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Forum THE LOUNGE Holidays, shmolidays

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    • RabbitPam
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        Does anyone else here feel tired of all the pressure and stress that’s being put on the holidays, in the US at least?

        I mean, retail is the first culprit. The merchandise is now being hauled out before Halloween. That’s a month before Thanksgiving and two before Xmas. Many people’s lives are busier beginning in the fall due to school, family’s schools, and seasonal jobs. So it amounts to all this focus on two days out of the year that take up 1/4 of an entire year’s time. Anyone else feel it’s too much already?

        I guess I am suggesting a way to honestly vent (politely of course) about what you’re sick of. And maybe some gentle suggestions on how to make the holidays a nicer time for us all.

        And remember, not all of us celebrate Christmas. Globally, not even a majority of us do. I would like my Christian friends to be able to put back some of the spirit and joy of the holiday, rather than have it be about plastic trees in department stores and lines outside of Best Buy. The rest of us eat Chinese take out and watch reruns of good movies on TV. I suspect it’s a nice day for us, too. What can we do to help?

        And here’s a fact few of you know. The “Norman Rockwell” image of the holidays? Well, I studied him for 5 years at the museum for my job, and he never lived the lives he painted. He stated he painted “Life as it should be, not as it is.” On Christmas day he worked in his studio. His boys missed him, even though he was in the back yard. He married 3 times. He painted the Santas in July, holding Coke bottles and sweating.

        I don’t mean to burst bubbles here. Rather, I want to suggest that real life for us all is much more diverse, unique, complex – and wonderful for it. We bring some pretty interesting stuff to the boards and each other. We are creative. We have lots going on. Traditions for one family is radically different than those for another. So share them, change them, lose your stereotypes, and enjoy them.


      • Monkeybun
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          The only Christmas tradition that has survived in my family the last how many years… is Bailey’s in the Christmas morning coffee for the adults. Best tradition ever, if you ask me.

          My hubby isn’t a christmas fan, the last couple years we’ve just hung out and watched movies drinking our bailey’s coffee, some of the best christmases ever


        • Sarita
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            I know the reason the stores are pushing this down our throat this year is because their sales are down.

            I’m not a fan of holidays either but my Mom loves it so I just do it for her. I hate decorating too but my Mom who is now retired loves to do it so I told her if she would help me put them up and take them down I would decorate otherwise it’s no go.

            I think though if you enjoy the holidays by all means enjoy them – nothing wrong with the joy that being with family and friends can bring.

            I don’t think the holidays should bring out the scrooge in us though :~)


          • Elrohwen
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              Hubby and I are not gift people – at all. If we want something, we go out and buy it, so there’s nothing we really want for the holidays (and if it’s something too expensive to get during the rest of the year, it’s too expensive to get during the holidays too; we’re not into the holiday splurge thing). We just don’t like buying or receiving gifts and it works for us as a couple, but I feel like we have to do the gift thing with our parents. They’re equally as hard to buy for and don’t care about gifts, but then they go out and spend tons of money on us by getting things we don’t want! Haha. And I feel pressured to get them stuff because I know they’ll have at least 5 presents each for hubby and me. I just wish we could skip the whole thing and hang out together and have a nice meal.

              I’ll admit I do love Thanksgiving. I feel that there’s no pressure and it’s all about eating! Haha. I can go and see my family or visit my friends, eat as much as I want, and hang out. It’s great.


            • skibunny8503
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                I know I hate when all the stores have all their x-mas stuff up BEFORE Halloween. I can see before Thanksgiving but Halloween is a bit early. This year I actually finished all my X-mas shopping for my hubby before Thanksgiving. He also finished his for me! I hate doing X-mas shopping after Thanksgiving because people are just everywhere. Whatever happened to the true meaning of Christmas (or the holidays for that fact), spending time with family not spending time at the mall shoving for that last um….what’s popular now-a-days…let’s say a Wii?

                I LOOOOOOVEEE decorating the house! Playing X-mas music in the background and as we put up our ornaments we think of the story behind them. But I’m starting to get a little sad because even though we did this last year, I’m still not used to it and can’t help but miss decorating and spending x-mas in my parents’ home with my mom, dad, brother, and grandma

