Please, PLEASE, no more religious debates!
Christmas is fun. You dont need Jesus to decorate a fake tree and buy gifts for loved ones.

What does your daughter want, cactus? My girl wanted electrical appliances, tv, cd, hair straighteners at that age. You could make up a makeup kit for that something extra. I did that for my daughter this year. I bought a whole lot of things that are handy but you never seem to buy like, toe separators for when you are painting toenails, disposable makeup remover pads, blackhead remover strips, emery board, mud mask; stuff like that.

I agree Jade, Chit-Chat should be neutral where you come to get away from the political.

My darling wants a bed set; doona cover, sheets etc and she sent some clip-art of the style she wanted.  The make-up stuff, something personal, sounds good but being a typical male deciding what to put into it is a daunting task.  I could ask her mother what she needs in this stuff but she’d probably suggest stuff that she could “borrow” for herself.

I promise I am in a better mood today... I think. My son turns 21, twelve days before christmas which always makes it difficult for his birthday and/or Christmas. This year I am giving him $300. for his 21st etal and his Father is giving him $400. to put toward an X-Box 360 when they come out. The console will cost around $600. including a couple of games etc. and he wants to buy a couple of other games with it, adding up to around the amount we are giving him. So Christmas is usually frugal for the three of us (my kids and me) with a luscious Christmas dinner in the middle of the day, and the exchange of smaller presents like candles, a book or two, wind chimes, crystals, Cd's etc are usually the go. Last year my daughter bought me 'Stella' perfume and knowing the cost and thought that went into it, I burst into tears in front of my kids, my ex husband and my ex mother in law. Last Christmas with just myself and my adult kids was THE best I have ever had since my childhood. PLus I cooked the most perfect traditional christmas dinner I have ever done!  

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.... I came back to eblah it was slooooooooow.....

lol! This morning I ~ literally ~ has to queue up to post a reply. Guess there's more traffic than usual.

 

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I don't usually begin to even think about wishing anyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year until after the 1st of December

I'm with you on this one. Although I have noticed Myer store and the supermarket have already started their Christmas merchandising.  

But do we have to wait for December to wish everyone goodwill and to give gifts to our nearest and dearest?  I think we should celebrate Christmas all year.  So Merry Christmas and goodwill to all eblah members and through the six degrees of separation this greeting should touch the whole world.

No Red we don't have to wait until the Christmas Season to wish people good cheer. I am friendly to people all year 'round and show my family how much I appreciate them and love them 365/366 days a year also. I always say 'all the best' and 'cheers' etc to strangers and acquaintences and 'I love you' and "you are the best Daughter/Son I could wish for'. We put much store and emphasis in our Celebrating individuals' birthdays in my family because they are personal, unique and special. My son turns 21 this December so his birthday will be extra special, my 50th was yesterday and I have to say it was better than any other birthday in my entire life. My Daughter made me so happy and proud with her efforts. That is more important to me than Christmas. Presents at Christmas are secondary to spending the day enjoying each others' company and eating yummy food.

My local Woolworths (or Safeway, depending where you live) store had a small amount of Christmas decorations out on sale back in August, no kidding! I almost died when I saw them!

As for presents for ppl, one thing I would love to buy my father is the first 4 series of 'I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again'. For those who don't know, that is a classic radio series back in the 60's featuring John Clease, the three guys from The Goodies and a few other classic english comedians. It was the funniest show I had ever heard (i'm not that old, they had repeats on ABCam back in the 80's). I recenty stumbled across the series on epguies.com (they have a radio show list now!).

But my dream present for my family, which I fully intend to do one of these years, is to fly them all, spouses and kids included, to a Queensland resort for an all expensis paid Christmas holiday. Now thats a pretty huge dream!

The best time to get those Christmas decorations and wrapping paper etc and cards is in the January sales.  Some good bargains to be had here on this stuff but be careful of other stuff because the crafty buggers actually increase the list price during this time.

Quoted from Frankie

Better late than never.

Happy Birthday, Ms Suzi  

OMG. just found it Frankie, Thank you. I was so surprised tears sprang to my eyes. I had a ball and a wonderful performance that lasted 30 minutes by a professional fire dancers, as in he twirled fire around his body up and down and all around on specially designes ropes and cloth soaked in kero. We did 3 clips with the digital camera as well as taking 80 pics over the entire evening. Never had a better birthday!

Just noticed Jade's post re beauty products.... this from a professional Skin care specialist... never never never use blackhead remover strips. They promote hair growth out of the space left by the removed blackhead. I am not being rude to Jade, it is just a little known fact unless you have a friend or family member in the business.

I can't believe the year is almost over already.  I wish everyone a Happy Christmas but it looks like I'll be busy looking for work.  If I don't get work soon I'll have to go back and live with Mum and Dad.

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... Never had a better birthday!....

<< It's your party and you do what you want to
I would do it if it was mine too >>



Glad to read you have a fabulous time.

Spent all day shopping for presents on Saturday and came home without anything and depressed.  Everyone has everything already.  I wish everyone was really poor so I could get them something they haven’t got but really need.

I try to not to give "things" these days...most of my loved ones have more "things" than they can ever use...So I try to be a bit creative these days

* Voucher for a restuarant the person likes (or has expressed a desire to try)(this is a good one as they might take you!)
* Voucher for an adult education course (cooking, home maintenance, history...there are some great things available to suit a range of interests - try local adult colleges as well as some stores or restaurants)
* Voucher for massage or facial
* tickets to a show (theatre/concert whatever)
* a night's accommodation in a nice hotel
* some gourmet food ingredients along with the recipe(s) to use them printed nicely
* a great piece of shareware software (eg I bought a friend who LOVES to cook this great recipe software for $15US)
* some really nice indoor or outdoor plants

Cactus for your 15yr old daughter tho' things are....well all she really wants...maybe some vouchers (CDs, books, sportsgirl, iTunes music vouchers, Diva - depends what she's into - small denomination vouchers are a great idea as she can spread out her purchasing)

I was standing in the layby line at Kmart today for about half an hour, there were so many ppl in line! And worse, most had trolleys overflowing with boxes and boxes of toys. I think today, parents go way overboard buying their kids Christmas presents. I know a couple with 2 kids, and one year they admitted to spending over $2,000 on presents! Ludicrious!

Quoted from Simpson

But my dream present for my family, which I fully intend to do one of these years, is to fly them all, spouses and kids included, to a Queensland resort for an all expensis paid Christmas holiday. Now thats a pretty huge dream!

Trust me - most resorts are still NOT air conditioned - come here in winter......
Weather is mild, crowds are smaller.