Holy Geez It's Almost Christmas

doozer1345 · December 2015

Can you even believe it?! What all do you have left to do?? What are you most looking forward to for this holiday season (not just for us Christmas-ers)?? Any tips on wrapping presents? Keeping kids off the presents once they're wrapped? Any funny Elf On a Shelf stories that have happened so far??? Ladies... we have just one more full week before the week of Christmas...Then the New Year... THEN our countdown to baby!!!! Woo hoo! Feel like it's flying by yet??

I have not wrapped one damn thing. I am looking forward to finding the sex of this LO and seeing DD's face as she opens her presents on Christmas morning! My tip for wrapping is twist tying presents in scarves (it's so pretty and easy!). I have NO tips on keeping LO's off presents. Probably the reason I haven't wrapped yet.

cortney626 · December 2015

I love Christmas time! When my daughter was little I didn't bring presents out until Christmas Eve. Now that she's 8, I can wrap them and put them under the tree, I just don't put name tags on them. I write the name on the wrapping paper on the bottom. Otherwise if she saw her name, she'd bug me to open it.

Today our Elf on the Shelf brought her the Shawn Mendes CD. She screamed she was so excited. She has been doing well in school and passing her division tests so she deserved it.

I need to finish a couple presents. I need to also figure out what we're doing Christmas day. Going to my mom's I know but then DH wants to go camping. He doesn't care to see his family. I don't want to rush through the holidays to go camping. We can do both but let's get a plan together. I can't believe it's almost Christmas. I keep thinking "Holy crap, it's almost 2016 and I'm going to have a baby that year!"

sosweet487 · December 2015

I have my 16-week appointment tomorrow and my DH and I are hoping to find out the sex of the baby. DH wants to tell our family Christmas day. We have our next big Ultrasound at 20 weeks and I have a feeling we wont know until then. But fingers crossed we find out tomorrow!

countrygrl5533 · December 2015

What do I have left to do? Almost everything. hahaha

We never really had issues keeping DD away from the presents so no tips there.

kbrands7 · December 2015

I have around half of our presents wrapped, and all of them, wrapped or not are piled in DH'S and my bedroom because if we put them out before Christmas morning, DS will carry them around or our dog will open them. I used to wrap things all pretty with layers and details, now I just get paper and simple ribbons that I can mix and match to quickly wrap things. I still have baking to do; I'm excited that DS is old enough to help this year! I'm looking forward to DH's and DS's Christmas morning reaction (I do the setting up), to food with family on Christmas Eve and Christmas, and for having a week off of work to spend time with DS.
Eta we have our a/s on the 17th, so we'll let family know if this LO is a boy or girl over the holidays too, assuming he/she doesn't try to hide it.

doozer1345 · December 2015

@kbrands7 I'm going to be highly disappointed if this LO does what DD did. She wouldn't show us the goods until 22 weeks and this time I don't get anymore US after 20.

kbrands7 · December 2015

@doozer1345 FX that neither of our babes are shy! I won't have another after 20 either, unless baby is in suspected breech position by 38/39 weeks. I'd really rather not wait that long.

Kurrant · December 2015

Christmas did a really good job of sneaking up! I guess it is helped by the fact that we are taking it *very* easy this year. We are skipping the ham and dinner with MHs kids and instead are having them over for a High Tea. We usually go to MILs house on Christmas Day and have a small dinner with her which we are still doing but going a bit more casual with the dinner this year. Gifts are pretty minimal this time. I normally make gift baskets or stockings along with gifts for MHs kids but we are again skipping baskets this year. Heck I didnt even have the energy to think about what we should get them so we just asked what they want. I feel that I should mention that these aren't little kids . . . they range from 17-27 so I don't think its "spoiling Christmas" for them. They will be going to their mothers on Christmas day anyways. We always get them days later after they are Christmased out which is disappointing.