                And the gift giving, I love giving gifts but…. Ok, here’s the situation at my house on X-mas eve we go to my hubby’s aunt’s house and they play stealing santa and all the adults have to buy a gift of about $20-25 and you draw numbers and go in order and if you want someone else’s gift you can “steal” it. It’s fun but it’s more money, and usually someone steals the gift you want or last year there wasn’t anything interesting and I got a flashlight. Plus there are about 5 kids (one in high school) and everyone is suppose to buy them gifts and there’s like 5 couples there so all the kids get 5 gifts! Two of the kids are his…I mean our…niece and nephew and we give them gifts on X-mas too. The other kids are all cousins (plus one is in high school). To me it’s a bit much. We’re spending $40 in stealing santa, for each other, $45 each on whoever we get for Secret Santa at his dad’s house, for our friends (I’m doing a $15 limit for my 3), my family and we’re suppose to buy something for 5 other kids? And we’re not rich at all. We go to his aunt’s, my family, and then to his dad’s house on X-mas eve. This is the second year we’ve been married and I’m still not used to it…my family always stayed at home, spent time with each other…we don’t have too much family. I’m not fond of running all around, it’s to much and I just want to relax with the people I love and embrace the X-mas spirit and running around doesn’t do it, it’s quite exhausting. X-mas we open up our X-mas gifts then to my parents (which I’m like oh yay ‘home’ and want to stay) and then to his dad’s house with his brother and sister-in-law and their screaming running around kids (did I mention I came from a QUIET family and his family is loud)

                Elrohwen, you’re like my dad, he goes out and buys his own X-mas gifts and is impossible to buy for because he might have already bought it for himself…I told my mom to take all the credit cards away from him. lol!


              • ScooterandAnnette
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                  This is one thing I really like about Canada having Thanksgiving at the beginning of October! It’s always seemed like such pressure to me to have it so close to Christmas.

                  I love Christmas. I love the decorating and the baking and the feeling of sharing and happiness. I hate the stealing Santa game and I don’t “play” it. We’ve had it at a few office parties and I never steal from anyone, I just don’t like the thought of it. For me the whole thing with Christmas gifts is the thought behind it, not so much the gift itself. Some of my favourite gifts received from past Christmasses have been small inexpensive things but that were really appropriate and showed that the giver had actually thought hey she could really use this or would really like this. I’ve got a small family, there’s like 15 of us in total including aunt and cousins and their kids. One cousin this year has suggested that we just pool money to buy one gift for each person (so there’s an envelope with person A’s name on it and you put some money in there and that goes towards getting their gift) and each person should provide a list of what they’d like. Well I’m sorry but to me that isn’t Christmas. Christmas is about giving things from the heart. If you’re getting me something just because you feel obligated to then really I’d rather you didn’t give me anything.

                  Does that sound bad?
                  – Annette


                • Elrohwen
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                    Skibunny, my family is notorious for buying our own gifts and handing them off to be wrapped 🙂 We’re awful! I actually talked to my mom today and told her we should tone down the gift thing this year. She agreed that we would get each other cheap token gifts (like $20) instead of worrying about getting nice stuff. Yay! I always feel so guilty when they get me $200 worth of stuff I don’t want/need and all I can think to get them is one $30 item.

                    My sister in law is fantastic at buying gifts and manages to get me something awesome that I can really use every year (and she doesn’t spend much money either). I wish I had that skill!


                  • FluffyBunny
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                      Our stores had replaced (and put up at 80% off…) all the ghosts and jack-o-lanterns with santas and plastic trees by Nov. 2nd. :/ I don’t care for Halloween…I celebrated it by lurking BB and watching TV. Lol.

                      I’m really exited about Thanksgiving because of getting/being able to make a nice, flavorful meal (in a family where the staples are canned soup and overcooked pasta)…and cranberry sauce. xD

                      Christmas, on the other hand…A time of religious pressure and worrying about gifts for fussy family members. D:


                    • Deleted User
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                        I look forward to after the holidays when the turkeys go on sale. I will buy 2 big ones and make turkey jerkey for my dogs.


                      • bunnytowne
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                          blah humbug holidays. 

                          We are Muslim so we dont’ participate.   However b4 I became Muslim.  ugh the stress the pressure buy this I want that spending rent $ for gifts.   Rediculous.

                          I didn’t like it then   Xmas is supposed to be about religion not materialism anyways   This is so commercialized in america.   Yuck. 

                          Oof I gotta go catch m y bus

                          miss y’all


                        • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                            When I was a kid I loved christmas-I’d bust out holiday music Dec 1. And I’d be up at the crack of dawn making my parents coffee (Dont’ you dare wake them up unless you’ve made coffee!! LOL) so we could start present opening. In fact, my parent’s always ‘left a note for Santa’ to put our stockings in our bedrooms becasue we could open those alone and then wake parent’s up.

                            My family has always lived mostly in Winnipeg, while my immediate family and I lived elsewhere. Christmas was going to Winnipeg, 36 hours of driving (one way!!), in 40- weather, and spending two weeks back and forth between relatives. Generally New years was in a hotel at the halfway point home.

