8th Annual Christmas Thead

[Worfiedoodles]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who had to wait until it was convenient for DS to help trim the tree. It was up a week before he could fit it into his schedule...I almost have the cards done. Gave up on DH writing a Christmas letter and asked DS to make a photo collage. 15 minutes later he was done. Now I've printed the photos, and I'm ready to stuff and seal the envelopes. This may be our last year for cards. We've received 4 so far. Of course I can't really complain since mine aren't out the door yet

Still have plenty to wrap and last shopping on Friday. Convinced DH to take the day off so we are both Christmassing instead of working. I don't really need him, but it's nice to have someone else drive and try to park this time of year Plus he has been working so many hours lately, It's a great excuse to spend some time together.
It's a crazy race to the finish -- we have our full Friday, Saturday morning we have our last grocery shopping, and cleaning, Saturday afternoon DS and I have Star Wars 4D tickets, and my dad arrives for 10 days on Sunday. We have to get the guest suite ready, as it also serves as the man cave and I don't generally clean there at all -- I figure it's your mess, you can deal with it. DH will clean -- but he doesn't dust and doesn't notice things like I do. I guess my dad probably doesn't either so that probably works out

I will soon be down to baking and making!

Anyone have a fab Christmas dinner idea that doesn't involve turkey or ham? Neither go over big in our house. We've done filet mignon before, I'd love to try something different...I'm looking for something I can serve with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dressing, crescent rolls -- really a main dish idea.

Maria

 

[bas71873]

Anyone have a fab Christmas dinner idea that doesn't involve turkey or ham? Neither go over big in our house. We've done filet mignon before, I'd love to try something different...I'm looking for something I can serve with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dressing, crescent rolls -- really a main dish idea.

Maria

Why not just throw a pot roast in the crock pot? Easy peasy? Or heck. Steaks on the grill. It's going to be 70 here in VA on Cmas day....or at least that what the forecasters are saying as of now. I'm dreading cooking my turkey now and heating up the house!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Why not just throw a pot roast in the crock pot? Easy peasy? Or heck. Steaks on the grill. It's going to be 70 here in VA on Cmas day....or at least that what the forecasters are saying as of now. I'm dreading cooking my turkey now and heating up the house!

I like the crockpot idea! Steak on the grill would be lovely, but I can't count on not having snow. It's unseasonably warm, but I am in Boston...what a wonderful forecast, 70 on Christmas would be surreal!

Maria

 

[LilyWDW]

I have yet to wrap a single present. Today I am home sick with a stomach bug so who knows how I will be feeling tomorrow. Which means I am even more behind and have a long list of to do on Thursday. Then I work Friday through Monday and then Wednesday. I have NO idea how I will get it all done. Maybe try and do wrapping on Tuesday morning.

 

[Pesky]

Is anyone baking or making anything this year? I need to bring something homemade to my neighbor's Christmas Eve party. We will bring a couple bottles of wine, and then I add my fudge. But I also feel like I should make something else. I just saw a Betty Crocker recipe for sugar cookie bars with holiday M&Ms. It sounds really easy and like something that would go over well...

Maria

I did Union Cafe bar nut recipe. Mixed nuts coated with this butter, brown sugar, sea salt, cayenne pepper and fresh rosemary. People requested I make them again this year and the bag I gave my boss didn't make it out of his office at the end of the day. You can google it as there are several variations on the recipe so you can find what you like. I tone down the cayenne a bit. Another thing I do is I grabbed the Disneyland gingerbread recipe off Disney Diner site and make that, including with some piped melted milk chocolate candy coating and then the royal icing.

Anyone have a fab Christmas dinner idea that doesn't involve turkey or ham? Neither go over big in our house. We've done filet mignon before, I'd love to try something different...I'm looking for something I can serve with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dressing, crescent rolls -- really a main dish idea.

Maria

Prime rib! fancy but low effort. You just sear it and then roast it low and slow. Or do the same with a london broil. Marinate it and then broil.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I did Union Cafe bar nut recipe. Mixed nuts coated with this butter, brown sugar, sea salt, cayenne pepper and fresh rosemary. People requested I make them again this year and the bag I gave my boss didn't make it out of his office at the end of the day. You can google it as there are several variations on the recipe so you can find what you like. I tone down the cayenne a bit. Another thing I do is I grabbed the Disneyland gingerbread recipe off Disney Diner site and make that, including with some piped melted milk chocolate candy coating and then the royal icing.



Prime rib! fancy but low effort. You just sear it and then roast it low and slow. Or do the same with a london broil. Marinate it and then broil.

Thanks for the great ideas!

