noveltyjunkie

Just wondering- how many decorations do most people put up? Many people have mentioned it being such a chore. Maybe I am decoration-deficient because there are just not that many to put up- I cant imagine it getting to be that much work.... how many does one house need? Most of ours are things the kids made and they all go on the tree. I have lots of things (from pre kids) that dont get put up at all some years.
My main stress in December is the year end in work- can anyone make that go away?!!!

raptureready

I've got to finish my last gift project (a tied couch throw for dd's teacher) this weekend and also put the tree up. I've been too sick to do it before. Black Friday and I will never meet up again---once several years ago was enough for me. I've cut back on my list of gift giving, shopping, decorating, cooking, etc. DD and I do make cheese balls or cookies for all the neighbors and several friends but we do that after she gets out of school for Christmas break. I'll bake a ham and make some veggies for Christmas dinner but there's just the three of us so it won't be much.

smagruder

Hate crowds so no Black Fridays for me. I do my shopping early and this year..on line rules. Got the same deals and better... I got 6 yards of flannel for 1.79 a yard. yeah me! Not sending hard cards or making cookies and candy. We don't really need them and they just add pounds. I got two gradbabies this past year. Treating myself to a first birthday party in Tampa with Maverick, and will be taking care of Miss Lily starting in January. God is great and I am blessed! Decorations are at a minimum... neices think I am a great aunt. They got lots of decorations and I simplified my life. Merry Christmas to all and a blessed New Year.

Nona

This year I made nothing for gifts. The oldest 3 of my grandchildren are in college so a check on the tree for them. The next four are all teenagers and I can't buy for them...so a cash on the tree for them....the younger 7 live far away so a check in the mail to their mothers so she can buy something from their christmas list from Nona and Grandpa. My children each get a family check large enough to count toward what ever they need or want. I send my mother flowers because she doesnt dust anymore and has at least duplicates of everything I can think of. And I have been doing charity sewing this month for me. I sounds like a perfect Christmas to me! It has taken me a long time not to push doing too much at the holiday time.

Mickie612

Maybe it is age, but this year I cut back on Stuff. I am only sewing what I really want, (doll cloths for two little girls on the angel tree) not decorating or baking til I am so spaced out I cannot even enjoy the season. My daughter and I are even taking a P.J. party quilting class tomorrow. It has been the best year ever.

plainpat

Love the sound of your PJ quilting class. Have fun!

plainpat

Been there......We also do gift certifs or cash for Grkids & DDs.The Grkids are into all things electronic that we have no clue about.Thankfuly,everyone is working,so our gifts go for whatever goodies they want.They're happy,we're happy.No crowds to fight & then ending up with things needing returned.So glad to be done with that.We "payed our dues" so to speak with the DDs & Grkids when little,from cutting down trees & making sure Santa gave them a nice Christmas.
Dec is my fav mo, just sit back, enjoy & do exactly what we please :-) :-)

aliaslaceygreen

Good for you. I am somewhat shocked to learn Christmas is two weeks away, I don't believe I have done any shopping yet...Ruh Roh! LOL....I don't know that there is much I need to buy though...its feeling anti-climatic this year....
(20 years of retail will do that to you!!!)

BellaBoo

It only took one very stressful Christmas for me to change everything. Never again no matter which Aunt, in law, cousin, sibling, or bratty kids got miffed about it. Now I buy pre baked cookies and cakes of every kind and always get everyone's favorite. I won't bake myself to death for a holiday. I don't cook Christmas Day, I buy everything pre cooked. I heat it up and have a buffet of eat when you are hungry. I don't do kitchen clean up, everything is disposable. I cook big meals during the year so the holiday is for me too. The tree goes up a week before Christmas and usually comes down the day after. I usually pick out one gift and buy it for everyone. This year everyone is getting a Kindle. The kids get gifts from their wish lists. I bought the big pre lighted tree that goes together in a minute. I hang the house decorations while DH sits out our yard decorations and plugs them in. Usually some need new lights. We have a big Christmas Eve playing Secret Santa/Dirty Santa then all the kids sleep over and we have Santa on Christmas morning. My kids all live close by and they like being here for Christmas. I think my girls (no boys) miss being pampered a little so they want to be here for Christmas. It's just DH, kids and spouses, grands and me, no relatives. Christmas night I usually go to a movie with my girls and grands while the guys stay home and watch tv and sleep.

leiladylei54

Every Christmas I've learned a little more to reduce my stress level for things such as gift giving. I've quit trying to "make" so many difficult or time consuming gifts. This is the first year I've ordered some gifts on-line and what a blessing it has been to my stress level. Who would have thunk???!!! LOL