| Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:41 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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poniepower
Posts: 1,733
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When do you start putting up your Christmas decorations? Your tree...etc
Some people start before Thanksgiving, having Christmas and Thanksgiving together, some wait.....How long do you wait, or not? Do you have a tradition when it comes to decorating?
When I moved out at 17 y/o and was "finally" on my own, I started my own tradition to put them up the day after Thanksgiving. Granted, I didn't have alot at 17 y /o but they've accumulated...LOL I was never done that day after, but I had a good start on it......
I'll admit, I've slipped the past couple years. One year I didn't even get the tree up.
I'm taking Jason's tree out tomorrow and hanging it up. He gets a new ornament on his tree and the tree here at the house.
I have ALWAYS let the kids put up their own ornaments on the tree. Every year!! Even Jadyn put up his last year and his Uncle Jason's last year.
My apt is too small now for all my decorations and big tree, but I think I'll get "in the spirit" again and try to get a few things up tomorrow. I know my tree won't fit, it's 7 foot tall, and huge around the base, but I might be able to get the other one up, which is 6' tall and much thinner. I don't want to take my pictures down, but with all my Christmas decorations, some will have to come down.
I have tree ornaments for all 5 of the kids since they were babies. You figure my oldest is 21 y/o LOL there's 21 right there  add another 20, 17, 16 and 14...my tree is pretty full!! Not including the ones my kids have made me in school and some of my favorite ones. Also the ones of my son in laws also, and the cats... Yeah, full tree...lol
In 2006, my tree fell over several times because of the weight of the ornaments on the side facing the living room I know in my heart it was Jason showing his presence, acting like his normal silly joke playing self....the lil turd.
It fell last yr too! My 17 y/o daughter was always coming to the rescue when it'd fall...her and my son in law from India ended up wiring it to a cold air vent in the house!
Lets see if my grandson can rearrange them all like his other Aunts tree over at his other gramma's.
His gramma and i were on cam the other night talking and I could hear his Auntie M. yelling, "Jadyn, bring my decorations back here and put them back on my tree!"
I guess he's got the whole bottom of the tree bare....Too cute!!
Ok, after today, it's "holiday spirit" for me, hopefully   
[Edited on 11/27/2008 1:04 PM]
[Edited on 11/27/2008 1:05 PM]
[Edited on 11/27/2008 1:10 PM]
[Edited on 11/27/2008 1:12 PM]
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:59 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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Jalon
Posts: 1,611
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Growing up, Thanksgiving weekend was when the house was "Christmasified." Frankly, it was waaaaaaay too much decorating! My tastes are much smaller in scale and I usually put my little tree up 2 weeks before Christmas. I bought a new tree this year and I did pull it out of the box today to see how it looked. It's a 3 foot tree, but I chopped 6" off the base. It'll probably sit on my mantle for another 10 days before I decorate it. 
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 1:15 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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poniepower
Posts: 1,733
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Awww Jalon....sounds cute..I'd read in another thread you'd cut the base of it down....that's funny!! LOL
I have to figure out where to put my tree...have alot of rearranging to do before anything goes up
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 6:35 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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last_time
Posts: 42
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All us kids decorate my parents house....and we try to get it done before the first snow fall. We love decorating to keep up with the neightbors
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 7:42 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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poniepower
Posts: 1,733
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LOL last....that's funny!!
I told my kids today at supper I was getting the Christmas things out of storage and they looked at me like I'd lost my head or something
I think they know I'm doing a little better now! 
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 8:22 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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signme
Posts: 12,586
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I put my stuff out and up the week end after Thanksgiving. I have a small 3 foot tree that stands on a small table. All the ornaments are cat ornaments--I have neough for a 6 ft tree! Right now I have 6 stuffed turkeys and one pumpkin candle out, so have to put those away. I may not get my outside lights up this week end but they'll be up by the end of next week end for sure.
I love the holidays! I have at least one tub filled with decorations for each holiday. Of course for Christmas, there's at least a half dozen tubs plus other stuff loose in the closet.
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 8:26 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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wiccked
Posts: 12,300
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i am Scrooge- Bah, humbug!!!!!  just kidding!!  hi, sign! 
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 8:39 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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Hey Wiccked - good to see ya!
