Holidays Coming Up -so what do u do for them?

[Rockinonahigh]

I was looking at the calander and, wow the hollidays arent far off.I wonders how other people celebrated them or observed them or not at all.Being I started this I will go first.
For years when my mom was hear we always did the full holliday thing,ya know big meals,partys with friends,christmas tree,decorated the house ..yeah all of the stuf that some folks do some or all of.Back then The family consisted of me, mom,my 2 kids,the oldest married with 2 kids growing up...Oooh have things changed over the last ten years,now its only me my younger son who is now 38.The oldest has a burr under his saddle over who knows what so I only see the near grown grandkids when the fair wind blows.I still do some decorating for the hollidays but not like before..most of the time its pretty low key..I do cook a thanksgiveing meal and one for christmas as we as new years..the only tree we put up is a pair of ceramic ones that my mom and aunt Jo made a long time ago,still hang socks of christmass eve for the kid and fur kids.But folks, it just aint the same anymore.Last year I did some things for charity and kids causes its something mom did so I contenue to do that.This year I want/need something diffrent so I will figure something out before then,maybe I can get some ideas from the planet folks.

[ravfem]

i have to admit i'm a bah humbug....if it were up to me, the holiday season would be the same length as the sports season...ONE DAY! :cheesy: However, because most of my exes and friends are christian, i do play along with it, without too much mumblin under my breath.

i'm one who prefers to give than get, especially when the person getting understands how much i love it and skips the whole, "but i didn't get you anything" spiel. It also helps when the money is nice :seeingstars:

my fondest holiday memories include my chosen family, for sure.

[MsTinkerbelly]

This year has been a year of loss for our family, losing both my Grandmother and my Mother within 6 months of each other.

My Sister and I are skipping family Thanksgiving this year, and we will get together sometime during the week before Christmas to quietly exchange gifts.

In my house, we will be starting new traditions...the Holidays for me are so wrapped up in childhood memories of wonderful times, that to try and duplicate them without my Mom....I'm not sure I could do it...heck I'm not sure how I'll get through it all anyway.

We will have friends and other family at Thanksgiving (my favorite Holiday), and an at home Christmas day....or maybe a cruise to a warm location.....:pirate-steer:

[Apocalipstic]

I just hope to get through it all calmly and with dignity and no crying.

I hope I can just say no to events I do not want to attend with no guilt and attend the events I say I will and feel really good and feel present while I am there.

I have not been a fan of big family occasions since my mother died and we moved to the US when I was 13. I would seriously rather skip the whole thing...but my Cynthia loves family and holidays, so I hope I can be positive and have fun with her.

[Ebon]

I usually find some orphan Thanksgiving to go to, spend it by myself or work. I definitely try to work on Christmas because I don't like Christmas at all. I prefer Thanksgiving over Christmas.

This year I will be going to Diva's pre-thanksgiving dinner since I live 7 minutes away. On actual Thanksgiving I'm not sure what I will be doing. Me and Gemme will find something to do or have something ourselves.

For Christmas I have no clue. Again I don't like Christmas so hopefully it will involve Chinese food and a movie.

Have I mentioned I don't like Christmas?

Love
The Grinch

[Apocalipstic]

I usually find some orphan Thanksgiving to go to, spend it by myself or work. I definitely try to work on Christmas because I don't like Christmas at all. I prefer Thanksgiving over Christmas.

This year I will be going to Diva's pre-thanksgiving dinner since I live 7 minutes away. On actual Thanksgiving I'm not sure what I will be doing. Me and Gemme will find something to do or have something ourselves.

For Christmas I have no clue. Again I don't like Christmas so hopefully it will involve Chinese food and a movie.

Have I mentioned I don't like Christmas?

Love
The Grinch

I dont like it either and Chinese Food and a movie sounds DIVINE! I like Halloween!

[ravfem]

I usually find some orphan Thanksgiving to go to, spend it by myself or work. I definitely try to work on Christmas because I don't like Christmas at all. I prefer Thanksgiving over Christmas.

This year I will be going to Diva's pre-thanksgiving dinner since I live 7 minutes away. On actual Thanksgiving I'm not sure what I will be doing. Me and Gemme will find something to do or have something ourselves.

For Christmas I have no clue. Again I don't like Christmas so hopefully it will involve Chinese food and a movie.

Have I mentioned I don't like Christmas?

Love
The Grinch

i seriously contemplated inviting myself to Diva's & trying to drive to Tx.

Nasty chinese buffet sounds good!

