topic Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas? in Among Friends

Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Twins Mom — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 15:46:55 GMT

Not being overly critical but in an effort to keep Christmas special and not a source of depression—- what will I do differently next year? Only three full weeks between Christmas and Thanksgiving!
• I need a notebook where I keep all notes, from ornaments purchased in July to gifts to menus.
• I need to practice certain menu items beforehand. Keep notes on details.
• Put all gifts in ONE place.
• Things aren’t movie perfect. It’s life.

Any other suggestions?

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Sooner — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 15:49:53 GMT

For us it was buy all gifts and put the tree and decorations, outside lights up BEFORE Thanksgiving. Otherwise, there's never enough time. And the weather gets bad or you get sick, or something happens.

Just get it done early. To us, that's our only hope at enjoying it.

Plus keep it simple.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

MarkeieMark — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 16:00:58 GMT

Enjoy yourself

I tried to make that a point this year. For the holiday dinner, I threw the prime rib in the oven, and everything else I considered bonus.

Best holiday, ever.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

ValuSkr — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 16:05:26 GMT

Good point about the shorter time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year, it was just under five weeks. Next year, it's just under four weeks.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

chrystaltree — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 16:17:57 GMT

Personally, I don't treat Christmas like it's a job that requires hard work. For me, that would take all the joy and fun out of it. I'm close to 60 and long ago, I accepted that there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas. Something is always going to fall through the cracks, I AM going to forget where I put that gorgeous wrapping paper that I bought a year ago on sale. The turkey will be dry or I will forget to buy cheesecake for my niece who only eats one dessert....cheesecake. Something is going to happen or not happen and that's ok because it's still going to be a loving, fun, warm Christmas for my friends and family. I don't need lists after all these years but every year, I vow to be more organized when it comes to where certain things are. That is work in progress. I do have a theme and specific colors each Christmas and I make that decision sometime in the fall so that gives me time to fill in anything I don't have. I never try new menu items for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Learned that lesson long ago. My family and friends like and look foward to my old stand by foods. They don't want some new cookies I saw in a magazine, regardless of how good they are. They want creamy mashed potatoes, not roasted potaoes. If I want to try new recipes during the holiday season, I invite friends over before Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I did start Christmas shopping much earlier than usual and I did do 100% of online with QVC, Evine and Amazon and I will do that again next year. I had no late packages, no stress over "will it come in time" and I had time to actually think about the gifts I was buying. It wasn't I need "a gift for Sean". Rather it was "I need a hat and scarf set that will go with Sean's brown leather jacket". But, the Christmas Season has really just begun, we're in Christmas mode until Jan. 6th so this is when I kick back and relax and enjoy.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

stevieb — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 16:42:43 GMT

While granted, I don't like the shorter time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I think the key, for me, would be to give it more than one day between the last one and planning the next one...

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Still Raining — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 17:01:03 GMT

Not ever going here until some time after next Halloween. Still hungover from all the gifts this one.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

qvcfreak — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 00:12:37 GMT

I bake all the desserts the morning before and then I prepp the casseroles ready to just place in the oven. So on Christmas I baked turkey and ham, transferred to roaster and set to warm while I put casseroles in the oven. While that’s going on I make mash potatoes and gravy.

I also keep a wrapping case where all the wrapping paper, gift bags, bows, tissue and gift tags are kept. I got it last year and it’s great to have everything in one place.

The one one thing I’m lacking in, is getting started early in the gift purchasing. I’m hoping to start in July this coming year.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

CrazyDaisy — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 17:37:04 GMT

Best thing we ever did was replace buying gifts to giving the gift of time. We all make time to get together and stopped worring about material things. The last few have been the best Christmas ever.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Carmie — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 17:39:19 GMT

Ask yourself?

How long did your "Christmas" last? Four, six or eight hours?

How many hours did it take you to prepare for those few hours?

How much money did you spend for those few hours?

How much is your time worth?

Now, cut back on the time you prepare for and the money you spent for less than one day.

There is no reason for anyone to spend months and a month salary on one day.

