Question of the Day, Sunday, November 8, 2015

micknsnicks2mom

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lately i've been finalizing my Christmas gifts list, and working on buying the gifts on my list that aren't home baked (those will be baked and sent/given closer to Christmas). i realize it's early to be working on Christmas gifts for many people, but i always like to get things planned out and the gifts bought ahead of time -- so i'm able to relax and enjoy the holiday season, and my budget isn't 'slammed' all at once with the cost of all the gifts.

so for today's Question of the Day, let's talk about the upcoming holidays (not just Christmas -- can be Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or other upcoming holidays) --  (your answers can be simple 'yes' or 'no', or as detailed as you'd like)

Have you started planning for the holiday(s)?

How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet?

Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?

Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season?  (for example, a new cat or kitten(s) and their first Christmas with you)

i'll go first!

i've been planning my Christmas gifts list for at least several months now. i don't generally buy a lot of gifts, the exception being for my snick and jaspurr. i enjoy going 'all out' for my cats Christmas, and it brings me so much joy to see them enjoying their Christmas stockings and gifts. i have all snick and jaspurr's gifts bought now.  i'll be buying two gift cards later this month -- Christmas gifts for my mom & aunt, and a close friend of mine. i have one more batch of homemade applesauce to make and freeze -- and a jar or two of that along with a jar of homemade strawberry freezer jam and jar of homemade apple butter, as well as a from scratch cinnamon-sugar cake and a package of wine-soaked wood chips (for use when grilling) will be my gifts to my brother and his family. i'll be baking many pans of peanut butter brownies for gifts this year -- for neighbors, the two post office people here, our vet's, and my mom and aunt (they'll also be given a loaf of banana bread).

i don't decorate for any holidays, and we don't put up a Christmas tree. i always celebrate the holidays with my cats. starting in late november, i'll space out giving them their big and medium sized Christmas gifts. then on Christmas Day, i give both cats their Christmas stockings. we watch Christmas movies leading up to and including Christmas Day, and we start listening to holiday music the day after Thanksgiving. i always call my mom and aunt on Christmas Day, to wish them a Merry Christmas. my  'tradition' is to always plan a quiet and relaxing day for my cats and myself for Christmas; this is one of snick and jaspurr's gifts, because they love our quiet days together so much.

this year i'm very much looking forward to snick and jaspurr being given their stockings together. last year at Christmas jaspurr had only been with us (as a foster, at that point) for about 2 1/2 months, so we were in the early stages of integrating snick and jaspurr then. since they've been integrated, their relationship has continued to develop in good ways. on both jaspurr's and snick's birthdays this year, snick taught jaspurr what she always did with her brother (litter mate) mickey, which is to check out and play with your own gifts for a while and then switch so you get to play with the others gifts for a while too. so i think they'll do well together with their stockings on Christmas Day, possibly with a little 'direction' from me.

How about you?
 

Winchester

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We've not started much of anything yet....we've been still working outside and on the bedroom reno. I have off work on Wednesday and am planning on doing some shopping for Rick at that point. (This is when I start planning our Thanksgiving Dinner and figuring out everything I need for that.) We are not getting much for each other this year; the ACDC concert in Canada was considered part of Rick's Christmas and the baking class at King Arthur's in Vermont and seeing Mark Knopfler in concert in Pittsburgh was considered part of my Christmas. So it's little things here and there mostly, nothing big, nothing exotic.

The decorating, I think, will come around Thanksgiving. Usually I have the kitchen decorated for Christmas by Thanksgiving, but this year, unless I get my butt in gear, that's not going to happen. i decorate the kitchen by myself, usually when Rick is at work and I have the house to myself. Rick puts some lights up outside the Monday after Thanksgiving when I'm not home to say, "Dear, would you do this outside?" (Does not go over well.) 
 He used to go all out at Christmas, lighting our house and the trees, but it's gotten to be too much now. 

We do the tree in the living room together, with large mugs of hot cocoa and some cookies or sticky buns to see us through; it pretty much takes us the whole evening. The living room Christmas tree will go up Thanksgiving weekend. The Tacky White Tree goes up in the kitchen around the first week in December. We will not be putting up the Santa tree in the bedroom this year because the reno isn't finished....and won't be. Every year I say that we shouldn't bother with the Tacky White Tree because the cats pretty much have ruined the lower branches, but every year around the first week in December, I ask Rick to bring the boxes up from the basement and put it together. Then I string the lights and hang the blue balls by myself. It's my kitchen and I like decorating my kitchen.

Rick and his mother usually go to church on Christmas Eve; I don't know what they're going to do this year as she's getting very frail and she falls easily. Weather permitting, Rick will bring her down to us for Christmas Day and dinner and then she'll come down again when we have our Christmas with the kids and the grands. 

We usually drive down to see our grands in their Christmas play at school. We stop for a nice supper on our way, then enjoy the kids singing before coming back home.