                            And. I. Loved. It!!!

                            I got a little scroogy in my teenage years (Don’t wake me up before noon mom!!) but now I am enjoying it again -a lot.

                            I LOVE having an excuse to take time off work.
                            I LOVE buying presents for people (even though I never budget).
                            I LOVE having those nights where everyone gets together for coffee and drinks, the house is decorated, fire is lit and it’s freezing out.
                            I LOVE seeing my extended (but small) family.

                            This year-we don’t know what/where christmas will be. My parent’s are retired but running a company now so they may be travelling as December will be a slow down. If that’s the case, I’m going to go by myself (with Mikey, dave doesn’t want to come) to Winnnipeg to see my grandpa and make him a turkey (hopefully I can manage cooking a turkey) for a few days -likely 26-29 or so.

                            If they are here-my family from the ‘peg will come here. That would be best!

                            And although Dave is mister scrooge this is our first year in a house-and we are putting up lights and a tree. My mom made Mikey his stocking already (tradition-dogs get stockings for christmas)

                            I do really love CHristmas. Then after new years-I’m ready for spring…but it’s a long wait!

                             

                             

                            Oh and this year we are taking part in the christmas angel program at my work-we have the names of two residents who have no family and don’t get christmas gifts. So we are doing christmas for them! 


                          • FluffyBunny
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                              I intend to buy a BB maze and some small gifts for Mr. Bunny this year, wrap them up, and make him a stocking of course.

                              My parents always do the old “This is so nice I want you to have it!” thing when you get them gifts, and they monitor every purchase – so no surprisegifts for them. D: And my brother is really really difficult to shop for.

                              I’m not looking forward to christmas this year between the constant stress between family members (esp. my Dad and brother), my inability to figure out how to get gifts and having to hear Christmas tunes until my head splits open.


                            • skibunny8503
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                                Oh KK we used to do that when we were kids….ok ok, me and my brother got up in the morning (a little later each year but still around 8am) and opened our stocking gifts while our parents were asleep and go check out my grandma’s “apartment” (mother-in-law built in suite) and see her gifts then wake them up.  We did this until 2 years ago when I moved out  I kind of miss it and I know he does too.  And I’m 25. 

                                S&A I wholeheartedly agree with the x-mas pool & stealing Santa.  It can be a little fun but I hate it when someone steals your gift.  Or what was bad last year was that my husband picked one thing that I already got for him that he wanted to latch on and thankfully someone stole it from him but then he picked out a BBQ set and I got him that too!  So now we have 2 :/
                                We have someone on my husband’s side (won’t name names but you can almost guarentee that for someone’s b-day they’ll just go out and buy you a gift card, mainly for a restaurant which you know you’ll spend more than $20 at Olive Garden.  We said no gift cards for secret santa

                                My grandma now goes with me to the store and she makes me pick out stuff to get me for X-mas and my b-day (my b-day’s in jan.) which is nice and that way she doesn’t get me anything I don’t like.  Plus now I’m older and more forgetful so I’m still surprised most of the time haha!


                              • Monkeybun
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                                  It kinda sucks for me here in the states, as my birthday this year is the day before thanksgiving! lol. In canada, I had a month between thanksgiving and my birthday. All my friends here are always away at family crap and cant get together for it

                                  dang americans… hehe


                                • skibunny8503
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                                    Posted By Monkeybun on 11/18/2009 03:47 PM
                                    It kinda sucks for me here in the states, as my birthday this year is the day before thanksgiving! lol. In canada, I had a month between thanksgiving and my birthday. All my friends here are always away at family crap and cant get together for it

                                    dang americans… hehe

                                    My mom’s birthday is the same day!  She always says “Don’t make a cake!!” because she makes silk pie and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving and we’ll have a bunch of food left.  This year we’re celebrating it this Saturday and I’m making cupcakes.  Happy early early b-day Monkey


                                  • Moonlight_Wolf
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                                      I Love the holidays, maybe its because all the stress of buying presents for all my extended family is nonexistent because they all live in africa. But I am fine with it that way, I love opening presents even if I know what they are, and I love giving gifts to my family, especially my mom. I love the festiveness and I love the snow, I just love christmas- And the greatest thing of all… NO SCHOOL!

                                      I don’t know I just love the feel of christmas, I think it is a really pretty time of year and I get really ecited to open my presents (greedy me). It also is really fun when we get together with some friends from Iceland (who also have no extended family in the states). Wow this is making me really excited for Christmas now!!!


