FWIS3

Can we have a fun stuff that happens in December thread?

Got the tree already, just a little table top one in our apartment, because bf had to go to Holland this week (for work/ holiday time with his family as we are going to do Christmas proper with mine), so earlier than I'd usually consider it but the other option felt too late. Bf informed me that a real tree every year is a relationship dealbreaker- a good joke, but I happen to agree- and our tree is pretty random because our only theme is trying to buy an ornament during our trips (apparently his sister will literally do a theme every year with all new ornaments on the tree, which sounds crazy). A Christmas lobster and a Christmas dinosaur, anyone?

Also, have an advent calendar this year, for the big kids in the house aka just us. It's Lego themed, meaning every day you get a little Lego ornament to build. Our tree does not have space for 24 more ornaments, so we've decided to only put the best up.

Finally, wanted to wish a Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish posters here! May you have many delicious latkes in the coming week.

Yesssss and thanks Rommie I'm hoping to make latkes for my roomies at some point...

Also: Chanukah will be over by then, but my partner is visiting Boston! And will actually be staying with me this time, since I finally have stable housing! Woo! I'll probably make latkes for her too, and borsht and/or shav, and chicken soup since she loves that, and uh... yeah

Anyway, happy holidays y'all!

Heading out to hunt down our tree this coming Saturday with the cousins. We do it every year. And in the pictures, one year The Kid will have on a certain winter jacket, the next year her cousin will have it, and the next year the little sister will have it.

Thumper wrote:Heading out to hunt down our tree this coming Saturday with the cousins. We do it every year. And in the pictures, one year The Kid will have on a certain winter jacket, the next year her cousin will have it, and the next year the little sister will have it.

I put lights up on the eves of the attached garage. We will put up the tree and decorate it next week-end. I have already been squirreling away presents for Brite and the Boy. Virtually everyone else will get gift cards. I started doing that a few years ago when I realized that wrapping, packing, and shipping was adding a significant amount of time/$$ to my Christmas giving. I still feel conflicted about not buying personalized gifts. But, the people receiving the gift cards seem to be happy enough.

Rommie wrote: ...

Finally, wanted to wish a Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish posters here! May you have many delicious latkes in the coming week.

many thanks for the good wishes, rommie. all the best to you and floris. perhaps it's time for a 2nd tree. just so that you can display all of your ornaments.

gave my kids all the ornaments a few years back

pondered a charlie brown type tree but everything at stores is too pristine

We've already seen almost all of our immediate family for the holidays. MrPi's side came out for Thanksgiving--his brother and his sister with her family: husband and two kids. Buster and Sweet Potato (what we've settled on as her nickname, at her request) had a great time with their younger cousins. Victoria is 4 and Vince is 9months.
This weekend I took the kids to Maryland where we saw my parents, sister, and the kids' older cousins. The Cowgirl is now 15 and the Lil' Pup is 12. The latter and Buster are like two peas in a pod! You know it's a good visit and great relationship when there are tears upon departure......

We'll see the final member of the family, MrPi's 2nd brother, at Christmas, and we'll see my parents again as they all come to our house.

code monkey wrote:

Rommie wrote: ...

Finally, wanted to wish a Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish posters here! May you have many delicious latkes in the coming week.

many thanks for the good wishes, rommie. all the best to you and floris. perhaps it's time for a 2nd tree. just so that you can display all of your ornaments.

Well that or a bigger tree- we totally considered, but unfortunately our apartment really is too small. Clearly we should factor this in when looking for our next place.

I'm spending already a ridiculous amount of time contemplating what to get my niece for Christmas (I mean, my family is the sort that does thoughtful presents for each other in the adult cohort... but who cares, a toddler will be present!). Her 2nd birthday was just two weeks ago so my thoughts were send the big present to her house (balance bike ftw), small present for Christmas, like a book. But damn guys, there are too many good books! Now considering if it's overkill to do a Richard Scary, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Spot the Dog. I guess logical people will say pick one of the dog ones, but this kid really likes dogs.

One of my favorite books to read to The Kid

But hey, she's two, which means she'll spend more time playing with the boxes and wrapping paper.

Thumper wrote:One of my favorite books to read to The Kid

But hey, she's two, which means she'll spend more time playing with the boxes and wrapping paper.

Yeah, my sister was good enough to do that. Reminds me though, C loves looking through albums of people in her life. Maybe I should put one together for her.

And yes, at this age, her interests in presents are more in line with a cat's than a human's.

"You can never have too many books."
--Buster, age 7.

Wise beyond his years.

That's about the proudest moment I've ever had as a mom.

pumpkinpi wrote:"You can never have too many books."
--Buster, age 7.

no, you can't. you may have too few bookcases but never too many books.

every year I've given an ornament to people in the group I have breakfast with on sundays and the pool ladies. this year I've expanded this to my entire zumba class and everyone at water aerobics. I also had a small stock of earrings in the form of miniature Christmas tree ornaments that i'd made (I ended up with a supply of the charms when an art/craft shop went out of business and I *do* have findings and needle nose pliers.) I've taken care of the breakfast group and about half of the water aerobics and zumba people. I can't get over how touched people are. it's such an easy, inexpensive, simple thing. well, who doesn't like getting a gift?

Have had the busiest 4th Quarter of my life, but heading to Bali on the 21st Dec for my Birthday, coming home Xmas eve, and then having orphans Xmas with my Jewish mates. Can't wait!

Then back to work and more horror until finally finishing mid January to bugger off to Japan for a bit.

Do I want to ask what a "Jewish Orphan Christmas" is?

I imagine it involves movies and Chinese food, just because that's what I understand all my Jewish friends do on Christmas.

Heck, that's what we do. Maybe I'm Jewish.

pumpkinpi wrote:"You can never have too many books."
--Buster, age 7.

Yes!

Rommie wrote:I imagine it involves movies and Chinese food, just because that's what I understand all my Jewish friends do on Christmas.

gosh - I've been doing it all wrong!

we move the Chinese to New Years

I was stunned when one of the ladies at zumba told me that my ornament was the first present that she'd gotten all year! I asked her when her birthday was and she said, 'halloween'. I must have looked stricken because she hastened to assure me that it was ok. (right. who doesn't like getting presents?) she'd been a dancer (and it shows!), gave it up when she got married and is now trying to regain as much as she can. I wrote a note in my 2019 dayrunner to remember her birthday. my sister said not to wait. I think i'll bring her a muffin at next class and have the class sing to her.