tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post2632328504634405602..comments2024-03-29T02:43:11.575-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58702720687991856402012-11-24T18:14:26.888-05:002012-11-24T18:14:26.888-05:00Leslie, obviously you don't know my family. Yo...Leslie, obviously you don't know my family. You know, the underwear thing.<br /><br />Okay, and box store… what is that? Honest, I have absolutely no idea what that is.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55343014098547387052012-11-24T17:29:26.306-05:002012-11-24T17:29:26.306-05:00Avoid the madness! Move to a small town or city wh...Avoid the madness! Move to a small town or city where there are no box stores, few chain stores, lots of locally owned shops, and plenty of shops with items made and sold by people you know! (Only drawback: you can't buy underwear. Which isn't really a problem for Christmas shopping ... . :) )Leslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23612424601897636722012-11-23T21:24:52.716-05:002012-11-23T21:24:52.716-05:00Years ago -MANY, I use to have all my shopping do...Years ago -MANY, I use to have all my shopping done, wrapped before Thanksgiving<br />Cards, written, addressed, stamped and mailed Friday after Thanksgiving <br /><br />As I got older, cards got later, suddenly they were New Years Cards, few years into Feb/march - hope you all had a great Valentines/St.Patty's Day and wishes for a wonderful spring<br /><br />Pkgs got sent out express overnight on the 23rd<br /><br />Now we have very few people we exchange gifts with and that is cutting back to prob none this year - economy us and others we know so hard, really do we all need anything else to set on our counter, mantle, end table - I don't think so, most of us are giving stuff to the mission house, local church bazaars or some doing yard sales (prob selling things they got for Cmas)<br /><br />D&I use to exchange gifts, I think in 33 years he has surprised me twice, if I want something under tree I have to give a detailed list (preferably with pictures) or buy what I want, wrap it and tag it from Santa. <br /><br />He has an annoying habit of going out December 1st and buying whatever he is wanting - leaving no options for his Birthday or Cmas both falling in December,so Annabelle gets pressies from Santa (for those of you who don't know us - Annabelle is our 75# baby - one silver Labradoodle who runs the house)<br /><br />I love the decorations but have found myself procrastinating more and more every year about decorating - we dont have much company here. <br /><br />When we lived in Fla, we always had people in and out - we use to walk in and out of each others houses on our street, only 6 of us and we all got together for snackies and drinks during the holidays. <br /><br />Moving to TN we dont have that and that I do miss. I use to make about 100 dozen cookies every year, a dozen or more rum cakes, kept 3 or 4 dozen for people popping over for a visit rest were given away, miss that too......in some ways I've become a grinch, hard to get excited about the holidays and decorating when you are the only one who looks at it and DH really could care less if decorations are up or not........MR. Scrooge himself, though he will put up outside lights for me as I do not do ladders - if he didnt, I'd hire someone, have to have outside lights.<br /><br />Somewhere in all that falls "BLACKFRIDAY" UGH I hate crowds, the internet was a great invention for Christmas shopping, and all year shopping for that matter, Black Friday falls in there with going to the mall the day after Christmas - went once, WHAT WAS I THINKING place was a madhouse, I lasted about 15 minutes and left.<br /><br />As usual, I got sidetracked - I still have last years Cmas cards, I think I got a few of them mailed but since I have a stack of them, it wasnt many - maybe this year :)<br /><br />MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE - I hope you all enjoy the season stress free!!!!!<br /><br />hugs<br />MarRosie123https://www.blogger.com/profile/11528374618939863598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59444519595737693842012-11-23T21:23:43.096-05:002012-11-23T21:23:43.096-05:00I have to say I was a little bit intimidated this ...I have to say I was a little bit intimidated this morning when I read this. With all the comments about things I'd never heard of before or had no idea what they were, if I had heard of them, I didn't know what to say. <br /><br />I remember being shocked, several years ago, by all the crowds of people shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I called my best friend to tell her about it. She said I'd been living under a rock and told me about Black Friday. That's the first I'd ever heard of it.