Christmas/Holidays 2012

[8]

It's that time of year again. Figured we could post pics of lights/decorations, talk about what we are doing this year for the holidays, and if there are any gifts that we're especially looking forward to getting or giving.

I just put my lights up this weekend and for once I wasn't sweating while doing so, in years prior it's been warm and I've been putting lights up in shorts. So this year it actually felt like it should while putting the lights up. Got the tree up Sunday as well, haven't finished decorating it though. Still have some indoor decorations to put up as well. I'll try to get some pics of the lights up in the next few days.

[Herky]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

I went with my fiance yesterday to a tree farm and cut down our tree. This is the first time we've ever had a real tree and we plan to decorate it this Sunday. Right now it's out on the deck sitting in a bucket of water. We'll probably set it up this week and I'll make a spiral ham for Sunday to have before we fire up the Christmas music and decorate it.

[8]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

Man I miss having a real tree. Next year we'll finally have a real one again though. We usually travel for the holiday and don't want to leave a real tree for a week or so without water. Next year we're staying home so real tree it is.

[UK0wnag3]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

I've repeatedly been called "Humbug" because I won't be putting up decorations until the second week in December. I've got a lot going on the first weekend and I doubt I have the time to move all the furniture around and bring the decorations in.

I'll probably spend the holidays doing what I always do, spending quality time with family and watching a lot of darts.

[AUChase]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

I've been working with my dad and uncle, after I get off work. We spent three weeks doing the annual decorations on my uncle's three story house.

Their house is on the main stretch of highway connecting the city of Jasper to my hometown and people actually bring their kids around every year, just to look at the lights. It's done with taste and not tacky with a bunch of inflatables or anything. We even suspend a Santa, with a sleigh and reindeer a few hundred feet in the air.

They also have a pond in front of their house and we do some floating Christmas trees and a boat.

We even had to add signs on the road that say, "Caution, people stopping to see Santa Claus", because of some people griping.

They always pay my dad and me for helping to put them up and I actually enjoy it. The local paper also does a story on it once a year. They even asked me for a few words, a few years ago.. lol.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

Not decorating this year... Just moved to Germany and will most likely be traveling to Finland over the holidays to meet relatives that I have never met.

[Scott]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

This year my girlfriend is getting a real tree for my apartment, i've never had a real one before, should be interesting...

[AUChase]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

We went the real tree route, when we were kids.

I'm not a huge fan of them, but I see where they may give people a bigger impression of Christmas. We put some of that chemical in the water that helps preserve the life of the tree.

After New Years, we threw the tree out by the woods and three months later it was still alive and we had not even watered it any.

I think part of my dislike for them comes from working at Home Depot for three years. I worked in the garden center for a whole season and I'm tired of handling and cutting live Christmas tree.

[8]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

I've been working with my dad and uncle, after I get off work. We spent three weeks doing the annual decorations on my uncle's three story house.

Their house is on the main stretch of highway connecting the city of Jasper to my hometown and people actually bring their kids around every year, just to look at the lights. It's done with taste and not tacky with a bunch of inflatables or anything. We even suspend a Santa, with a sleigh and reindeer a few hundred feet in the air.

They also have a pond in front of their house and we do some floating Christmas trees and a boat.

We even had to add signs on the road that says, "Caution, people stopping to see Santa Claus", because of some people griping.

They always pay my dad and me for helping to put them up and I actually enjoy it. The local paper also does a story on it once a year. They even asked me for a few words, a few years ago.. lol.

That sounds awesome! Would love to see some pics if possible.

I just put out this projector we have, it projects falling snowflakes on to the entire side of the house. Looks pretty good.

[PhilliesFan13]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

Me and the wife will be setting up our tree and decorations this coming weekend most likely. Back on the roof to hang the icicle lights. Haha. I love Christmas. First Christmas with our 7 month old son. Can't wait.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

Any ideas for a creative white elephant gift?

Last year mine was pretty good. I wrapped up a 3' dowel rod with a riddle saying there would be something at the end so you really didn't know exactly what you were getting. After everyone had picked their gift I brought out a pinata(filled with candy wrapped in dollar bills). So the winner got a stick, candy and $20.

[Scott]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

Any ideas for a creative white elephant gift?

Last year mine was pretty good. I wrapped up a 3' dowel rod with a riddle saying there would be something at the end so you really didn't know exactly what you were getting. After everyone had picked their gift I brought out a pinata(filled with candy wrapped in dollar bills). So the winner got a stick, candy and $20.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...gamingsquid-20

[8]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

It's next to impossible to figure out something to get my mom for Christmas. I try not to go the gift card route but I'm not getting any ideas for her, and when you ask her what she wants she says nothing.

[AUChase]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

As per request, here's a shot of some of the lights.

You can't see the pond to the right or the left side of the property and you can barely glimpse some of the santa/reindeer in the air on the top left.

I'll try to get a better picture from the other angle.

It's also hard to catch all the cool stuff around the walkways in front of the house.. damn near impossible to capture it all in one picture.

[8]

Re: Christmas/Holidays 2012

Thats pretty damn sweet! I like how it's all spread out and not all squeezed in one spot.