                                    • Monkeybun
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                                        The one thing I like about the holidays in general, is the feeling of happiness there is everywhere. Watching kids in their holiday excitement. Seeing the excitement in elderly peoples eyes when they see snow here, it rarely snows here so its a big deal . I DO tend to avoid shopping if at all possible, stores are too crazy this time of year. But everywhere else… its like people just stop being grumpy and give in to a little bit of happiness.


                                      • Moonlight_Wolf
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                                          Watching kids in their holiday excitement.

                                          Hehehe….. me.


                                        • jerseygirl
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                                            There’s an extra layer of ridiculousness with the Christmas merchandise/paraphenalia here…. the snow, fir trees, mittens and chestnut roasting etc…when it’s Summer here in the southern hemisphere!  It’s not even summer yet but todays temp : 43 C (109 F)

                                            I do love Christmas.  I do NOT like the commercialisation of it.  I would elaborate but I’m scroogey today…

                                            I do want to know though Skibunny…what is silk pie?  Sounds yum.


                                          • MimzMum
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                                              Pam, I always love where your whimsy takes us. You have such insightful thoughts, one can’t help but follow you down the path you set and wander through new ideas and experiences! I just want to thank you for that.

                                              As far as Thanksgiving is concerned…I just have the same hope each year…please don’t let me burn the turkey! 0_0 This year, I add, please let me be able to AFFORD the turkey!
                                              It was always the best holiday for me as a kid. Seriously, better than Christmas. It was the one day of the year where there was NO arguing allowed. Everyone in my little three unit family had to stay in a good mood all day. After my (step)mom passed away it never was the same again.

                                              I did all the decor at Christmas as a child. We had everything from the tinsel tree and mercury ornaments to the color changer behind the tree and huge plastic candle lanterns and giant candy canes and stockings I’d put up every year along with singing carols (all my old carols are on LP and irretrievable now which is very sad) and after the holidays were over I’d pack them all up again by myself and return them to the shelves in the garage. It was always all me when it came to Christmas spirit. But I threw myself into it heart and soul.

                                              For the last 15 years, Christmas has been mostly where to tuck the tree in our tiny space of house and letting the kids decorate, obsessing over what we would give them and inevitably going completely overboard, no budget. Then having way too much stuff lying around after the holidays that we probably STILL have laying around somewhere. Really we’ve taken Santa Claus to unhealthy levels. And as they grew and ‘stopped believing’, we’d mostly just continue the fantasy for our own sakes. I mean, we live right down the road from the “Santa Claus House” for goodness sake…how do you NOT do Christmas up big here, only 15 miles from North Pole, Alaska?? >_<
                                              The economy has been steadily depleting our enthusiasm for the ‘stuffed Christmas’…not to mention that with two teenagers it just wasn’t fun anymore. We don’t put up our tree until about a week before (up here we still cut our own) and then have to get it down right away before it turns flammable in the low humidity. Every trip to town during the season is a double worry for me because I’m already convinced my house is going to burn down. Then all the crazy people out there trying to outdo each other on the road and in the stores…what a load!
                                              I will be glad how simple it is going to be this year. Not only can I not afford a lot of pomp and circumstance, but since my cancer diagnosis and recovery for the last 5 years, my spirituality is eating at me for not making the day about WHO instead of WHAT.

                                              I’ve been trying unsuccessfully for the last 5 years to get my family to take in Christmas service with me at any church of their choice…even if it’s the one in the living room in front of the creche. So far, I am the only one who sits up reading scripture and contemplating the more personal meaning of the day. But I hold out hope that maybe each year it will be different. I go through the same hopefulness at Easter.

                                              I don’t place these thoughts on the board to begin a discussion on religion or spirituality…this is simply my wish for this time of year…let it mean more to the heart than the hands.

                                              I look forward to my son spending some elongated time (more than just a day or two) at home, hopefully no infighting in the family…maybe my daughter putting up with a hug from her brother…and general peace all around. Yup. I’d call that a Christmas Miracle! ^_^

                                              But for my Binky family…I just pray that all of us will see brighter days even as the hours the sun is above the horizon shrinks toward Solstice. Up here, we start expecting summer coming from the 21st of December, because that’s when the light turns around and lengthens towards the warmer months. We still have at least 3 more months of snow and cold, but at least the darkness begins to lift!

                                              For all of you my dear friends…be it so!


                                            • skibunny8503
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                                                Posted By jerseygirl on 11/18/2009 06:00 PM

                                                There’s an extra layer of ridiculousness with the Christmas merchandise/paraphenalia here…. the snow, fir trees, mittens and chestnut roasting etc…when it’s Summer here in the southern hemisphere!  It’s not even summer yet but todays temp : 43 C (109 F)

                                                I do love Christmas.  I do NOT like the commercialisation of it.  I would elaborate but I’m scroogey today…

                                                I do want to know though Skibunny…what is silk pie?  Sounds yum.

