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Holiday Home Feel Good Thread.... (1 Viewer)

PIK95

PIK95

Footballguy
  As a child, as bad as things got at times, I usually felt a general happy feeling leading up to the Holidays in the month of December.

   Because of the black cloud hanging over us, I am paying special attention to my kids happiness right now.  More then usual I mean.  

  I want to help create an extra fun happy environment around the house this holiday season.  I am trying to remember some of the things that I enjoyed or really looked forward to this time of year.

  So far I have...

Led Zeppelin music (some other good classic rock and RUN DMC can be mixed in.)

Christmas Cartoons

Snow in a can (spraying flakes in the windows)

Trinkets around the house and fake plastic Santa on the front stairs.

Steak and general meat cooking smells in the kitchen.

Let me know if you have anything to add and maybe I will remember other cool memories.  TIA.

 
Sitting by the Christmas tree (carols playing) with my little brother going through the Sears Toy Catalog. We would fold the pages with toys that we were interested in. Then go back and go over and over the pages trying to decided what I wanted to ask Santa for. We would circle them, and then dwindle down the list we would prepare for Santa. We were only allowed to ask for a few things so it was some very important time spent. 

 
Buddy Ball 2K3 said:
Sitting by the Christmas tree (carols playing) with my little brother going through the Sears Toy Catalog. We would fold the pages with toys that we were interested in. Then go back and go over and over the pages trying to decided what I wanted to ask Santa for. We would circle them, and then dwindle down the list we would prepare for Santa. We were only allowed to ask for a few things so it was some very important time spent. 
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My daughter and I did that last week with the target one.  Good times.

Just to put things in perspective, my house was kinda like the Gallagher house with me as a young Fiona.  I was the oldest of five with a loon mom, drunks everywhere, but a roof over our head.  

Going to the mall and getring to walk past the Santa setup was pretty cool.  I'm not sure I ever got to actually meet him but it was really exciting seeing him.  

Minus points for the tobacco smell in my head.

 
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PIK95 said:
My daughter and I did that last week with the target one.  Good times.

Just to put things in perspective, my house was kinda like the Gallagher house with me as a young Fiona.  I was the oldest of five with a loon mom, drunks everywhere, but a roof over our head.  

Going to the mall and getring to walk past the Santa setup was pretty cool.  I'm not sure I ever got to actually meet him but it was really exciting seeing him.  

Minus points for the tobacco smell in my head.
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Mall Santas dont smell like Santa, they smell like beef and cheese. 

 
Making and decorating Christmas cookies plus the aroma.

Like above, we also went through the Montgomery Wards and JCPenny catalogs. Couldn't wait for them to come in the mail. 

Making gifts at school for Mom.

Helping put presents from Santa under the tree, filling the stockings and putting cookie crumbs and an empty glass of milk on the mantle when I was old enough to help but my sister still believed. This is great fun with my older kids now too. 

Waking my college-aged brothers up at 7:00 to open presents after they were out late partying. New rules had to be made about how early we could get them up. 

It was a tradition to open just one present on Christmas Eve. For some reason we were directed to fun gifts if we were about to choose clothes or something, although we didn't know it at the time. 

 
I remember my aunt running around the neighborhood, high on crack, yelling something about her having Peter Frampton's love child.  I've yet to find a way to replicate that memory. 

 
johnnyrock62000 said:
Making and decorating Christmas cookies plus the aroma.

Like above, we also went through the Montgomery Wards and JCPenny catalogs. Couldn't wait for them to come in the mail. 

Making gifts at school for Mom.

Helping put presents from Santa under the tree, filling the stockings and putting cookie crumbs and an empty glass of milk on the mantle when I was old enough to help but my sister still believed. This is great fun with my older kids now too. 

Waking my college-aged brothers up at 7:00 to open presents after they were out late partying. New rules had to be made about how early we could get them up. 