I never know what's going on with the kids until closer to the first week or so in December. Our son will call to tell us when they're coming up for Christmas; it's usually the Saturday before or the Saturday after. Either one works for us. Our tradition for Christmas dinner is a stuffed crown roast of pork, so I need to order that from the butcher around the first week in December. And the white coconut cake for Christmas dinner dessert. Rick refuses to eat coconut and our DIL won't eat it either, so I usually make another dessert in addition to ordering the cake. And, of course, we always have a large platter of cookies and candies for the dessert table, too.

I need to figure out what cookies need to be baked and what candies are going to be made. Every year I say that I'm not going crazy with cookies. I figure on snickerdoodles for Rick and some chocolate chip cookies for me. And then somebody says, "You're not making your cinnamon biscotti? Why not?" Or "I can't believe your're not going to make your peppermint cookies!"And then I'm off to the races. Almond brittle, homemade marshmallows for hot cocoa, sticky buns. All that good stuff.

I guess our big thing this year will be the addition of Jackie to our family. Jackie is Rick's parents' 10-year-old beagle and she's coming to live with us on November 16, when his mom goes into assisted living. Jackie is family and so Rick and I want her to stay with us. And essentially, this will be Jackie's first Christmas! Rick's parents never decorated or did anything in the way of Christmas because for the last 10-12 years, they always came here. It'll be interesting to see what she does with the Christmas trees and all the hubbub surrounding the holidays. I need to get Jackie her Christmas stocking; all the furkids have their own Christmas stockings that we hang along the stair railing in the living room.

We don't mail cards out anymore, other than the Card Exchange here. I have a few close friends I still send out cards to, but for the most part, people don't mail cards much anymore.

And that's probably way more than you wanted to know!
 
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swampwitch

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I've been excited about Christmas since January when I bought some decorations on sale that I love for 75% off - woo hoo! I have a few stocking stuffers already, but no gifts yet. We are looking forward to the first Christmas in our new home. I'm really hoping for a white one!
 
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meuzettesmom

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But is it wise? Christmas deco with a eight cat clowder? I don't decorate ... With that said for today's situation. My first cat loved everything to do with it.
Gifts and money come later.
 

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Have you started planning for the holiday(s)? No. There's nothing really to plan. DD and I usually have dinner and go to a late movie on Christmas day. She opens her gifts when she gets up. Usually at the crack of noon.

How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet? I've already gotten her bigger gift and she already has it. She wanted the Nintendo 3DS with the new Animal Crossing game so I preordered it for her and since she knew I was getting it, I just gave it to her then. It's really cute. She wants a few other smaller things that I will get closer to the holiday and I'll get her a few gift cards. The furkids will be getting some treats and toys.

Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?

Nope. I don't decorate. That way there's nothing to take down. Every year I ask DD if she wants me to put a tree up and she always says she doesn't care. I might put one up with no decorations. Sophie would love to climb it so it would be for her to play with more than as a decoration.


Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season?  (for example, a new cat or kitten(s) and their first Christmas with you)   This ill be Henry's first Christmas with us so it will be nice. I'll roast a bone in chicken breast and shred it up to go with their dinner. They all love that.

I'm putting together a gift box with toys and treats to bring to the  shelter that he came from. The cats there didn't really have any toys when I was there last time so I'm adding a few with each shopping trip from now until right before Christmas and then I'll bring it to them. I added 2 cases of Merrick Thanksgiving Day Dinner to my November Amazon subscribe and save that I'm going to bring them on the 24th or 25th so the kitties can have a special treat for the holiday. It will be a gift to them from my furkids. I told people at work about the gift box. It was a shameless attempt to get more stuff for the box. I only told people that I know love cats.
 

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I've started looking at gifts to buy but haven't bought anything yet. We need to get a new tree this year and more decorations.

My 3 year old is so excited for Christmas. She saw lights on today down the street (way too early IMO) and we had to walk over and look.

It's our first Christmas with Mabel. Mabel is a very spazzy, crazy cat so I'm not really looking forward to what she's going to do with the tree. Between her, my 3 year old and 1 year old...it will be interesting.
 

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Have you started planning for the holiday(s)?

First Holiday: Thanksgiving -

I am working on it, LOL  I have been 'practicing' making desserts such as Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Cheese Cake since September! I have the traditional pumpkin pie down to a science!

This year will be a bit different for me. My daughter is grown now, so she will be doing her own thing this year but, I am still going to make a 'small' dinner over the weekend. My good friend invited me to her home for Thanksgiving, but I was there last year and decided I would offer this year (tongue-in-cheek  -  the girl just can't cook! LOL). Her idea of a Thanksgiving dinner was ham sandwiches, baked beans and potato salad on paper plates served on TV trays in the living room with a store bought pie for dessert. 

I've always done the traditional 'feast' with a full turkey, homemade dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, sweet corn in cream, a green bean casserole, hot slaw, homemade cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and butter, and a relish plate. Sweet-tea and a bottle of 2012 Robert Mondavi-Woodbridge Chardonnay I have been saving back for a special occasion. Then my homemade pumpkin pie - and this year, a pumpkin cheesecake - with coffee for dessert. Yes, I even do the linen tablecloth and a centerpiece!

Most everything will be made several days before and frozen, so I can just get them in the refrigerator the night before to thaw, and bake/warm them up in the afternoon.

