How ready are you? | Pad Patter 12.1

[IntenseMagic]

Happy December!!
Just curious as to how ready everyone is for Christmas.
Are your decorations up?
Tree up? Decorated?
Shopping done? Did you do Black Friday?
Wrapping done?
My decorations have been up for a couple of weeks and the tree has been to, but it only got decorated today because DS said we had to wait for December. I am *mostly* done shopping. I have a few gift cards I need to pick up, but that's it. I went out on Black Friday for one thing...got it and got out lol. The only wrapping I've done has been the gifts I'm sending to my oldest overseas. I need to get that in the mail this week. I desperately need to get started on the rest of this stuff piling up around my house!

 

[Kiana]

Mostly ready, as in, we don't have any decorations this year in our tiny apartment. We have ideas, and use Amazon with Prime shipping, so we just have to order. lol

 

[blueberries]

Well not Christmas, I'm making the switch the Yule this year (finally!) but call it what you want, I'm still not ready at all :-D. Doing that writing challenge for the whole month of November really put a dent in my time, but at least I have a general idea of what I'd like to do. The tree should be up by the time I go to sleep so that's something.

Shopping is done, for the most part; still a few little things, stocking stuffers and such. I haven't even started wrapping things yet - need to get some new supplies - but I'm hoping to tackle that a little bit each day.

I'm just trying to not rush. Take my time and really make this a thoughtful thing. Make it my own thing again, not follow someone else's ideas of what the holiday should look like.

 

[HavaDrPepper]

I don't go overboard on decorations, just enough to give the house a little spirit (that I don't actually have). 2 small trees on tabletops, a lighted ceramic tree in the kitchen, a lighted house and a handmade wall hanging in the living room and my "Christmas in Heaven" scene on the shelves in the dining room.

As for shopping, I don't buy presents for anyone but I do check out Amazon for things I've been wanting. I bit the bullet and got an air fryer bundled with a couple cookbooks. Got my tax software at a discount too. Those were the 2 things I was looking for. I actually found something else that will make my laundry area more efficient... a laundry basket on a rolling stand. I can put it under the laundry chute and instead of carrying the laundry basket to the washer (about 25 feet away), I can roll this cart and after emptying the basket, roll it back in place.

So I'm good.

 

[AJK]

Hard to answer. I normally am about 60% finished with gifts by now, and we put up the tree sometime the first week of Dec. But with family things they way they (still are- praying for change - like NOW!) we are totally confounded as to what this month will bring. Will we have our littles at all? Will we be able to continue the one tradition DIL has permitted- Christmas Cookies? Will we be banned from the Christmas programs, giving gifts? and hardest of all, miss Zeke's first Christmas altogether? We are doing our best to trust in God's ability to touch hearts and reunite families. For the two of us, it would be so different if we were further away from DS & family. 4 miles doesn't allow the mind to shut it out. I am trying to practice "Christmas Calm"- a very different perspective on the "holiday". Maybe I will be able to come back and edit this post soon. I hope so!!! Meanwhile, we have decided upon a midnight blue, gold and white color scheme with stars as the motif for this year.
Wrapping is one of my FAV things- I love a dolled up/sophisticated package! Hope I will get to do that stuff this year!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

We haven't put any Christmas decorations up yet. I always wait until after Thanksgiving is over and since we just returned from out of town, the Christmas decorating will start this week.

 

[cookingmylife]

1. Are your decorations up? some...see #2 because friend's son is going to hang our outside lights. That's it for this year.
2.Tree up? Decorated? Yep!!! earliest I've ever had it up and done because - I had a visiting granddaughter and a friend's daughter do the tree for me! two 13 y o teens with no interference on what went where and no ornament was broken. I like this system!
3. Shopping done? No shopping as we each buy what we want when we want. Did you do Black Friday? Almost bought another EHD but suddenly remembered I had a LaCie 5GB I had not plugged in yet!
4. Wrapping done? No but I may have a wrapping party for some young guys who have the gifts for the girl friends but are clueless on how to wrap. I'm going to get some $store paper and gift bags and give them a demo or two and then let them loose with scissors and tape!