Make it simple for next year.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Sooner — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 17:54:49 GMT

Our Christmas lasted about 6 weeks. Light and trees up, time to relax and enjoy. If I had to cram in everything between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it wouldn't be worth the effort to me any more.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

pupwhipped — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:12:51 GMT

Not be sick for over a month!

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

jackthebear — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:50:36 GMT

@Twins Mom wrote:
Not being overly critical but in an effort to keep Christmas special and not a source of depression—- what will I do differently next year? Only three full weeks between Christmas and Thanksgiving!
• I need a notebook where I keep all notes, from ornaments purchased in July to gifts to menus.
• I need to practice certain menu items beforehand. Keep notes on details.
• Put all gifts in ONE place.
• Things aren’t movie perfect. It’s life.

Any other suggestions?

spreadsheet

I use a spreedsheet for my 2 big meals that I host every year , saves me a time and money

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Bri369 — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 19:10:41 GMT

3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas? That's not a lot of time at all.

Well, I do things exactly the same way each year. I have found what works and doesn't work for me.

But since there are only 3 weeks in between holidays, I might have to start shopping earlier.

I try not to stress about the holidays. I always felt bad for people who are so bitter and can't wait for them to be over. It's my holiday too. Even though I'm doing the bulk of the work, I enjoy it. I know my family appreciates it.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Puppy Lips — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 21:14:32 GMT

We had 10 people and a baby for Christmas dinner. I know some of you host a lot more people. But for us, it was a bit overwhelming. We have two dogs and the one year old Husky was a bit of a problem (a bit too enthusiastic). We had steaks that were very tasty, but they were not all done at the same time, so we ate in shifts. All in all, it was just too much.

We were exhausted at the end of the day. Not much fun for us. But I have never been a fan of Christmas, so I am sure that did not help. Count me as someone who is always glad it is over. That does not necessarily make me a pessimist though.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

RedTop — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:15:42 GMT

This was my first Christmas of letting go of several things I’d always done because I thought I was expected to do it. At 63, I realized it’s no longer my job to put the magic in Christmas for anyone.

I bought only 2 gifts. I focused my charitable giving to help local veterans, feed local families, and help local police shop with needy children.

I added a few holiday accents to my home; no major decorations, no tree. I cooked a very simple, stress free meal for 13.

My entire focus was to celebrate the reason for the season with my family; our gathering was filled with love and the happiness of being together- - -a perfect Christmas.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Greeneyedlady21 — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:19:31 GMT

My humble opinion is simplify. Buy deli platters or precooked food. Decorate more simply, spend time with those you love having experiences large and small, and not money on them.

I was alone this Christmas and would have given anything to have the simple Christmas I had at home with my Mom last year. Her last Christmas. I did buy her gifts and she raved about every single one no matter how simple they were. Trying not to break down I savored every minute of that day. Before she had cancer and was doing better after a terrible year of a chronic illness, we were able to get back to church for Christmas and that was the best gift ever. I'm not a great cook but my Mom acted as if I was. In 2015 she put some beautiful jewelry of hers in a box for me for Christmas because she was unable to get to a store. It makes me cry just to type it.

Christmas is simple meaningful memories made from love. You never know when you could lose someone. Sorry, last thing I want to do is to be preachy. This is just from my heart and I miss her so much. I think so differently about Christmas now. I used to stress about it too.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Helen Bach — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:19:48 GMT

I will turn the oven from 375 to 350 degrees to bake my famous cutout cookies, and use unsalted butter next time! Maybe learn how to pipe Royal icing for next year's decorating. Other than that, my Christmas was perfect this time. Very low key

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Twins Mom — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:27:38 GMT

@Helen Bach
I can relate. Trying to master mom’s Spritz cookie. Got to practice. They taste fine but not shaped as hers. Grrrr. She made it look easy.

Re: Reflection: What Should I do Differently Next Christmas?

Twins Mom — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:33:05 GMT

@ Greeneyedlady
I get it. Second Christmas without mom. I need her advice on baking. I know I tried to get her advice before but should have tried harder. Keep trying to share things with her. Guess that’s a good thing.