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T O P I C    R E V I E W
loribeck Posted - Oct 12 2019 : 5:21:54 PM
I know this is really early but I have started my Christmas shopping. I like to get each of the kids and grandkids several little items to put in a bag so they can go through it as well a special gift. Our family is growing so I have to start early in order to be able to afford to get everyone their gifts. I like to pick up Christmas ornaments and things when they first come out so that I can make sure to get the ones I want. How about the rest of you girls? Am I the only early shopper?

Farmgirl 7774

Never miss a sunset

Lori Beck
20   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
loribeck Posted - Oct 18 2019 : 5:29:36 PM
Denise, it sounds like you do your Christmas much like we do ours. Isn't it fun?
Laurie, I wish I had a grapefruit tree. I love grapefruit.
Peggy, I used to get ornaments for all the kids but that has sort of slipped by the wayside. I do love shopping in the Christmas stores and still have one more to go through here. I never tire of looking through them. Christmas is my favorite time of the year.

Farmgirl 7774

Never miss a sunset


Lori Beck
LadyInRed Posted - Oct 17 2019 : 11:52:56 AM
I usually start the first of Oct. and I have purchased a few things. Got all the New Tree Ornaments while I was at The Christmas
Store at the Oregon Coast. My youngest son's family are really big into that. Christmas is my favorite time of year!! I just love
it. I have 6 kids and 9 Grandkids and we like to make sure everyone gets something. My husband isn't much into The Holidays so
everything is up to me. And that is OKay, because he is clueless what it takes to pull off a Lovely Christmas.

Happy Shopping and Creating Farm Sisters,
Peggy

Farmgirl #1326
Member since Feb. 2010
Dec 2011-Farmgirl of the Month
Aug 2018-Farmgirl of the Month

LOVE YOU TO THE BEACH AND BACK!
laurzgot Posted - Oct 17 2019 : 07:45:58 AM
I so love Christmas. We have a grapefruit tree and I will make up a basket with the fresh grapefruit homemade bread and other goodies. This is done on Christmas eve day when I do my baking. But I do make items for my children that I know they want. They are all grown now but live close by to us. We celebrate at our house. A good time for all. I do go to the stores and get a few things too. and this I do early. I like to enjoy the holidays.

Hugs,
Laurie
Country girl at heart
"Smile and be yourself everyday."




levisgrammy Posted - Oct 16 2019 : 5:34:45 PM
I love Christmas. One of my favorites. This year we will have all of the kids and grandchildren. which total 14 people here. We celebrate two days after because our middle daughter has Christmas day at their house and they have to travel a day to get here and it is evening and almost bedtime for the little ones by the time they make it. So we do it the next morning on the 27th. That is only on the years they have come out to celebrate with us here. Normally we have our Christmas eve dinner which is seafood and salads. Then the next morning we do the gifts with local kids and grandchildren which usually takes it down to 8 of us unless my nephew and brother in law are available to join us. Because we have a houseful this year they are spending the holiday with my brother in laws family. When my dad was here with us we did a Christmas dinner. But before he came and since he passed we just do breakfast and finger foods most of the day. Giving the kids lunch and supper like they are used to. We play games and just enjoy our time all together. Sometimes we will go over later and see what the local grandkids got for Christmas. Mostly for us it is all about family time and fun together.

~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007

"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
loribeck Posted - Oct 15 2019 : 8:19:58 PM
I have already started listening to Christmas music. There is something magical about Christmas. What is stands for, the music, the decorations, the good will, the laughter, the soft glow from the Christmas tree, and don't forget those awesome Christmas shows. Hallmark channel is full of them.
Barbara, I wish you could have a family like mine. To love and be loved in return is a wonderful thing. My children have always been close to me. I just can't even find the words to use to say how much I enjoy having them come over. I know how fortunate I am. I thank God every day that I have this wonderful life.
I haven't made gifts for Christmas for years but I am thinking about starting some afghans for next Christmas. I'm sure the kids and grandkids would like them. My husband uses his wood lathe to turn bowls and is learning to turn trees. They would make great gifts.

Farmgirl 7774
Never miss a sunset

Lori Beck
katmom Posted - Oct 14 2019 : 9:57:19 PM
I am just now starting to peruse through craft mags and pintrest... for ideas...
I am, for now,,, just enjoying the decorations being put up in the stores,,, and come to think of it,,, I need to go to Hobby Lobby next week and get my Christmas Bling Fix!...

