Anybody getting excited about Christmas already?

[PrincessDana]

Nope, definitely not yet.

I ran into Rite Aid today to pick up a prescription and some halloween candy to hand out...and was appalled to see Christmas stuff in the aisles already.

While I have done a bit of shopping and even bought a couple of Christmas cards, I greatly dislike having to see Christmas stuff for more than 2 months...and am totally sick of it by the time Christmas actually rolls around.

 

[luvflorida]

I haven't even bought my Halloween candy for the trick-or-treaters yet. I have a block of time carved out on Thursday to bake and decorate Halloween cupcakes, and I've scheduled an evening this week for pumpkin carving. I'm looking forward to a week of enjoying my Halloween decorations and maybe watching a couple of Halloween-themed movies.

And I can't move on to another holiday until I've lit my Halloween candles, popped popcorn, and sat down to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!"

Slow down, people!

 

[houstonbch]

I'm am excited and anxious about Christmas approaching.

I'm excited because my roommate announced he wants to get a tree this year, so I'm getting into the holiday spirit as we decide where to put it and how to decorate it.

I'm anxious because of my 3 Godchildren (ages 7-14) and 4 nephews (ages 1-7). They are too easy to shop for, making it feel like I didn't put enough of myself into finding the perfect gift. Or, they are too hard to shop for, making it stressful for a Godfather/Uncle trying to do right by everyone - and ensure no one else feels underappreciated. (Dealt with that when my Godson, age 7, decided I loved my nephew more becuase I was paying more attention to him - it was my nephews birthday after all.)

Regardless of the gifts, however, I'm just looking forward to their faces on Christmas Day as they unwrap their gifts. The unconditional love the give all year round makes me want them to be as happy as possible, so seeing their little faces light up carried me through the year to the next Christmas. It's priceless.

 

[kirbydog48]

I'm a scrooge. I keep hoping they'll cancel it one year. The commercialism is so in-your-face. I dread it every year...just my opinion!

 

[ugadog99]

I'm a scrooge. I keep hoping they'll cancel it one year. The commercialism is so in-your-face. I dread it every year...just my opinion!

If I could skip from the end of October to the end of Janyary, I'd be one very happy person! Now, if I could do the holidays the way I wanted to, then, yes, I would look forward to them.

 

[golfgal]

While I can wait, I do love the Christmas season. We usually decorate the house Thanksgiving weekend. I don't mind seeing stuff in the stores early because I know a lot of people do Christmas shop early but I like to shop in the hustle and bustle of the season. I have been tempted to put some Christmas music on. I have some of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD's and the music, Christmas or not, is amazing.

 

[minkydog]

I am trying to keep myself under control. I listen to Christmas music on my computer, but have not started listening to it in the car. I have not put any Christmas decorations up, but I do get excited when I see them in the stores. I baked cookies with my son today, but they were only chocolate chip - no Christmas cookies yet.
What are some special things you do with your kids if they are older? I have read about some Elf thing, but my kids are too old for that. The youngest two are 11 years old, then I have a teenage boy 17 and two grown children 20 and 22 living at home. I want to do some things that are special with them, but have no ideas as to what to do?
We do decorate a tree together, they help their Dad put up the outside decorations, we make Christmas cookies together, and there is the annual "boys only" shopping trip and "girls only" shopping trip.
What are some Christmas traditions that you have in your family that carry forth for older kids/adults?
Thanks!

My kids are 24,17,& 15 now so our Christmas "traditions" are changing a lot. BUt it's okay--the old things worked when they were little. Now that they're grown we need some new things. Our Christmas starts Thanksgiving afternoon. We're not football watchers, but we'll put on a movie, drag the tree out of the basement, and decorate. My DD17 is in charge of the lights. Once she's done with that, she and I put the ornaments on. DS24 throws some lights over our bushes. DH usually sits by and cheers us all on. We eat the Thanksgiving food for about 3 days and then we're ready for some pizza.

