tokanm

I would like a nice laptop and roku...plus a new bed room set

I dont think I have ever been to one of these stores? They sell bath stuff?

This year it will just be me but Skype with the DS...we will open gifts together and eat together via Skype. No family really anymore. I am envious of all your gatherings I am grateful for the technology of Skype as it will be almost like really being together

It is a good name. Don't you have a Zach or Caleb too?

Congrats.....always a bridesmaid here too:rolleyes: damnit!

Peanut Butter Balls 1 18 oz crunch PB 1 16 oz pkg conf sugar 1 stick real butter 1 tsp vanilla melt PB, sugar, butter and vanilla till smooth...will be thick. When cooled roll into balls (1") put in frig over night. Melt either choc almond bark or choc chips over double boiler and then take a skewer and dip each ball into choc until covered. Place dipped balls on parchment or wax paper in frig and then eat and enjoy

Candied Pretzel Rods 20 pretzel rods 1 pkg white almond bark 1 pkg choc almond bark various other toppings you desire I melt each bark seperately in a double boiler or in the microwave. Dip pretzel 3/4 of the way to the top, until well coated and excess has dripped off. Then roll the pretzel into chopped nuts or crushed candies until well coated. let cool by standing upright for 1 hr or so. I buy the little plastic bags that these fit in and use the twist tie to close them. They make great present toppers or take home gifts...you can even hang them on the tree as ornaments. I got rave reviews on the white chocolate with crushed peppermints, both red and green peppermints. I even have done peanut butter with mini choco chips. Easy but looks great. You can do the same basic thing with apples FYI. Did I mention I really want a GD tshirt? lol

<-------- just me. This year I plan on sitting at my computer in my sweats and BFing ing at home. I will of course have Henry the wonder cat sitting on the keyboard as usual

FYI all the past years recipes and craft ideas are posted under holiday discussion forums...lots of great ideas

I like cash and gift cards too. I give my stepsister GC to Joann Fabrics every year....she lives 1500 miles from here, she loves to do quilling. It gives her some money towards supplies she needs. Its a win win for us

Our usual out for Chinese food and then to a movie

Nope unless they advertise that product as having free shipping...it an't gonna happen lol

Christmas Morning Monkey Bread. I have made this since I was in my late teens on Christmas morning. We snack on it while opening gifts 4 pkgs canned biscuits 1/2 C brown sugar 1/2 C white sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla 1 stick of butter (melted) open and quarter the biscuits. Mix together the dry ingredients. Grease a bundt pan and preheat oven at 375 degrees. Put all the dry ingredients in a baggie then place a few biscuit pieces at a time into the baggie till coated, place in the bundt pan until all 4 pkgs used. Melt vanilla and butter together pour over mixture evenly. Place in oven for 20 mins, let cool and dump pan over onto plate and serve. You must eat this with your fingers until you are totally messy and full!

Can I come over...please?

:gdlicklips:I always make ths quick,easy and delicious candy for the holidays. So easy, so yummy 1 bag of the bow shaped pretzels 1 bag rolo candies (unwrapped) 30 walnuts or nut of your choosing on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper place the pretzels . Top each pretzel with a rolo candy. Place in 350 degree oven for 3-4 mins, until rolo candy melts over the top of the pretzel. Wait 1-2 minutes and place the walnut on top of it....voila. I have also made the "turtles" with the nut directly on top of the pretzel and placed the rolo on top of that till it melts. I hope this is picked cause I really want a GD t shirt (or anything GD, lol)

I like it year round NOT just for BF...great folks here:fluffy:

WOW I feel like a bad Mom or a cheap Mom at least. I buy 1 big gift (usual an electronic and 1-2 other small items). We have no other family really but I do try to remind them the reason behind Christmas and not get so caught up in the gifts. That being said I think our financial situation (single parent, no support) has helped me keep things in check. They are grown now but I will do about the same for them. When they were little I would feel bad as they had friends that got sooooo much stuff. I remember Zach saying to me "I guess I must have not been good cause Santa didn't get me as much as (insert friends name)" That did break my heart but they turned out fine so in the end it all worked out for us, lol

It has been reported that some kids have had issues with headaches and other disturbances with the 3DS (pediatric journal iirc)

I find it to be very hit or miss. I have gone in there and found absolutely nothing and other times I could have bought half the store. IIRC they are owned by TJMaxx and Marshalls which is based here in Mass. They have great clearance prices on linens and post holiday items

I was perusing while waiting for my prescription to be ready. I found a giant black and decker toaster/oven 75% off for 34.98...didn't need it though. I did buy a Hoover Elite Cyclonic cannister vac for $49.74 plus another 10% off at the register. According to Amazon it is a $309. item....it did not come with a box or manuals. They also had a Dyson that looked just like it for $59.74..I am not a fan of Dyson though so I got the hoover instead. Lots of the Count Chocula etc cereals on clearance for $2.xx. They also had the Michael Graves bowls and lots of cups, glasses too. I got a Wii/Duracell charger thingy for $5.xx although it was priced $11.xx. This was in the Easton Mass store btw

Gas card? Target, Walmart card? Hickory Farms pkg?

OK we put up our tree every year on Christmas Eve...it is just the way I always have done it...tradition. This year I will be a completely empty nester and don't think I will have a tree. I may buy one of those little table top real ones that come decorated. Sadly I do not think it will be a great holiday but we plan to do all our regular stuff just via Skype this year. I will read TNBC as always and then get up and have Monkey Bread on Xmas morning and watch each other open gifts via Skype. It certainly could be alot worse

I think it is due to the fact that not all families are able to buy gifts and they don't want any kids to feel excluded etc.

Hey Gator Pam...long time no see

OK give me an address to send my stuff for you guys to wrap. I HATE wrapping. I usually bag everything. What I do wrap I only buy the flat wrap from the Christmas Tree Shop...the rolls are evil to use imho, lol