Christmas 2015

[mike24forever]

Christmas music has started on SiriusXM, some radio stations have flipped, "The Coopers" (a family Christmas movie) comes out this weekend and this Sunday the Toronto Santa Claus Parade is happening, so I thought it was a good time as any to kick this thread into action.

Before I go any further...I know my American friends have not had Thankgiving yet and for some of you it's too early for this thread. I also understand that Christmas can be a difficult time for some people and to them I extend my deepest condolences.

This thread is not intended to upset people or discuss the commercializations of Christmas and the stupid thing about red cups at StarBucks. It's purpose is to just have FUN discussions leading up to Christmas, sharing traditions, gift ideas, pictures of our homes decorated for the holidays (indoors and outdoors), AND JUST ENJOYING THE HOLIDAYS.

With that being said, my wife and I have decorated the house. Our two trees are up and decorated (pictures coming this weekend), the garland and lights are strung and all the other decorations are spread throughout the house. Our outdoor lights are up and on. Basically, the holidays are in full swing in the Stewart household.

This weekend we are going to see "The Coopers" and we are going to start our Christmas shopping. We are doing an early Christmas on November 28th with her sister and nieces so we need to get going on our Christmas shopping. Also, on Sunday we are going to watch the Santa Claus Parade.

This will be our last Christmas with just the two of us. My wife is pregnant with a baby girl and she is due in February. We are very excited and happy about this and I cannot wait to meet her. I cannot wait to start new Christmas traditions with her. My parents made Christmas very special for me and I hope to do the same with her. I'm looking forward to when she paints her first decoration and hangs it on the tree. My parents have one that I painted when I was 3. The thing is 39 years old and I hang it on their three every year. It's stuff like that I'm looking forward to sharing with her.

So, let me be the first to say, Merry Christmas to you all.

[redsox4evur]

Re: Christmas 2015

There's still about 2 weeks until Thanksgiving...

[mike24forever]

Re: Christmas 2015

There's still about 2 weeks until Thanksgiving...

If you would have taken time to read and comprehend what I wrote, you would know that this is not needed. Thanks for contributing though.

I'm not American, so Thanksgiving is over for me.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Christmas 2015

Christmas starts being countdowned in September in the Philippines. Then it's celebrated all month long in December, it's pretty awesome unless your in Manila where the traffic is worse than getting hit in the nuts.

I'll be in Manila this year for Star Wars so that will lessen the pain of traffic and to also be Santa for my ladies family, which I'm really excited for.

For me Christmas growing up wasn't very big. Both of my parents are workaholics so rarely enjoyed a proper Christmas. My mom always pulled through and got us awesome gifts though.

Not complaining at all though, especially seeing the poor kids here never even getting one toy their whole life. I've started to buy small toys that I will giving away to kids in my area and as soon as the resort starts bringing in money one of the first things I'm doing is a toy drive for the local elementary schools here.

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[jb12780]

Re: Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas you filthy animals:

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[redsox4evur]

Re: Christmas 2015

If you would have taken time to read and comprehend what I wrote, you would know that this is not needed. Thanks for contributing though.

I'm not American, so Thanksgiving is over for me.

Or I took the time to read what you wrote and still want to voice my displeasure about hearing about Christmas before Thanksgiving.

[mike24forever]

Re: Christmas 2015

Or I took the time to read what you wrote and still want to voice my displeasure about hearing about Christmas before Thanksgiving.

Like I said...your comment was not needed. Just like you don't care to hear or read about Christmas (this early), I do not care to hear about your displeasure. You had a choice to not read this thread. You could have ignored it. You choose not to. Thanks for contributing

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: Christmas 2015

We drew names for "Secret Santa" during our Thanksgiving dinner. Me, my wife, my mom, dad, brother, sister and brother in law started this tradition last year. We draw one name and buy for just that person. $100 limit. It got to the point where we were exchanging gift cards back and forth. It was just senseless.

Outdoor lights are going up on the weekend hopefully. I love the Canadian Tire brand that just clip right onto the gutters. The less time on a ladder the better!

[jeremym480]

Re: Christmas 2015

Like I said...your comment was not needed. Just like you don't care to hear or read about Christmas (this early), I do not care to hear about your displeasure. You had a choice to not read this thread. You could have ignored it. You choose not to. Thanks for contributing

Don't worry Mike. There's always one, so just ignore them and they will go away.