As a side note I am beyond excited for next years Christmas. Ok, so the little munchkin will only be about 7 months old and will have no clue whats going on but I think it will be amazingly fun anyways. Like the song says "Christmas is for kids"

doozer1345 · December 2015

@Kurrant what is high tea? That sounds fabulous. Also, doesn't matter LO will only be 7 mos it's still very magical.

yogahh · December 2015

This year we are doing things a bit differently. We are staying home and celebrating together. Just us. With all the issues between him and my mom, I know he won't come home with me. And we did thanksgiving with his parents so I didn't feel it was fair to my mom if we spent both holidays with his parents. He is 40 years old and never spent a holiday with his parents so this should be interesting. I figure next year with the baby everyone can come to us so this is a practice run.

My shopping is all done. Just waiting or some gifts to come in the mail to finish wrapping. Have to bake some cookies still. And next wekeend we will get our tree! Cards went in the mail today.

Washing miracle on 34th street right now!!! I love this movie. Especially since I used to work for Macy's corporate offices so I always get gushy that the movie is set at Macy's!

jessiedee13 · December 2015

Christmas snuck up on me so much! I spent alot of my usual prep time focusing on DS#2's first birthday party on the 5th (so, last weekend) and now I'm like ah! I still have my brother in law to shop for, as well as my sister, the kids aren't done either...close but not done. I also have my husbands moms side to buy for (2 gift cards for an exchange and 2 kids...easy peasy, just keep forgetting it). I keep kids out of presents by putting them in a Rubbermaid tote in the laundry room. It's a big one, so it's working for now. Next weekend I'm moving the christmas morning stuff to the master bathroom since the kids don't go in there (scary door in mama and daddy's room...that's what DS#1 calls it lol). I have everything that we have purchased wrapped...but I still have alot to wrap.
Also I have a few pictures to print for my family. Since my Grandpa passed on the 14th of November, I've gotten alot of inquiries about a specific adorable photo of my grandparents at my wedding. So I'm printing those for everyone and delivering them at Christmas.
Tbh, I'm a grinch and just looking forward to the holidays being over. Christmas morning is nice with my oldest finally getting to christmas a little (the whole magic, Santa brought you stuff thing is amazing to him right now and I love it), but besides that, I'm just ready for 2016

Kurrant · December 2015

@doozer1345 I think it's a British thing. Ever seen those classic photos of fancy pants ladies dressed up eating tarts and tiny sandwiches that are displayed on 3 tier serving platters while sipping tea? That's apparently a classic high tea. We are doing something a bit less fancy but DH is calling it high tea.

It's funny and took me a while to get used to it but people often refer to "morning tea" (a snack and tea between breakfast and lunch) and "afternoon tea" ( between lunch and dinner). It all sounds so posh!

Merciel · December 2015

Shopping is all done, about 1/3 of my presents are wrapped (some of them are still en route and haven't arrived yet), I still need to write a bunch of cards (I try to include a handwritten "explanation" card setting out the intended significance of sentimental gifts and the provenance of jewelry gifts, because those are things that I think it's important for the recipients to know and they aren't always obvious from the gift itself), but I'm ahead of where I usually am this time of year.

I'm pretty excited for this Christmas's celebrations. I'm excited to meet my parents' very strange new friend at their holiday party this year; I've heard so many stories about that guy and I'm wondering if he can possibly live up to the legend in real life. I'm also excited that my husband's high school girlfriend is invited to the in-laws' celebration (her parents are kinda-sorta friends with his mom, although "frenemies" might be the more accurate word); I am dreadfully curious what she's like these days.

AND I'm excited to give out this year's gifts, because I'm happy with my selections and I hope the recipients will take as much joy in receiving them as I did in picking them out. Or, at least, that they'll put up a pretense to humor me.

valerie4786 · December 2015

We finally got our tree up and decorated and I love it (even if the tree is a lot smaller than I would have liked)! We have some of our Christmas shopping done and of those items I have most of them wrapped. We still have a ton of Christmas shopping to do and I'm trying to figure out the best way to wrap a giant tub of Red Vines for my dad.. I'm also waiting on some items to be shipped to me so I can wrap up and ship out some of the Christmas presents - one is headed up to Alaska so I need these items to get here like yesterday!

