When do you start your Christmas preparations ?

Wren

Wren

Well-known Member
Location
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When do you start your Christmas preparations ? I bought my first gifts today, planning to have them wrapped and ready by the end of November so I can relax and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, without having to queue or be caught up in the crowds
 

I buy all year long. When I went on our mother/daughter trip this past June I bought several items in New England. The Country Store in Vermont had several items my daughter liked so I bought them for her. I also got a couple things for my son in law from some antique stores along the way.
 
I used to start around September buying things as I saw them, but now I don't buy presents for anyone except for hubs. Daughter has everything she wants or needs so always a little donation to her future moving fund is appreciated. She's flying in this week for a couple of days and that will be the only time we'll see her before Christmas so we pay for a meal out , and whatever else .... We have no grandkids, so none to buy for... and we stopped buying for the ever growing nieces and nephews as they grew into adults..
 

We've already bought some toys for the Great Grandkids...and will probably buy more. As for the adults, we just draw names at the family get together on Thanksgiving, and buy one gift, with a $50 limit, for the person whose name we draw. One of the daughters will host Thanksgiving, and the other will have Christmas at their place. For us, it's all about getting the whole group together for a great meal and conversations, and Christmas gifts are primarily for the little kids.
 
I usually bake a lot for Christmas. Everyone else works and they don't have time to make Christmas cookies, popcorn balls etc. They always seem to enjoy the goodies and kind of hint to see if I will make again. I've already accumulated most of the ingredients but won't start baking until December.
 
Don M. said:
We've already bought some toys for the Great Grandkids...and will probably buy more. As for the adults, we just draw names at the family get together on Thanksgiving, and buy one gift, with a $50 limit, for the person whose name we draw. One of the daughters will host Thanksgiving, and the other will have Christmas at their place. For us, it's all about getting the whole group together for a great meal and conversations, and Christmas gifts are primarily for the little kids.
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That pretty well describes our Holiday season as well, Don. I always think of Thanksgiving as "Christmas without the gifts". Our gatherings now number in the low 30's if all can make it. This is all our brood - -neither of us have brothers and my wife had one sister long since passed away.
 
DaveA said:
That pretty well describes our Holiday season as well, Don. I always think of Thanksgiving as "Christmas without the gifts". Our gatherings now number in the low 30's if all can make it. This is all our brood - -neither of us have brothers and my wife had one sister long since passed away.
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I always love when you mention your big family, Dave! What wonderful holidays for you all.
 
I try not to think about it, but if I am going to take the trouble to put up a tree I like to do it right after Thanksgiving. That way I can get the most enjoyment out of all my work up until sometimes March. :badgirl:
 
Since I give out handcarved ornaments ,and other handmade things I have already started. My decorations are partially up outside , however , I don’t turn them on until the beginning of December which is when I put up the trees and decorate them.
I’m very excited to be able to give my immediate family as well as the in laws their own gifts in person this year. I’m especially looking forward to seeing my sister in law. My communicate all the time via email but I haven’t actually seen her in about 15 years. It’s going to be so exciting. I don’t buy many presents but I do go all out for the event. Christmas is so special
 
I'm like Falcon it only takes me a few minutes to stuff a bill into an envelope.

If I see the person over the holidays or if they make an effort to come and see me I give them the envelope if not it eventually goes back into the general fund.

I'm sad to report that every year Christmas becomes less expensive.
 
I don't prepare for the holidays anymore like I used to when my adult sons for little.Besides the holidays had become way way way to overly commercialized.It's become mostly about the dollar.
 
I buy things as and when I see them, tuck them away and frequently forget about them. Other than making the Christmas cake, we don't bother much and Christmas is a fairly low key affair. I would prefer to celebrate the Solstice as the official winter festival.
 
I'll have to ask Mrs. L about that. I cook the meals, but she bakes the cakes, pies etc.. I do know that it does contain a deal of Christmas spirit - mostly brandy! Our friends in the village baked me a cake for my birthday, but warned me it was a bit alcoholic - Alcoholic!!!! you could have run a car on the fumes.
It contained so much Vodka (which I don't like) that it was inedible. I told a white lie and said it was very nice.

The Christmas cake just has enough brandy to enhance the flavour and preserve the cake.
 

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