Day 2 – What are your plans for Christmas?
Yesterday was fun!
Thank you to all who joined us for the first Advent Calendar Livestream. We really enjoy the fact that we can interact with you all in real time during these streams and are already looking forward to tomorrow. Same place, same time – 9pm GMT! We’ll post about it again in the morning.
Today we’d like to get the conversation in the comment section going.
Tell us, what are your plans for Christmas this year?
We’ll go first: Since December is always such a busy time for us, not only here in the MLT Club but also with the online store and personal stuff, we will most likely do what we have done in previous years, too: Nothing 😉
Well … Many people associate Christmas with big family get-togethers, extravagant meals and big plans but we prefer to keep those types of activities for birthdays and other occasions and just take it easy for Christmas. We’ll probably go out for a meal on Christmas Eve but other than that we’re currently planning on lounging around, relaxing, putting our feet up, reading, playing games, drawing, … All the things we don’t make enough time for during the rest of the year.
We’re interested in your plans, maybe they will give us some new ideas! We’ll discuss some of your answers during the Livestream tomorrow. 🙂
We’ll talk to you in the comments!
Mona & Lisa
I’m running a bit behind, but how did I miss the first week here?? We’ll be hanging out at the house for Christmas. Christmas Eve will be busy, we wait until then to decorate the tree, but we’re also Bell Ringers so we’ll be ringing the church bells here for Christmas Eve, then probably a party someplace. Christmas Day will be the usual meal although my wife is a vegetarian and I’m not so the menu will be interesting as always. Facetime my kids and grandkids and call my mom. Maybe watch a football (American) game and a movie. There will probably be some singing involved and I’ll probably pull out a guitar at some point.
My girls, 17 and 19, are coming to town, with their dogs, on the 23rd and staying with me until the 30th! They live 700 miles away with their mother, so I’m very excited. I won’t be alone for Christmas this year!
There will be baking, Christmas movies, and Christmas music featuring the MLT Christmas album of course!
Unusually, this year I’ll be having a very traditional English Christmas with my parents. Yes, that means lots of brussels, lounging around watching Christmas movies and, of course, the King’s Speech! More sherry darling?
a bit behind here Mona and Lisa, sorry but my plans are to get our family together on Christmas eve at our house and just enjoy being together , to me? That is better than gifts or money etc….I love my family and our kids and of course our little Maddie. My wife cooks like crazy and got a bunch of fire wood ready to burn and of course adult beverages. Just love the holidays and during this time we are going to visit some friends we have not seen in quite some time.
I decided to do an early Christmas and came to Germany to visit my relatives in Bavaria and go the Christmas markets. It’s been 8 years since my last visit and I have met many new cousins on this trip! As you may have seen, München received a lot of snow, but the Glühwein keeps you warm!
Looking forward to a very peaceful, fun, and delicious Christmas day and dinner!
One advantage of being in a large family is my calendar is filling up with Christmas parties. This is an emotional year. Our father passed away last December 18.
Sorry to hear about your dad.
Diana, Sorry about your Father, you have my sympathy. My Dad also passed away on December 18 in 1980, 10 days after John Lennon was killed. He taught me a lot. I still miss him. Hope you have a nice Christmas.
Very sorry to hear about your father.
Hello Ladies,
As usual my plans for Christmas are up in the air until the last few days.
I’m going to my Sister’s Christmas Day. It will be a quiet day.
My brother is a Minister so his day is usually pretty busy.
At some point I will see Maria during the Holidays. She stays busy, but we do take the time to see each other during the holidays.
I may go to a company Christmas Party, but I generally don’t mix with employers outside of work.
As always I wish for Snow during the Winter.
We’ll see what happens.
For the most part I spend the holidays watching American Football, watching Parades, and enjoying watching little kids enthusiasm for the Holidays.
Something you all may want to do is gather around and pull up on YouTube The ROSE PARADE. ALL the floats MUST BE MADE UP OF ACTUAL FLOWERS. it’s amazing what they come up with. Marching Bands, The Rose Queen and her Court, Watching the Floats Move and negotiate the Rt Turn. Really is a Unique Time.
You can pull up any Year. The Parade runs on New Years Day. Rain or Shine. It is Televised from Pasadena, California .
Have a wonderful Holiday Season.