After dinner plans - if we aren't all dozing it off on the couch! - will be talking, laughing, playing cards or watching a good movie while we finish off the wine. My daughter and her friend will be stopping by for dinner as well! Yay!

On November 20th, there is going to be a Thanksgiving Dinner here in the Rec room at the apartments. About 30 of the 40 residents participate and everyone who is able brings a dish. The turkey is provided by management. Several of us pitch in and provide table cloths, drinks/cups, flatware, plates and decorations - and clean-up duty. 

Because I live in a 'disability' complex, there are many who are physically unable to attend the dinner, so some of the ladies will be taking plates to them individually. It went well last year and I am looking forward to doing it again this year. 

Second Holiday: Christmas - 

No specific plans this year. I will most likely make a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup and have a platter of ham, swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments with some potato bread, and a relish and cheese tray, and drinks for myself and those who stop over. Per Mom's tradition - I will have a Birthday cake for Jesus! She did that every year and we all sang Happy Birthday, then went to the living room to open gifts. 

Decorations will be taken down January 6th.
 
How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet?


I start my Christmas shopping in January, catching some sales. I pay attention to those who say, "I asked Santa for ______, but he didn't bring it this year." and make a point to get it for them this year, if feasible. I've actually been finished with my major shopping for months, but I always end up finding a few last-minute trinkets right before Christmas. I will have stocking for The Boys with a 'few' treats and new toys - not that they need them, of course! LOL 

 
Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?


Growing up as a child, we had many traditions, but those have all fallen by the wayside as children grew up, parents passed away, and family members moved out-of-town. 

Basically, the children would play with their toys, the women cleaned up the mess, and the guys would watch (American) football. If the weather was cold enough, we would go ice-skating  - Dad would load us all up in the wagon and pull us through the pasture with the tractor to the pond, and he would make a big bon-fire where we would keep warm and roast marshmallows. On Christmas Eve, we all went to Midnight Mass.

On January 6th (the 12th day of Christmas) we would all take the tree down while listening to the last of Christmas music and drink hot cocoa.

 
Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season?  (for example, a new cat or kitten(s) and their first Christmas with you)
.


The main thing I am looking forward to this Holiday season is to get through it! LOL  Last year was the first Christmas for The Boys (they were 8 months old) and they were thrilled with the tree! OMG! 

I didn't put up my usual 7 foot tree last year because I have moved into a much smaller place. I decided I would downsize my decorating (Thank God!) and just have a little 3 foot tree and put it in front of the picture window on a table. Needless to say, that lasted all of an hour! 

By the second day, the tree had been knocked down 4 or 5 times and ornaments were scattered throughout the house! By day three, I made the executive decision to just let the tree lay in the middle of the living room floor so the cats could romp at leisure! LOL  They crawled on it, slept in it, and played with it for two weeks - then I put it all away and they were searching for it for days afterward. So, I doubt there will be a tree this year. 

I have settled on wrapping my framed artwork with holiday paper and bows instead, and hanging them back on the walls. A wreath will be displayed on the outside door and that will be the limit of my decorations this year.  

Whatever your beliefs, traditions or plans, I wish all of you and yours a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!  

With love,

Fyllis, Kricket and Keeker
 

miagi's_mommy

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Have you started planning for the holidays? Not really....I mean we are planning on buying turkeys soon & that's about it. Haven't really planned for Christmas yet, IMO it's too early for that. Well it's never too early I suppose. I just have planned on ordering Christmas cards tomorrow. Vistaprint.com has 50% off of all their holiday cards if anyone is interested!

How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet? No I haven't. Probably soon, though.  I usually start shopping when Thanksgiving has passed. We usually shop towards the last minute, too unless it has to be ordered online. To be honest, though I usually buy for the pets earlier than my family.
They're easier to buy for... lol. Plus I'll probably send my best friend a package for her and her family including her pets. So I'll shop early for them before the holiday rush gets crazy with packages!


Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?

Well we don't really decorate for Thanksgiving. But we decorate a small Christmas tree we have & put lights around the mirror in the living room. Sometimes I get window clings to put on the mirror.As for traditions with the kitties, I used to wrap presents with Tiger who I lost suddenly in February. He would always love wrapping paper on Christmas morning I stuffed the boxes with wrapping paper just for him. He loved it. Christmas is going to be hard without him this year.. the first everything is the hardest. But I know he'll be here in spirit and watch me open presents. He adored turkey on Thanksgiving too!  Maybe Angel will help wrap or get in boxes this year. Miagi is too lazy to care. 
  I always stuff their stocking with treats and toys though. We used to go sledding when I was a child with my cousins. My parents would watch me, my brother and my cousin go down the hill.  We would go up to the hospital and they have a huge hill to sled down on. I would go pretty far probably because I wasn't heavy then!

Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season? Not really....don't get me wrong Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. But it was also Tiger's and this is my first Christmas without him in 10 years. :(  I am sure he'd want me to be happy and he won't be too far from me in spirit!  But I am looking forward to spoiling the pets including my brother's dog Archer. And of course my family (my immediate family & we shop for my cousin and her kids too.) I am also looking forward to eating good food and having family time on Thanksgiving & on Christmas! And I am looking forward to having my brother & his dog over for Thanksgiving & Christmas.
 
