[redjpwranglergirl]

One of our posters on the tos forum had a good idea about starting a holiday "tips" thread and I'd like to carry it a little further if possible. If anybody thinks this isn't a good idea just let me know and I'll remove it. All of us here are dealing with different illnesses and problems and I'm wondering if we could offer up any hints or ideas that might help others during this upcoming holiday season. As in, how can those of us who are able to do pretty much everything, help others who might need some help? Or, what causes the most problems for each of you and what do you do in order to get around that problem or are there things you just can't do and others do it for you,etc.? I think you know what I'm talking about! For instance, for the most part I'm able to do pretty much what I want to, compared to many on our forum. The only thing I can't do anymore, that has had to go by the wayside, is hang Christmas lights around my roof. Other things that cause me a problem and some pain, but not enough to stop doing it, is wrapping gifts if I try to do them all at once and decorating the tree- I do that in small increments- some one day, more the next, and so on, until I'm finished (I like alot of lights ). I also do most of the cooking, with my husband's help. But, I'm always open to new ideas- especially those that make the lightbulb go off in my head like, "why didn't I think of that?!" Anybody who wants to contribute here please add something! Also, if anybody is interested maybe we could share some recipes that are favorites and not too complicated and expensive to make. And, this one I also need help on- my MIL is in her 70's and has been very ill and has to go into the hosp. every other week to get blood so she's alot weaker than she used to be. She's asked for some small lightweight kitchen appliances because she hasn't got enough strength anymore to lift very much. So, I've already gotten her one of those can openers that's been on TV- that goes around the top of the can- because she can't hold a can up to her other electric can opener. She also wants a jar opener. Does anybody else have any ideas for things that might help in this situation? I know that these things don't sound like "fun" Christmas gifts but this is what she wants and needs.

[Jomar]

I hardly wrap gifts anymore - I go to the Dollar Store and get the gift bags and tissue paper!! drop in the gift fluff the paper and all done.

Plus the gift bags are reuseable.

I really don't like throwing out or burning all that gift wrap every year.
{my parents used to fold the large pieces & save it for the next year}

[redjpwranglergirl]

Originally Posted by jo55

I hardly wrap gifts anymore - I go to the Dollar Store and get the gift bags and tissue paper!! drop in the gift fluff the paper and all done.

Plus the gift bags are reuseable.

I really don't like throwing out or burning all that gift wrap every year.
{my parents used to fold the large pieces & save it for the next year}

No, I don't "wrap" as much as I used to either. I do use alot of bags but sometimes there's things that are too big for bags or that I'd just prefer to wrap. I don't know if "Tuesday Mornings" are all over the country or not but they always have some of the prettiest bags I've ever seen and alot cheaper than alot of places- so does "Marshalls". I've found some really unique Christmas bags there- some very Victorian looking ones. I also get alot of ideas out of "Country Living" or "Country Home" magazines for wrapping and decorating ideas. You can go to Dollar Stores or Walmart,etc. and get cute things to decorate the bags or packages. One year I wrapped alot of stuff in "old-timey" looking wrapping paper and tied a wooden spoon into the top and used it as my "to & from" card- just wrote to so and so, from so and so on the spoon. I've also tied those metal cookie cutters on top of packages, stuck small candy bars on top of packages, used the Sunday comics to wrap a child's gift, and so on. You can get really creative without spending alot of money. Yes, we also reuse the bags- it's a running joke between my DIL and I that we pass the bags back and forth and say that's these are our "community bags"...They still look brand new so why throw them out?

[Jomar]

eeesh -last year we didn't even set a tree up - just placed the gifts in a corner. Daughter set up the decorations and the little 2' tree.

Oh I remember why - we used hubby's week off to redo our bedroom- so that was the priority.

My sis in law always does all these fancy bows and foil wrapping - it looks so pretty.
but I'm more of a bare bones type- LOL

[LisaL-TOS]

Needing good pumpkin pie recipe for diabetics. Daughter, sister and uncle are diabetics and will be together for Thanksgiving. Also butternut squash recipe.

Thanks

[Jomar]

Well one of the first years I made pumpkin pie for the BIG family holiday -- I totally forgot to put in any sugar!
But the crust was very good LOL

Can they use stevia with out any problems?
It's a natural sweetener, but I don't know if it would affect blood sugar levels or not.

[doydie]

Red_____, does your Mom need a 'reacher', sometimes called a 'grabber'. My Mom got some elastic shoe laces when she had her knee replacement. They also gave her a long shoe horn. You just tie your shoes once, take them off without untying them and them put them back on without tying them.

Last year my 25 year old daughter said it was time for the young kids, meaning her generation, to step up and handle the meals. They sometimes ask us for advice, the meals may not taste exactly how we would have made them. But they have to learn. And I love her all the more for offering. My nephew, of her generation, says after diner it's time for all the guys to clean the kitchen. We use real pretty paper plates, have plenty of disposable storage containers available and cleaning is a breeze. We usually stay at the same house all day long so you just bring out leftovers for supper. Turkey or ham sandwiches taste wonderful.

[redjpwranglergirl]

Originally Posted by doydie

Red_____, does your Mom need a 'reacher', sometimes called a 'grabber'. My Mom got some elastic shoe laces when she had her knee replacement. They also gave her a long shoe horn. You just tie your shoes once, take them off without untying them and them put them back on without tying them.

Last year my 25 year old daughter said it was time for the young kids, meaning her generation, to step up and handle the meals. They sometimes ask us for advice, the meals may not taste exactly how we would have made them. But they have to learn. And I love her all the more for offering. My nephew, of her generation, says after diner it's time for all the guys to clean the kitchen. We use real pretty paper plates, have plenty of disposable storage containers available and cleaning is a breeze. We usually stay at the same house all day long so you just bring out leftovers for supper. Turkey or ham sandwiches taste wonderful.

Great ideas, doydie- I think the "grabber" sounds like something she could use. Also, good for the young people for stepping in! Yes, they need to learn. I only have a son, and he'll help if I ask him, but I'm just used to doing it myself....I love my DIL, don't get me wrong, but she was raised "differently" than my son was and isn't used to a family that actually cooks on holidays. My husband is great but his idea of cleaning the kitchen and mine are 2 different things... We've started going the paper plate (heavy Chinet) route too. Of course, paper plates weren't used at holiday dinners when I was growing up but times change, people are busy and overworked, or unable to do alot of dishes at one time, so I say, "why not"?! I'd rather spend as much of my time as possible enjoying the day and my family and that's more important than what we eat off of. We also stay here all day- son, DIL, and gr'son usually go to her grandmother's later in the day but by then, I'm like Boopers- kinda ready for some peace and quiet!