It was a tradition to open just one present on Christmas Eve. For some reason we were directed to fun gifts if we were about to choose clothes or something, although we didn't know it at the time. 
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This is all familiar.  My wife makes all the Italian Christmas cookies now,  but all I want is the cheap chocolate chip straight out of the oven.  And cold milk.  

 
Sorry to hear about the black cloud over your family.  Health related? If so, my thoughts are with your family.

 
baymen said:
Sorry to hear about the black cloud over your family.  Health related? If so, my thoughts are with your family.
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No.  We lost a bunch of our family a few years back but this black cloud is more of a.....white cloud I guess.

 
That's what this thread is Dr. D. I'm in a much better place today then even last week.

It sounds silly but these Trump appointments have my whole family in funeral mode.  We are taking all of this stuff very personally.  We are good people who try and help everyone.  I volunteer probably 20-30 hours a week and my wife is a teacher.  We have lost our faith in many people and it's sad.

I Didn't even want to mention this but I didn't want people thinking I had a sick child or something so I did.  

I'm hoping this thread will help make the hollidays a little lighter for me.  That's all.

 
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i miss fudge (#fatballguy).

when my grandmother was alive she used to bring home-made fudge at XMas, along with assorted cookies, rice krispy treats, somekindofmarshmallothing, etc.

of all the things that bring back great memories around the Holidays - besides those already mentioned above - this is the one thing i wish i could have again.

 
When I was really little I remember visiting a nativity scene right on the water.  It may have been in Pawtucket next to the river. Anyway I was probably 5-7 y/o, and I can still remember the feeling of excitement I had. The colorful lights were especially beautiful.

   My mom wanted to leave because it was cold she said, but I could have stayed there all night.  I remember wanting to go back to that moment for many years after.

That scene in front of the Toy store window in Christmas Story was pretty sweet too.

 
PIK95 said:
That's what this thread is Dr. D. I'm in a much better place today then even last week.

It sounds silly but these Trump appointments have my whole family in funeral mode.  We are taking all of this stuff very personally.  We are good people who try and help everyone.  I volunteer probably 20-30 hours a week and my wife is a teacher.  We have lost our faith in many people and it's sad.

I Didn't even want to mention this but I didn't want people thinking I had a sick child or something so I did.  

I'm hoping this thread will help make the hollidays a little lighter for me.  That's all.
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Ok I misunderstood the original premise of your thread.  I come from strong Irish-Catholic Union and Italian Immigrant roots.  When Reagan was elected, we as kids in Junior High or lower thought the world was going to end thanks to our parents and grandparents.  Heck, they were probably right to an extent, but kids do not need to exposed to that at all.

I am more pissed my grandparents inspired me to be a Mets and Jets fan to suffer forever. 

 
This thread is to talk about those Holliday things from the past.  I grew up Irish Catholic too so there is bound to be some overlapping of traditions like black out drunks and celery with creme cheese on it.  

 
My daughter has been making holiday drawings and paintings and we are hanging them all over the house.  It's definitely adding to the mood.  

Too bad I didn't have some Christmas music playlists....?

 
Pull it together man, get the hell over the election already.  You and your family will be fine.  I can't think of a single President that has affected my life for better or worse.  Grab yourself a half dozen gaggers at Weinerama and head down to the ocean to relax.  You, your family and our country will be fine no matter what happens during this Administration.

 
Baloney Sandwich said:
Pull it together man, get the hell over the election already.  You and your family will be fine.  I can't think of a single President that has affected my life for better or worse.  Grab yourself a half dozen gaggers at Weinerama and head down to the ocean to relax.  You, your family and our country will be fine no matter what happens during this Administration.
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Well said, Baloney Sandwich. (something I never would have thought to type in my life)

 
We don't need any political talk in this thread.  God knows we have enough of them out there.  All I want for Christmas is a political forearm.

 
I just heard the Waitresses, Christmas Wrapping song.  Now all I need is some Father Christmas by the Kinks.  I'm trying to remember what my favorite Christmas album was but I can't.

