Shopping for my own kid’s Christmas gifts was easy. I knew what he liked and wanted and only had to figure out how I’d have the money to ensure the items made it under the tree. Even as he got older, I knew what clothes and shoes to buy that would make him happy — and that continues still today.
It’s different with teen grandkids.
I’m struggling hard this year choosing gifts for my granddaughter, Colette. She’s at the funky stage where she’s into weird clothes (from a nana’s viewpoint), is too old for toys, and already has all the tech products she needs. Gift cards and money are boring but practical. I’ve made it through the stocking stuffer gifts — smokey-eye make-up, weird socks, the expensive shampoo I use that she loves, and a beanie with a funky pin.
And then I found a cool item for $20 bucks that I think is awesome and she’ll likely throw in a drawer — a Fahlo animal tracking bracelet. (Fahlo = follow… decent marketing, yes?) Each bracelet tracks (fahlos) the animal you choose via an app on your digital device, and also helps save wildlife when a portion of the purchase is donated to a cause. She’ll probably hate it because I would wear one of these myself.
I miss the days when buying Christmas gifts for my granddaughter was simple. 🩷
As I struggle to put a few things under the tree this year (I sprung for the Disney tickets so it will be only a FEW things), I’m reminded that these are good times too.
Gift choices at Christmastime are fodder for funny stories in the future!
I remember the year my Great Aunt Lois gifted my (at that time) partner with a white angel candle that had been stored for at least 25 years. It was yellowed and flat on one side where it had partially melted from the heat of the attic storage spot. I wonder… 20 years from now will Colette will talk about the time her crazy Nana bought her a bracelet to track a shark? 😉
Now you know: In 2018, a man found $7.5 million in a “Storage Wars” unit he bought for $500. He had to negotiate with the original owners, who paid him $1.2 million to return their money.
I always check out Oprah’s Favorite Things — recommendations for Christmas items to gift to others or yourself. This year, there are only 4 items in Oprah’s entire list that I already enjoy. They are: Peeper’s readers, Apple ear buds, the Apple Watch 11, and Laura Geller makeup.
This elaborate list isn’t for average retirees.
A whole lot of regular people like me will not pay $80 for a small candle that smells like a ripe tomato, or hand over $170 for a 2-slice toaster. I’m not gonna spend $700 on an electric pizza oven or $180 for pair of shoes where the tops are made of… and look like… socks. You won’t see me out and about in a $288 pair of cashmere jogging pants either.
Obviously, Oprah doesn’t know about Mountain Memories Christmas open house or she might’ve listed a few items from there.
Oprah is older than I am, and although she’s not a grandma, she thinks she knows the perfect gifts for old women. Ben & Colette will probably run right out and buy me a fruit-printed pickleball paddle for $100, when what I really want is the $350 red-light face mask. 🙄
I’m not an expert on what to buy people for Christmas… BUT…
I will say the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is a great gift for those who love to read (someone on my list is getting one), and a year’s subscription to Amazon Unlimited is a great gift to pair with it. How’s that for a gift that keeps on giving?
Even though I’ve said it here before, it’s worth saying again. Handmade and homemade gifts are the bomb! Every single year my brother has a gift for me at Christmas. I can only name 2 gifts he’s presented to me over the 100 years we’ve celebrated Christmas together. Both were homemade cookies (first from his wife Sheri who passed away in 2005, and more recently made by his current wife, Tammy).
Don’t think gifts have to be incredibly expensive or on some trendy list to please those you care about.
And finally, I have my first Christmas decoration up, thanks to the MM Christmas Open House.
Now you know: The patron saint of Florida is St. Jude, the saint of lost causes.
I sent Perry a text yesterday morning letting him I know I was taking down the Christmas trees and packing away every reminder of the holiday. (Yes, being so late doing so is out of character for me… but I’ve been sick.) His reply text was to ask me if it made me sad.
Well, now that you mention it…
I’ve said here before I love Christmas lights and the build up before the festive holiday — but honestly, I love the feeling of having everything back to normal too. Just like I love the change of seasons, I love the change inside my home. Both trees are stored, and the places they shone brightly are now like Christmas never even happened.
I didn’t do it on New Year’s Day — none of it, actually.
Yesterday I did 100 loads of laundry. By waiting until after 1/1/25, I saved everyone’s life that I might’ve had to do laundry for upon their death. Matter of fact, I refrained from doing ANYTHING on New Year’s Day. Yesterday was make-up day! In addition to Christmas cleanup, I also had dinner in the crockpot ready, the trash out, the house cleaned, swept and mopped. TADA!
Now that I’m finished with all that, the main thing on the agenda for today is delivery of my pre-winter storm grocery order. I’m nervously waiting to see if I get any of the eggs, milk and bread that are on my list.
Happy Friday, y’all! 🙂
Now you know: Masabumi Hosono was the only Japanese passenger on the Titanic. While he survived, he was severely condemned in the United States and Japan. His account of the sinking of Titanic remains the only document to be written on Titanic stationery.
I’m taking the next 4 days to simply enjoy the aftermath of Christmas. That translates to starting the decoration removal on Monday. Of course, removing Christmas from the barndo also means cleaning as I go so everything is back in order for the new year.
Treat yourself to a relaxing activity because you’ve earned it!
I know I’ve earned a couple days to simply not get out of my pjs, and I’m sure you have too! From high expectations (preparing food and choosing the right gifts) and tons of social interaction — to traveling (for me it was riding in a car for over 3 hours), late nights, early mornings, and a disrupted sleep schedule — it’s exhausting.
And that’s not even touching on the stressful photo battle I fought and lost…
4 Tips for cleaning up after Christmas:
They say you should break Christmas clean-up down into one room at a time to stay organized.
I never do that… I take down and pack up everything first, and then go to war on the house cleaning.
They say you should declutter as you’re packing decorations.
I never do that… I can’t part with some of my ornaments — even the ones that are too broken/ratty to put on a tree.
They say you should clean decorations, wrap lights carefully, and store everything in plastic totes.
I never do that… I cram everything in boxes (they are labeled for the most part) and figure I’ll untangle the lights next year or buy new.
They say you should make it a team effort and involve the whole family.
No way I could do that! If I waited around for my family’s help, we could just leave everything out for next year.
I’m ZERO for 4. 😬
Some do it early and some wait…
There was a time I had my house totally put back to normal on Christmas night. I don’t do that anymore but I never leave the decorations until after the new year.
While there’s no definitive statistic, a significant number of people take down their Christmas decorations after the first of the year (TYPE “A”) — and many simply aim to have their homes back to normal before 1/1 (TYPE “B”).
So are you an “A” or a “B” — and how many did you score on the 4 tips above?
Now you know: “Project Iceworm” was a top-secret 1958 $2.7 billion U.S. plan to convert part of the Arctic into a launchpad for nuclear missiles, including a nuclear reactor. Due to shifting Greenland ice sheets, the plan was scrapped in 1967, & the massive underground structure thereafter collapsed
Christmas Eve was with my family at the barndo, and Christmas Day was spent with Perry’s mom in Rising Sun. Of course, photos are important as a keepsake of memories. It’s especially important to have decent photos taken during special gatherings with families.
Christmas Eve Photos at the Barndo…
Christmas Day Photos at Perry’s Mom’s House…
The Christmas Lesson: Don’t take photos under florescent lights and expect them to be any good at all.
I hope the spirit of Christmas filled your home with warmth, laughter, and love, and your holiday season was filled with cherished moments and blessings. And, I hope your photos were not taken under florescent lighting. 🙂