                                                Oh wow I forgot it’s summer for you!  109 F?!  I love the heat but that’s a bit to hot, even for me  

                                                Mimz, I think that’s awesome you live by the North Pole and I would do X-mas big too hehe!  My parents did up X-mas all the time, when we’d wake up there would be Santa “snow” (or baby powder) prints by the door, all the x-mas stuffed animals would be lined up down the hall and all the cookies and some of the milk would be gone (My dad always said Santa would prefer coke instead )

                                                For jersey and anyone else that wants a copy (I found on kraftfoods.com, I think it’s probably the same as my mom’s), here’s a copy of French Silk Pie:

                                                French Silk Chocolate Pie

                                                Makes: 10 servings Total Time: 2 hr 50 min

                                                Ingredients:

                                                • Crust
                                                • 1 refrigerated pie crust (15-oz box),
                                                • softened as directed on box

                                                 

                                                • Filling
                                                • 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, cut into pieces
                                                • 1 cup butter, softened (do not use margarine)
                                                • 1 cup sugar
                                                • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
                                                • 4 pasteurized eggs

                                                 

                                                • Topping
                                                • 1/2 cup sweetened whipped cream
                                                • Chocolate curls, if desired
                                                Preparation
                                                1. Heat oven to 450ºF. Make pie crust as directed on box for One-Crust Baked Shell, using 9-inch glass pie pan. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

                                                2. In 1-quart saucepan, melt chocolate over low heat; cool. In small bowl, beat butter on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in chocolate and vanilla.

                                                3. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating on high speed 2 minutes after each addition; beat until smooth and fluffy. Pour into pie shell. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Top with whipped cream and chocolate curls. Store in refrigerator.


                                              • Monkeybun
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                                                  skibunny, it got to a high of 111 here in the portland area this summer. we packed up monkeya nd took her down to salem where my hubby’s mom lives, she has AC we dont lol. poor bun was hot.


                                                • skibunny8503
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                                                    Posted By Monkeybun on 11/19/2009 01:52 PM
                                                    skibunny, it got to a high of 111 here in the portland area this summer. we packed up monkeya nd took her down to salem where my hubby’s mom lives, she has AC we dont lol. poor bun was hot.

                                                    We were lucky if it got to 90 over the summer…I’m glad my parents bought a heater for their pool or we’d never get in!

                                                    I have another holiday fav….black friday!!   I hate it, to many people!  But we might go for the deals (like a new digital camera), just as long as we get in and get out and go home to go back to bed…ugh


                                                  • jerseygirl
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                                                      French Silk Chocolate Pie
                                                      Mmmm…Oh My, Christmas is suddenly looking a whole lot better!


                                                    • ScooterandAnnette
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                                                        Posted By Kokaneeandkahlua on 11/18/2009 02:17 PM

                                                        If that’s the case, I’m going to go by myself (with Mikey, dave doesn’t want to come) to Winnnipeg to see my grandpa and make him a turkey (hopefully I can manage cooking a turkey) for a few days -likely 26-29 or so. 

                                                         

                                                        Hey let us know if you’ll have time when you’re in town and you can come on by for a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace and some home baked cookies!!

                                                        – Annette


                                                      • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                          Hey let us know if you’ll have time when you’re in town and you can come on by for a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace and some home baked cookies!!

                                                          – Annette

                                                          Thank you!! I’ll let you know if i’m going to the ‘peg and if I do we should definitely catch up-I would love to see your bunners again


                                                        • jerseygirl
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                                                            hehehe! Um Annette, you don’t still have those adorable black foster kittys do you? You might have to hide them!


                                                          • RabbitPam
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                                                              Silk Pie recipe – YUM!!!
                                                              Already glad I started this thread.

                                                              (Looks like you guys are into it, too. MM lives near Santa. So cool!)


                                                            • babybunsmum
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                                                                ahhh christmas. it took me most of my now 39 years to get into the real groove of christmas. growing up it was a big deal in my family… religiously and socially. i was very very blessed but then when dad passed away it sucked hard. all of the traditions i’d had for 30 years were suddenly gone. since then i have really really really come to appreciate christmas by making the traditions more about concept than precise activities that have to ‘measure up’.

                                                                minimizing my gift list helped. i think big about stuff for kids but with adults in my life i have mostly gift exchanges or going our for dinner instead of giving gifts. always nicer to spend the time together than the money. i stay as flexible as possible with planning / attending get-togethers. easier for me than most being that i’m single, but there’s always a time conflict or 4 no matter what. and i also remind myself of all the things i’m blessed with as much as possible.

