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Celtic Radio Community > Polls > Tis The Season


Posted by: Macfive 25-Nov-2003, 10:09 PM
Ok, which one of you has your holiday shopping all done! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Keltic 25-Nov-2003, 10:27 PM
I've got December 24th set aside!

Posted by: Angel Whitefang (Rider) 26-Nov-2003, 03:19 AM
Son turns 14 on the 4th of Dec, that coms first then the Holiday shopping.

angel.gif

Posted by: Mailagnas maqqas Dunaidonas 26-Nov-2003, 05:30 AM
December'll be here soon enough. Don't want to rush things.

Posted by: Catriona 26-Nov-2003, 08:03 AM
I have to do at least half of my Christmas shopping before the middle of November each year, as so many of my relatives live abroad, mostly in Australia and New Zealand, but also in Canada, USA and South Africa. The latest posting date for many of these zones is fist week in December... That's why the run-up to Christmas seems never-ending in our home! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Elspeth 26-Nov-2003, 11:20 AM
We have an unwritten rule in our house - the Christmas season begins after Thanksgiving. (unlike stores who exchange Halloween decorations for Christmas, Thanksgiving being totally passed over. We're waiting for the day when Christmas shopping gets kicked off on the 5th of July. Take down Uncle Sam and put up Santa.)

But, I confess I have dreamed more than once of it being Christmas Eve and the holiday had snuck up on us. We have no presents, no tree, no nothing and I am driving like a madwoman to make it to Toys-R-Us before midnight.

Posted by: Keltic 26-Nov-2003, 12:45 PM
I see two people who have finished their Christmas shopping. The only people that I know who have finished Christmas shopping are Jehovas Witnesses.

Posted by: silverdragon 26-Nov-2003, 02:34 PM
I've bought a couple of things that I know are always on someone's list, but the real challenge will be to get lists from my menfolk....

Posted by: MDF3530 26-Nov-2003, 02:36 PM
I've bought my mom a present, but I don't know whether or not it's going to be for her birthday (December 17th) or Christmas.

Posted by: oldraven 26-Nov-2003, 02:59 PM
It's going to be tight this year. I don't think I'll be doing much shopping anyway.

sad.gif

Posted by: Outlander 26-Nov-2003, 06:22 PM
I bought my first gift yesterday! Usually once I get that first one under my belt it gets easier. Except for my Mum who is very difficult to buy for. My sister and I have more or less agreed to cut back this year. We'll see! I'm still waiting for my boys to tell me what they want Santa to bring them.

Posted by: valpal 59 26-Nov-2003, 08:02 PM
I'm halfway there. 2 more shopping trips and I'll be done. Last year was the first and only time I had all of my shopping done by now. Actually it was nice. Gave me time to concentrate on everything else and not feel like a chicken running around with it's head cut off. biggrin.gif

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 26-Nov-2003, 08:37 PM
Just a few more days and I'll have everything ready for Christmas...1981. rolleyes.gif

TheCarolinaScotsman

Posted by: Aventar 28-Nov-2003, 08:45 AM
Wow...have you guys got it wrong! If you get it done December 26th....look at the bargins...you can sleep in on the 25th.....either that or get a start on next year's shopping.

Happy Yule!

Posted by: Therasa 28-Nov-2003, 08:56 PM
I feel like a total boob! I start the christmas shopping in January for the following christmas. I buy little things I know everyeone will like. My kids are easy, their ten, builder sets, those mega block dragon sets, and art stuff. They usually buy my dad the newest thing for his work shop, usually sold by Bob Villa-bolt out and such. It's an unwritten rule that no one else can even think about buying that stuff, it's strictly for the boys to buy.

My sister-easy, bath stuff, clothes. She only shops in bargain stores/thrift stores. so she won't have any of the new things out. lol

Aventar- you shop like my aunty. She won't spend a penny till the 26th. I buy the wrapping and bows and such on the 26th, and new ornaments and decorations. I bought this musical snow globe last year on the 26th. It was a double, one on the other with a bear in a hot air balloon in it, and he went around the inside of the globes with the music. Regular $30.00, I only paid $10.00. I love bargains like that.

Kids clothes in the end of season sales, $2.00 for name brand shirts and $5.00 for the pants. I love it.

laugh.gif


Posted by: Mimossa 29-Nov-2003, 05:44 PM
well i have all my friends and all of my husbands family done i just need for the kids and hubby now and that should take me until the 24 th to figure out what it is they really want

Posted by: Arianrhod 30-Nov-2003, 06:41 AM
WOW ! you all are amazing !