I'm mostly just excited to spend the time with our families! And I'm not going to lie, our Christmas tree is my favorite part of the Christmas season so far! The only thing that could make it feel more Christmasey to me is if there was snow on the ground - but it can disappear the second Christmas is over.

doozer1345 · December 2015

jessiedee13 said:

Christmas snuck up on me so much! I spent alot of my usual prep time focusing on DS#2's first birthday party on the 5th (so, last weekend) and now I'm like ah! I still have my brother in law to shop for, as well as my sister, the kids aren't done either...close but not done. I also have my husbands moms side to buy for (2 gift cards for an exchange and 2 kids...easy peasy, just keep forgetting it). I keep kids out of presents by putting them in a Rubbermaid tote in the laundry room. It's a big one, so it's working for now. Next weekend I'm moving the christmas morning stuff to the master bathroom since the kids don't go in there (scary door in mama and daddy's room...that's what DS#1 calls it lol). I have everything that we have purchased wrapped...but I still have alot to wrap. Also I have a few pictures to print for my family. Since my Grandpa passed on the 14th of November, I've gotten alot of inquiries about a specific adorable photo of my grandparents at my wedding. So I'm printing those for everyone and delivering them at Christmas. Tbh, I'm a grinch and just looking forward to the holidays being over. Christmas morning is nice with my oldest finally getting to christmas a little (the whole magic, Santa brought you stuff thing is amazing to him right now and I love it), but besides that, I'm just ready for 2016

Have ya'll thought about drawing names instead of having to buy for everyone in the family (aside from the kids)? We have done it for the past 2 years and it has been SO much easier and SO much cheaper!

yogahh · December 2015

valerie4786 said:
We finally got our tree up and decorated and I love it (even if the tree is a lot smaller than I would have liked)! We have some of our Christmas shopping done and of those items I have most of them wrapped. We still have a ton of Christmas shopping to do and I'm trying to figure out the best way to wrap a giant tub of Red Vines for my dad.. I'm also waiting on some items to be shipped to me so I can wrap up and ship out some of the Christmas presents - one is headed up to Alaska so I need these items to get here like yesterday!
I'm mostly just excited to spend the time with our families! And I'm not going to lie, our Christmas tree is my favorite part of the Christmas season so far! The only thing that could make it feel more Christmasey to me is if there was snow on the ground - but it can disappear the second Christmas is over.

Mmmmmmmm red vines!!

js8812 · December 2015

I still have all my shopping to do. Whoops! At least I have my tree up. I saw this elf on the shelf idea the other day and died laughing. Enjoy.

emma+karen · December 2015

I am nervous about Christmas morning this year. DS wakes up early, and I know this year he will see all the presents under the tree and want to start opening. My ILs always stay over the night of Christmas Eve, and they like to sleep in. So I am wracking my brain to try to avoid a Christmas morning toddler meltdown because he has to wait for grandpa and uncle to get up (although, all the screaming might just blast my BIL and FIL out of bed). My ILs are great, but they do NOT get toddlers and like to do things the way they always have. Sigh.

valerie4786 · December 2015

@yogahh The craving thread on here has made me want red vines since someone mentioned them on there, then I found the giant tub for my dad and everytime I walked by I could smell them and it made my craving even stronger! Finally I made my husband go out and find me red vines that weren't someone's Christmas present and my craving is satisfied! It was at least a month long craving. I looove red vines!

yogahh · December 2015

OMG did you guys see this..???

https://www.someecards.com/parenting/moms/emma-tapping-christmas-tree-presents-shamed/

kbrands7 · December 2015

yogahh said:
OMG did you guys see this..???

https://www.someecards.com/parenting/moms/emma-tapping-christmas-tree-presents-shamed/

Is it sad that the first thing I thought was, "Holy !#$@ how did she find the time to shop for and wrap that many presents with three children?"

helleebellee · December 2015

I'm done with Christmas this year. I started early, and by early, I mean January when everything went on sale. I've been hoarding sale items all year so I wouldn't have to pay big $$$ this time of year. With 7 kids to shop for, I have to find every sale and savings I can. The kids actually made out this year. They each got 6 gifts. 1 big item, and by big I mean pricey, and the rest were cheap items. They've never had more than 3 gifts, so they're excited. As for tags, since I've already wrapped everything and put it under the tree, I did minecraft themed names so they don't know which gifts belong to them. Next year, I'm totally using a black light pen for tags.

js8812 · December 2015

@emma+karen Could you have one gift for him to open and play with when he wakes up?

