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From: MaryW
Date: 11-30-2005, 05:41 PM (1 of 11)
Ok ladies. How do you handle the holidays with kids,grandkids,greatgrandkids, not to mention significant others? This is just plain common sense. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 11-30-2005, 06:09 PM (2 of 11)
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No problem here because I don't have any. Well, I have a couple grown kids and a significant other -- a little less significant since he is working Xmas day and thus ticked me off. But I don't have grand kids or great-grand kids to worry about. Don't have any common sense either, some might say. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-30-2005, 09:50 PM (3 of 11)
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When I was still living in CA when everyone was still alive. I did the same thing I do now. I start shopping in Sept. (I have a great memory for what I get people and what they like.) I wrap in Nov. So it's all ready to go by Dec first. I used to make cookies once or twice a week. Freeze some (eat some ). Dinners were planned in advance, who went where, when. I'm a very organized person, but you wouldn't know it to look at me or my home....now with no family around. Holidays are LESS stressful. I think the key is to NOT expect everything to be perfect (something is always bound to go wrong). Don't put yourself in debt, just to keep up with the neighbors/family/whoever. Take time for yourself. ENJOY shopping, without rushing around. You can't please EVERYONE, so please yourself and let the rest go. (it will all work out in the end anyway...) My husband an I made a deal when we were first married....since he doesn't have a clue about me (and he's known me for 31 yrs.) no presents for either of us. So we buy what we want, when we want it all yr long. My sister buys presents for both of us. ( I give her a list). We buy stuff for her. (she gives me a list). In-laws say no presents this yr from them...I said Ok...but we'll probaby give them something anyway...usually gift cards. Make it easy...take it easy...thats my holiday motto.... Christmas cards are bought in Nov. signed and ready to go by the 8th of Dec. Yay me !!! 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: SnufflesMama
Date: 12-01-2005, 08:39 AM (4 of 11)
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Wow Crys...and we were getting on so well. Now I must bow to your superior talents. I always THINK about what it must be like to do so organized, but so far, it hasn't happened. I DO like the part about buying what you want, when you want. I think I'm going to try that. Phone is already ringing....I'm out Have a great day |
User: SnufflesMama
Member since: 11-25-2005 Total posts: 24 |
From: Magot
Date: 12-01-2005, 10:00 AM (5 of 11)
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I start my Christmas knitting in Sept - a must of there is a jumper inthe offing. The rest is generally small items. I think the key is to have realistic expectations - life is not what it says in the magazines, children won't suddenly become perfect overnight, relatives you don't get onwith are the same as they ever wee - as are you! And as Kath says, don't go into debt,don't fall for the "everyone has one is the only thing to have this year" trap. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: echomandy
Date: 12-01-2005, 03:28 PM (6 of 11)
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I start very early in the year by buying fabric that I love...and put them all in a bin until I'm ready to wrap them. When I'm sewing I don't have any one in mind in particular but when I have finished them, I know who they are going to. And if there isn't enough to go around, then they get gift cards. This year I am not stressing on any shopping or anything like that. I don't have to cook for Xmas Eve or Day...and at our local Safeway you can buy gift cards for almost every conceivable store |
User: echomandy
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 5 
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From: esrun3
Date: 12-01-2005, 10:29 PM (7 of 11)
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I shop all year for the basic type stuff, then start hitting the stores in Oct/Nov for specifics. We all try to have our wish lists done by early Oct. My sewing is all year but somehow much of that ends up being given for birthdays/anniversaries, etc. so I'm scrambling at the end to get stuff done again. Plus I don't make the DGK's pj's until November or so in case sizes change a lot. I try to mail out of town gifts by the end of the first week in December-one pkg out, two to go at this time. We all gather on Christmas for dinner and presents. The kids go to the inlaws for Christmas Eve. Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: debsews
Date: 12-01-2005, 10:54 PM (8 of 11)
| I usually say I'm going to start sewing for the DGK's in September but never do. I usually get in high gear about the end of Oct and try to finish at least 2 pair for everyone by Christmas. I have 9 DGK's that I make pj's for and throw in robes and dresses and pj bags this year. I'm almost done and anything beyond that is extra. I then go out and get somethings off the lists they send me. We draw names with the parents and spend $25. I usually try to make my DD and DS something and then do something for the spouses as well. Next year i may just send them the money and forget it! I love doing the pj's because I tell the kids when they wear them it's me giving them warm hugs all night! i love to see them in their pj's on Christmas eve! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 12-02-2005, 11:22 AM (9 of 11)
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Wine, lots of wine! We have a very crazy family!!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Dustbunny01
Date: 12-05-2005, 11:15 PM (10 of 11)
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Usally I put stuff on layaway in Sep/ Oct. and for sewing I do one or two per day until I am finished. But this year, work has been very slow this year because of the plant loosing a contact. and almost no work at all in the last half. So we where worried, and paid off all the bills we could. Nothing went on Layaway this year. because of the fear of a lay-off . A plant meeting followed in NOv. Plant is closing, many will loose there job on Jan 27th,lucky for us His out date is May 27th. Now we have 3 weekends before Christmas, and very little money to buy with, with money being so tight now, I am left scrambleing on what I can buy for them, ( youngest will turn 13 on Jan 15th, and I have a 18 year old in Collage) Not a lot to sew for a 13 year old boy. but I am doing what I can. we have one dept store CC ( lowes) and I will not start going into debt this year. because we dont' have the cash, I am going to try to spend about 50.00 or 20.00 per week now to get what I can for them. but to make up for all of this, I do have the house all decked out, Lights outside and inside. we may not have a lot to give this year, but we do have love, and at least the town can enjoy our lights. DB
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User: Dustbunny01
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 159 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 12-06-2005, 09:03 AM (11 of 11)
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You know Dustbunny - you hit the nail on the head. A house full of love is way better than a tree full of presents. Christmas isn't about presents, it's about love. I think we spend way too much money on presents for people, I know I do. It should be enough to just spend time with each other, enjoying friends and family's company. You could make up some gift cards, like, a breakfast in bed, a car wash - inside and out, a promise to spend an evening doing something special. You are so blessed to have a family full of love, more than you know! That's what the kids will remember when they look back over the years. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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