Do You Have Any Holiday Traditons?

WILDCAT · 12-15-2009, 03:47 AM

Some years I have X-Mas, some years I don't. Depends on who is around, and where I've been.

Sometimes a tree, sometimes not. If I had someone to share it with, I would - yes! I like to act like a BIG KID!

Sometimes I have been alone. In New York City, I loved it! (Of course you're never really alone there.)

For years my parents were winter snowbirders out west... I did spend some time during these years with my one sister here, her husband and my partner at the time - while my parents were away (with my other sister out west, which was nice for them)!

We went to visit my grandmother in a nursing home while she was still with us here on this plane...

I really ENJOY buying gifts "when" I do Christmas. I make a big deal out of that! Nothing going on this year though.
__

Actually, I think I'd better to talk to my folks to see what is up? I stayed with them last year, just to wake up to "Elvis" singing Christmas songs in the morning - like I did as a child.
__

Then ol' Beverly needed to put her sports on! LOL!!

Hmmmm? I better think of something, yes?

Some sweeties from the site here are sending me a cookie "care package". That is SO COOL!!!!!!!!

__

Just up here thinking a bit... Married With Children should be on now.

NJFemmie · 12-15-2009, 08:18 AM

Mare and I have a holiday-kick off tradition (right after T-day). We set up a date, and when we wake up, we put on Christmas music, make a special breakfast, and put up our Christmas tree.

Growing up, Christmas Eve (Wigilia) was a more important day in the Polish tradition. It was the one night where all (or most) of the family got together, (of course, with our own slight variations to the custom).

We would have a mix of American and Polish foods - and would engage in the custom of breaking oplatki, which was usually sent to us from family in Poland. After dinner, we would open Christmas presents and was later followed by midnight Mass (usually Polish or Latin).

Mare enjoys "spreading out" Her Christmas presents throughout the day... so, we might open a couple of them on C-Eve, but the rest are spread out during C-Day. I have (obviously) adopted this tradition, as painful as it can be at times. *smirk* (It really isn't that painful, I just make it sound as if it is... lol). This way, the entire day has that Christmas-present feel, as opposed to opening everything at once and *gasp* it's over.

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!

Gemme · 12-15-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Thoreau

My favorite tradition is before Christmas we go and get a bunch of those Christmas wish tags...that some banks and stores have so you can get presents for little kids whose parents are going thru a difficult financial time. It is so much fun to buy for kids....even with all the kids we have... and now granchild.....
It always makes the holdiay time special, wife and I set aside a day without any of our kids or work and go present shopping for our wish kids....then come home and wrap them all up as fancy as we can, and slip in lots of extra's and then take them to the bank or store and drop them off. We feel like Santa and Mrs Claus...and have been doing it for 28 years now.

I love the Tree Angels!!! I grab a couple of the tags whenever I am able to, although the stores that I've found to do this won't accept wrapped gifts. That would be even more fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

Jack and I usually open all of our presents before Christmas so that we have nothing left to open on Christmas morning.
It usually starts off like this:
Me: "Babe, can we open just ONE???? PWEEEAASSEEE?"
Her: "Ok, just one! But only if I can open one of mine!"
And this goes on at random times until nothing is left.

Oh, and during my family get together, there is usually at least ONE loud argument over who ate the last deviled egg, one drunk cousin crying in the corner, and nothing would be complete without my mom telling me at least twice that I am "showing too much cleavage"

One present each on Christmas Eve or your stocking. Those are the early opening options in my household. No more!

I get a little sadistic with making my giftees wait because I am usually a rather good gift-giver and they know it.

Jet · 12-15-2009, 07:40 PM

Midnight Mass

But I don't think i'll make it this year

Lynn · 12-15-2009, 08:06 PM

I'm Jewish and my partner is Christian, so we celebrate some of both, and mush them together in a "Chanumas" celebration. We have a tradition of putting up a tree right after Thanksgiving, too, but this year we've decided to leave the tree down. The kittens are just too curious and wild! We've been lighting Chanukah candles and giving small gifts to the kids, leading up to the bigger ones at Christmas. We'll join my partner's family in PA for the actual Christmas celebration, and then I'll take my kids to my own family in another part of PA for a New Year's Eve celebration with my parents, brothers, and their families. It's kind of busy and tiring, and a bit too costly, but we love the season--especially sharing it together.

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah, everyone!

Andrew, Jr. · 12-15-2009, 09:09 PM

We usually put up a tree. It's decorated the day after

of course while watching

and

Last year was the year of Hell. It was such a horrible loss of my sister, so I this year is important to try to get back into the swing of things. The hard part was coming across ornaments that she made, or had come across to add to the collection. Not one of us decorated inside or out. It just wasn't in us. We were all so heartbroken.