>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!

www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com

StitchinWitch Posted - Oct 14 2019 : 5:54:43 PM
I'm with you Mary Jane -- I was more than happy to pass it over to my youngest Daughter. We used to have great and glorious Christmases but the family grew and I was trying to buy gifts for 25 family members in addition to my own four. It was all too much to do everything and work full time. My Mother suggested we do 12th Night and that way we could take advantage of the after Christmas sales. 12th Night turned out to be a big hit. One gift and a white elephant exchange; a king/queen was chosen each year and they picked the theme for the next year. We made costumes for the chosen theme. This all came to an end last year with the death of my Father. His wonderful big house was sold; the extended family went their own ways. My house is too little for family gatherings but my Son and youngest Daughter have lovely big houses. In fact, Daughter has two houses so I have Thanksgiving (DH is in Texas) in Napa and she has Christmas for her family in Nevada. This year we will try to make it to her Nevada house on our way home from Fort Worth.
When a holiday gets to be so much work that it is no longer fun and you feel resentful it's time to trim things down.

Judith

7932
Happiness is Homemade
loribeck Posted - Oct 14 2019 : 5:48:33 PM
Mary Jane I agree with you. I used to fix a big feast and wrap the presents so that they looked perfect. I used to feel like I had to spend a lot of money on everyone or they would get mad at me. One year my husband and I told the kids we were done with all of that and from now on we would have finger foods and limit our spending. They were great with it. We do love to play games and I buy goofy cheap gifts to wrap up for one of the games. We have a blast now and I don't have to spend all my time in the kitchen anymore. We also do our get-together the week before or the week after. I like to buy gifts for the very youngest ones and the older ones get gift certificates and a book or something small. I am getting to the age where I just like to relax and enjoy the holidays without all the fuss.
Farmgirl 7774
Never miss a sunset

Lori Beck
CountryBorn Posted - Oct 14 2019 : 4:26:53 PM
I haven't posted on here in forever and a day!! I love Christmas, I love the meaning of it and the Christmas Tree and decorations. I love the sweet holiday movies, the music and carols, and the family get togethers. I am going to admit I love it a lot more now that my daughter and son in law have it at their house. My Grandson and Grand daughter are all grown up now. We have Christmas sometimes a little late or a little early so they can do their things too.I used to get myself in such a snit over just the perfect presents, did I spend enough did I get enough? Last year, I said to myself this is it! I am going to not feel guilty and yes I got some presents, but did a lot of it in gift certificates to places they love to go, or love to eat. The special stores they like. Or even just money to get what they want. I actually really enjoyed Christmas! I wasn't all frazzled and exhausted. I watched those Christmas shows and movies and enjoyed it all! My daughter son in law just adore all the prep, all the shopping all the cooking, me not so much anymore! I did make my Christmas cookies and some desserts. But I enjoyed it for the first time in a long time! I think it was just time to pass the torch to her and I enjoyed so much! Ok you can tell me I am awful lol!!

There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark
MaryJanesNiece Posted - Oct 14 2019 : 2:57:23 PM
Lori, I use to be a very late last min shopper, but since I have had kids I have started earlier. This year is the earliest I have started. I started my Christmas shopping last month and started all my projects as well. I actually prefer it now! Lol

Krista
HollerGirl56 Posted - Oct 13 2019 : 6:27:36 PM
Lori---if I had a house full of good sweet children---what heaven that would be! All I have ever met is hateful people and that has made me unable to believe in any thing. But go for the gold if you do have a sweet precious family---I am so happy for you-- but also happy that I do not have that---although I too wanted the love of family for years. WE have to accept what we have and go with that---I would love children if I had ever known some good ones---LOL and I do applaud you and your wonderful family---just understand that a lot of us do not have that. AS I am older I know that we have to make the best of what comes to us. You go girl and God bless your wonderful family. Love you and love your posts. And we sure do buy treats for the dogs---our children---LOL and rock on girl.


Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis
loribeck Posted - Oct 13 2019 : 4:47:51 PM
Oh Dianna, I wish you could spend Christmas here. We have a party for the kids and grandchildren and play games and have finger foods. Lots of noise and laughter. I make homemade hot chocolate for my husband and I on Christmas Eve night. We will eat a few Christmas cookies and more than likely watch a Christmas show together. We buy new toys and treats for the dogs I will buy a turkey breast to fix for them. On Christmas day we just hang out together and be lazy. We might go to each of the kids houses to see what Santa brought the grandchildren and then we go home and relax.
Sounds like the rest of you all have your own way of celebrating the holiday. We try to have our party the week before Christmas so that everyone can do their other festivities.