 

[BevG]

Just curious as to how ready everyone is for Christmas.
Are your decorations up? Not yet, although I have started.
Tree up? Decorated? Kid's tree is up but not decorated. Mine is still in the box (Monday's project)
Shopping done? Did you do Black Friday? ha ha ha - although have most of the stocking candy bought
Wrapping done? nope - but the wrapping station is set up

Hope to get everything set up this week. I still have pumpkins and a straw bale on my porch -- and a Christmas wreath on my door - hope to get it sorted out tomorrow.

 

[rdjrneace]

I put all my decorations up today (except I did do the outside decorating a couple weeks ago when we had good weather).

This year the grands is probably getting money since they can't come up with gift ideas

 

[Tree City]

Are your decorations up?
One item is up. I bought it in early Nov and was too lazy to put it in the Christmas storage downstairs so I just put it up lol. *shrug*
Tree up? Decorated?
No. Should put it up next weekend.
Shopping done? Did you do Black Friday?
I think my shopping is done. We were in Amsterdam on Black Friday and some (like, a lot) of stores had BF deals. We actually went to the grand opening of the LEGO store in Amsterdam on BF; it wasn't for BF shopping but just for fun.
Wrapping done?
Nope, and that's bugging me a little bit. I love getting that done early. Oh well.

 

[tkradtke]

Are your decorations up?
Yes... I'm paring back what we put up though so there wasn't too much to do. My grandmother painted ceramics and gifted me so many pieces over the years. I came to the conclusion this year that nothing says that I have to display every single piece each year. I also gave myself permission not to display the nativity set that she gave me. It is HUGE and the only place it fits is the back of the piano and that is only if it's all crammed together. I'm looking for a new smaller nativity set, but so far I'm not having much luck.

Tree up? Decorated?
Both trees are up. One is decorated, one is not.

Shopping done?
Nope! Not even sure what I'm getting people yet.

Did you do Black Friday?
Nope again, but Clara and I went Small Business Saturday shopping in the neighborhood. She got her presents done for her friends and I bought for the dog... lol!

Wrapping done?
Another nope. Last year I sewed a bunch of reusable fabric gift bags. I'm going to make a few more this year too. We can't wrap until Christmas Eve since we drive to Michigan that day and it's easier to fit everything into the car unwrapped. The fabric bags make the "wrapping" go really quickly!

 

[Ferdy]

not ready at all! how come is December already????

 

[Karen]

We went to get our tree today. It's up, but not decorated yet. I put the other decorations up though. I have done lots of shopping, but I have a bit left to do and only have wrapped a couple gifts so far. I also need to get Christmas cards in the mail still. So.... I feel pretty good so far since it's only December 1st.

 

[IntenseMagic]

Mostly ready, as in, we don't have any decorations this year in our tiny apartment. We have ideas, and use Amazon with Prime shipping, so we just have to order. lol

Love me some Amazon Prime! I haven't ordered as much from there as I usually do, but I did more shopping ahead this year.

Well not Christmas, I'm making the switch the Yule this year (finally!) but call it what you want, I'm still not ready at all :-D. Doing that writing challenge for the whole month of November really put a dent in my time, but at least I have a general idea of what I'd like to do. The tree should be up by the time I go to sleep so that's something.

Shopping is done, for the most part; still a few little things, stocking stuffers and such. I haven't even started wrapping things yet - need to get some new supplies - but I'm hoping to tackle that a little bit each day.

I'm just trying to not rush. Take my time and really make this a thoughtful thing. Make it my own thing again, not follow someone else's ideas of what the holiday should look like.

I love the idea of not rushing and making things thoughtful. I love that you are making it your own again and I hope it's an absolutely wonderful holiday for you!!

I don't go overboard on decorations, just enough to give the house a little spirit (that I don't actually have). 2 small trees on tabletops, a lighted ceramic tree in the kitchen, a lighted house and a handmade wall hanging in the living room and my "Christmas in Heaven" scene on the shelves in the dining room.

