RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (Full Version)

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AMaster -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:12:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusanofO

I started mine today. I am so proud of myself. I also decided to have a Holiday Cookie Exchange party this year (gals only) in early December - and I am all geared up to get what I consider the un-fun (if I am rushed) parts of the Holidays preparation out of the way soon, so that I can truly enjoy the Holidays this year.

For me, "Getting ready" for the Holidays consists of four major parts:

1) Decorating - I can't do this until I move, so I am not worrying about any of this until I do - until probably way after Thanksgiving, anyway. I have plenty of decorations already, though, so no problem there. I have a good-looking artificial Christams tree that isn't difficult to set up, because it unfolds like an umbrella  - and lots of ornaments, and about four or five Holiday wreaths, and a Nativity set, and other stuff, too. I have just a few out-dooor decorations - two Christmas Topiary trees with lights, that are in Urns, that I will put on my porch. Decorating will usually take me the better part of a day or evening, and I usually save it for a week-end.

2) Making out my Christmas cards - last year, I sent 85 cards. I start writing them around Hallowe'en, so I have time to write a little bit to people I rarely see otherwise (like some relatives who live other states). But this year, I am thinking of just doing a Christmas letter, and incluidng that for everyone instead - because I am busier than usual this year, and it would be easier.

I ordered the cards today, on the Internet. They will be mailed to me by early next week. Now I just need stamps (but Holiday stamps don't come out at the post office until at least around Hollowe'en. Oh well, I guess I can wait.) I usually mail my cards around the 10th-15th of December. 

3) Baking, and delivering the goodies I bake. I love (LOVE) making Christmas cookies. Every year, I make about 45 dozen cookies (4 or 5 different kinds) and divide them up in little bags for friends, relatives and neighbors. Everybody gets 2-3 dozen. This takes at least a week, about 3-4 hours a day. I also make chocolate fudge (really good, if I do say so myself), and Banana Nut bread - people each get a pound or two of fudge, and a loaf of the bread. Plus I throw in some hard candy I buy at the store, too. 

I can start to make some of this stuff in late October, and just freeze it. All of it goes into "care packages", wrapped up tight and then in a nice pretty Holiday bag, and people really seem to like these. I usually make 15-20 of these Holiday Goody gift bags. I get asked, starting in early December, by some people, if I am doing this again this year. I think if I quit doing it, my own father and some of my neighbors would actually go through withdrawl...I am not trying to brag, but I really do enjoy this part of the Holidays. I've been doing this for over 15 years.

4)  Christmas Shopping - I started my shopping already, and have most of the females I need to shop for done already. The men are always harder for me to shop for, particularly when they give me No Clue what they want. Or worse, when I ask some of them, they say: " I don't know", OR "You don't have to get me anything" (yeah sure - like that's ever gonna happen). So - I am leaving shopping for the men until after Hallowe'en, probably.

**Note to men: Decide what it is you want for Christmas. Just take a stab at it - just try this year. Name something - Anything. Please.

I've already got wrapping paper and Holiday gift bags. Now I just need ribbon and bows, and a few gift tags. I also need some of theose Holiday money envelopes for people like the Mailman, and the Handyman guy who mows my lawn and runs the snow-blower, and otherwise shovels the snow (I have an extremely looong driveway).

I know some people will think I am truly crazy for starting to think about the Holidays this early, but I really, really just hate rushing around at the last minute, trying to get all of the above done.

Anybody else out there start Christmas shopping yet? Or doing anything else to get ready for the Holidays yet?

- Susan  


You're kidding, right?



SusanofO -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:14:02 PM)

No, I am not kidding.
 
KMsAngel, he will just never understand, will he? 

- Susan



camille65 -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:16:06 PM)

I keep thinking of all the cookies you make!    [sm=applause.gif]



bandit25 -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:17:40 PM)

That would be me.



SusanofO -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:17:49 PM)

camille65: Thanks. I do really enjoy it. If it was just a pure chore, I'd never attempt it. I like to bake.

- Susan



camille65 -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:21:48 PM)

Baking is an absolute chore for me, I wish I enjoyed it but I don't. I love to cook and I'm good at that but baking? Noooo [&:]

One fun thing I am doing this fall is making my own wrapping paper and gift tags from birch bark. In years past I haven't had the energy but since I can't work anymore I will be able to do that.

Maybe I could paypal you for cookies hehehe. Yummmm. Especially decorated sugar cookies. And chocolate cookes. And ginger cookies. And and and yummmmm. Don't mind the drool on the floor!



KMsAngel -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:22:27 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: SusanofO

No, I am not kidding. KMSAngel, he will just never understand.

- Susan


lol... probably not. i think sometimes one of the fundamental differences between men and women. right there along with all the other feminine mysteries.

viva la difference!



SusanofO -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:27:24 PM)

camille65: Making your own wrapping paper from birch bark sounds (to me) about as easy as making your own water, or something. Really, it sounds a lot more invovled to me than baking does - more power to you, that's fantastic that you can do that, IMO.

People who don't bake always seem to think that fudge is difficult to make. I have a micro-wave recipe for something called "Fantasy Fudge" that takes about 10 minutes, tops, to make 3 pounds. I just make 6 or 7 batches of it, and then pour about a pound each of it while it's still hot into aluminum, one pound baking pans I buy in the grocery store, and let them cool in the fridge for an hour or two. My fudge is very tasty, but it's no big "gourmet" deal. The recipe was on the back of a Marshmallow creme jar I found in the grocery store about 10 years ago.