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MoochNNoodles

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Have you started planning for the holiday(s)?

My annual Excel spreadsheet is up and running.  I haven't moved onto the pages for food; but I have mostly reorganized my Christmas card/present list.  The page for my kids presents (which includes DD's birthday list because she's a January baby) is up and running.  I'm still adding and color coding items there though.  They haven't given me official requests.  I've never asked for those though.  This will be DD's first year to get to look through the Toys R Us catalog and mark things she is interested in.  I've never done it before because I don't want them expecting things.  I think DD is getting old enough to understand that.  Plus I'm just not quite sure what she would like.

How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet?

I shop year round.  I start toy shopping in July usually.  I shop the clearance toys at Walmart and Target and stash stuff away.  i also shop early for my nieces and nephews on DH's side.  We took a trip to visit them this fall so I gave them their gifts then; when we can actually see them open their gifts and appreciate them.  My BFF has a small business sewing custom clothing.  So I had her make aprons embroidered with their names for my MIL, SIL and 2 nieces.  I was able to go to the fabric store with her and select the fabrics for each of them. They turned out beautiful!

I'm making a few things myself this year. I've been out collecting natural elements and I'm hoping to get to the craft store this week.  

Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?

We start decorating Thanksgiving night or the next day.  It partly depends on DH's work schedule.  I'm not totally sure where I am going to put the tree this year.  Where I normally put the tree has become my corner for our homeschooling books and supplies.  It's normally in the dining/office space which has a 5' opening into the living room.  You can see it from both rooms.  I could put it on the other side of that wall (which is only about 2 1/2' wide anyway; but I'm always concerned about little hands.  Particularly my DS.  The cats also love the tree; but dislike being where the kids are playing.  So I'm not sure yet.  But I decorate pretty much the whole house.  The kids have small trees for their rooms too.  I bought new ones on clearance after Christmas last year.  DD's tree was literally falling apart.

I do a good amount of baking and share it with the neighbors and a few other people. 

We always go to church on Christmas Eve and drive around looking at lights on the way home.  I have a glass of eggnog (no liquor added) while I wrap presents after the kids are in bed.  Christmas day is typically here at home; so the kids can play.  We have a nice dinner here.  

My mother and step-dad have changed their eating habits this year. They are eating sugar free and following a mostly vegan diet; so our meals will be different this year.  I'm not sure how I will make those changes.  We might change up Christmas Eve too.  The church typically has some kind of fellowship after the service.  It's usually hosted at one of the elders houses and everyone brings a dessert or appetizer type item.  My kids have been too small for us to do that kind of late activity; but this year we might.  There have also been gag gift exchanges at these.  They were pretty hilarious!  

Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season?  (for example, a new cat or kitten(s) and their first Christmas with you)

As of yesterday; both of my DD's 2 top front teeth are loose!!!!!  I would absolutely love it if her teeth were missing for Christmas!  How cute would that be!?  I am taking them to do Christmas pictures; but instead of in their nice outfits; I'm doing them in Christmas pajamas.  Christmas is in 6 weeks; so there is a good chance they will be out.  But I'm not sure how fast the new ones will be coming in!  The 2 bottom came in before the knocked the baby teeth out; so we didn't get to do a toothy grin picture yet.  DD is so focused on this., It's cute!  I'll be doing pictures by early December; so hopefully I can wait till both are out.  Must feed her more whole apples! 
  I showed here this video on youtube last night.  She thought that was so funny!


Christmas with small kids is really a magical time.  We don't do Santa; but there is still so much that is magical about it.  There is so much to do with them. Stories, crafts, lights, presents, baking.  It's really a family time and they are getting big enough to remember and look forward to our traditions.  I've also had 2 people I love complete cancer journeys this year.  I am definitely going into this season thankful for their renewed health and presence in my life. 
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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We've not started much of anything yet....we've been still working outside and on the bedroom reno. I have off work on Wednesday and am planning on doing some shopping for Rick at that point. (This is when I start planning our Thanksgiving Dinner and figuring out everything I need for that.) We are not getting much for each other this year; the ACDC concert in Canada was considered part of Rick's Christmas and the baking class at King Arthur's in Vermont and seeing Mark Knopfler in concert in Pittsburgh was considered part of my Christmas. So it's little things here and there mostly, nothing big, nothing exotic.

The decorating, I think, will come around Thanksgiving. Usually I have the kitchen decorated for Christmas by Thanksgiving, but this year, unless I get my butt in gear, that's not going to happen. i decorate the kitchen by myself, usually when Rick is at work and I have the house to myself. Rick puts some lights up outside the Monday after Thanksgiving when I'm not home to say, "Dear, would you do this outside?" (Does not go over well.) 
 He used to go all out at Christmas, lighting our house and the trees, but it's gotten to be too much now. 

