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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Nov 6, 2019 18:26:02 GMT
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kibblesandbits
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At the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity
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Aug 13, 2016 13:47:39 GMT
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Post by kibblesandbits on Nov 6, 2019 18:52:50 GMT
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Post by stampinfraulein on Nov 6, 2019 21:52:00 GMT
I never hear anyone mention obligatory cookie baking here. However, chocolateries and bakeries are running at full spead these two months.
I think this right here is part of it--we just don't have chocolateries and bakeries like you all do in Europe! It seems like from my travels that those are far more common on your side of the Atlantic. I can't think of a chocolate shop anywhere even near me and I can't think of a bakery where I'd want to buy cookies or sweets or anything. I did find a gorgeous chocolate shop in the Portland OR area when I traveled in September and I'm sure there is somewhere here in the Denver metro area where I can buy chocolates but it would be a 40 minute drive and no parking, probably. Easier to bake my own cookies than drive 2 hours all over town and spend a small fortune to buy them.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Nov 7, 2019 1:58:56 GMT
I’m hoping there aren’t too many unknowns since hubby is at a new job. I already know that he isn’t to give gifts but who knows what else happens or not. He thinks there is a pot luck but no idea what else. I’m hoping to do more crafts and baking than last year and more decorating but that’s because I want to. Hoping to feel up to it. I do a card exchange in another group I’m in so I’m making cards for that. I’m hoping to put a dent in the unfinished crafts from holidays past . Way too many that need to be finished as I know I will feel good to complete them. I am cutting back on the time I spend on holiday dinners. I’m looking for shortcuts. I’m on an elimination diet so the menu will depend a bit on what parts of the diet I pass. I will make some foods no matter what but others may change a bit. I’m trying to have a more joyful and relaxed holiday both Thanksgiving and Christmas- between the two holidays we host three meals. two dinners and one breakfast.
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Deleted
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May 20, 2024 13:24:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2019 9:35:03 GMT
Or do people give them away? is it like, a swap situation? Do you get cookies back? Do you then eat tons of cookies other people baked? I've got younger kids, so DS will tell you that cookies for a meal would be AMAZING. No, we don't eat them in a meal. We make sugar cookies, from 3 recipes. My grandmothers (round no shape) DH's moms (shaped iced post baking) and my mothers (shaped and decorated pre-cooking). If I'm up for it, then I make gingerbread cookies (also shaped). Each recipe makes maybe 2 dozen cookies depending on size of the cut. Many, many cookies are consumed in our house. 75 percent of them by DH and DS, both of whom have a serious sweet tooth. I make platters and take them into work to share. DD's December Girl Scout meeting last year was a progressive dinner ending in dessert. We hosted dessert and I made sugar and gingerbread cookies for the girls to decorate. DH takes a platter into work as well. We don't have extended family here, so it's just the 4 of us now. In past years, I have done a swap but that means now I've got MORE cookies in my house. I also make candies, so I bring a big platter in to share during our weekly staff meeting. It satisfies my need to give to my officemates, but not do individual gifts. Sometimes people leave trays in our break room. The benefit to this is finding a new cookie I've never heard of, and then looking at the recipe (the part I like doing). I think for me, the act of cooking is relaxing. So I'm happy to give away what I've made. Plus, the sugar cookie recipes mean it's the holidays to me. These are only made at Christmastime. and It means my MIL doesn't feel the need to bake and ship to us so it's one less thing on her plate. Hope that helps.
It does! Thank you for taking the time to explain!
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
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Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Nov 7, 2019 14:17:33 GMT
Someone also mentioned that we don't have local chocolate shops and bakeries the way you all do across the pond. That's very true. We have one bakery within driving distance, the rest are all part of chain grocery stores, so if when you say go to the bakery and get a cookie, to me that means going to our local Hy Vee (grocery store) and getting a cookie that was made from a frozen disk at some point. I can make them better than that. Our one local bakery is amazing, but they only do a few cookies. Their bread and butter is pastries, and I will often order half a dozen cinnamon rolls from them that are handed over frozen and I let rise and bake at home. As for chocolate, your choices are Godiva/Russel Stovers or a local place that has expanded into national reach Christopher Elbow while his Chocolates are amazing they're out of my price range. So part of it too is that I don't have the access to good quality stuff you may have access to. My mom was a baker, so I learned early on what a homemade cookie tasted like and have always preferred it. My DS on the other hand will happily eat Oreos AND a homemade chocolate chip cookie and could give a flip about store bought vs homemade.
