What are your xmas plans for this year, 2008? [Archive] - Merry Forums of My Merry Christmas

JayIsh

01-09-2008, 06:52 AM

Well...Tomorrow, I'll get up, take a shower, get ready for work, go to work, come home from work, do the dishes and laundry, watch some TV, go to bed...than the next day, I'll get up....Just kidding...

Simplify, stay afloat, lose weight, go to Cape Cod in the summer, grow and take one day at a time...That's about all I can handle at the moment...

MarthaK

01-09-2008, 07:18 AM

My focus is also shifting slightly away from Christmas. I'm now doing a bunch of spring cleaning, sticking to a so-far successful weight loss plan, and I'm planning for a camping trip in the Cumberland and Smokey Mountains this spring. The spring cleaning is vital, since my garage is now a complete train wreck as Christmas decorations are being put away and camping gear is being pulled out.

On the Christmas end, I am deciding which items I want to add to next year's display so that I can take advantage of the sales now underway at Lori's Lighted D'Lites, Christmas Done Bright, and Betty's Christmas House.

Annette1990

01-09-2008, 08:00 AM

I am also doing a little pre spring cleaning. I cleaned out a couple of closets recently. Hope to have a garage sale this year. And just trying to get things back in order after Christmas. I guess for Christmas this year...I would like to get an earlier start on my cards. I'd like to make my own this year if time allows it. I also plan to decorate a little earlier than what I did this last Christmas so I can enjoy it even a little longer. I also plan to decorate another 6.5 ft tree...I will have the room this year because this summer we are adding on to our home. I so can't wait!

scoobie

01-09-2008, 08:04 AM

Well, I'm planning on actually having a Christmas this year, after spending the whole of last Christmas in bed with a virus!

Seriously though, we will be in our new house which will hopefully be all nicely decorated, with new carpets, and new oak flooring.. will be nice to be in a house after living in a flat for the last 4 years!

Planning on having a few christmas parties, and dinners as well as a new years bash :-)

Scoooooobie (who has had more than his fair share of coffee today!)

act_as_if

01-09-2008, 09:27 AM

Hopefully, noone dying in my family.

Get Christmas Cards sent out earlier, be more friendly to strangers, give more back to the community,have a few more healthier items on our table,water the christmas tree everyday instead of every so often,finish wrapping presents BEFORE Christmas Eve

RadioJonD

01-09-2008, 10:26 AM

After missing a year in 2007, I hope to have the family Christmas CD back in production. I've already chosen two or three tunes. May even include Spike Jones' complete Nutcracker Suite this year, haven't decided.

Hopefully, starting in July, we'll began recording family greetings and such for me to be ready to mix and edit shortly after US Labor Day.

joyful

01-11-2008, 07:37 PM

LOL, I still have my Christmas trees up from 2007. Can't bear to take them down, they are so pretty.

Well, Christmas 2008 expectations for me is just to have my family healthy and together for that's what it is all about "Family". This past Christmas was my first without my Dad and it seem strange not to see him or buy him a gift or wish him Merry Christmas but I knew he would not want me to mourn and ruin Christmas for others because he was not at all selfish and I can't be selfish.

Enjoy your family all year round and celebrate being a family.

Minta

01-14-2008, 09:11 AM

sugarplum fairy

01-14-2008, 05:30 PM

My oldest daughter will be married next Christmas, so that is going to be different. She won't be here on Christmas morning. My son, who is 6, will still be waking early to see what Santa brought him and his other sister. She is going to miss that and we will miss her.

Maebeary

01-14-2008, 05:59 PM

While Christmas is no longer the main focus it is still on the back burning simmering away.

Right now, I am in between jobs however I did have an interview last week and it pretty much looks like i got the job. I am using this time to to do a major cleaning and decluttering. I am packing away things that will not beused until next holiday season. We are hoping to get a larger house this summer, hence the packing.

However hubby and I have been discussing plans for a Christmas party in mid Dec should we get a bigger house. We always stay home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

You do what I want to do....stay home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. At least, I think that's what I want but I know certain things have to happen for that to take place and I don't really want them to happen. So, as it has been, I'll be running both days.