I miss the smell of plastic and rubber on Christmas morning. When I got my BMX I remember the smell of the tires was very strong. I couldnt stop sniffing them for some reason. Ditto for Star Wars figures and G.I. Joe's a little bit.  Transformers tasted funny.  

And Bayman, we did spend some time doing drills hiding under our desks in elementary school.  So it wasn't all unicorns and show ponys if you know what I mean.

 
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This is very GOML, but i would like to see occasions set aside to live just in people's hearts, without recording in any format. While it angers me to see people at important occasions more concerned with capturing a moment than experiencing it, it just saddens me when it's run ubiquitously to all our smallest events and i fear that cherishing moments in our hearts will become a lost way. Woe is us if it does, because that's where love lives - in the pure, unselfish glow of a warm heart.

Have all your crazy huge splashy stuff, but set aside one thing - the dressing/lighting of the tree, or a family favorite song or prayer or poem or message of thanks & devotion or any kind of ritual that is just for your hearts and memories and love, to cherish as much as each other. A joyous holiday season to you all.

 
REAL Chex Mix

Someone brought some into work last week and I was instantly transported to sitting around on Christmas day after opening presents, watching TV and munching on chex mix.

It's the little things.

 
wikkidpissah said:
This is very GOML, but i would like to see occasions set aside to live just in people's hearts, without recording in any format. While it angers me to see people at important occasions more concerned with capturing a moment than experiencing it, it just saddens me when it's run ubiquitously to all our smallest events and i fear that cherishing moments in our hearts will become a lost way. Woe is us if it does, because that's where love lives - in the pure, unselfish glow of a warm heart.

Have all your crazy huge splashy stuff, but set aside one thing - the dressing/lighting of the tree, or a family favorite song or prayer or poem or message of thanks & devotion or any kind of ritual that is just for your hearts and memories and love, to cherish as much as each other. A joyous holiday season to you all.
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I for sure agree with you generally about experiencing things instead of just trying to record them. And I like your suggestion about choosing one activity and having that just be private.

That said, as my wife and I are expecting our first child in April, I'm glad there are pictures and videos of their great-grandparents who aren't with us anymore from the holidays, hopefully it will let them feel like they know them a little.

 
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PIK95 said:
  As a child, as bad as things got at times, I usually felt a general happy feeling leading up to the Holidays in the month of December.

   Because of the black cloud hanging over us, I am paying special attention to my kids happiness right now.  More then usual I mean.  

  I want to help create an extra fun happy environment around the house this holiday season.  I am trying to remember some of the things that I enjoyed or really looked forward to this time of year.

  So far I have...

Led Zeppelin music (some other good classic rock and RUN DMC can be mixed in.)

Christmas Cartoons

Snow in a can (spraying flakes in the windows)

Trinkets around the house and fake plastic Santa on the front stairs.

Steak and general meat cooking smells in the kitchen.

Let me know if you have anything to add and maybe I will remember other cool memories.  TIA.
Click to expand...
Black Cloud?  Sorry to hear that.

Baking is always great aromatherapy.  Cookies are simple.  Food is comfort to many.  

 
I have fond memories of the catering truck pulling into our driveway with our holiday meal.

Also my uncle's aluminum Christmas tree with the rotating strobe light making it turn different colors.

 
Sitting around the Christmas tree with my family at night as a kid gave me some great memories.   I need to do this with my family now.

 
Don't Noonan said:
Sitting around the Christmas tree with my family at night as a kid gave me some great memories.   I need to do this with my family now.
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  It's hard because we are so busy, but I am trying to do this most nights with my kids now.  

   My 7 y/of daughter told me she didn't believe in Santa last week. (Older brother and neighbor kid got in her ear).  When I asked her who brought the presents she said "Santa does, but I just don't believe in him."  There is still hope. :)

 
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PIK95 said:
  It's hard because we are so busy, but I am trying to do this most nights with my kids now.  

