Anything Christmas

[snowbell1]

Let's kick it into this wonderous mode list anything that is of christmas no need for A-Z,,just anything let's get into this festive season. Christmas Tree!:christmastree:

[chocolatechip1979]

Snowman :snowman:

[snowbell1]

Twinklelights.:christmastree:

[chocolatechip1979]

Gingerbread

[snowbell1]

Ornaments.:santa1:

[christmasnut]

Tinsel

[chocolatechip1979]

Fruit Cake

[snowbell1]

Garland.:home:

[chocolatechip1979]

Family

[christmasnut]

Baubles

[chocolatechip1979]

peppermint bark

[christmasnut]

Angels

[chocolatechip1979]

roasted pinenuts

[christmasnut]

Christmas crackers

[chocolatechip1979]

Holiday Greetings

[snowbell1]

Candycanes.

[chocolatechip1979]

Holly Hugs

[snowbell1]

Wreath making.:christmastree:

[chocolatechip1979]

Hot cocoa :)

[snowbell1]

Hollyberries.

[chocolatechip1979]

cookie exchange

[snowbell1]

Poinsettia flowers.:christmastree:

[chocolatechip1979]

Peppermint tea

[wstaple]

Candy canes

[chocolatechip1979]

Holiday Stockings

[ornamentmaven]

Mistletoe:christmastree:

[chocolatechip1979]

Christmas socks

[snowbell1]

Evergreen kissing balls.

[chocolatechip1979]

Ugly Christmas sweathers

[snowbell1]

Ribbon candy.

[chocolatechip1979]

Snowflakes

[wstaple]

That feeling when you wake up on Christmas morning.....:home:

[chocolatechip1979]

Gingerbread House

[snowbell1]

Balsam candle burning.:christmastree:

[chocolatechip1979]

Snowflake Wishes

[snowbell1]

Roasting chestnuts.

[chocolatechip1979]

Peppermint Smores

[snowbell1]

Flavored Candycanes.

[chocolatechip1979]

Berry Christmas Sangria

[snowbell1]

​Bells{church bells,carol of the bells}

[chocolatechip1979]

Douglas Fir scented candles

[snowbell1]

​Mistletoe.

[chocolatechip1979]

Poinsettias

[snowbell1]

Sleighrides.

[ornamentmaven]

Carolling

[wstaple]

Christmas candles in the window

[snowbell1]

:christmastree:Gingerbread men cookies baking.

[ornamentmaven]

Gingerbread houses!:gingerhouse:

[wstaple]

Stockings hung on the mantle, just over a roaring fire in the fireplace.

[ornamentmaven]

Outside light displays

[snowbell1]

​Stringing up garland.

[chocolatechip1979]

Christmas tea

[wstaple]

Caroling in the snow.....:carols:

[ornamentmaven]

Santa Motionette

[snowbell1]

​Christmas fudge.

[ornamentmaven]

Holly berries

[chocolatechip1979]

Gingerbread muffins

[ornamentmaven]

Yule log

[olga]

Gluhwein!!

[Papa_Christmas]

Bourbon on the rocks !!!

[chocolatechip1979]

Homemade ornaments

[olga]

Wrapping presents ��

[snowbell1]

Singing christmas songs.

[chocolatechip1979]

Fuzzy holiday socks

[snowbell1]

Christmas Quilt.

[snowbell1]

Letters to santa.

[snowbell1]

Popcorn garland.

[chocolatechip1979]

Sugar cookie tea :elf3:

[snowbell1]

​Hot Coco cookies.

[chocolatechip1979]

Glitzy Reindeer Ornaments

[chocolatechip1979]

Snowmen cookie jars

[snowbell1]

​Santa inflatable.

[chocolatechip1979]

Christmas crafting

[chocolatechip1979]

Christmas in July

[snowbell1]

:christmastree:Salt dough ornaments [making]

[chocolatechip1979]

Peppermints sticks and Elf kisses

[snowbell1]

:christmastree:Blue Spruce Christmas Tree.

[chocolatechip1979]

Debbie Mumm Snowman collection

[snowbell1]

Victorian Singing Carol Stroll.

[chocolatechip1979]

Reindeer fuzzy socks

[lizziesnow123]

Christmas tree:christmastree:-
I actually realized next month is the time we can tag a tree...I'm looking forward to it..