I do, have my sewing machine out, and have some projects close to being done for giving..
There are two boxes from LLBean in the trunk .. best place to hide those..

Frozen cookie dough, that I made , but not nearly enough..

I still have lots to do ! including getting the outside done,,
and the tree up..

Kudos to you all for being SO ahead...
I hope some rubs off on me !!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Service to the Dream,
Paula

Old Raven.. if I may.. with your lovley photos.. I can not imagine someone not being thrilled with one of those as a gift ! IKEA has neat , cheap frames..
there are lots of places that do ,, thrift shops and so on,,
Gifts from the heart , are allways better than gifts from a store !

Posted by: scottish2 30-Nov-2003, 06:46 AM
Well lucky it's just the wife and I so that's easy. I am just about done with a clients website update then I can go shopping. biggrin.gif

Posted by: maryellen 01-Dec-2003, 09:00 PM
I LOVE the convenience of Amazon.com. It is the best - free shipping and competitive prices. I try to shop there as much as possible so that they do not leave. I wouldn't blame them, they've never turned a profit.

Helpful hints: Cookies in a jar are easy to make and are great gifts for friends and co-workers. I made 24 of them with my sisters in a couple hours!

Posted by: Arianrhod 02-Dec-2003, 06:08 AM
http://www.budget101.com/

Here is a site full of those dry cookie mixes and things to make..
There are some really cute ideas here...
That can be done in front of the TV , in an evening.

Enjoy!
In Service to the Dream ,
Paula

Posted by: barddas 02-Dec-2003, 09:56 AM
I love the cookies in a jar thing! I always thought that was a cool idea...
I'm thinking about doing that with a wheat soda bread that I make. Everyone raves about it, so I figured I would give them the key ingr. mixed. All they will need to add is the butter and buttermilk.....

such a cool idea!





Posted by: Roisin-Teagan 02-Dec-2003, 12:01 PM
Whoa! Boy am I not ready to do all that shopping. Don't get me wrong I love the season, but hate the crowds and long lines at the stores. I think next year I'll start in Jan or Feb. to get a head start.

My kids go crazy when all those toy store flyers come in the mail---their lists seem to grow and grow. blink.gif

Posted by: CelticRose 02-Dec-2003, 01:55 PM
I got all my shopping done. I started in October. I make out a list of everyone I need to shop for and what what I want to get them and go for it then. That way I know I can find what I am looking for if I start early! Plus, I hate crowds and all the irritable people running around. So now I can sit back and relax and enjoy the season better.

Posted by: maggiemahone1 02-Dec-2003, 09:07 PM
I am green with envy, CelticRose! I have one gift bought. I always start buying for the gchildren first. biggrin.gif Those sweet little darlins, have so many toys already, this grandma just don't know what to get them and when you ask what they want, wrong question, they have a list a mile long!

maggiemahone1

Posted by: CelticRose 02-Dec-2003, 09:22 PM
laugh.gif No wonder you gotta start with the grandchildren first....to get everything on their wish list! You still have time. wink.gif biggrin.gif

Posted by: Billsnerdness 04-Dec-2003, 05:34 AM
My grandchildren live in Georgia, and I in NY, so this year I made it easy....I sent my daughter the list of what I wanted to get the kids and a gift card to get it with. Easier for everyone and NO shipping charges! The only gifts I have left to buy are for my husband, who's not at all sure yet what he wants......guess he hasn't watched enough commercials....lol biggrin.gif xmas.gif

Posted by: Elspeth 04-Dec-2003, 06:37 AM
I heard on the radio that Penny's was having a 50% off sale yesterday so I went and spent and spent and spent. I found so much so reasonable at one store, one easy parking spot took about 2 hours - my kind of Christmas shopping.

My kids have about 20 teachers all told who they want to give gifts to at Christmas time. (school, Sunday school, dance, etc. etc.) Drives me insane every year to come up the time, money and space to accomodate.
Last year we made carmelcorn and put it in little jars I had laying about and when the jars ran out, we used baggies. The kids were happy, the teachers were happy and I got rid or a lot of jars that were just taking up space.
This year I'm pulling out a bunch of Christmas mugs and glasses that are never used and are again taking up space. Filling them full of carmelcorn and I'm done.
And I've got more space on my shelves. That's my Christmas gift.

