um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??

[Deleted User]

good morning!

like I asked in the title... is it too early? 

DH and I are buying our FIRST Christmas tree this week (they are on sale for half off!)...  so it's really got me in the mood to start saving inspiration for Thanksgiving/Fall Harvest and Christmas/wintertime decorations!  it'll be our first holiday season married and living together, and as homeowners, so I'm pretty excited to do some decorating, have some holiday fun, yummy cooking and baking and all that jazz.

I'd also like to get my gift shopping done by December 1...  we'll see how THAT goes.   
unfortunately, I usually get done a few days before Christmas.

is anyone else starting to get a little excited for this time of the year? 

also...  totally not related, but DH proposed one year ago from this Saturday.  I've always loved Halloween (all the cute trick or treaters!  the beginning of the holiday season!), but now it's extra-special! 

anyway, I don't supposed there's much of a point to this thread, except I'd love some Thanksgiving/Christmas/wintertime inspiration pictures or recipes...  stories of traditions (I'm excited to start our own family traditions!) or funny holiday stories...  I love this time of year!

[Deleted User]

oh, sounds great!  what magazine did you buy?

I'm not sure what H and I will do for the holidays this year.  his family lives about 11 hours away we're in OK, they're in NM/Mexico).  we won't be crossing the border, but we may try to go there for a holiday (either Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years) if he can get off work.  he just started a new job, so it's iffy.  we may end up having to go for Spring Break if he can't get off.

anyway, I'm thinking about having a small Thanksgiving dinner with just us.  we'll celebrate with family (either here in OK with mine, and then with his aunts/uncles/cousins... or in NM with his immediate family), but I just can't help wanting to have our own special meal.  so I'm trying to come up with a menu that is do-able, but still special.  so any recipes or ideas for decor (placemats, cute table decorations) would be great too!

I teach music lessons in the evenings, and this week we're starting Christmas music.  that reminds me... I need to start writing their Christmas music lessons!  they are all so excited. 

elannis

I don't have any recipe ideas, but now you make me want to go see if I can get a tree for half off. Last year we just used this little 2 foot tall tree that my dad usually took to work, lol.

I love Halloween too! I'm hoping I'll get to pass out candy at least to a few little ones. Maybe I'll just go to the mall and be one of those creepy people that just sits and smiles at other peoples' kids, lol.

My goal is to also be done with shopping early, but it's usually last minute too. One time I did ALL of my shopping on Christmas Eve. That was a horrible mistake that I instantly regretted. So many people, things close early, and it was a huge mess. I got it all done but never again! lol.

bawidget

I'm already thinking about it too! BF and I are spending Christmas by ourselves this year as my family is all going out of town for other things. This is the first time we're getting to do what we want! Although we've been living together for 2/1/2 years we're going to get our first tree too:)

I have some really good dessert recipes for fall and Winter if you're interested. This weekend I made pumpkin and Maple cream cheese whoopie pies and they were awesome. I posted the recipe at www.aspenacre.tumblr.com. Are you having Thanksgiving at your new place this year??

hetshup

Thanksgiving? Never. Christmas? Maybe a little early.

I'm ready to bake some stuff. Like gingerbread and pumpkin bread pudding. Alas, I am without kitchen. But not for much longer!! (I hope)

[Deleted User]

bawidget:  see my post a couple above about Thanksgiving....  my answer is, sort of.    and I'd LOVE any recipes!  cooking/baking is my stress-reliever.  I love it.  we hardly ever have the same thing twice because I just love to try new things.

ely:  I love trick-or-treaters!  we live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids, so I bought 2 big bags of candy in hopes that we'll have plenty of trick-or-treaters.  I also decorated the porch with all sorts of different pumpkins, fall flowers, and lettuce/cabbage/kale plants!  it was a BLAST.  and a fall wreath that I got half off at Gardenridge. 

ETA:  hetshup...  what happened to your kitchen?  are you remodeling?  did you tell the board and I forgot/didn't see it? 

DanieKA

I'm assuming you're buying a fake tree? Dude, I love a sale, so go for it. Not too early at all. I kind of skipped right over Halloween this year, too. I'm ready for Thanksgiving (pie) and Christmas (pie)! 

I was even thinking of doing a NEY house tour/home tour for Holiday decorations. Not many people do very much for Thanksgiving, but for Christmas (And Hanukkah/Kwanza/etc) we should post pics of our pads all done up! Even better since some people just moved into new houses! 

NEY CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR 2K11, coming to a thread near you!

Also, SILLY KNOT messing up. You had Mutley's photo as your avatar for a second. 

