Posted on 12/14/2007 5:20:05 PM PST by snugs
How prepared are you for Christmas?
A lot of singles I know and who live on their own do not really do much for Christmas in the way of decorations or buying any special food etc for Christmas. A lot of them get an invite for the day to spend either with friends or family members and therefore their sole preparation is buying a few gifts for the people likely to be at this event and maybe contributing either monetarily to the host/hostess or taking a few food/drink items on the day. So as a single you think you are prepared and will not be caught unawares but you maybe wrong so I thought this weekend I would offer a few suggestions in order that we may not be embarrassed this year
Many stores in Britain and I suspect in the US have tins or large boxes/cartons of sweets (candies) or biscuits (cookies) only available at Christmas and Easter and many have offers on such as 3 for the price of 2 or a special price for buying 2.
A large tin of chocolates or toffees are always acceptable and even if the recipient does not consume them at Christmas often the best before will be Easter or even beyond, having a couple of these in the house can often be useful for that unexpected gift you get, such as a long lost friend or relative ringing and saying I am in your area today/tomorrow can I pop in and almost certainly they will have a card and a small gift for you.
Also if you do not use these for gifts at Christmas they can be used at Easter or for a birthday present next year. In particular Scottish Shortbread is a good one to give as this is a traditional Christmas/New Year treat.
Another idea is that there are presentation boxes of nuts and dried fruit they make a nice gift and again can be stored for Easter or given as birthday presents if not used.
If you are a baker why not make an extra batch of cookies or candies such a rum truffles or home-made fudge or toffee or even mince pies, keep a few little fancy cardboard boxes and some ribbon and they can quickly be used to create up a present for the unexpected visitor.
A tip also if you have been invited out for the day and you think you have the gifts thing covered in case of an unexpected fellow visitor why not take an extra couple of bottle of wine and bottle bags with you so that you can make the person welcome and they have as least one gift to open if present opening is part of the day's celebrations.
Bonus questions
How did you buy your gifts or are buying your gifts this year?
Are you more an online or mail order shopper than a shopping mall or High Street shopper?
Do you buy gifts and cards or donate to charity instead? (Fully understand if you do not want to answer this one as this can be a very personal issue)
Any ideas for last minute emergency gifts?
Is there anything you simply have to buy or make for Christmas because it would not be Christmas without it?
All I have left to buy is some booze for my boss, and I am set.
Hmmmm, well I am prepared to work on Christmas Day. :-/
The nice thing about working a holiday as an hourly employee is that it’s the same work, but more pay! :)
Oh yeah, that reminds me this question is for Dave mainly...are you aware of a lot of religious/Judeo-Christian faiths that encourage it’s churchgoers to keep journals? I have heard from my grandparents (who are Seventh Day Adventists) that they are encouraged to do this, so I’m wondering if this is true for other faiths?
That also reminds me, I need to FReepmail you back at some point.
I don’t know any Seventh-day Adventists who are encouraged to keep journals. Never heard of such a thing.
And...I just broke off a long term relationship and I’m sooo not ready for Christmas. sniff
Started my annual vacation TODyaaaay!
Off till after New Years!!!
Now if my boss will just cough up a bonus I might be able to buy presents.
Actually, I braved Black Friday and got some shopping done
but still need some gifts.
Happy Kwanzahanikamus to all my FRiends.
Yeah that’s why it seemed weird to me. I just figured 12 year old girls were the only section of the population that did things like that.
That and I’ve also never met many Seventh Day Adventists outside of my grandparents...or any at all to be honest.
Sorry to hear that, just love those you have all the more and enjoy every minute of the season. Well, ok, not every minute, shed a few tears but look to the future, now’s your chance to move ahead. Remember YOU are the center of the universe, make what you want of it.
Best wishes.
Tet68
Wow that chocolate orange looks delicious. The store also has that. I may try it.
Plus I will make a mincemeat pie. When you make pies do you have special design you put in the top crust for steam holes? I do. I always do like my mother always did. It is a single curve cut with four hole pricks on both sides. Very leaf looking. Then I brush the crust and edges which I have crimped between by fingers with milk and sprinkle lavishly with granulated white sugar. I put that same design on meat pies, too.
I haven’t done much for Christmas yet. I bought my nieces some presents, but that’s about it. I haven’t written a single Christmas card yet. I bought 2 frozen ducks for Christmas dinner a few weeks ago.
I love the chocolate oranges! My sister-in-law also brings back Quality Street chocolates and Flake bars when she comes back from visiting her relatives in England:-)
Mind you, 7th Day Adventists tend to do things a bit...differently...
And here I thought it was my grandparents who do things differently. lol!
I’ve found that TJMaxx and Marshall’s have nice international food gifts. Cookies, biscotti, Turkish delight, gourmet chocolates, coffees, etc. A LOT cheaper than shopping in a “gourmet” store!
Nice to meetcha. Now you’ve met one more. :D
differently? As in how differently? And your basis for this statement is....????
:)
Well cool! :)
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