We do the tree in the living room together, with large mugs of hot cocoa and some cookies or sticky buns to see us through; it pretty much takes us the whole evening. The living room Christmas tree will go up Thanksgiving weekend. The Tacky White Tree goes up in the kitchen around the first week in December. We will not be putting up the Santa tree in the bedroom this year because the reno isn't finished....and won't be. Every year I say that we shouldn't bother with the Tacky White Tree because the cats pretty much have ruined the lower branches, but every year around the first week in December, I ask Rick to bring the boxes up from the basement and put it together. Then I string the lights and hang the blue balls by myself. It's my kitchen and I like decorating my kitchen.

Rick and his mother usually go to church on Christmas Eve; I don't know what they're going to do this year as she's getting very frail and she falls easily. Weather permitting, Rick will bring her down to us for Christmas Day and dinner and then she'll come down again when we have our Christmas with the kids and the grands. 

We usually drive down to see our grands in their Christmas play at school. We stop for a nice supper on our way, then enjoy the kids singing before coming back home.

I never know what's going on with the kids until closer to the first week or so in December. Our son will call to tell us when they're coming up for Christmas; it's usually the Saturday before or the Saturday after. Either one works for us. Our tradition for Christmas dinner is a stuffed crown roast of pork, so I need to order that from the butcher around the first week in December. And the white coconut cake for Christmas dinner dessert. Rick refuses to eat coconut and our DIL won't eat it either, so I usually make another dessert in addition to ordering the cake. And, of course, we always have a large platter of cookies and candies for the dessert table, too.

I need to figure out what cookies need to be baked and what candies are going to be made. Every year I say that I'm not going crazy with cookies. I figure on snickerdoodles for Rick and some chocolate chip cookies for me. And then somebody says, "You're not making your cinnamon biscotti? Why not?" Or "I can't believe your're not going to make your peppermint cookies!"And then I'm off to the races. Almond brittle, homemade marshmallows for hot cocoa, sticky buns. All that good stuff.

I guess our big thing this year will be the addition of Jackie to our family. Jackie is Rick's parents' 10-year-old beagle and she's coming to live with us on November 16, when his mom goes into assisted living. Jackie is family and so Rick and I want her to stay with us. And essentially, this will be Jackie's first Christmas! Rick's parents never decorated or did anything in the way of Christmas because for the last 10-12 years, they always came here. It'll be interesting to see what she does with the Christmas trees and all the hubbub surrounding the holidays. I need to get Jackie her Christmas stocking; all the furkids have their own Christmas stockings that we hang along the stair railing in the living room.

We don't mail cards out anymore, other than the Card Exchange here. I have a few close friends I still send out cards to, but for the most part, people don't mail cards much anymore.

And that's probably way more than you wanted to know!
those are lovely Christmas plans, and traditions! 


i'll be interested to hear how jackie settles in with your clowder, and how she reacts to all the Christmas goings on!
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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I've been excited about Christmas since January when I bought some decorations on sale that I love for 75% off - woo hoo! I have a few stocking stuffers already, but no gifts yet. We are looking forward to the first Christmas in our new home. I'm really hoping for a white one!
that's very exciting -- the first Christmas in your new home!

i'm beginning to wonder if we'll end up with snow on the ground/snow falling on Christmas here. it's way higher temps here than it normally is around mid november.
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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But is it wise? Christmas deco with a eight cat clowder? I don't decorate ... With that said for today's situation. My first cat loved everything to do with it.
Gifts and money come later.
i don't decorate for any holidays either. many years ago, when my snick was a kitten and on up until she was about 2 years old (she's 15 years old now), i would put up an artificial Christmas tree. snick and her brother mickey (rip) would always chew and swallow the fake tree 'needles', then vomit them back up. since then, no Christmas tree or decorations for us. well, except snick and jaspurr's Christmas stockings -- but they're cloth with no beads or glitter or anything on them.

snick absolutely knows her Christmas stocking, and every year cries out in excitement when i bring it out for her on Christmas morning.
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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Have you started planning for the holiday(s)? No. There's nothing really to plan. DD and I usually have dinner and go to a late movie on Christmas day. She opens her gifts when she gets up. Usually at the crack of noon.

How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet? I've already gotten her bigger gift and she already has it. She wanted the Nintendo 3DS with the new Animal Crossing game so I preordered it for her and since she knew I was getting it, I just gave it to her then. It's really cute. She wants a few other smaller things that I will get closer to the holiday and I'll get her a few gift cards. The furkids will be getting some treats and toys.

Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?

Nope. I don't decorate. That way there's nothing to take down. Every year I ask DD if she wants me to put a tree up and she always says she doesn't care. I might put one up with no decorations. Sophie would love to climb it so it would be for her to play with more than as a decoration.


Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season?  (for example, a new cat or kitten(s) and their first Christmas with you)   This ill be Henry's first Christmas with us so it will be nice. I'll roast a bone in chicken breast and shred it up to go with their dinner. They all love that.

