What's everyone doing for the Christmas holiday this year?

I never go out of town. Have always stayed right here at home. This year we're having Christmas dinner on Christmas Day at my house.

I haven't been shopping yet but plan to have ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, white shoepeg corn, fried okra, scalloped potatoes, and corn bread. I'm thinking this may be my last year for cooking. I just don't want to give it up!

Presents are never the main focus of Christmas at my house. We exchange a few with each other but none of us have unlimited funds. Plus, we do things for each other all year long. Since there are no small children (yet) I'd be fine with suspending the gift exchange until there are children to buy for.

What's everyone else doing?

Same as last year. DD & 5 Grands will be coming Chrismas day. I don't cook any more so DD may bring a honey ham or something. We'll have cookies, candy, egg nog and M&R Asti spumanti, supplied by muah.

My house has been bombarded by USPS and UPS, so It looks like a stockroom right now here, but, DD will be over to gather it all up, so that we may wrap them and get them under the tree. MAN, I really wish there was a Santa and all his elves to do all of this.

I love it for the kids, but I'll be glad when all the frivolity is over.

When all of us couple were younger most of us worked in the service industry somewhere. We had 3 ministers and 2 hospital people. So knowing every year you can have Christmas on Christmas day is just impossible. So we have just said it is the next weekend. That was the wives, husbands that us kids have married have always felt free to go to their families for the 25th. and then we know that everybody travels here for Thanksgiving. It has been a plan that has satisfied a lot of families.

So,,,,Christmas is on the 29th. I can't count the times I have bought a lot of my Christmas decorations or gifts in the after Christmas sales. I don't care how far kids leave home I think they like going back to the parents home for Christmas. Then as the family grew and Mom and died died they came to our house. We use our family room, set up 4 big tables and have a nice dinner. After we eat the guys all clean up. I never know what my regrig or dishwasher loooks like but I appreciate it.

So while they are doing that the married women go into our big bedroom downstairs. We are the Secret Society of the Stocking stuffers. We even have initiation rights every time a new women comes into the 'society'. It's a lot of fun. Also it is has become a tradition that the 3rd generation now does the cooking. Of course the first generation, our Mom and Dad are gone but the second generation enjoy looking after the grandkids while knowing all of our kids are upstairs cooking.

Awes, that all sounds so nice.

I need some cheese to go with my whine. I'm having double mastectomy Monday. My DD is having Christmas at her house because of that. I have no idea if ill even feel like going over there. I've told her I won't be making any food.

I try to tell myself the rest of them can have a good day if I don't go, but it just won't be the same. But can I really stand being around the Santa'd up grands, her MIL, and be on pain meds?

Bah! Hum bug

Barb, I sure do hope everything goes well for you.

If it were me, I'd pass on being around all those people so soon after surgery. But, you might just feel like having company by then so just play it by ear. The pain meds can only help, IMO! I think I could have stood my MIL better if I'd had them!

DDs MIL is a pain in everybody's patoot!

Ah, I'll just have to play it by ear. Thanks!b

Barb-

I wish you the best possible outcome and great pain meds. Take things easy so MS doesn't "wake up."

You can make up your mind about Christmas closer to the day. Like that morning.

ANN

We do what most Jews do on xmas. We eat at a chinese restaurant and go see a movie.

Happy Holidays to all.

I dated a nice Jew back in the old days and we went to his Family's home on New years eve. They had a big xmas tree up with presents opened under the tree. Had a sausage, ham and egg breakfast (probably kosher?) Just like in our Irish Catholic home.

I'm working but its all good because I will be on the peds unit and I love the kiddos.

Barb, sending good vibes your way.