13 replies to this topic

[ROBIE]

Its getting closer now.... time to get ready...

What ya got planned?

What ya giving to whom?

What would you like to get?


Robie

[Amishway Homesteaders]

We give fruit,nuts and cookies baskets to friends and
send care packages to Family members.


The plan is the same as last few years - a few days before Christmas we head out (it helps if it is snowing) and greet friends at their home and give fruit baskets out. Always head to our Amish Friends for hot cocoa, maybe a sleigh ride, have long walks in the deep snow to get to some homes (no plowing done).

Christmas eve the power goes out first thing and we start our "old fashioned Christmas". Some years we follow the "little house" events, some years we are doing "Tasha Tudors" way of life (love her).
Alway take a late night walk around town to see all the lights and rememince about our years together at Christmas. Christmas day is all out with the big meal cooked the old way. Lots of snacks, games and we try to do something that they did years ago on Christmas to make it a soecial day. AND of cause as you all know by now Michael makes a Birthday Cake for baby Jesus.



Now we still do stockings (just for fun) but we don't do big gifts anymore. We were just buying things for each other because that was what you were surposed to do. But most years it was things we really didn't need and after a few days they went up into closet. Seeing we live the simple life we don't have many wants and if we do we just go out and get them (cash of cause). We do send money to local child toy funds and we spend money on things and people that really need it (as secert helpers) and that is our Christmas gift to each other.



But let me be the first to wish you a very
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Robie and Family!



~Lori and Michael~

[Deerslayer]

WOW I want lori and michael's life!!!!


We try to stay away from the commercial side of Christmas also--it has gotten easier as the kids have gotten older!!!

I spent the summer crocheting up a storm to make everyone on my gift list afgans this year. I picked patterns and colors for each person so that was fun!!! I also made crochet dolls (the old timey ones with the big skirts) for all the female members of the family. I buy things on clearance all year and put them in the gift closet also--I make cookie and candy trays for most of the family--most of that is done and frozen and waiting for the trays I made venison jerky for the men and put it into those medium size popcorn tins--only a few more trays to go of that.!!! I canned up a whole lot of pecans this year for misc gifts--I usually make the pretty fabric circle on top(still need to make that).

When my kids were little--I started them "hope chest" so I always make things for that also--this year I crocheted baby items--afgans, girl clothes, boy clothes, christening gowns, booties, bottle warmers, rattles, baby blocks, etc. I also made a baby quilt (one for a boy and one for a girl) for each of the kids this year. I had not ever made baby stuff for their hope chest before--but now that they are all in their 20s I am hoping it will spur them on to making me some grandkids!!!

We usually meet at my parents house for Christmas week --that is when we do most of our hunting also--so it works out great for us and my disabled sister (who we hunt for also) !!! This is the only time of the year that I get to see my whole family, so it is always special for me!!! We drive around and look at lights--and I listen to Christmas music (my kids are finally old enough to appreciate it) and drink hot cocoa --we also do a birthday cake for Jesus!! I didn't know other people did that!! We give a "birthday" gift to our local church also--this year I made several recieving blankets with crocheted trim for the clothes pantry!!

We make giant cut out sugar cookies for santa and the kids decorate them--this is a long standing tradition--plus we have a weiner roast outside (this one comes from one year when we were really broke and it was a ll i had in the frige) Isn't it funny how sometimes what you see as a failure is what they remember most?? The kids all get up in the middle of the night and eat a pie that I have cooked for christmas day dinner, and visit with each other--this too, came as an accident!!

We do stockings--full of small toys that are the same things the kids have gotten since they were little (like silly putty adn play dough) and they put these things into their hope chest also--dd in college has asked for a printer for the computer and ds has asked for a set of pots and pans other dd wants some new tennis shoes and some work boots --so i guess i will buy those things for them---they don't ask for much so they usually get what they ask for

I guess looking at this--I am almost done with Christmas I like to have it all done by thanksgiving so I can enjoy my christmas also!!!!

[tinytaylorranch]

We have a tradition called the "Gifts of the Three Kings."

On Christmas Eve, we gather together around the tree and we read the Christmas Story. On Christmas morning, before any gifts are opened, we read the story of the Three Kings.