[Soft*Silver]

::::soft eyes on those who mourn the loss of loved ones:::::

let me share with you a tradition my family does at xmas every year. It is not xtian, it is druid/pagan, tho some forms of it were adopted and adapted into xtian carpathian mtn area customs...

on xmas eve, we fast all day, to cleanse our body and to prepare for the huge feast that our gods and goddesses provide...

at dinner time, when the night sky turns past indigo and into violet, the table is set, with one extra seating. That seat is to invite all our passed over ancestors and loved ones to join us.

we dine by candlelight to break the darkness and to provide an envelope of sacred light around us

we join hands and give praise for the bounty of last year, for the health of ourselves and our beasts, for the governance of and support by our gods and goddesses, etc

we pass around a clove of garlic and bite off a piece...to chase the devil away...

we heap on our plate unleavened bread, soaked in lightoil and poppyseed

and top it with prunes

all of which are sacred foods from our region

afterwards, we blow out the candle, thank our ancestors for joining us and clear off the table. As a child, I followed my father outside so he ould give the leftovers to the animals. As part of this was generated thru xtian lore, it was believed this was the nite the good lord would ask the animals if their master was kind to them. If so, the land and the family were blessed. If not, atonement was set for the following year. Not punishment. Atonement.

I remember watching my father scratch the animals on their head and remind them to tell baby jesus how each nite he carried buckets of fresh water out to them even in the coldest of weathers. I have never met a more kind farmer in my life than my father...he taught me how to love the animals who serve us...

perhaps this year an extra place setting could be set at your tables...

[Ebon]

I dont like it either and Chinese Food and a movie sounds DIVINE! I like Halloween!

I love love love Halloween. It's the only day I can dress like a total goober and get away with it. I can't wait!! I like passing out candy and seeing all the costumes and seeing who's mom made their costume.

[Apocalipstic]

::::soft eyes on those who mourn the loss of loved ones:::::

let me share with you a tradition my family does at xmas every year. It is not xtian, it is druid/pagan, tho some forms of it were adopted and adapted into xtian carpathian mtn area customs...

on xmas eve, we fast all day, to cleanse our body and to prepare for the huge feast that our gods and goddesses provide...

at dinner time, when the night sky turns past indigo and into violet, the table is set, with one extra seating. That seat is to invite all our passed over ancestors and loved ones to join us.

we dine by candlelight to break the darkness and to provide an envelope of sacred light around us

we join hands and give praise for the bounty of last year, for the health of ourselves and our beasts, for the governance of and support by our gods and goddesses, etc

we pass around a clove of garlic and bite off a piece...to chase the devil away...

we heap on our plate unleavened bread, soaked in lightoil and poppyseed

and top it with prunes

all of which are sacred foods from our region

afterwards, we blow out the candle, thank our ancestors for joining us and clear off the table. As a child, I followed my father outside so he ould give the leftovers to the animals. As part of this was generated thru xtian lore, it was believed this was the nite the good lord would ask the animals if their master was kind to them. If so, the land and the family were blessed. If not, atonement was set for the following year. Not punishment. Atonement.

I remember watching my father scratch the animals on their head and remind them to tell baby jesus how each nite he carried buckets of fresh water out to them even in the coldest of weathers. I have never met a more kind farmer in my life than my father...he taught me how to love the animals who serve us...

perhaps this year an extra place setting could be set at your tables...

What a wonderful way to celebrate!

I usually end up at the in-laws or relatives I have nothing in common with wishing I were home.

I can't tell you how lucky you are to have had a kind father who loved and cherished animals.

[Apocalipstic]

I love love love Halloween. It's the only day I can dress like a total goober and get away with it. I can't wait!! I like passing out candy and seeing all the costumes and seeing who's mom made their costume.

I like to fix theme food and act like a goober too! Yeayyyyyy!

[lipstixgal]

All of my family whoever they are are christian I'm Jewish so I only celebrate Hanukkah and Thanksgiving but don't usually do anything on those days. Its too much to cook a whole turkey on Thanksgiving. This year I think I will be moving to a warmer climate so maybe there will be something I can do there. Like the beach??

[Corkey]

Duck n cover.
We will not be going to anyones home this year...yey!
We will have dinner at our home for a change, minus the in-laws I have a feeling.

[Apocalipstic]

I decided ealier in the year that I would come up with logical political reasons to not celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was a beautiful dream, I would skip both holidays and be politicaly ultra correct at the same time!

It did not work.
I was laughed at.

Seriously, even thinking about the holidays is making me anxious.

:canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canow orms::canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canoworms:: canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canowo rms::canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::c anoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canoworms::canowor ms:

[Chancie]

I told Nice Ex that I wanted to volunteer somewhere for Thanksgiving, and

She found an excellent place to do that.

It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.

[theoddz]

I will be off on Thanksgiving and New Years, this year. I've put in my leave request for my birthday off, too, so that would give me an extra long New Year's weekend, since my birthday, which is on a Thursday this year, bumps up on my regularly scheduled weekend off.