As for shopping, I don't buy presents for anyone but I do check out Amazon for things I've been wanting. I bit the bullet and got an air fryer bundled with a couple cookbooks. Got my tax software at a discount too. Those were the 2 things I was looking for. I actually found something else that will make my laundry area more efficient... a laundry basket on a rolling stand. I can put it under the laundry chute and instead of carrying the laundry basket to the washer (about 25 feet away), I can roll this cart and after emptying the basket, roll it back in place.

So I'm good.

That rolling laundry cart sounds great! I am sure that your minimal decorations are beautiful! I keep telling my kids that when they are all out of the house, I will be a total minimalist at Christmas!

Hard to answer. I normally am about 60% finished with gifts by now, and we put up the tree sometime the first week of Dec. But with family things they way they (still are- praying for change - like NOW!) we are totally confounded as to what this month will bring. Will we have our littles at all? Will we be able to continue the one tradition DIL has permitted- Christmas Cookies? Will we be banned from the Christmas programs, giving gifts? and hardest of all, miss Zeke's first Christmas altogether? We are doing our best to trust in God's ability to touch hearts and reunite families. For the two of us, it would be so different if we were further away from DS & family. 4 miles doesn't allow the mind to shut it out. I am trying to practice "Christmas Calm"- a very different perspective on the "holiday". Maybe I will be able to come back and edit this post soon. I hope so!!! Meanwhile, we have decided upon a midnight blue, gold and white color scheme with stars as the motif for this year.
Wrapping is one of my FAV things- I love a dolled up/sophisticated package! Hope I will get to do that stuff this year!

Saying a prayer for you that things work out for the holidays! I truly hope you are not left out of things! Your color scheme sounds so lovely and I love the idea of Christmas Calm.

We haven't put any Christmas decorations up yet. I always wait until after Thanksgiving is over and since we just returned from out of town, the Christmas decorating will start this week.

Good luck with your decorating and have fun!!

 

[amien1]

Are your decorations up?
Yes! We (as in the kids & I) spent most of the weekend getting it all done! The hubby put lights on outside only because he knows it makes me happy!
Tree up? Decorated? Yep!
Shopping done? Mostly!
Did you do Black Friday? Yep- that's how I got almost all my shopping done. Just a few random gifts here/there left!
Wrapping done? Um. no. Haven't even started!

Side note- today is my birthday & my favorite thing about a Dec 1st bday is all the holiday festivities & decorations. As much as my hubby despises it, he tolerates it for my sake!

 

[IntenseMagic]

1. Are your decorations up? some...see #2 because friend's son is going to hang our outside lights. That's it for this year.
2.Tree up? Decorated? Yep!!! earliest I've ever had it up and done because - I had a visiting granddaughter and a friend's daughter do the tree for me! two 13 y o teens with no interference on what went where and no ornament was broken. I like this system!
3. Shopping done? No shopping as we each buy what we want when we want. Did you do Black Friday? Almost bought another EHD but suddenly remembered I had a LaCie 5GB I had not plugged in yet!
4. Wrapping done? No but I may have a wrapping party for some young guys who have the gifts for the girl friends but are clueless on how to wrap. I'm going to get some $store paper and gift bags and give them a demo or two and then let them loose with scissors and tape!

Love that tree decorating system! I should have had the 11 and 10 yo granddaughters do that when they were here last week! That wrapping party sounds like greatness!!

Just curious as to how ready everyone is for Christmas.
Are your decorations up? Not yet, although I have started.
Tree up? Decorated? Kid's tree is up but not decorated. Mine is still in the box (Monday's project)
Shopping done? Did you do Black Friday? ha ha ha - although have most of the stocking candy bought
Wrapping done? nope - but the wrapping station is set up

Hope to get everything set up this week. I still have pumpkins and a straw bale on my porch -- and a Christmas wreath on my door - hope to get it sorted out tomorrow.

I had scarecrows and Christmas at the same time for a bit haha.

I put all my decorations up today (except I did do the outside decorating a couple weeks ago when we had good weather).

This year the grands is probably getting money since they can't come up with gift ideas

We did the outside while the weather was nice as well. I hat to be out in the cold doing it! I've got a few just money people on my list this year, too!

