I have Christmas on my mind

last year

I know it's a ways off, but then I think that it's almost October and there's alot going on in the next few months!! I've got a new centerpiece for our dining area on my mind. I've been looking on Etsy and messaging with a few vendors. I also need to replace the wreaths we use outside on our windows. We've used them several years and last year they were shedding really bad. I think they are just old and dried out. I need to get out and get new ones before the mad shopping rush starts LOL.

For several years now, Christmas dinner takes place at our home. Last year I actually changed it up and did brunch which we really enjoyed! I think though this year we will go back to lunch.

Haha! Funny thing - I've only got decorations on my mind. I haven't given the first thought to Christmas gifts!! Good thing our gift list is pretty short. However, absolutely no clue on anything for the Mr.! : (

How about you? Too early or are you starting to think about the holidays?

Featured Answer

Funkyart

last year

I have a lot of folks to buy for-- and I do my mother's shopping for the grand and great grand kids too. I MUST start this early... in fact, I already have a number of gifts and you have reminded me I need to search for one that is semi-hard to find.

I haven't decorated much since I moved to this house... but I really want a display of trees so I may start looking. I especially love the simon pearce glass trees and the vietri stoneware trees.

We've done Christmas brunch for as long as I can remember. Dad would greet us with a bloody mary and cook the most wonderful egg sandwiches all morning long as people arrived.. the buffet was set with a ridiculous number of pastries and a glorious spread of fruit. It would morph into lunch with a most competitive game of scrabble and leftover appetizers from Christmas Eve. (Christmas Eve is our big celebratory meal). I miss those days.. we have started new Christmas morning/afternoon traditions that are also special but just not the same. (haha oh boy and THAT brought unexpected tears.. happy tears of remembrance).

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Comments (49)

3katz4me
last year
Way too early - only thing I've thought about Christmas is that I likely won't be getting a tree with my new kitten.
Tina Marie thanked 3katz4me
Allison0704
last year
I did not do much decorating here last year since it was just us. This year, children and grands are coming during the winter break. I will do more since the youngest will be 3yo by then. Just not sure what yet. I always buy gifts before the mad rush.

I was just thinking about Christmas, after running across this website on IG. I know Mtn loves pretty wrapping paper (but no boxes).
Tina Marie thanked Allison0704
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Tina Marie
Original Author
last year
Thanks for sharing that Allison. I always decorate, even though it's just 2 of us. But I am thinking of not having a tree in our bedroom this year. It's kind of sad in a way, but we changed up some pieces of furniture and I'm not really wanting to move things around for the tree. I can do most of my shopping online, but I need to get a list made.

Haha 2katz! That kitten would be at the top of a tree!! I gotcha about it being early, but some things need to be ordered, etc. and some things get gone, so I need to get it done.
Jilly
last year
Too early for me. I’m trying to get motivated for fall, but am in a holiday funk this year (unusual for me).

For presents, don’t forget this site:

https://pranko.com/collections/prank-packs
Tina Marie thanked Jilly
Feathers11
last year
I absolutely love autumn here, and the weather is finally cooling. But friends wanted to go get mums today, and I declined... I'm so done watering plants! I'm going to enjoy fall, but I think decor-wise, I'll jump straight into Christmas. (Maybe a few pumpkins for the trick-or-treaters.)
Tina Marie thanked Feathers11
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
We leave the evening of the Dec 25th for our trip. We will probably put our tree up early, ie Thanksgiving. We will have ThxG here in CT; friends are borrowing our house in Maine for the last 2 weeks of November so they can host ThxG there.

The idea is that trips/experiences are in lieu of gifts, but we can't have an empty tree? That said, we are in getting-rid-of-stuff mode, not acquisition mode. So i'd love ideas for little gifts for travel, for the flight, etc. I might also get them a Merry Maid gift ctf!

I have bought the girls some cool beach/snorkel/scuba attire. Hopefully this is physically the largest item I buy. It is so cute I must show you:
Tina Marie thanked mtnrdredux_gw
Tina Marie
Original Author
last year
I”m sorry Funky!! 🥲 I know what you mean. Its just not the same with my parents and grandparents gone! Our family is getting smaller.
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
Traditions morph and it is always a little sad at first. {{Funky}}
Funkyart
last year
last modified: last year
Oh but, they really were happy tears! Dad so loved the holidays and he was actually joyous-- not a word I would normally use to describe him. I love that a few of us have inherited the same! I love shopping for gifts and cooking.. one of my sisters loves decorating.. and another loves it all! I think we are lucky to have such joyful memories... and to continue to make them for the grandkids and great grandkids.