In the story of the Three Kings, they bring gifts to the Christ child. The Gold was to take care of the families needs. The Frankincense was a strong perfume, which was very expensive and desirable to all who smelled it. The Myrrh was an expensive material that was used in embalming one's loved ones.

Each of us give the following type of gifts to each member of the family:

1. Like the gold that the Three Kings brought to the baby Jesus, we give a "Gift of Need". This gift is something that the individual really needs.
2. Like the Frankincense, we give a "Gift of Want". This is something that the individual wants really bad.
3. Lastly, like the Myrrh, we give a "Gift of Love". This gift is always homemade by the gift giver and must reflect the love we have for the individual.

This has worked well for our family. It has taken away the commercialism that society has placed on the holiday and brought the "Reason for the Season" to the forefront. It also helps our family stay within our Christmas budget.

[tinytaylorranch]

opps

Edited by tinytaylorranch, 21 October 2009 - 11:40 AM.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

very cool idea- thanks for sharing

[ladyc]

I will be singing in a chorus performing a few times in November and December. One time will be at a craft fair in mid November, and I will have a booth at the fair. So I am working on my display and finishing ornaments.

last month, a quilt and sewing group spent a Saturday making tote bags for Ronald McDonald. They will give them to parents who need to carry a few things to the hospital.

DH and I will enjoy a few dances - as long as everyone stays healthy. I have fabric to make a new evening outfit.

Our family is scattered, and we don't try to send gifts. I will probably do some baking for friends. DH and I have such a problem with years of accumulation that we don't want to think about anything more.

We are cleaning carpet and will do some decorating for the holidays.

[Katz25]

Okay I know this will sound really bad, but my dad and I haven't celebrated Christmas since my mom died, four years ago. I know it sounds bad, but we just don't have the spirit of it anymore. I made a huge Christmas the year before my mom died, I knew she didn't have a long time and made it very special. But that's gone now for both of us. We don 't put up a tree, no decorations, no gifts. Sometimes we spend time with some family members four hours away depending on weather. It does take a lot of pressure off.

Truthfully I hate this time of year from now until after Christmas. My moms birthday will be Wednesday the 28th, then there's Thanksgiving and Christmas. It only brings hurt to my heart and and sadness of times gone by that will never be again. This time of year is for families and joy. We don't feel that anymore.

I'm sorry this post is depressing I guess, but then guess that's just the way I'm feeling right now.

[rainygardener]

This is the year for homemade treats, I just can't justify spending in this economy. I have giving food and clothing to coworkers and bought clothes for my dialysis patients who have little or nothing.
We will decorate and bring a lot of holly in from our trees, maybe make some wreaths for gifts too.

[ANewMe]

WOW I want lori and michael's life!!!!

I spent the summer crocheting up a storm to make everyone on my gift list afgans this year. I made venison jerky for the men and put it into those medium size popcorn tins--only a few more trays to go of that.!!! I canned up a whole lot of pecans this year for misc gifts--I usually make the pretty fabric circle on top(still need to make that).

WOW!! Would love to be on your list!!!!

I got a jump on doing the shopping for the kids but this year there will be no exchanging between adults. Now, I'm having a hard time with it because I like to give so I'm making videos with snapshots for close family. Won't cost anything other than time and whatever a pack of DVDs cost.

My dream gift would be to take a quilt that my Mamaw made for my graduation...it was the first one she ever made...and some how divide into two and give one half to my brother. Even if I had to add patches of material. She had planned to make one for each grandchild at graduation but after getting the cancer she was unable to do so and my brother never got his. I just don't know how to sew or quilt and the thing is really wearing thin and tearing in places.

This Christmas we will enjoy family and focus on our blessings.

[Amishway Homesteaders]

OK here comes my 2 cents worth of thinking........................

Reading your posts and talk to people this year about the 'Holidays' everyone seams to be spending less, giving less or just not doing anything.

So maybe , just maybe we are getting back to what Christmas is all about .

Remember the old days when people spent more time making do and the gifts came form the heart and NOT Walmarts. This may be the year when you will be able to see the tree behind all those gift you just 'had' to buy. Also I'm seeing a lot less of the kids 'telling' relitives WHAT to buy them.

