Hollidays Poll

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

I think I just heard my hip crack.

I knew that would get some comments

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I knew that would get some comments

Just think - the girls who rushed this year weren't even IN highschool for Y2K.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Just think - the girls who rushed this year weren't even IN highschool for Y2K.

Dammit, my back back hurts now.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Just think - the girls who rushed this year weren't even IN highschool for Y2K.

Were you in high school then?

[sageofages]

Just a few questions to kind of get a grasp where people are for the coming holidays:


1. Are you cooking this year for Thanksgiving? If not, who will and where will you be?

Not cooking this year, Thanksgiving Day will be my dad's 70th birthday and ALL the whole HUGE family is going to be there. My mom is so excited she is cooking THREE turkeys!

2. On average, when you travel for Thanksgiving, how far do you go?

My parents live 535 miles from me, one way. So over the long week (we are going the whole week..in fact I should be on the road now...long story), we will probably drive 1500-1600 miles.

3. Or....if you have families at your home, are the gatherings large or small?

Usually around 15 people, this year will be my parents, 4 daughters and spouses (7), grandchildren and spouses (16) and great grandchildren (6), and lord knows who else!

4. Even eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving?

Never ever ever.

5. Omitted.
I concurr.

6. Do you decorate/get a tree for your home for the holidays?

We get a tree. For years and years we cut our own tree, but 4 years ago, Mr Sageofages talked me into an artificial tree because we would be traveling the day after Christmas and be gone for a week. The fire hazard was a bit too much, so we went the fake route. I hate it still.

7. What is your most favorite holiday song?

It isn't Christmas with out "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole and "White Christmas" Album by Bing Crosby. I grew up with those, and once I hear them, I am suddenly 10 again!

8. Do you join in with holiday festivites at work? Yuppers

9. Are you an early shopper (starting in November) or a last minute shopper (last week up til Christmas Eve?)

Some years it is early, other years it is late. Depends on our budget. The last three years have been really really hard with all that is going on in our lives. I think this will be the last really nasty lean year, and then I can breath again and relax about presents.

10. What other activites do you engage in to get you into the holiday spirit?

We *always* participate with Toys for Tots (they saved our bacon one year when Mr Sageofages was in graduate school), we pack food baskets with our local "helping hand" for operation Christmas, when the kids were younger we did the church christmas pagent (our youngest even played baby jesus when he was about 8 weeks old!), we go caroling.

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning?

No. Our church does Christmas eve service. We have always gone to the 10:30 pm service for the candle light. Our church is rife with little kids, so the "council" decided years and years ago, it was better to remind everyone the reason for the season before the commerical-laden sugar high hit the following morning! Wise wise people!

12. Favorite television programs during the holidays?

All the usual suspects...Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty, Charlie Brown Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street (both versions), Scrooge (with Albert Finney), Scrooged (Bill Murry), Muppet Christmas, etc etc etc...

13. How much vacation time do you take during the holidays?

Hmmm....hard to say. Right now I am "retired" to being at home. We usually take "family time" between Christmas and New Year's Day, but this year with the long Thanksgiving break, I think Mr Sageofages will be working some during that week.

14. Do attend New Year's functions or spend quiet evenings at home?

Always at home with the children. After they are in bed, always celebrated privately as a "couple" *wink*

15. Ever been to Times Square? Nope, looks a little to crazed for me.

16. Do you remember where you were for Y2K?

Huddled in the basement waiting for the end of the world as we know it??...no wait, that was my insane mother-in-law-type (seriously she stored 500 gal of water!!!!) We watched in on TV, then went to our town square for the party (a little to "religious" for me that year).

17. What do you do as far as charity / community service during this time of year?

We *always* participate with Toys for Tots (they saved our bacon one year when Mr Sageofages was in graduate school), we pack food baskets with our local "helping hand" for operation Christmas,

18. If there is one thing that you could outlaw during the holidays, what would it be?

Muzak. Fake attitudes, Christmas music BEFORE Halloween!, artificial snow spray on windows (because all it attracts is graffiti finger drawings).

19. If you care to share, who is that one relative that is the most embarrasing one to have around for the holidays?

Every year it is someone different, although the last few years, one of my younger sister's is pretty bad with her over indulgence and arrogant attitudes.

20. By the end of it all, how much do yout hink you will have spent?

sigh......I hate to think. Too much. Not this year, it just isn't there to spend.

