glitterstarr

I did it when I was a teen and both my kids did. It's life and that's what kids are going to do...SNOOP!

I usually wait for my hubby to give me my gift but he wanted me to open mine yesterday because he wanted me to be able to have it for our family get together this weekend. He got me a new digital camera and I love it! It takes way better pictures than my old one! My hubby doesn't care one way or the other if he waits to get his or if I give it to him early.

In the past we always went to my parents house for Christmas Eve but since they have both passed away we had to start new traditions. And the first Christmas without my Mom my husband took me out to lunch and we have continued that tradition every year. We stop by the store and get cheese, crackers and slices of meat to snack on later that night when we get home and watch TV. Then on Christmas morning we open gifts then go over next door to my in-laws and open gifts and eat lunch. Then hubby and I come home and take a nap then get up and put the tree away until next year.

Nice decorated homes everyone! I decided not to decorate the outside of my home this year. Didn't care to hear hubby's griping and complaining.

All of your trees look really great! Thanks for sharing. Here is my little tree this year! http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/sparkles62/holidays/tree1.jpg

We go out dancing every year on NY's Eve and have a few drinks. They always have a buffet set up for everyone to eat at midnight and serve champagne. We usually stay with friends overnight but this year we got a motel room so we can be alone. Christmas is all about our children and NY's is all about me and my husband. NY's night when we get home we have tons of fireworks to set off for us and friends to enjoy.

No I don't feel bad for them because that is their job and they know at certian times of the year that it will be busy for them.

My husband and I finished all ours up yesterday. Now the only thing left to do is the part I hate to do ........WRAP it all. LOL

I've noticed a lot of businesses this year that aren't having parties, not even doing decorations of any kind because they don't want to be sued by people who get offended this time of year. I noticed in the big city over from where I live they don't even have their decorations up on the streets this year. It's sad but you can't please everyone so they are just taking the option of not doing anything that way they have all bases covered. And yesterday I told my husband while we were out shopping that it just didn't seem like Christmas to me while shopping this year because your businesses aren't all that festive like in years past and that in a couple of years you won't see any sign of Christmas except in your own home. Don't let it ruin the Holidays for you and keep the spirit of the season inside you and continue celebrating.

That's wonderful! This is the true meaning of the holidays and it's so wonderful when you can share what you have with others.

Sending tons of good luck vibes your way that it will arrive in time.

Same here and plus they are only kids once so let them enjoy it! I can remember when my son and daughter were small they would get up around 3 in the morning and start playing with toys that were left under the tree! And they always came getting hubby and I both up out of the bed to come see what Santa left them after going thru all the things and we never complained one time that it was so early. We just got up and let them do as they wanted because that is one day that is totally ALL about them.

Your tree is beautiful. I love fat, wide trees. I want to go with a real tree but with the doggies it's no way I can go with a real tree.

Those are beautiful! I also couldn't pick just one because I love them all!

Wow all of your trees are just beautiful and they make mine look like total crap. LOL But maybe I can get a pic taken and share sometime tomorrow.

Yep I do it all the time. This year it will my daughters digital camera and battery recharger. We are going to wrap it in a huge box. She never asked for a digital camera so it will be a BIGGIE for her when she opens it!

I love my inlaws and I have the best MIL in the world! I guess I am lucky and blessed this time around to have gotten a wonderful MIL because my first MIL was a total witch! I have lived next door to my inlaws for 19 years and have never had a problem with them.

Yep that's my understanding also that her FIL's belief is different than hers and she is doing for him in what his beliefs are which to me shows she has respect for others beliefs along with what her beliefs are. In other words just what being a family is all about "compromising".

Not sure but I think it's out of respect according to her beliefs. Like some leave out the "O" when they spell God.

Since my mom passed away in 2001 and my dad 7 months later and we no longer have anywhere to go on Christmas Eve because it was always spent at my parents he now takes me out for lunch somewhere on Christmas Eve then we just pick up nick nack junky type food to eat later that night while we wrap all the gifts.

Love the animated dolls and my favorite is Santa in the sleigh and the reindeer! The reindeer just made the whole thing! Love all the decorations but of course I just love looking at all decorations during the holidays.

I actually found those holders at our Dollar Tree and paid a $1.00 a piece for them. Way cheaper than what Walmart wanted for them.

It was a pattern. I just wished I could do that good freehand! LOL I only used one coat of paint. On the sparkly dove and the magnolia I used white glitter fabric paint all over the plate then painted the dove solid white and then painted the blue on the background with craft paint from Walmart. I also use paint pens around the edges of my plates it seems to make it go faster and easier. LOL

Here are a few of the plates I did last year. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/sparkles62/dove.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/sparkles62/plate1.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/sparkles62/plate3.jpg I also did some picture frames. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/sparkles62/magnolia.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/sparkles62/cats.jpg

When you do your colors on the back use a sponge to blot your colors onto the plate. The plates are gorgeous! I did plates last year for Christmas gifts and everyone thought they were purchased and didn't realize I painted them. Mine were for decoration purposes only and I got the stands to put them on.