Xmas tree

We put our Christmas tree up yesterday. It was an adventure. We have a fake tree, and my son decided to help me. While I took each branch, fluffed it up, and attached it, he had a branch that he was swiping on everything. Thought it was hilarious.

When I put the lights on, he trailed behind holding the end of the lights for me. He was a real good helper!

I used to always have a simple blue and white tree, but my husband wanted colour, so he picked up multi-colour lights and red and blue garland. It definitely looks different. Like a family tree.

Christmas shopping

I am so excited to be almost done Christmas shopping. I bang out most of it over the weekend. The only people I have left are my brother and my husband. My brother is likely getting tools, but I didn't want to give him the same items as my brother-in-law, so I will wait for next weekend's sales to finish him up I think. And I thought I knew what I was getting my husband, it was even on sale this past weekend, but he decided he really didn't want that item. So now I am back to trying to find something.

I have a self-imposed deadline of Dec 1 to finish all my shopping. I refuse to go into crazy mall crowds in December. I am not a fan of crowds, and I just don't need to deal with that. We'll see how it goes. With only two people left, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Family Christmas

Yesterday was my family Christmas. Yes, Christmas on Nov 13. It is really early, but it means that everyone can attend. The hall we always use is available, and all 50ish people can come. My family is big. Big as in I don't really know everyone who comes.

It was lots of fun! I went with my son and niece and nephew. My sister, brother-in-law and husband all had to work, so it was me and 3 kids. I actually found it easier to travel with 3 instead of just 1. They entertain each other, and don't just scream and cry. And people are really nice when you stop for a break and herd 3 children into a Tim Hortons.

Our Christmas takes the form of a big potluck. Then Santa visits and every child gets a gift. Then the adults do an exchange. We each bring one gift, and then pick one off the table. I don't have a good track record at getting good gifts. There was the plug-in travel mug (don't drink coffee), wine (don't drink wine), and this year I got a crochetted doll toilet roll cover. I am sure one of the great-aunts worked really hard on it though.

My son was not sure about Santa. But he thoroughly enjoys his wooden animal knob puzzle.


Definitely lots of fun. And it's nice that it is not during the very hectic late December Christmas season. But it just doesn't feel Christmas-y without snow. Not that I'm complaining. It was gorgeous out yesterday!