I don't mind working Christmas weekend this year, nor have I in previous years. I usually volunteer to work it so that my coworkers who have children can enjoy a Christmas Day with them. I collect the holiday pay, in return. :winky:

What am I thinking?? I collect holiday pay (double time) for all 3 holidays. :|

~Theo~ :bouquet:

[Laerkin]

As a kid, I loved the holidays for the days away from school and food and presents. Boy how things change. Lol.

I adore Thanksgiving. I spend weeks planning my menu and trying out recipes. I spend days before cooking and prepping. And on the big day I love spoiling my loved ones with organic meats and produce, carefully crafted appetizers and desserts. It's an act of love.

And Christmas - I really dislike the growing commercialism of the holiday. I am not religious so instead, Christmas is sacred because it means a trip home to San Diego to see my parents. I spend all year missing them and Christmas is my time to go home (with SB) to visit the people I love so much.

I make most of my gifts anymore and each is carefully selected to be meaningful and special. I also cook on Christmas for my dad and help my mom.

I'm so excited to go home!!!

[Apocalipstic]

My girlfriends family has special recipees that they have to make and have on Thankgiving and Christmas. I don't really get a say or to cook. Last year it was even at our house and they took over.

In their defense, they don't make me eat turkey, which I am allergic to, but do complain about it the entire time.

I probably need to log off and stop thinking about it, my ears are starting to burn.

[Rockinonahigh]

Thank everone for replying,I didnt expect it,thanks again.I learned one thig about hollidays..no way can I remake moms way with what she did for them..just not happening.Mom was a lot traditional,I am not.Things had to be just so so and correct..not me.She had a color scean to go with it all..I sorta do that but over all I am more pegan in my beliefs wich she never liked.
The holliday I like best is halloween,my gram camd from the old country in italy,every year she would tell tales of her childhood and old stories and ledgens she remembered.We had a big neighborhood party costumes and all.Remember my gram lived out in the country where she raised me so most ppl that were anywhere near came and also pot lucked the food...we played games,those of us who had horses rode till near midnight then we came in and paid respedt to those in the hear after.I know if I did that now I prolly would be thought of as plane nuts..but it would still be fun.
Christamses were diffrent,gran and mom did the full meal deal,if we knew anyone who didnt have family we shure tryed to get then to come.On christmas eve direing the day we only ate breakfast and fasted till after midnight mass cause when we got back gramps would cook his traditional italian breakfast to start the day wich was usely about 2:00am.Then we opened one present and had to wait till supper to open the rest..we usely didnt wait near that long.New years gramp would big a pit and roast a whole hog and a quarter of beef and everyone that cam potlucked the rest..we welcomed the year in right..lotsa gramps wine flowed that day..
For me christmas has become a bit to commershalised with the gimmie, gimmie thing.Its not the big deal it once was,thats what I miss,we still observe it but never like before.

[Abigail Crabby]

I can take or leave Thanksgiving Dinner - and will most likely volunteer to work a shift that day. Soooooo much prep to be gobbled up and then have to be cleaned up. I'm thankful everyday for the blessings in my life so I'm good.....And my family isn't much on Turkey anyway - so we will prolly have lasagna or something.

Christmas on the other hand - I enjoy celebrating both the Birth of Christ (i dont care if it was actually in april) But being a Christian I enjoy celebrating the receiving of the gift I was given... the birth of The Lord.

Add to it the joy I receive in giving gifts - especially to the Wee One, who has proven to be well worth the effort and love I lavish on her. I am hoping that I can trade or be scheduled off for Christmas as I do enjoy spending the day playing with all the Wee One's new toys lol,. and I like putting together a totally untraditional meal... I never know what I might want to fix until a few days before hand.

New Years Eve I can take or leave - but I do put together a tasty NY Day spread and am having out of town guests to partake and enjoy my culinary efforts.

That's pretty much our holiday celebrations - they are subject to change of course due to employment and things happening - but I enjoy the holidays - and I enjoy my family - and I'm blessed.

[Liam]

I enjoy carving pumpkins for Halloween, but that is about it. In the past, I have volunteered at some community organization, on Thanksgiving and Christmas, hopefully my health will allow me to do that, next year. I don't like to spend a lot of time preparing food, because I want to do things like take walks or play cards, or watch movies, so my usual holiday fare is green chili enchiladas. Hannukah is my favourite holiday, its fun to make donuts one night, and that is my nod to oil.

[Rockinonahigh]

One reason I dont do a lot on hollidays is there is only me and my son hear,my two cousins live on oposit coast and near all my hang out buddies have either gotten hitched and have other obligaltions or other friends live so far away we either exchange cards and or phone calls.I have tryed to enclude some of the local gay ppl but the age diffrents is huge so we dont really fit,even tho I just dont thinkthey are into the bf way cause they seem uncomfortable with it.At least thats what I get out of it.Im really careful who I invite to my house cause I get some really bad vibes from a lot of ppl...times arent like they use to be.

