Chit Chat

[Theresasjourney]

I must be getting old. The thought of decorating when we still haven't completely unpacked from the move does not thrill me. I have nothing up and have no plans to do it yet. I do have my Christmas cards ready and any gifts that have to be mailed. I buy things throughout the year so Christmas shopping does not get me down.
I'm beginning to think that buying people a special birthday gift every year and going easy on Christmas giving is the thing to do. That way I can concentrate on just one person at a time.

There is still lots of time till Christmas for decorating....or not. I don't think this time of yr should feel like a hassle ya know.
That is a great idea..getting good birthday gifts then simple Christmas ones...certainly would make things easier....

 

[DIANAC]

I must be getting old. The thought of decorating when we still haven't completely unpacked from the move does not thrill me. I have nothing up and have no plans to do it yet. I do have my Christmas cards ready and any gifts that have to be mailed. I buy things throughout the year so Christmas shopping does not get me down.
I'm beginning to think that buying people a special birthday gift every year and going easy on Christmas giving is the thing to do. That way I can concentrate on just one person at a time.

Keep, That is exactly what my sister-in-law and I decided. It was getting out of hand. She is a very thoughtful person and lives in Rhode Island where people give more than 1 gift per person (!). One year her husband gave her 27 gifts, all wrapped. She gave him 12 gifts. I keep telling this everyone like a legend. So, now our policy is 1 gift per family, and gifts for children. Single people also get gifts, but on the lower scale than before.

 

[Edial]

Keep, That is exactly what my sister-in-law and I decided. It was getting out of hand. She is a very thoughtful person and lives in Rhode Island where people give more than 1 gift per person (!). One year her husband gave her 27 gifts, all wrapped. She gave him 12 gifts. I keep telling this everyone like a legend. So, now our policy is 1 gift per family, and gifts for children. Single people also get gifts, but on the lower scale than before.

Some more insight on this situation.

When Dennis gave Laura 27 gifts, these were all for Laura.
When Laura gave Dennis 12 gifts, some of them were what Laura wanted for Dennis to have and were not necessarily his "first choice".
(She wanted him to wear these shirts).

The only "hint" of what he really wanted (the model train collector that he is) was a keychain of a train.

When I tried presenting all this to Dennis and Laura, the reaction was - Eddie, you are digging too much.

So, I figured - happinness of a husband has nothing to do with righteousness.
Even a corner of a roof can be a cozy place to live.

I expect Dennis to give Laura over 30 gifts this year and Laura to give Dennis about 15.
That would make it about 40 gifts for Laura and 5 for Dennis, that would include another "reminder" of his train set collection.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[DIANAC]

Well, this is my brother's perspective on our gift-giving tradition.

 

[Theresasjourney]

Sounds like me daughters in-laws~~and it really stresses her out finding all those gifts~~and not one of them NEED anything.
So we have the boundary with my daughter and her family they are NOT to get us anything~~and we don't get them anything~~except for the grandkids~~then we keep it simple b/c there is no way we can do what their other grandparents can do~~and my grandkids have gotten to the place of being ungrateful with their gifts~~they always get so many every yr. its very sad to see and hear my grandkids at Christmas...;o/

 

[miggles]

I guess I'll bring in the Christmas tree today and start decorating it. I hope I'm not too early.

Some folks decorate their trees at Thanksgiving. Some folks do it right after Halloween.

It seems I'm getting earlier and earlier myself. But I like a break between Halloween and Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving and Christmas. Like it was in the old days, ya know?

 

[Edial]

Sounds like me daughters in-laws~~and it really stresses her out finding all those gifts~~and not one of them NEED anything.
So we have the boundary with my daughter and her family they are NOT to get us anything~~and we don't get them anything~~except for the grandkids~~then we keep it simple b/c there is no way we can do what their other grandparents can do~~and my grandkids have gotten to the place of being ungrateful with their gifts~~they always get so many every yr. its very sad to see and hear my grandkids at Christmas...;o/

Agree.
Ungratefulness for the gifts received is what defeats the purpose of giving/receiving a gift.

If one does not understand a purpose of a gift as a child, how can one see the purpose of a gift of an eternal life?

Ungratefulness is indeed a dangerous and a sad thing.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[frogalone]

I think lack of need/want is why I don't do gifts. It all seems silly to buy for people who don't want/need. I appreciate families who do the $10 exchange, but not my folks...always a ridiculous amount. I don't love getting gifts either, unless I know it's from the heart. My sis lives an hour's drive, but never visits.

I started a Christmas chaat, but guess you rather do it here.

 

[DIANAC]

I still can't figure out where does ungratefulness come from. Is it a lack of need/want or something else? I will always remember the bottle of lily-of-the-valley perfume that my mother got for me when I was 13, or a piano music box - my father's present, or my birthday present of a puppy from my brother, or a simple silver bracelet from my grandmother, or a huge bouquet of lilacs from my husband or anything that my son buys for me. Did/do I need those things? I just like the people who gave me those things. Obviously if there is need/want then gift will be appreciated. Perhaps in the present society we are focused on the material aspect of a gift, rather than that it is an honor to be gifted. Perhaps there is a sense of entitlement. One of the most appreciation I received when last year at Christmas I gave my boss a simple box of chocolate (he looked that he could use a gift). He did not expect a gift and no one at work gives him one.
My sister-in-law Laura always made her children since they were very little to write thank you cards and list every item that they are thankful for.
Scooter, where is your christmas chat?
Good night everyone,
Diana

 

[sam15]

Folks - this is out of this world - I had no idea - I thought I was somewhat knowedgable but I guess not that much - anyway, go to amazon.com website and type in and search on "Why do Islam and Muslims Honor Jesus and Mary" -

Amazing facts !

