In a group text between various family members, a discussion was had regarding the price limit for the secret Santa gifts and also the question was posed if gift cards are acceptable. My son was complaining that he wanted some clarity as the responses weren't terribly clear. I ordered him a Magic 8-ball for clarity.

How ready is everyone for Christmas?

I have been mostly ready for a while now with two packages to wrap...which I need to go ahead and do today.

Christmas Eve I have a couple side dishes to make for dinner at daughter's house. Then dinner there and a gift exchange with daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, son, his girlfriend, bonus granddaughter, and husband. Then husband and I chill Christmas day as the kids go to the other sides of their families.

It's supposed to be near 80 degrees on Christmas Eve so we don't have to be holed up in a house sealed off from the cold.

Stay safe and well everyone!

I have two more food gathering outing's to make. Should be a quick, low hassle task.

(December 22, 2021 at 7:33 am)arewethereyet Wrote: How ready is everyone for Christmas?

I have been mostly ready for a while now with two packages to wrap...which I need to go ahead and do today.

Christmas Eve I have a couple side dishes to make for dinner at daughter's house.  Then dinner there and a gift exchange with daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, son, his girlfriend, bonus granddaughter, and husband.  Then husband and I chill Christmas day as the kids go to the other sides of their families.

It's supposed to be near 80 degrees on Christmas Eve so we don't have to be holed up in a house sealed off from the cold.

Stay safe and well everyone!

All done - gifts are shipped out, decorations being perpetually re-done (four cats), the wife’s new car is being delivered Christmas Eve (and my gift immediately thereafter *nudge nudge*) and as much food prep is done that can be done. But no beach trip this year. Fuck COVID.

Boru

(December 22, 2021 at 12:23 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(December 22, 2021 at 7:33 am)arewethereyet Wrote: How ready is everyone for Christmas?

I have been mostly ready for a while now with two packages to wrap...which I need to go ahead and do today.

Christmas Eve I have a couple side dishes to make for dinner at daughter's house.  Then dinner there and a gift exchange with daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, son, his girlfriend, bonus granddaughter, and husband.  Then husband and I chill Christmas day as the kids go to the other sides of their families.

It's supposed to be near 80 degrees on Christmas Eve so we don't have to be holed up in a house sealed off from the cold.

Stay safe and well everyone!

All done - gifts are shipped out, decorations being perpetually re-done (four cats), the wife’s new car is being delivered Christmas Eve (and my gift immediately thereafter *nudge nudge*) and as much food prep is done that can be done. But no beach trip this year. Fuck COVID.

Boru

I haven't talked with my daughter about it; I'll have to ask. They have two older cats who are pretty disinterested in Christmas trees though the oldest one likes to sleep under it. But this year they adopted two black kittens who are wild and crazy. Jinx climbs nearly everything and Arya is an instigator. They usually have the tree up the weekend of Thanksgiving but just put it up this past Sunday...to hopefully lessen the number of times they have to decorate the tree.

Years ago the cat I had at the time would leap from the rocking chair into the middle of the tree and then his fat self would slide down stripping all lights and decorations from about mid tree down. Every day after work I got to redo it.

(December 22, 2021 at 12:32 pm)arewethereyet Wrote:

(December 22, 2021 at 12:23 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: All done - gifts are shipped out, decorations being perpetually re-done (four cats), the wife’s new car is being delivered Christmas Eve (and my gift immediately thereafter *nudge nudge*) and as much food prep is done that can be done. But no beach trip this year. Fuck COVID.

Boru

I haven't talked with my daughter about it; I'll have to ask.  They have two older cats who are pretty disinterested in Christmas trees though the oldest one likes to sleep under it.  But this year they adopted two black kittens who are wild and crazy.  Jinx climbs nearly everything and Arya is an instigator.  They usually have the tree up the weekend of Thanksgiving but just put it up this past Sunday...to hopefully lessen the number of times they have to decorate the tree.

Years ago the cat I had at the time would leap from the rocking chair into the middle of the tree and then his fat self would slide down stripping all lights and decorations from about mid tree down.  Every day after work I got to redo it.

We briefly considered something like this…



…but Rio (formerly Tiny Baby Cat) has turned out to be a world class jumper.

Boru

Hurry up Sunday!

Just made a quick run to the grocery store...I didn't know we were almost out of eggs and I need some for Friday. Thought that I would pick up some more Christmas candy while there...but nnnnoooooo....they were stocking Valentine's Day candy.

Seriously? It's not even Christmas Eve yet. What they did have left was obviously the stuff no one wants.

(December 22, 2021 at 3:43 pm)Brian37 Wrote: Hurry up Sunday!

Yer a mean one Mr. Grinch.

(December 22, 2021 at 3:56 pm)arewethereyet Wrote:

(December 22, 2021 at 3:43 pm)Brian37 Wrote: Hurry up Sunday!

Yer a mean one Mr. Grinch.

To clarify, it isn't the value of spending time with family on a holiday. It is the commercialism that beats everyone over the head, which psychologically does, in reality cause feelings of failure and depression, not to mention the debt it causes.

The logical stuff about the story bothers me too, but not for the same reasons. If my late mother were still alive today, I would go over to her apartment and spend time with her. Not because of the holiday, but to have an excuse to spend time with her. 

Logically speaking, I don't see the need for a "day" to be glorified, of any religion, as if you need an excuse to be kind and empathetic to others. You can do good and be kind every day of the year.