[princessbelle]

Holidays are so very important to me. Give me a tiny reason to get excited about something or a par-ty and i'm all over it.

I usually find a Halloween party to go to. Last year I was "Alice in Wonderland" not exactly the kids version. Had a blast too...from what I remember.

Thanksgiving, me and my kids (even since they are grown they still do this with me) volunteer at the Meals on Wheels and deliver thanksgiving dinner to those that can't get out of their homes, those without families ect. OMG it is a blessing. We have done that since the boys were 5 and 8 and who are now 22 and 25 and it is a wonderful tradition that I pray they never grow out of. At night we have our own meal but usually we are so tired from the day and sick of the smell of turkey we usually just eat a sandwich.

Christmas is amazing. Christmas I'm a kid and I live for the decorations, the music, the lights, the tree, the sparkle and glitter of the season; Hot chocolate, fires in the fireplace, family and friends. I still can't sleep on Christmas eve and i'm up by 4 am calling family and friends yelling...."santa came". My mom cooks a huge breakfast with all of the southern cookin imaginable including "red eye gravey". We feast, we sing "happy birthday to Jesus" and we exchange gifts. and...yes I still believe in Santa *smiles. I usually end up working on Christmas day and I always try to do it in the afternoon when things settle down.

I love Holidays...I love getting together and having a blast...no matter what the occasion.

I understand about loss and how that puts an ache in the pit of some of our stomachs. I feel it too and my heart goes out to those that have to face the holidays with that emptiness. I am no exception I promise you and I send a gentle hug to those that go through that and those that are going through it for the first time this year.

Happy holidays to all and to all a good night.

[MysticOceansFL]

This Halloween I'm considering going to Orlando for the bash this year if my health allows me to do so and around Thanksgiving I usually light three candles one for my mother and grand mother and one for friends who I know died of aids, and I say a prayer to my friends and family wishing them a safe and happy holidays , and second I go with a group of people from bible studies and we go christmas caroling at the hopsital. and thats about it.

[Gemme]

I'm a holiday-er type. I love, love, LOVE to shop...especially during the holiday season. There's a buzz and energy in the air that's absolutely vibrant. I love giving gifts too. It's nice to receive, but I'm at the point where, if it's not a gift card, it won't fit and/or I won't like it. Other than that, I'm a holiday lover.

BUT

I'm not a natural hostess. I'll do the Turkey Day dinner with a couple of folks or go to a potluck type event with friends. My kitchen's too small to be spending all or even half the day in. :blink:

Our complex has a lot of kids, so I'm sure we'll get hit with plenty of sugar-craving kids for Hallow's Eve. Costumes are a plus.

As for working...when a holiday would come up, I'd take it since I didn't have kids and I could always use the holiday pay.

For Christmas, I'd like to keep things simple with dinner in and yes, Organic, we can go to a movie. :)

My first official job was in a theatre and I HATED working the holidays. For those that don't like the usual fare and don't want to hang at home all day on Christmas, the movies will be up and running. Always.

[scootebaby]

[QUOTE=ravfem;192267]i'm one who prefers to give than get, especially when the person getting understands how much i love it and skips the whole, "but i didn't get you anything" spiel.
QUOTE]

finally...someone who likes to give without expecting something in return...my addy is Papa Johns in Ft Pierce...or if u wanna make it personal get with JO and get our addy plus she can tell u what i like :)

[ravfem]

i'm one who prefers to give than get, especially when the person getting understands how much i love it and skips the whole, "but i didn't get you anything" spiel.


finally...someone who likes to give without expecting something in return...my addy is Papa Johns in Ft Pierce...or if u wanna make it personal get with JO and get our addy plus she can tell u what i like :)

(you can thank me later for fixin your quote button)

*sigh* ya know Scooteeeeeeee, it's only cause you obviously want me that i don't squish your head between my thumb & index finger.

i already have your gift picked out anyway, so there.

[scootebaby]

(you can thank me later for fixin your quote button)

*sigh* ya know Scooteeeeeeee, it's only cause you obviously want me that i don't squish your head between my thumb & index finger.

i already have your gift picked out anyway, so there.



damn JO told huh.....last time i trust her with info like that....lmao

and my quote button is just fine thank you Ms Cant Ride a Trike

what is it??? what is it??????? does Jo know??? not that i could get it out of her *looking around whistling*

[ravfem]

damn JO told huh.....last time i trust her with info like that....lmao

and my quote button is just fine thank you Ms Cant Ride a Trike

what is it??? what is it??????? does Jo know??? not that i could get it out of her *looking around whistling*

i discovered something about me a while back.....

i like being evil

:seesaw:

sometimes

[scootebaby]

i discovered something about me a while back.....

i like being evil

:seesaw:

sometimes


u r such a derailer...grab ur :girlonatv: (PUSH dont ride it on over to the kitchen....JO removed the curbs for u----i'll deal with her later)

[bigbutchmistie]

Well usually for Thanksgiving I buy a bunch of Thanksgiving type food and drop it off at the Salvation Army...

