sammy50

I still love the mini multi-color lights on the tree--and lots of them! I don't put lights up outside any more.

When they were little and now that they're grown, we still get them one real nice gift in the $l00 range or less and then 3-5 gifts like slacks, shirts, etc. I also fill a stocking for each member of our family and inlaws with candy and a book or movie they like. These were kids raised on "thriftstore and garage sale" christmas presents, so they're easy to buy for.

I have my husband's gift and my step-mom's gift. That's it so far. I never get in gear until after Thanksgiving.

My husband would rather take a bullet to the head than have to go shopping any time! That's fine by me because I can get it all done faster by myself.

I wrapped a large sewing kit for my aunt once in 3 yards of fabric. And once I wrapped my daughters comforter set in the matching drapes. I've also just used large black trash bags, comic pages, aluminum foil, and those empty popcorn tins.

I think it's just wrong. I wouldn't be comfortable with that at all (plus our ceilings are 23 ft high and that would be a real challenge!)

We'll spend nearly the same on him that we spend on our biological daughter and son. I try to at least one "fun" gift and then things that I now he will need.

Because of my grown kids' work schedules, over the past 4 years our Christmas dinner was always Christmas Brunch. My husband and I would fix 3 types of sausage, bacon, 2 different types of eggs, biscuits, muffins, gravy, big cinnamon rolls, pies, and fruit. It was quite a spread and worked out well for them. I think it's turning into something of a tradition with them now. We eat about 9 a.m., open gifts and they have time to digest and relax before they have to go to work.

I never have a theme. Just use ornaments I've had forever. My best friend has 5 trees in her home each year and has a different theme for each one. It's gorgeous but really takes a lot of time.

My mother-in-law started this with every grandchild born. Each year she got one of those little brass ornaments at Walmart and had their name and the year engraved on it for each one. She passed away 3 years ago so I get them for the kids now. They really cherish those ornaments and they always go on their trees first.

Mary Did You Know is my absolute favorite. I always get a smile when I hear Little Drummer Boy and Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

I'm sure my husband thinks we spend less than $300 on Christmas (wouldn't you like to live in his world?) We don't spend tons but it's sure not any $300!!! He just doesn't want to know.

I think it's station l02 here in Kansas City that started playing ALL Christmas music the day after Halloween.

We used to play Name that Tune with Christmas carols. My husband would record a zillion carols so he could play them a note at a time. And to get seriously hokey, you could always do Christmas carol kareoky (I know that is mispelled).

Ours always comes down no later than 2 days after Christmas--usually the next day.

My son went thru the same thing when he first moved away from home. He finally decided that he was just stressing too much over trying to "make" himself feel Christmasy. He just finally let it go and relaxed about it all. Once he did that he was able to just enjoy the whole season without feeling like he had to be on some "Christmas" high. You may just be stressing too much over it.

I fill 5 stockings husband son/girlfriend daughter/boyfriend I usually buy different chocolate and toiletry items. Don't go too overboard.

If you live close and don't have to have it shipped you could always purchase an entire sirloin and have it sliced to the thickness you desire and package it in two steak packages. We did this for my parents and they were thrilled. They had several steak dinners that way.

With all of our crazy work schedules and nurses in the family, I have a morning brunch and then we open our gifts. When the kids were little tho, we always opened presents first.

One year I got everyone long red underware! Let me tell you, that truly makes an enchanting photo that won't soon be forgotten! I got them at Penney's that year.

How about one for a massage? Absolutely love those!

Just an idea, but does she play any sort of instrument? Would she like new music to play? My grandmother played the piano and we got her a keyboard one year.

I've been a member for a while but I am not a poster. This is the first place I go to every day tho. I'm amazed at the wealth of information and knowledge so many members provide and very appreciative of it all. GottaDeal has got to be the greatest site on the entire web.

Thank you so much. That is a terrific deal!

Help. I'm a Mac moron and my husband would love a lazer printer for his Mac. I don't even know how to tell if they are Mac compatible! Anything out there for $l50 or less?