We didn't even cook alot. We ended up buying store made cookies, and buying a box of a ready made meal. Yep. It was bad.

I didn't volunteer. I don't think we did much of anything really. We all were so devistated.

This year I am hoping to go volunteer again. I just depends on how I am doing, and how my health is. I really enjoy feeding the homeless and the poor. The children really get to me. They make the holidays.

bigbutchmistie · 12-15-2009, 10:15 PM

Well since my mom passed in 2001 I don't put up a tree or do anything. I usually watch tv or sleep all day. I stop by Boston Market the afternoon before get a roated chicken and cornbread. I buy Stove Top stuffing mac n cheese n a box and Instant Potatoes for my own Christmas dinner. Sometimes and other times its sandwiches or tv dinners.

Rook · 12-15-2009, 10:54 PM

Because of how notoriously "bad" this season usually is...we've cut down severely on celebrating much..
The only times we've allowed ourselves to go "all out" was when my nephew lived with us..
His first Christmas had me going nuts with decorating the Tree, I know I have pics I constantly took of him and the Tree...
Had a train set safely around the Tree with a decent "town"...
The second one, I learned not to leave Poinsettias within child and dogs reach[you'd be surprised what a determined child...and dog...will do for those plants]...

What we do nowadays, is cook a decently decadent traditional meal { rice with Gandules, relatives from puerto rico usually send Pasteles, Pernil, plus yumm desserts }
I'll ignore the grunts and grumbles and watch quite a variety of X-Mas {and secular } specials, I think it's almost traditional for me to hear "not this again" when I watch varieties of Christmas Carol...
They'll grudgingly sit through most..Specially Charlie Brown...

This year, despite no Tree, I put some stuff up..
Unfortunately, I wont be able to do much like the past years, but I make up for it in other ways....
I do agree with my immediate relatives in one Issue though...
The holiday's fun, has symbolism in a few religions yeah, amusing to watch and lovely with the Lights, and decorations...
But, getting together, appreciating what we have, celebrating family should be an Every day event....
Much like st. valentines..why wait for that day to be nice, romantic, or to give a gift...? do it every day or every other day...
[which is kewl now that most Holiday Specials are on dvd -grin-...christmas in july]
I also watch "Misa de Gallo" if Im not too sleepy...
And yeah, I'll worm in a few "Aguinaldos/Villansicos" for nostalgia sake...

One things for damn sure...
I look forward to showing my nephew, if he returns, how we used to celebrate...
Maybe take him to puerto rico for the season, to show how it is down there...

In the meantime, I treasure each Holiday with my family and loved ones, who knows if it's the last?....

12-15-2009, 03:47 AM	#1
WILDCAT Member How Do You Identify?: Very PROUD BUTCH LESBIAN! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: PA Posts: 679 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 796 Thanked 551 Times in 238 Posts Rep Power: 761792	X-MAS? Some years I have X-Mas, some years I don't. Depends on who is around, and where I've been. Sometimes a tree, sometimes not. If I had someone to share it with, I would - yes! I like to act like a BIG KID! Sometimes I have been alone. In New York City, I loved it! (Of course you're never really alone there.) For years my parents were winter snowbirders out west... I did spend some time during these years with my one sister here, her husband and my partner at the time - while my parents were away (with my other sister out west, which was nice for them)! We went to visit my grandmother in a nursing home while she was still with us here on this plane... I really ENJOY buying gifts "when" I do Christmas. I make a big deal out of that! Nothing going on this year though. __ Actually, I think I'd better to talk to my folks to see what is up? I stayed with them last year, just to wake up to "Elvis" singing Christmas songs in the morning - like I did as a child. __ Then ol' Beverly needed to put her sports on! LOL!! Hmmmm? I better think of something, yes? Some sweeties from the site here are sending me a cookie "care package". That is SO COOL!!!!!!!! __ Just up here thinking a bit... Married With Children should be on now.

12-15-2009, 08:18 AM	#2
NJFemmie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: The original lime-twisted femme Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to most things, especially lesbian. Relationship Status: Still loving my Mare ;) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,683 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,343 Thanked 11,419 Times in 2,976 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Mare and I have a holiday-kick off tradition (right after T-day). We set up a date, and when we wake up, we put on Christmas music, make a special breakfast, and put up our Christmas tree. Growing up, Christmas Eve (Wigilia) was a more important day in the Polish tradition. It was the one night where all (or most) of the family got together, (of course, with our own slight variations to the custom). We would have a mix of American and Polish foods - and would engage in the custom of breaking oplatki, which was usually sent to us from family in Poland. After dinner, we would open Christmas presents and was later followed by midnight Mass (usually Polish or Latin). Mare enjoys "spreading out" Her Christmas presents throughout the day... so, we might open a couple of them on C-Eve, but the rest are spread out during C-Day. I have (obviously) adopted this tradition, as painful as it can be at times. smirk (It really isn't that painful, I just make it sound as if it is... lol). This way, the entire day has that Christmas-present feel, as opposed to opening everything at once and gasp it's over. Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia! __________________