Farmgirl 7774

Never miss a sunset

Lori Beck
StitchinWitch Posted - Oct 13 2019 : 4:33:20 PM
I don't do shopping for Christmas. Kids and (most) grandkids grown and gone. I just give them money, which is what they really want. DH goes hunting in Texas the week before Thanksgiving and I fly there the week before Christmas and we drive home together so we are usually on the road somewhere. Last Christmas was spent in a motel in Santa Fe and we went to Meow Wolf the next day. This year I would like to detour to Genoa in Nevada to have Christmas with my daughter's family.

Judith

7932
Happiness is Homemade
treelady Posted - Oct 13 2019 : 06:53:17 AM
I have started some shopping as well. With 8 grandkids and lots of family it just makes it easier. I request Christmas lists from the kids the 1st. Of November. We buy the grands something to wear, a book, puzzle or game and something off their wish lists. A lot of the time our adult kids ask for gift cards or cash to apply to a big ticket item they are saving for and we are always happy to do that. I also make several gifts for various extended family members if we are sharing a holiday meal with them. I shop mostly on line, reserving just one day in December to go to the big city to finish up any last minute shopping I have. On that day I will visit the candy store for special chocolates, the liquor store for my wines and brandies, the coffee shop for bags of favorite dark roasted coffees and my most favorite stop the book store for a couple of the latest best sellers that go to a few special people, of course each of these stores has a treat or two for us as well. Right now I am working on hats and scarves to be donated to our homeless shelter for their Christmas campaign. I have already made a few lap quilts for the nursing home residents who don't have family and do not receive a gift from anyone.

A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life.

Max Lucado
HollerGirl56 Posted - Oct 13 2019 : 06:38:07 AM
I can't wait to run and look at Christmas decorations as soon as they are put out in the stores. I too like to get them early while they aren't picked over. I have had a present for me hid in the parlor for two months now and I will soon be looking for hubbie. Love to shop early and then I can enjoy the peace and beauty of Christmas. Hubby and I love our alone Christmases---when we had family to be with we did not enjoy it much---everyone was always hateful and mean. Diana---I never wanted a house full of kids and glad It never happened. LOL. My neighbors family consisted of four children and all they ever did was fight at Christmas---no joy there at all. I have a child of sorts---my friend---he is a big mama"s boy and she is gone now. I have to decorate his tree and house for him and I am the only person who wraps up gifts for him. Anyway I truly love Christmas and I find much joy in it Without any children or any company. I wish I had never wasted my time tryin to give my hateful family a nice Christmas each year. Now I would tell them to go have their own Christmas---to keep away from me yous! Oh the joy of getting old and wise and cranky. Merry Christmas to all.

Old Age Ain't No Place For Sissies!------Bette Davis
windypines Posted - Oct 13 2019 : 03:34:49 AM
I have a few things purchased and made for Christmas presents. I like to start early and finish early, so I can enjoy everything. Getting ideas is the hard part. We will have 7 grandkids, number 7 was due on the 8th, so he will be here soon. So right there with you Lori!! Have fun.

Farming in WI

Michele

Farmgirl of the Month 6-19
quiltee Posted - Oct 12 2019 : 5:53:01 PM
I make most of my Christmas gifts, too. And I try and start early. I am helping one of my grandsons make a quilt for his parents this year and pillowcases for his two brothers. He is enjoying the sewing and seeing the gifts take shape, and I am enjoying our time together.

Farmgirl hugs,
Farmgirl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015 and April 2017
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX

"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."
levisgrammy Posted - Oct 12 2019 : 5:51:59 PM
I started mine already. I usually start in October because between now and December 10th we have 5 birthdays to celebrate also.
So I do all of it at the same time. We buy two gifts per person. Usually something to wear for the 7 grands and then a small gift. We have a 14 in the family and then I do bake goods for friends. Usually cookies or a pumpkin roll or something along those lines.

~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007

"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
suny58 Posted - Oct 12 2019 : 5:49:06 PM
I must admit I am a little envious of you and others Lori. Christmas at my place is very quiet and low key. No kids, no grandchildren, husband overseas much of the time. My son is grown and 3000 miles away. It's my dog and I and every other christmas my daughter. I don't shop. I do make gifts for a few friends. I always wanted a house full of kids but it just never happened. If I were in your shoes, yes, I'd shop early! Heck all year!! Lol, you are blessed!

Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro
quiltee Posted - Oct 12 2019 : 5:45:59 PM
I will be gone for Christmas this year, and will probably get gifts in Germany while we are there to bring/send back to celebrate when we get home. The gifts for my Germany friends, however, are almost done - only need to get one more quilt finished.


Farmgirl hugs,
Farmgirl #1919
Farm Girl of the Month August 2015 and April 2017
Linda O
Lone Oak, TX

"Women are Angels, and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly . . . on a broomstick - we're flexible, like that."

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