Let's talk about the up and coming holidays!

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Do you have a tradition you want to share?

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child?

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories?

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?

What was the worst gift you ever received?

What was the best gift you ever received?

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it?

Anything you don't need?

Anything your SS can do for you?

I am SO nosey~Let's here about it!

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Eating with the other residents for Thanksgivng and then having a late CHristmas with Mom.

Do you have a tradition you want to share?

WHen my kids were little I would get something special from vacation and make it into na ornament or handcraft them one and make sure they had the year on them. THen when they left home they  would have many years of memories to start their life off with.

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child?

Family.

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories?

One year the extended family got together and we all did special things on Christmas Eve.... I read the night before Christmas. THen all the kids went into the giant bathroom and changed into our new Chrstmas PJs

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?

I remember getting a baby doll from my uncle (she was very pretty) and being so sad..... I was between childhood and teen and flet like I was being treated like a baby.

What was the worst gift you ever received?

See above

What was the best gift you ever received?

12-2-1979 my son was born

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it?

A paper shredder

Anything you don't need?

Clutter

Anything your SS can do for you?

Anything nutcracker, I lost my 4" set and would love a new set. Not the short squat ones however, I do not like them.

I decided to answer them all right now since I have a little time! YEA

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas? What used to be and what is now is different since I am working in retail and the stores are open!! (That should be against the law!) I always loved Thanksgiving dinner. It is still traditional but we have it later with a lighter tradition fare. I love the atmosphere at Thanksgiving...no rush, enjoyment, relaxing!

Do you have a tradition you want to share? I always bake gingerbread houses with the grandkids and we always do stockings for everyone.

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child? Aunt's and uncles and cousins and lots of food! And my mom's homemade noodles~those were mandatory from her and were awesome.

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories? The warm fuzzies of being young with my parents. Also when our kids were all toddlers and still looked forward to the 'magic' in Christmas.

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?  We won't go with the years my MIL was alive~I could write a book! But, I remember when our last kid left home....talk about an empty nest syndrome. I also have not misplaced the memory of talking to my mom 51 years ago while she was(always) ironing and I was in 'the chair'....Santa? Tooth Fairy? God?

What was the worst gift you ever received? Again, I won't go into the 'MIL YEARS'.lol I remember when I was a child and we always opened gifts on Christmas eve. We had company and tradition mandated showing off the gift...and good grief, I opened a box with bras! Being 13, I thought I was going to die~ran from the room in tears. Then there was year the ol hippie got me a ladder for a Christmas gift...nuff said! You can imagine how the rest of the day went!

What was the best gift you ever received? The year I got my stuffed monkey that I called Monty...and my roller skates so I wouldn't have to rent them at the rink. ahhh, childhood!

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it? I have given this a lot of thought and I don't know! What I really need is jeans and shoes! oh...and a toaster, but that ranks right up there with a ladder and heaven knows, I don't want the ol hippie to get me clothes or he would have me dressed in camo!

Anything you don't need? My grandkids get me mugs every year...I have way too many but when I get them, I just oooo and ahhh over them and tell them they have given me the best mug so far!

Anything your SS can do for you? Send me sunshine and smiles, Sunny! It gets cold up here!

 I was reading this thread and hoping my SS answers it when WHAM it occurred to me that maybe my SS wants ME to answer it.  So here goes:

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Gosh, nothing more special than usual.

Do you have a tradition you want to share?  Everyone gets new jammies for Christmas, even the grownups.  And DH always makes clam chowder from scratch.

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child?  We always got a deck of cards, walnuts, an orange and chocolate in our stockings.

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories? The Christmas my prodigal pregnant daughter came . . . hadn't seen her in 4 years.  It's been another four years since I have seen her, but I have her daughter here with me always.

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't? One year I felt so lost and my family was so far away.  I was so sad.

What was the worst gift you ever received?My best gift was my cedar chest when I was 25.  It was from my dad, and I thought he hadn't gotten me anything.  I was jealous that he got my sister-in-law a blender, and nothing from me.  Then he took me into the back room and showed me my beautiful cedar chest.

What was the best gift you ever received?  Also from my dad . . . how ironic . . . when I was a senior in high school I was making all my clothes.  I truly thought the gift he got me was fabric and I was so excited.  But when I opened it, I wanted to cry.  A moss green bedspread.  UGLY!!

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it? I really want a video camera.  The kids are so busy with dance and school, I just feel like I want to record it all.

Anything you don't need?  I too do not need any more mugs!!!!  I actually need someone to take some off my hands!!

Anything your SS can do for you? Pray for me!