 

[Theresasjourney]

I think lack of need/want is why I don't do gifts. It all seems silly to buy for people who don't want/need. I appreciate families who do the $10 exchange, but not my folks...always a ridiculous amount. I don't love getting gifts either, unless I know it's from the heart. My sis lives an hour's drive, but never visits.

I started a Christmas chaat, but guess you rather do it here.

I guess Christmas just got brought into our chat thread here...
sorry Scootermom..;o/

 

[Edial]

Talking about Christmas Trees ... I no longer have a Christmas Tree, just a Wreath.

I liked Christmas trees so much that I kept them a bit longer in the house than usual.
So, I would throw it away in end of January, February.

Once I had a "traumatic experience".

About 20 years ago the tree was so perfect I just forgot about it being there.
I actually did not forget, in March I was wondering what would the neighbors think that I am chucking the tree now?

To make the story short - it is June and the tree is still in the apartment.
Whenever you touch it, a shower of pine needles is coming down.

How do I get rid of it now? in June? (Or was it July?)
The neighbors would not believe their eyes.

It was a dark night. Not a star in the sky. Black garbage bags. A hand saw. And finally the tree is in the bags and by the curb for the morning trash pick up.

I am going to work in the morning and what do I see?
The branches just pierced through the bags and everyone in the entire world knows that Eddie is getting rid of a Christmas tree in June (or was it July?) and tried hiding it.

That "traumatic experience" had a 20-year-delayed effect on me. So, for the last 5 years of so - a Christmas Wreath.

Merry Christmas,
Ed

 

[DIANAC]

Ha! You forgot to mention that your Christmas wreath hangs there perpetually. Or at least it did untill a few years ago I secretly removed it and put it away. I replaced it with different wreath - grapes and vine! Did you notice that?
Diana

 

[Edial]

Ha! You forgot to mention that your Christmas wreath hangs there perpetually. Or at least it did untill a few years ago

I like things that are perpetual. They have a sense of meaning, familiarity and stability.
Perpetual things are eternal in context.

And the eternity is a certain spiritual "security blanket" that all crave - ECC 3:11 ... He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; ...


And concerning your phone call that I am finally publically repenting of getting rid of that tree in June (or was it July?), you are correct, but mistaken on a larger scale.

I can keep the wreath the whole year round.

..... I secretly removed it and put it away. I replaced it with different wreath - grapes and vine! Did you notice that?
Diana

Oh, the treachery of a man (or an older sister) - who can understand?

Can a wisp of a wind replace the midday storm?
Can a shadow of a smile replace the joy of heavens?
Can a familiar sight replace eternity?

I want my wreath back. It belongs on that hook. Where did you hide it?

 

[njsisterinChrist]

Did everyone survive Thanksgiving?
How are you coming on your Christmas preps?
Are you listening to Christmas music yet? whats your favorite?

I haven't made much more headway on shopping..
but my decorations are up..a very lil tree w/ nativity under it.
my cards addressed..
I listen to lots of Christmas music~~my all time favorite is the most traditional 'Oh Holy Night'....but I love tons of others also.

Whos the hardest to shop for on your gift list? for me its my grandkids..long story. I will just give them money this yr...
I will have two work related parties to go to...socializing isn't a strong skill of mine...but will try....I can leave at anytime...;o)

All I want for Christmas is snow...and to see the new movie coming out 'The chronicles of Narnia'..

for all

Thanksgiving was very nice.
Our preps for Christmas are coming along nicely.
My hubby has his winter village all set up in the dinning room. Each year he gets a new house or people or something to go with it. It has grown.
The stockings are hung, the lights are in the livingroom windows, but not the family room.
I haven't thought about my cards yet and I will do some more shopping tomorrow.
I think I will pull out the Christmas tapes tonight. We watched the Tree lighting from NYC last night.
I would like snow for Christmas too.
Talk to you later.
Take care

 

[miggles]

Sounds great, NJ. I was wondering whether to bring in the tree in today or not. I don't want to bring it in too early because I get attached and it makes it all the more hard to take down.

BUT, I will risk it.

That's neat about the snow village your hubby is making. Adding to it every year sounds so fun. I want to do that.

 

[Spudgrandma]

All this talk of Christmas decorations, I am getting a little Christmas spirit. Anyway, here is a tree for you all to enjoy here in the Golden Eagles, hope you enjoy.

 

[Spudgrandma]

And this one won't drop its needles. HA!

 

[miggles]

Thanks IB!!!

Lol about the needles. Isn't it nice to have a Christmas tree set up in the Nest, folks? The Nest is in a tree and a tree is in the Nest.

 

[Spudgrandma]

Thanks IB!!!

Lol about the needles. Isn't it nice to have a Christmas tree set up in the Nest, folks? The Nest is in a tree and a tree is in the nest.

Too cute Miggles.