[ForeverRoses]

1. Are you cooking this year for Thanksgiving? If not, who will and where will you be?

Partially- every adult is in charge of a different item, I'm making the turkey

2. On average, when you travel for Thanksgiving, how far do you go?
3 hours - Indy is 3 hours from Columbus OH and my parents and 3 hours from Evansville and my husband's family. This year, we are going to Columbus
3. Or....if you have families at your home, are the gatherings large or small?
It will just be my Mom & Dad, husband, and three boys
4. Even eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving?
nope

6. Do you decorate/get a tree for your home for the holidays?
one real tree, two fake trees

7. What is your most favorite holiday song?
Silent Night. Preferably in German

8. Do you join in with holiday festivites at work?
I plan the holiday party

9. Are you an early shopper (starting in November) or a last minute shopper (last week up til Christmas Eve?)
I've been done since Halloween with the exception of my husband's family gift exchange- they don't draw names until Thanksgiving

10. What other activites do you engage in to get you into the holiday spirit?
decorating the house, taking the kids to the Children's Museum to meet Santa and go down the yule slide

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning?
nope- Christmas Eve

12. Favorite television programs during the holidays?
A Year without Santa Claus (Heat Miser & Cold Miser)

13. How much vacation time do you take during the holidays?
4 days- or whatever I have left

14. Do attend New Year's functions or spend quiet evenings at home?
early party at the zoo. Home by 9pm to avoid all the drunk drivers!

15. Ever been to Times Square?
not during Christmas

16. Do you remember where you were for Y2K?
at my Brother- and sister-in-laws house

17. What do you do as far as charity / community service during this time of year?
not enough. usually buy gifts for the gift tree at church and donate food to the food drive at my son's school. This year we are "donating" to my kids sitter- she's a struggling single mother so we are going to stock her fridge and do special things to help her out (like pay her electric bill, etc.)

18. If there is one thing that you could outlaw during the holidays, what would it be?
people who decorate their cars with wreaths

19. If you care to share, who is that one relative that is the most embarrasing one to have around for the holidays?
one of my brother-in-laws, especially when he starts drinking

20. By the end of it all, how much do yout hink you will have spent?
around $500 on gifts

[AnatraAmore]

1. Are you cooking this year for Thanksgiving? If not, who will and where will you be?

Everyone makes something... I'm in charge of dessert... mmmmm! Any suggestions?

2. On average, when you travel for Thanksgiving, how far do you go?

4 hours by plane... about 26 by car

4. Even eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving?

nope

6. Do you decorate/get a tree for your home for the holidays?

One real tree, two fake trees, and a bunch of baby ones

8. Do you join in with holiday festivites at work?

Yep... Secret Santa, here I come...

9. Are you an early shopper (starting in November) or a last minute shopper (last week up til Christmas Eve?)

Yes. I'm about 1/2 done. Those that aren't done yet are the hard ones that I hope I find something neat for while out and about on Black Friday.

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning?

Just Christmas Eve.

12. Favorite television programs during the holidays?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original)

13. How much vacation time do you take during the holidays?

Standard school vacation... one of the perks of working in a school.

14. Do attend New Year's functions or spend quiet evenings at home?

Usually a family event (which given my large family is usually a large party)

15. Ever been to Times Square?

Yes! And it's huge letdown and you go on New Year's when you see what really happens. I'll never watch "the countdown" on TV without being a little sad about the true.

16. Do you remember where you were for Y2K?

Sitting at my aunt's house holding my newborn cousin.

18. If there is one thing that you could outlaw during the holidays, what would it be?

Snowmen in Florida. We go for Thanksgiving every year. It's just wrong.

[REE1993]

1. Are you cooking this year for Thanksgiving? If not, who will and where will you be?

In the morning, I will see my dad's family, and later in the day, my husband and I are hosting dinner.

2. On average, when you travel for Thanksgiving, how far do you go? Sometimes we visit the inlaws in Arkansas, otherwise it's within an hour's drive.

3. Or....if you have families at your home, are the gatherings large or small?
Our gatherings have been anywhere from 3 people to over 40. And I tell you, it's just as much work no matter what the size?

4. Even eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving?
Never

5. Omitted. ??

6. Do you decorate/get a tree for your home for the holidays? Fake tree bc I am allergic to Pine. Having a new cat this year,

7. What is your most favorite holiday song? Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

8. Do you join in with holiday festivites at work? n/a

9. Are you an early shopper (starting in November) or a last minute shopper (last week up til Christmas Eve?) I'm a planner. I almost always know what I am going to give and where I am getting it from - mostly online.