I really shouldn't have mentioned the tears-- they were just unexpected (and cleansing!). Thanks for the kindness 💕
User
last year
last modified: last year
Last year my husband and I built the 9000 piece LEGO Titanic leading up to Christmas. We had a blast building it. Drinks with ice cubes in them were not allowed near it.

I’ve just bought the 11,000 piece LEGO World Map. I’ve already wrapped it and it will be our after Christmas project. 🙂
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
I gave that (the map) to my DS last year, he loved it
Feathers11
last year
Great idea! Last year, I got my kids a new chess set and left it set up on the table during their entire xmas break from college. They sat down and resumed play regularly--it was great bonding. This year, I'll add a puzzle.
porkandham
last year
I have always loved those Simon Pearce trees and want a forest of them for my dining room table!
Bluebell66
last year
I've thought a little about the holidays.....I don't want a Christmas tree this year, and suppose I'm in a bit of a holiday funk myself. We aren't hosting anything and have no little kids at home, and the big kid (and us) will probably do Christmas at grandma's this year. I will put some fresh greens on the mantel, fill a bowl with some antique ornaments, a wreath on the front door, and that might be about it this year.

Those lego puzzles look fantastic! And I love the beach/snorkel/scuba attire, especially the blue and green one. Super cute!
Kswl
last year
last modified: last year
Those rash guard outfits are adorable! That is a great gift.

We were planning on taking everyone on a Disney cruise (for Andrew of course) in February but DD is now getting cold feet. She has a history of making plans and then backing out. She knows she does this but is extra defensive about it. I’m not sure what to do now— I dont have a plan B for gifts!
jojoco
last year
I am excited for Christmas. It looks like my dd and her husband and their darling baby will spend Christmas with us. One of my sons is also a likely. My dd and I love to go nuts with food and gifts for everyone (but haven't started buying anything yet.)
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
Jojoco, what a wonderful christmas that will be!
Sueb20
last year
I have started buying a few little things here and there -- gifts, not decorations. Hoping to find a few things when we're in Canada next month. I am already feeling a little sad about Christmas because it will be the first time ever that I haven't had all 3 kids at home. We are now in "taking turns" mode with middle DS and his fiancee's fam, so we get Thanksgiving this year and her fam gets him for Christmas. Waah. I know there are worse things, and I'd better get used to it...
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
I hear you. I am not looking forward to "taking turns" mode!

I guess you just have to ramp up ThxG (is that what your new anthro stuff is for?).
Funkyart
last year
ohhhh did i miss an anthro shopping haul???
rubyclaire
last year
I just ordered our holiday cards from my go to Dogwood Hill (Allison just shared as well), Love their various designs and the quality is always great. I would not order so early but they usually do a 20% off and I try to catch it when they do.
Sueb20
last year

Funky, I bought this runner and platter. Both are on my dining table now, so it was a general Fall purchase, not for Thanksgiving. But they will both (DS and F) be here for a full week for Thanksgiving, so that’s something. 🦃
Funkyart
last year
Ohhhh love them! I have a thing for owls.. and I love that it is whimsical without being childish. I bet they look great in your dining room!
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
That will be nice, is that when the shower is too? You'll have fun!

Man y'lll embrace fall fast. I am denial until mid Oct. I did finally pack away my white jeans, today.
Olychick
last year
It's still white jeans weather here for a couple more weeks. I don't do much shopping for Christmas anymore, but for my 13 year old grandson who just wants Roblox Robucks. So sad when he lost interest in Lego, but there is really no more room for any other builds here. He never wants to take them apart.

I did buy some things from Gumps. They have the best Christmas ornaments and I do find really special ones for a few people (including him). Last year they had an absolutely adorable Golden Doodle in Santa's sled ornament that looked exactly like his dog, but it broke in transit and they were already sold out so I couldn't replace it. So I ordered early this year. I bought the hedgehog clip on, the latte' with heart foam, the Day of the Dead Cat, the Macaroni and Cheese box - for a friend whose secret shame is eating boxed mac and cheese whenever her husband goes out of town. It's glittery and will be very funny to give to her. I also bought the grand piano for my grandson, as he plays.