Best
Rick Ross
We have just moved home this last Autumn and have not had time to make any big plans for the Day this year, so we are having our Christmas at home and will be dining out on Christmas Day at a pub in Skipton, North Yorkshire and then a couple of drinks with friends afterwards. Probably end up singing MonaLisa Twins songs on the way home in the snow!
Mona and Lisa,
Hosting Christmas Eve dinner at my home as I have for nearly forty years. Usually a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Last year was ham and this year I’ll be preparing a roast prime rib dinner. Haven’t cooked one for years. Guests (family) ranging in age from 96 to 7. It will be a Merry Christmas Eve Celebration. and A Danish Breakfast on Christmas morning. Then off to my daughters home for Christmas Day and dinner.
I wish You both and your Step Mom and Dad a Merry Christmas.
Want to wish you all the happiest time this Christmas. Love, laugh, and enjoy life!
Same to you Daryl joy happiness and health for you and your relatives
Wishing you the best Daryl, Merry Christmas
Thanks Daryl, the same to you and yours. All the best.
Chris,
Thank you for the upvote.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Charles
I will go to see my elderly parents in the nearby town of Wetherby (Yorkshire) probably with my daughter and grandson. Will meet up with my brother there.
Whilst my dad is now 90, he will cook christmas dinner and whilst he is doing that most likely my brother and I will sneak out to the pub for a few beers and a catch up as we always do.
The afternoon/evening will be be spent chilling out which suits me as I work 7 days a week as a courier in the build up to christmas.
In the past my dad has given me a lift home in the evening but following a seizure a couple of months ago (he is now ok) he is unable to drive so I will probably have to walk the 3 miles home. That is fine by me, I have a Boxing day trip to the races to look forward to.
To kick off the Season,I will be attending the Annual Family Christmas Brunch. Each year all the cousins get together for a fun filled afternoon,this year to followed by a Private screening of ELF!! We have been doing this for about 10 years now,it gives us all the chance to spend a few hours together for the Holidays, Next week it’s off to Philadelphia for the Christkindl Market with my lovely lady and some friends(and as usual,your version of Wonderful Christmastime will play in my head the whole time)Looking forward to spending time with my MLT family as well during the Advent Calendar Livestreams this month.
Enjoy the Season to the Fullest. 🌲 🌲 🤶 🎅 ☃ ☃
Tom
No big plans for Christmas, my wife passed away a year ago, thought about going away this year, but I’m more content to stay home. For sure will be listening to Mona and Lisa they always bring a smile. I have a few invites for dinner so far, and I’ll visit neighbors and friends. I’m looking forward to the holidays and hoping everyone else is too.
Hmmm, may go see a movie. Hang with the family(3 sons, all married with kids). May have an open house get together on Xmas eve for family/friends. Provide snacks and make a pot of chilli. I ALWAYS take the week off between Christmas and New Years; watch movies and listen to music on CD’s and Spotify. Have so many Christmas albums on CD and vinyl. I love it all.
I know its 3 weeks away; but I wish all a Happy Christmas and your best New Year yet.
Not much of a christmas for our family this year, my wife will be working in the afternoon and evening. And because of an upcoming operation next tuesday followed by a plastered leg my xmas will be on the couch, watching tv and listening music.I am not complaining though, sometimes its just oke to take your rest and enjoy the fact that we can still enjoy xmas days with nice food, and family around, maybe some presents to give or receive. Lots of people will be in worse circumstances.
Best wishes for your operation and for a smooth recovery, Eric!
Thank you very much Jeanette, all will be oke, i am sure
Praying for a smooth operation and speedy, complete recovery, Eric!
Thank you very much Jeffery very toughtfull of you.
Hoping all turns out well . Keep you in my prayers
Thats awfully nice of You Vincent, thank You, and have a great and merry christmas
Truth is, I don’t have Christmas plans. A friend of mine may try to get me to take her to a Chinese restaurant (apparently that’s a thing in this part of the U.S.). Otherwise it’ll likely be my cat and I and some MLT Christmas music.
Staying away from as much of the over commercialized, disingenuous, materialistic hype as possible and focusing on the true spirit of Christmas. I plan on visiting my neighbors and friends over the days leading up to Christmas with lots of good cheer (maybe hot chocolate or beer) and listening constantly to my Christmas Play List (which is heavily weighted with MLT songs off your incredible Christmas album. I’m going to a Christmas concert at the Morrison Center featuring “Gentri” with a friend. I’ll go to my ex-brother in law’s home for Christmas dinner with his lovely wife and their three sons and families.(I have rather boldly requested a mincemeat pie for dessert.) I’ll have to call the rest of my family in Arizona, California, Washington, Colorado and Tennessee and wish them all a very Merry Christmas by phone. Cheers!