[chocolatechip1979]

Secret Santa exchange

[Bishop1954]

Hallmark Christmas movies... :treedance:

[Mistletoe]

Victorian Singing Carol Stroll.
How charming!:carols:

[Mistletoe]

Christmas tree:christmastree:-
I actually realized next month is the time we can tag a tree...I'm looking forward to it..
I used to love tagging a Christmas tree! The farm that we went to, went out of business and no one around here does it anymore. It was nice going in September when the weather was still pleasant and you could stroll comfortably around, getting into the Christmas spirit early! I miss it!

[Mistletoe]

Midnight Mass

[chocolatechip1979]

Candy cane spoons for hot cocoa stirring.

[Mistletoe]

incandescent C7 string lights- so nostalgic for me (I wish they wouldn't get so hot!)

[Bishop1954]

incandescent C7 string lights- so nostalgic for me (I wish they wouldn't get so hot!)

I'll go along with that, in fact I even found a site to buy the old 'twinkle' style bulbs... :reindeer2:

[Mistletoe]

I'll go along with that, in fact I even found a site to buy the old 'twinkle' style bulbs... :reindeer2:
Yes...we had them scattered throughout our tree growing up and they put such pretty shadows on the ceiling when you sat in the dark with it on. :::sigh:::

[Bishop1954]

Yes...we had them scattered throughout our tree growing up and they put such pretty shadows on the ceiling when you sat in the dark with it on. :::sigh:::

Yes, that was fun. I even took it one step further when I was younger and would lay under the tree watching the show... till the packages got in the way... lol :santa1:

[Mistletoe]

Yes, that was fun. I even took it one step further when I was younger and would lay under the tree watching the show... till the packages got in the way... lol :santa1:
I wonder why I never thought of lying under it...that would have been nice to see. :christmastree:

[chocolatechip1979]

Family gathering

[Bishop1954]

Coffee and pastry on Christmas morning... :reindeer2:

[snowbell1]

Peeling oranges and cracking nuts on christmas day.

[Mistletoe]

Advent wreath

https://ak.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/1016104918/thumb/1.jpg?ip=x480

[chocolatechip1979]

Ornament making

[Mistletoe]

Christmas creche

[Bishop1954]

Coming up with new ideas for the Christmas yard display... :santa1:

[Mistletoe]

Getting sap all over my hands from putting up the Christmas tree. Ahhh...what a scent... :christmastree:

[Bishop1954]

Getting a head start on my Christmas cards... :elf3:

[chocolatechip1979]

Christmas calories don't count

[Mistletoe]

Going on a walk around the block in the snow to see everyone's Christmas lights (assuming I can have snow in December :p)

[Bishop1954]

Lights on the roof and above the split level overhang are already up. Got to make use of this warm week... lol :elf3:

[Mistletoe]

Lights on the roof and above the split level overhang are already up. Got to make use of this warm week... lol :elf3:
Me too! Putting my outdoor lights up tomorrow! :christmastree:

[Mistletoe]

In one of my favorite Christmas books- Old Christmas by Washington Irving- carolers went around the house on Christmas Eve singing under each window. That would be a heavenly way to drift off to sleep :::sigh::: :carols:

[Bishop1954]

In one of my favorite Christmas books- Old Christmas by Washington Irving- carolers went around the house on Christmas Eve singing under each window. That would be a heavenly way to drift off to sleep :::sigh::: :carols:

I agree. I kind of miss Carolers... :xmascandycane:

[chocolatechip1979]

Ugly Christmas sweaters

[Mistletoe]

When the main streets used to be all decorated for Christmas each year. Not a wreath here and there, but REALLY decorated.

[Bishop1954]

When the main streets used to be all decorated for Christmas each year. Not a wreath here and there, but REALLY decorated.

Amen. Our downtown area does go a lot further and now it trails over to the main park, which is all lit up for the season. Including most of the trees... :elf3:

[Mistletoe]

Amen. Our downtown area does go a lot further and now it trails over to the main park, which is all lit up for the season. Including most of the trees... :elf3:
Must be nice! I'm thinking the Christmas decorations in our town indicate a severe lack of Christmas Spirit. Booo!

[Bishop1954]

Yes, it really is a shame to see these days. It seems everyone wants people to accept who and what they are without complaint or negative opinion, but they can say that such conduct needs to stop when it represents anything that can be taken in a religious fashion. :santasmile:

[chocolatechip1979]

Santa nesting dolls

[Mistletoe]

Trying so hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve (I think I counted sheep to one million).

[chocolatechip1979]

Welcoming new family and friends to your holiday traditions.