                                                                i LOVE when i find the perfect gift for some one and totally enjoy watching them open their pressie… i LOVE christmas caroles and jingle bells and always make sure to save time to wander the busy malls AFTER i’m done shopping just to enjoy the ambiance… i LOVE getting together with family and friends for visits… and i LOVE that people are generally well-wishing and more ‘human’ instead of work-work-work.


                                                              • sgregory
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                                                                  I love Christmas! I’m a broke college student so I never have money, but for Christmas I have the excuse of spending money to buy people gifts, even if it means taking out extra loans. 😛
                                                                  I hate it too though, lol. I work in retail, so it’s always really stressful. Old Navy is ridiculous, they want me to work extra hard this time of year for no extra pay. We’re going to be open until midnight through December where I live.. Which means I’ll be cleaning in the store until probably 3am! It’s awful! I work 8 hours on Black Friday, which is about enough to make me kill myself, haha. People turn into animals on Black Friday.


                                                                • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                    I have mixed feelings about Christmas. More so than ever this year.

                                                                    The commercialism has gotten WAY out of hand! It seems like every year the stores put out their Christmas supplies earlier and earlier. The day before Halloween I went to the bulk food store to get some Halloween candy for some treats I was making; There were none! It was all candy canes and chocolate bells! I was so stunned!

                                                                    The stress put on people to spend money is terrible. I really feel so bad for the low income families who can’t afford to live up to the standard set by the media. What I’ve dubbed the “Mainstream Christmas” is just buy, buy, buy. And no matter how much you spend, you can never spend enough at Christmas!

                                                                    I have to admit I do enjoy giving (but not shopping for) and receiving gifts but my bf and I really limit ourselves to a very reasonable amount. I decorate the house but never before Dec 1, and I do enjoy the movies and some of the music. Although, when I worked at a certain lawyer’s office he made us listen to the 24 hour Christmas radio station and I was about ready to quit if I heard that stupid Chipmunks Christmas song just one more time….You want a hoola hoop, okay just shut already!!! Sorry…but that felt good.

                                                                    I was raised a Catholic so Christmas has always been a big celebration for my family. Christmas Day my Mom, bf, grandparents, sister and her husband and 3 kids spend the day exchanging gifts and having dinner. I really look forward to the day with my family. My pets are all involved in Christmas too, they all have their own stockings with their names on them, which means I hang 9 stockings, although they are to scale, bunnies get itty bitty stockings (which could never contain all the presents they get from “Santa Paws”.)

                                                                    Everyone’s always talking about the stress of Christmas, not about the fun and happiness, which should lead us all to believe we are doing something wrong. I hate to say it, but it’s probably going to get worse every year.

                                                                    Okay, now that I’ve gotten out my “bah Humbugs” thought this cute pic I found and captioned might lighten the mood.


                                                                  • RabbitPam
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                                                                      Posted By LittlePuffyTail on 11/20/2009 03:57 PM

                                                                      My pets are all involved in Christmas too, they all have their own stockings with their names on them, which means I hang 9 stockings, although they are to scale, bunnies get itty bitty stockings (which could never contain all the presents they get from “Santa Paws”.)

                                                                      LPT: would you post a picture of those stockings, please?

                                                                       


                                                                    • Monkeybun
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                                                                        ooo! Bunny stockings! Must get some for Monkey and unknown bunneh…


                                                                      • RabbitPam
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                                                                          But Monkeybun, what if the unknown bunneh turns out to be Jewish? (Today I am a Rabbit.) Of course, you’ll still need 8 stockings in the winter – one for each paw.


                                                                        • Monkeybun
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                                                                            If bunneh is Jewish, I’ll get it a cute little black hat to put treats in.


                                                                          • Elrohwen
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                                                                              Is it wrong that I spent more on Otto’s Christmas presents than on hubby’s?? We agreed to get each other one small thing, but then I went and spent a bunch of money on the bun.  Hubby’s ok with it though because he loves Otto as much as I do 

                                                                              In my house we always had stockings for pets too! The dogs got ones slightly smaller than people (though we always had to put them on top of the mantle, not hanging, because they would jump up and knock them down to get at the treats). The gerbils had teeny tiny little stockings about 5″ long . Now that my parents don’t have any pets of their own, they’re going to give one of the doggie stockings to Otto  (and one of the tiny stockings to my only remaining gerbil, Sebastian). I’m excited! 


