Getting your Xmas shopping done?

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I had a good year so was able to share more this season. Christmas is more about giving than receiving to me. Wish I had more grandkids around to spoil....
I heard about something Dave Ramsey does at Christmas that sounded pretty cool. He goes to some place like Waffle House on Christmas Eve. He goes in and just orders a cup of coffee. He figures that a waitress working on Christmas Eve is trying, and isn’t just some bum just wanting a handout. He leaves a really good tip and slips out when she is busy, and then just sits in the parking lot to see her face before driving off. I think I’m going to do something similar this year.
 
I had a good year so was able to share more this season. Christmas is more about giving than receiving to me. Wish I had more grandkids around to spoil....
I heard about something Dave Ramsey does at Christmas that sounded pretty cool. He goes to some place like Waffle House on Christmas Eve. He goes in and just orders a cup of coffee. He figures that a waitress working on Christmas Eve is trying, and isn’t just some bum just wanting a handout. He leaves a really good tip and slips out when she is busy, and then just sits in the parking lot to see her face before driving off. I think I’m going to do something similar this year.
That sounds like a good thing to do. I'm in a field where working holidays is necessary and I can tell you the ones who do are our best employees.
I have been working extra hours to buy presents for my younger siblings, but it will all be worth it when I see their faces when they open their presents. I like getting presents but my favorite thing is giving them.
 
We don't have to get a lot this year...

Obviously, each other. And our daughter. We try to cap it at about $150-$200 each, though it really just depends on what's what that year.

Each of us has to get the friends we drew in our friends' secret santa ($50 limit). (I already got the gift for mine, but she needs to get for hers). The get-together is this Sat. so she needs to be on the ball. We'll also have to get two gifts for the White Elephant bit ($15 limit on those).

My wife's BFF, but she's mostly got hers already. That get-together is this Fri., so she needs to finalize that.

Since my daughter is a server at an upscale restaurant, she's working during the holiday, so we'll have to do our Christmas with her after (though hopefully that week). We'll make a turkey and all for that day. Currently, on Christmas Day, will just be us, so we're going over a friend's house for dinner that day. We're doing most of our final shopping this coming Sat. (before the get-together with friends later that evening).

Likewise, won't see my mother or her stepmom until just after the holiday either. (which at least gives me some more shopping time... ;) )

My wife usually gets a nice Christmas bonus that pretty much pays for all of this, but it's always kind of an unknown (both on amount, and a matter of when she gets it). Sometimes a week before Christmas, sometimes just days before. So...we'll see, but we tend not to count on it. But, this year, as a contractor, I get no PTO, so I'm eating 4 days off too. (Mon/Tue for Christmas, and Mon/Tue for New Years).
 
Lol. I was the one that suggested you get your wife something more romantic than livestock, and I went out and got mine new appliances.... actually I did get her some more thoughtful stuff too at least, but appliances aren’t very romantic either.
Last night we drove down and picked up the fridge and stove for the house. Got home in a snow storm and parked the truck in the barn. I plowed snow until noon today and now she's out shopping for a bra. The dog's getting a bath today too. That's pretty much our Christmas for this year. She leaves for work on Christmas Eve.
 
Last night we drove down and picked up the fridge and stove for the house. Got home in a snow storm and parked the truck in the barn. I plowed snow until noon today and now she's out shopping for a bra. The dog's getting a bath today too. That's pretty much our Christmas for this year. She leaves for work on Christmas Eve.
Sorry she is on the road again over the holiday. We all do what we have to though. Without small kids the holidays don’t mean as much to me anymore anyways. It’s still good to have time to kick back together whenever possible.
I need to bathe the outside boys badly, but it’s been so cold I haven’t done it in way too long now.
 
I had a good year so was able to share more this season. Christmas is more about giving than receiving to me. Wish I had more grandkids around to spoil....
I heard about something Dave Ramsey does at Christmas that sounded pretty cool. He goes to some place like Waffle House on Christmas Eve. He goes in and just orders a cup of coffee. He figures that a waitress working on Christmas Eve is trying, and isn’t just some bum just wanting a handout. He leaves a really good tip and slips out when she is busy, and then just sits in the parking lot to see her face before driving off. I think I’m going to do something similar this year.

There is a Farm Bureau Insurance commercial where the guynleaves a $100 tip to a waitress he hears talking about money problems. It's sweet.
 
