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Post by 950nancy on Nov 17, 2019 22:16:23 GMT
Normally I don't even start thinking about Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I might have some gifts already purchased, but the majority of the work falls after the turkey has been thoroughly celebrated and eaten.
This year is different. I am taking a work trip next week, we are having our pipes redone before Thanksgiving (with no water until Wednesday night before Thanksgiving hopefully), and we are leaving on a trip two weeks before Christmas returning on the 23rd.
This morning I typed out an extensive to do list and just seeing it all printed out has actually helped. I have only crossed of two items today, and knowing that I just have 16 days left (at home) makes me a whole lot more motivated than normal.
Anyone else have a list already started?
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 17, 2019 22:20:44 GMT
I keep thinking about doing a list, but then I put it off. There is a lot of stuff I need to do before Thanksgiving, before semester, and then before Christmas and it is a little overwhelming.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
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Post by trollie on Nov 17, 2019 22:37:12 GMT
I'm scared to make a list.
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Post by maryland on Nov 17, 2019 23:11:44 GMT
We aren't even home for Christmas, so I don't even want to drag down all the decorations from the attic, only to have to put it back up in a month. I'm such a grinch! Because we travel, we just do gift cards for Christmas. So that's easy! We buy for the kids all year, so we don't do too much for Christmas gifts. I do enjoy the Christmas movies and shows!
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 17, 2019 23:12:57 GMT
I'm scared to make a list. I am the one who does the shopping, the wrapping, and the cooking. It is A LOT. When I told my husband that I felt crunched for time, he just said that I still had a lot left. Says the guy who sees every gift opened at Christmas for the first time! He actually does a lot of chores, but the holidays don't add a lot to his plate.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 17, 2019 23:14:20 GMT
We aren't even home for Christmas, so I don't even want to drag down all the decorations from the attic, only to have to put it back up in a month. I'm such a grinch! Because we travel, we just do gift cards for Christmas. So that's easy! We buy for the kids all year, so we don't do too much for Christmas gifts. I do enjoy the Christmas movies and shows! I have four trees. Only one (the big one) will go up. We'll do it as soon as the pipes are fixed. Not putting up anything only for it to be covered in drywall dust.
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Post by psoccer on Nov 17, 2019 23:18:54 GMT
I have started buying gifts this week end and wrapped a few. I just feel so overwhelmed at Christmas time, and I learned not to buy too early, because my kids wishes change. I always try to surprise my kids with at least one gift that they weren't thinking of and it gets stressful. This year I bought a shirt that says Merry F@@@ing Christmas to wear at home when I am at my wits end.
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Post by littlemama on Nov 17, 2019 23:23:55 GMT
I have one more gift to order on Wednesday when I can use Kohls cash towards it. We are going on a trip to Jamaica in May, so most of our gifts are related to that. Prob need to look at stocking stuffers for ds- I dont think I have much, if anything, but that can be solved with candy.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,466
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Nov 17, 2019 23:59:20 GMT
I have bought nothing, I have no clue what to get for my kids (8 and 3). DH and I don’t do gifts for each other so that’s easy. I am at a loss as to what to put into stockings. Grandparents always get a shutterfly book of each of my kids so I’m working on those. Other than that? Nothing.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 18, 2019 0:09:45 GMT
This year is particularly bad for a few reasons. One, Thanksgiving is really late this year so there is about a week less time and one fewer weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas to get stuff done. Two, deer hunting season started a week later this year. Normally DH is gone the first two weekends in November for that so I have DD plus any pets here with me on my own. It complicates things a lot when I can’t go do things on my own such as shopping or if I’m making stuff. Three, this year we have a new dog that I can’t trust to be down in my studio if I’m not watching him like a hawk, nor can he be trusted to be on his own on the main floor of the house either. So if I’m gone or need to work on something and can’t watch him he has to be kenneled and I feel bad about leaving him locked up for extended timeframes. Oh, and our kid’s school always has their book fair the first week of December and I generally help out with that, so that will be even one LESS week to do things.
Having less time to get stuff done really puts a kink in things.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 18, 2019 0:12:47 GMT
Lists are a double edged sword. It’s a way to help plan and take control. And terrorize when you realize what all has to be done We aren’t going on vacation for Christmas this year, but are still going to put up our tree. Probably not most other decorations since we are in the middle of repainting much of the house. We usually have our list of gifts/idea completed months ago, and already purchased a lot of them. Not so much this year. Plus I have to finish planning our vacation. Time for lists. Thanks for the motivation!