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?  usually spend it with family

Do you have a tradition you want to share? we always read the christmas story from the bible before opening gifts ( except stockings)  and then spend the day stuffing ourselves and screaming at the football game ( well  me and my dad do anyways)... i love to decorate at christmas ( much to DHs dismay) the tree and my hand made nativity and stockings make the season more real to me

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child?  once i started makeing my own money and could buy gifts myself i could hardley wait to see the looks on ppls faces when they opened them...  still do..  and now am teaching my kids the joy of giving as well, also loved coming home from school to the smell of cookies, pumpkin bread, cinnimon rolls, and other goodies and going to Grandmas and having nowhere to sit cause every flat surface of her house had goodies piled on them from homemade fudge to her sweet rolls  plus her 10+ pies and breads

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories? the year i not only got a letter from santa ....  i caught the REAL one coming down the chimney ( yes i believe in santa)

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?  the one and only holiday with my first husband....  i got gifts, a beating, and then a tormented dinner with my inlaws then beat again

What was the worst gift you ever received? $3 worth of stuff from the dollar store from my mother after i spent over $60 on just her and went with out gas for my car to do it

What was the best gift you ever received? my son ( ok he was a late gift on dec 29th when i found out i was pregnaut with him and then delivered him a month later but he still was the best when i was told i would never have kids)....  DH is good at getting me things that make me cry too he got me a set of real champlaine diamond earrings and a solitair last christmas

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it?  oh yes i have a wish list, but almost everything on it is over $5000 in price.....( new house, cello, new car)  as to a more managable one  i love DVDs music CDs ( wanting to replace my thriller CD) barbies ( i collect) anything Unicorn, more silocone backing items, scrapbookings supplies.... earrings... cloths

Anything you don't need?  headaches?  stress?  ...... how about large kitchen appliances....

Anything your SS can do for you? just think of me and my family at this time of year...  times are tough all around so don't feel as if you have to go all out just for me..... i am just happy i have someone looking out for me and thinking of me and i am greatful for all my sisters past and present

LadyUni

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?  Our family gets together on Thanksgiving for the traditional dinner... I love cooking Thanksgiving dinner...always have... We celebrate  Christmas Eve.  We have a huge dinner, open presents and be together... Christmas day, has been generally a quiet day for us. I make a dinner for Ron, Mom and I.  We open more presents in the AM, and just relax and enjoy.....

Do you have a tradition you want to share?  I love getting up early Christmas morning, turning on the lights and having some quiet time to think....smell smoke?? LOL 

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child? The holidays spend with my parents, Aunt and Uncle...going to grandparents for dinner and get togethers....Awaiting what Santa brought me....

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories?   My GS was born Dec. 20th....that was a Christmas I will never forget...it was awesome.!!!!!!!!!!  All our Christmas's now are wonderful with lots of good memories.

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?  When I was married before to my "ex", there were many Christmas's and holidays that he ruined for us.... I try not to go there anymore....just think positive and make new traditions.  Things are good now, and I am very thankful for that.........

What was the worst gift you ever received?  Clothes that don't fit....either too big or too small...LOL

What was the best gift you ever received? Love when I get things for the kitchen, love homemade things.........I mostly love everything I receive.........

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it? Of all things, we need towels....LOL  DD is getting those for us...LOL   I really have no other wish list....I tell the kids to surprize me...

Anything you don't need?   Off hand, I can not think of anything except I do have alot of mugs and postits...

Anything your SS can do for you?  Send me some sunshine !!!!!

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Working on Thanksgiving:(   Off on Christmas and hopefully having our family get together on my moms side

Do you have a tradition you want to share? 

Don't really have any traditions that I can think of other than church service every year

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child? 

Going to candle light church services adn coming home to LOTS of presents under the tree. We were always told Santa stopped in early on his way by to other places

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories?  

Christmas at my Grandma's on my dads side. She always made us something for our dolls/barbies.

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't? 

Year I hurt my back and ended up in bed the whole time couldn't even sit up to open any gifts.

What was the worst gift you ever received?  

Clothes even though I was grateful,but still.....

What was the best gift you ever received? 

Anything my mom has made me over the years it will always be special to me....she has made numerous things so didn't want to list just one ....

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it?   

Anything EMT/EMS, willow tree angels, want to learn how to scrapbook  (so any scrapbook supplies), any homemade crafts, body wash (love the lavendar scent by Johnson & Johnson even though it is used for babies mostly), nice sized baking dish for casseroles, nice tote bag to use for work to put lunch and other things in to carry, a cheap blue cardigan/sweater size 4x to wear at work, there's a lap band book on amazon.com I would like to purchase it talks about the whole lap band process, stamps:) I'm always mailing something out, Food Network magazine (I get two TOH ones already)

Anything you don't need?   mugs, lotions/body spray, candles,

Anything your SS can do for you?   Whatever she does will be special, so she can suprise me with whatever she comes up with. I'm also doing the Bag Ladies swap, so posted some ideas on there for her too.