Then I wrap foil around them and freeze them until about 2 weeks before Christmas (when I deliver it, along w/the other stuff to the recipients). Fudge is a piece of cake to make, really. But for some reason, a lot of people seem to have the impression it is more complicated than it really is, to make.

- Susan



mmb1 -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:27:53 PM)

heck, if you have time to type out the whole list of what you bought already, you are way ahead of me............lol



KMsAngel -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:29:52 PM)

susan, maybe u can start up a mini-business here on the forum! making care packages for all those unable or unwilling to do the baking, etc!



SusanofO -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:35:26 PM)

I love baking enough to have actually considered going into business doing that (seriously). I really get into it.

I have to see how my moving goes (I am moving onto a condo across town). But - if I get things under control early, I may just do that. I am a good baker, if I do say so myself, and any other year, I'd jump at the chance. I might do it this year, too - I need to see how things go with the moving.

Here is what goes into each "care package":
* 2-1/2 dozen Christmas cookies (5 or 6 each of at least 4 different kinds, usually, frosted Sugar cookie cut-outs are one of the kinds).
*1 pound of chocolate fudge - with or without nuts (pecans and-or walnuts).
*1 loaf of Banana-nut bread
*1/2 pound of hard Christmas candy (like "ribbons" or "pillows" - you know the kind I mean, I am sure.)

The fudge and the bread are wrapped securely in foil and secured with Scotch tape. Then they are wrapped with Holiday wrapping paper, as well. The hard candy goes in a tiny Holiday gift bag - and the cookies in a separate plastic Holiday baking bag (like a Glad-Zip-Loc bag, only decorated wsith Snowmen or Santas, or something.)  Then it's all placed in a larger Holiday gift bag, with tissue if there is room for that, and gift tagged. 

Thanks for the compliment and the encouraging words. I appreciate it.

- Susan



KMsAngel -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:42:54 PM)

lol, if i lived over there i'd suggest we go in it together!! i do the baking baskets for friends and relatives as well. i think people like it so much because it's homemade and just tastes so much better than a package bought from off the shelves. i have this seriously mini gingerbread cutter, and the kidlet and i do "minions". ranks of little cutouts. its like the terra cotta chinese army! they're popular with friends who have littlies



SusanofO -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:45:24 PM)

Gingerbread men sound like fun! I've not tried to do them, ever. Dunno why. They sound fun. I bet kids do love them.
Yes, if you were here, it would be fun to set up a baking business!

I think baking is one of those things people either love or hate. I love it.

- Susan



KMsAngel -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:49:07 PM)

mmmm gingerbread men are best done up sev weeks before they're needed. then seal them, put them in the cupboard and forget about them. the spices mingle and mature. bliss.

i try and do gingerbread houses every year or every other year. we've had some vy intereresting ones. far more amatuer and lavishly candied than pretty, but we always enjoy it. i have a girlfriend who makes vy simple, small houses every year, complete with lollies on and inside, and then gives them out as presents.



SusanofO -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:52:14 PM)

If you can make it ahead of time and store it I am all for it.

Now that is something I'd not thought of giving as a gift - a Gingerbread house. But IMO, it would make a really good gift. You could get really creative with them, too, I bet.

- Susan



LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:53:12 PM)

I've been making lists and plans since August, but haven't actually bought anything yet.  It's harder being long distance to the family because I can't just file things away on a regular basis, I have to make specific calls to ask what is on their list or what they need.

Although I've promised both my sister and mother that whatever gift they get will be thoroughly IMpractical this year because they deserve something totally spoiling and I always get them things they need and use every day.

I'm definitely concerned about all the candy and chocolate and treats for the holidays though.  I will want to indulge, but still keep to a good solid diet.



KatyLied -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 5:59:07 PM)

God no, I've not even thought about it.
Although I did order some cranberry-lemon cookie mix that I thought might make good Christmas cookies.  I'm doubting the mix will last until December....



SusanofO -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 6:00:16 PM)

LA: I like the idea of getting people impractical gifts. Something they'd never buy for themselves. The holidays are perfect for that kind of gift-giving, IMO.

I know what you mean about Holiday weight gain. I read in a magazine it is something like an average of five pounds. I do substitute diabetic candy (or low sugar candy) for some folks, because they request it. I don't make low-sugar candy myself (I can't do it w/the fudge), so I have to buy it at the store  - but I can do it with the bread, and the cookies. I use a sugar substitute, like Nutra-Sweet.

Katy: Well, don't worry. You do have 12 weeks until Christmas. I just get am starting extra early this year due to moving - I don't want to end up totally disorganized at the last minute. Usually I wait until after Hallowe'en to start this stuff.

- Susan 



KMsAngel -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 6:01:04 PM)

that's where living down here comes in handy! it's summer, there's beaches, lots and lots of salads, seafood, fresh fruits



KatyLied -> RE: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (9/26/2007 6:07:10 PM)

I have one of those umbrella trees.  It is fiberoptic, so I don't have to mess with lights either.  I just unfold it and place it in the stand.  Put a few ornaments on it and it's done.  Funny thing though, I had an awesome Santa wreath (it had a huge Santa head on it) and I can't find it.  It's somewhere in my house, but it's been lost for 3 years.  ::sob::



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