Posted by: Catriona 04-Dec-2003, 06:58 AM
When my family were young - I used to make individual rounds of shortbread for each teacher.

I have a lovely wooden mould, with a deckled edge and a big thistle in the middle - baked until golden, dusted with caster sugar and put into a home made card box (had a template in a christmas crafts book) which I decorated with holly etc motifs cut from expensive christmas wrapping paper. Fulfils all the criteria of a good gift - personal, tasty and always (seems to be) welcome. biggrin.gif

Posted by: barddas 04-Dec-2003, 09:18 AM
I asked m'wife for a shortbread mold very similar to the one you descibe, Cat.
I saw it in a catalog. It looks very nice.
And since I LOVE to cook, I figured it would be a good gift for me!!! LOL! laugh.gif

Posted by: Catriona 04-Dec-2003, 10:37 AM

Barddas
The one I've got dates back at least to my Great Gran's day, cos I remember watching her use it to shape the circles of shortbread to cook on her range - which was a huge peat burning fireplace - and with an oven on the side - I have NO idea how they managed to regulate temperatures etc.... but her scones, bread and shortbread were just wonderful... biggrin.gif

Her range makes an AGA seem like a simple way of cooking, and yet I had to have the one in my house disconnected, as I just couldn't regulate temps, despite what it says in the handbook! But it still looks very nice as a large ornament in my kitchen cool.gif

I have seen similar moulds in modern catalogues, too! It is a boon as you don't have to spend ages to get the 'petticoat tails' traditional shape to your shortbread 'rounds'. cool.gif

Posted by: RavenWing 04-Dec-2003, 10:41 AM
Most of my holiday shopping involves buying flour, sugar, nuts and baking goods like that. Most of it is done. Considering I have a husband, 20 nieces and nephews, 4 in-laws with their spouses, a sister, a brother and his wife, my parents, my husband's parents, and a mamaw and papaw, and co-workers, I really don't have enough money to buy things for everyone. Most people get a basket of goodies, the parents get a special gift, and my husband and I get presents for each other.

We refuse to stay any longer in the poor house than we have to just to buy stuff for other people.

Posted by: CelticRose 04-Dec-2003, 02:10 PM
QUOTE (RavenWing @ Dec 4 2003, 11:41 AM)
the parents get a special gift, and my husband and I get presents for each other.

We refuse to stay any longer in the poor house than we have to just to buy stuff for other people.

Ravenwing! It can get really out of hand, can't it? It is just my husband and I,but we have the parents, the siblings, the nephews and neices too and the family is ever growing! One thing that really helped our family was drawing of names. But I feel sad for those parents who spend so much money on their kids and can't afford to give anything to their spouse. Isn't that person our first love? And I would personally feel sad if I could not give some special gift to my hubby. Well that is just me.

And I am like you, I hate to get myself into further debt trying to buy gifts for everybody. However, I feel sad today because I sent a Christmas gift to a friend of mine in Scotland, only for the package to have been opened and her gift stolen by some slimeball! Guess that's what I get for not insuring the package! It is expensive enough to send gifts over the pond, that I was too cheap to insure it too. Taught me a lesson and my friend didn't get her gift. sad.gif

Posted by: RavenWing 04-Dec-2003, 03:23 PM
How awful! sad.gif

Posted by: Annabelle 09-Dec-2003, 03:59 PM
My gift box I just sent over to Huntley Scotland to my girlfriend who owns the local laundrymat cost me $30 to send a small box over to her. Then an additional $7 of it was insurance.
Very expensive indeed!

Annabelle

Posted by: Raven 10-Dec-2003, 12:21 PM
I have all of my shopping left to do but I only have one gift to buy although my wife is the hardest person to buy for as I generally let her get anything she wants as she wants it tongue.gif

Perhaps a good ploy would be to tell her absolutely no on something (like she even asks my opinion if she wants something wink.gif ) and then get that for her for Christmas.

I probably need to get her a good set of Celtic Ear Rings any ideas where I could get some nice ones on the double.

Thanks

Mikel

Posted by: CelticRose 10-Dec-2003, 02:40 PM
Mike! check out eBay! I have bought a lot of Celtic jewelry on there and with really good prices. Just type in Celtic jewelry and you'll get pages of the beautiful stuf! Hope that helps!

Creative Irish gifts http://www.shopirish.com is a really good website catalog of different things. Beautiful jewelry there too and they ship out fast.

another is the Scottish Lion http://www.scottishlion.com and they ship out pretty quickly too.