[Deleted User]

Danie:  yep, a fake tree.  I'm embarrassed to admit I've never seen a real Christmas tree done up in someone's home!  I guess it's just not the norm around here.  I'd LOVE to see one though!  we are getting a thinner tree, pre-lit with white lights. 

I'd love to do a NEY Holiday Home Tour... only, you'd just get details shots of mine because we haven't painted/hung up curtains/decorated much yet.  I have ideas, I'm just a little slow about doing it...  but I've found the curtains I want for the living area, so we're hanging those soon and then picking out a paint color (either a green, a warm neutral, or a teal) for the kitchen and living area.  so maybe I will have a little more done to the house by then!

Swazzle

I'm making those pumpkin cupcakes with pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting that I posted & made a while back for Thanksgiving!  My mom sent an email out a couple weeks ago to see what everyone wants to make. She's hilarious about it too, she's the oldest of 4 & so in the email she'll tell them what to do but then add at the end "if you want to of course".  No mom, we know what you really meant hahaha

As far as Christmas goes, I'm totally stressing about gifts already.  I ordered a "big" gift for my parents already. FI & I love camping & my parents always say they want to go but they don't have a tent or camping gear.  They had a really great deal on a really nice 2 bedroom tent on Woot 2 weeks ago so I just decided to get it & I plan on getting little odds & end campy stuff for them too.  Is that a terrible gift?  I was really torn about it. 

DanieKA

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:f2aa3612-4c66-4fe6-980d-2d34675b630d">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]Danie:  yep, a fake tree.  I'm embarrassed to admit I've never seen a real Christmas tree done up in someone's home!  I guess it's just not the norm around here.  I'd LOVE to see one though!  we are getting a thinner tree, pre-lit with white lights.  I'd love to do a NEY Holiday Home Tour... only, you'd just get details shots of mine because we haven't painted/hung up curtains/decorated much yet.  I have ideas, I'm just a little slow about doing it...  but I've found the curtains I want for the living area, so we're hanging those soon and then picking out a paint color (either a green, a warm neutral, or a teal) for the kitchen and living area.  so maybe I will have a little more done to the house by then!
Posted by CocoBellaF[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I'm actually thinking about getting a fake tree this year. I'm pretty much splitting my time between my and BF's place now and watering and keeping up with a real tree, though they do smell delightfully pine-y, is just not something I'm trying to do this year. </div><div>
</div><div>You don't have to do up your whole place for the home tour! I've lived in my place for almost 6 years and still don't have living room curtains (oops). I have shades, so I'm not all exposed to the back yard or anything, but I don't have 1 single curtain in any room. </div><div>
</div><div>I am a sucky homemaker:(</div><div>
</div>

CCO2012

I am a purist and I like to celebrate one holiday at a time. So for now it is Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then my birthday (Nov. 29th), then Christmas. 

But, that is just me.

bsidebella

I am pumped for Thanksgiving! It's my favorite holiday (tied with Halloween). Last year was the first Thanksgiving FI and I celebrated while we were living together, and we did dinner with my family and dessert with his. This year, we are doing the opposite - dinner with his family and dessert with mine. We feel like this is a good compromise.

Gifts, gifts, gifts ... I am thinking about those already! I just found out that my FSIL doesn't like me, so I am struggling with whether or not I am getting a gift for her. My FIL and MIL are tough cookies to buy for, as are my mom and grandparents. FI is getting an engraved bottle of the top shelf brand of his favorite scotch (Johnnie Walker Blue Label). It's pretty pricey, but I figure I can afford it this year.

Don't come to my house on Christmas, though - you guys will be sorely disappointed

[Deleted User]

I like the camping gear/tent idea, rdr.  go with it!

bside:  do you have traditional Hanukah celebrations, or more relaxed?  I'd love to hear what you do!

I've only started to think about gifts.  I need to get my butt in gear if I'm going to have it done by December!  I'm like Liv, I want December to be a time to enjoy parties and get-togethers, instead of stressing about finishing my shopping.

I don't think we're going to go as all-out this year with gifts as we normally do...  just a couple for each other, and then a few gifts for close friends and family.  but I love to buy gifts or make things for people, so it'll be hard for me to keep to that!  I'll do my best...

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:14452375-adbf-4e4c-a836-45f21fb297da">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]bside:  do you have traditional Hanukah celebrations, or more relaxed?  I'd love to hear what you do!
Posted by CocoBellaF[/QUOTE]

Well, of course there is the lighting of the menorah each night. Last year my mom promised to give me one of her menorahs, but she couldn't find them in time (they were still packed away), so I had to buy a new one (an el cheapo one from Target). This year, I would love to buy a beautful, elaborate menorah like what she and my grandmother have.

When we were younger, we would get one present each night of Hanukah (small things: books, CD's, video games for my brother, earrings for me). A bigger gift would equal more than one night of gifts. For example, one year, I "sacrificed" half my presents in exchange for a new laptop. My brother once gave up 8 presents in exchange for a new gaming system.

Also, we always go to my grandma's house and she would make a big brunch, complete with latkes =) Hanukah is a very relaxed holiday. It's about spending time with family and, of course, eating!

And no, we DO NOT have a "Hanukah bush"!!!

EDIT: I forgot to mention, we put up blue and white Hanukah lights on our balcony. This year I want to find dreidel lights too!

Swazzle

YAY! I'm so glad you guys think the camping stuff is a good idea!!  I was just worried because I didn't know if someone would be like "oh great, camping stuff that I can't use for 6 months" LOL

DanieKA

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:2f03f2cf-4015-47c6-8032-ad88472d81d0">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas?? : Well, of course there is the lighting of the menorah each night. Last year my mom promised to give me one of her menorahs, but she couldn't find them in time (they were still packed away), so I had to buy a new one (an el cheapo one from Target). This year, I would love to buy a beautful, elaborate menorah like what she and my grandmother have. When we were younger, we would get one present each night of Hanukah (small things: books, CD's, video games for my brother, earrings for me). A bigger gift would equal more than one night of gifts. For example, one year, I "sacrificed" half my presents in exchange for a new laptop. My brother once gave up 8 presents in exchange for a new gaming system. Also, we always go to my grandma's house and she would make a big brunch, complete with latkes =) Hanukah is a very relaxed holiday. It's about spending time with family and, of course, eating! And no, we DO NOT have a "Hanukah bush"!!! EDIT: I forgot to mention, we put up blue and white Hanukah lights on our balcony. This year I want to find dreidel lights too!
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I would love to see your dreidel lights if we do the Holiday Home Tour! Also, the menorah! How elaborate can they be??? I'm kind of a blingy person so I'm picturing jewels and diamonds and gold! But I pretty much picture everything like that.

</div>

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:2f03f2cf-4015-47c6-8032-ad88472d81d0">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas?? : Well, of course there is the lighting of the menorah each night. Last year my mom promised to give me one of her menorahs, but she couldn't find them in time (they were still packed away), so I had to buy a new one (an el cheapo one from Target). This year, I would love to buy a beautful, elaborate menorah like what she and my grandmother have. When we were younger, we would get one present each night of Hanukah (small things: books, CD's, video games for my brother, earrings for me). A bigger gift would equal more than one night of gifts. For example, one year, I "sacrificed" half my presents in exchange for a new laptop. My brother once gave up 8 presents in exchange for a new gaming system. Also, we always go to my grandma's house and she would make a big brunch, complete with latkes =) Hanukah is a very relaxed holiday. It's about spending time with family and, of course, eating! And no, we DO NOT have a "Hanukah bush"!!! EDIT: I forgot to mention,<strong> we put up blue and white Hanukah lights on our balcony. This year I want to find dreidel lights too!</strong>
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

the bolded part sounds SO FUN.  I love it!

your traditions sound like a lot of fun.  one year, I did the 12 days of Christmas with my then-BF...  I thought it was so original until someone commented that it sounded a lot like Hanukah.  *originality fail*  oh well, it was still fun to spread it all out. 

lunarsongbird

I'm all about Halloween at the moment. I bought some glow bracelets for the trick or treaters: 


 

However- I never really stop thinking of Christmas. I have a spreadsheet on my family and friends so when they mention they like or want something- I quickly jot it down so that I can remember what to get them for the holidays. I'm a big gift giver.

Buggle- I still can't believe you are going to India...That is SO amazing. I can't wait to see pictures and hear about it!

Also- rdr- I would be pysched for sweet camping equipment!! Andrew and I kinda want to register for some pieces. LOL.

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:b34e77c9-5235-4cf7-a16e-b4a3e79aecf9">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas?? : the bolded part sounds SO FUN.  I love it! your traditions sound like a lot of fun.  one year, I did the 12 days of Christmas with my then-BF...  I thought it was so original until someone commented that it sounded a lot like Hanukah.  *originality fail*  oh well, it was still fun to spread it all out. 
Posted by CocoBellaF[/QUOTE]

Thank you! =) I'll take pics of my lights this year if you want.