                                                                            • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                I hate to admit but I don’t really do anything for the buns for xmas… They don’t notice anything and they don’t seem to care about new things…face it most of my credit card debt is bunny stuff, the room is full and I can’t think of one thing they don’t have -seriously there aren’t even any treats or foods they like but don’t get regularly (safe regularly of course) soooo other then a bigger plate of veggies -I’m a bad momma !!

                                                                                The dogs always get stocking though-we wrap (minus tape) toys and treats and let them pull all their stuff out themselves. Only treats enough that they can eat them all then without getting sick-no massive amount of edibles. Usually toys


                                                                              • Monkeybun
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                                                                                  Courtesy of FailBlog, I give you…

                                                                                  Happy Holidays


                                                                                • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                    I LOVE failblog!!! Dave’s sister said she is going to do that ‘ditto’ LOL


                                                                                  • Adalaide
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                                                                                      I’ve been trying really hard to care about the holidays but I’m just not feeling it. I am making Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s because hubby wants it. This will be my 5th Christmas in Utah. Growing up we always had dinner at my grammy’s house (my dad’s mom), not always on Christmas but it’s the only tradition that has stuck with me. Spending the whole day before making pies and cakes then spending all of the next morning in the kitchen with my grammy. Four out of my grandparents 5 kids were ALWAYS there and uncle Fred usually made it. All my aunts and uncles are married and have 2 kids. Now we’re all grown up and having our own kids. When I remember my earliest Christmases there (I’m the oldest grandchild) there were still always at least a dozen people. Last time I was there I think there were about 30 of us. Now the holidays just make me homesick and miserable. It’s been 6 years since I spent a holiday with my family and over 2 years since I saw them last. I did tell my husband though in no uncertain terms that I will NOT spend another Chirstmas in Utah after this year. I’ll be spending it at home with my family. I know this is a real shocker in today’s world but my dad’s family is not disfunctional. Everyone gets along, there’s no gossiping or backbiting and everyone is genuinely happy to see everyone else at the holidays. I suppose that’s why the family still gets together like this for every holiday.

                                                                                      I’ve decided this year that I refuse to get out of bed before noon on Christmas and I also refuse to get dressed. We’ll probably celebrate religiously of course, but as for the rest… hang it all cause I just don’t care anymore.


                                                                                    • RabbitPam
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                                                                                        K&K,
                                                                                        I hate to spill the beans, but Noot and Chuck asked Santa for their own condo down here on the beach.
                                                                                        Something about retiring in style without those giant slaves with the bad medicine.
                                                                                        The word Margaritas came up several times.


                                                                                      • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                          Rabbit Pam- I’ll make sure to take pics when I put up the stockings! Still way too early!

                                                                                          I’ll have to take a pic of their Christmas tree too! They get a tiny tree (probably about 11 inches or so) in the rabbit room complete with wee little decorations and garland.

                                                                                           


                                                                                        • MimzMum
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                                                                                            OH this I have to see! ^_^
                                                                                            I admit, I have those miniature stockings for the buns too, but they just decorate their pens…I figure anything “Santa” would want to leave for them would cause then to make a jailbreak to get to. lol.
                                                                                            Yes, we live near Santa, Pam…but have you heard how the USPS is taking the Grinch’s side by not sending kids’ letters to North Pole anymore?! Scandalous! 0_o
                                                                                            The mayor of the city said no one even knew it was coming. There’s a lot of outrage going on about it here now.


                                                                                          • ScooterandAnnette
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                                                                                              Posted By jerseygirl on 11/19/2009 09:31 PM
                                                                                              hehehe! Um Annette, you don’t still have those adorable black foster kittys do you? You might have to hide them!

                                                                                               

                                                                                              OMG I cannot tell you how much I wish I still had them!  I totally fell in love with one of them and seriously there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him and worry about him.  I’ve even had to stop myself from getting in the car and driving over to the shelter to get him.  The other two were adorable and wonderful and I really hope they get good homes but the little guy just totally stole my heart.

                                                                                              This is him snuggled in my arms the morning I had to take them back:

                                                                                               

                                                                                              – Annette


                                                                                            • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                Oh ouch! That would have been hard. He’s like a lil baby there. A picture of health too!


                                                                                              • RabbitPam
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                                                                                                  I know I’m causing trouble, Annette, but are you sure you can’t go get him back?
                                                                                                  I know how those connections feel.


                                                                                                • MimzMum
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                                                                                                    Now that’s what I call a cute stocking stuffer! ^_^
                                                                                                    I’m rather partial to black cats though, seeing as I have one of my own (in a long line of them) and one tuxedo black shorthair (Hello Kitty, the terror of the Great White North) who is more the hubby’s cat. (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) The three of them just got in a huge row this morning and I can see where that’s enough cattitude for one lifetime. I am doing my best to not even think of bringing home any more. Bunnies may be a different story. xD

                                                                                                    I love the face on that kitty Annette, the personality really shines through.