For myself well I go to Boston Market get a roasted chicken make some potatoes and mac n cheese and some cake and thats my meal while I sit on my couch and watch t.v. all day.

For Christmas I buy a bunch of toys and drop off at the Salvation Army and do the same meal and same thing.

[amiyesiam]

Duck n cover.
We will not be going to anyones home this year...yey!
We will have dinner at our home for a change, minus the in-laws I have a feeling.

For thanks giving we will be having it here and we will cook up a feast
maybe we will invite a few friends
the tree usually goes up thanks giving day
however (see pic of evil kitty in gallery) due to bandits arrival this year
that tradition will probably change this year
we will have to decide what we are willing to tolerate kitty/tree wise

christmas eve I am off and it will be us
and we will have dinner and open gifts
we will have picked out our own gifts
(it took Corkey a bit to see the brilliance of this, but he is now a convert)
each of us gets the same amount of money to get what we want and it goes under the tree
no shocks no disappointments etc

christmas day I work but not till afternoon

[dixie]

I love holidays. I would love to go all out for Halloween, but usually I end up working. *sigh*

Thanksgiving has never been much of anything in my family, except for another excuse to head to the condo in Daytona for another small vacay.

We do all Christmas celebrating on Christmas Eve day. It starts around 10am with nonstop food, presents, comradarie, games and just good times that last till late evening. Christmas Day is usually another good day to head to the condo again...lol

Not sure what will happen this year since Dad just had shoulder replacement surgery and is gonna be out of commission for quite some time. :(

[Logicaly]

I love the holidays! Although last year I came to the sad realization that the way they used to be, are forever changed, but that the amount of love that my family shares for each other has not. Plus, as I start a family of my own, and meet new people and invite them into the family, traditions are slowly changing.

Growing up my family literally did the exact same thing every year. I had a very large family, both on my moms side and my dads side. My dads side was always the most enjoyable for me, for reasons we won't get in to.

On Thanksgiving we would always drive down here to the Bay Area and stay with my aunt and uncle, we would have a huge feast at my aunt's house. The women would get up at 5am to start cooking every thing. At around 9am when the whole house was up, my aunt would make chocolate gravy and biscuits for everyone. The men would then sit around and watch football, and the kids and teenagers would be upstairs playing video games, watching movies, etc. It would be an all day event for us, snacks through out the day, and then a massive meal of turkey, ham, mashed taters, different kinds of gravy, waldorf salad, regular salad, fruit salad, corn, sweet taters, and the list goes on and this doesn't even include at least 5 different pies for dessert. Before dinner, we would always form a circle around the table and hold hands and my grandfather would lead us in saying grace.

Then for Christmas, we would have Christmas Eve at our own house, and we would always open just 1 present after dinner that night, just to tie us over till morning. Then we would go to bed, and wait for Santa to come. Around 4am my sister always wakes me up, and I send her to grab our stockings out of the livingroom and bring them to me in my bedroom. We would go through them, see what we got, and then repack them so that we wouldn't get caught, even though dad always knew what we where doing. Then her and I would go back to sleep in my room for an hour or two until it was okay to wake our parents up. I love opening presents, but what I love even more, is seeing everyone's reaction to what I got them. I love buying stuff for people, it brings me a lot of joy. Then we would pack up all that we want to bring with us, and make the drive up to the Bay Area to spend it with the rest of the family, and its a repeat of Thanksgiving, except with presents involved after dinner.

Now it is different. There is no gift exchange with the extended family. We have lost some family members of the years, and it has changed the dynamics of it all. We still get together and have a dinner for each holiday, however its on a much smaller scale now and while we all enjoy each others presence, it has a tone of sadness to it as well.

I however now have the pleasure of spending the holidays with my partner's family too. Her family has a big mexican dinner on Christmas Eve and that is something new for me, and I enjoy spending the time with her family. This year, I am hoping that since my dad and my sister and now my nephew will all be here, that perhaps we can mix everyone together Christmas morning at our home, but either way, this year I am getting to spend a lot of precious moments with family that I love.