I'm putting together a gift box with toys and treats to bring to the  shelter that he came from. The cats there didn't really have any toys when I was there last time so I'm adding a few with each shopping trip from now until right before Christmas and then I'll bring it to them. I added 2 cases of Merrick Thanksgiving Day Dinner to my November Amazon subscribe and save that I'm going to bring them on the 24th or 25th so the kitties can have a special treat for the holiday. It will be a gift to them from my furkids. I told people at work about the gift box. It was a shameless attempt to get more stuff for the box. I only told people that I know love cats.
i never see the need to wait to give snick and jaspurr all their gifts on Christmas day either. and for my two, they seem to get overwhelmed if i give them all their gifts at once. snick and jaspurr love the natures variety instinct raw boost pieces in their dry cat food, and this year i'll be buying a package of (just) those 'boostie' pieces for them -- i plan on bundling 5 or 6 pieces in a piece of (clean) scrap fabric for each of them, and will include those in their stockings.

oh, your henry's first Christmas with you! very special! 

that's a great idea for those kitties at the shelter! they'll certainly have a wonderful Christmas with the toys and treats you'll give them! 
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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I've started looking at gifts to buy but haven't bought anything yet. We need to get a new tree this year and more decorations.

My 3 year old is so excited for Christmas. She saw lights on today down the street (way too early IMO) and we had to walk over and look.

It's our first Christmas with Mabel. Mabel is a very spazzy, crazy cat so I'm not really looking forward to what she's going to do with the tree. Between her, my 3 year old and 1 year old...it will be interesting.
ahhh, Christmas lights are so very pretty!

oh, your mabel's first Christmas with you! and your two young ones -- Christmas is so exciting for young children!

your new tree may be a little more 'broken in' by the time the Christmas season is over! 
 

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ahhh, Christmas lights are so very pretty!

oh, your mabel's first Christmas with you! and your two young ones -- Christmas is so exciting for young children!

your new tree may be a little more 'broken in' by the time the Christmas season is over! 
OMG! When my daughter was almost 4 (in February) we were at my Mom's on Christmas Eve. We were all gathered in the living room talking and watching the kids playing when I noticed my daughter, Nicolette, standing at the picture window totally transfixed and staring out into the dark sky. I asked what she was looking at and, with eyes as big as saucers, she turned to me and said, "Santa Claus!". I went to the window and looked out and, sure enough, I saw Rudolph's Red Nose blinking and slowly moving through the clouds! 

Unbeknownst to her, it was a small airplane going by - but I never did tell her that! I think, of all my years, that was the most precious Christmas ever! 
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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Have you started planning for the holiday(s)?

First Holiday: Thanksgiving -

I am working on it, LOL  I have been 'practicing' making desserts such as Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Cheese Cake since September! I have the traditional pumpkin pie down to a science!

This year will be a bit different for me. My daughter is grown now, so she will be doing her own thing this year but, I am still going to make a 'small' dinner over the weekend. My good friend invited me to her home for Thanksgiving, but I was there last year and decided I would offer this year (tongue-in-cheek  -  the girl just can't cook! LOL). Her idea of a Thanksgiving dinner was ham sandwiches, baked beans and potato salad on paper plates served on TV trays in the living room with a store bought pie for dessert. 

I've always done the traditional 'feast' with a full turkey, homemade dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, sweet corn in cream, a green bean casserole, hot slaw, homemade cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and butter, and a relish plate. Sweet-tea and a bottle of 2012 Robert Mondavi-Woodbridge Chardonnay I have been saving back for a special occasion. Then my homemade pumpkin pie - and this year, a pumpkin cheesecake - with coffee for dessert. Yes, I even do the linen tablecloth and a centerpiece!

Most everything will be made several days before and frozen, so I can just get them in the refrigerator the night before to thaw, and bake/warm them up in the afternoon.

After dinner plans - if we aren't all dozing it off on the couch! - will be talking, laughing, playing cards or watching a good movie while we finish off the wine. My daughter and her friend will be stopping by for dinner as well! Yay!

On November 20th, there is going to be a Thanksgiving Dinner here in the Rec room at the apartments. About 30 of the 40 residents participate and everyone who is able brings a dish. The turkey is provided by management. Several of us pitch in and provide table cloths, drinks/cups, flatware, plates and decorations - and clean-up duty. 

Because I live in a 'disability' complex, there are many who are physically unable to attend the dinner, so some of the ladies will be taking plates to them individually. It went well last year and I am looking forward to doing it again this year. 

Second Holiday: Christmas - 

No specific plans this year. I will most likely make a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup and have a platter of ham, swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments with some potato bread, and a relish and cheese tray, and drinks for myself and those who stop over. Per Mom's tradition - I will have a Birthday cake for Jesus! She did that every year and we all sang Happy Birthday, then went to the living room to open gifts. 

Decorations will be taken down January 6th.
 
How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet?


I start my Christmas shopping in January, catching some sales. I pay attention to those who say, "I asked Santa for ______, but he didn't bring it this year." and make a point to get it for them this year, if feasible. I've actually been finished with my major shopping for months, but I always end up finding a few last-minute trinkets right before Christmas. I will have stocking for The Boys with a 'few' treats and new toys - not that they need them, of course! LOL 

 
Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?


Growing up as a child, we had many traditions, but those have all fallen by the wayside as children grew up, parents passed away, and family members moved out-of-town. 