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 18, 2019 0:22:43 GMT
I have started buying gifts this week end and wrapped a few. I just feel so overwhelmed at Christmas time, and I learned not to buy too early, because my kids wishes change. I always try to surprise my kids with at least one gift that they weren't thinking of and it gets stressful. This year I bought a shirt that says Merry F@@@ing Christmas to wear at home when I am at my wits end. In our house, the Santa gift on Christmas morning was always the best (most expensive) gift. One year my youngest (about 5) could not decide between two gifts. I knew he was flip flopping and bought both. He mentioned Christmas Eve he realllllly wanted the one I bought at the last minute knowing what a pill he could be. He told his brother that Santa was real. Hahahahha. No, your mom just outplayed you. When he was in fifth grade, he wanted the elusive Wii. I found out that our Target was getting in four and I was second in line at six in the morning. He was astounded Christmas morning and once again proclaimed Santa's legitimacy. He's 23 now and still to this day says he believes. It's funny because 99% of the time, I am all about kids sucking it up and dealing with whatever happens. Not sure why I chose to protect Santa.
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Post by mom on Nov 18, 2019 0:56:02 GMT
I am starting my lists this week. We leave for Las Vegas next week and wont be home til Monday after the holiday - I'd like to have everything decorated except for our big tree before we go. I need to finish up last years December Daily album this week and finish up my Peas Christmas cards this week as well. I've started shopping for gifts, but haven't bought much (though I do have a good idea of what I want to get). Im dragging my feet on some of the purchases, hoping to get ta good cyber Monday deal.
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Post by ntsf on Nov 18, 2019 1:26:33 GMT
I have a couple more things to get for the christmas package to my dd in new zealand.. so hopefully done this week. I have the gifts for the kids I nanny for.. and don't know about much else. I have a few things. but dh is gone next week so I hope to cook my pumpkins up and make cranberry relish. thanksgiving is on sat so I have lots of time.
we either give big gifts or just socks or something. I booked a easter holiday weekend get away for us and my dd and her wife so that is a big gift.. they have gotten a lot of big gifts from us.. but that is ok.
I may put up a tiny tree... and our house is being painted this month.. so need to clean out space in basement for the painters.. (garage is in basement.
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Post by psoccer on Nov 18, 2019 1:33:42 GMT
I have started buying gifts this week end and wrapped a few. I just feel so overwhelmed at Christmas time, and I learned not to buy too early, because my kids wishes change. I always try to surprise my kids with at least one gift that they weren't thinking of and it gets stressful. This year I bought a shirt that says Merry F@@@ing Christmas to wear at home when I am at my wits end. In our house, the Santa gift on Christmas morning was always the best (most expensive) gift. One year my youngest (about 5) could not decide between two gifts. I knew he was flip flopping and bought both. He mentioned Christmas Eve he realllllly wanted the one I bought at the last minute knowing what a pill he could be. He told his brother that Santa was real. Hahahahha. No, your mom just outplayed you. When he was in fifth grade, he wanted the elusive Wii. I found out that our Target was getting in four and I was second in line at six in the morning. He was astounded Christmas morning and once again proclaimed Santa's legitimacy. He's 23 now and still to this day says he believes. It's funny because 99% of the time, I am all about kids sucking it up and dealing with whatever happens. Not sure why I chose to protect Santa. I did the Wii thing too at Target. I got up so early and told no one where I was going. It was a huge stresser to get that because that was THE gift that my youngest wanted from Santa and it was two weeks until Christmas and I couldn't find one anywhere. I was so relieved to get it. There was no way I was throwing Santa under the bus. He does bring the best gifts.
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Post by bothmykidsrbrats on Nov 18, 2019 2:26:57 GMT
I host Thanksgiving, which I would rather chew broken glass than do this year, but here I sit making my turkey day list. I installed my Xmas gift app the other day and input everything I've purchased so far. I was ecstatic to realize somehow I'm pretty much done with DS, DD and their SO stockings. Usually stockings are my nemesis. !
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Post by mom on Nov 18, 2019 2:30:05 GMT
I host Thanksgiving, which I would rather chew broken glass than do this year, but here I sit making my turkey day list. I installed my Xmas gift app the other day and input everything I've purchased so far. I was ecstatic to realize somehow I'm pretty much done with DS, DD and their SO stockings. Usually stockings are my nemesis. ! Mine too. You'd think they would be easy but they get me every year. I wait and then cannot think of good things.
