Martini: You can't be too careful nowadays. I agree with PP, tell them no alcohol, PERIOD. It's your party and your friend's house. Your rules are what need to be followed. Don't forget how sue-crazy people are these days. At any rate, I hope your party is a smashing success! You'll have a wonderful time!

Sassy: I say regifting is a wonderful idea, especially with another gift to go along. It's much better than the card going to waste, right? And it'll be a nice meal the two of them will enjoy.

As far as my own holiday traditions go, I don't have many. This is the first year I've had a Christmas tree since I was 17. Normally, the Christmas tradition is to try not to go crazy as my fiance and I rush between our two families for Christmas/Eve. This year, as I said, we went to look at Christmas lights, and that didn't turn out well... lol Normally, we have fudges and cakes and cookies (and POUNDS! ) galore by now. I've been very good with my diet and exercise during this holiday season, imho. Knock on wood. Lol.

Hey Tiffie.

Thanks. I agree, I think someone should enjoy such a nice gift.

We are the same way, we still haven't put up our "tree" yet, if you want to call it that. Its like a Charlie Brown Tree really. lol. DH has this HUGE 7 1/2 Foot tree that is just ridiculously huge for our small apt. so mil gave us a small tree to put up, this is my kinda tree. Wanna know how you set it up?

Step 1 - Take it out of the box

Step 2 - Set it on the table where you want it.

That is it! lol.

Well chicas, I'm off to bed. I need some much needed Zzzzzz's! (I work nights)

Hey, that's the best kind!

Thanks for the advice too...you guys are right. I'm not going to worry about offending them. I can even set an example, since I'm probably not going to drink much more than a glass of champagne at midnight.

Only 7 days till Christmas! Wow! I can't believe it's here already. I just have one more person to shop for and I'm done. Why are men the hardest to shop for? Agh, I also have to bake for everybody! I'm making a tin of goodies for everyone I work with. Chocolate covered pretzels, peanuts, peppermint; cookies; turkish candy...ect. wish me luck on not snacking while I cook!

Martini: Yes that is MY kinda tree, lemme tell ya! But my DH is "Mr. Christmas" Luckily we still live in the small apt, so this year is the "Charlie Brown Tree"

YVW and I think you'll enjoy yourself, don't worry about them, have fun!

I hear ya about men and how hard they are to shop for. UGH. My fil is impossible, has everything, but of course, wants nothing. lol. I think I found something for my DH though!! Its a leatherman or some people call it a multi-tool? They have one at Costco that comes with a knife too and little carrying cases for them and all that stuff. So there is one thing down! lol.

I am also baking for other people, for work and for my mother who is coming up on Christmas, after work and staying with us a couple days.

I am pretty good about not snacking when I bake, but I make take a lick of the batter!

Enjoy yourself!

Well the holidays are creeping up on us now! R U all ready? I'm not! lol. Still have not gotten a little something for the in-laws. I made many suggestions today but DH didn't like any of them!

We did get our "goods" for our Christmas Dinner we are having with my mom on Tues.

I still have to go out and buy my DH's present yet! How am I going to do that I don't know, since we are both working all weekend! I don't know what to do. I need a personal shopper!!!!!!!! lol. I guess I will figure something out!!!!

Happy Holidays everybody!

Yes, Sassy I am ready for the Holidays...for them to be OVER, lol! Hate to say it but the holiday was really over for me on the 11th.

We are just having a small ham dinner...with potatoes, yams, green beans, salad, rolls and a couple desserts...cheesecake for DD, pumkin pie for DH, and brownies for DS. I think I got dessert'ed (I know that's not a word, lol) out on the 11th since it was too soon after Thanksgiving and so I didn't get anything that I wanted-nothing sounded good.

I did finish my shopping yesterday...wasn't really anything, just had to pick up one gift and of course do my grocery shopping.

I am just ready to start the New Year and for this one to be over with!

A very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!

I hear ya on that Cristina. I'm ready for the Holidays to be over! As then I won't be working 15 + hour shifts! lol. (working 15 hours on Xmas!!) So I'm just ready for them to be over and done with.

DH said that we're going to request some time off in Feb. since we worked ALL the holidays. Which we really didn't care too, just extra money in our pockets, but we do need some time off!

We don't mind working, but it does get kinda old after a while, working EVERY Holiday! We have worked EVERY single holiday this year! Except for Easter and to me that really doesn't count since you don't get "paid" for it. But all the other "Paid" Holidays we have worked, every single one! Next year I am happy to report that Xmas is on a TUESDAY and unless something major happens with our shifts, that is NOT our scheduled night, so therefore we won't get paid any holiday pay for it, so that means we are not going to be working Xmas next year!

I wanted to add that I checked out the calender for next year and it looks like we are going to miss working ALL the major holidays as most are on Tues/Wed, which we don't work! (unless something changes) AND we will be working New Years Day, so "technically" we will already have our "one holiday a year" in! (you are required to work at least one holiday a year here).

Happy Holidays!

Santa Game:

http://www.banditos.info/speles/sobersanta2.swf

SASSY...DS and DH had to work today also! But not 15 hours, egads! At least it's not a full day for them and at least you and DH are working together so one is not sitting home alone. And wtg on no having to work holidays next year!

Hey Cristina. Yup 15 hours tonight! I feel like I'm getting ready for a marathon! lol. But like I said, we don't have to work any holidays next year!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Hope everyones went well. Mine was fantastic! I got a brand-new laptop!!! Very nice Christmas. Hope everyone else's was happy!

Merry Christmas Jesus.

Hi Gals.

Tiffie, what a great gift! What did I get for Xmas?

Well I got most of my gifts early. The in-laws bought us a brand new bed that was not only for Xmas but for both of our bdays and our anniversary. But MIL did get us a few little things just to have something to open up. I got a pretty fleece holiday shirt and an M & M ceramic container. (I collect the Green M & M) Oh yeah and don't forget about our New Car we bought ourselves Nov. 1st!

DH & I are going to do ours probably next pay check as that one is going to be the one with all of our Over Time on it. I told DH that I was thinking of getting him either a Wii or an IPod (one with video). I told him because I would rather him pick out what he wants and I don't know much about the IPods at all. So he is going to think on which one he wants. As for me, I can't think of anything I want except for time off of work and DH can't really give that to me! lol.

I hope you all had a Great Xmas!

Any big plans for New Years??????

Mine? WORK!!!!!! Go figure!