I left most of the Christmas stuff back in NY to be shipped later, but there was a failure to communicate and it never happened, so I've very much downscaled...which is probably a good thing with a couple of dogs added to the family. I'm from one of those traditional families - mom and dad actually did all the tree trimming on Christmas Eve, but as bro and I got older it was moved to about a week before Christmas (usually my birthday, the 16th). Dad was German-born, and definitely a frustrated elf - we had Santa and his sleigh and the reindeer on the roof, plus lights on the tree next to the house, which was about 50 feet tall. No mistaking the season at our house! Hmmmmmm...I wonder if I can decorate the saguaro cactus? It's probably 30 feet....guess I'd need a cherry picker to do that, not to mention armor!
This year I'll probably start this coming weekend, I already have some of it out and ready to go up...four foot tree that goes on a card table next to the fireplace in the living room, Santa and another tree that go outside in front of the house...after that though, it's lights everywhere, inside and out, front and back.
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 9:12 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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signme
Posts: 12,586
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Hey Wiccked! good to see you!
I have tons of Christmas stuff, but 2 years ago I really went through it all and weeded out what I didn't want anymore. I have several fiber optics I put out--a Santa, a poinsettia and I can't remember what the other one is! LOL (blonde, senior moment!)
I do have a village I used to put on the mantle, but then I started collecting Christmas trees (6-8 inches tall) and put those on the mantle now. Last year I got a new nativity scene, all cats! It's so cute but I need a manger for it and can't find one that fits.
I love to have lights all over my house. I string them everywhere I can. Then I can put on a Christmas dvd and turn the regular lights out and just have the movie and Christmas lights on. I have a tree that hangs from the wall, unless I put my singing cat wreath up there!
Are you seeing a pattern here yet? Cat ornaments, cat nativity, cat wreath!
One year, I wired up my Christmas tree so the cats couldn't pull it down. Well the tree stayed up but I have no idea where the wire went!  The cats I have now are pretty good about leaving everything alone.
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 9:40 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,628
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This year we will wait til after the 15th to put a tree up. We decided to get a real one for the first time. We have hard wood floors so no mess from the needles sticking in the carpet.
I still have many ornaments that my sons made when they were in school, and a few from my Grandma, and my mom.
Christmas in the Cuban household goes on until the 6th of January too.!!!
One of the traditions I caried on to my sons was opening one gift Christmas eve.
Lol, after a few years, they realized it was always pajama's. Makes the pictures the next morning nice,,
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 10:12 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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poniepower
Posts: 1,733
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When the kids started getting a little older, I changed the colored lights on the tree to white lights. I think they're prettier, I don't know why. The colored ones make it look so fake. To me, it takes the meaning out of Christmas, but that's JMO.
When Jadyn was born and I was putting up the tree in 07, the kids asked if we could put up colored lights for Jadyn. Of course i'd told them yes. So, we're back to colored lights on the tree now.
If you go camping and have Christmas lights that no longer work. They're BEAUTIFUL in a campfire  They give off all sorts of colored gorgeous flames. Like I said, beautiful!!
One of the traditions I caried on to my sons was opening one gift Christmas eve.
We used to let the kids open one gift Christmas Eve afternoon also, Katts. It was always new clothing, because Christmas Evening we'd go to my x husbands Gramma's house. She passed away though and so did the tradition in 2000 
I would like to start some new traditions, but don't know what ones yet.
My youngest daughter wanted to start one tonight...Going out to the cemetary Thanksgiving Evening to share our day with Jason. When she told me, I almost stopped in my tracks. My 2nd to oldest daughter said, "Mom, don't you start crying". I didn't of course. I thought it was a GREAT IDEA!!  But, she never got out there this evening before she had to go to work.
We'll be going out tomorrow, like the past couple years the day after Thanksgiving though.
I think His tree out at the cemetary is a cute tradition. I also think the kids going out Thanksgiving night is a great idea for tradition too!!
Does anyone else have any ideas for traditions to start with grandchildren. I want to start one with Jadyn and Adrian, even though Adrian doesn't live here. I think putting the candy canes and Uncle Jason's decorations on the tree is a start of a nice tradition for the grandchildren....Any thoughts????
Thanks in Advance My Friends,
Jini
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| Nov 27, 2008 @ 11:49 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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Jalon
Posts: 1,611
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Does anyone else have any ideas for traditions to start with grandchildren
The pickle ornament! It's supposedly a tradition of German origin, but you hide the pickle ornament inside the branches of the tree. Whoever discovers the pickle first gets an extra little present...my mother usually gave Chapstick. 
