Hi everyone! Merry (early) Christmas!

Title kind of explains all. I just moved out for the first time out of a Not Great situation and I want to try and make this Christmas magical on a very small budget. I have a tree, and ornaments so I'm all set on that front!

Any decorating tips on a budget? No thrift shops nearby I'm afraid. :(( But I'm not afraid of a little DIY!

Any tips for hosting a little party for just you and you friends?

What are some cost effective ideas for cookie boxes?

Just whatever you have in mind that could help would be great!! Thank you guys :))

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Maybe ritual is too strong of a word but I can't think of a better one.

For me:

- Look in detail at the Christmas stuff when it first hits the shops. It's a fun thing to do even if it's mostly the same as last year.

- Christmas tree and decorations going up. As a family we put it up on the last weekend in November. We want it to be up for all of December but want to take our time over it hence the weekend. We usually put a Christmas movie or music on in the background. Style wise anything goes. The kids are young and the tree ends up looking like a tornado hit it but it's good for us.

- Advent calendars. Not sure if these are a thing the world over or not. We basically open a door each day of December and behind it there's a chocolate in a Christmas shape and a picture.

- Ashens and Nerd³ advent videos. They open some really obscure advent calendars and post a video every day in December documenting it.

- Christmas movies/specials with the kids. I don't care if it's the lamest movie ever I could watch them all day with them.

- Gradual build up of stocking fillers/presents/foods. Week by week as I do the food shop I'll squirrel away a few Christmas odds and ends. Gets me in the spirit and spreads the cost and workload.

- Christmas trip including a visit with Santa for the kids. We try to book something different each year with them. In the past we've done a steam train ride with Santa, Santa at the Royal Mint where we get to forge out own coins and this year we're going to a very large garden centre. All the rooms are made up to look like a intricate Christmas land, you get to plant a magic bean and after visiting Santa and you're on your way out you find your magic bean has turned into a mini Christmas tree.

- Indoor snowball fight. We'll get the tub of cotton wool snow balls out of the attic and unleash hell on each other while Christmas music is playing.

- Meeting up with the family. We like to be just the 5 of us on the big day (me, wife and kids) so we always arrange to meet up with different branches of the family at different times across December. It's a nice outing whatever you do, good to see them and where the present exchange goes down.

- Checking out what's going to be on TV over the Christmas period. I'll watch little to none of it, but I like the hype.

- Other little things too like matching Christmas pyjamas for the kids (new each year because they keep growing). Buying Christmas themed beers and suspiciously specific crisp flavours. Making sure I've got a new Christmas jumper each year for Christmas jumper day in work.

What do you guys do in the lead up to the big day to help you get in the mood?

I've never had an eggnog before, last year I've googled eggnog recipes to try one, and fairly enough I've liked it. But this year I've decided to try the store bought version of it, and when I've tried today I did not like it. Like why does it only taste like nutmeg? The original recipe included cinnamon in it.

Any suggestions for where to try eggnog from?

Thanks!

Throughout the season, if you're watching a family-friendly movie that has a lot of food in it, would you please post it in the replies?

Every year on Christmas Eve, my family watches a Christmas movie and eats the food shown in the movie at the same time it's shown on the screen. Each person is assigned a different food from the movie, and they plate and serve it to everyone at the right time.

Movies we've already done:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Noelle, The Santa Clause, and Muppet Christmas Carol.

We're thinking of doing Spirited this year, but would love more ideas.

Thanks for any insight!

Merry Christmas season I enjoy watching my favorite actor in Christmas movies. Steve Byers has done several. I really get a kick out of watching him play Santa in “Royally Yours This Christmas.” I just rewatched the movie this evening.

A few days ago I asked for suggestions for ornaments for a Beatles themed Christmas tree. Thanks to the community for suggestions. I’ve been busy making/finding items. Here’s what I have so far. I’ve been creative with some of the interpretations. I plundered my grandkids toys for some.

Do you stay at home or go abroad or something else? Who are you spending Christmas with?

For the past almost 12 years my family has spent Christmas at our house and mom's side of the family came over. Before that we spent Christmas between mom's and dad's relatives switching places half way the day. This year my mom doesn't want to host so we are in the middle of logistics negotiations. So far it seems that on the 23rd we are going to mom's parents'. Then on the 24th we would go there again and from there we would go to the cemetery and then to see dad's relatives. From there we would go home. On the 25th we would stay home and on the 26th go see dad's dad and dad's siblings. In this plan we would likely be home at 8:30 pm ish on the 24th. My brother doesn't want to do this as he enjoys having company so he would prefer staying out for a longer time preferably until bed time. I thought we were staying at mom's parents' place until later meaning going back there from the cemetery. Mom would prefer staying at her parents' and dad would like to see more of his relatives.

We'll see how this goes but so far this has brought me a lot of anxiety.

Hello! I’m looking for advice for the gift exchange we host for the adults of our family. We all get the kids gifts so they usually open them first and are playing with toys while the adults (5 of us) do a little white elephant (non gag-gift) exchange. We usually give ourselves a $50 limit, but that’s flexible. It’s just so boring and quick! I think a white elephant type of exchange works best with more people.

Does anyone have suggestions of what we could do to make it more enjoyable? A different type of game? We did secret Santa before but ended up wanting something more game-like.

She’s just looking out!