I work in long-term nursing care. I’m probably working Christmas since I had it off last year. Not sure what day I’ll pick to visit my mom. My sister and I exchange gifts by mail. It’s quiet and relaxing.
It’s easy for most of us to take for granted those who’s work we depend on, and most of us will need people like you at some point. I did a short stint in a nursing home for a social welfare class in college. I learned that it was a job that required a lot of caring from the staff, and that some of them should not have been in that profession. I also learned that I could not have done what you do as a profession. Our area has a shortage of health care people in general, and if you ever want to move, I guarantee you will get overworked for less money.
Thanks, but I’m already overworked for less money.
It takes a special person to do what you do Nima, thank you and Merry Christmas.
When I was growing up, we had big family get togethers at my parents’ house, or at different aunts & uncles’ homes. There were lots of kids, cousins & the older folks. They were very enjoyable, but those days are long gone. These days, it’s just my wife & I & our only daughter, who’s grown, & working. And our cat Boots has a job too, which is to keep us all in good spirits!
So just the 4 of us, & sometimes a friend, or my sister-in-law & her husband might join us for the Holidays, coming up from California. Right now, they’re in France & considering moving there. It’s nice having a quiet relaxing time during Christmas these days, with just our small family circle.
As a Music teacher, I would put on Holiday Concerts with my students at school, & other locations, such as at a local hotel, or community spot. I’m retired for 2 years now, but I just got a long-term Music Substitute job, so I’ll be going over some Christmas music in my classes starting on Monday! Most kids enjoy singing the Holiday songs, & I’ve come up with a variety that they like.
Besides the usual “Jingle Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Winter Wonderland” & others, I have a few songs in Spanish, African languages & a Hanukkah song or two. Sometimes I’ll teach them drum, percussion & xylophone parts for accompaniment. I always bring my Guitar, & have also accompanied on Marimba, if I can bring in my own instrument!
We even did John Lennon’s “Happy X-Mass, War is Over” 3 years ago! So it’s a lot of fun for everyone, including parents at concerts!
In the adult 20-piece Jazz Band I’m in, we’re doing some Holiday concerts as usual this year. We’re playing tomorrow at 3:00 pm, plus the next 2 Tuesdays at different locations.
I’m looking forward to all of this, but I’ll only be able to join in on the Livestreams from Mona & Lisa on Sundays. But I’ll watch them later! I got so into the MLT thing today that I’m afraid I made TOO many comments in “chat!” But it was fun, and I’m looking forward to seeing our favorite Twins a LOT MORE this month!
I enjoyed reading about everyone’s Christmas celebrations! HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!
— Bud Jackson
This year’s Christmas will match the seclusion of the rest of the year. In 2023, we isolated even more than the previous years, if that’s even possible. Since we work at home for our own online business and we’ve had a very busy year, that means that my wife and I spend more time at home with each other. In checking the car for service, I saw we only drove it 600 miles in the whole year, which is about one trip to the grocery store a week.
So what can be more appropriate than spending the day quietly with each other listening to wonderful music (MLT featured) by the fireplace with a nice smorgasbord of our favorite foods and “It’s A Wonderful Life” to wrap it up.
Wishing everybody has a peaceful and loving Christmas.
The extreme introvert in me loves the description of your life!
Yes Jeannette, being an introvert in our teenage years can be difficult, but it certainly is nice as we grow older.
You know, I haven’t heard one person mention shopping and buying lots of presents. Hallelujah!
For years, in my family we’d each buy a present for everyone else in the family. So, yeah, when it got close to being 20 of us, that’s 380 presents. Not sure we ever got quite that bad, but still It took hours.to exchange gifts. So now we just do Secret Santa – I have 1 gift to buy. And I still don’t know what to get…
We had the custom of putting our names in a hat and drawing one name and that’s who you bought a present for, We still do it in my wife’s family.
I’m planning on a quiet Christmas at home with family. There will be lots of eating, I’m sure. I often have to work on Christmas, but this year I am off, so I’m really looking forward to having a nice relaxing day with my family.
