Plans for the holidays.

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T

toinena

Guest
#1
Christmas can be tough for us singles. Last year I got really depressed over the thought of celebrating Christmas alone again. It was great, though, as a friend and her family came and stayed until boxing day.

When I was married, I was extremely ambitious making seven sorts of cookies and cakes, making proper Christmas food, cleaning, decorating and ironing and doing everything like my grandmother did it (my mother wasn't ever doing all baking and preparing herself and not nearly as good as my grandmother).

New Year's eve has been more problematic, but I am kind of used to celebrating it alone with my dog. Sometimes it hurts, though. I don't get invited anywhere, because the people that do host a party, all have steps and stairs, and they feel awkward inviting me.

This year my friend and her kids are coming. And of course I have two dogs now, so the liveliness of the house is totally different. I even asked my son to drop by, but I am a bit nervous about that. He likes my friend, though, as she speaks multiple languages, and he is a language nerd. I also have an airbnb booking from the 27th. New years is as usual. I think Memo is less nervous about fireworks than Plato is, but it is best to stay at home with them, anyway.

And this year I am going to bake all 7 sorts. And my "totenkringler" are to die for. Anyone that likes good baking, should drop by to get a taste. It is even worth crossing the ocean for. I am even putting up my Christmas tree early this year. Already next week. The tradition is Dec. 23rd, but last year I bought an artificial one, so I will enjoy it some extra weeks. And I have my Christmas plates and the advent candles. And I have even bought a luxurious Christmas calendar for the first time, a terribly expensive one, filled with goodies from my favorite brand of cosmetics.

How are your plans? Are you looking forward to it, or do you, as I used to, have mixed feelings? What do you eat, what do you wear, who are you with? How big space to you give Jesus in the celebration?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
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#2
I have no plans for Christmas Day yet. I suspect our congregation will have a C-Eve service. As for New Year's Eve, the local Christian youth centre takes over our church building for a week, fills it with teen-oriented activities, and hosts a chemical-free party for teenagers that night. I'll be helping in some capacity.

Last year the theme was Star Wars... complete with a 3/4 size TIE Interceptor and a Hoth laser cannon. This year, 'Medieval' is the theme. The security staff will be dressed as riders of Rohan from Lord of the Rings... complete with 7-foot spears.

I will happily sample the '7 kinds of Christmas goodies'... but please don't keep us in suspense... what are they? Here, my favourites are dark fruitcake, shortbread (Scotch), mincemeat tarts, and Bailey's. I'm out of luck on the fruitcake; it's too expensive for my folks to send some. Maybe I'll make my own this year. :)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
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#3
I'm going to assume the calendar filled with a lot of goodies is an advent calendar, which I have heard of but never seen. But I am all in favor of any excuse to enjoy good chocolate...
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
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#4
As for New Year's Eve, the local Christian youth centre takes over our church building for a week, fills it with teen-oriented activities, and hosts a chemical-free party for teenagers that night. I'll be helping in some capacity.
I should clarify... "sugar", "adrenaline" and "Doritos" are not considered "chemicals" in this context. ;)
 
T

toinena

Guest
#5
I have no plans for Christmas Day yet. I suspect our congregation will have a C-Eve service. As for New Year's Eve, the local Christian youth centre takes over our church building for a week, fills it with teen-oriented activities, and hosts a chemical-free party for teenagers that night. I'll be helping in some capacity.

Last year the theme was Star Wars... complete with a 3/4 size TIE Interceptor and a Hoth laser cannon. This year, 'Medieval' is the theme. The security staff will be dressed as riders of Rohan from Lord of the Rings... complete with 7-foot spears.

I will happily sample the '7 kinds of Christmas goodies'... but please don't keep us in suspense... what are they? Here, my favourites are dark fruitcake, shortbread (Scotch), mincemeat tarts, and Bailey's. I'm out of luck on the fruitcake; it's too expensive for my folks to send some. Maybe I'll make my own this year. :)
That sounds so cool that you and your church are doing so much for the youth. I prefer Medival, as I am not into Star Wars, but that is only me.

My seven cakes and cookies may vary some, but here is a list of must have and optionals.

1. Serina kake
2. Krumkake
3. totenkringler
4. havreflarn
5. defliakake
6. risboller
7. kransekake (that one I am going to buy. The shop bought is better than mine....)