Minta

01-14-2008, 08:46 PM

You do what I want to do....stay home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. At least, I think that's what I want but I know certain things have to happen for that to take place and I don't really want them to happen. So, as it has been, I'll be running both days.

We had decided that when we had kids that we would stay home on Christmas Day and everyone could over for breakfest/ dinner or what ever. We used to run around on Christmas eve when we just had our DD but it was getting too much for us and our dd would be all wound up and was hard to get into bed. When I was pregnant with our son we decided we would be home by 6 pm on Christmas eve. This past year we were home most of the day Christmas eve and it was great. We do what we feel is best for us and our kids. Not everyone was happy with or agreed with our decision but oh well.

I hope that you will be able to stay home and enjoy your holidays the way you would like too soon.

Sunshine73

01-21-2008, 06:28 PM

This Christmas season was a bit of a wash for us. I ended up sick for most of December and with my FIL just having passed away...well, things were a bit rough for us this last Christmas.

So, for Christmas 2008...DH and I are planning a small weekend getaway to Chicago during the season to enjoy the decorated stores and the Christmas festivities in the city.

Also, we're hoping to be in a larger home so that we can host Christmas dinner for my family and maybe a Christmas party for our friends.

Other than that...who knows? Oh, definitely STAY HEALTHY!

Montana's Santa

01-24-2008, 10:03 PM

I just want to live to see it.

Dom

01-26-2008, 07:22 AM

Seems like a lot of people were sick around Christmas time...I was myself and it does take a little of the fun and enjoyment out of it so I said if I feel any cold/cough/fever coming on around Dec 15-20th I'm going right away to try and prevent it.

SparkleNana

05-19-2008, 04:33 PM

What will be different for Christmas 2008? For one thing, I will put up the tree really really early!!

We always have gotten a fresh tree. Last year, the local television stations were telling us to keep the fresh tree up for two weeks top!! A maximum of two weeks for the Christmas tree! The news said the trees coming to our Christmas tree lots were already so dry that they were a big fire hazard. I know that the fresh trees we have gotten in recent years did not have any of that wonderful fresh tree smell!

Two weeks is not enough time for us to have a Christmas tree. So we got an artificial tree, already pre-strung with lights. Plus, I added more lights - since it wasn't a very expensive tree and didn't have lots of lights.

Now I can put the tree up as early as I like! I will push the envelope as far as I can. I would love to put the tree up the week before Thanksgiving! (We go to another house for Thanksgiving dinner.) But I don't think my husband would like that. He would think that is too early.

Maybe I can compromise by organizing all the decorations and lights so they are ready for the tree. Maybe I can put the tree together in the office/guest room and put the lights on it. Then, with help, I can carry it out to the living room on Thanksgiving night. Or on Black Friday night.
:tree:

christmascreations

05-20-2008, 02:56 PM

well if god willing and my grandfather is still alive we will all join together at his house again for Christmas. I will probably be the designated baker and cook as usual and I will probably so exhausted that I won't eat the food until the next day (leftovers). I am hoping to tell everyone that they need to chip in a little more with the cooking but then again most of my family members can't cook...lol Maybe I can get them to assist and PAY for the food this year instead!!!

Christmasstar

05-21-2008, 12:05 PM

and hopefully I can do it all this time. Last year I lost my second job in November which really cut into Christmas. I loved the card exchange and while I was not able to send out as many as I would have liked, it was such a joy to receive them. I plan to have them ready and stamped ahead of time this year so hopefully do not miss anyone.
I have lots of little jobs like canning special jams and jellies to put in gift baskets, getting special advent calendars for my girls who are away at school, home made cards etc. All these require planning and lots of work.
It will be fun!

emski4379

05-21-2008, 12:49 PM

We're trying to decide whether we should stay here at home, or head up north to visit family. We'll have a newborn with us, plus our 3 year old, so we may just play it by ear. Either way, I think it will be a great Christmas.

Lanar

05-22-2008, 03:53 PM

Hoping with finding the Christmas sites (I am a regular at MHH) that I will be more prepared and done by December so can enjoy week-ends going around doing fun things. Will have to bake the 3rd week-end in December for trays. Taking a 2 week vacation the last 2 weeks of November like I did last year. we aren't alllowed December vacations.