I am looking forward to the Live Stream.
Beyond that it will be nice & quiet.
Merry Christmas to all.
Wow, is it really December already?!? Sounds like you will be having a nice relaxing Christmas Day! As for my family, it starts with me making a special breakfast, however I haven’t decided what yet. Then presents are opened with my wife Cindy and our youngest daughter Caroline, who will be home from college. During the day my other daughters and grandchildren will be stopping by to visit. The day ends with our traditional lasagna dinner. It’s a family affair! I pray that all of you in The MonaLisa Twins Club will be Blessed with Peace and Happiness this Christmas season. Stay safe, stay warm, Stay Groovy!
I have no plans either. Just hanging out is really all that I’ll do. Wait for my niece to call me from Florida like she always does since she moved there, that’s always great! Play some MLT Christmas songs too! Other than that it’s just another day.
My daughter, Meriel, and I will host our family for Christmas dinner this year – my 87-year-old parents, and my brothers and their wives. We also have invited a few friends and neighbours who would otherwise be alone. We will have a traditional turkey dinner and I’m sure that my mom will contribute her Christmas pudding and mince pies. We are focusing on the word “Joy” this year (from the 4 Advent words, hope, peace, joy, and love). The world has seemed especially troubled (and troubling) this year, so being carefree and joyful for one day feels necessary. We plan to keep things non-materialistic as much as possible with games, and singing, and I hope, lots of laughter. There will definitely be some MLT Christmas music setting the tone! On Christmas eve, we will attend a church service and then have a quiet, reflective evening at home.
By the time Christmas comes, I will be spilling over with joy to share with everyone after an Advent with Mona and Lisa. Their joy is contagious!
Jeannette, that’s really cool to be sharing with those who have no other company for Christmas, and your brothers. I’m excited that my sister Virginia is coming to visit on December 19th. My 4 surviving siblings all live in different states, so we seldom see each other. Sounds like you have a great plan.
I’m glad that you will be able to spend some time with your sister. It is hard when families are spread so far apart.
Hi Jeanette, my Mom used to make mincemeat pies. I haven’t had one in more than 30 years. I don’t even remember if I liked them but I probably did because I’m not too picky when it comes to food. The food is the best this time of year. Thanks for the memory, Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you, too, Tim. Mincemeat pies aren’t so common these days. A lot of younger people don’t seem to care for them. They are very sweet! A little piece is enough. I still enjoy the tradition though!
Hi Jeannette, that’s a great plan
My daughter will be here over Christmas (if the high mountain pass is clear), so we are planning a small family Christmas at home. The boxes of decorations are down and we are about to start decorating, buying and shipping presents, and baking – lots to do before Christmas.
No plans for Christmas yet. I have family nearby and usually have dinner with them. I offered to host it, but no answer yet. I offered to cook Thanksgiving and they said no, so we’ll see if they turn me down twice in a row.
The punishment’s not that bad though, since my sister and her daughter are good cooks too. It’ll work out.
My extended family – 4 sisters, 1 brother, and their children and grandchildren, are evenly split between Michigan and the East Coast. We’ll meet them halfway after Christmas, in cabins in a state forest in the mountains in Pennsylvania. We’ve done that in the past; it’s beautiful country. We’ve already rented the cabins and set the menus, so that’s going to happen.
Since I have 4 sisters, I don’t have to worry about deciding these things – I don’t get a vote. lol.
That sounds nice Chris, being out in the forest this time of year is great.
That sounds like just what you need and you all deserve it! As for my small family of eight, with possibly a couple lonely guests if we can convince them to come out, we’ll just eat a nice meal and play games. My sister will read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible and then we’ll listen to the MLT Christmas CD while gifts are unwrapped (new this year, gifts only for the two youngest members). When ‘Silent Night’ begins we all reverently join in. I personally started this tradition the year I joined the club! You see, ‘Silent Night’ has special meaning to my family. On my parent’s first date, Dad joined Mom at her church where she sang ‘Silent Night’ in the church program. He must have been impressed, because they were married the next August, and were happily so for nearly 69 years! Dad joined us in the singing in 2020 and 2021, and we continued it without him last year and will indefinitely if it’s up to me! It’s my and Mom’s most endearing Christmas tradition.