   My 7 y/of daughter told me she didn't believe in Santa last week. (Older brother and neighbor kid got in her ear).  When I asked her who brought the presents she said "Santa does, but I just don't believe in him."  There is still hope. :)
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Our girls last year were really asking a ton of questions. They were 9 & 11 at the time and all their friends were talking. They flat out asked us and we just stuck with the whole Polar Express line of if you stop believing, Santa will stop coming. They would debate between each other at dinner, the little one once rationalize that "It couldn't be you because NO WAY would you guys spend that much money!" as the older one adamantly nodded in complete agreement. Wife and I still chuckle at that one.

We will see if this year is the last. We are super good at hiding gifts and for whatever reason my kids aren't as mischievous as I was. Hell, I knew most of what I was getting every Christmas from the time I could remember. It wasn't until I was in middle school before I realized I was denying myself the pleasure of not knowing my big gifts. To be fair, my mom was awful at hiding the toys. I remember one morning we got into her car and in the back seat was a giant G.I. Joe Hovercraft. I had to (poorly) pretend I didn't see it.

Maybe this is the year, but as long as we hide the gifts really well again and give them no evidence of amazon boxes I think we can fool them again.

 
STEADYMOBBIN 22 said:
Our girls last year were really asking a ton of questions. They were 9 & 11 at the time and all their friends were talking. They flat out asked us and we just stuck with the whole Polar Express line of if you stop believing, Santa will stop coming. They would debate between each other at dinner, the little one once rationalize that "It couldn't be you because NO WAY would you guys spend that much money!" as the older one adamantly nodded in complete agreement. Wife and I still chuckle at that one.

We will see if this year is the last. We are super good at hiding gifts and for whatever reason my kids aren't as mischievous as I was. Hell, I knew most of what I was getting every Christmas from the time I could remember. It wasn't until I was in middle school before I realized I was denying myself the pleasure of not knowing my big gifts. To be fair, my mom was awful at hiding the toys. I remember one morning we got into her car and in the back seat was a giant G.I. Joe Hovercraft. I had to (poorly) pretend I didn't see it.

Maybe this is the year, but as long as we hide the gifts really well again and give them no evidence of amazon boxes I think we can fool them again.
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I remember peeking through the space in the the trunk of the car when it was open (from the back seat) and seeing the original AT AT.  It was probably like 1982 and I almost had a heart attack.  I just figured my mom was helping Santa.

 
I'm trying to remember if we ever had a real White Christmas where it snowed on Christmas eve.  This may be the year with all the cold air coming down from the north.  

Anyone have a cool White Christmas memory?

 
Chocolate covered peanut butter balls - Mom made these every year.  The best.

I can remember once we found out who the presents were really from we would always be trying to find the hiding places.

Loading up in the car and singing Christmas carols while looking at Christmas lights.

 
We always would drive around looking at lights with my manic mother.  Overall, people dont put tge effort in to the lights that they used to.  The obviously exception is the facebook attention whores with pretty much sell tickets to their shows.

 
Today is always one of my favorite days of the year.  125 of us RE agents took 125 under privileged kids to Wal Mart and bought them $100 worth of clothes they need pretty bad.  

 
Candy Canes. I still like to see how pointy/sharp I can make them before they break. Then the curved top is awesome to eat all at once.

I am also really big on Christmas music.

 
PIK95 said:
I remember peeking through the space in the the trunk of the car when it was open (from the back seat) and seeing the original AT AT.  It was probably like 1982 and I almost had a heart attack.  I just figured my mom was helping Santa.
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:lmao: ...I can relate...& It was probably around the same year, too.  I wanted a little more than a "peak" so I grabbed a slim pry-bar off my Dad's work truck, just for a little more "clarity", & proceeded to bend the trunk locking mechanism on our Reliant K-Car.  I did manage to catch a glimpse of that glorious GI Joe Cobra HISS Tank, but alas, it was reallocated to one of my brothers.  My "near heart attack" was a result of my Dad's reaction... :kicksrock:

 
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That HISS Tank was so money.  My brother got the Hover Craft.  We had a ton of fun with that thing.  

 
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