Each grandkid got a small gift. That pretty much sums it up. Any Christmas bonus I get from work will go to buy a tank of propane. Oh Joy! However, I did get an interview yesterday and it went very well. Praying, please God let me get that job!! Still studying for a credential, if I get this job, I will be studying for another at some point.
 
My brother came down for his monthly doctors appointment so we had his Christmas last night. Nothing like Christmas meatloaf. I should have molded it into the shape of a turkey.

Anyone remember on MASH when the lamb was liberated and they made a SPAM lamb?
 
I have the santa pan I used for the cake. A christmas meatloaf....sounds good to me. But I have to have my turkey, stuffing, mashed taters and gravy, and gravy. Did I mention gravy? I'd love a good spiral ham too, but the wife isn't crazy about it, so we don't do that. (unless more are coming over, then do both the ham and turkey).
 
I have the santa pan I used for the cake. A christmas meatloaf....sounds good to me. But I have to have my turkey, stuffing, mashed taters and gravy, and gravy. Did I mention gravy? I'd love a good spiral ham too, but the wife isn't crazy about it, so we don't do that. (unless more are coming over, then do both the ham and turkey).
I'm told my meatloaf gravy was great. I made it gluten free for my daughter, but everyone says it was very good.
 
I like to use Cream of Mushroom soup to thicken gravies, especially the Campbell's one with garlic and herbs. I've used corn starch before too, but the former is just easier.
 
I like to use Cream of Mushroom soup to thicken gravies, especially the Campbell's one with garlic and herbs. I've used corn starch before too, but the former is just easier.

Daughter can't eat any of those. They all have hidden ingredients that contain grain. They are disguised under funky names. It's safer to do cooking from scratch when possible. It's a pain. No one loves food more than she. She actually has a food blog.
 
My daughter's boyfriend is gluten intolerant so I have been experimenting with gluten free recipies. One I haven't tried yet is gluten free country fried venison. I think maybe a mixture of cornstarch and buckwheat flour might work for the batter, or possibly just straight buckwheat flour.
 
I finished mine today. Hunny likes to wait till last minute but it drives me crazy! Tomorrow I need to hit the grocery store to finish up with holiday cooking. I need nuts but I got a surprise of a party on Saturday after I get off from work and need to pick up a few things to make egg rolls, and I thought I would also pick up some chicken wings. Saturday is a party for my mom and her new husbands birthday. They share the same date of the 23rd. Since I did not plant a fall garden I will have to buy some cabbage and carrots along with eggroll wraps and little smokies. I work on Saturday getting off at 2. Come home to make eggrolls and little smokies then feed and get to party at 6. I will not be staying long, maybe a couple hours simce I have to get up early again for Sunday to get to work. The gift baskets for the new siblings for exchange that night have been made today. They are getting homemade gift baskets, . . . Cowboy and Peanut butter cookies, Chex Mix, Mayhaw jelly, Christmas candy and a couple holiday mugs I picked up at work for 75 cents. Yes, I'm cheap. I know the family, but yet I don't really know them so I figured food would be the best option.
 
I finished mine today. Hunny likes to wait till last minute but it drives me crazy! Tomorrow I need to hit the grocery store to finish up with holiday cooking. I need nuts but I got a surprise of a party on Saturday after I get off from work and need to pick up a few things to make egg rolls, and I thought I would also pick up some chicken wings. Saturday is a party for my mom and her new husbands birthday. They share the same date of the 23rd. Since I did not plant a fall garden I will have to buy some cabbage and carrots along with eggroll wraps and little smokies. I work on Saturday getting off at 2. Come home to make eggrolls and little smokies then feed and get to party at 6. I will not be staying long, maybe a couple hours simce I have to get up early again for Sunday to get to work. The gift baskets for the new siblings for exchange that night have been made today. They are getting homemade gift baskets, . . . Cowboy and Peanut butter cookies, Chex Mix, Mayhaw jelly, Christmas candy and a couple holiday mugs I picked up at work for 75 cents. Yes, I'm cheap. I know the family, but yet I don't really know them so I figured food would be the best option.
I can pretty much buy anything I want, and more importantly I know what I like better than anybody. I appreciate something someone spent a little time and thought on much more than something they just spent money on. Food is high on my list too!
 
Well I can appreciate homemade gifts so much more than store bought myself. My biggest heart felt gifts are going to the youngest son and my mom. I know son will love since I always get the what do I have to do to get a quilt, but mom. . . well she expects perfect and I am far from a perfect kind of gal. I am just hopeful she is accepting of my good enough.
 

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