Get your pickle here!
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| Nov 28, 2008 @ 12:02 AM |
Christmas decorations........
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missliss78
Posts: 5,196
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If I don't start my decorating tomorrow, I will definitely start Saturday.
I may still be too exhausted tomorrow from Thanksgiving.
Growing up, we never put our tree up until after my sister's birthday which was December 13th.
By the time Christmas rolls around now, I'm ready to get all that stuff packed back up & outta my way!
Although I don't have grandkids, I do have 2 great nieces....7 & 4 years old. In addition to their other presents, I always make up a stocking (or whatever) full of little fun stuff for them. I always buy lots of trinkets with their names on it (i.e. zipper pulls, magnets, etc)...kids love stuff with their names on it! By the time Christmas gets here, the stockings will be full of all sorts of fun little stuff they love.
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| Nov 28, 2008 @ 1:13 AM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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poniepower
Posts: 1,733
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Jalon, I'd never heard of the Pickle Ornament. And to think I've alot of German in me also. Hmmm, I can't believe my grandparents never mentioned this to us. I'll have to ask my Mom about it this w/e when I go over there. She may remember something about it.
I have seen decorations and ornaments very similar to the ones on that page though, in the Dollar Store. I thought it was odd that someone would want to put pickles on a Christmas tree, but now I know!! Oh, and the mini decorations, I have Jason's tree full of them. I also put the tiny candy canes on his tree for the cemetary. It's quite a cute little tree. I'll get some pics up and see if they'll let me post them ( for the Christmas holiday ) tomorrow before I take it out to hang it up.
I think it's a cute idea for the grandkids!
Miss, By the time Christmas gets here I'm ready to put it all away too. That's the bummer about putting it out so early, or the lights burning out and having to change them  Ugh!!
I do change things around a little bit though, if I see it's getting in the way, or boring. Thanks hon!!
The stockings are also a great idea, but they have the stockings up already, all of my kids do, son in laws, and grandchildren. It would be pretty cute though to put a "little extra" in my grandson's though, since the older kids only get a lump of coal in theirs I'm kidding...LOL The truth is, we only use the stockings as decorations now. Haven't used them and filled them since my babies were babies.
Guess I better start picking things up throughout the next month for their stockings, huh....hehe
Both very good ideas! Thanks. 
I also will be asking Luvvy if we can put the Christmas lights in the campfire for the camping trip in May. I have tons of them in a box in the garage at the house...
[Edited on 11/28/2008 1:19 AM]
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| Nov 29, 2008 @ 2:18 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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CrackerJackPat
Posts: 794
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Tomorrow the outside lights will get put up -- I TRUST. Furniture will get moved around and the artificial tree will come in.
When the kids were little with did the colored lights and all homemade ornaments to avoid breakage. When they got old enough to handle glass ornaments, we went back to the white & glass (or acrylic ) tree tree I did when I was rich & single. the only color we use is a strand of red beads. (and maybe some silver).
We didn't use to put the tree up until after the 10th as we always had a real tree. A few years ago we went to an artificial tree as it's easier to handle and lasts longer.
We don't try to do it all in one day anymore.
Here's a system I've developed. For one thing I don't like jamming Christmas right on top of Thanksgiving nor do I like carrying Christmas into the New Year, but I like the lights (white ones only) through the holidays. It just adds so much to the festivities. Before New Year's Eve - I clear all of the "red" out of the house. Christmas is gone and what is left are "winter" decorations, which I'm allowed to keep up and enjoy. By the same token - early decorating is allowed as long as it's white. (If company we rarely see is here for Thanksgiving, but not Christmas.)
When it's an all white & glass tree, the ornaments have to be stategically & artistically placed. "Picture perfect" it is. When it's a homemade tree and little ones decorating it.... for the most part... it's the kids' tree. (I admit I may move an ornament or two to balance things out.)
I love decorating for Christmas.
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| Nov 29, 2008 @ 3:56 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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sweet5red
Posts: 9,706
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last year i was alone and single and put up my tiny prelighted tree.. the gifts i bought were walmart gift cards for my kids.. now i have 4 kids with raymonds 2 boys ( although they are grown) im buying the same but 4 walmart gift cards........ dont know about the tree.. and stuff.. Swee t N Louisiana
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| Nov 29, 2008 @ 5:18 PM |
Christmas decorations........