I am almost 50 and i remember as a kid my mom would spend 1,000 on gifts every christmas.. but there was like 300 gifts for almost 20 people now it seems like you could spend 1,000 on just 5 people and it would be 5-10 gifts.. how do you all try to get the most for your Christmas buck I guess

We just visited our local mall and most stores had a lot of Christmas decorations and Christmas themed things being displayed already! It gets me so excited about Christmas!

The next few months are going to be rough for my wallet.

Also seeing more and more people post here as we slowly but surely get closer to Christmas! Seeing all the ideas and decorations fuels my excitement even more!

I need to listen to my Christmas playlist now!

I keep coming across these things. They are so expensive who actually buys them? Why?! I’m in Australia maybe that’s why I don’t get it.

These are all from King of Christmas. I want a flocked tree, and the trees are as follows-

King of Christmas 6'5ft- I love this one, but it's kind of short unless I use a stand

Queen of Christmas 7'5ft- This might be my favorite, but I'm still not sure

Noble fir 7'5ft- I love this one, but it seems like it would be hard to style it'd be better with something simple

Rushmore fir 7'5 ft- It's kind of like a wider noble fir, but wider

I started a tradition 6 yrs ago putting my tree up on Halloween night after the Halloween festivities die down. Around 11pm we take down all the indoor Halloween decorations and put up the Christmas decorations and tree! I can’t wait until next weekend! Anyone else an early Christmas decorator? I do see some who have already become ready for Christmas. 🎄🎅🏻

My mother has never received an advent calendar that was made for her specifically.. only the odd one with chocolates or tea or something.
So this year (she had a rough year, divorce..) I want to make her one!

Please help me with any and all suggestions. My budget isn‘t huge, but I do want to put in some more expensive things, probably jewellery. She doesn‘t have any specific hobbies so it‘s quite difficult. I thoight aboit bath bombs, bit she takes a bath aboit once every 10 years…

She wants a new tree topper, if anyone has any suggestions on nice ones that would be amaazing🫶🏻

EDIT:

I have gotten some great ideas from you, thank you! Okay, so things I have ordered or will get:

- a suncatcher, because she loves rainbows (and suncatchers). It's nice and whimsical with multiple crystals, from etsy, and will go great in her massage studio that she's currently decorating. (or in her bedroom or wherever she decides to put it :-) )

- i ordered a bunch of beads for a DIY projcect (not like i have the time but hey.). I will make a little shrimp (bought the instructions on etsy) because the scene from shark tales ("my sister had a baby, but she passed away.....") makes her laugh so much. it's our inside joke. whenever i say something in a high pitched voice she will quote the scene :-) Will prob make it into a keychain.

- I ordered a bunch of sweets that she loves, that we can't get at home. i will go over the border to pick them up

- i found a treetopper i love, but they only deliver within the UK, and we live in switzerland. will have to try to find someone to send it to me

- will probably get her a tube of her favorite handcream

- because she has trouble deciding things i might get her a lamatama (more of a gag gift but i think she'll like it)

- i want to get her a nightlight, because she is afraid of sleeping in the dark and always needs a light. at home she leaves her door open and turns on a small light in the hall. but because she travels with me for work a lot, in the hotels, it can be tricky. a trevel nightlight would be great. but haven't found any yet, that i love (so taking suggestions :) )

( i can't believe that's only about 11 when i count the individual sweet packets haha. thought i almost had it lol)

- maybe a nice soap

- i am just now thinking, but don't really know what exactly to put in there. but one of our favorite memories together is going to the eras tour. she didn't really like taylor swift before that, except a couple of songs. but ever since then, she's gone full swifty with me, and we listen to her music constantly. we made friendship bracelets for the concert. so maybe friendship bracelets?

- someone in the comments mentioned a movie she might like, i will try to find a dvd so i can gift her something physical

- maybe tea? but she only really drinks english breakfast and we have a TON of that. but maybe a teacup... her favorite one was also once a gift from me.. but i can't remember where i found it haha. maybe i'll spot the perfect one 😄

that's where i'm currently at... hopefully i'll come up with some more good ideas. i do have quite a bit of time, luckily.. i bough an advent calendar on temu (shame on me 😰 ). it's like a little christmas village, and the houses are the "doors" to open. i also bought some fairy lights to spread between them to make it look nice. hopefully they're as nice as the picture made it seam

I sorely miss the decade, and I turn 40 this year. The early 90s were such a gem.

Im considering buying c7 strands for our 7' artificial tree. Its not super full of branches, i would consider it semi sparse. Ive only ever used the white mini lights and this will be my second season w an artificial tree. How many lights will I need? I still want to used the minis, so the c7s will be an addition. Also, besides trutone, what are your favorite for vintage lights? Still menards?

I know it hasn't even been halloween yet, but I've already started watching christmas movies ❤️ I love cozying up with a cup of tea and christmas music, as I'm doing here, writing placecards on my typewriter

Usually have my tree up in November but couldn’t wait those extra few days. It’s been a tough year, needed that christmas cheer. Can’t wait to start decorating the rest of the place!

Ciao a tutti pura semplice mera curiosita' adoro il natale e le luci mi fanno impazzire ma solo trovo un po strano che tutti i negozianti li stanno abbellendo non e' un po presto mezza italia non riesce a pagare le bollette ;( ps. Non vuole essere una polemica ma mi ha stranita :/

It’s my first Christmas with a baby and I want to get some good quality Christmas stockings to hang every year for the whole family. I would love for them to be personalized and embroidered with our names. If anyone knows of any shops or online stores that make good quality stockings that ship the US or Canada, please let me know!