Idyllic Christmas Eve

It getting on towards 9:00 p.m., and we've lit the tree and opened our presents. Germans do that Christmas Eve. Hubby is watching one of his (a "Rock Riffs and Solos" DVD), I'm at the computer again, and Jamie is alternating between playing with his new mouse (with me at the end of the fishing pole), begging for more treats, and undecorating the tree. Having a cat is as bad as having a small child at Christmas time. He got so excited when I brought the tree down from the attic yesterday that I decided to decorate it a day early, and had to do it over again this morning.

Trish, I am glad you had a tranquil holiday. We also open up gifts on Christmas Eve, but this year with the kids and grandkids going elsewhere, we have already exchanged our gifts and had our time.

I'm glad that your holiday is going well. Sounds like Jamie is really enjoying his presents!

Well, we have to go through it again tomorrow, when our German niece and nephew get their presents. He needs money to furnish the apartment he's moving into, so he's getting that and a little marble pig for luck, but I can't wait to see how she reacts when she sees the voliere we got for her parakeets/budgies. We gave Robert's parents their gift early, too - a ready-to-plug-in artificial tree, 'cause they say they can't be bothered at +/- 80 to put one up, but then his mother always regrets not having a tree. They seem pleased with it, even though it's only about 2 1/2 feet high.
Christmas is really dragged out here: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day are all holidays.
Our American family members have already opened their gifts - they can never wait until Christmas, and I start sending stuff in November.

Tricia how long did it take for your packages to get to america?

Originally Posted by fwan

Tricia how long did it take for your packages to get to America?

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Normally, 6 to 8 weeks by surface mail, but before Christmas, it can take up to 12 weeks! I usually figure that if I don't send something by mid-October, it won't be there by Christmas. SAL (surface - air - land) packages arrive in about two weeks, depending on the final U.S. destination (within one week if it's in the NE U.S.), and airmail packages within 6 - 9 days. I've basically given up, and order gifts on line at U.S. or Canadian websites, and have the stuff delivered directly to U.S. addresses. That way there's no trouble with Customs. Did you know that Ãœberraschungseier are illegal in the U.S.? That's because of the small parts that a kid might swallow.

I payed 25 euros for luftpost and the guy at the post office told me it would get there in a week! my SS hasnt received her gift still and i posted it on the 12th of dec..
Oh my god i feel so rotten for posting it so late now!

Sounds like a lovely Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas!

My mum got her presents but not her card that was sent a week earlier - so sometimes its just the postal system being slow!