[Bishop1954]

Doing something very unexpected for another at Christmas... :santasmile:

[Mistletoe]

In France & England Christmas dinner lasted as long as the Yule candle burned (it was so huge, holes had to be chiseled in the stone floors as holders).

[Bishop1954]

A pot of coffee, some warm orange rolls and a relaxing day watching Hallmark holiday movies... :gelf:

[Mistletoe]

Reading 'A Christmas Carol' again, to inspire myself.

[Bishop1954]

Napping in the living room and waking to Christmas lights... :home:

[Mistletoe]

Periodically stopping throughout the day, to just absorb the Christmas atmosphere.

[Bishop1954]

My Christmas desire this year is to be totally done by this Saturday and then spend the last week immersed in the joy of the season... :presents1:

[Bishop1954]

Old-fashioned C7 twinkle lights... :christmastree:

[Mistletoe]

Main streets decorated and lit with Christmas decorations. :xmascandycane:

[Bishop1954]

Waiting for CIJ when Hobby Lobby starts putting out their Christmas stuff... :dizzy:

[lizziesnow123]

I know it may be a bit early but I have been buying some items for my homemade recipe jars. I think that's what you would call them. They would have the dry ingredients in the jars, and a tag with the written wet ingredients to place in for the person receiving it...I have already gotten mason jars, tags, fabric for sewing the bags to place them in with ribbon. I only mention this and started buying items so come close to Christmas I won't be scrambling to find items I need....i will actually be able to make these with out being in a hurry...lol I notice my family loves to bake and thought this would be a nice family idea for them, and a enjoyable craft for my self to put together...I also got yarn on sale and am doing some blankets as gifts....:waving:
Anyone else thought of doing anything homemade for gifts...:home:

[Bishop1954]

I wish I was a bit more on the "crafty" side. But I do shop early as well and during the year, if I see something that I know would be a nice gift (or stocking stuffer), I pick it up and have a special place to store them... :presents1:

[lizziesnow123]

Yes, I think its a great Christmassy idea to pick up early gifts that might be on sale or you just happen to come by for a certain person...it puts me in a good mood...:snowman:

[Bishop1954]

Yes indeed. Nothing comes close to that feeling of Christmas anytime of the year... :santahat:

[Mistletoe]

I know it may be a bit early but I have been buying some items for my homemade recipe jars. I think that's what you would call them. They would have the dry ingredients in the jars, and a tag with the written wet ingredients to place in for the person receiving it...I have already gotten mason jars, tags, fabric for sewing the bags to place them in with ribbon. I only mention this and started buying items so come close to Christmas I won't be scrambling to find items I need....i will actually be able to make these with out being in a hurry...lol I notice my family loves to bake and thought this would be a nice family idea for them, and a enjoyable craft for my self to put together...I also got yarn on sale and am doing some blankets as gifts....:waving:
Anyone else thought of doing anything homemade for gifts...:home:
Those jars are a nice idea and sound like they will look festive when you're done with them. I unfortunately can't start early this year, as I don't know how we'll be celebrating. Last year it was decided not to exchange gifts (not even stockings). :eek: I tried to enjoy it despite that, but I have to say it lost something for me. Even though I can get stressed trying to find the right gift for everyone, I like Christmas shopping and wrapping- it's part of the whole holiday experience for me (more than I realized).

I have looked into homemade gifts here and there, but I'm like Bishop- not super crafty (wish I were). I'm still thinking about it, though. I had been tossing around the idea of making tonic wines for people (I'm into herbal/Chinese medicine) and dressing them up, but haven't researched that enough yet. I would love to get gifts ready, or at least partially ready, in the summer- extending the holiday season and like you said, not having to hurry!

I hope you have fun making your gifts Lizzie! :presents2:

[Bishop1954]

Have not started yet, but I decided to give those plastic containers for lunch meat a new home and am decorating them to fill with cookies, candy, fudge, etc... :home:

[Mistletoe]

Have not started yet, but I decided to give those plastic containers for lunch meat a new home and am decorating them to fill with cookies, candy, fudge, etc... :home: That's different. My mind just doesn't come up with things like that.

[Bishop1954]

Well, it was something I thought up as the "recycle" people are getting tighter on which plastic items you can actually recycle... :xmaswink:

[Mistletoe]

Well, it was something I thought up as the "recycle" people are getting tighter on which plastic items you can actually recycle... :xmaswink:
That's funny, I was just thinking the other day how restrictive it used to be with what plastics you could recycle. Now, pretty much anything goes. I wonder if things will change back here...

