about Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had the whole family over and did all the work. I just don't have the strength any more. I will still have it here since my home is the largest, but will have all bring something to share. If the house isn't as clean as it should be well who cares, it's not about the house it's about the family. I just wish I had the spirit, but I just don't any more.

odie16

I have always loved Thanksgiving and the holiday season thru Christmas. The last few years have been different as I think maybe I am just maturing. I still love the holidays but do not go as crazy anymore. I am finding more peace & comfort in enjoying the season not the commercialization of it. 

SheChirple

I will NEVER give up my love of the holidays.

TG: family gatherings, food, laughter and giving thanks.

Christmas: the reason for the season, giving of myself to others, family gatherings, the food, the music, the glitter, the people, the cheer

New Years Day:  I'm not much for NY Eve, the partying and drinking, but I love new years because it marks a new beginning.  I know it's just another day, but there is something special about putting a year behind you and starting anew.  2011 has been a very very tough year.  My mother died in January, my brother died in February, my uncle died in June, I was diagnosed in October and having surgery in November, and to top it all off, my husband was injured in a car accident just yesterday that totalled his car.  Here's looking forward to an uneventful 2012.

But, I will NEVER give up the joy of the season.  It is partially what will keep me through this year end.

debbie6122

I have always loved the holidays and loved decorating, this year we will have a little table top tree that a lady made for her daughter that passed away from BC, we paid 60.00 for it all of the proceeds go to breast cancer awareness, otherwise we werent going to buy a tree this year. MY family ownes and operates a restaurant a few hours away and friends are going out of town, husband is working both holidays  my daughter and grandchildren live in Georgia so we will be alone, first time in a long time. so kind of sad about that. but I'm still going to make the best of it. got a 24 pound turkey only because if you spend 150,00 dollars or more at safeway you get a free turkery, now what am i gonna do with all that meat? LOL!

I hope everyone has a great thanksgiving and christmas!

dragonfly55

Christmas for me was the most exciting time of the year. House decorated and smelling like Christmas. Lots of lights, garland and beautiful tree filled with special ornaments collected over the years. Yummy, guaranteed to gain 5 pounds, food. Sleigh ride, snowmen and snowball fights. Christmas carolling and singing csrols around the piano. Christmas eve service followed by drive to see Christmas lights. Hot chocolate and stories by the fireplace. They were awesome Christmases.



Life was like that 'til 2000. Then the joy was gone from the holidays, and they became a stress. Not much fun. My kids would spend Christmas Day at their Dads. My family, except sister, were all in Winnipeg. My sister no longer wanted to get together Christmas Day. (her kids were older and didn't come home for Christmas). So I was alone for Christmas, and sometimes, just heated up something for dinner. My friends always invited me to join them, but ...



Now, i'm a NaNa. I actually am getting excited about Christmas all over again. This year, my DD little munchkins are 3 & 2. Right now my GS thinks he has to by santa clauses so they are at his house for Christmas. It's funny the way 3 year olds think. I'll put up the tree, Christmas Lights, stocking, pot pourri and get the Christmas music out. Then in Jan. DS is planning to come out with hi little guy, whom I haven't seen yet. He was born around the time this BC thing started. We are going to do Christmas all over again then.



Last year, I was taken to Les Vegas for my 55 birthday and wr stayed over Christmas. Except for attending mass, it was like having no Christmas. Won't do that again.

Claire_in_Seattle

I love Christmas!!!  The most wonderful time.  I am beyond grateful that I will get to celebrate more of them.  I get invited to a friend's house which is just wonderful too.  I steam puddings, so my place always smells wonderful immediately prior.

I try to give meaningful presents, so things to share as opposed to "things".  Such as a jar of Nutella or a bottle of WA State wine.  My favorite present is a care package of goodies.  One of my cycling friends gets a cycling item.

I learned about ten years ago that the secret to not gaining weight during this season is to plan outdoor activities so you work that eggnog off in advance.  I am doing a Thanksgiving Day ride for that reason too.  About 25 miles of brisk cycling with a latte stop at midpoint.

I try to do Midnight Mass the night before.....ushers in the magic of that special day. Then, I celebrate all 12 days. - Claire

Blessings2011

A few years ago, we stopped buying presents for everyone in the family. We said we preferred the gift of their time, and would rather just be together with them even if it wasn't on Christmas Day. All the grandkids have huge extended families, and get tons of toys and other junk, so they wouldn't miss ours. What we do is give each of the boys and their families money to spend on a family activity. That eliminated about 99% of our holiday stress!!!

This year, my BMX/Recon is scheduled for December 5th. DH and I will probably decorate the house a little bit after Thanksgiving. We haven't made plans for the actual holiday til I see how I feel. But yesterday, I decided that if I'm doing well enough, I want to go to the candlelight service at our church on Christmas Eve.

For us, this year especially will be all about the reason for the season!