tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post2029332828783346353..comments2024-01-16T17:40:13.951-05:00Comments on Somewhere in NJ: Spare me!LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-57085559720734969712007-11-27T20:10:00.000-05:002007-11-27T20:10:00.000-05:00LauraO: Thanks... so far I'm clueless.Cathy: I thi...LauraO: Thanks... so far I'm clueless.<BR/><BR/>Cathy: I think bird feeders make great gifts - especially for someone who might not otherwise take the time outside to appreciate the birds!<BR/><BR/>I feel totally comfortable telling people not to give me anything, but cave in when it comes time to show up empty-handed myself on Christmas morn.<BR/><BR/>Rabbit's Guy: Boomer post today - at your request.<BR/><BR/>RuthieJ: Finding time and agreeing on something - tough!<BR/><BR/>Mary: I don't know. My SIL's family does that... I want to be able to give my brother's something nice. Seems like more fun to plan a day working in each other's garden or something.<BR/><BR/>Delia: One too many martinis!<BR/><BR/>I've been doing gift cards too, but feel lazy!<BR/><BR/>Amy: That made me laugh out loud - and brought back some memories of cookie adventures with my brother Brian. Oh the messes we've made! <BR/><BR/>We all really love to garden and so far I'm working on something with that. There's a local food pantry that has a community garden sort of thing - I don't know - trying to figure something out.<BR/><BR/>I love spending time with my brothers and come home sore from laughing so much. That laughter is a gift on its own.LauraHinNJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-4803175183986830032007-11-27T00:01:00.000-05:002007-11-27T00:01:00.000-05:00Mojoman: It was the same thing here - stores openi...Mojoman: It was the same thing here - stores opening at 4 in the morning. Ridiculous.<BR/><BR/>Jayne: I'd be perfectly happy buying gifts if I knew it was something anybody wanted. Always a shot in the dark, you know, seems wasteful.LauraHinNJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-5068343722126989482007-11-26T22:05:00.000-05:002007-11-26T22:05:00.000-05:00Does your family like to bake? I'd have fun with e...Does your family like to bake? I'd have fun with everyone in and around the warm kitchen, making dough, eating it, shaping it, rolling and cutting it out, smelling the cookies as they bake, bickering over who gets to do quality control, sipping hot cider or gluhwein (German mulled wine) and gabbing/teasing each other endlessly.<BR/><BR/>BTW, lovely photo (c:Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13301129176775790365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-75540255461737876542007-11-26T10:13:00.000-05:002007-11-26T10:13:00.000-05:00Great pic, Laura--you look relaxed!I think it's fi...Great pic, Laura--you look relaxed!<BR/><BR/>I think it's fitting that they call it "BLACK Friday"--it's just a ridiculous display of American consumerism gone haywire. My family draws names as well, and giftcards are a big favorite. That way, everyone just gets what he/she needs.dguzmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01811101661607351661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-11771118371384107452007-11-25T19:47:00.000-05:002007-11-25T19:47:00.000-05:00Many years ago, all of our brothers and sisters de...Many years ago, all of our brothers and sisters decided to stop stressing over buying each of us the "perfect" gift and instead, we drew names of the adults and still showered the children. That worked out so much better! Now, we only focus on the children. I like the toy stores. I only have one 7 year old boy to buy for now and look forward to wrapping his gift and shipping it.<BR/><BR/>Your idea is perfect. Coming up with the ideal activity and getting everyone together for it is quite a challenge, but will be well worth it!<BR/><BR/>You are photogenic, Laura!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040099513110890878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-51603402624570943192007-11-25T17:19:00.000-05:002007-11-25T17:19:00.000-05:00Sounds like a good plan Laura. Time is really the...Sounds like a good plan Laura. Time is really the most valuable thing anyway and finding a way for all of you to spend time together is priceless (and probably difficult too)!RuthieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-86039045478997094872007-11-25T16:30:00.000-05:002007-11-25T16:30:00.000-05:00Good luck with your "new" Christmas plan! Let us ...Good luck with your "new" Christmas plan! Let us know how it all unfolds!<BR/><BR/>How about a bunny pic. and story?? I want to see Boomer. Is Boomer a Giant?RGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02017190779860810318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-45845326800683232542007-11-25T13:36:00.000-05:002007-11-25T13:36:00.000-05:00Oh Laura, I smiled with such assent on this post....Oh Laura, I smiled with such assent on this post. We've had the same conversation for years and like you - cave. I did give my mom an early Christmas present: a bird feeder - with baffle - right outside her window. One can never have too many bird feeders, right? :0)Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00548755592157386484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-24521149157139462222007-11-25T08:45:00.000-05:002007-11-25T08:45:00.000-05:00More people should take that approach to the holid...More people should take that approach to the holidays. Some of the stores here opened on Friday at 4 in the morning! That's just scary. Hope you find some interesting ideas that will make meaningful gifts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-68073896891089008192007-11-25T08:08:00.000-05:002007-11-25T08:08:00.000-05:00Love the photo Laura. Green is your color! :c) I...Love the photo Laura. Green is your color! :c) I know what you mean in terms of the shopping craziness. We try to at least put a limit on it and only purchase one or two gifts for one another. The kids are at the age where they just want $$ to bunch together and get the big ticket things they want, so that's easy. I hope you all can come up with a fun plan to spend time together. That is the best gift of all no doubt.Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14057094040409159429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-87072705617700664772007-11-25T07:37:00.000-05:002007-11-25T07:37:00.000-05:00If only everyone would start thinking the way you ...If only everyone would start thinking the way you are! Around here (Boston area) stores were opening at 4:00 AM on Black Friday and drivers were waiting in FOUR HOUR traffic jams to travel a few miles to the mall. For what? To save a few buck on junk from China?<BR/><BR/>For the last few Thanksgivings and Christmas's my mother was alive, my sisters and my family went to a cozy family resort in Connecticut. I remember those times better than any gift I ever received.MojoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11283343683800473324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-8632396078501032632007-11-25T00:51:00.000-05:002007-11-25T00:51:00.000-05:00Ruth: Exactly.Ruth: Exactly.LauraHinNJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-72267764009222493682007-11-24T23:49:00.000-05:002007-11-24T23:49:00.000-05:00My side of the family is planning an afternoon in ...My side of the family is planning an afternoon in Toronto to see a performance of White Christmas. The theater is a little pricey but fun, and you don't have to find a place to store it.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15892804871759397018noreply@blogger.com