Some other things we do are, make cut-out cookies together. We listen to Christmas music and take in at least one free concert at the beginning of December. We always watch Charlie Brown Christmas. DD17 makes her famous Peanut Butter cookies and I make my Molasses cookies and tea cakes. Sometimes, when I'm feeling really creative, DD& I make baklava. We go see The Nutcracker(DD & I do--DH says he's watched enough Nutcracker to last the rest of his life.)

On Christmas Eve we always have a good shrimp boil, with potatoes & corn on the cob. I like to go to the candlelight service. We used to do this as a family, but the older kids no longer want to go. DD17 has volunteered to stay home with Christian so that me and her dad can go to the service. Then, we go look at lights on the way home. It's a nice, quiet time we have together before all the Christmas craziness. When we get home, it's time to open our One Present on Christmas Eve--new pajamas.

Back when the kids were little, it seemed like they got us up at the crack of dawn. Well, now we're trying to get them up before the crack of noon! I try to entice them with some cinnamon buns. In the meantime, we turn on the Macy's Christmas parade. Once they all come down stairs, we open presents--no waiting around, it's a free for all!

Now that the older two have steady, long-term SOs I think some of our traditions will likely be changing. DS24 has his own place and is looking forwar to having his own tree. I guess it's time for me to pack up some of his ornaments so he can carry them to his new home. DD17 will likely want to spend some special time with her BF at Christmas. We'll have to see what happens.

 

[klacey1]

Same here!! I always look forward to July 25! LOL I've already started with the xmas music and am patiently waiting for Halloween to be over so I can start with the lights!

Agree! Not a Halloween fan here! When November hits, it's holiday season!

 

[kinntj]

Agree! Not a Halloween fan here! When November hits, it's holiday season!

Agree! November 1st is when all Christmas music starts slowly being played in the house.

 

[AustinTink]

I bought my Christmas tree this morning so I think that counts! It was off the shopping channel and I couldn't resist.

Me, too!! i ordered it online and it was here in 3 days with regular shipping. Merry Christmas to me!

 

[Mermaid02]

Agree! Not a Halloween fan here! When November hits, it's holiday season!

Agree! November 1st is when all Christmas music starts slowly being played in the house.

Me either. I just dont' get into Halloween.

I'm listening to my Christmas music when I'm alone so as not to make everyone else in the house listen to it- I have already bought THREE gifts (I'm so proud of myself) and I think I will call LLBean and order another today.

 

[gracie1]

I love, love, love christmas!!! I have already started playing christmas music online, have christmas ringtones downloaded on the phone also!! Just waiting till November to change ringtones. I would have the holiday season year round if I could. I love the lights and decorations, baking and eating

 

[agnes!]

We just finally made our airline reservations for a Christmas get-away we have been talking about for months and dreaming about for probably years (spent a boatload of FF miles so the airline tickets are 'free' and first-class ). Our DD is a HS senior so this might be one of our last big family-trips and that makes it even more special.

agnes!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I am not looking forward to Christmas this year and normally I do.

We are actually having Christmas issues related to family members (inlaws and my parents) already.

What is it about the holidays that makes people act nuts (except for my mother because she insane all the time)? We moved far away from everyone to avoid this nonsense and at this point, I'm about ready to lose my temper with them all.

I hope this feeling goes away soon but I doubt it.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I'm a huge Christmas fan! And it's 2 months from today!

While people were buying Halloween stuff in Target I was in the Christmas corner and bought 2 outdoor decorations so far.
Nov 1 is the official start of the Christmas season for me!
Although I bought some presents at the mall last week.

 

[frannn]

My favorite is Halloween, but I never find time to put out all my decorations. Always feels like I'm running. Once it hits Tday, though, time seems to slow a bit, and its all Xmas, all the time...in your face...so you can't help thinking about it. The thing I love most about Xmas is that people (strangers) are almost nice to each other (welllll, except for Black Friday), and watching the lights twinkle on the tree at night after everyone else is in bed. Unfortunately, with all the running I do, I only get the tree up a few days before DD8 realizes there's nowhere for Santa to leave the presents, LOL! BTW, I have started Xmas shopping in a big way also.

