Generally speaking, how are you feeling about Christmas this year?

[Tracy Savage]

I haven't heard about that. I'll have to check it out. I'm pretty sure they house they used was bought and turned into a museum a little while back. I wonder if they are setting up some of the stuff from there in the mall for Christmas.

Do you remember when the windows of the Higbee's building used to be decorated for Christmas? I am just old enough to remember the last couple of years they did that. I think a better idea than setting up a display at Great Northern would have been set up Christmas Story displays in those windows overlooking Public Square.

I'll still probably go check it out at Great Northern though if it is there.

We never went down town when I was a kid. We started going when Tower city was built. I loved walking thru the old Woolworths! And Otto Mosers (sp) for lunch. Stoffers for at warm festive drink after. I think we'll have to go this year. I think we'll have to go this year, it's been a while. Here's info on the mall show... http://www.cleveland.com/sunstarcourier/index.ssf/2009/11/former_north_royalton_resident.html

 

[Handbag Lady]

I wish it were January already.

Too much holiday drama. We can't make both sides of our families happy and in trying to please them we make ourselves miserable.

Amen, sister. I really love Christmas, or better yet, the idea of Christmas. But it never happens. For us, it is making both sides of MY family happy that always explodes in our faces. I like when I can have Christmas at home and have others come over, but that won't happen for a few more years because my parents won't speak to each other.

 

[TLSnell1981]

..my kids in their moment of cuteness went and gathered and cleaned up toys for gifts (as at the moment, pennies are tight and we cannot buy any for cousins).

My kids did something nice in the spirit of Christmas without me saying a word and I'm not allowed to be proud of their resourcefulness? How screwed up is that?

They can learn later about how some people like my SIL get think that used gifts are tacky.

What sweet, resourceful kids. You should be very proud of them.

 

[AntePrincess]

I haven't read all the replies, but I'm very much looking forward to Christmas this year. I can't wait for the days to start to lengthen again! In the meantime, I'm enjoying a few seasonal treats and getting as many walks in the daylight hours as we can.

 

[Terry36]

I'm so sorry! I hope you have a Merry Christmas in spite of the stress your family is going through. My family had a Christmas like that once. We had family members who were beyond strapped, and they had 4 kids. My Mom decided that year that we would have an Old fashioned Christmas. The entire extended family rented a cabin in the snow (it was about $50 a couple) and decided that instead of buying gifts we would do a yankee exchange with home made gifts (I still crack up at some of the "gifts" my male cousins thought up!). We went ice skating in a barn, stayed up late playing games, baked and cooked together, built snowmen and igloos, went sledding and on moonlit walks. We cut down a tree, drank gallons of hot chocolate, window shopped, caroled the other cabins (those poor, poor people who had to listen to us!!!), and really just laughed at how ridiculous we all were! (my aunt and uncle slept on an air mattress on the kitchen floor, and Grandma was a late night snacker!!) You know what? 7 years later that's still how my family celebrates!!! Every year since! We have since added more traditions (all free or extremely cheap) than any sane family really should have. I wouldn't go back to the old way for anything. (and my parents used to spend thousands on our gifts) My kids get very few store bought gifts, but they have the BEST memories! I really think Christmas becomes even more magical when you stop spending all that money, and really focus on making memories.
I hope you and your family have the best Christmas most magical (because it really, really is magical if you want it to be) Christmas ever. Ever!!!!

Thank you, such a nice stor..this brought tears of joy to me.

 

[FireDancer]

We never went down town when I was a kid. We started going when Tower city was built. I loved walking thru the old Woolworths! And Otto Mosers (sp) for lunch. Stoffers for at warm festive drink after. I think we'll have to go this year. I think we'll have to go this year, it's been a while. Here's info on the mall show... http://www.cleveland.com/sunstarcourier/index.ssf/2009/11/former_north_royalton_resident.html

Thanks for the info. Our routine used to be going down to Public Square to see the lights every year and that was when we would see the windows. I can't remember when they stopped doing them but I couldn't have been more than 10.

The other two traditions were going to that house that I want to say was around W.77th. It was the one that I think ended up getting shut down because the neighbors complained. I remember there was a sign and he had over a million lights. It was almost like the Osbourne family.

The other tradition was going out to the GE building on the east side. I guess when my parents were kids they used to light the park also (Neila park?) but when we were kids they had huge themed displays in front of the building. I remember once year it was themed like "It's a small world" and they had the different countries represented.

I'll have to see if either of those are up anymore and check them out this year.

 

[Tracy Savage]

Thanks for the info. Our routine used to be going down to Public Square to see the lights every year and that was when we would see the windows. I can't remember when they stopped doing them but I couldn't have been more than 10.

The other two traditions were going to that house that I want to say was around W.77th. It was the one that I think ended up getting shut down because the neighbors complained. I remember there was a sign and he had over a million lights. It was almost like the Osbourne family.

The other tradition was going out to the GE building on the east side. I guess when my parents were kids they used to light the park also (Neila park?) but when we were kids they had huge themed displays in front of the building. I remember once year it was themed like "It's a small world" and they had the different countries represented.

I'll have to see if either of those are up anymore and check them out this year.

My Dad used to work for GE so we heard about Nela Park, but as kids we were told it was in a rough area so so we didn't go. Do they still do Public Square as Care Bear Square? It was that way for so long, thats why we stopped going. We are far eastsiders-Madison- and there is not a whole lot out this way.

 

[Feralpeg]

Considering it it, yes.

For the kids--I wouldn't ruin it for them. They couldn't do Christmas without gifts and it isn't worth making little kids cry just b/c someone is a grinch and "sees" their generosity and thinks I should keep private what they did. (I mean--seriously, the parents of the recipients will very much know that the gifts didn't come from a display at Toys R Us! So if they are going to be 'insulted' by 'tackiness'--that's their character flaw!)

Your kids are doing a wonderful thing...giving from their hearts. Don't worry about what others think. What matters is that you know how great your kids are!

Glad to hear about the job offer. Merry Christmas!

 

[threeboysmom]

No idea what to think about Christmas this year. Lots of personal/family issues going on right now. Just want to make it through Thanksgiving first.

But I want my boys to be happy this holiday season so will do whatever it takes.

 

[C.Ann]

Have to say that looking at the photos on the Holiday Decorations thread is starting to make me feel a little more Christmasy..

Once I've moved back to my DD's for the winter, that should "seal the deal"..

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm beyond tired and stressed right now. I love the holiday season and thankfully married a man that feels the same way. My house looks the Christmas closet has exploded everywhere while we are trying to get decorated before he leaves and still manage our craziness right now.

I love the holidays because it is one of the few times of the year people are almost genuinely nice and happy. I know it's a cash strapped time but people just seem to be in a better spirit at this time of year. I'm not talking last minute shoppers at walmart.

I'm talking carolers, salvation army bell ringers, the live nativity scenes with people passing out cocoa, wrapping presents, decorating trees, getting cozy on the couch to watch that favorite holiday movie for the 1,000th time.

More than anything I'm excited to have the one I love the most home for the holiay. It may only be for 4 days but that is 4 days more than I've had in the past so I'll take it.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I love Christmas. I can't wait. I do not want to go overboard with buying the kids gifts like I normally do I love to decorate and make cookies see Santa and just feel like it is a magical time of the year