allshoppedout

So do you all think this is a great teacher gift? Or just an ok one.... Do you think most teachers have a bag like this already? Or do they always need another, because they divide up papers/books/props/etc... (I think it is a nice tote, but I hate for my gift to end up in a pile). Any teachers reading this thread?

Some years I have slept from 1-3 hours, but not typically......and most likely no sleep this year.

Well today began good.......but then I decided to go to the attic to look at some of the outdoor decorations...knowing it'll be 60 ish beginning tomorrow, I wanted to be organized.. HA! I found out that 2 of my net light sets won't light...I shook them and wiggled the bulbs, nothing! Oriiginally I had 4... Then I remembered that I had trouble last Fall with the other 2 sets....so that means I HAVE NO NET LIGHTS.. Then there is the lighted garland I wrap around lampost do you think that worked? I know it DID when I had it up last Christmas....I found the broken wire after I looked a bit, so NO GARLAND FOR LAMP.... I am hoping my 2 deer make it through this Xmas, they are grapevine, and gold and I love how they look, nicer than alot I have seen in my days.... and they were only 60 for both and that was about 6 years ago...(they are not small ones) Considering they spend about 2 months outside every year, I guess they were pretty long lasting. How long do YOUR decorations last? I wanted to find ONE nice cute new thing for the yard, but didn't find anything exceptionally cute. I even looked at WALGREENS... Got my "portable ceramic heaters" from the attic too .... won't need them THIS weekend, but I will soon after --figured grab 'em while I was up there.. So..... Not a very productive day lilij, sounds like a good plan...I won't turn mine on until night before T-giving :)

WOW 24 years that is amazing, how lucky she is. . . I wanted to add about getting memberships or classes to things, I think they are fantastic because each time they go, week after week, they will remember, Grandma gave me this as a gift..and then there is a swingset!! It can be purchased and kept in garage, put a ribbon on it, but don't put up right away. (Get a big photo of it to give to her ) Sometimes a significant/large gift is great... When my kids (pretty active, energetic) had too many little toys laying about, it turned into just a sea of clutter... Have a SUPER Holiday!

my idea is instead of musical chairs....which can get a little crazy, not alot of space, etc..... How about playing a game where people sit in a circle and pass around some holiday item.... like a stuffed Santa toy, or Snowman or if you are all over 18, how about something "funny/adult humor" (like buying a pair of xxlarge size red bikini's). You pass "SANTA's UNDIES" (item you selected) around to tune of Christmas music...when music stops, whomever is holding his undies, is eliminated. And so on, one by one until there is only one winner.. As folks are eliminated, they get a number (if there were 20 people, the first person out would be #20, the next one #19, etc). Prizes are numbered on a table... If you can't bother/don't have something to play music on, you could always have your most talented friend singing a Christmas song and just stop-- I played this summer at my luau and passed around "hairy coconuts"

You are in GA, I don't know what your winters are like...but you could 1-get her one of those little houses by Little Tykes maybe she could play in it a bit during winter and spring, but really enjoy in Summer.. You could build it and keep it indoors if you have a game room or large bedroom....and let her play indoors all winter. Years ago, I did this with the bigger slide/climb thing for my son then we took it apart partially, and reassembled outside in April. Never had anything from LittleTykes break... 2-Also the Sport Coupe car --unisex--to move around in, burn some energy when stuck inside this winter. It is fairly small and she will use it for a long time to come. Zoo membership mentioned by other poster is great idea & how about 3- GYMBOREE class paid for by Grandma or Grandpa? Makes it even more special... And some states have KINDERMUSIK classes, my son loved this place! 4-Gift certificate for BUILD A BEAR!!! I have a son born in January, had much of the same problem, he got a bunch of stuff for Xmas and then I never knew what to tell people to bring for his b-day party... you don't want too many gifts at once--it can be tough... and with yours growing so fast, there are only so many toys for the 12-24 month age group..then they won't use many of those, they'll outgrow..