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peaname
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Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Dec 7, 2019 21:16:48 GMT
I am skipping out on caroling with my church group. I’m not a good singer and I’m just not feeling it this year. However I decided to bring a huge pan of cinnamon rolls for breakfast for my coworkers Monday morning because I’m in a baking mood but I’m NOT going to make it an annual obligation
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FurryP
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Dec 8, 2019 4:51:53 GMT
I am not participating in any potlucks at work.
i am not doing anymore volunteer projects than the 3 hrs I already committed to.
And unfortunately I told a friend I was not available to host her the week after Christmas because I already made plans to get some specific things done around the house. Next time don't wait until the last minute. (I did not say that)
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Dec 8, 2019 5:32:47 GMT
I am not arriving extra early for the Family gathering. I will be 30-ish min early(prior to dinner) to give my gifts. I will depart 30-ish minutes after dinner. Not hanging all day with people that I don't particularly care for. For me, Family time is small doses only. Not all day, not all afternoon, not all evening. Two-ish hours maximum. I won't feel guilty about. I won't feel sorry about. I will put myself and my well being first. That means small doses. If and when any passive-aggressive rude comments are aimed towards me, I will make my departure. I re-read the older answers from this thread, and my answer this year would be the same as last years. Boundaries, and putting my well being first.
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Post by tenacious on Dec 8, 2019 13:27:25 GMT
A whole lot!! I currently have Influenza B, and pneumonia, and our house that we are living in is under major remodel construction. (Sigh) Last year we were moving at Christmas....
I don’t have a tree up yet (will get to it), have very few presents (will do those, but, in-law/niece/nephew gifts will be on NYD,) and the advent activities that we do every year for for the kids all 25 days of Christmas will he cut to 15 days. Other than that, it is all optional for me this year. I have no choice...I have surrendered, and I am okay with it.
DH and I have also organized a drive for items for homeless kits for 200 people, and somehow that feels so much more fulfilling, even though I am normally a Christmas fanatic and go all out!
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Post by cecilia on Dec 8, 2019 15:45:21 GMT
Spending a few extra days with my aunt just because "she has had a tough year". She has been an ass towards me so I am avoiding her. Mainly so I won't be an ass back.
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Deleted
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May 20, 2024 13:24:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2019 15:52:30 GMT
A whole lot!! I currently have Influenza B, and pneumonia, and our house that we are living in is under major remodel construction. (Sigh) Last year we were moving at Christmas.... I hope you feel better soon.
I'm failing miserably on the pretending to be jolly front, I can't even force it atm
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Post by tenacious on Dec 8, 2019 19:04:02 GMT
A whole lot!! I currently have Influenza B, and pneumonia, and our house that we are living in is under major remodel construction. (Sigh) Last year we were moving at Christmas.... I hope you feel better soon.
I'm failing miserably on the pretending to be jolly front, I can't even force it atm Thank you! I am already feeling a ton better, but, am still going to scale back. Don’t be too worried about not feeling it at this moment. Things can change...and, even though Christmas is near, there is still time to be jolly. 😌
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Deleted
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May 20, 2024 13:24:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2019 19:18:45 GMT
I hope you feel better soon.
I'm failing miserably on the pretending to be jolly front, I can't even force it atm Thank you! I am already feeling a ton better, but, am still going to scale back. Don’t be too worried about not feeling it at this moment. Things can change...and, even though Christmas is near, there is still time to be jolly. 😌 I'm glad you're feeling much better
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Post by chaosisapony on Dec 8, 2019 22:34:00 GMT
We have a stupid amount of potlucks at work this time of year. It starts in October and looks like this:
Mid October-boss's day potluck Early/Mid October-Halloween decorating potluck November-Thanksgiving potluck Early December-Christmas decorating potluck Late December- Christmas potluck
There's also our office white elephant gift exchange, plus we all hang stockings and give little stocking stuffers to each other. We're also to contribute to a group gift for each one of our supervisors (3 of them total). It's all just too much and I HATE IT.
So, this year, I opted out of two potlucks so far and will put in minimal effort and cost for the Christmas one (I'll make cupcakes with a box cake mix and canned frosting). Stocking stuffers are minimal and the white elephant gift will be something I re-gift. The group gift for the bosses I have at least gotten the organizers to come down on the amount requested from previous years to $20 instead of $30, the bosses will still have $80 gift cards each given to them. More than enough IMO.
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