12-15-2009, 08:06 PM	#5
Lynn Member How Do You Identify?: Unabashed Feminine Lesbian Preferred Pronoun?: Her, She Relationship Status: Married! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 689 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,499 Thanked 2,414 Times in 505 Posts Rep Power: 9668976	I'm Jewish and my partner is Christian, so we celebrate some of both, and mush them together in a "Chanumas" celebration. We have a tradition of putting up a tree right after Thanksgiving, too, but this year we've decided to leave the tree down. The kittens are just too curious and wild! We've been lighting Chanukah candles and giving small gifts to the kids, leading up to the bigger ones at Christmas. We'll join my partner's family in PA for the actual Christmas celebration, and then I'll take my kids to my own family in another part of PA for a New Year's Eve celebration with my parents, brothers, and their families. It's kind of busy and tiring, and a bit too costly, but we love the season--especially sharing it together. Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah, everyone! __________________ In the flush of love's light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free. Maya Angelou Wedding Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=22b092b98c

12-15-2009, 09:09 PM	#6
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Christmas We usually put up a tree. It's decorated the day after of course while watching and Last year was the year of Hell. It was such a horrible loss of my sister, so I this year is important to try to get back into the swing of things. The hard part was coming across ornaments that she made, or had come across to add to the collection. Not one of us decorated inside or out. It just wasn't in us. We were all so heartbroken. We didn't even cook alot. We ended up buying store made cookies, and buying a box of a ready made meal. Yep. It was bad. I didn't volunteer. I don't think we did much of anything really. We all were so devistated. This year I am hoping to go volunteer again. I just depends on how I am doing, and how my health is. I really enjoy feeding the homeless and the poor. The children really get to me. They make the holidays.

12-15-2009, 10:54 PM	#8
Rook Senior Member How Do You Identify?: A.G - Stone Butch - GenderFuck Preferred Pronoun?: Hym, Hyz...or, just b respectable, it's not that hard.. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Columbus Posts: 2,280 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,227 Thanked 3,182 Times in 1,287 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Because of how notoriously "bad" this season usually is...we've cut down severely on celebrating much.. The only times we've allowed ourselves to go "all out" was when my nephew lived with us.. His first Christmas had me going nuts with decorating the Tree, I know I have pics I constantly took of him and the Tree... Had a train set safely around the Tree with a decent "town"... The second one, I learned not to leave Poinsettias within child and dogs reach[you'd be surprised what a determined child...and dog...will do for those plants]... What we do nowadays, is cook a decently decadent traditional meal { rice with Gandules, relatives from puerto rico usually send Pasteles, Pernil, plus yumm desserts } I'll ignore the grunts and grumbles and watch quite a variety of X-Mas {and secular } specials, I think it's almost traditional for me to hear "not this again" when I watch varieties of Christmas Carol... They'll grudgingly sit through most..Specially Charlie Brown... This year, despite no Tree, I put some stuff up.. Unfortunately, I wont be able to do much like the past years, but I make up for it in other ways.... I do agree with my immediate relatives in one Issue though... The holiday's fun, has symbolism in a few religions yeah, amusing to watch and lovely with the Lights, and decorations... But, getting together, appreciating what we have, celebrating family should be an Every day event.... Much like st. valentines..why wait for that day to be nice, romantic, or to give a gift...? do it every day or every other day... [which is kewl now that most Holiday Specials are on dvd -grin-...christmas in july] I also watch "Misa de Gallo" if Im not too sleepy... And yeah, I'll worm in a few "Aguinaldos/Villansicos" for nostalgia sake... One things for damn sure... I look forward to showing my nephew, if he returns, how we used to celebrate... Maybe take him to puerto rico for the season, to show how it is down there... In the meantime, I treasure each Holiday with my family and loved ones, who knows if it's the last?.... __________________

12-15-2009, 07:40 PM	#4
Jet Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: .. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: .. Posts: 3,471 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 292 Thanked 2,647 Times in 1,293 Posts Rep Power: 0	Midnight Mass But I don't think i'll make it this year

12-15-2009, 10:15 PM	#7
bigbutchmistie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Since You Need A Label. Butch Relationship Status: Still Dreaming Of My Happily Ever After Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 4,009 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,950 Thanked 5,364 Times in 1,941 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Well since my mom passed in 2001 I don't put up a tree or do anything. I usually watch tv or sleep all day. I stop by Boston Market the afternoon before get a roated chicken and cornbread. I buy Stove Top stuffing mac n cheese n a box and Instant Potatoes for my own Christmas dinner. Sometimes and other times its sandwiches or tv dinners.