[Bishop1954]

Walking through Hobby Lobby now that a lot of the Christmas is up. I asked my wife if she noticed anything different about the store versus others this time of year. She said, "No. What is different?". I asked her to look around... no Halloween stuff. :waving:

[Mistletoe]

Walking through Hobby Lobby now that a lot of the Christmas is up. I asked my wife if she noticed anything different about the store versus others this time of year. She said, "No. What is different?". I asked her to look around... no Halloween stuff. :waving:
Wow- just looked that up. I don't see too many businesses passing up profit for religious beliefs. Good for them.

[Bishop1954]

Indeed. Even to the point of being closed on Sundays and most holidays... :home:

[Mistletoe]

Speaking of stores having Christmas things up, ours are mostly empty- Target, Michaels... and it's November! Like I mean 7 different items and tons of empty shelves.

[Bishop1954]

Sorry to hear that. Ours here in Sioux Falls are looking good, especially Hobby Lobby. :christmastree:

[Mistletoe]

In Victorian times it was tradition to put a tree up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Putting it up any earlier was considered bad luck. :christmastree:

[Bishop1954]

In Victorian times it was tradition to put a tree up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Putting it up any earlier was considered bad luck. :christmastree:

Probably why Victorian times did not last... lol. :merrychristmas:

[Mistletoe]

The craft making that mine and my friend's mother would do together in the fall, making things for the holiday bazaar at our school. I loved that something Christmassy was going on!

[Bishop1954]

I should get more into Christmas crafts. Maybe a good time to plan for it is now... lol :gingerhouse:

[Mistletoe]

I should get more into Christmas crafts. Maybe a good time to plan for it is now... lol :gingerhouse:
I was thinking the same thing. I felt like I wanted to do one this past December, but couldn't decide what. I plan to have one ready in advance for this coming Christmas. :santa-smiley:

[Bishop1954]

One really good thing about the internet. Great ideas and if you can't find it locally, then shop online... lol :dizzy:

[chocolatechip1979]

Family and Friends. Christmas is just tht more special when someone is hugging you back.

[Bishop1954]

I agree. Especially when someone travels from a far place to be there... :hopxmas:

[chocolatechip1979]

Fresh gingerbread... Great anytime of the year and puts you in the mood for a great Hallmark movie..

[Mistletoe]

Fresh gingerbread... Great anytime of the year and puts you in the mood for a great Hallmark movie..
Would that be in cookie form or bread form, because I really could go for a bread form right about now... :christmasdinner:

[chocolatechip1979]

Would that be in cookie form or bread form, because I really could go for a bread form right about now... :christmasdinner:

bread all the way. the house smells so good for about a week. This is the recipe I use.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7322/favorite-old-fashioned-gingerbread/

[Bishop1954]

Then bread it is. Especially since I still have 50 Hallmark Christmas movies on my DVR... lol :waving:

[Mistletoe]

bread all the way. the house smells so good for about a week. This is the recipe I use.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7322/favorite-old-fashioned-gingerbread/

Mmmm...thanks!

[Bishop1954]

I'll have to give that a try as well. I usually use a box mix... :home:

[chocolatechip1979]

A Warm Hug :hopxmas:

[Bishop1954]

I like that. Add a mug of cocoa... :elf3:

[Mistletoe]

A live manger scene. I haven't seen one in a long time...

[Bishop1954]

That would be cool. But one day, I'm headed up to Bronner's to see what a $1500 (each piece) manger scene looks like... :xmaswink:

[Mistletoe]

That would be cool. But one day, I'm headed up to Bronner's to see what a $1500 (each piece) manger scene looks like... :xmaswink:
I tried to see what that looked like, but it didn't come up for me. It must be life-sized... That would be for a serious enthusiast!

[Bishop1954]

Thinking about a yard display for CIJ... Maybe a partially melted snowman? lol... :elf3:

[Mistletoe]

Thinking about a yard display for CIJ... Maybe a partially melted snowman? lol... :elf3:
Haha! That's great!

[Bishop1954]

Getting my tree dusted today and ready to decorate. Roof lights and a wreath above the door will be reconnected for the season... :reindeer2:

[Mistletoe]

Getting my tree dusted today and ready to decorate. Roof lights and a wreath above the door will be reconnected for the season... :reindeer2:
Do your neighbors ever comment on your CIJ decorations?

[Mistletoe]

Snowfall on Christmas Eve- it doesn't have to stick (so people can travel and we don't have to shovel), but a nice amount to really get us in the mood! :angel:

[Bishop1954]

Do your neighbors ever comment on your CIJ decorations?