LadySamLady · December 2015

I am a huge christmas procrastinator and had done no shopping until this AM... I work in a family financial office and one of the family members is a designer so we get to go to her sample sales at holiday time and do all kinds of damage with a ridiculous discount. I snagged stuff for all the ladies in my family, big score!

I still have to get stuff for my nephews, brother, BILs, dad, and H. I won't wrap anything until we get to my parents Christmas week because my mom has an amazing wrapping station that I always use.

We're getting a tree this weekend and going to see my youngest BIL dance in a Christmas show (he's a professional dancer) so should be fun and festive!

emma+karen · December 2015

js8812 said:

@emma+karen Could you have one gift for him to open and play with when he wakes up?

That's what I'm thinking. Hopefully my wife will get up with me along with him, and we can give him his big "Santa" gift, the Radio Flyer interactive rocking horse. I'm hoping that'll keep him entertained and happy for a bit. My wife is also funny about Christmas morning when her family is here, though...she never wants to "upset the balance" with her dad and brother and lets them do things the way they want. I think she'll get that an almost-three-year-old is not going to be good at waiting. (I should add, normally they don't even do presents right when they get up. They make breakfast and sit around forever doing nothing. Drives me and my SIL--my BIL's wife--bananas).

AmmyBelle · December 2015

With no kids to shop for, my sister's wedding registry being her "wish list" and having had a mini-Xmas with my BIL and his SO already, my to-do list was already pretty small, lucky me! I still have to finish up my MIL's and the joint present for my sister/her fiancee and then my other sister's bf (who gave me the death knoll of "get me anything"). And since I am going home in ... 9 days (yay!) - I need to get cracking, finish wrapping and pack it away int he suitcase!

countrygrl5533 · December 2015

The tree has been up for a couple weeks. DD's big gift from us has been purchased and one small one. I still need to get her Santa gift and a few small things as well as stocking stuffers. I want to get her some arts and crafts supply type stuff.

We are doing DIY gifts for everyone else this year. I have a few of the items purchased but am really, really behind. Slightly better than the first time I posted.

doozer1345 · December 2015

emma+karen said:

I am nervous about Christmas morning this year. DS wakes up early, and I know this year he will see all the presents under the tree and want to start opening. My ILs always stay over the night of Christmas Eve, and they like to sleep in. So I am wracking my brain to try to avoid a Christmas morning toddler meltdown because he has to wait for grandpa and uncle to get up (although, all the screaming might just blast my BIL and FIL out of bed). My ILs are great, but they do NOT get toddlers and like to do things the way they always have. Sigh.

In my house... You snooze you lose

doozer1345 · December 2015

yogahh said:

OMG did you guys see this..???

https://www.someecards.com/parenting/moms/emma-tapping-christmas-tree-presents-shamed/

Yes!!! I read this the other day. She works from home and has a blog about being thrifty. She's a single mom. She said the presents are also for herself and other family. People are shaming her. I mean, honestly, if I wrapped everything instead of putting it in a stocking or doubling up on packaging my tree may look similar. She's the only active parent but either way who cares?? No one knows their back story.

yogahh · December 2015

doozer1345 said:

yogahh said:

OMG did you guys see this..???

https://www.someecards.com/parenting/moms/emma-tapping-christmas-tree-presents-shamed/

Yes!!! I read this the other day. She works from home and has a blog about being thrifty. She's a single mom. She said the presents are also for herself and other family. People are shaming her. I mean, honestly, if I wrapped everything instead of putting it in a stocking or doubling up on packaging my tree may look similar. She's the only active parent but either way who cares?? No one knows their back story.