<br /><br />Before that I think I just stayed put in the house with the family and - I don't know - did family stuff all weekend... played games; drank; ate turkey sandwiches on bread, spread with cold congealed gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce; watched old movies on TV... . I don't know what a Whoopie pie is. Now, after reading Edith's comment, I am wondering where the <i>other</i> Italian part of Boston might be. Really? There's another? You mean Eastie?<br /><br />I love being with family, especially Auntie-Mom and her gang, and don't mind traveling to see them. I enjoy it, because the thought of being with them and spending time together makes it worthwhile. I like going through the shared memories, even the bad ones, because we keep sorting it out and have become much closer because of it. And the drinking… did I mention that? I enjoy drinking and singing songs together. I like the party part.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37072271879470906412012-11-23T17:43:53.925-05:002012-11-23T17:43:53.925-05:00p.s. Not to be missed -- the David Sedaris essay a...p.s. Not to be missed -- the David Sedaris essay about Dutch holiday traditions. I keep the cd in my car, and laugh myself sick several times during the season.<br />Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29714943093745573222012-11-23T17:42:36.851-05:002012-11-23T17:42:36.851-05:00Do not do Black Friday. Rarely do "big box&q...Do not do Black Friday. Rarely do "big box" stores or malls, although I do like "Home Goods." <br />I am done shopping -- daughters get sweaters and some sort of kitchen doo-dad. <br />I mail stuff to my sisters and mother.<br />Children get simple stuff. All done with that.<br />I do cards, including a Christmas family letter (which I allow my kids to edit).<br />Last minute anything would kill me! (Could that be a method of murder?)<br />Near Christmas, I love music, stories, pageants, church -- this year going to the "Revels" in Boston, and "White Christmas" at the Kennedy Center, and "My Fair Lady," also in DC.<br />I love, love, love Christmas. House is decorated.<br />Joy to the world!Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67209499166379771732012-11-23T15:47:35.366-05:002012-11-23T15:47:35.366-05:00And yes, one of my favorite times is the grocery s...And yes, one of my favorite times is the grocery store the night before Thanksgiving. I love it. Weird, huh? But we're all in it together, and I think it's fun...Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16840639635365245532012-11-23T15:46:08.511-05:002012-11-23T15:46:08.511-05:00Not shopping! But whoa, ANnette..you have this D...Not shopping! But whoa, ANnette..you have this DOWN! Impressive!<br /><br />Laura, I'm shocked, too. YOU, organized? I swoon. :-) <br /><br />But I all admit..I LOVE to wrap.<br /><br />Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59884658127533730502012-11-23T15:26:01.519-05:002012-11-23T15:26:01.519-05:00For 2 years in a row, I bought Christmas cards aft...For 2 years in a row, I bought Christmas cards after Christmas in order to have a jump on next year and save money. I forgot about the stash - both years. So out of a clear blue sky I found cards ----they lasted for quite some time. And tomorrow, Saturday, is the day to shop at small businesses, local ones are best. It is a gift you give yourself and the business which may stay in business because of the income they make during the holidays. And finally, I have almost all the shopping done. I used hotel points - I had nearly 350,000 points. It was wonderful.Annettenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63656434468323155512012-11-23T15:03:34.937-05:002012-11-23T15:03:34.937-05:00Hating Christmas seems unbearably sad to me. I...Hating Christmas seems unbearably sad to me. I'm so sorry.Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56668757344380513182012-11-23T14:30:18.283-05:002012-11-23T14:30:18.283-05:00I wish I still liked Christmas, but it has become ...I wish I still liked Christmas, but it has become mostly an irritation. Traveling to visit family is a nightmare, and at home it doesn't make sense to decorate for my husband and me--because he hates Christmas, as does my son (who knows why). <br /><br />As for the original question about Dark, Evil Friday? Never, ever. Any shopping I do is strictly local--not exactly a sacrifice, since our local shops are fabulous.<br />Terry Shameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07202071611825887999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57640726181430392492012-11-23T13:53:04.845-05:002012-11-23T13:53:04.845-05:00Wrapping presents might be one of those skills tha...Wrapping presents might be one of those skills that skips generations, kind of like sewing. <br /><br />Because I spent several years as a buyer for a chain of specialty stores in the 70's, I detest shopping of any kind (well, except maybe books and fabric. and garden stuff). Being a buyer means shopping, either for the store, or fake-shopping at competitors' stores, about 75% of the time. The shiny wore off that one fast. <br /><br />Hank, thanks for accurately expressing the seven stages of Christmas cards for me, as well. Too funny. I still have cards I bought over 20 years ago. We also had tons of old cards that my mother-in-law had, way, way older than that. I finally matched them all up with envelopes, bundled them into plastic bags, and donated them to the Goodwill collection center a couple months ago. <br /><br />Jan, I like your system, but you can go one step further: Just assume, on Day One, that you're going to be at the final stage and just don't even worry about it until then. Why waste the energy feeling guilty over it? Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60070948940598295882012-11-23T13:39:36.120-05:002012-11-23T13:39:36.120-05:00Laura, my grandmother and I did the wrapping in my...Laura, my grandmother and I did the wrapping in my family (my mother never learned to wrap a package) so I love doing it, too. Christmas music, or maybe a favorite Christmas movie, hot chocolate, all those pretty ribbons and papers. Only thing is, then I hate opening them on Christmas Day:-)Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67533891269070424382012-11-23T13:27:01.538-05:002012-11-23T13:27:01.538-05:00I tend to shop online, or locally, and not on Blac...I tend to shop online, or locally, and not on Black Friday. Wrapping gifts with Carols playing, and egg nog handy used to be the family thing! I love this time of year!lil Glucksternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288522126331817172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86302112154267869462012-11-23T11:54:41.439-05:002012-11-23T11:54:41.439-05:00I'm shocked... SHOCKED! Laura.I'm shocked... SHOCKED! Laura. Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12743571279774115902012-11-23T10:37:29.899-05:002012-11-23T10:37:29.899-05:00Black Friday shopping--no.
I'm pretty organiz...Black Friday shopping--no.<br /><br />I'm pretty organized about the whole gift buying thing and do it year-round--this will shock those of you who know me, I'm sure--but what I really love is wrapping! Anyone else like to wrap while listening to Christmas carols, make pretty bows and unique tags, and make a bright, happy display under the Christmas tree?Laura DiSilveriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01603655651769232107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67172305016645767202012-11-23T09:32:29.640-05:002012-11-23T09:32:29.640-05:00Mother and I used to always do the Black Friday th...Mother and I used to always do the Black Friday thing together, but never in a mall. When we lived in Atlanta we rarely went to the malls at any time, but there are a lot of wonderful little shops tucked in some lovely little funky neighborhoods we loved. We would always hit those and had a great time. Was it worth it? Money wise - I have no idea - I don't remember that we always bought anything, but we always had a great time. We don't do it any more, but don't miss it. It was one of those things we did and enjoyed, but its time, for us, has passed.<br /><br />We both still love getting together to shop though, and we both tend to pick up our Christmas gifts all through the year when we spot something that looks like the perfect gift for someone (especially when it's on sale!).<br /><br />Today, instead of shopping, I'm doing Christmas decorating around the house. I love Christmas.<br /><br />And I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving - hugs all around!Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5380337773886881412012-11-23T09:26:17.251-05:002012-11-23T09:26:17.251-05:00Good Lord, NO!! My brother mentioned Black Friday ...Good Lord, NO!! My brother mentioned Black Friday to me about four years ago and I had no idea what he was talking about. I DO like shopping for gifts for people but it's the slogging around the stores and standing in lines that gets to me; due to long-time back problems, it is physically difficult. I've been doing more on-line shopping. <br /><br />There have been years when the cards just did not get sent. Maybe they were even addressed but I didn't get to the post office for stamps. I have enough cards at home that I probably have no need to buy any for a couple of years. Some years I deliberately send them the day AFTER Christmas. After all, the liturgical Christmas season has only just begun. I send cards only to people I rarely see. (When I start writing out the cards, I get a little teary about the friends and relatives who live so far away.) Last year I think I managed to get the cards in the mail by December 20th, a record for me. <br /><br />I love baking and try to start baking two or three weekends ahead of time and freeze the stuff until needed. (But it is SO tempting to keep tasting the stuff to make sure it came out right!)<br /><br />My office is open today but I took the day off, thinking that Thanksgiving dinner wouldn't be over until much later and that I would not get to bed at a decent hour. Turns out I could have gone in today. I will be steering clear of the shopping centers today and intend to just go to the library! Or start baking.Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45344569846718703992012-11-23T09:21:16.474-05:002012-11-23T09:21:16.474-05:00Sandi,
