Christmas tips!

How about some tips and short cuts on making christmas easier? Here I will start!
I love pomagranates this time of year. But they are very messy to deal with. But I do love to sprinkle them on my salad. So in order to deseed them cleanly this is what I do. Get a large bowl of cool water, cut the pom in quarter's and submerge under water and pop the seeds away from the skin. The seeds sink and most of the whitish skin floats. I store them in a container for sometimes two weeks, but they don't last that long in my house.

great idea, I will have to think if I have any ideas.

Cool, Brandi! I've never known what to do about a pomegranate. I'll try this.

I shop early. Sometimes I forget where I hid certain presents.

Meaning I shop throughout the year. It's so handy to buy something, then you question yourself: do I need this? And instead the question becomes: Who would like this as a gift?

Only 1 yr. awhile ago, I left Christmas shopping unitl the final week. It was awful because I hate shopping in crowds, long/time-sucking lineups, felt unnecessary pressure to buy anything out of desperation and I have many people to buy for due to family size. Never again.

How about... just don't do it.

Ask yourself, "...is the 'whatever' really worth the effort/time/stress/money?".

There are many things I used kill :( :mad: :eek: myself doing every year. They took a lot of time and money. Now, I just don't.

For my kids stuff that's the "I gotta have this mom, it's my #1 thing-a-ma-whatever"... I click buy on line asap before it sells out. My wonderful UPS man leaves my dog a cookie on top the box at my porch...

My dog is happy...

UPS is happy for the biz...

Kids are happy, they got the thing-a-ma-whatever...

I'm happy...

That makes for Happy Holidays! :D

Simplicity;):cool:.

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Originally Posted by Miranda

How about... just don't do it.

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I have to heartily agree with that. The "spirit" of Christmas has nothing to do with frantic business and gifts of the monetary kind. Not that I deny anyone the right do do whatever they want....it IS after all THEIR Christmas.

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Originally Posted by Miranda

My wonderful UPS man leaves my dog a cookie on top the box at my porch...

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My wonderful USPS guy does the same thing. My dog now sits by the door after the mail has come, waiting for me to retrieve his biscuit:)

I'm making many handmade (knitted) gifts this year. The budget just isn't there. Lots of cookies and other treats too:)

CA

Putting up the Christmas tree is simple for us.

It's my baby artificial Christmas tree that is about 1 ft. high for a tabletop I've had for nearly 20 yrs.

In a wierd fun way, I enjoy decorating it with a collection of miniature different ornaments that I've amassed as gifts from other people, things made by nieces and nephews when they were young, little trickets I've collected from bike trips and trips overseas. An East Indian doll in sari, a woven husk goldfish from Chinatown, Venetian glass candy bauble given as a gift from Italy, Santa Claus rowing a dory from Cape Cod where I did cycle, tiny plastic beer stein from Munich, etc. There's even a plastic bike keychain fob...

Because it's small tree, easy to decorate with many meaningful things, I'm motivated to set it up lst day in Dec. And I do!

also a tree that young children like to look at..since it's at their scale.

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

I shop early. Sometimes I forget where I hid certain presents.

Meaning I shop throughout the year. It's so handy to buy something, then you question yourself: do I need this? And instead the question becomes: Who would like this as a gift?

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I do this too. I'll buy a couple of those ginormous gift bags when they go on sale after Christmas then, when I find something (or make something) throughout the year I think would make a great gift, I'll put a post-it note on it and put it in the bag. I save the wrapping until just before Christmas...pop in a Christmas movie and wrap things up.

I also set aside a bag that will be strictly for items found that will go to charity. Friends of mine and I began doing that several years ago in lieu of doing "Secret Santas" at work and we've continued the tradition since then.

I try not to cram everything in before 12/25. Since Christmas is 12 days, I reserve 12/25 for my immediate family then schedule get togethers with friends in the days leading up to "Little Christmas" 1/6. It's taken the stress off of all of us.

Two words: Potluck dinner.

Two more words:

Paper plates.

I find setting a per present budget sparks some real creative ideas. This year I am doing some homemade, should be interesting but since it is baked goods possibly stressful since I have to do it last minute. Talk to me on December 26!

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Originally Posted by Brandi

How about some tips and short cuts on making christmas easier? Here I will start!
I love pomagranates this time of year. But they are very messy to deal with. But I do love to sprinkle them on my salad. So in order to deseed them cleanly this is what I do. Get a large bowl of cool water, cut the pom in quarter's and submerge under water and pop the seeds away from the skin. The seeds sink and most of the whitish skin floats. I store them in a container for sometimes two weeks, but they don't last that long in my house.

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I found the easiest way to deal, mess-free, with pomegranites, which I love and eat way too many.

Cut off the very top flower-end, and remove a small wedge of the white pulp right below, like you were removing the stem from a tomato. Then lightly score it all around, going just slightly deeper at the stem end and continue back to the top. Put your thumbs in the divot at the top and pull, and it should come apart rather neatly, with no cut or smushed seeds. Put on dark colored clothing, and pick away.

Instead of exchanging gifts, why not meet for dinner and head to a movie?

Yeah, I like that idea.

But I was just thinking, what about office co-workers? I have no idea... last year everyone gave everyone something (except I didn't give - I didn't know it was the culture, being new.)

This year, I would love to give them all something small and easy to do.

I have the patience of a housefly, though, so as creative as I may be, my craft attempts never manifest into any tangible objects one might want to have in their homes.