I just love the picture. Imagine waking up to that on Xmas morning as a kid

LadySamLady · December 2015

yogahh said:

doozer1345 said:

yogahh said:

OMG did you guys see this..???

https://www.someecards.com/parenting/moms/emma-tapping-christmas-tree-presents-shamed/

Yes!!! I read this the other day. She works from home and has a blog about being thrifty. She's a single mom. She said the presents are also for herself and other family. People are shaming her. I mean, honestly, if I wrapped everything instead of putting it in a stocking or doubling up on packaging my tree may look similar. She's the only active parent but either way who cares?? No one knows their back story.

I just love the picture. Imagine waking up to that on Xmas morning as a kid

Haha that picture stresses me out! It would take hours to open them all!

doozer1345 · December 2015

@ladysamlady could you imagine wrapping them?!

bkjade · December 2015

All ready to go here! Having so many things to keep up on here with two teenage daughters, the new puppy, and a baby on the way has really been great for keeping me on point. The only thing left is all of the baking, which the girls and I will probably start on next week. Cookie time!

amscape · December 2015

The tree & decorations are up but I ate all the cookies (and want more) I baked so far. We haven't done any gift shopping at all and I'm usually close to done by now! I'll start this weekend.

wamam027 · December 2015

LadySamLady said:

yogahh said:

doozer1345 said:

yogahh said:

OMG did you guys see this..???

https://www.someecards.com/parenting/moms/emma-tapping-christmas-tree-presents-shamed/

Yes!!! I read this the other day. She works from home and has a blog about being thrifty. She's a single mom. She said the presents are also for herself and other family. People are shaming her. I mean, honestly, if I wrapped everything instead of putting it in a stocking or doubling up on packaging my tree may look similar. She's the only active parent but either way who cares?? No one knows their back story.

I just love the picture. Imagine waking up to that on Xmas morning as a kid

Haha that picture stresses me out! It would take hours to open them all!

Our tree used to look like this...my brother is 5 years older than my sister and I and insisted on giving us the gift of "guess which gift has an actual gift inside". He'd put rocks, canned goods, storage containers, action figures, anything he could find in these boxes and got sheer enjoyment out of my sister and I scurraging through these presents trying to find the goods. What an ass.

Merciel · December 2015

ahahahaaa that is beautiful, I love it

I wish I had thought of doing that to my siblings when we were kids. Maybe I should go ahead and do it to them now.

camillaandcarson · December 2015

We buy for about 20 people. I have most everyone except FIL and H. I have only wrapped 4. And haven't gotten Christmas cards in yet much less sent off.
We have a tradition of making cinnamon rolls the night before (this takes hours). And cookies. So I need to make sure we have all the ingredients for that.
We haven't done Elf on the Shelf and probably won't. And putting presents out with a toddler that my toddler can't touch until weeks out would be some sort of punishment for myself.

chottomotto · December 2015

We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, so I try to get everything done before Hanukkah starts. Trees go up before Thanksgiving, presents are purchased throughout the year, and the kids help wrap everything.

We have 2 miniature trees, one for each kid, with soft ornaments they can use safely. Our kids get 9 presents from us; 8 for the 8 nights of Hanukkah and 1 for Christmas. (These are all our gifts this year for everyone on our gift list.) Thankfully I'm getting better at wrapping!

yogahh · December 2015

Ok I'm a special snowflake tonight...
We went to a neighborhood by us tonight that is known for their lights. We had so much fun! A lil bump pic a la Xmas lights , as well as my favorite house!

LadySamLady · December 2015

yogahh said:
Ok I'm a special snowflake tonight...
We went to a neighborhood by us tonight that is known for their lights. We had so much fun! A lil bump pic a la Xmas lights , as well as my favorite house!

Adorable!!!

thismakes4 · December 2015

No joke, I still have to buy just about all the gifts. We are traveling to SoCal on Friday and will probably be there until a day or two after Xmas. I was thinking I'll shop online and have all the gifts for the family and DHs family shipped to my moms and I can wrap it once I'm there. I'll have presents ready under the tree for the boys when we get back home. As far as elf on the shelf goes I'll have him buckled in the car seat the day we leave. I don't mind wrapping presents... Unless it is an odd shape. Then I'm like wtf do I do with this?!

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