You are in GA, I don't know what your winters are like...but you could get her one of those little houses by Little Tykes maybe she could play in it a big in winter and spring, but really enjoy in Summer.. 1-You could build it and keep it indoors if you have a game room or large bedroom....and let her play indoors all winter. Years ago, I did this with the bigger slide/climb thing for my son then we took it apart partially, and reassembled outside in April. Never had anything from LittleTykes break... 2-Also the Sport Coupe car --unisex--to move around in, burn some energy when stuck inside this winter. It is fairly small and she will use it for a long time to come. Zoo membership mentioned by other poster is great idea & how about 3- GYMBOREE class paid for by Grandma or Grandpa? Makes it even more special... And some places have KINDERMUSIK classes, my son love this! Gift certificate for BUILD A BEAR!!! I have a son born in January, had much of the same problem, he got a bunch of stuff for Xmas and then I never knew what to tell people to bring for his b-day party... you don't want too many gifts at once--it can be tough... and with yours growing so fast, there are only so many toys for the 12-24 month age group..then they won't use many of those, they'll outgrow..

Great deal, especially since it is a DVD! **For anyone who hasn't heard of them, they are wonderful!! Not real "preachy" but give excellent lessons, great lively characters, funny, sweet, makes the kids sit up and pay attention! The kids don't even realize that they are learning LOL May be good for Sunday school teacher even. I have to say that Are you my Neighbor and Where's God When I am Scared? were 2 of my kids favorites... I know my one son could probably recite most of the dialogue for each of those!

In another thread regarding homemade crafts, Gottadealers have put pine cones in a jar with lights and potpouri . I found this too: Pine cones can be added to any potpourri mixture for an added Christmas feel. Or use pine cones all by themselves in a pretty bowl or transparent vase. Add a couple of drops of essential oils to the pine cones to create your own individual Christmas holiday scent. Some suggested essential oils for Christmas are cinnamon, peppermint, and cloves. Essential oils are very potent. Just a few drops will scent even most large rooms. Try this in bathrooms for unique and useful Christmas decorating ideas. Use pine cones to make homemade Christmas ornaments. For a totally natural look, tie a pretty thread or string to the pine cone by looping the thread around the pine cone's needles. Then hang it on the tree. You can also have fun decorating pine cones. For a different natural look, buy some flock spray. This is basically fake snow in a can. Flock spray can be found in crafts stores and most discount stores around Christmas. Spray the flock spray on the pine cones in an all-over light coating or just spray the tips. Kids like to use glitter to decorate pine cones for ornaments. If you have enough pine cones, you can used them as homemade garland for your Christmas tree. Simply string the pine cones together by tying them securely with pretty ribbon. Leave the pine cones plain or decorate them however you like. This is one of the best Christmas decorating ideas for a country, old-fashioned, or rustic themed Christmas tree. Pine cones make great decorations for Christmas anywhere in the home. Pine cones and other nature items like acorns, pine boughs, and grape vines will go well with most decorating schemes. Try placing them in decorative bowls. Or use them as table centerpieces or displayed on your fireplace mantel. Hope this helps.

And these could be made and given as gifts (an ornament) or used on your own tree Or put on top of a package Glitter pine cone: Gather clean well shaped pine cones, loose glitter, brown bags, spray adhesive, and ribbon. Spray your pinecone with the adhesive and then drop into a bag that you've sprinkled glitter into. Shake well and remove. After deciding where to position your ribbon add more adhesive to that area (regular glue works well for this also) and making a loop with the ribbon lay ends on the glue and hold briefly. If cone still feels tacky allow to dry before handling.

This little angel would look cute on a package http://z.about.com/d/familycrafts/1/G/R/q/2/PineConeAngelLyndy.jpg http://familycrafts.about.com/od/makingangels/a/CRPineConeAngel.htm

I knew I'd recall another. Wedding gift, some hideous clock that looked like a piece of old tree :yuck: trashed!

Ok, DS11 is going out tonight and I have decided to watch the ELF dvd I asked DS15 and he said he'll watch it with me (but not to tell anyone LOL) shhh...

