Lynne, even tho this Christmas was emotional for you going thru your Mom's things, I'm sure there were so many special memories to be relived. You are so lucky to have these family pieces to share with your siblings. Till I joined this Forum, I didn't do a lot of decorating and didn't think much about Christmas' past and heirlooms. But I've heard so many wonderful stories of special things passed on from parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. That just sounds so heartwarming. I would really love to have been part of something like that in my family. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be, but I am so lucky that many of you share your stories and pictures here. Lynn, LOL, I don't know of a picture-perfect Christmas around my house. I looked forward to seeing your photos when you have a moment to catch your breath. Thanks, Judith. It sure makes me happy seeing you here again. Kathleen, if you are facing a long brown winter, how can you be glad to see Christmas stuff put away? LOL, I'd be hanging on to all the color I could. Do you leave any winter type decor out? That's going to be a subject for my next post by the way, later tonight or tomorrow. Thank you, Yacht. It makes me feel so good to hear others say something I've done is beautiful. I was surprised to hear a lot of folks say they'd cut back on decorating this year. Not sure what that is all about. My DD and DDIL have just been far busier than usual, and Christmas stressed them some as far as trying to decorate. And my DDIL and Jason take things down the day after Christmas!! Want their house back "in order". I don't get that, LOL. "But I have a whole new year to work on things for next year right? (We'll see how that goes!)"...I hear ya, Luvs. I'll probably still be procrastinating right up till next Christmas on some of the things I want to make. sigh. Nancyjean, what a wonderful gift your boys got. That made Christmas extra special, and I am sure you make it that way for that dear gentleman. Yes, the magic kind of goes when our children get bigger. And I think we will always miss that part. hugs, Karen

You need my SHOPPING GRID! I've even convinced a co-worker it's the best way. I made an Excel spreadsheet (I can send it to you if you have Excel) with one-inch squares on it, and it's always in my checkbook. Each square gets a person's name. As I think of ideas for that person, I write it down. As I buy the gifts on sale throughout the year (I can't handle the stress of last-minute shopping and I always shop the sales!) I put a check by that gift. When that person's gifts are purchased, I cross off their square. Ta-dum! If you stick to the grid, you'll never over-buy for one person and not the other. (And if one person ends up with 3 small/inexpensive gifts and the other one large/expensive gift, wrap up the small ones as if they were one...I do that with my kids and as long as they have the same number of packages to open, they're happy.) Having multiple ideas ready also helps make the shopping easier. For example, if your nephew's list says "dress shirt" and "sweatshirt", buy the one that's on sale the week you're at the mall.... Julie jbeadle@twmi.rr.com

It certainly sounds like everyone has a lot of stuff going on getting ready for the holidays. Patsy, sour cream corn bread sounds interesting. and a beanie weinie taste off - FUN! My mom decided we are doing BBQ ribs this year - it has traditionally been prime rib but they are so pricey anymore. I will make the BBQ sauce when we get to Arizona. Linda, a trip to a quilt shop - FUN! Sharon - a new baby ... yippee! Marie - how did finals go? I hope you get a chance now to enjoy that grandbaby! Stressing ... ME? YEP, a bit! I'm not sewing and I have most of my Christmas shopping done. I am not baking anymore - did some last week for church. I am trying to get the RV loaded to leave on Sunday. We will be going to Arizona for Christmas then leave after Christmas for Mexico for 3+ months. The paper is stopped, canceled cable, mail is on hold (DS will check it periodically when he is in town), Mexican insurance and documents are ready. I can't load any of the liquid stuff until tomorrow since we don't want to run the furnace more than we have to. Today I will finish loading everything else, clean house and then going to a Christmas program tonight. I am hoping tomorrow will be an easy day to finish any last minute details. I am not taking my sewing machine so will have itchy fingers by the time we get back in April! You can follow our trip on my blog to make sure we are having fun! http://travelwithtobeyandsue.blogspot.com/ I will try to follow the forum, but we will see how our internet is! Take care and happy holidays. Sue

Nnanatricia, the idea of sending stamps is wonderful! I'm keeping that one in mind for the future. Death is a personal thing and each person's family likes certain things and dislikes certain things. To me it should be based on the decedent's wishes. For instance, my mother loved flowers. Any gift of flowers made her week, or month. To not have an overkill (excuse the phrase) on flowers at her funeral would have been a shame. We ordered 2 large pots plus the casket spray and knew that there'd be a lot of flowers coming, which they did. Turns out the funeral director also owned the flower shop he could "get a discount through" and not only charged us more, but gave us about 1/3 the size it was supposed to be. Needless to say we weren't happy. Then shortly after my aunt died, (my mother's only sister) and I immediately ordered a large arrangement for her. At the last second my sister and I decided to fly down for the funeral. No flowers from us. My uncle was going, oh you didn't have to, you're not expected to, and all that, but I said, no, I PAID for this and they were supposed to be here! That's the point. I was very embarrassed. This was a big flower outfit and surprised me they did this. They claimed they tried to get a hold of me, no message, hmmm. Then said they'd send something to the house afterward. But I'm getting off the point. If you're in a financial bind, you should NOT stress yourself more. Send a card with a note about a memory or something your mother said about the departed. That'll have far more value than the flowers in most cases. I'm also a little sensitive about sending flowers since some churches are now requiring people to leave the flowers for them! I was shocked when I first heard this! But it's happened a few times. That did it for me. No more flowers. Another thing you could do if you wanted, and when financial times are better is send something to the grave for Memorial Day or her birthday or something. That could be thoughtful. I don't think expectations are appropriate for memorials at funerals. It's up to the giver what, if anything they wish to do and more importantly, can afford. Don't try to keep up with the Jones'. I say go with a card and a kind word. And FWIW, if you are thinking of a plant for later, or a tree that the recipient is expected to plant and maintain, make sure it's wanted before you give it. Not everyone likes plants and the trouble to maintain them. Some, especially if they are alone, might leave for a while and who will care for them? Think before you give something just because *you* like it. I don't know many people who don't like or can't use cash! And make it cash (or a check to them) not a gift card! And for donations, I think the person donating should make the donation and tell the family. It was a lot of time, effort and stress for my father to deal with the number of checks and stuff sent to him, one is to be given to Ladies' Auxiliary (who handled the funeral food), another to Diabetes Research, another to Cancer Society, another to the in-town church, another to the church where she was buried etc. Sheesh! He insisted it be done right away. I said put it in a box and we'll do it in a couple weeks after things settled down but of course his feeling was it had to be done immediately.