Basically, the children would play with their toys, the women cleaned up the mess, and the guys would watch (American) football. If the weather was cold enough, we would go ice-skating  - Dad would load us all up in the wagon and pull us through the pasture with the tractor to the pond, and he would make a big bon-fire where we would keep warm and roast marshmallows. On Christmas Eve, we all went to Midnight Mass.

On January 6th (the 12th day of Christmas) we would all take the tree down while listening to the last of Christmas music and drink hot cocoa.

 
Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season?  (for example, a new cat or kitten(s) and their first Christmas with you)
.


The main thing I am looking forward to this Holiday season is to get through it! LOL  Last year was the first Christmas for The Boys (they were 8 months old) and they were thrilled with the tree! OMG! 

I didn't put up my usual 7 foot tree last year because I have moved into a much smaller place. I decided I would downsize my decorating (Thank God!) and just have a little 3 foot tree and put it in front of the picture window on a table. Needless to say, that lasted all of an hour! 

By the second day, the tree had been knocked down 4 or 5 times and ornaments were scattered throughout the house! By day three, I made the executive decision to just let the tree lay in the middle of the living room floor so the cats could romp at leisure! LOL  They crawled on it, slept in it, and played with it for two weeks - then I put it all away and they were searching for it for days afterward. So, I doubt there will be a tree this year. 

I have settled on wrapping my framed artwork with holiday paper and bows instead, and hanging them back on the walls. A wreath will be displayed on the outside door and that will be the limit of my decorations this year.  

Whatever your beliefs, traditions or plans, I wish all of you and yours a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!  

With love,

Fyllis, Kricket and Keeker
very nice Thanksgiving plans! it's been many years since i had a Thanksgiving feast. i actually enjoy just having a nice quiet day with my cats these days. i should have some of the cinnamon-sugar cake left for Thanksgiving day though -- it's a new recipe for me so a 'practice' cake, the second one will be part of my brother's family's Christmas gifts.

i  really like your idea of homemade soup, sandwich fixins, and a relish and cheese tray for Christmas dinner! 


LOL -- your boys sure did have a lot of fun with the Christmas tree last year!

awww.........thank you! and a Merry Christmas to you and your boys too!
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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Have you started planning for the holidays? Not really....I mean we are planning on buying turkeys soon & that's about it. Haven't really planned for Christmas yet, IMO it's too early for that. Well it's never too early I suppose. I just have planned on ordering Christmas cards tomorrow. Vistaprint.com has 50% off of all their holiday cards if anyone is interested!

How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet? No I haven't. Probably soon, though.  I usually start shopping when Thanksgiving has passed. We usually shop towards the last minute, too unless it has to be ordered online. To be honest, though I usually buy for the pets earlier than my family.
They're easier to buy for... lol. Plus I'll probably send my best friend a package for her and her family including her pets. So I'll shop early for them before the holiday rush gets crazy with packages!


Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?

Well we don't really decorate for Thanksgiving. But we decorate a small Christmas tree we have & put lights around the mirror in the living room. Sometimes I get window clings to put on the mirror.As for traditions with the kitties, I used to wrap presents with Tiger who I lost suddenly in February. He would always love wrapping paper on Christmas morning I stuffed the boxes with wrapping paper just for him. He loved it. Christmas is going to be hard without him this year.. the first everything is the hardest. But I know he'll be here in spirit and watch me open presents. He adored turkey on Thanksgiving too!  Maybe Angel will help wrap or get in boxes this year. Miagi is too lazy to care. 
  I always stuff their stocking with treats and toys though. We used to go sledding when I was a child with my cousins. My parents would watch me, my brother and my cousin go down the hill.  We would go up to the hospital and they have a huge hill to sled down on. I would go pretty far probably because I wasn't heavy then!

Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season? Not really....don't get me wrong Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. But it was also Tiger's and this is my first Christmas without him in 10 years. :(  I am sure he'd want me to be happy and he won't be too far from me in spirit!  But I am looking forward to spoiling the pets including my brother's dog Archer. And of course my family (my immediate family & we shop for my cousin and her kids too.) I am also looking forward to eating good food and having family time on Thanksgiving & on Christmas! And I am looking forward to having my brother & his dog over for Thanksgiving & Christmas.
it's the opposite for me -- snick and jaspurr are the hardest or more like most involved to plan Christmas gifts for. i mean, they have just about everything -- or at least everything that i think they'll enjoy and that isn't outrageously priced. but i always manage to find good gifts for them, every year.

i think i understand -- it was very hard on our mickey's birthday as well as Christmas the first year after he crossed the bridge, especially since snick's birthday is the same as mickey's (they were litter mates). just like you, i know our mickey is there with us in spirit on those special days.
 
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Have you started planning for the holiday(s)?

My annual Excel spreadsheet is up and running.  I haven't moved onto the pages for food; but I have mostly reorganized my Christmas card/present list.  The page for my kids presents (which includes DD's birthday list because she's a January baby) is up and running.  I'm still adding and color coding items there though.  They haven't given me official requests.  I've never asked for those though.  This will be DD's first year to get to look through the Toys R Us catalog and mark things she is interested in.  I've never done it before because I don't want them expecting things.  I think DD is getting old enough to understand that.  Plus I'm just not quite sure what she would like.