What a great story! Kinda makes me chuckle thinking that you owe your existence to a Silent Night and one certainly not-so-silent one. LOL. I’ll think of you when I hear them sing it this year.
Never thought of it that way but true, very true!
That is a sweet story and I’m sure a treasured one in your family. Your Christmas plans sound lovely.
This Christmas will be a bit different this year. My wife and I have two granddaughters experiencing their first Christmas. We will have our traditional Christmas Eve celebration with our extended family. On Christmas day we will be celebrating with our two boys, their wives and their daughters. We are very fortune our “kids” live close by and able to come together on Christmas.
Congrats on the rugrats! So precious! Always happy and inspired when family is the central component of the Christmas celebrations.
Hi there….most likely enjoy family gatherings at either my oldest brother’s house with his family along with my 2nd oldest brother, enjoying turkey, etc, watching sports on TV of either hockey, NFL Football, maybe Xmas movies, play a board game of sorts…. I make my trademark Festive Fudge that my family love along with Cookies/Squares that I bake ….
And/or possibly spending time out at one of cousin’s farm , again, bring fudge/cookies/Squares, we watch sports/Xmas movies, play the Gag Gift Game ….a tradition with that part of family ( My late Dad’s side , my Aunt’s grown up children, their kids and grandkids, etc )
I go to church on Xmas Eve and sing in music group , That about sums up my Xmas 2023 Plans…..
In past Xmases/New Years with my late Dad’s side of family , we always did a trade off …. they come to our house for Xmas Day then we’d go out to my Aunt/Uncle ‘s farm out in the country, ( my cousin that has farm, is just about across tge road from my farm that my Aunt/Late Uncle had ) for New Years Day and then following year, we would reverse locations for Xmas Day/New Yrs Day gathering , , etc
But over time , after my Aunt/Late Uncle divorced, one of my other cousins took on New Yrs day gathering and Xmas Day was at the cousin’s who has tge farm …. and after my Aunt/Late Uncle first got divorced… my Aubt took on Xmas Day at her place ( she had moved back into my former Grandparents house that was next door to ours after one of my other cousins and her family moved out but before cousin’s & her family lived there, other folks had lived previously on house as both my late Dad and my aunt both owned it after Grandparents died …. After my Aunt got older, sold the house yrs after we sold our house , she continued having Xmas at her condo until it got too much, that’s when my cousin that has farm took over Xmas Day …. whew…sorry to be lengthy here, perhaps confusing, lol… but many wonderful memories of my late parents , my late Uncle ….my aunt just turned 90 in November ….🎄💚❤️🕊
As the provider of all those delicious treats you must be the most popular aunt!
Yes…lol….and one year , I didn’t make any of my famous fudge and the cousins, etc never let me forget, so now I’m making it without fail, only another time I made it, but when I was picked up by 2nd oldest brother to head out to our older brother’s place for Xmas, while en route , I realized I forgot to pack fudge, …lol… in all the rush to get ready for to be picked up, etc, subconsciously thiughtvI had brought it when it hit me en route that I forgot it….. otherwise, I get advanced request to make it….. that’s my key trademark Xmas treat everyone in my family looks forward to… during Covid, I made a batch , but had to take screenshot, send virtually….lol as no Xmas gatherings were held …. it was embraced by all virtually ….the fudge , that is ….😉🙃🎄🍫
I will spend these Christmas and New Year holidays at my sister’s house in Zacatecas, I still don’t know if the other siblings will be able to go with their families.
My sister already told me that there will be a variety of dishes for the time I am there, including tamales, buñuelos, punches and some more that are typical of the region.
For Christmas dinner I still haven’t decided what to do but I inherited my mom’s zason so whatever she decides will be a delicacy.
We will play board games and watch movies.
If my nephews go, we will make them a piñata to continue the tradition.
OK, I think I changed my plans. I might be crashing your sister’s house for Christmas!
Watching the Mona and Lisa Advent Live Stream on Sundays and on Saturday the 23rd.
We have a quiet Christmas with Marlo’s parents who are just across the street. Unfortunately, our son, Seth, will not be home for the holidays this year. He just moved for a new assignment in Nevada. We are looking forward to planning a visit out there sometime. Josh will be home, hopefully with his new girlfriend, Sarah. There is a great picture of the happy loving couple on our Christmas card. We are not sure if we can make it North to visit my parents. We will get up there as soon as we can.