Not so far anyway... lol :home:

[Bishop1954]

Classic Christmas Carols being sung by those who made them famous... i.e., White Christmas by Bing Crosby, The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole, The most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams... etc :carols:

[Elf_Erv]

Christmas Cookie Coffee Creamer :merrychristmas:

[Bishop1954]

Hallmark's "Countdown to Christmas" begins tomorrow!!! :snowman:

[Elf_Erv]

saw fruit cakes at the grocery store today :elf1:

[Bishop1954]

Part of the Wal-Mart seasonal candy isle has already pushed the remaining Halloween candy together and have started putting out Christmas candy... :tree:

[Mistletoe]

Hallmark's "Countdown to Christmas" begins tomorrow!!! :snowman:
I've been watching them!

[Bishop1954]

Same here. I record a few when I am at work, but usually just keep them on while I am decorating (which has already begun)... :santa:

[Mistletoe]

Turning on to your street and seeing it all lit up with lights. :christmastree:

[Bishop1954]

That rare occasion where it is actually snowing on Christmas Eve, not just laying on the ground... :snowing:

[Glossit]

Anything else ?

[Mistletoe]

That rare occasion where it is actually snowing on Christmas Eve, not just laying on the ground... :snowing:
It's so festive.

The Staples delivery man at my work is a big, burly, formidable looking guy. Today he was wearing a sweater with a reindeer coming out the front and the back of it, and a necklace of lights. :elf1:

[Bishop1954]

It's so festive.

The Staples delivery man at my work is a big, burly, formidable looking guy. Today he was wearing a sweater with a reindeer coming out the front and the back of it, and a necklace of lights. :elf1:

Very cool and guess what? They are now calling for snow late Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The Lord listens to even the smallest prayer... :my lord:

[Mistletoe]

Very cool and guess what? They are now calling for snow late Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The Lord listens to even the smallest prayer... :my lord:
How nice! Did you actually get it?
We haven't seen a flake anywhere. We usually get at least a dusting mid-month. And now a lot of the neighborhood has taken down their lights. :crying:
I'm praying that there will be SOME before we take our outdoor lights down in another week or so. :my lord:

[Bishop1954]

Got some sleet, which gave the appearance of snow, but the fluffy white stuff went to the west of Sioux Falls. Oh well, there is always next year... :home:

[Mistletoe]

We did end up getting some snow two days before I was going to shut my outdoor lights off, so I ended up leaving them lit for another week. :gelf:

[Mistletoe]

Real Christmas trees and the uniqueness of each, even though they're not perfectly formed. :christmastree:

[Bishop1954]

Taking down the interior Christmas decorations (except for my office)... :waving:

[Mistletoe]

I took the big trees and the interior Christmas decor down on 1/16, while I was home on a snow day (listening to Christmas music :snowman:). It was early for me, but I was feeling a mild stress at the back of my mind that I was going to have to do it soon, so I just decided to do it. I decorated for winter with white lights, snowflakes and evergreens, leaving up most of my mini trees (that didn't have red on them). It helps me transition from Christmas, since it's so difficult to say goodbye to all the cheery decor! :crying:
I'll be taking down my candles in the windows this Fri 2/2.

[Bishop1954]

I took the big trees and the interior Christmas decor down on 1/16, while I was home on a snow day (listening to Christmas music :snowman:). It was early for me, but I was feeling a mild stress at the back of my mind that I was going to have to do it soon, so I just decided to do it. I decorated for winter with white lights, snowflakes and evergreens, leaving up most of my mini trees (that didn't have red on them). It helps me transition from Christmas, since it's so difficult to say goodbye to all the cheery decor! :crying:
I'll be taking down my candles in the windows this Fri 2/2.

I finished the remainder of the decor removal yesterday. However, my office is decorated year round... :reindeer2:

[Mistletoe]

I finished the remainder of the decor removal yesterday. However, my office is decorated year round... :reindeer2:
Do you decorate your office for any of the other holidays, or is that room just Christmas?

[Bishop1954]

Do you decorate your office for any of the other holidays, or is that room just Christmas?

Office is just Christmas, but other portions of the house (especially the Harry Potter library) to get slight makeovers for other holidays... i.e. St Patrick's Day, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc... :yahoo:

[Mistletoe]

Your office is a little soothing time capsule. :home:

[Bishop1954]

Yes or as I refer to it, my Christmas Sanctuary... :reindeer2: