Hi Nanner,

I am willing to go along with this thread. First, I live California in a suburb 10 miles from downtown L.A...

Our X'mas tree is 7 ft high (estimated). It is an artificial tree bought long ago by my parent-in-law.(I am living with them this year). The tree is dark green in color. This year, my husband made it very plain - it only have red lights, silver garlands, and a handful of blue and silver ornaments. Not enough to cover the tree. As a result, you can see a lot of green.. We placed my son's train underneath the X'mas tree. Oh I forgot, instead of a star or an angel on the tip of the tree, there sits Santa Claus.

Personally for me, it has been hectic since November. The atmosphere is a lot of hussling and bussling. On the weekends, the mall is packed with shoppers looking for gifts. Finding parking is hellish. At work, we each take turn bringing in food to share with the division. (So, I see myself unable to shed the baby weight during this time). The house is a mess with all the gifts laying around because we haven't had time to wrap them, yet. It seems like there is so much to do and so little time.

This year, my husband bought the gifts for the neices and nephews. He got them toys. For example, a Dora Castle set, bowling alley game, etc.. For the adults, we do Secret Santa, where we pick one name out of a bowl and only buy it for that one person. I bought my sister-in-law a pair of boots, knowing that most likely she would return it (every year we buy the wrong thing for each other). For my parent-in-laws, all of the siblings are chipping in to buy them a navigator for the car. On my side of the family, I bought gift cards for my sister and brother at Hollister and American Eagle. For my parents, I bought them a Canon camera off of Amazon.com.

What do I want for X'mas this year? Well, it would be nice if someone would offer to take me to get laser done on my face, so that my skin looks flawless (I am 30, right now).  I have a lot of sun spots and moles on my face from not putting sunblock on my face (and I don't even sun tan at all!).

Okie.. looking forward in reading what you have to tell us!

Dood    I am a little like Dood. the only reason I pay attention to holidays is because my kids force me to year after year and I keep hoping they will forget holidays but no, they won't. so at the last minute I get the holiday cheer but it is for their sake, because they are the true holiday for me.
Dana will receive the red tea pot that whistles; I already see it whistling to remind her to hurry up and put her makeup on and get herself out the door to work! she is a day late and a dollar short always! Michelle will receive the vegetable chopper, as she is always cooking up something another country cooks, which is sometimes good, sometimes I have to fake it.

a side note to Linh, when I was pregnant I developed a liver spot on my forehead, and maybe you have developed this too, it does go away over time, I don't think its from the sun necessarily.

say Dood, side note; you and your employer have been together in another time line in different bodies. (stricly opinion) thats why you care about him when he treats his wife like this, he's bringing something on his head by being dishonest and you know it deep down, but aren't allowed to say so right now. after all, he's your employer you figure you can't say anything. you actually don't have to say anything. it will all come out in the wash. I am furthering your rant! haha! I have a strong belief a woman has a right to know if her husband is straying from the vows, thats so she can make new decisions.
I sound like dear Abagail. sorry!

my decorations Nanner consist of a gummy substance says PEACE on my window, going to leave it there all year.

what I want for Xmas? hmmm. theres nothing I want! so that means anything I get is like frosting on the cake!
wait. yes, I told the kids I wanted some ceramic ducks to put in my yard. you know the tacky kind, white, with baby ducks with the mom. I have a mother duck of ceramic in my yard now, her neck has been mended with glue.    her babies are broken and she needs some babies as she's been alone out there since last year.

So Nanner dearie, you lead us in conversation, but I didn't hear from you what you want and how your house looks and I'm interested in German culture and all ears about you.

4 people in this board are having Christmas this year.. I hope that more will comment on this thread so I can tell the secret. Even the Grinches out there are welcome to participate  Nanner

300 guests showed up to witness "Bethelehem Revisited" at the Colville United Methodist Church.  Our church artists have painted huge murals on Christmas motifs that span the entire length of our long halls.  Fabulously talented art!  The halls lights are replete with beautiful strings of Christmas lights that create a haunting and mysterious atmosphere.  Each room in the church is like a Hollywood movie set for dramatizations of each key element of the Christmas story, including Isaiah's prophecies.  The guests are escorted through these dramas by Roman centurions wielding swords who have a condecending attitude towards the peasant guests!  All the actors are clad in authentic-looking costumes.  The guests view Isaiah prophesying in full trance, then witness a frightened Mary visit her aunt Elizabeth.  Elizabath, being a discerning mystic, is able to calm Mary down and build up her courage.  Then the guests are taken to the Census taker, who explains to them how a subject people must behave to keep their Roman masters happy and Roman coffers filled.  

The guests are then taken to Bethlehem's marketplace.  The innkeeper offers "these peasants" advice about where to stay, since his inn has long since been filled to capacity.  The children are given coins to donate to the shabbily dressed beggar who tries to hustle the guests for handouts.  The adults are amused by the beggar, but the young children are very protective of him and his needs.  The marketplace is full of tents displaying all the wares a first century Palestinian village would sell.  Guests are taught first-century crafts and games.  The children are espacially enthralled by these ancient games.  The children are taught how to make rope and weave with an ancient loom.  But the highlight is the animals--a live donkey, llama, goats, and sheep in the stable--inside the church!  The children all get to ride the cute donkey.  

Then I ( centurion) interrupt the proceedings and lead the guests down a mystical tunnel with georgeous wall murals to the shepherds in the field and the well-dressed magi.  After this encounter, the centurions, accompanied by the shepherds and magi, visit the Christchild in a stable.  [Mothers here deem it a great  honor to have their baby perform this role.]  After a further dramatization of the Christmas story, the guests are all given candles to light and place in a candle tree.  The atmosphere is dark and peaceful against the backdrop of an artistically stunning setting and a gargantuan Christmas tree with georgeous lights.  While this is going on, winged angels serenade the guests with carols.  Finally, I [1 of 6 centurions] escort them to the outside door.  A  long series of covered candles lines the walk to their cars.

Don

I love the holiday season.  This year I’m not decorating very much as my oldest daughter is having Christmas at her house.  I did put up the cutest little tabletop tree.  The gold star at the top is representative of the Star of David.  I made a multicolored beaded garland and found the cutest miniature ornaments to put on it.  It’s one of those artificial pre-lit trees with white lights.  I also made a wreath and decorated it with blue and gold ornaments.

My kids and grandkids always ask for soft furry socks to stay at home in.  They like pampered feet.  I guess who doesn’t?  Other gifts are dependent on my grandkids ages, which range from 1 year to 17 years old.

I can’t think of a better gift than for me to see heaven on earth, for all people everywhere to live in love and harmony.

Love, Kathy