[skeeter_01]

i like the holidays...however....I work every thanksgiving because tgiving and the day after are both paid holidays.

i work every xmas cause i don't have kids and i think that people with kids should get to spend that day with their family...

my holiday is NYE...i LOVE to go out and dance and party...and then NY day sit all day and watch football....

skeet

[Rockinonahigh]

Like most of you I work on the hollidays cause my job is in food service(i'm a chef) but its all good for me,I feel the folks who have kids and family should spend the time with them if possable.One good thing about working the hollidays is the extra $$,more pto's,plus I get to pick what other days of and vacation time I want.For me christmas isnt about me geting a present cause I like to see the smiles on ppls faces when they open what they get,the good times they get to be with family or enjoying the partys or meals I fix.This year im bakeing things for the ppl on my list,grand kids included..last time they came by they are there way thrue 3 dozen of my special pecan,honey tosted almonds,darkand white chocolate chip cookies.One thiung that bugs me about the christmas holidays is the ppl who just look at it for what they can get..maybe one day they will get smart.

[sweetbutch26]

halloween is my favorite time of year. i love being around friends and family and sharing a few laughs. same with thanksgiving and christmas. except for thanksgiving and christmas i eat until i can't move then eat some more LoL being around people that are most important is always a great thing :)

[Rockinonahigh]

Yep,its about to be that time of the year again,hollidays and more hollidays.First im going to let my son do the candy hand out this year while I go to an adult halloween party,I already bought some really cool and unuseal candy with a spooky theam..the little ones shoule like candy hands,eye balls,witches hats ect..ect so its should be fun all around.Come on folks what are your plands???

[sierragirrl]

Choices to be made for the holidays.i only feel obligated to do one thing ever single year.And sadly if i don't do this i beat myself up a little, ok alot.
every year i feel like i MUST make the almost 9 hours drive to So Cal to see and be with my 93yr old grandmother even though she does not like it when the kids are in her house.i mean at 93 would you want great grandkids playing around hootin and hollerin?my kids are pretty good when you ask them to tone it down. my brothers son who is 6 is a bit more crazy..after all he is a boy and 6 so its a givin.
my therapist looked at me and said "i mean how many more are you gonna have with her?"
my mother passed away 10 yrs ago and my grand mother worries about us.and this is the one time of yr my grandmother would make the trip up here to Paradise to spend it with us.it was my moms favorite time of yr.Christmas tree would be put up right before Thanksgiving.cookies would already of been made. Family time...
CRAP ok i guess im gonna see if its possible to make the trip. fingers crossed i can get a room and the super dive 8 in anaheim.

[cinnamongrrl]

This will be Teddy and my first Christmas together. He LOVES Christmas ( I love Halloween) and I know he wants to start decorating around Thanksgiving.... I typically start decorating around my and the girls' birthdays (we are on Dec 2, 6th and 17th!) I'm looking forward to making new traditions with Teddy.....and I'm hopeful that the holiday goes a lot better than Halloween did....

:moonstars:

[Teddybear]

This will be Teddy and my first Christmas together. He LOVES Christmas ( I love Halloween) and I know he wants to start decorating around Thanksgiving.... I typically start decorating around my and the girls' birthdays (we are on Dec 2, 6th and 17th!) I'm looking forward to making new traditions with Teddy.....and I'm hopeful that the holiday goes a lot better than Halloween did....

:moonstars:

It will. I have already talked to Santa

[WolfyOne]

I'd like to say I can actually sit and share a meal with my chosen family for this upcoming holiday, but instead, I'll be working.
So, until I move near others I can share holidays with, my holidays will be, work, work and more work and not because I want to, but because it is mandatory.

For those able to share theirs with family and friends, Happy Holidays to you all.

[Dance-with-me]

This is the Year of the Ugly Divorce so things will be very different for me this year.

For many years, my siblings and our spouses and kids have gone to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, because otherwise we might not even get to see each other, but my parents will be on a Habitat build, my sister just moved to CA, my niece is in Iceland, and so we're not doing a gathering. That was ok -- I'd hoped to spend Thanksgiving weekend getting my house in order, but now my ex's closing was delayed AGAIN and so they'll all still be in my house, so I'm currently searching for somewhere to escape to for that weekend; unfortunately, the folks I might normally visit are all going to have houses full of family, so I'm hoping to find someone who needs a house sitter.

I'm praying they'll be gone by mid-December, because I have two weeks off and I'd planned to use that time to really reclaim my house and make it mine, and also because I'd probably lose my f'n mind if they were still here then. I'm not Christian but I celebrate it as a cultural holiday with my friends and family. On Christmas day I always deliver meals.

And while I have no idea what I'll be doing for New Years Eve, I hope that one way or another I can get good and kissed. Now THAT would start my new year right!

[Rockinonahigh]

I will fix a trditional holliday meal for my son and myself,I definatly will do some bakeing then some of the holliday sweets will go as a gift to a fue friends.My ladies pool team will have its useal team xmas party,we pot luck the food then exchange gifts.I will have a tree this year again,not a big one but one I can put in a nice corner by the window.Christmas is what it ever turns out to be.Not to shure about new years cause I my or may not go to the local hang out for the new years party.I will call a fue folks to wish them a wonderful holliday.Thats about it

[Dance-with-me]

Great update -- I just heard from a local friend who needs a housesitter for Thanksgiving weekend, so the immediate issue of where to be for that day is resolved!! Now to find a place to volunteer for that day, or someone to adopt me for dinner. :)

This is the Year of the Ugly Divorce so things will be very different for me this year.

