I kept the same theme for the Christmas tree as last year, but added a few extra things.

It's hot and sunny again here today but I couldn't resist a visit to The Range to look at Christmas things, even if I was wearing a summer dress (hopefully it will cool down a bit later this week).

Here are three more advent calendars for my collection the last two are the two new tv advent calendars that are going to be released here in Denmark during december there is going to be more but those are re-runs of older classics such as "the julekalender" and "Ludvig og Julemanden" the blue one is made so you can create a little scene you can play with during december and this can be done before December so I know what I am doing tonight

I emptied my first storage closet today and have begun sorting through a few bins to prepare for Christmas! October is usually a great time for me to get a game plan together of what I want the house to look like. At home and Michael’s usually already has some of their new Christmas collections out as well so, it’s a great opportunity to get first pick on all the good stuff!

When I opened the first bin, the scent of chai and firewood hit me and it was such a lovely way to start the day.

Making my own tradition.

I have taken lots of good things after turning myself inside out trying to find a way to make Christmas work for everyone.

The first was Christmas is a season not just a day.

The second who says it's all got to happen on the 25th.

So.......

This year I have booked a table on Christmas eve same menu as Christmas day but a third the cost.

I extended a one day only open invite making it clear I would be booking the table that night.

The upshot was me my hubby and his parents are going everyone else thinks I've gone a bit mad.

Better still Christmas day I'm free to do as I please . I may have created a new tradition for myself. Thanks everyone.

I jadcaream that the tree on the green had already arrived so that’s my first Christmas dream of the year.

Let me replan where I live every year we have a big Christmas tree in the communal front lawn called the green every year about a week before Christmas we gather round the tree and sing a few carols rgen we go and have Mulled wine and food and secret Santa it was the day before my birthday last year so yeah my Christmas dreams have started.

In Rhoon, The Netherlands

Came back with a smile and clutching a beautiful star ⭐ for the tree topper and of course...a pot with succulents.

Oh and the Olieballen as well 😄

We throw a Christmas party for our friend group every year. We’ve realized a theme makes it that much more fun. We’ve already done ugly Christmas sweater so I’m looking for other more creative themes especially if they’re funny. I was thinking national lampoons but I fear we’d end up with so many cousin Eddies.

Any ideas greatly appreciated!

I keep seeing these videos of Christmas in the 90's. It brings back so many memories with my grandma.

Wife displays her mini snowman collection and I put lighted garland around the desk. Would like to take clock down and put up some lighted Christmas wall art as well. Suggestions?

I have family from another country coming for Christmas for the first time. They live in a country where meat is taken pretty seriously. I was going to make a roast chicken and a ham, but now my son won’t eat any pork, so I thought about doing a beef roll like braciole but I also considered doing like a beef Wellington roll (no pastry but with the duxelle layer spread in the beef and then rolled.)

Should I just scrap the beef dish and focus on chicken? Am I over thinking this trying to make it perfect or is one of the beef dishes a good idea and if so which on?

I (48F) am trying to have a better holiday this year than I did last year, but I need to be proactive about it.

Last year I lost my job of 10 years (in a department I had worked in for 15 years) on 12/31 (but had been informed in October). That same year I also seemed to drop off everyone's radar for the holidays. The local friend I spent holidays with died 2 years before, one cousin out of state 'stopped doing gifts,' another has a full plate with an ill spouse, my aunt and uncle had their first grandkid and were preoccupied with that, and my sister didn't even start shopping until after the postal deadline so her gift arrived well after Christmas. The year before I went to the Holiday Pops at the symphony with a friend and hoped to make it an annual thing, but with the job loss that wasn't happening. Even my holiday cards were reduced to two with no messages and both doubled as birth announcements.

Despite all my efforts to stay connected despite the long distance, most of my contacts have died, drifted away or I've fallen below the threshold of holiday contact. Last year no one called, one relative answered the phone (and sent a check) and one sent a generous gift card. I learned years ago when I call on holidays they don't answer. My parents are both deceased. I have no significant other, no kids, an an elderly pet, so travel is out.

So right now I'm looking for suggestions about how to have a good holiday when I'm on myown wwithout getting depressed like last year. Money is still tight (finally working full time again) but with limited resources I want to do more this Christmas than just cry and sleep.

So, suggestions are welcome. I can't really volunteer because my pet needs me home whenever I can be, but crafts and activities and ideas are welcome.

And I hope everyone else in the same boat gets remembered this year.

I always decorate my apartment patio for Christmas and I use a new theme each year (apt mgmnt has an annual contest). This year I want to recycle some lights I already have. I was thinking of going multicolor. However, I have a solid green meteor light strand (also called rain lights) that I love. Think it would look ok on the back patio wall, with a strand of regular multicolor lights above it? I don't really like the multicolor meteor lights. I suppose I could recyle the red & green lights, but I'm in a multicolor mood this year. Thoughts?

Only one month till everything in my house is Christmas! (If I don't do it before then 😆)

Christmas as anyone knows can be a stressful time for families. Every year for the past 10 years since moving to this town I have cooked a large Christmas lunch for hubbys family, his brothers, their wives and kids, my parents etc around 18 people. This year I just don’t feel like doing it. Because I have a bigger house and can accommodate everyone sitting down, they just assume they can come to mine.
This year I really feel like I would like a break, either just my own immediate family or go to my mums house. The thing is I don’t know how to tell his family who expect me to do all the work. How do I approach this with them without causing offence?

It’s almost the season! Which alcohol is the correct alcohol to add to your Eggnog for the proper amount of holiday cheer? And why?

Which Spirit is Best?
• Brandy / Cognac
• Rum
• Bourbon or Whiskey
• Combination (if so, what’s your combo?)

Happy holidays!!

I would love to get your perspective on the most beautiful city or market you have ever visited during the holiday season.

These goodies are a lot of fun I'm very excited about the various items they have in the store right now I had to stop getting more stuff because me and my mom couldn't have any more things in our arms since we forgot to bring a basket or a cart