I also ordered a really cute cat kitchen towel for a cat loving friend who just found a stray cat and her 5 month old kitten, then the mother delivered 6 more kittens within a week and she already had one of her own, so she now has 9 cats! The towel has lots of cats on it and will probably give her nightmares! But it's cute.

I didn't buy it for anyone but I love the Santa taking a selfie ornament on the first page:

https://gumps.com/collections/ornaments?page=1
Funkyart
last year
@mtnrdredux_gw the dive suits are adorable! Another potential idea for something "smaller than a dive suit" ... my fav local boutique showcased this line of jewelry by Dune Jewelry & Co. on their FB page a few weeks ago. It caught my eye but I thought it looked gimmicky ... but I was in the shop earlier this week and saw some of the pieces. Wow, I really taken by them. They were so pretty.. love that you can personalize them with sand from a particular beach (or provide your own sand)! They have a wide range of styles and price points.. small and delicate and large and eye catching. I especially like the hampton rope designs.

And.. they have sand from so many beaches in stock! Of course some sand is prettier than others but I love the idea of capturing your "home" beach, a beach from a special vacation or occasion, or even your own materials. I am thinking about sending them some dried rose petals my mom saved over the years (Dad used to bring her purple and lavender roses for special occasions or just because.. she has a huge glass vase with all the petals).

Again, I thought these looked much better and much higher quality in person but here are some photos. They also have designs for men and for the home (bottle stoppers, ornaments, etc)

Some of the designs mix either turquoise or larimar with the sand
nicole___
last year
last modified: last year
If you want to keep with the dive theme...? Ankle bracelet's are super cute. Or I have a floatable fob....to put on my hotel key ring. Sarongs, to color coordinate with each dive outfit(floor length to keep no-see-ems off your legs), 14k gold necklace with a starfish...for instance. (You can wear solid gold in the ocean without it corroding). A small cross body pouch for carrying a little money to buy trinkets from beach vendors....
just_terrilynn
last year
last modified: last year
Feathers, you gave me a good idea. Both my boys like playing chess. I think I will do what you did and have a nice new setup on a table.

Other than buying for my adult sons, husband and dad I'm not going to do much. I put so much time into trying to pick a nice useable gift for people and get "crickets" on thankyous. I'm tired of eventually calling just to make sure they got it. My dad loves good cheeses so I'm thinking of that but not sure how well it would travel even if packaged properly. He lives way up in the UP.
Kswl
last year
For those of you with daughters and sisters, the lightweight Dyson hairdryer is a great gift. No sane person would buy it for themselves, but they are so so nice!
porkandham
last year
I ordered my Christmas cards this morning. Shutterfly/Tiny Prints is offering 50% off. Nice to have that chore taken care of! I’ve picked up a few stocking stuffers but haven’t done much else.
Judi
last year
I need to find cookie tins. That's the only thing on my list.
teeda
last year
Kswl, thanks for that suggestion. I'm seriously considering for my oldest daughter who is due with baby #2 at the beginning of November. She has very thick hair that will frizz out if she doesn't blow dry it, but that takes forever. This could be a godsend once she returns to work. And her birthday is 12/23 so I'm always looking for something special to offset Christmas.
Funkyart
last year
I think the dyson hairdryer is a GREAT idea! I would love one but the only one buying one for me is... me.
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
last year
last modified: last year
Sue, I had to exercise so much self restraint not to buy anything from that collection. I do not need and can afford the space for more pretty dishes. And my usual, Well the boys are getting their own places soon, excuse won't work here.

Funky, I love the Vietri trees. I decorate with a lot of greenery. The trees would look fabulous peeking out through evergreen boughs someplace.

Jo, what an amazing holiday you will have.

Definitely starting a list. I hope to report back with some finds.
Arapaho-Rd
last year
I've bought Simon Pierce trees for gifts, then DH surprised me with one.

I donated our artificial tree in a fit of cleaning out so now need to replace it. Christmas is a lot quieter now so I plan on something small and easy to store, I hope.