We don't really have anything special planned for Christmas this year. We're going back to visit my family in Alabama for Thanksgiving, so we're just going to stay here for Christmas. I'm not really looking forward to putting up the tree and dragging all of the decorations down for the attic. However, my wife loves it and it does look nice when it's finished, so I'm sure we'll do it either this weekend or next. I'll post some pics when it's done.

I was actually thinking about maybe spending the weekend in New Orleans with just my wife and I. We could have a relaxing weekend away from the dogs. There's plenty of stuff to do like checking out the Christmas lights, and eating good food... maybe even catch a Pelicans game . Plus, it would get me out of going to the in-laws. I pretty sure that my wife would go for it, but we'll see.

Anyway, here's to having a great Christmas and congrats on the baby girl.

[mike24forever]

Re: Christmas 2015



This is my basement. Set up for the holidays and of course football Sunday's.



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[HealyMonster]

Re: Christmas 2015

I love Christmas, I'd decorate for Christmas in September if it was socially acceptable lol. I control myself by placing a mandatory wait until thanksgiving dinner is over rule on myself. Right after desert, it's Christmas time, it's on.

I'd imagine Christmas is cooler in Canada because it's more likely to have snow/ colder weather, in NJ it's been warm last few years.

[mike24forever]

Re: Christmas 2015

Don't worry Mike. There's always one, so just ignore them and they will go away.

We don't really have anything special planned for Christmas this year. We're going back to visit my family in Alabama for Thanksgiving, so we're just going to stay here for Christmas. I'm not really looking forward to putting up the tree and dragging all of the decorations down for the attic. However, my wife loves it and it does look nice when it's finished, so I'm sure we'll do it either this weekend or next. I'll post some pics when it's done.

I was actually thinking about maybe spending the weekend in New Orleans with just my wife and I. We could have a relaxing weekend away from the dogs. There's plenty of stuff to do like checking out the Christmas lights, and eating good food... maybe even catch a Pelicans game . Plus, it would get me out of going to the in-laws. I pretty sure that my wife would go for it, but we'll see.

Anyway, here's to having a great Christmas and congrats on the baby girl.

Thanks Jeremy, we are very excited for her arrival. I pray she loves Star Wars, golf, martial arts and that she hates stripper poles!

Setting up for Christmas can be daunting, however as the season progresses and it gets dark earlier and earlier, it's nice to have a warm glow in the house.

I heard it absolutely beautiful in New Orleans at Christmas. I hope you get to go and enjoy your time with your wife.

[mike24forever]

Re: Christmas 2015

I love Christmas, I'd decorate for Christmas in September if it was socially acceptable lol. I control myself by placing a mandatory wait until thanksgiving dinner is over rule on myself. Right after desert, it's Christmas time, it's on.

I'd imagine Christmas is cooler in Canada because it's more likely to have snow/ colder weather, in NJ it's been warm last few years.

November 1st is my start date, or I would decorate earlier too. In Toronto we've had too many green Christmas's. Drive 10 minutes toward Barrie and you have 4 feet of snow. So close to the snow belt, but unfortunately not close enough.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: Christmas 2015

With a 4 and 2 year old, we just roll thanksgiving and Christmas together for 8 weeks of holiday excitement. Putting up the tree this weekend, and the kids couldn't be more excited. For me it's not about the specific titles of the holidays, but rather the spirit of them and what they represent. So we have no issue celebrating the whole month of November and December all wrapped up into twp months of fun.

[mike24forever]

Re: Christmas 2015

We drew names for "Secret Santa" during our Thanksgiving dinner. Me, my wife, my mom, dad, brother, sister and brother in law started this tradition last year. We draw one name and buy for just that person. $100 limit. It got to the point where we were exchanging gift cards back and forth. It was just senseless.

Outdoor lights are going up on the weekend hopefully. I love the Canadian Tire brand that just clip right onto the gutters. The less time on a ladder the better!

I use those clips. They are awesome. I can't use the ladder anymore since the accident, so my buddy helps me! Also, I like the idea about secret Santa for the adults. It becomes just buying things that people want, instead of surprises. I don't like giving lists to people, think of what I might like and I will love it because they took the time to think about me. Simple. Last year my sister gave me an R2-D2 cookie jar with a Santa Hat on it. Loved it. Combine two of my loves!

As for gift buying for the kids...oh boy do I love going to Toys R Us.