Are you doing anything different this Christmas?
 

With the economy in the doldrums and people losing jobs are you doing anything diifferent this holiday season? Things are a bit tighter for my family this year, but we aren't in as bad shape as most folks hit hard.

Wife, kids and I have decidied we're only going to exchange one gift each and keep it reasonably priced. We plan to concentrate more on getting togethr and enjoying each other's company over a few special meals and perhaps visits to some public events like an outdoor singing tree, etc. Our traditional Christmas nite party for friends and neighbors (usually have about 100-120 people show up) at our home will continue but we're scaling back on the extravagant food and drink.

We are going to take some of the money we aren't spending on ourselves and purchase toys to donate to needy families. Wife and I are volunteering to work on Christmas day serving lunch at a food bank organization.

What about you guys...doing anything different?

Still going to Mexico. Of course, we're driving and we'll be in Chihuahua, not some resort.

I plan on being 15% more sarcastic this year.

Nop...same as last year, and the one before and...will be with my wife and my two daughters on a sunny beach in Cancun...a Pinacolada in one hand and a Mojito in the other one.

This is the christmas of 18's. I plan on waking up next to an 18yo then cracking open a bottle of 18 year glenfiddich.

scaled way back. no tree.

we made a pact to not buy each other gifts..but you all know how that ends. me opening packages, and wife all pissed off with zero gifts. me, "but we had a deal....!!!"

i am shopping tonight.

Same thing here, almost. We did buy my Mom a plane ticket to come spend it out west with us this year. Haven't spent Christmas with her in over 15 years I think.

Staying home for the first time in 29 years. No one in the (disfunctional) family is talking to me. Tree is up, lights go up tomorrow, and I told my wife to prepare to be innundated with gifts. I'm even giving her the Targa. It's gonna be a goooooooood X-mas.

i know what you are getting....you have a great wife.

I am not going to drink until I throw up. And I really mean it this year.

Things are going to be way different for me...

Been a dyed in the wool bachelor all my life... typical Christmas has always been... go to brothers house - exchange token gifts with family - eat/drink - go home and drink some more.

This year Fiance is flying out Christmas afternoon, then we are taking a week vacation up the central coast.

I'm paying for the vacation so she said I don't have to get her anything for Christmas... so I'm shopping online for her Christmas present right now. ;)

Going to Cambria?

Is it for the P-Car or the Camaro? C'mon,,,,help a brutha out!

My wife and I will be Cambria 24th-25th and then to Soquel to hook up with the rest of the familySmileWavy

We usually "adopt" a family or 2, buy gifts that they have written down. It's usually "10 y.o. boy needs jacket and gloves, 8 y.o. girl wants art supplies". This year we got a family with a 17 y.o. boy who wants tools and parts to get his '89 Toyota pickup running. Right up my alley, I'm going to hit Harbor Freight and Napa for some "s" wrenches, ratchet handles, spark plugs and probably give him my old timing light.

Everyone in our families has more crap than they need, so we just buy for these families and deliver the gifts and baskets of food the weekend before Xmas. It gives you a great feeling and puts you in the spirit all the way up to Christmas Day. I will get something for the Wife though, I may be charitable but I'm not stupid.

Very different indeed. I hope things work out for you Man.

Yeah Scott, when did this "fiance" thing happen? You've had a busy year...

I like the way you think sir... :D

No stress, no drama. Gonna enjoy myself and the corny parts even more.

Your sleeping with Sidney!?!:confused:

And then they share the bottle of Glenfiddich

Heading to Colonial Williamsburg.

Don't worry boys... I don't swing that way... He can find some other 18 yr old...

I however would love to wake up next to this 19y/o blonde.... I don't think she would approve of the glenfiddich though...

My family is doing a White Elephant this year. Rules are below:

Each person can re-gift, buy new or give something old away

We create the same amount of numbers as participants

We put numbers in a box and have everyone select a number

Number one goes first and selects a wrapped gift. He opens it and everyone makes comments

Number two goes and can select number one’s opened gift or can select a new gift to open. Number two selects new gift and opens and everyone makes comments

Number three goes and looks at number one and number two’s gifts or he can select a new gift. Number three decides he likes number one’s gift. So now number one can select number two’s gift or open another gift…

It goes on until the last number goes. He can select anyone’s opened gift or take the last gift.

At work we limit the number of take aways to two because of time – we do not have to limit it on our gift exchange

Two gifts each for the kids and son in law. Grandkids are getting activity stuff. Tickets to the zoo, gift card for Chucky cheese, puzzles, coloring books. No toys. they have plenty of those. Wife and I are cutting way back although I did buy her a new sewing machine today. That will be her "big" gift. I have asked for little things, mostly for the shop. Shop towels, steel wool, mineral spirits, Brownells gift cert. for new bluing tank., and some smithing tools. A lowes gift card could cover most of that I guess but we try to support local M&P shops.

I really wish I could ask for my Colt 1908 .380 to go to Bob Cogan for refinishing but that is $200+ so I'll have to move a spoon or two to get there.

Only one hooker this year.

Is "hooker" some euphemism for "used car" in your world?

Almost ran out of gas there once. Man, was that a crazy expensive Chevron, at least $1 more than anywhere else in CA, except up the road in Big Sur.

I actually have a HUGELY busy Xmas coming up. I have seven family members flying in from all over and two more driving up from Yuma. I've never hosted anything like this. We had wanted to wait until the move to buy a bunch of furniture, but it's not gonna happen in time. So, not only have we been shopping for furniture, but I'm the one who has to assemble it all and move it around. I'm cooking dinner with my mom for the whole clan just about every night and will probably be in charge of some other stuff. Unfortunately, no one but my mom and I can handle what my wife cooks, so she's off duty for the week. We're doing nothing but stocking stuffers, since most are flying from far away. Gonna be a lot of work.

Rick, Sounds like I'd be pounding down the beers right now if I was in your position.

We're hoping to focus more on family and less on shopping this year (except for the kids, who always get serious loot regardless). There's been a lot going on - some really good and some not so good - and we'd rather focus on those things. But all-in-all it'll be about the same as usual.

I'm drinking a lot of Maker's Mark these days.

BTW, my best friend in Pittsburgh is unemployed and his wife started selling really awesome homemade arts and crafts on Etsey. I bought a bunch of stuff from her to give out as presents. It helps their family and has a little more meaning for mine, since we all know her. Check her out - Needlecraft fabric arts and recycled goodies by ThePoint on Etsy

Nicely done sir.

I'm using a faster sled for Santa's pick-ups and deliveries this year

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1259944167.jpg

The Army thought I should spend it in Iraq with a bunch of my closest friends. So that is something different this year. We have had Christmas decorations shipped in by family, so it will look festive, and we are doing a fund raiser for a local charity.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas Chuck..
say hello to your comrades..
BTDT...makes the next one home a true blessing..

Rika

I suppose the hooker would be cheaper.....:D

And be around longer;)

Boy, you guys are full of zingers!:D