Any souls celebrating Christmas?

[babylonsister]

I'm wrapping, and have a special place in my heart because of how I was raised (I'm missing my mum; nuff said), but not much will be going on here due to lack of family in the immediate area. So, would love to hear some good stuff!

[Left Is Write]

1. We plan on it, as usual.

My husband went out and got started on the lights today.

For the first time since we moved here, we have family coming for Christmas! My in-laws are planning to be here for several days right over Christmas. My mother-in-law lost her father a year ago, and her mother is headed to North Carolina to visit relatives there. They decided they were tired of missing Christmas with their grandchildren, so they're heading out here. (They live in MN, we live in ID.) I only wish my parents could come too.

I'm already baking and freezing goodies and planning fun stuff for the menu. What I'd like to do is hibernate with the family - except for Christmas Eve church - and enjoy each other's company, and the kids, and the goodies, and watch some oldtime Christmas movies.

[Left coast liberal]

2. Got to keep it going for the kids...

I don't feel very merry with our democracy being ripped out of our hands. But, I have a 6 year old daughter and a 7 month old baby. I'm a wreck but you have to keep it going for the kids. So, we will make gift wrap and presents. My daughter is already making armloads of ornaments even though the tree is weeks away.

We'll do Gingerbread houses and cookie decorating the day after Thanksgiving with many friends joining in.

Sometimes I'm reminded how adopted family or friends can mean as much as family. We miss the people who are gone but pour the love into a new relationship.

Hang in there

[oregonjen]

3. Our local radio station is playing Christmas music 24/7 now

We just had our children's birthdays, daughter 9, son 6, and today was the family party. We had Christmas music on in the background and the kids opened presents. We finally broke down and got my son a Gameboy, since they're cheaper this year. He is in boy heaven and my daughter received lots of girlie girl stuff. My grandfather who is 91, made it over here today. His heart is giving out and we weren't sure he would make it. He did and for me, that was the best present of all.

[snoochie]

4. We are

Already have lights up. There won't be many gifts... mostly homemade stuff most likely. But for me the spirit is stronger than in recent years. Possibly because I think times may very well get much harder, so we should count our blessings and enjoy ourselves as often and as much as possible.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. This will be a tough holiday season for me

My mother died on January 18th of breast cancer that had metastisized to her brain, so last year was her last Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. She was pretty much still "herself" on Thanksgiving, and we had a nice time at my cousin's house, but by Christmas, she didn't recognize her sister and sometimes didn't recognize me or my brother. Christmas has become less and less of an event since we don't have any small kids in the family right now. I enjoy seeing my aunt and uncle and my cousin and her kids, but my mom was really kind of my "significant other". Now that she's gone, it's just not the same.

[babylonsister]

6. My mom died 14 years ago from cancer and

I still miss her. Life goes on and as trite as this might sound, your mom is 'in your heart' and will always be. Mine is...

[Flammable Materials]

7. Celebrating Sinterklaas, the secular Dutch holiday.

December 5th.