After all what is more inportant right now? going deeper into debt and keeping up with the Johnsons.......... Guess what! Mr. Johnson just got layed off, the bank called in the loan and they are taped out on credit cards. Dad now has a drinking problem due to the fact that the wife might leave him and 1 of the kids is in trouble with the law. BUT this Christmas will be just like in the past with all the presents under the tree to 'show how much they LOVE each other'. LIKE I want to keep up with them!

Glad to read how most are making things or making do and spending time thinking about the gifts and the people getting them.
And for those who are 'not' doing christmas? Yes you are! you are thinking about the people you love and I bet remembering the times shared in the past. What a wonderful way to know the real meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas one and all and may God Bless.

Michael - steping down now

[lovinit]

I am driving school bus full time now, so I bought queen size fleece blankets for the kids. (only nine.) I am debating personalizing them, making them into quilos, or making carry bags for them. I don't think the kids will care much about a blanket, but I like knowing they will have them for especially cold days.
We helped pay for an airline ticket for our son to travel home to be with his family for Christmas,he has been working away since August. Our daughter and sil are building a new home so they will probably get cash. We make homemade treats for neighbours and friends.

[Deerslayer]

[

WOW!! Would love to be on your list!!!!

I got a jump on doing the shopping for the kids but this year there will be no exchanging between adults. Now, I'm having a hard time with it because I like to give so I'm making videos with snapshots for close family. Won't cost anything other than time and whatever a pack of DVDs cost.

My dream gift would be to take a quilt that my Mamaw made for my graduation...it was the first one she ever made...and some how divide into two and give one half to my brother. Even if I had to add patches of material. She had planned to make one for each grandchild at graduation but after getting the cancer she was unable to do so and my brother never got his. I just don't know how to sew or quilt and the thing is really wearing thin and tearing in places.

This Christmas we will enjoy family and focus on our blessings.

I send this in a pm and then decided to put it here in case anyone else had the same type issue
--I have been a quilter for over 20 years, and i have a few ideas...first--have you ever checked in your area to see if there is a sr citizens quilting group? in a lot of places, they do quilting for almost nothing, just to have something to work on.
If that were my quilt--I would cut it up into large pieces and then piece those with a solid color that matched--using the original quilt pieces as large blocks--does that make any sense? Then the new quilt (with the old pieced blocks and the new solid ones) could be re quilted to get it all back togeather--

like the one you are going to keep--cut a diagonal corner off each corner and peice them around a solid block of fabric--then quilt
then on the other one--the one to give to your brother--use the middle section (that now has the corners cut off) to be the middle section of a new quilt with solid color triangles on each corner--then quilt

maybe a clear as mud--i don't know if i am explaining it correctly

[RusticOkie]

I am very much looking forward to the holiday season this year. This has been a strange year for my family but I think we are all adjusting well and making the most of the holidays.

This is the first year in a long time I will not be joining my family for Christmas but we will be spending it with dh's family instead. We decided to do this after witnessing all the stress and conflict around my family during the holidays and it not being the joyful event I remember as a child. Also since our daughter is 2 years old and there are no other small children in my family, but several in my hubby's. We both remember holidays as kids as so much fun playing with all our cousins and the hustle and bustle that surrounds a house full of kids. We want that same feeling for our daughter.

Both families have agreed that this will be the year to cut down on gifts and spending. There have been major financial changes for many family members, including us with dh losing his job. This year will be a lot of handmade gifts and baked goods. Dh and I are just doing stocking stuffers for each other and are giving ourselves a small spending limit to pick up some things like each other's favorite holiday treats. For our daughter we found a used wooden play kitchen on Craigslist and I am refinishing it. I am also making all of her play food to go along with it and an apron and potholders. She has a few bought gifts that I picked up on sale during the year but not a lot.

For family members 98% is handmade as well. I am doing gift baskets with homemade salsa, pickles, jelly and other baked goods for the adult family members and making purses, scarves, etc for the younger teenage group. For the young kids I am making them all tote bags and filling with small trinkets like coloring books, crayons, etc.

I am wanting to start a few new traditions this year now that my daughter is old enough to participate in the holidays. We are going to bake Christmas cookies together on Christmas eve before making cider and going out to look at Christmas lights together. Also on Christmas eve we are going to open the new pajamas I am making for each of us. We are going to wear them when we drive around to look at lights.

I am really enjoying reading what everyone has planned for their holiday, it has given me some great ideas. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed holiday season.