Oh, and we love to sing silly Hanukah songs. My FFIL loves this one:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULtglogZbR8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULtglogZbR8</a>
(totally SFW - it's a Hanukah-themed cover of "Hey Ya" by Outkast. It's soooo funny!)

bawidget

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:4119dcbd-47ae-4671-ad85-b65dc766454a">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong> I'm thinking about having a small Thanksgiving dinner with just us.</strong>  Posted by CocoBellaF[/QUOTE]

Wow Coco I'm such a slow typer. This was posted before I finished haha. Thanksgiving with just the two of you are so nice! We do that too as my family usually works black Friday and all go to bed early. So happy I don't have to do that anymore.

With my WW plan I'm not as pumped for Halloween this year. All this talk of Thanksgiving is making me hungry though. What's everyone doing for stuffing? Nom nom nom.

lunarsongbird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:3ee02d4a-9163-441d-9401-2f625b2a24ef">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas?? : Wow Coco I'm such a slow typer. This was posted before I finished haha. Thanksgiving with just the two of you are so nice! We do that too as my family usually works black Friday and all go to bed early. So happy I don't have to do that anymore<strong>. With my WW plan I'm not as pumped for Halloween this year.</strong> All this talk of Thanksgiving is making me hungry though. What's everyone doing for stuffing? Nom nom nom.
Posted by bawidget[/QUOTE]

Really? Oooh my gosh- WW's Pumpkin Fluff Recipie is AH-MAZING. I love it more then pumpkin pie!!
<a href="http://www.thebeautybrat.com/2009/11/pumpkin-fluff-weight-watchers-dessert.html">http://www.thebeautybrat.com/2009/11/pumpkin-fluff-weight-watchers-dessert.html</a>

Do you live in an area where you can walk around and look at the trick or treaters? Activity points! Cha Ching!

And stuffing....LOVE this one- <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/awesome-sausage-apple-and-cranberry-stuffing/detail.aspx">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/awesome-sausage-apple-and-cranberry-stuffing/detail.aspx</a>

[Deleted User]

bawidget:  I'm just a crazy-fast typer.  I average 102 wpm.  my coworkers make fun of me for click-clacking all the time on my keyboard at racing speeds!  haha 

bside:  I would love to see pictures!!  definitely share them!

lunar:  I am making that stuffing recipe... BEFORE Thanksgiving!  it sounds DELISH.  I love cranberries... YUM.  also, I love the idea of glow bracelets.  I tried to think of non-candy-but-still-fun ideas for trick-or-treaters, but gave in and just got candy.  I'll definitely remember that next year.  or the little animal shaped rubber bands they all wear?  that would have worked too!  hindsight, you know.

lunarsongbird

Oriental Trading Company has some GREAT non-candy options! Also- if it's warm- I wanted to give out caprisuns.

However- it's supposed to SNOW _AGAIN_ on Wednesday!! Oy vay.

[Deleted User]

snow???  we're going to hit 86 today and tomorrow, close to 90.  it's unusually warm weather for this time of year (ie, last year when we got engaged I was wearing tights, socks, boots, turtleneck, coat, and scarf!)  but it looks like it'll cool down later in the week to the 60's and 70's.  I can't even imagine SNOW yet. 

leia1979

When I was little, I would insist that my mom couldn't decorate for Christmas until after my birthday (Dec 9). I hated having the two mixed. Now, I prefer to wait until the day after Thanksgiving.

However, I am breaking out the music a little early because I'm going to perform "Joy to the World" at my dance school's show in early December. I feel like I get an excuse because it's rehearsal.

elannis

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_um-early-start-thinking-thanksgiving-christmas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:83b06784-de6b-40fd-bc15-55f7567e1d1dPost:56e2d811-b474-46d7-a9e3-2c2041825adb">Re: um, is it too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas??</a>:
[QUOTE]bawidget:  ely:  I love trick-or-treaters!  we live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids, so I bought 2 big bags of candy in hopes that we'll have plenty of trick-or-treaters. 
Posted by CocoBellaF[/QUOTE]

Yeah ... we bought a bag of candy just in case too, but it's pretty much gone now. Note for next year: Don't buy Halloween candy until the night before, lol.

kellyt89

This is the first time I've had an apartment that wasn't affiliated with the college. There are a bunch of families with little kids so I'm really hoping they come to my door to trick or treat! I'm buying Reeses cups (my fav)

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday - all the food and family stuff but without the annoyances and pressures of Christmas ($50 grab bag gift for my mom's side of the family...no thanks!). My dad always makes a fire in our fireplace and I could seriously sit there and watch it for hours.  Can't wait!

I wish I was able to see BF for the holidays but it's just not feasible. Both of us are only children and neither of us sees our family very much. I had a BSC moment the other day where I got all up in arms about "when are we going to spend Christmas together wahhh." I love him a lot for being patient with me and not telling me to STFU. We're thinking next year we'll try to split Christmas, we'll see.