 

[Sorsha]

I love Halloween!! Its our big holiday! We start decorating Oct 1st, watch Halloween DVDs all month, just had our big Halloween party this last weekend... I am always so sad when Halloween is done!

Then I can roll right into the Thanksgiving season. I enjoy the historical significance. We read about the Pilgrims, etc. I enjoy decorating for it. This year I am hosting dinner at my house, so I am looking forward to trying out some new recipes.

Then Christmas, Blah. Not really my holiday. If we could cut the commercialism, maybe, but the in your face Buy Buy Buy really gets on my nerves. The pressure to spend spend spend and have the perfect present for everyone really ruins the spirit IMHO. Plus its winter and I ABHOR winter. I think I will put up the tree, lock the door, hole up in my house and be a Scrooge till January. Bah, Humbug.

I could happily skip from Thanksgiving to St Patrick's Day every year... bring on the corned beef!!!

 

[kinntj]

I bought our first decoration today. QVC had those fresh balsam wreaths from Valerie and I bought 2 (one for MIL). They'll ship the week of 11/29. I can't wait to get it.

 

[minkydog]

Then I can roll right into the Thanksgiving season. I enjoy the historical significance. We read about the Pilgrims, etc. I enjoy decorating for it. This year I am hosting dinner at my house, so I am looking forward to trying out some new recipes.

Then Christmas, Blah. Not really my holiday. If we could cut the commercialism, maybe, but the in your face Buy Buy Buy really gets on my nerves. The pressure to spend spend spend and have the perfect present for everyone really ruins the spirit IMHO.

I think my favorite holiday of all is Thanksgiving. It's, so far, not too commercialized although we do have to put up with the whole Rockwell stylized Thanksgiving ideal--huge turkey, 4 generations at the table, everyone smiling and getting along. Not that some people don't have that. But most people do not. Still, I like the holiday because it gives us a chance to slow down for a day and be grateful for all we have. And no pressure to give presents or send cards. Just eat turkey & dressing & pie for 4 days.

I like parts of Christmas--the music, mainly, but also the religious aspect of it. I like the traditional foods and it's generally a giving time. We always remember Christian's hard-working special ed teachers/parapros and the bus drivers. I usually bake cookies for neighbors and friends. Although, I buy gifts for my DH and kids, we don't exchange gifts with my siblings. Instead, we do something for charity, either a donation or some tangible gift. We started this probably 19 years ago. We live very far apart and we never get to see each other at holidays. It seemed silly to draw names and it's very expensive to ship even small gifts across the country. Besides, all of us are in a place in life where if we want something, we'll just go buy it. Unfortunately, we have not been able to get DHs sister on board with this idea. DSIL loves to shop for Christmas. The thing is, what they want to exchange is things like bars of soap, peppermints, canned butter cookies, pens,etc. Stuff you can pick up at Walgreens. Meh. Like I said, if I need that stuff I'll go buy it. (Please don't get the idea that I'm looking for a gift grab. i would be much happier if she would take the money she's spending on cans of nuts, toothpaste, and calendars and give it to a homeless shelter or the Red Cross or the USO.)

 

[Sorsha]

DSIL loves to shop for Christmas. The thing is, what they want to exchange is things like bars of soap, peppermints, canned butter cookies, pens,etc. Stuff you can pick up at Walgreens. Meh. Like I said, if I need that stuff I'll go buy it. (Please don't get the idea that I'm looking for a gift grab. i would be much happier if she would take the money she's spending on cans of nuts, toothpaste, and calendars and give it to a homeless shelter or the Red Cross or the USO.)

LOL DH's extended family shops this way as well... I always dread the Xmas gift exchange with them - we call it the dollar-store gift exchange. I have tried for years to convince them that we should just exchange cards and have a nice meal together, but they insist that they like to shop. So every year, we take home boxes of things they have found at yard sales, flea markets, and Dollar Tree. Ho Ho Ho.

The absolute worst was, one year, a cousin held a yard sale, and sold a vase to an aunt. A year later, by mistake, the aunt gave the cousin a lovely vase for Christmas... yup, the same vase she had sold at her yard sale. Oops.