I can believe that. I have actually had goo...<br />Sandi,<br />I can believe that. I have actually had good times in what would seem a hassle-like experience. I think there is something good that happens between people when they feel they are in the trenches together.<br /><br />Ramona,<br />I am a big David Sedaris fan, but did not know about the elf essay. I'm going to have to try to find it.<br /><br />~jan <br />Jungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81692393023307141302012-11-23T07:33:14.800-05:002012-11-23T07:33:14.800-05:00I consider it a good Christmas when I don't se...I consider it a good Christmas when I don't set foot in a mall even once. I shop at local stores and online. One of my favorite kind of gifts is to get tickets to a concert or promise an afternoon at a spa for my best friend and me to do together. It's a treat for her and a time we can hang out. Once I gave my foodie son two tickets to a food-based tour of Boston's North End (the real Italian section). He took his girlfriend and loved it.<br /><br />But I'm usually a procrastinator, too, scrambling in the week before Christmas to finish up. Not a good plan!Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25711945172249201512012-11-23T07:25:35.303-05:002012-11-23T07:25:35.303-05:00I have shopped on Black Friday many times (and wil...I have shopped on Black Friday many times (and will go out later today). It's a family tradition - my mom and her sisters have gone every year for at least 30 years, and they're out now. I went with them several times, but now I do most of my shopping online.<br /><br />While I hate the crowds, I honestly haven't experienced any rudeness. In fact, standing in line waiting to check out has generally been fairly pleasant because of conversations with those around me. The only time I've seen people get angry is when they've stood in line to get in to a store for an hour or more, only to have the store open and find there are only three of some big doorbuster item. I don't even bother with those anymore.<br />Sandinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60626083687875709592012-11-23T07:22:05.330-05:002012-11-23T07:22:05.330-05:00Whoopie pies sounds like a great solution! And I d...Whoopie pies sounds like a great solution! And I do love David Sedaris's essay--even better when you listen to him read it:)Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64164795782941383852012-11-23T06:43:43.804-05:002012-11-23T06:43:43.804-05:00PS - I forgot. One year I sent everyone boxes of ...PS - I forgot. One year I sent everyone boxes of whoopie pies from an Amish bakery. That was fun!Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26318476647834769632012-11-23T06:41:34.422-05:002012-11-23T06:41:34.422-05:00I love to shop, but I hate Christmas and refuse to...I love to shop, but I hate Christmas and refuse to go into a mall or most department stores in the holiday season. So I buy online or in small shops around town. Except for the kids, I give restaurant gift cards, which I usually pack up with a bag of gourmet coffee. Thank goodness we're all food and coffee addicts in my fam!<br /><br />I like to start the holiday season by re-reading David Sedaris' adventures as an elf at Macy's. It affirms that I'm not the only one who is a grump. Now I see you can listen to a portion on NPR. Yay!Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48104344263923729392012-11-23T00:23:48.388-05:002012-11-23T00:23:48.388-05:00::SIGH:: You mean it’s Black Friday time again?? ...::SIGH:: You mean it’s Black Friday time again?? <br /><br />Black Friday . . . maybe it’s called “Black” because it’s so malevolent --- I despise pushy, rude crowds, haven’t got the patience to stand in line waiting to get into the store, and generally would rather be tucked in under a warm quilt than standing out in the cold at some ghastly hour when every sane person is home in bed . . . . <br /><br />I enjoy seeing the Little Ones open packages, so there’s always lots of stuff under the tree tagged with their names . . . I really love being able to surprise someone with an unexpected gift so I shop ahead. take full advantage of online shopping, and always shop the Hallmark ornament premieres [everyone knows to expect their favorite series pieces to show up under the tree], and shopping in the book store is one of the greatest delights of the season . . . . <br /><br />I’m not a fan of giving gift cards [except for restaurant gift cards] . . . and someday I will actually get those Christmas cards in the mail [I hope] . . . .Joan Emersonnoreply@blogger.com