The stores are filled with Christmas already and I'm no where near ready for it.
Sueb20
last year
Zalco, youngest child has announced that she is moving to Maine after graduation next spring so now I look around thinking, well, I could give that to DD and get a new one for me…oldest is moving into a new apt this week, and I have tried to unload a couple things on him too. He doesn’t need much as he’s been living on his own for several years.

Every year I think I want to do minimal xmas decorating (like, just the tree) but then I open up those boxes in the basement and I can’t stop myself!
Funkyart
last year
Zalco, oh the vietri trees would look so pretty on a field of greens! I love all the styles-- which is why I will likely go in this direction. The Simon Pearce are lovely and they make my heart sing but they don't have the same range -- my style is a little more mixy than elegant.

Oh @Arapaho-Rd what a great surprise from DH... I hope you will share a photo as the holiday approaches!

I have a big day of cleaning ahead-- which probably means I will spend the day shopping LOL. I am currently on the hunt for an advent calendar suitable for a toddler. I will probably do a DIY combo-- but what to put in the boxes/pockets for a 2 yo?
Tina Marie
Original Author
last year
Thank you all! For some reason the "thank you" under each name quit working for me.

I've not been in a store so I haven't seen any Christmas yet. But i do like to get ahead. I love Christmas and love decorating for it. We usually always decorate (or at least start) Thanksgiving weekend. I'm wanting to do some new things this year though. Tired of the big, heavy evergreen garland on the mantel. I have a collection of vintage brass candle holders that I may use and just some evergreen cuttings around them. I do need to get out and purchase some cards, etc.
jill302
last year
Reading this thread, I am getting in the Christmas spirit. So happy for the help with the Christmas energy. Like others here it has been a bit of a transition for me the last few years. I have lost both of my parents, now my FIL. My kids have moved out. My daughter who loved to work with me on Christmas got married, so now I have to share time and she is busy decorating her own home. It all makes me sad. We have had relatives move out of the area too. Between moves, marriages and deaths our Christmas dinner has gone for 25+ guests to 10. We liked a houseful for Christmas dinner.

That said I am going to move forward and get into the spirit, damn it. Although I would like to get in the fall spirit first. @Sueb20 love the owl table runner, thinking I may need it. I am a bit obsessed with the owls that live in my neighborhood.

@User Thank you for sharing the Lego World map, it is the a top contender for a gift for my SIL. He would really enjoy it. He is 30 and has not outgrown Legos.

Thanks you all for the wonderful ideas.
Arapaho-Rd
last year
Funky, hard to get a photo. Needed a darker background.
Kswl
last year
For those of you who love trees, blue and white, and chinoiserie, Two’s Company has a very pretty 12” tall Christmas tree this year:

Mine is on the way!
Funkyart
last year
@Arapaho-Rd oh it is lovely-- just as I knew it would be!

@Kswl .. that is beautiful! Perfect for you!

My holiday style is a little more rustic.. I am eying a set of one of these balls for either the mantel or a bowl on my large rustic chest.

and these stars as well.. I have always had a thing for moravian stars. Maybe this will be the year I get a large one. I may get the small ones to decorate gifts for family.
Kswl
last year
last modified: last year
Love those colors, Funky!

I am hoping these trees will look good together in some configuration:

Last year I used a blue and white nativity scene on our living room mantel and needed height with trees. These I culled online from a variety of sources, including the importer’s own site (T’s C), Amazon, and Weston Tabletop. They ranged from $15 to $60, so not a big commitment and if they don’t look right on the mantel I am sure they’ll go somewhere,
Sueb20
last year
A good friend recently gave me these chocolates by MarieBelle…perfect gift for someone who (1) loves pretty things and (2) is trying hard not to binge on chocolate, because they are (almost) too pretty to eat. ❤️ I keep opening the box just to LOOK!

I was on the Cape over the weekend and picked up some small gifts — here’s one also from Twos Company — they come in varieties for gin and tequila too.

Funky, I love the ornaments you posted! I also have a thing for moravian stars (our porch light is a moravian star).
Arapaho-Rd
last year
last modified: last year
Such pretty things! Source info is great - Two's Company! Funky where did you find the bulbs and stars 🤍
Funkyart
last year
Sorry-- they are all from Arhaus.
Irish2
last year

I love them too!
Kswl
last year
Pretty, Irish!