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

In answer to the question, I usually work the community dinners for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Do you have a tradition you want to share?

 Working to put out special gifts and donations for the Lane Street House, the house for transitional men in our community.

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child?

Going to my grandparents and cousins for the holidays and having packages sent from the one Grandfather who traveled to Florida every year.

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories?

Just being with family and friends.

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?

The year I lost my husband.

What was the worst gift you ever received?  None that I recall.

What was the best gift you ever received?

Special gifts from my husband, including jewelery that he made.

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it?   To be safe and warm for the holidays and to see all the beautiful lights around.  I love the way people decorate for the holiday.

Anything you don't need? No really

Anything your SS can do for you?  I love to read.  Looking for some honey roasted cashews.  And remember what Christmas is all about.

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas? yes we are having a get together at my house with my brother in law and my sis and some friends for thanksgiving. (its not an aussie holiday i know but my bro in law  is an american and we have american friends its something im used to doing now. for the last couple of years though we didnt get to do anything last year. for christmas hmm its probly gonna be something simplier. but we always get up at 6am and make breakfast and eat together. normally things like juice and french toast and bacon and eggs and sometimes pancakes or and hashbrowns anything yummy last year we invited friends ova for breakfast. we will probly do that again. we normally invite ppl that have no where else to go that are going to be on their own for christmas. and then we go to church after breakfast

Do you have a tradition you want to share? lol hmm i listed it above christmas breakfast together.

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child? family. it was always a happy day we got to spend with my mum and siblings.

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories? any christmas i had with my mum she passed away in a car accident a few years ago and its been hard ever since i was 18 years old at the time. i nearly lost one of my oldest sisters and my baby neice but somehow god managed to get them thru. though my sister has never been the same since. she wont talk to any of us now.

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't? the last christmas i had with my mum. i went home for the holidays i was sick with a vommiting bug on christmas day and for days after. and one of my older  sisters made it her job to make my life miserable all day cause she didnt want to share mum with anyone else.

What was the worst gift you ever received? hmm when i was 12 one of my older sisters and her husband brought me a tin of biscuits wich i couldnt even eat at the time cause of allergies. and they brought my brother the most awesome cricket and sporting set ever lol. i was a lil envious lol.

What was the best gift you ever received?  friendship. best gift hmmm thats hard. i prefer to give gifts than recieve them. while its nice i never expect to recieve one. 

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it? hmm a scor pal case for my scor pal that i got for christmas early. and havnt had time to really play with it :(. anything to do with beads and cardmaking or scrapping. or a good book or cd. or craft or gift ideas books or cook books im a lil obsessed with cook books lol. i really like hand made things. things that ppl have put alot of thought into. :). or decorations for the holidays(christmas,thanksgiving easter etc.) i love christmas!

Anything you don't need? my husband would say another cookbook lol.....i would say white socks yes i know thats silly but serouisly dont need anymore white socks.

anyways thought id fill it out for fun. :)

we are having "holidays" at home, its kind of awkward but every year that we have lived in Arizona we have gone to my mom's for holiday meals and celebration, this year at Easter my DH decieded no more........ and this is why.......my step dad gets drunk and kind of cusses out my DH..... it ruins the atmosphere and therefore we are just staying home now. my mom was kind of taking it out on me....... but I think THanksgiving will be ok, ........... christmas...... umm I'm dreading that.

on the other hand I am just thankful that my little family is healthy and we are going to have all the regular holiday food and I'll get to watch the entire Thanksgiving parade!!

Since it is just Dh & me, we will probably eat at a restaurant on Thanksgiving.  Christmas, we hope to have my step daughter, her hubby, & our Grandkids over for Christmas dinner & opening gifts.  The best Christmases were the ones I had as a child.  we would open one gift Christmas Eve night, then Christmas morning we would find what Santa had brought.  We always went up to my Grandmother's House on Christmas day to eat Christmas dinner & get gifts.  The worst Christmas was last year because of my only child's passing on July 15 at age 25.  I lost my faithful companion of almost 11 years on Dec. 11 of last year.  It was almost more than I could bear...  I would love to have a CD of the Moody Blues Greatest Hits.  I will love anything my Secret Sister sends to me!  ~Jeanne 

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?  Thanksgiving I will be having the family dinner and am looking forward to preparing the huge meal... We get together on Christmas Eve...this has been our tradition for years... We get together early in the afternoon and then share a wonderful meal, open presents and just enjoy being together....Christmas day is Ron, Mom and I... We open presents in the morning and have a light meal....Depending on the weather we might go out and about later in the day....