For many years, my siblings and our spouses and kids have gone to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, because otherwise we might not even get to see each other, but my parents will be on a Habitat build, my sister just moved to CA, my niece is in Iceland, and so we're not doing a gathering. That was ok -- I'd hoped to spend Thanksgiving weekend getting my house in order, but now my ex's closing was delayed AGAIN and so they'll all still be in my house, so I'm currently searching for somewhere to escape to for that weekend; unfortunately, the folks I might normally visit are all going to have houses full of family, so I'm hoping to find someone who needs a house sitter.

I'm praying they'll be gone by mid-December, because I have two weeks off and I'd planned to use that time to really reclaim my house and make it mine, and also because I'd probably lose my f'n mind if they were still here then. I'm not Christian but I celebrate it as a cultural holiday with my friends and family. On Christmas day I always deliver meals.

And while I have no idea what I'll be doing for New Years Eve, I hope that one way or another I can get good and kissed. Now THAT would start my new year right!

[Sachita]

we are all very close and try to spend holidays together. This Thanksgiving my sister has to work so we are moving our dinner to Saturday. Over the Thanksgiving holiday we will also help my sister move because its the only time she has off. So I'm making the turkey and all the trimmings Saturday morning and serving it all by the fireplace in my living-room.

Dec is Mia's birthday and of course xmas. I don't celebrate christian holidays but I do love the holidays for other reasons and winding down the year. Spending time with family, putting up lights and shopping for the kids. I'm hoping to get a natural, humanely raised ham. I stopped eating pork because of the confinement issue and of course GMO's.

[Bit]

I'm a little uncertain about the holidays this year. I did buy a new oven but it's on layaway and I don't think I can get it out by Thanksgiving, maybe not by Christmas either. Dunno what the holidays will be like for me if I cannot cook and bake for them... there's only so many things you can do in a toaster oven and 22 pound turkeys stuffed to overflowing don't seem to be one of them.

For me the holidays are what I do (rather than where I am, or who I'm with) and most of that is the cooking. Guess I have to think about it more, and figure out a way to have First Nations Day without the turkey. LOL, wonder if zucchini bread would fill the gap...it fits in the toaster oven.

[Ginger]

I have options, more than I had last year. There is much less anxiety about the holidays for me this year, now that I'm not living with my girlfriend (but still involved with her). I feel a huge weight lifted.

[Sachita]

I'm a little uncertain about the holidays this year. I did buy a new oven but it's on layaway and I don't think I can get it out by Thanksgiving, maybe not by Christmas either. Dunno what the holidays will be like for me if I cannot cook and bake for them... there's only so many things you can do in a toaster oven and 22 pound turkeys stuffed to overflowing don't seem to be one of them.

For me the holidays are what I do (rather than where I am, or who I'm with) and most of that is the cooking. Guess I have to think about it more, and figure out a way to have First Nations Day without the turkey. LOL, wonder if zucchini bread would fill the gap...it fits in the toaster oven.

One thanksgiving I was staying in my RV and the oven is super tiny. I was with a lover at the time and invited my sister and niece over. I bought a capon, cut it up, marinated it and cooked it on the grill. It was fabulous! In my toaster oven I made cranberry corn muffins.

[Miss Scarlett]

For the last week I wasn't sure what I'd be doing. But yesterday I was invited to spend the holidays with a dear friend and her family...

[clay]

Typically I spend Thanksgiving eating a meal out where a Thanksgiving meal is served.
I have two options this year....do that OR have dinner with close friends. I have yet to decide.
Christmas is same. I usually enjoy a Chinese buffet someplace.
This whole season I am much appreciative of all the wonderful blessings I have. I have my own place, albeit small, it is on a wonderful Island. I am able to enjoy dolphins year round as well as a beach!!
I have my health for the most part. I have some residual issues but those are being worked on!!
So I am pretty sedate for the most part and enjoy the things I do have. I can walk fairly well, I have chosen family & friends, I have my dachshund. I am very happy with my lot in life. I wish everyone a blessed holiday season and wishes for a truly wonderful New Year!!

[laruss]

Us Canadians already did Thanksgiving, I was staying with friends and we had other friends over and had Turkey wars. It was great.

For Christmas I am going to my youngest daughters. My other daughter and stepdaughter are coming as well. I am really looking forward to having my 3 girls together in one place with all 3 grandbabies. And now only the 2 son-in-laws, the 2 I like will be coming. I am really looking forward to having family, and baby time with all of them. Plus I will be going back to the city I just moved from and will get to see friends that I left behind. It should be a really good holiday.