                                                                                                    I know, I’m not helping. Sorry. You know how Pam gets me started. lol.


                                                                                                  • Monkeybun
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                                                                                                      Awwwwww kitty1 *snuggle* I’d soooo go get him back from the shelter. <3 kitties.

                                                                                                      Oh, and hubby just told me I am never allowed to name any kitty we get Hello Kitty he’s such a meanie.


                                                                                                    • Adalaide
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                                                                                                        That is really mean! You could pout til you get your way. It almost always works for me.


                                                                                                      • jerseygirl
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                                                                                                          Ahh…but he didn’t say you couldn’t name a bunny that now did he?!
                                                                                                          Monkey and Kitty. It is just so right.


                                                                                                        • MimzMum
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                                                                                                            Well, not to crash this thread, but I didn’t plan to name her Hello Kitty…it just kind of came out that way. We hadn’t intended to keep her either, as she is very antagonistic with the other two and anytime they catch sight of each other it’s world war 3.
                                                                                                            Not at all like the big-headed cartoon character who doesn’t have a mouth full of teeth for biting. 0_o

                                                                                                            She was a local stray that we’d all seen walking around the neighborhood and she just sauntered into the yard one day like she owned it. (of course now she does) And I said, (duh) “Why… Hello, Kitty!”
                                                                                                            Stupid, I know. But it stuck. *sigh*

                                                                                                            My daughter and I had been reading the Warriors books at the time, so she’s lucky she didn’t get stuck with a name like MilkFoot or something like that.


                                                                                                          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                                              K&K,
                                                                                                              I hate to spill the beans, but Noot and Chuck asked Santa for their own condo down here on the beach.
                                                                                                              Something about retiring in style without those giant slaves with the bad medicine.
                                                                                                              The word Margaritas came up several times.

                                                                                                              LMAO hahahah

                                                                                                              I will go with them-only fair that I see them to their destination and get some margaritas too


                                                                                                            • MimzMum
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                                                                                                                I think me and my bunnies need to stow away in Chuck’s & Noot’s suitcase!


                                                                                                              • Monkeybun
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                                                                                                                  Posted By MimzMum on 11/22/2009 09:27 PM
                                                                                                                  Well, not to crash this thread, but I didn’t plan to name her Hello Kitty…it just kind of came out that way. We hadn’t intended to keep her either, as she is very antagonistic with the other two and anytime they catch sight of each other it’s world war 3.
                                                                                                                  Not at all like the big-headed cartoon character who doesn’t have a mouth full of teeth for biting. 0_o

                                                                                                                  She was a local stray that we’d all seen walking around the neighborhood and she just sauntered into the yard one day like she owned it. (of course now she does) And I said, (duh) “Why… Hello, Kitty!”
                                                                                                                  Stupid, I know. But it stuck. *sigh*

                                                                                                                  My daughter and I had been reading the Warriors books at the time, so she’s lucky she didn’t get stuck with a name like MilkFoot or something like that.

                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                  My hubby curses the day I found the Hello Kitty store at the mall here…I now have several hello kitty plushies, purses, agendas, notebooks, pens, he says its taking over hehe


                                                                                                                • MimzMum
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                                                                                                                    lolz…I should put my collection in a museum and charge admission.


                                                                                                                  • Monkeybun
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                                                                                                                      Just to keep it somwhat on topic…

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                      Here’s a Christmas tree care of Hello Kitty


                                                                                                                    • MimzMum
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                                                                                                                        *gasp* 0_o
                                                                                                                        Okay, now I like Christmas trees and I adore Hello Kitty…but that’s over the top. o_o
                                                                                                                        However, I do need to know where and how far from Fairbanks that mall is…lol.


                                                                                                                      • Monkeybun
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                                                                                                                          The picture didn’t say Probably in Japan somewhere lol.


                                                                                                                        • Lintini
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                                                                                                                            Awesome bunny xmas vids ….the “Rabbids”  SOOOO FUNNY.

                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                            http://www.youtube.com/watch

                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                             


                                                                                                                          • bunnytowne
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                                                                                                                              My son is coming for Tgiving.  Cool.  I called him last nite to tell him to thaw the turkey.  His phone is shut off. 

                                                                                                                              OH well…. will be good to see him.


                                                                                                                            • RabbitPam
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                                                                                                                                Hey, BT,
                                                                                                                                Good to hear from you. Was thinking about you this morning.
                                                                                                                                Maybe your son can thaw out hubby so you can get a working laptop?
                                                                                                                                Happy Thanksgiving!

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