Do you have a tradition you want to share? We have the kids open presents one by one and try to take our time doing that.     We have ham for  Christmas Eve dinner, lots of baked cookies and goodies...I always go to Cody and Gabby's Christmas program at church...

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child?   My Aunt made tin after tin of sugar cookies and salt cookies...they were so good...I remember sharing Christmas with my Aunt and Uncle, who always held a special place in my heart.

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories?  I have enjoyed most Christmas's even with trials and tribulations...

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?  The year my EX got drunk and  wrecked the car on Christmas eve.  

What was the worst gift you ever received? One year Ron bought me a winter jacket...it was sized for a small child....LOL

What was the best gift you ever received?   Cody was born Dec. 20th...what a blessed Christmas that was!!! 

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it?  I never give anyone a list of things I want....I make them stuggle to guess what I want...LOL...I love Snowmen, things for the kitchen, gadgets, decortations, love Bath and Body

Anything you don't need?  mugs, post its...

Anything your SS can do for you?    Anything my Sister sends to me will be treasured...

For Thanksgiving, we travel to the great city of ______________________ (can't say, in case my SS I send to is reading this).  Then we spend the whole week in that great city and drive to my brother's for Thanksgiving day.  My parents and aunt/uncle come to his house as well.  It's so nice to just get away and relax.  We aren't planning a lot of activities, just relaxing!

What do I remember most about the holidays?  I guess it's being with family.  We always find time to be with everyone, no matter how busy we are.  Last Christmas was the first one without my Gramps and it was very difficult.  Everything reminded me of him and I cried a lot.  This Christmas will be my first without my sweet darling kitty and I know that will be difficult, too.  I'll be expecting to find ornaments down the hall or her hiding under the tree and neither of those will be.

1 of my best Christmas memories is the last one with my Mom's father.  He was a real jokester.  I was 8 at the time and my real Christmas present was a huge stack of coloring books.  However, he first gave me a huge bag that originally held cat food.  Inside it were several cans of  spinach, which he knew I didn't like.  I was so mad that I got spinach and in a cat food bag!  Now that I think back to it, i love his creativity!!  He passed away not long after that.

Let's see.....worst gift....I love the person, but the gift was just.....well.  I was about 30 at the time and my grandmother bought me a sweater that was a size small and had a giant teddy bear on it.  Now, I haven't been a size small in eons!!! 

The best gift.....2 Christmases ago, my mother gave me and my brother a copy of letters that her father wrote to her mother during WWII.  It was right before they married and it shows me a totally different side to a man who died when I was young.  (the same man who gave me cans of spinach)  Those letters are so precious to me.

Wish list?  Well, I'd love the new CD by Colbie Caillat, or Jason Mraz, or Michael Buble.  there's also a new Christmas CD out by Straight No Chaser and I'd love it.  I don't have a lot of my list yet.  Probably won't since we are trying to cut back on some expenses.

Anything I don't want?  I don't really need anything for my kitchen.  I did mention to my SS that I need a couple of new spatulas for my skillet, but that's about the extent of my kitchen needs!

Are you doing special for Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Every year is special. :)  This year, I am having Thanksgiving at my house for my MIL, BIL and hubby's cousins from out of town.  Will be the first time anyone's been to our house.  Still unpacking.  I'm freaking out hoping to get everything done and looking nice.  Very stressed! 

Then, the day after Thanksgiving we head out for a fast 2-day, 26 hour drive to get to my grandma's 90th b-day party and then back home.  Will then go back to my hometown for Christmas.  Whew!

Do you have a tradition you want to share?
Nothing really special. :)

What do you remember most about the holiday season as a child?
Christmas Eve services at church.  Hoping for snow.  Helping mom bake cookies. Seeing family.  Playing with my brother under the Christmas tree--especially with our new toys after Christmas.

What was the best Christmas that you have tucked in your memories?
Too many to say!

What is the worst 'holiday' that you would love to forget but just can't?
Probably some that had family fights in them.  :(  One with my hubby's family, one with my dad.  Pretty sad to think about.

What was the worst gift you ever received?
Hmm.  Not sure!

What was the best gift you ever received?
I like everything!  My mom got me a collectible artist baby doll several years back.  It was quite a surprise!  I like stuff that makes me cry! :)

Do you have a 'wish list'-what's on it?
Time!! :)  Probably scrapbook stuff, something personal for me--not sure what it would be though.

Anything you don't need?
Nope!

Anything your SS can do for you?
Think of me!  Send de-stressing thoughts my way! :)  Remember how much I've LOVED every note & gift you've sent me!! :)