Christmas tips!

[Pedal Wench]

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.

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.

[sundial]

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

[indigoiis]

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.

[bmccasland]

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.

[Brandi]

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!

[crazycanuck]

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!

[bmccasland]

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

[shootingstar]

I don't get it . ...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.

[crazycanuck]

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

[SadieKate]

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.

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.

[eclectic]

Quote:

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

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!

[sundial]

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

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.

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 ~