I am sure there are some more....but this one from a non-blood relative comes to mind..... A "used" book yep couldn't get me a NEW one... it looked like it had been through a few wars...and guess what came with this lovely book?? Two ugly bath towels, no wash cloths, no hand towels to match. (Wait, maybe that was a blessing..) The towels had this big piece of old-lady lace on it....I don't like lace much anyway, but who wants it on my towel so it can scratch my wet back as I try to dry ?

yep, well my DH entire family/even extended is anti-card...and I had sent them many photos and cards in the early years. Not anymore...you'd think once I'd get a note from them, a thank you for the cute pic, what a beautiful card, :no:nothing... I'd like to say it is because they are concerned about trees/environment, it's not...It's a word that rhymes with jeep....

Ok it's my favorite time of year...here are all my faves... Charlie Brown Christmas ~favorite scenes: choosing the tree, snoopy decorating The Grinch that Stole Christmas ~ making Max look like a Reindeer, WHO'S singing holding hands... Frosty the Snowman ~ NO MONEY, NO TICKET (also my son's fave part), and Karen shivering in boxcar..... Santa Claus is Coming to Town~ Fred Astaire as mailman, so cute, One foot in front of the other song! Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer ~ rudolph losing nose, HERMIE the dentist shortcomings... Christmas Vacation~ too many! the clump of lights that won't unknot/light, and the tree on fire and the squirrel on Chevy's/Clark's back It's a Wonderful Life~ when he first goes out with Mary, George arguing, the end makes me cry every time. Stewart puts alot into that scene.. ELF~ Jovy and Buddy singing "Baby It's Cold Outside" and "Santa, I KNOW HIM!" If forced at gunpoint to narrow it down it'd be: 1 film ~ Christmas Vacation and 1 animated ~ Charlie Brown

:) oh thank you... might be a little hard to read...is says thankful for Keith... as much as I love the snoopy/peanuts specials & wanted them as my avi, I couldn't ditch Keith LOL. .http://bestsmileys.com/christmas1/3.gif I just was thinking, any of you ever ponder why it is that we ladies so much enjoy the decorating & the choosing of decorations/lights etc?? (I mean some men like it, but I'd say it is quite rare). I know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the LIGHTS and I hate taking them down in Jan....I think the lights add LIFE to WINTER in my part of the world---where everything is cold, gloomy and snowy--sun doesn't come out that much. I don't know maybe I wouldn't be so obsessed if I were in Florida or Texas.... I know my Dad refused to put decorations outside when I was growing up--not ever sure why, but likely that he hated the cold! He did put all lights on tree inside the house and get most of the stuff down from attic. Maybe his anti-lights make me PRO-LIGHTS Love to hear others opinions....

I think you should do it! DH would have problems with me doing it inside~ I did clean up our gameroom where he watches his sports--every sport-LOL, all day yesterday. I am trying to get my butt in gear... Could you "charm" him, use your womanly ways.. I would like my hubby to do some outside lights this weekend, we are supposed to have 55-63 temps :) but he may have to work on Saturday, no way I can do it myself with the kids home so we will see... .

Ok I like the new glade ones for their holiday fragrance collection, just saw them today.... I like the one where the people light up/put out the glade and things change, like the ladies clothes become more elegant (black dress) and the home decor changes...lit up wreaths but they didn't have that posted on Youtube yet.. and then there is this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p23AdFSuGfM **Also every time I try to use the YOUTUBE icon when posting replies and I add the link, it never comes up in my reply with the actual video you can click on, anyone know why?

Gone with the wind - Margaret Mitchell

I don't know how many I got last year, but it wasn't many. Shame really. I mean I know postage is high...but if there is any time of year you should send a card to family, I think it is this time of year, and really the fact that you can get them on clearance and have ready for the following year, makes it even more reasonable...you rarely get an anniversary or birthday card clearance at 75 or 90%... I just don't think ecards do it for the holidays... I do send them, but I send them like a few days before Xmas, to close friends that I already sent a regular card to in the US mail...

THANKS FOR REMINDING ME raven20_79 about the Hershey Kiss Jingle, sure do love that one

I am zero---so sad. . .

Good deals for you :) I just had to comment 'cause my 1st favorite STEELER would be from Shreveport, # 12 Terry Bradshaw

See I had thought KISSES originally but I think they have silver ones in there now...so that threw me .... but I think M & M's are still red and green for the regular flavor :) Always like your trivia game. Glad you do it.