OS Annual Christmas Thread

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

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Here’s a picture of my den with our tree. The next photo is of my uncle medals from his 35 year military service. He past last December and he gave to this to me in November just before his death. So I put a little tree beside him to honour him. I miss him dearly.

I’ll post a picture of the upstairs tree after the kids go to be so we can clean up a bit. My kids are little tornadoes.

I just have to put the garland up on the railings outside then I take that picture.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

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My tree and decorations as mentioned above.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

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My uncles medals and tree in honour of him as I mention above as well.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Also, sorry for the crappy pictures, i suck at photography. It drives my wife crazy. LOL.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Today in Toronto, The Santa Claus Parade has returned to the streets of Toronto. It is the 118th parade. That's incredible if you asked me.


***Another apology for the 3 photos being separate posts. I tried all 3 in one post, but it caused an issue with the app.

I hope all your preparation for Thanksqiving are coming along nicely and all of your Christmas decorations as well.

[Majingir]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Today in Toronto, The Santa Claus Parade has returned to the streets of Toronto. It is the 118th parade. That's incredible if you asked me.

For a parade as big as it is, they do a horrible job covering it.

The TV special they have is basically like you're watching some daytime talk show with bits and pieces of the parade mixed in.

They actually aired a live stream this year, but from what I see, literally anyone with a cell phone could've just live streamed it themselves and it would've been better.

Could a multi billion dollar tv network not just have a camera set up on a patio or window and just capture it? Or just a drone? That would've been way better than sending some crew member to stand on a sidewalk and live stream it from the crowd.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread



Here’s a photo of our living room. This is where all the magic happens Christmas morning!

[Majingir]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Got lights/decorations/tree up.

Funny thing is, I have no idea if/when I'm actually doing anything special for Christmas.

Past few years have obviously been different than usual, and this one will be more normal, but probably still not fully normal.

A recent debate I had with some people that is Christmas related.

When stringing lights on the tree, do you string it loose or tight? I always string it tight so that you "waste" less of the strand and can wrap it around the tree more. But others have told me that they don't do it tight and loose is better.

By loose I don't mean it's hanging down/off the tree, but they just rest it on the branches while going around. I actually pull on it so it's firm around the tree, like you're bundling something up.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Got lights/decorations/tree up.

Funny thing is, I have no idea if/when I'm actually doing anything special for Christmas.

Past few years have obviously been different than usual, and this one will be more normal, but probably still not fully normal.

A recent debate I had with some people that is Christmas related.

When stringing lights on the tree, do you string it loose or tight? I always string it tight so that you "waste" less of the strand and can wrap it around the tree more. But others have told me that they don't do it tight and loose is better.

By loose I don't mean it's hanging down/off the tree, but they just rest it on the branches while going around. I actually pull on it so it's firm around the tree, like you're bundling something up.

I try to get the lights in the trees. I try to run the strands on each branch. I really try to get the bottom of the tree with a nice dence coverage of lights and move up wards. I’m not a “light hanger” that likes the draped the tree, unless the tree is out doors. The less wires you can see the better, however the lights themselves need to be nicely presented facing out to give the best glow!

[SmashMan]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

A recent debate I had with some people that is Christmas related.

When stringing lights on the tree, do you string it loose or tight? I always string it tight so that you "waste" less of the strand and can wrap it around the tree more. But others have told me that they don't do it tight and loose is better.

By loose I don't mean it's hanging down/off the tree, but they just rest it on the branches while going around. I actually pull on it so it's firm around the tree, like you're bundling something up.

I'm a pretty loose wrapper, but that's more to do with my impatience than anything else. I'll still wrap tighter around individual branches here and there when it's needed but most of my lighting is an easy triangle-shaped motion - lights back to the center, come out toward the front, loop around the end, repeat to the next branch.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

I'm a pretty loose wrapper, but that's more to do with my impatience than anything else. I'll still wrap tighter around individual branches here and there when it's needed but most of my lighting is an easy triangle-shaped motion - lights back to the center, come out toward the front, loop around the end, repeat to the next branch.

I have the same impatience. My work around is put the tree up 2 days early and set the lights over the next few days. If you have artificial trees. Just set up the bottom first and put the lights on, then do the middle and top in sequence. Then adjust the lights over the next few days. It is the only way I can stop from rushing to get the lights done.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Well, the calendar has turned and we are in the month of December. For all those who start paying attention to the holiday on December 1st, welcome. I hope this year has been kind to you.

Last night Elf of the Shelf returned with a small gift for each of my two little pylons. They we very excited. The advent calendar has begun and we are 24 sleeps away from the big day.

I hope everyone's preparations and shopping are almost done. We are going to start wrapping this evening.

Have a good day gentlemen.

[Majingir]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Talk about "raining on your parade".

Today's a day that some places are having local Santa claus parades.

The weather....windy and heavy rains.

Obviously you can't predict the weather, but sucks for those going to have it raining during the parade AND being windy too.

[mike24forever]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

Toronto’s parade got lucky having it 2 weeks ago and taping it for broadcast for this evening.

I’ve been to the Santa Claus parade where the weather was heavy snow to sunny and cold to warm and raining. My favorite was the one with the heavy snow. It was beautiful weather and brought out all the festive feelings.

[pietasterp]

Re: OS Annual Christmas Thread

I used to be a tight-wrapper of lights, but I've converted (out of laziness) to a up-and-down pattern that works around the tree gradually. Less reaching around the tree (as we set ours up against a curved wall, and that back part is hard to reach), easier to take down.

I sort of wish there was more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I realize this is largely a US-centric lament, but it seems like things accelerate too quickly between T'giving and Xmas, and it would be better if it was a bit more spread out (IMO, of course). That having been said, it is nice that it's sort of a 'holiday season' at the end of the year.

Also, to put my grinch hat on (borderline grounds for expulsion from this thread), it's impossible to get anyone to do any significant work between Thanksgiving and Christmas.