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CHARLIgurl1
Posts: 700
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I think any time in December is good, as it is the Christmas month.
Stores of course put theirs up much earlier, but that is to premote sales.
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| Nov 29, 2008 @ 5:41 PM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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redhairNfreckles
Posts: 4,694
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Usually, my Christmas tree would go up sometime during the first week of December and stay up until the first week in January. This year will be different, by necessity, not choice. Until that new utility room is finished, I have absolutely, positively, NO room to put up a tree. Every room is filled with...stuff. My stuff, my late parent's stuff, my late sister's stuff, a small farmhouse holding all my stuff and all the stuff from a 2000 sq. ft. house where my late family lived. I have stuff here in the house, stuff in my barn loft (which used to hold 300+ bales of hay), and the rest of the stuff is in a 8' x 10' rented POD in the front of my house. I can't finish unpacking these darn storage boxes until I have some place to put stuff. Sooooo, no tree or decorations this year. Too much stuff......so Santa, please don't bring me any more stuff! 
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| Nov 30, 2008 @ 9:14 AM |
Christmas decorations........
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luvmycats
Posts: 10,208
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I just seen this thread Ponie. Hummm... could it be because I have been so busy putting up Christmas decorations to be here??? I love decorating, and so does Duvvy. Last week end, we built a sleigh and 9 reindeer. OMG, we though it was going to be so EASY! It was until the painting started... and kept going, and going. Three coats of paint on everything later... and its up! (I will get some pics later today. I so wish I had a camera that would take some at night.)
Before I moved down here, I asked him how many of my decorations he wanted me to bring. He said ALL of them! We have his mini lights all along the top of the fence, and down both sides, also around the gates in the drive way with lighted wreaths. We have the bigger ones along the bottom of the fence. The front awings have ice cycle lights, and chasing lights on the windows. We ran minis all around the grist mill, and down the crick. White icecycle lights around the den window. The sleigh has red lights all around it, and the reindeer reins have white ones with red garland. UNDER the reindeer are the white net ones. It looks like they came flying in on star dust. (Duvvy says so) There was a kinda dark spot behind Santa's Sliegh, so I had 6 strands of the colored ice cycle lights left, and we built a tree with them last night behind it. We also have little white arches framing the sidewalk. I hung those great big ornaments on the kumquat tree, and Duvvy wrapped red and silver garland around my little maple trees.
(I think thats it) 
YEP, we are supporting Florida Power and Light! It does look awesome, and we have had so many people stopping to look and telling us how good it looks. We have both always dreamed of having a house all decked out like this, now we have someone that also wants to do it, and is willing to work to achive it!
We love Christmas!
Ponie, I also always bought my kids at least one ornament every year. When they got out on their own, they had enough to decorate a small tree. (I still have my sons) He said being a college student, he might loose some of them, "So could you hang on to them for me Mom?" After using so many outside, I may have to borrown the lights I gave him for the inside tree. We found about 8 strings that don't work this year. I got a couple to work, but still have to fiddle with the others.
LIke you Red, the inside of the house is still such a mess, I'm still finding places to "absorb" my stuff. I only have a few boxes left in the dining room to unpack, but I have the front room torn apart to paint. (just have to stay in the house long enough to do it)
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| Nov 30, 2008 @ 9:31 AM |
Christmas decorations........ |
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JenRNinOhio
Posts: 4,161
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I had my boys drag up all the boxes from the basement yesterday.
And there they all sit in the living room.
I will hopefully start this evening ...putting up the 2 artificial trees.
The family room tree is the traditional family / kid tree with hand made, school project, and other memory ornaments ... Like the *First Born* ornament I received in 1977 when my daughter was born ...Multi-color lights ... Placed near the fireplace where the stockings are hung ...
The other tree goes in front of the big living room window and I somehow morph into this "Home & Garden" or "House Beautiful" Martha Stewart kind of character ... I have No Friggin' Idea how this happens!!
But all of a sudden I am this A-Type, anal rentive, perfectionist with MY TREE.
White lights .... perfectly strung.
White satin 4" bows .. tied to barnches.
Strings of white *pearls* draped around and around.
Various white, silver, or clear glass ornaments.
A few bright blue ornaments here and there.
The glass angel with real feather wings atop.
Ah but for now.....
Boxes sit in the living room ....
And this is FOOTBALL SUNDAY.
No decorating until much later
~~~~~HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL ~~~~~
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