Totenkringler totenkringler.jpg

Kokosmakroner, havreflarn, serinakaker, krumkaker julekaker.jpg

(These were from my own baking some years ago)

Delfia kake, not my own, but quite similar.
Delfiakake_BIG.jpg

Kransekake. No Norwegian party without it kransekake.jpg
 
T

toinena

Guest
#6
I'm going to assume the calendar filled with a lot of goodies is an advent calendar, which I have heard of but never seen. But I am all in favor of any excuse to enjoy good chocolate...
Nope. That would go against my loyalty towards the government. Only chocolate on Saturdays, remember?
It is filled with hand lotions, bars of soap, shampoo..... all in small, cute travel size bottles.
 

Lighthearted

Senior Member
Oct 17, 2016
1,782
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#7
I should clarify... "sugar", "adrenaline" and "Doritos" are not considered "chemicals" in this context. ;)
Nice...but really...you didn't need to post the disclaimer here! Lol...but I hope you printed it out for the parents!
 
S

Susanna

Guest
#8
Nope. That would go against my loyalty towards the government. Only chocolate on Saturdays, remember?
It is filled with hand lotions, bars of soap, shampoo..... all in small, cute travel size bottles.
I didn't quite get this...loyalty...government..all in the same sentence...lol.
 
Nov 25, 2017
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#9
Will stay in apt can't afford a tree, lights, decorations, etc. Just me and my minpin, Lilman thats it. May find a movie online n curl up in recliner wiht Lilman and watch what I find.
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
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#10
My family is having two christmas parties this year, several days apart, (one is really a housewarming party) so I'll be going to those.

diet, RIP. :p
 
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Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#11
Will stay in apt can't afford a tree, lights, decorations, etc. Just me and my minpin, Lilman thats it. May find a movie online n curl up in recliner wiht Lilman and watch what I find.
Welcome, Warrior!

Been there... I don't do much in the way of decorations for myself. You need a good movie... like the entire Hobbit series. ;)
 
T

toinena

Guest
#12
Will stay in apt can't afford a tree, lights, decorations, etc. Just me and my minpin, Lilman thats it. May find a movie online n curl up in recliner wiht Lilman and watch what I find.
Who needs decorations? Light a candle, watch a great movie and just enjoy your time together. It might be the most blessed Christmas ever. No stress. Just remember to include Jesus in it, and I pray you will be fine. God bless.
 
T

toinena

Guest
#13
My family is having two christmas parties this year, several days apart, (one is really a housewarming party) so I'll be going to those.

diet, RIP. :p
The diet should rest during the holidays. Enjoy. I send you some of my cookies so that you can enjoy even more the diet break.
 
Aug 2, 2009
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#14
The diet should rest during the holidays. Enjoy. I send you some of my cookies so that you can enjoy even more the diet break.
THank you! :D

I'm sad that no one invited you to their christmas party. :(
 
T

toinena

Guest
#15
THank you! :D

I'm sad that no one invited you to their christmas party. :(
I am fine. This is the first time in many years I am looking forward to Christmas. The loneliness is not so scary anymore, somehow. And Alexandra is coming over, and then the fun is guaranteed.
 
Aug 2, 2009
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#16
I am fine. This is the first time in many years I am looking forward to Christmas. The loneliness is not so scary anymore, somehow. And Alexandra is coming over, and then the fun is guaranteed.
Oh I am very glad you will have a friend to share it with! :)
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
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#17
Will stay in apt can't afford a tree, lights, decorations, etc. Just me and my minpin, Lilman thats it. May find a movie online n curl up in recliner wiht Lilman and watch what I find.
I hope someone will invite you to their party or get together. If not, I hope you still have a good Christmas. God bless.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#18
Nope. That would go against my loyalty towards the government. Only chocolate on Saturdays, remember?
It is filled with hand lotions, bars of soap, shampoo..... all in small, cute travel size bottles.
Loyalty? Like... they made it a LAW that you can only eat candy on Saturday?

Here's my favorite Advent calendar.

 
T

toinena

Guest
#19
[video=youtube;kXSmh4DFBIc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXSmh4DFBIc&list=PLS9Dbtm5qG5U6BnQPZfN6Nhg ispMc7rqJ[/video] This is one of the government funded campaign videos used to brain wash us to not eating candies during the week. And when the State says so.... well.... we should respect the authorities. (But they didn't see the small bite of chocolate I took last Wednesday..... )
Loyalty? Like... they made it a LAW that you can only eat candy on Saturday?

Here's my favorite Advent calendar.

 

Lighthearted

Senior Member
Oct 17, 2016
1,782
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#20
Praying for a visit from someone I met here, (who I can call my best friend) the day after Christmas! Yay!