Happy Friday. I feel like once I'm in November, there's some sort of Holiday or event leading to a holiday that the end of the week calls for a greeting! Welcome to my blog and as it's Friday, I wing the topic to whatever is running through my head, a Friday Free for All. This week, it's a lot about the coming weeks ahead.
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| Early arrivals last year |
I know sending greeting cards is not economical and it's not very environmentally sustainable, but it's one tradition I still very much like. I love opening the mailbox and seeing who thought about us and took the time to put our names on a card and send in the mail. I'll hand some out to people I know I'll see in the weeks leading up to Christmas and mail the rest, to reduce postage. There's some that are sent just from continued obligation, but to me it's less obligation but more trying to keep or build a connection.
DH's cousin who stopped talking to the entire family because of the cabin feud with her dad? I'll still send one, knowing it might go in the trash but wishing it's a little bit of hope that relationships can someday mend, and she and her family know they are still loved. I get the annual card and letter from my sister's step son, even though her husband was estranged from his kids, they still think of all of us as family. I'll be sad to not get one from DH's friend. He was the sender in the couple. Tomorrow is his Celebration of Life.
My mom had a late November birthday. She was not a huge card sender, just a few, but as she got older, she wanted to send and receive more. My birthday gift the last 10 or so years of her life was to buy her cards and stamps, and send them out with her. I sent the two years after she passed for my dad. It became a nice tradition. Call them cheesy or unnecessary but Christmas, holiday, Kwanza, Hannakuh, New Years, whatever card, have a place in my heart and I'll make time and money in my budget for them.
On Christmas Treats
My sister in law is hosting lefse making today. I can't go because I'm working, but DD1 is. She's picking up my MIL and they're going to have a late birthday breakfast for my daughter, then go back and forth together. I'm very thankful my SIL picked up this tradition, and I don't even think she is Norwegian.
I vow to dial back my treats this year. Oreo truffles and peanut blossoms might be the only two I make. I'll do a pan of fudge too. I'll bake bread for my mom friends and sisters, and check mix for taking along both days, but even this seems like too much. Oh, and Rolo pretzels. Stop! We just do not need the treats. Anything left, and some intentionally, will be froze for DD2 to take back to school on January 10 or 11. Classes start on the 12th.
Hanging Lights
I could kick myself for not taking advantage of no commitments last weekend to hang the porch lights and garland. Now, we've had a couple bouts of snow and it's colder. Maybe Sunday after church, before we go to the 60th birthday year extravaganza. This is the party for the women who's daughter arranged for fresh flowers for a year to extend her celebration. I digress. As I don't put around the house, just the porch railing and timber, it's not a hard job, just silly that I waited. Still, there is comfort when out walking the dog(s) or coming home after 5:00, to see the lights up. Then, I start looking forward to the extra minute a day of light starting December 21!
That's my ramblings for the week. I'm feeling some blues this year, probably because my daughter's gone, my son's unsure he'll be home, and I've been under the weather. Doing a few things my way I hope will help me get in the spirit. Share your thoughts on any of these Christmas Preparations or start a new conversation of your thoughts. It's Friday Free for All.
I still send Christmas cards and probably always will. It is a tradition I enjoy. I remember sitting with my Grandmother helping her do hers and I always think of her when I'm doing mine.
ReplyDeleteI do a LOT of holiday baking but do give about 75% away as gifts. I'm not much on sweets but the big guy would devour them. lol
I put Christmas lights in all of the windows but do it from the inside so I don't have to worry about the weather. The day after Thanksgiving I will do the front porch bundled up if necessary.
Have a great Friday Sam!!
We have a lot of gatherings but people, fortunately for health, don't eat as many treats as the past. Lights inside would be pretty too.
DeleteI miss sending and receiving cards too. I remember street vendors displaying cute cards on a particular area of where I grew up starting in early December. We do not celebrate Christmas but, a lot of us decorate for and celebrate the New Year. I would always spend my allowance on beautiful cards to send to my grandparents and a few friends when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas decorations and my favorite time in the US is the Holiday Season. I am sure once you decorate, you will feel cheerful in anticipation of the approaching Holidays.
I'll look for some special ones too and if I come across any, buy. I'm just trying to feel some sense of tradition since so much will be different.
DeleteI never got in the habit of mailing Christmas cards, where as my great aunt Mary did so every year. A friend of mine does a newsletter with pictures. I may start that tradition next year!
ReplyDeleteIf it would make you happy, you should. But, don't feel you have too.
DeleteI think that was a lovely idea to gift your mom cards and stamps (and to spend time with her writing them). It was a very thoughtful gift!
ReplyDeleteIt really became our thing. I know she appreciated it.