[Martina]

Thanksgiving in Lake Tahoe and Christmas in Florida (as usual)

Looking very forward to Tahoe. I have never been there. We've got a room in a lovely inn and dinner reservations. I need to get away. I was just in Florida in October, but I need something that's new and different (to me).

[Leigh]

OMG how excited am I right now? Tooooooooooo damn excited because its time to get into the xmas swing! I'm a HUGE xmas nut and I'm already thinking about decorating! I love snow, gifts, shopping etc ~ this has always been my very favorite time of year so my potential future partner will also hopefully be a fan of the holidays :)

[Chancie]

My poor Pete works every other Saturday, and

Sometimes those Saturdays fall on holiday weekends.

This year, she is off on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, but

She has to work on Friday.

I think Christmas falls during the week this year, and

She'll be able to leave early on Christmas Eve.

Pete's work schedule and her responsibilities towards her dependent mother usually determine our plans.

[ruffryder]

We will be spending Thanksgiving with some dear friends here in FL from the BFP site at their place. We all will bring a little something to eat up, traditional and not so traditional. :)

Christmas my daughter will be joining us and I'm ever so thankful for this ! We definitely will be seeing Zimmehs mother and family either Xmas eve or Xmas day and perhaps we may even see the beach!

Zimmeh and I may be working in there somewhere too as we work retail and hospitality and we are always open, with holidays especially busy!

But we will enjoy all the time we can with our loved ones. Zimmeh was already pulling out the Xmas decorations and cards and asking me about when we were going to decorate. I said, "After Thanksgiving, please!"

[Blade]

On a normal holiday the family meets at someone's house and we eat and make a day of visitation. In the past I have spent Thanksgiving at the beach and I have spent it in the mountains. I have spent the holidays here at home for several years now. Thinking about taking a trip Thanksgiving week. Don't know if or where I'll go but I'm thinking about it.

Always spend Christmas with the family. Church Chrismas Eve night, spend Christmas day with the family.

[jac]

When I had the kids at home still, I spent the day before Thanksgiving baking. I had to listen to Christmas carols while I was doing this. It put me in the holiday spirit and the kids loved coming home to the smells of baked goods and Christmas carols. On Thanksgiving I would get up super stinkin' early to prep the turkey and begin breakfast. The kids usually had cinnamon rolls or pancakes and bacon. The parade would be on the tv and the bird was named. Yes we named it so that when it got it's butter bath I would call it by name. The kids loved this!! Our first one we did this little tradition with was named Butter Butt. Another year we got a breast... her name was Dolly. :D

For the past two years others have hosted Thanksgiving and I have shown up at their place. It's worked okay and, as a matter of fact, Spritz and the General will be here with me for Thanksgiving this year. We will either go to someone else's place or host it all in my little apartment. Next year and on, we will have it at our place and the kids or whomever can return to spending it with me and mine.

Christmas is a whole other story...

[starryeyes]

Since I can't spend Thanksgiving with my family and Justin (my mom wont meet her still...after one and a half years) and Justin doesnt have any family (only a son the baby mama won't share on Holidays), we will go to misfit Thanksgiving at a good friends house where all the misfits bring a dish and hang!

Probably the same for Christmas as well, unless there is some sort of a breakthrough. I am not holding my breath. It's their loss, and our gain.

Happy Holidays!

[Tommi]

I am beginning my letter to Santa.
http://images.clipartof.com/small/1115251-Clipart-Rudolph-And-Santa-Writing-Up-A-Christmas-List-Royalty-Free-Vector-Illustration.jpg

[Dance-with-me]

I have always loved the idea of what starryeyes said she might do -- host Thanksgiving for all of the "misfits" - and I did that a couple of times many years ago and it was wonderful fun. I obviously can't do that this year, but if I ever have another year where the family isn't gathering, I'm going to do that again. Or, if the ex is FINALLY out by then, maybe I'll do a Festivus dinner on the 25th for the "misfits"!

[jac]

I am beginning my letter to Santa.
http://images.clipartof.com/small/1115251-Clipart-Rudolph-And-Santa-Writing-Up-A-Christmas-List-Royalty-Free-Vector-Illustration.jpg

Starting off with a huge apology for all the mischief you got into throughout the year?
Yeh, good thinking. lol :superfunny:

[diamondrose]

C and i will take to the kitchen. C on one side, I on the other. She will do the baking and i will do the cooking :)

[Bit]

My boss offered me the use of his mother's oven! Wooohooo! "Just leave a couple cookies behind as a thanks offering," he says. Now I just have to get it together enough to make the cookie dough and take it over there. I think I should wait until her kitchen sink is fixed though, so I can wash the cookie sheets after. Oh, and I can try out my silicone baking mats! :cheesy: