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November 21st, 2013, 04:17 PM
#1
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Holiday Rush Time
I have just finished sandwiching my IQ quilt. I still need to quilt it, bind it, and photograph it before it can be submitted. I will assume this will be done on Nov 30th. That means I will only have four weeks to get a few gifts made before Christmas.
It's a lean year for us in my household. I am not buying gifts for my family this year and have asked that they don't buy for us. I may end up buying a little something for the children, but that's it. I would still like to give some home-made gifts like maybe some potholders or aprons. I work retail, so this is our busiest time. I come home from work pretty much exhausted. I hope I can find the time and energy to accomplish my goals.
How are you doing? Feeling the pressure yet?
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November 21st, 2013, 04:30 PM
#2
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Holiday Rush Time
I just realized that my post may read like a sad story. That is not my intention. I am a fortunate girl and can't say I really need anything. I am merely trying to be prudent with money this year.
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November 21st, 2013, 04:47 PM
#3
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Holiday Rush Time
I have 7 kids and 8 grandkids. I start feeling the pressure in July. Any quilts I am making I have to have done and ready to ship by Nov 1. or I panic. I'm starting my decorating this weekend, I've bought my Hallmark ornaments for this year, and all my wrapping paper there too. Once I get past Thanksgiving.... The shopping and wrapping will begin.
I've already made the home made things I'm going to make, it's all stacked up in my craft room waiting to be wrapped. I won't do my cooking gifts until about a week before... Cookies, Spiced Pecans, Candies or Fudge...
I'll shop all month for my dinner, it's simple, but I buy the things I need each payday as I go. That way I do not have to go in the week of Christmas and drop $$$ for Christmas dinner. I love that this year, my boys are grown (well not that exactly) but that they have places and jobs and I can tell them... "Buy this or that and bring it"... It helps. LOL.
My only pressure now, is getting the stuff for my two sons who live on the East and West coast shipped in time for them to have the gifts under the tree. My quilter will ship a quilt for me, and the rest I need to have boxed up by the 15th! Now that deadline looms for me more than any other during the holiday. Sheesh... I'm behind already!!
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November 21st, 2013, 05:06 PM
#4
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Holiday Rush Time
BTW... No, I don't think of your story as a sob story at all. I know that those lean mean years can turn out to be the years that bless you the most when you look back in your memories. Trust me, everyone will love anything you make them. And you may have given them a sigh of relief by telling them not to buy for you. They understand, we all understand.
I remember the year I had not a cent to my name, and 2 kids when Christmas came. I was a single mom and had just moved back from S.C. no job yet, living with my sister. I didn't know what I was going to do, my mom had passed a couple years before, and I didn't even think to ask any relative, not even my dad for money. Someone told me to go to the Salvation Army. So, I did... I had used my only paycheck to buy the three of us matching hiking boots for the winter as I had no car and we walked everywhere. I went there, and they were so nice, they let me go in the HUGE room filled with Toys and told me to pick one gift for each of my kids... as soon as I saw it... that was it! I can't tell you what I picked for my son off hand, but for my girl, I spied and picked one of those Big round aluminum Disc sleds. I remembered having one as a kid. They also gave me a small check to buy a turkey and a box of food for fixins. That was the BEST Christmas we ever had! We hiked all over in those boots dragging that sled around riding it and trudging through the freezing snow.
We laughed a lot. We had a small but complete Christmas dinner, and memories they still bring up EVERY single Christmas. They talk about how fast that Disc would fly. To this day I cannot go past a single Salvation Army bucket with out putting something in it. Every one I see I put change or bills. That one blessed year, I will never forget, and the Salvation Army is my soft spot forever. See... no sad story at all. Only an opportunity for memories and blessings for years to come. God Bless.
Last edited by kensington; November 21st, 2013 at 05:09 PM.
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November 21st, 2013, 10:56 PM
#5
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Holiday Rush Time
WHAT SHE SAID!!!!! That's the true meaning of Christmas!!
Be warned. I am BORED.
This could be dangerous.
When you get cold just go stand in the corner.
They are usually 90 degrees.
A giraffe's coffee would be cold by the time it reached the bottom of his throat.
Ever think about that? No? You only think about yourself??
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November 21st, 2013, 11:06 PM
#6
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Holiday Rush Time
Whenever i get stressed about Christmas presents, or of presents not being good enough, I simply refer to "The Gift of the Magi" by O'Henry. This classic story tells of giving something very precious to you up in order to get a gift for a loved one. It always brings tears to my eyes, and makes me remember that Christmas is not about things, but feelings.
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November 21st, 2013, 11:59 PM
#7
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Holiday Rush Time
I didn't think your post was anything like a sob story, so don't worry about that. We don't give any gifts to adults in our family. We have not done this for quite some time. We get small things for the kids, and just focus on catching up with family where possible. We just like relaxing and chilling out for the day- usually by a pool because it's really hot here. It is usually this time of year when I really do feel sorry for anyone working in retail. I am not sure about over there, but here they have a 36 hour straight opening of some of the major shopping centres here about a week before Christmas, which must be a strain on those who have to work in the stores. Unfortunately, Christmas can also bring out the absolute worst in people when they are out shopping. They forget their manners and common courtesy to those who are working hard to serve them as quickly and efficiently as possible. I get pretty annoyed when I see this. I try and be really ahead of myself and have everything done by the beginning of December, so I can avoid the shops as much as possible....even do some online buying.
I think the handmade presents are the ones that the most thought and love goes into. If you do get time to do some, I am sure they will be greatly received.
Merry Christmas!!
HUGS,
Lenore
"I'm not crazy. My Mother had me tested." (Dr Sheldon Cooper)
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November 22nd, 2013, 02:02 AM
#8
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Holiday Rush Time
I am feeling the pressure. I will barely make the deadline and have altered my quilting pattern to something that I can get finished in time to make that deadline. Then I have far too much to finish before Christmas. I hat to say it but it isn't 4 weeks after the deadline it is only 3 weeks and 3 days if you don't want to sew on Christmas.
No sob story. A pile of gifts means nothing if there is not a lot of thought and meaning behind them. My most favorite Christmas present from family (not hubby) ever was the year my brother gave me 4 of my favorite pie plates with a note that said he expected them to be filled for every occasion and then listed the pies he wanted me to make. That was the most thoughtful gift ever. My mother and hubby were horrified and thought I would be livid with those plates and I just adore them. My big brother thought of me and he knows I love to care for my family and make them happy and he gave me 4 more chanced to do that with 4 more pie plates. I actually have a little notebook that I write who took what pie plate and the day they took it and the day they returned it. Funny thing is they always get taken full and always return empty!
Lisa
Please treat others as you would hope others would treat those you love.
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