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snowdie
Full Member
Posts: 164
Dec 30, 2018 4:45:59 GMT
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Post by snowdie on Nov 18, 2019 2:39:24 GMT
I love what my adult children and I have decided on this year. My daughter is engaged and my son is in a serious relationship. We are going to draw names and each buy for just one person a donation to a charity we think represents them and a pair of socks. We all love socks! I'm still going to fill their stockings because I can't give that up plus I truly want to give them more as the parent. We are going to make this our new tradition. Easy peasy and looking forward to spending time with them.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 18, 2019 2:41:19 GMT
I host Thanksgiving, which I would rather chew broken glass than do this year, but here I sit making my turkey day list. I installed my Xmas gift app the other day and input everything I've purchased so far. I was ecstatic to realize somehow I'm pretty much done with DS, DD and their SO stockings. Usually stockings are my nemesis. ! Mine too. You'd think they would be easy but they get me every year. I wait and then cannot think of good things. My kids' stockings used to be filled with candy/little toys and tooth brushes when they were little. Now that they have moved out, I fill them with a little bit of candy but mostly stuff that would go in a medicine cabinet. And poo pourri. They seem to appreciate getting small things that they need. I am the one who wants to be creative- they want practical.
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hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,621
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
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Post by hannahruth on Nov 18, 2019 2:45:26 GMT
I haven't physically written a list but mentally there is one. I haven't actually bought anything but the thoughts are forming.
I do Santa boxes for our three grandchildren and one for our DD's best friend little boy. I love doing them but I have to be organised! The main things are organised already (pj's, books and movies) and I just really need consumables.
I have also organised three Lego Advent calendars so all in all I'm feeling pretty satisfied really.
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Post by mom on Nov 18, 2019 2:47:01 GMT
Mine too. You'd think they would be easy but they get me every year. I wait and then cannot think of good things. My kids' stockings used to be filled with candy/little toys and tooth brushes when they were little. Now that they have moved out, I fill them with a little bit of candy but mostly stuff that would go in a medicine cabinet. And poo pourri. They seem to appreciate getting small things that they need. I am the one who wants to be creative- they want practical. That is a great idea! I am going to use it! DS1 is slowly learning to cook and I just had the thought I could order him some spices. He hates to spend money on spices because they are expensive so his food is really bland.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 18, 2019 2:47:34 GMT
Lists are a double edged sword. It’s a way to help plan and take control. And terrorize when you realize what all has to be done We aren’t going on vacation for Christmas this year, but are still going to put up our tree. Probably not most other decorations since we are in the middle of repainting much of the house. We usually have our list of gifts/idea completed months ago, and already purchased a lot of them. Not so much this year. Plus I have to finish planning our vacation. Time for lists. Thanks for the motivation! Tonight, in the dark, 38 degree weather, I finished emptying my flower pots into two huge black bags. (They are contractor size and strength.) I have been putting off this little task for over a month. Why now? Because it was on the list. It was actually gorgeous and the cool temps made it much more bearable than normal.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 18, 2019 2:50:38 GMT
My kids' stockings used to be filled with candy/little toys and tooth brushes when they were little. Now that they have moved out, I fill them with a little bit of candy but mostly stuff that would go in a medicine cabinet. And poo pourri. They seem to appreciate getting small things that they need. I am the one who wants to be creative- they want practical. That is a great idea! I am going to use it! DS1 is slowly learning to cook and I just had the thought I could order him some spices. He hates to spend money on spices because they are expensive so his food is really bland. Go to Walmart. Their spices are often a buck. My son was so excited to find them for $1 each. I have also seen some at the dollar store. Not sure that they have a great shelf life, but for $1 it is worth it.
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Post by mom on Nov 18, 2019 2:56:06 GMT
That is a great idea! I am going to use it! DS1 is slowly learning to cook and I just had the thought I could order him some spices. He hates to spend money on spices because they are expensive so his food is really bland. Go to Walmart. Their spices are often a buck. My son was so excited to find them for $1 each. I have also seen some at the dollar store. Not sure that they have a great shelf life, but for $1 it is worth it. I hadnt thought to look there! Thank you!
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,975
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Nov 18, 2019 4:35:44 GMT
I have my list. My gift and stocking stuffer shopping is almost done.
We started decorating yesterday. We do it slowly over about 3 weekends.
I get too stressed out if I don't have everything planned out.
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