 

[100AcreWood]

I was at the dentist this week and my hygienist said she hasn't even started preparing for Christmas. She said she didn't have a single gift but she was so chill about it. Completely not my personality but I admired her ability to be so relaxed!

Can you believe there are only 5 days left? I finally finished shopping yesterday. I had one gift I kept putting off.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I can't imagine it being so close to Christmas and not having anything...I am not able to be that person!

I just wrapped the last gifts yesterday. I still have to make fudge and bake on Christmas Eve, but other than that I am ready! So nice, this is the earliest I've ever finished -- and it was the latest I'd ever started. I guess you really do expand your activities to the time available.

Ummm, so what do I do now? I'm actually going to have time to sit and enjoy the tree, maybe bake something extra, and shockingly, maybe start to fill in that 2016 calendar with activities and events!

Maria

 

[~~Darci~~]

So quiet and it's 2 days away from Christmas! Is everyone prepared? I have to work all the way until Christmas Eve at 3:30. I've never had to work until the 24th and it really stinks! BUT I will be off until the 4th so that's good!

Tonight I have to stop at the grocery store and get the rest of the supplies for Christmas dinner and want to make pies so tomorrow is easier.

I'm still excited for the big day!

Merry Christmas!

 

[PrincessKymm]

I'm in the midst of baking. I've got everything wrapped. DS and I watched A Charlie Brown Christmas and had popcorn and hot chocolate. It was my favorite night!

We also drove to Oglebay in WV to see the lights this past Saturday. So pretty! We're going again next year but we will make an overnight trip of it and let DS bring a friend so us grown ups can hit the casino.

Tomorrow I will pick up the wings (we do potluck takeout so we can have a break from cooking) and then go to my dads around 5. Christmas morning everyone will come over to watch DS open gifts and have breakfast. After that we will pack for our road trip and then go to my moms for dinner.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[bas71873]

Still need to clean my house! My kitchen floor looks like a decorated christmas cookie! Need to premake some things for Christmas dinner tomorrow, then I'll clean and get my table ready. Headed to the inlaws tonight for dinner and then home to play Santa! I just wish it was cooler (we may hit 80 today....UGH) and it needs to stop raining!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not in the holiday mood at all

 

[100AcreWood]

Merry Christmas!

I finally finished the baking and I've clean all day. I am actually loving this crazy warm weather. Unfortunately my youngest is sick with cold symptoms and a fever. We're hoping he bounces back quickly with some rest. He seems to be doing better this afternoon.

We let the kids open one present a night this week. I enjoyed extending the fun all week long. It helped with the anticipation and this way they actually know who gave them what. Most of the time it's just a blur because their grandparents all overdo it. Some years they gave more than Santa and us combined. I think we'll continue this tradition of Christmas all week long. Loved it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

 

[PrincessParty]

Any surprise hit gifts? Here it was the "Bluetooth beanie". A wireless winter beanie, who knew!?!

 

[bas71873]

Any surprise hit gifts? Here it was the "Bluetooth beanie". A wireless winter beanie, who knew!?!

The iWatch....I still haven't taken it out of the box. Not sure I'm keeping it. I'm not a gadgety person, but I workout daily and it tracks all that and I am on my phone a lot, so DH thought I'd like it. Still thinking on this one. DH and I both bought each other new coffee pots....I got him the Keurig 2.0 and he got me the Ninja coffee bar. We decided to keep the Ninja based on reviews. So far we like it.

 

[~~Darci~~]

I got the Apple Watch. I am REALLY liking it but I am a gadget person. It has a really good activity program, in fact I'm getting rid of my fitbit HR. I like that I can sync up my headphones (I have wireless) to it and not have to have my phone at the gym. I also like the text notifications and being able to take calls. Keeper here! I was NOT expecting one and had surprised DH with one. Guess we were BOTH surprised.

 

[bas71873]

I got the Apple Watch. I am REALLY liking it but I am a gadget person. It has a really good activity program, in fact I'm getting rid of my fitbit HR. I like that I can sync up my headphones (I have wireless) to it and not have to have my phone at the gym. I also like the text notifications and being able to take calls. Keeper here! I was NOT expecting one and had surprised DH with one. Guess we were BOTH surprised.

See! I don't even know what it's called!!!! Apple Watch not iWatch!

 

[~~Darci~~]

See! I don't even know what it's called!!!! Apple Watch not iWatch!

LOL! Watch the video Apple sends about all the things the watch can do. I wasn't expecting one and wasn't that excited until I watched and started playing with it!

 

[100AcreWood]

I have one and I had to be talked into buying it. Now I would never go back. I use it for so much but especially for reminding me about appointments, things I need to do.