DeleteNot Christmas related, but I'm just ever so grateful it's Friday. Made it through a very hard work day yesterday (SVP presentation is done!) & today should be much more relaxed. I took the afternoon off to volunteer (we get one day/year for this) & next week should be much quieter at work. I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteWhy work needs to drain us is sad. I hope next week is better.
DeleteCardmaking is a beloved hobby of mine. (Before you fall over, no, I never succumbed to the PoP party bandwagon.) Actually, I have always loved all things stationery related. I love making cards, but over the years, I have really only made Halloween/Autumn and Christmas cards in any quantity. Like you, I enjoy receiving cards...well...except for the photo cards. ( Not sure why, but while I appreciate being remembered, but I can't stand those photos cards...so posed and wooden. And don't get me started on e-cards. Those get deleted without being opened.) Also, I love seeing the selection of Christmas cards put out in the store each year, though I rarely buy any, since I make my own. Although, I have picked up a few deep clearance boxes, and Rite Aid Black Friday "buy 1 get 2 free" which my kids use.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what PoP is, but card making sounds like a nice activity. Yes, I do the horrid photo cards when it works out. I don't mind eCards either.
DeletePoint of Purchase...like the old Tupperware parties.
DeleteI don't send many cards but do love sending cards. I do it the frugal way and buy cards at yard sales and thrift stores all year long. I splurge at sales in stores. And, I am using forever stamps. I think I bought enough to last several years...lol.
ReplyDeleteIt was disappointing that Tommy waited until it was freezing to cover plants or move them. So, I can imagine how awful it must be putting up decorations and lights when it is cold and snowy.
When my kids were little, I baked pumpkin bread for their teachers' Christmas presents. My son had just gone into middle school, so seventh grade, and he had six teachers, and his coach. AND, he wanted to give pumpkin bread to the other coach. I was up very early making two batches of bread, came home after dropping him and bread off at school, made another two batches and delivered them hot, too. He was so happy! I always think of that when it is baking season.
It's hard to get lights arranged with blue fingers. It's supposed to warm up this week and the day after Thanksgiving looks clear and upper 30's so will do then.
DeleteStill trying to unbox/unpack everything here. Going to son in-laws parents tomorrow for Turkey day so nothing going on here for actual Thanksgiving. Not even going to decorate this year for Xmas as we won't be here and won't have any of our kids around. It's a much different life right now, but we'll make merry where we will be. 8-)
ReplyDeleteThat's right - the cruise with Kim! That'll be a very Merry Christmas. Actually a quiet Thanksgiving itself sounds pretty good to me.
DeleteI loved the card and stamp gift you used to give your Mum.
ReplyDeleteI try and ignore the whole shebang for as long as possible. My birthday comes before Jesus! xxx
I have good memories from my whole life during this time so it's always been a season I enjoy. The cards was a one off and she liked it so I kept on each year.
DeleteI still send cards or give cards. We were just moaning today that we should have put the Christmas decorations up last weekend when it was nice. It's still hard a times for the kids to be gone and only 1 comes up on Christmas eve. Two of the kids said their kids are struggling to balance extended family also. We have 4-5 generations now days.
ReplyDeleteI don't want my kids to feel any guilt, but doesn't mean I can't still miss them. I hope some day I'll have my own multigenerational Christmas.
DeleteI had to Google Lefse. It looks delicious! I don’t send cards. I buy my grandkid a present and donate to a needy family. I will pay a utility bill for a kid or give them money for Christmas. I have a little table top blue tree from Dollar General that I pull out and other than my mom’s tablecloth, Christmas and Thanksgiving kitchen towels, and placemats, that is the extent of my decorating…. Lol. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteI'm actually like warm in lefse. Without butter and sugar it's just a potato wrap. I'll see how ambitious I get. I have Wednesday off so will send it cleaning and cooking my side dishes.
DeleteThat's a wonderful gift that you gave your Mum, cards, stamps and your time, how lovely. That is a really thoughtful gift. Megan.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice tradition. Maybe my girls will help me over time.
DeleteYou know I have never hosted a lefsa making party for my kids and I think I am going to try and do that next year. I envy the fun and flour you are going to have. Actually, sending a card that can be recycled is very environmentally friendly.
ReplyDeleteI didn't go this year but my daughter did. She enjoyed learning.
DeleteI do enjoy sending cards. It's a thoughtful tradition imho. But I no longer receive any! Seems all my friends have stopped.
ReplyDeleteI still send, tho. I'll write them over the Thanksgiving holiday.
I'll do many on Wednesday to be able to give over the long weekend and save a bit of postage. The rest go in the mail next Monday.
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