Hope this all helps! Have fun! wink.gif

Posted by: Arianrhod 15-Dec-2003, 07:15 AM
Rave ..
YOU have to check out Keltics Site first !
He makes some LOVLEY things..

I love these ladies earrings..
Happy Shopping !

http://www.uncommonadornments.com/

Get a pair at Faire everyyear ...

In Service to the Dream,
Paula

Posted by: Raven 15-Dec-2003, 01:53 PM
Thanks Rose and Paula

I will be sure to check out all of those sites and I certainly would prefer to get stuff from Keltic. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

I couldn't remember where I posted this and was about to post again rolleyes.gif

Mikel

Posted by: CelticRose 15-Dec-2003, 03:15 PM
oops.gif Raven! I totally went brain dead and forgot about Keltic's beautiful jewelry! Yes! I am sure you will find something to tickle your wife's fancy there! thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: Catriona 16-Dec-2003, 06:20 AM
Mikel
Keltic's site has some really nice stuff.

Here's the site of an Orcadian firm called Ortak - I have quite a few bits n bobs from them, given both as presents and stuff I've bought myself. Most of the jewellers in Edinburgh stock Ortak cool.gif

http://www.ortak.co.uk/

My husband bought me some Rennie MacIntosh style ear ringsfrom Ortak when he was visiting Orkney earlier in the year.

Posted by: Eamon506 16-Dec-2003, 11:08 AM
QUOTE (Elspeth @ Dec 4 2003, 07:37 AM)
I heard on the radio that Penny's was having a 50% off sale yesterday so I went and spent and spent and spent. I found so much so reasonable at one store, one easy parking spot took about 2 hours - my kind of Christmas shopping.


Elspeth,

There are some GREAT sales out there this year. I have to start shopping early, as I have alot of birthday gifts to purchase during the Christmas season, and I wish I would have waited. I could have saved a bunch of money. Oh well, tis the season!

Eamon

Posted by: star_traveler 16-Dec-2003, 06:17 PM
Christmas shopping? Not until finals are over. wink.gif

Every year about this time, I think? I should have done my shopping online, ebay, amazon, toy-r-us ? let them do the wrapping and have it mail right to everyone.

Ah? the best laid plans.

Posted by: Eamon506 17-Dec-2003, 09:14 AM
QUOTE (star_traveler @ Dec 16 2003, 07:17 PM)
Every year about this time, I think? I should have done my shopping online, ebay, amazon, toy-r-us ? let them do the wrapping and have it mail right to everyone.


Star Traveller, last year my Dad did exactly that! He did all his shopping online, ans was on a first name basis with the UPS guy by Christmas Time! My mom took over this year...she enjoys the shopping part, but I suspect my Dad was online again this year!

Eamom

Posted by: Iain A.D. 17-Dec-2003, 04:36 PM
This should be a very straight-forward poll result.

Women = all bought and paid for before September 30th.

Men = suddenly remember at about 3pm on Christmas Eve.

king.gif tongue.gif

Posted by: CelticRose 17-Dec-2003, 08:55 PM
QUOTE (Iain A.D. @ Dec 17 2003, 05:36 PM)
This should be a very straight-forward poll result.

Women = all bought and paid for before September 30th.

Men = suddenly remember at about 3pm on Christmas Eve.

king.gif tongue.gif

You're probably right, Iain! I did most of my shopping on line and had it done by October! But t hen I had to buy a few more gifts this past week and now I am done completely! Yippee! thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: MDF3530 17-Dec-2003, 09:34 PM
I don't have much money this year, so the adults in my family probably won't be getting anything. They understand, though. I'll probably buy my sister's kids some cheap little trinkets, like coloring books and Hot Wheels cars. They'll enjoy those as much as they will the $50 toys.

Posted by: Knightly Knight 21-Dec-2003, 04:42 PM
Every Member of Celtic Radio is on my Christmas List. Im getting you all the same thing I got you last year. Id only be worried of you got something else biggrin.gif

Posted by: JaneyMae 22-Dec-2003, 06:29 PM
Can't we just postpone the holiday for a week or so? Maybe then I'd be ready...................

Posted by: MDF3530 22-Dec-2003, 11:30 PM
I had to take my friend Christmas shopping today. He flew in from out of town and didn't want to borrow his mom's car. He bought his mom a digital camera, one of those ones that has a photo printer, and a Stephen King audiobook at the bookstore. He bought lunch, so I was cool.

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