Are your decorations up?
One item is up. I bought it in early Nov and was too lazy to put it in the Christmas storage downstairs so I just put it up lol. *shrug*
Tree up? Decorated?
No. Should put it up next weekend.
Shopping done? Did you do Black Friday?
I think my shopping is done. We were in Amsterdam on Black Friday and some (like, a lot) of stores had BF deals. We actually went to the grand opening of the LEGO store in Amsterdam on BF; it wasn't for BF shopping but just for fun.
Wrapping done?
Nope, and that's bugging me a little bit. I love getting that done early. Oh well.

How cool to be there for the grand opening! Hope you had an amazing trip!!
I usually have stuff wrapped right now as well and it's bugging me, too!

Are your decorations up?
Yes... I'm paring back what we put up though so there wasn't too much to do. My grandmother painted ceramics and gifted me so many pieces over the years. I came to the conclusion this year that nothing says that I have to display every single piece each year. I also gave myself permission not to display the nativity set that she gave me. It is HUGE and the only place it fits is the back of the piano and that is only if it's all crammed together. I'm looking for a new smaller nativity set, but so far I'm not having much luck.

Tree up? Decorated?
Both trees are up. One is decorated, one is not.

Shopping done?
Nope! Not even sure what I'm getting people yet.

Did you do Black Friday?
Nope again, but Clara and I went Small Business Saturday shopping in the neighborhood. She got her presents done for her friends and I bought for the dog... lol!

Wrapping done?
Another nope. Last year I sewed a bunch of reusable fabric gift bags. I'm going to make a few more this year too. We can't wrap until Christmas Eve since we drive to Michigan that day and it's easier to fit everything into the car unwrapped. The fabric bags make the "wrapping" go really quickly!

I get a little more minimalistic eveery year. And same, I had to give myself permission not to use every little thing I've been given.
I did a little Small Business Saturday shopping as well. That's where I pretty much finished up and got some super cute things.

not ready at all! how come is December already????

I've been convincing myself all day that it's December! It really snuck up on me!

We went to get our tree today. It's up, but not decorated yet. I put the other decorations up though. I have done lots of shopping, but I have a bit left to do and only have wrapped a couple gifts so far. I also need to get Christmas cards in the mail still. So.... I feel pretty good so far since it's only December 1st.

Yep, I keep telling myself there's still time...and then I remember how quickly it seems to go by

 

[IntenseMagic]

Are your decorations up?
Yes! We (as in the kids & I) spent most of the weekend getting it all done! The hubby put lights on outside only because he knows it makes me happy!
Tree up? Decorated? Yep!
Shopping done? Mostly!
Did you do Black Friday? Yep- that's how I got almost all my shopping done. Just a few random gifts here/there left!
Wrapping done? Um. no. Haven't even started!

Side note- today is my birthday & my favorite thing about a Dec 1st bday is all the holiday festivities & decorations. As much as my hubby despises it, he tolerates it for my sake!

Happy, happy birthday!!! It's like a celebration just for you for now!!

 

[littlekiwi]

Not ready at all......no idea what to buy, don’t even know who is turning up for christmas or what’s happening to be honest. I’m on such a tight budget that the thought of finding $$$ for any gifts is going to be tricky

 

[Angela Toucan]

My kitchen table is ready, with my winter/bit festive table cover and accessories done. I put them on the table for the weekend before the in-laws arrived. Joy has her advent calendar hung up with the random acts of kindness tickets inside. I think most of the Christmas gifts are purchased, and I've finished making cards. Need to write and post the cards this week probably. Some cards have arrived, but are to one side at the moment. My son has his birthday tomorrow, we always let his birthday cards stay up for a week before putting the Christmas cards up.

 

[KarenB]

Shopping is nearly done! The earliest ever I think. One bonus of my empty nest - I have more time Got a few things on black Friday that I'm waiting for delivery on. We don't put our tree up till two weeks before Christmas usually. But this year, I am itching to get it done so will probably do it and the weekend. Same for decorating the house. Need to write and send cards next...