10. What other activites do you engage in to get you into the holiday spirit? Listening to music, visiting Santa with the neices and nephews, ringing the Bell for Salvation Army

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning? Midnight mass

12. Favorite television programs during the holidays? the heat miser movie, A Christmas story, any of those animiatronic specials

13. How much vacation time do you take during the holidays? depends on hubby's schedule

14. Do attend New Year's functions or spend quiet evenings at home? at home the past few years

15. Ever been to Times Square? Yes but not on NYE

16. Do you remember where you were for Y2K? Sure do - wore a floor-length gown to an "all-you-can-whatever" event for the price of a small country in South America, at a club in Boston, watching the fireworks on the roof deck at midnight. The party lasted until 3:30 am with a full breakfast buffet.

17. What do you do as far as charity / community service during this time of year? If I am not sick, I work/have worked with the Salvation army bell ringing, the Giving Tree at the mall, and the homeless shelter.

18. If there is one thing that you could outlaw during the holidays, what would it be? gorging on food and alcohol

19. If you care to share, who is that one relative that is the most embarrasing one to have around for the holidays?

20. By the end of it all, how much do yout hink you will have spent?
More than I should have, but never enough. I am tired of spending, to tell you the truth.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning? Midnight mass.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning?
Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Originally Posted by AGDee

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning?

No, usually midnight mass on Christmas Eve

Originally Posted by REE1993

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning? Midnight mass

Not to put too fine a point on it, but wouldn't midnight mass technically be Christmas morning? (That is, unless it's one of those Midnight-Masses-in-Name-Only that starts at 7:00 p.m.)

Sorry -- just woke up particularly anal retentive this morning.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Not to put too fine a point on it, but wouldn't midnight mass technically be Christmas morning? (That is, unless it's one of those Midnight-Masses-in-Name-Only that starts at 7:00 p.m.)

Sorry -- just woke up particularly anal retentive this morning.

Ours starts around 10, there's a "children's" Mass as the "Christmas Vigil" at 5:00. So no, it's not truly midnight But I wouldn't call a 12am Mass "Christmas Morning" anyway.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Not to put too fine a point on it, but wouldn't midnight mass technically be Christmas morning? (That is, unless it's one of those Midnight-Masses-in-Name-Only that starts at 7:00 p.m.)

Sorry -- just woke up particularly anal retentive this morning.

Our "midnight mass" actually starts at 10:30 pm and gets out just before midnight.

[Still BLUTANG]

1. Are you cooking this year for Thanksgiving? If not, who will and where will you be?
haven't decided yet. if i go with the fam i will be in philly - no need to cook. if i stay here i'll do a little meal for myself (o.k. no LITTLE, i don't understand this whole "portion control" thingy), the actual holiday i'll be alone but then then roll out for to NC for the weekend.


2. On average, when you travel for Thanksgiving, how far do you go?
average would be 3.5 hours

3. Or....if you have families at your home, are the gatherings large or small?
we don't. lol.

4. Even eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving?
yep, NCO club!

5. Omitted.

6. Do you decorate/get a tree for your home for the holidays?
i don't do much, but my mom LOVES Christmas... she leaves a small tree up year round. Like one of those little trees you can put on a desk or in a corner or something.


7. What is your most favorite holiday song?
the GO-GO version of Santa Claus is coming to town, by Pleasure. DC people know what i'm talking about.


8. Do you join in with holiday festivites at work?
we don't do that here. :-( but my last job we had all out PARTIES. i mean those parties that make you think you're still in college and you HOPE no one is videotaping!!!


9. Are you an early shopper (starting in November) or a last minute shopper (last week up til Christmas Eve?)
early / year round and online. if i see something that X person will like and USE, i get it.

10. What other activites do you engage in to get you into the holiday spirit?
baking & eating. isn't that celebratory?

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning?
nope, not unless Christmas is on a Sunday.

12. Favorite television programs during the holidays?
Those old school claymation Rudolph and Santa and Frosty movies.


13. How much vacation time do you take during the holidays?
none - this is busy season for photogs

14. Do attend New Year's functions or spend quiet evenings at home?
this year i'm celebrating with friends! normally spent at home, tho.

15. Ever been to Times Square?
not for NYE

16. Do you remember where you were for Y2K?
Charlotte.

17. What do you do as far as charity / community service during this time of year?
Project Angel Tree (you select an "angel" from the tree, each angel represents a child who has an incarcerated parent. So you buy gifts on behalf of said parent - i hope i'm explaining this right).
Warm Nights (the church participates in a year long program where we house & feed the homeless on our property for 1 week. our turn always seems to fall around the holidays so in addition to feeding & clothing, we also fellowship with them and have programs).
Toys for Tots

18. If there is one thing that you could outlaw during the holidays, what would it be?
overdoing it on house decorations. there is no need for a moonbounce in your yard.