Rackandrollgal

05-23-2008, 10:05 AM

Yes, I plan to stay home and just enjoy the day with my DH!

ReineV

05-23-2008, 10:33 AM

OMG I am so excited about this Christmas. Our house is supposed to be finished being built by August-September, so hopefully by Christmas, we'll be settled in. My fiance has given me the go-ahead to decorate "right around" Thanksgiving, so I'll try to control myself with the amount of stuff I put up! I plan on making my house a Christmas wonderland. So, my sister actually suggested that we have our annual Christmas eve family get-together at MY house!!! OMG you guys don't know how big a deal this is to me! I'm the youngest and now I have everyone coming over MY HOUSE!! *squeeee*.

So far, I have this planned:
Guest list: Mom, dad, (soon-to-be) hubby, sis, her hubby, my cousin and two aunts.
Sunday, 12/21- Last minute grocery and gift shopping.
Monday and Tuesday- work
Wednesday- Clean up the house, wrap gifts and start cooking the simple dinner for the evening while helping my mom with some food for Christmas night dinner.
Thursday- Go to my moms to eat Christmas breakfast, help her cook, eat Christmas dinner and open presents.

RadioJonD

05-23-2008, 11:22 AM

Too cool! Got room for one more, ReineV?

JayIsh

05-23-2008, 11:39 AM

Make that two more...I'd hate to see Jon travel alone...

ReineV

05-23-2008, 01:27 PM

Make that two more...I'd hate to see Jon travel alone...

You're both welcome! Bring ice. :)

RadioJonD

05-23-2008, 03:17 PM

You're both welcome! Bring ice. :)

We're on it like a bum on a bologna sandwitch! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp-is6S_b_g

Laney

05-24-2008, 08:42 PM

This year for Christmas I am wanting to really be able to take in the season and enjoy it for what it is! I work in a mall and while I always love Christmas season the best of everything, I never get to relax and enjoy it. If I'm not working, I'm stressing about getting everything done. But not this year!

I'm working on getting everything together a little each month. I've got a few presents done and others planned. I plan to be done with shopping and such by November 13 (start of the season YAY!) so that my non work time can be spent enjoying the season.

I'm going to host (I'm hoping) my first Christmas in St. Louis Scavenger Hunt and open house. I'm very excited about this.

The actual day will be spent enjoying family time. My little girl will be 16 months and I can't wait to see her tear into that paper - I know she won't care what is inside of it LOL - but it will make for great pictures and memories for me :)

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Montana's Santa

05-25-2008, 06:13 PM

I'll just stop by and visit y'all sometime on Christmas Eve...

Mumof2

05-28-2008, 07:03 PM

I cant wait for This Christmas! Ive already started my "List" and have bought a few gifts! (Hubbys behind me rolling eyes lol) cant wait for QVC's Christmas in July..Hope it goes as well as last year. :)

vixenlong

05-29-2008, 11:10 PM

My b/f is moving in in a couple of months, so it will be very different this year. He has 3 kids (3, 8, 12) and I have 4 (13, 14, 15, 17). I will be doing some of the same things that I do every year, but with more family......lol
His kids are also younger than mine so hopefully everything goes as planned and we all have a joyous time. We have been together for 2 years, but this will be our first real Christmas together. I am already planning....

chinook girl

05-30-2008, 12:46 AM

Humm, ok needed to look at the calendar, Christmas day is on Thursday this year (2008), so will have that day off from work, so depending on our son and his wife's plans (if they stay here in Calgary or go to her family in Lethbridge,) will celebrate on that day, and back to work. I work in retail so no extra days off for me.
Cathy

usafvet

05-30-2008, 05:00 AM

Sometime around Christmas (maybe in early December), we thought about taking a drive out to Nashville, TN and staying at the Gaylord Hotel in Opryland. I hear the Christmas displays are spectacular...there are tons of Christmas shows, and there is an ICE exhibit, where everything is sculptures. Last year's theme (I saw this on the travel channel...where we initially had the idea) was the Grinch and Whoville.

Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? I hope so, it is amazing.

stoerkel

06-08-2008, 08:30 PM

different from last year - I'm NOT going to stress out about having a perfect Christmas! I'm going to ignore the commercialism as much as possible and focus on the true meaning of Christmas!

irishgirl

06-09-2008, 06:37 PM

cheesyThis year... my son is getting older.. he is 12 now.. we tried to go to New York last year to see the Rocketttes and the tree etc.. never made it. I have weekends off but my DH has two days off during the week. I am going to try and take my son to NY this year even if it is without the DH. My wedding anniversary is in December (and yes it WAS Christmas themed!!!) and my DH and I are going to go to Cape May NJ for hopefully two nights.. I hear they do a beautiful job decorating. So this Christmas I am focusing on family time vs gifts, baking etc.. this is of course what I say now.. get back to me in November and I am sure the story will have changed!!!!:razz:

yuletide

06-10-2008, 11:39 AM

We will continue as we always did with traditions etc. - it's still hard since Dad died one year ago this month. WE must go on, though.
yule

bastones

06-13-2008, 04:09 AM

We will continue as we always did with traditions etc. - it's still hard since Dad died one year ago this month. WE must go on, though.
yule

Great spirit! :) Christmas time is to pick up good memories (even though the ones you loved have gone - still there have been good memories!) - traditions are also something that are good and in 5 years you can look back and see all the good things you did...

Last year we were unable to go on holiday but this year I will on my own able to but the rest of my family will be at home while I will be seeing my other family. But I will be going on holiday as I only see my other family once every 5 months or so...

It's a great time of year and I am sure Christmas will be a blast for everyone including myself...

Merry Christmas everyone! :tree:

SparkleNana

06-13-2008, 04:41 PM

This year, I would like to have a Christmas party for my women friends and neighbors. Early in the season! Maybe the night of Black Friday (and they could bring visiting relatives). Or maybe the next weekend.

liltattoo

06-17-2008, 08:38 AM

I'm hoping this year to be able to get out and see some Christmas lights. Last year there wasn't anywhere nearby for us to go see them and the kids were too little to stay up late for the Christmas market lights last year. That's the biggest thing. I bought a bunch of decorations last year that I didn't get a chance to put up because we were moving shortly so I look forward to getting those up this year as well.

Aggy

06-19-2008, 07:36 AM

My plans are basically the same. I always have all my family and close friends over on Christmas Eve. It's become a tradition and everyone looks forward to coming over. It's great because it's the only time everyone gets to see each other due to the busy lives we all have throughout the year.

SparkleNana

08-02-2008, 10:40 AM

Are anybody's plans up in the air? Maybe because of the high cost of travel -- or other things making it uncertain what might happen? How are you dealing with the uncertainty? :}

Maureen

08-02-2008, 01:34 PM

We normally fly to Canada every second year (that would be this year) but pennies aren't letting us. Still, there's no place like home for the holidays (that would make a good song title.........!!)

kerst

08-04-2008, 08:09 AM

Haven't made any big plans yet so don't have to change them. But Christmas doesn't HAVE to cost a lot of money. No better place to celebrate than at home for sure ! You can save on gifts by giving the gift of time and/or crafting home made gifts. You can invite long-distance family/friends to come to your house instead of travelling to them.

The most fun part of Christmas to me is the feeling of warmth and love and friendship, the decorations and the smiles on peopl's faces.

JanaBanana

08-04-2008, 05:16 PM

Holiday Light Cruise again, Im having an Ornament Exchange Brunch/Tea party...

JanaBanana

08-04-2008, 05:18 PM

As for the high cost of everything.. we are just gonna have to buckle down more this season

ohchristmastree

08-27-2008, 03:57 PM

Same old Same old fun things. Baking Sitting Laughing Decorating Shopping, you know that type of stuff!

trackrebel

08-27-2008, 04:11 PM

the three Christmas days....Christmas Eve, Christmas Day1 and Christmas Day 2..._(that´s how it is in Germany....aren´t we lucky? :D ) it will not really change....but what I plan this year, is to enjoy the season much more....soak it up much more, feel the warmth of the families, visit Weihnachtsmärkte, reading Christmas Stories, watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas tunes, taking walks thru the quiet cities, watching the lights....yeah...that´s what I want to do