Maybe I'll make cookies.

My Jewish co-worker goes out for the traditional Chinese dinner. Sounds like a terrific idea!

Although around here some Chinese restaurants still close, they're Catholic.

yup we do sushi. This year I am taking all our change and cashing it in withhopes there is enough for us to go have a christmas sushi dinner!

I have to say harumph to christmas.

A good friend in NZ & I would like to just bury ourselves in some nice sand at Piha or somewhere & ignore society.

I've been doing well so far!

Yeah, but CC, it's WARM there! Northern hemisphere sand, not so much. :cool:

Ok, if you're in the Northern Hemisphere you can :

A-BUild a snowfort & stay there
B-Go to a farm & be one with the animals. LIve in the hay..noone will notice.
C-Go to your nearest beach if you're in Florida or Texas
D-Walk the Appalaichan(sp?) trail

I don't get it :confused: . ...I like Christmas. I always have. And I'm not religious at all.

And this so-called stress that some people experience before/during Christmas..I'm lost. I've always found Christmas Eve and Christmas Day just lovely and pleasant. Some years, I have hosted my family at my home when I lived in the same city as they. That's over 15 people..sitting in the living rm. including on the floor and eating ..usually a potluck dinner. When a family is that big, it must be potluck. Otherwise it truly is stressful. Yea sure it took me several hrs. just to prepare 2-3 dishes as a hostess and then the cleanup afterwards. But I only did it once in a year, if that. And when I or someone else hosted it, it was usually several days before Christmas Eve.

We're not a family of fine china dishes, silverware and crystal, so any family megameal...is just a more informal.

I view Christmas something like Chinese New Year's, a time to get together with family/close friends, enjoy each other's company and eat foods that you normally wouldn't eat often. Even better, Christmas gives us a statutory holiday.

My issue with Christmas is as follows:

1-You don't need to buy someone something for them to like you
2-Why can't people be nice to eachother everyday?
3-It's too commercial
4-It's not a happy time for a lot of families & too much stress is put upon visiting etc etc.

If people don't want to partake in the stupidity of christmas then so be it. I hate shopping :mad:

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

And this so-called stress that some people experience before/during Christmas..I'm lost. I've always found Christmas Eve and Christmas Day just lovely and pleasant. Some years, I have hosted my family at my home when I lived in the same city as they.

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Hmm, you must not have had a workaholic father who was the music director/organist/choir director for both the youth and adults, meaning he had extra rehearsals and pageants that time of year. As his child, my only time with him was during these church functions or as a student in his classroom. Add in tyranical grandparents and Xmas was just a joy for everyone in the family. I could go on and on about how Xmas highlights the dysfunction in families.

Did I ever tell you about getting drunk with my MIL one Xmas morning while we waited for my family to sashay themselves over for brunch at least two hours late?

My tip is to move far away from family if necessary to preserve your sanity.

And hug your hubby extra hard.

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Did I ever tell you about getting drunk with my MIL one Xmas morning while we waited for my family to sashay themselves over for brunch at least two hours late?

Sadie Kate that is soooooo funny :D

Now that my kids are older, I am divorced and my Dearest BF died this past year Christmas is how I want it VERY simple.

I only have to get about 6 gifts because I choose to, not because I have to.
no tree - no decorations at home - I am only there to sleep so why bother

I am religious and this is one of the greatest celebrations of Christianity.
I go to church and some amazing concerts.
Christmas day I will go to my mom and dad's, help w/ the meal and enjoy their company. My DD and DS go to their paternal grandparent's

I do always take a drive to look at all the beautiful lights others are so kind to put up for others like me to enjoy.

I am stress free and enjoy the holidays now

There is no rule saying you HAVE to do anything!

I did buy myself a small box of Christmas sugar cookies at the grocery store as a treat. It's the holidays, that means, COOKIES! I used to bake batches and batches of cookies to give out as gifts. I always lump the two together in my brain. So Christmas without cookies just isn't the same.

I still plan to bake some to give to my office mates. Just not a dozen varities.

My tip-DO NOT order anyting online if you have moved this year. So far, one gift has been delivered to my ex husband at my prevoius (out of state) address, another is stranded at ups 'cause they got the apartment number wrong, so my bf has to go pick it up for me. Oh yeah, and it's HIS gift.

Oh! And if you happen to have moved to an apartment, get to know your neighbors so if they accidently get your mail (paycheck) they don't just throw it away!

Do I seem bitter to you?

Tofu: Yike!
How about direct deposit!?

If only! I'm working for a temp agency (happy tp be working at all) and am just happy that they keep me on. I'm also lucky enough not to be homeless while a new check is printed.

I happen to like the holidays. This year is particularly fun, being back home with the whole family, and the best boyfriend ever. I am just so OCD and plan ahead in case things go wrong, I just never ACTUALLY expect them to. And the neighbor? I know stupid isn't a sin, but HELLO!!!!

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Originally Posted by indigoiis

This year, I would love to give them all something small and easy to do.

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How about a Ball jar filled with a tea mix, cocoa mix, or cookie ingredients? You can tie a beautiful decorative tag and place a beautiful ribbon around it. People will enjoy the thoughtful gesture of a homemade gift from you. :cool:

Here's a spiced tea mix that I like:

Spiced Tea Mix Recipe

Ingredients:
1½ cups of orange breakfast drink (like Tang)
¾ cup iced tea mix
1½ cups white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger

~ Makes about 4 cups ~