19. If you care to share, who is that one relative that is the most embarrasing one to have around for the holidays?
nothing really comes to mind! wait a minute, does that mean I'm the embarassing relative????

20. By the end of it all, how much do yout hink you will have spent?
on what? gifts? less than usual because i'm SINGLE this year!!!!! LOL. now airfare and accomodations, that's a totally different animal. i'm celebrating New Year's in South Beach.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Sorry -- just woke up particularly anal retentive this morning.

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

THIS morning, eh??

The operative word was "particularly."

[BuckeyeTriDelta]

1. Are you cooking this year for Thanksgiving? If not, who will and where will you be?

NO!!! My Aunt does therefore I will be at their house.


2. On average, when you travel for Thanksgiving, how far do you go?
Yes, about 150 miles

3. Or....if you have families at your home, are the gatherings large or small? n/a

4. Even eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving? no

5. Omitted.

6. Do you decorate/get a tree for your home for the holidays? yes

7. What is your most favorite holiday song? Silent Night

8. Do you join in with holiday festivities at work? yes..you can't avoid those classroom holiday Parties

9. Are you an early shopper (starting in November) or a last minute shopper (last week up til Christmas Eve?) early

10. What other activities do you engage in to get you into the holiday spirit? um...supporting the economy, participating in the church Christmas pageant, attending Christmas Eve Services

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning? we don't have them unless Christmas falls on a Sunday

12. Favorite television programs during the holidays? Rudolph and Frosty

13. How much vacation time do you take during the holidays? I get approximately 2 weeks

14. Do attend New Year's functions or spend quiet evenings at home? functions

15. Ever been to Times Square? no

16. Do you remember where you were for Y2K? yes

17. What do you do as far as charity / community service during this time of year?
I donate money online (or you can "adopt" a pig or turkey to help with a Holiday meal for) to Baton Rouge, Louisiana families still affected by Katrina (pm me if you want the webbie to do so), I give to Christ Table (local organization), food drives at my school..I need to figure out more things to do locally

18. If there is one thing that you could outlaw during the holidays, what would it be?
Putting up Holiday decor before Thanksgiving (not that I am Scrooge, but before Halloween..come on now...)

19. If you care to share, who is that one relative that is the most embarrassing one to have around for the holidays?
We are all embarrassing in our own little way

20. By the end of it all, how much do you think you will have spent? between $500 and $1000 (depends on the deals I can find)

[chitownxo]

1. Are you cooking this year for Thanksgiving? If not, who will and where will you be? We will be at my parents' house and my husband will be doing the cooking.


2. On average, when you travel for Thanksgiving, how far do you go? 2 1/2 hours.

3. Or....if you have families at your home, are the gatherings large or small?We'll have about 10 people at mom's.

4. Even eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving?Nope.

5. When do you start shopping for Christmas gifts? Mid-November.

6. Do you decorate/get a tree for your home for the holidays?Usually. We may not this year. It depends on how much we get done before the baby comes - my due date is Christmas Eve.

7. What is your most favorite holiday song?Mary Did You Know?

8. Do you join in with holiday festivites at work?Yes.

9. Are you an early shopper (starting in November) or a last minute shopper (last week up til Christmas Eve?) Early-ish.

10. What other activites do you engage in to get you into the holiday spirit?I try to go to the German Christmas Market at the Daley Center in Chicago. I also bake Christmas cookies with two of my nieces.

11. Do you attend church on Christmas morning?No, we go on Christmas Eve, then have dinner together.

12. Favorite television programs during the holidays?Year Without a Santa Clause, A Christmas Story.

13. How much vacation time do you take during the holidays?Usually a day or two. This year, I'll be off for 6 weeks.

14. Do attend New Year's functions or spend quiet evenings at home?Depends. My friends and I are big on small house parties.

15. Ever been to Times Square? Yes, but not for New Year's Eve.

16. Do you remember where you were for Y2K?Yes.

17. What do you do as far as charity / community service during this time of year?Give to the Salvation Army, kick in extra at the collection plate.

18. If there is one thing that you could outlaw during the holidays, what would it be?Nasty behavior by customers (and associates) at the mall. I understand Christmas is stressful, but if you're in a store at 5:30 on Christmas Eve deciding between socks and long johns as a gift for the love of your life, it's not my fault.

19. If you care to share, who is that one relative that is the most embarrasing one to have around for the holidays?We're usually pretty tame at holiday functions. Now, family weddings, that's another story, and that hands down would be my youngest brother.

20. By the end of it all, how much do yout think you will have spent?We're cutting back this year and will probably spend about $400.
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