How about gift buying or gift making -- have you started that yet?

I shop year round.  I start toy shopping in July usually.  I shop the clearance toys at Walmart and Target and stash stuff away.  i also shop early for my nieces and nephews on DH's side.  We took a trip to visit them this fall so I gave them their gifts then; when we can actually see them open their gifts and appreciate them.  My BFF has a small business sewing custom clothing.  So I had her make aprons embroidered with their names for my MIL, SIL and 2 nieces.  I was able to go to the fabric store with her and select the fabrics for each of them. They turned out beautiful!

I'm making a few things myself this year. I've been out collecting natural elements and I'm hoping to get to the craft store this week.  

Are there any 'traditions' you/your family follow every year? (like decorating for the holidays, sledding or ice skating, family gatherings, church or synagogue services, etc) Any 'traditions' you follow for your cats?

We start decorating Thanksgiving night or the next day.  It partly depends on DH's work schedule.  I'm not totally sure where I am going to put the tree this year.  Where I normally put the tree has become my corner for our homeschooling books and supplies.  It's normally in the dining/office space which has a 5' opening into the living room.  You can see it from both rooms.  I could put it on the other side of that wall (which is only about 2 1/2' wide anyway; but I'm always concerned about little hands.  Particularly my DS.  The cats also love the tree; but dislike being where the kids are playing.  So I'm not sure yet.  But I decorate pretty much the whole house.  The kids have small trees for their rooms too.  I bought new ones on clearance after Christmas last year.  DD's tree was literally falling apart.

I do a good amount of baking and share it with the neighbors and a few other people. 

We always go to church on Christmas Eve and drive around looking at lights on the way home.  I have a glass of eggnog (no liquor added) while I wrap presents after the kids are in bed.  Christmas day is typically here at home; so the kids can play.  We have a nice dinner here.  

My mother and step-dad have changed their eating habits this year. They are eating sugar free and following a mostly vegan diet; so our meals will be different this year.  I'm not sure how I will make those changes.  We might change up Christmas Eve too.  The church typically has some kind of fellowship after the service.  It's usually hosted at one of the elders houses and everyone brings a dessert or appetizer type item.  My kids have been too small for us to do that kind of late activity; but this year we might.  There have also been gag gift exchanges at these.  They were pretty hilarious!  

Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this coming holiday season?  (for example, a new cat or kitten(s) and their first Christmas with you)

As of yesterday; both of my DD's 2 top front teeth are loose!!!!!  I would absolutely love it if her teeth were missing for Christmas!  How cute would that be!?  I am taking them to do Christmas pictures; but instead of in their nice outfits; I'm doing them in Christmas pajamas.  Christmas is in 6 weeks; so there is a good chance they will be out.  But I'm not sure how fast the new ones will be coming in!  The 2 bottom came in before the knocked the baby teeth out; so we didn't get to do a toothy grin picture yet.  DD is so focused on this., It's cute!  I'll be doing pictures by early December; so hopefully I can wait till both are out.  Must feed her more whole apples! 
  I showed here this video on youtube last night.  She thought that was so funny!


Christmas with small kids is really a magical time.  We don't do Santa; but there is still so much that is magical about it.  There is so much to do with them. Stories, crafts, lights, presents, baking.  It's really a family time and they are getting big enough to remember and look forward to our traditions.  I've also had 2 people I love complete cancer journeys this year.  I am definitely going into this season thankful for their renewed health and presence in my life. 
Wow! those handcrafted aprons embroidered with your relatives names sound very lovely!

i'm sure those Christmas photos will turn out very nice! and i love that idea of your two little ones wearing Christmas pajamas! that's perfect timing, that your dd's two front teeth are getting ready to come out!

i agree!
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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OMG! When my daughter was almost 4 (in February) we were at my Mom's on Christmas Eve. We were all gathered in the living room talking and watching the kids playing when I noticed my daughter, Nicolette, standing at the picture window totally transfixed and staring out into the dark sky. I asked what she was looking at and, with eyes as big as saucers, she turned to me and said, "Santa Claus!". I went to the window and looked out and, sure enough, I saw Rudolph's Red Nose blinking and slowly moving through the clouds! 

Unbeknownst to her, it was a small airplane going by - but I never did tell her that! I think, of all my years, that was the most precious Christmas ever! 
ahhhh, that would be a very precious memory! 
 

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OMG! When my daughter was almost 4 (in February) we were at my Mom's on Christmas Eve. We were all gathered in the living room talking and watching the kids playing when I noticed my daughter, Nicolette, standing at the picture window totally transfixed and staring out into the dark sky. I asked what she was looking at and, with eyes as big as saucers, she turned to me and said, "Santa Claus!". I went to the window and looked out and, sure enough, I saw Rudolph's Red Nose blinking and slowly moving through the clouds! 

Unbeknownst to her, it was a small airplane going by - but I never did tell her that! I think, of all my years, that was the most precious Christmas ever! 
Oh that is absolutely TOO cute!!!  
 
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