Merry Christmas,
Marlo & JP
A coworker gave me a bag of DW coffee the other day. It was very surreal, a true festivus miracle. So if anyone is looking for me, I‘lol be parked down by the lake. You know, the one by Santa Fe.
JP, meeting Seth’s new girl friend Sarah sounds like would be a pleasant Christmas surprise. I love coffee too, and all your coffee passion is making me think of going out and splurging on some strong coffee this year and expanding my coffee palate.
We have met Josh’s girlfriend Sarah. She is awesome. She sings in her church choir with 99 others. Josh is attending her choir’s holiday concert tomorrow. We are looking forward to having her over for Christmas.
Our Christmas changes year to year depending upon who is available, as my family is spread pretty much coast to coast. This year my nephew, his wife and son are going to be here from California, so that’s exciting. We’ll have four generations there; my parents (in their 90’s), my generation, nephew, and my parents‘ first great-grandchild (they now have 4).
It will be a good dinner and then a few gift exchanges, mostly for the nieces and nephews. We adults don’t much do gifts these days. I’m usually the main cook so I think it’s a standing rib roast this year, later in the day because I traditionally do a big breakfast in the morning, my gourmet eggs, and popovers (like a Yorkshire pudding).
But, as in recent years, first the MLT Christmas album goes into the car CD player!
You are so fortunate to be able to gather 4 generations together. What a wonderful memory you will create!
Thanks Jeannette, it will be something. My father is putting together a little history of his brother who flew B26 bombers in WWII, and my grand nephew is all about planes and space, etc. Dad got him a model of a B26 so it will be fun to see his reaction! Have a great holiday!
We have pretty much settled into the same routine, unless Christmas day falls on a Sunday, in which case we go to church in the morning and push everything back. Otherwise, the service is on Christmas Eve, and then Christmas morning we sleep in, have a nice breakfast, open gifts, and then usually call my wife’s parents who are in Wisconsin. I like having all the family together, but it seems that in this current age the value and importance of family has almost been eradicated. So since none of the rest of the extended family cares much about seeing each other, we stay home with our kids who aren’t kids any more and enjoy Christmas with them until they get married and start doing their own thing.
I’m enjoying some of the suggestions for advent activities, but I’m highly opposed to things that require the first correct [whatever], because depending on your location and internet connection, the stream can be delayed by sometimes up to 30 seconds, which means you have no chance of ever winning because all the guesses are submitted long before you even hear the question or they say “go”. Something like that requires everyone in sync in real time. Also, it excludes everyone that can’t be there live and have to watch it later. For everyone in the Western hemisphere, it occurs right in the middle of the work day, so most people that work are left out. I think the best way would be to tell everyone to submit answers via email (that way you couldn’t steal someone else’s answer), or at the very least by post comment, and then the “winning” answers announced the following day, or on the next livestream.
Hi, Roger. I forgot to mention the Christmas Eve candlelight service in my post, but started at Christmas day. Thanks for jogging my memory!
You have a valid point about the games Roger. If your stream is delayed you have no chance of winning. In the Anniversary livestream I was so far behind the chat I know I wasn’t even in the right game. I just kept typing numbers and praying and I think Mona even said I was cheating which made me more happy than if I would have won anything. I just play for fun anyway but I agree any contests for really good stuff should be done more fairly. I hope you have a merry Christmas.
“wasn’t even in the right game.” LOL. The same for me! The anniversary livestream had a frustrating and sad component for me, although I’m still very grateful they did it and the performance of “Alone” by itself made the whole thing worth any anguish. And while ultimately we all win just by getting to hang out with Mona and Lisa and I’m so very grateful for that, I still advocate for more equal inclusion in the fun. I hope your Christmas is everything Christmas means to you.
Thanks Roger, I just like spending Christmas hanging out with the ones I love, laughing, playing with the kids and eating great food. A couple of my Sister in laws and two nieces are really good cooks. I try not to miss their get togethers, Lol. Take care.
Christmas day is always about the family. We all get together for present opening in the morning and then regroup in the afternoon for diner. This year will be extra special, my latest grandchild should be with us, he’s due on the 18th and codenamed “baby Mo”
We have a quiet Christmas every year. Church on Christmas eve and then opening presents with our son’s family on Christmas day! The following week we will attend a Christmas party with our friend and his family. We do a white elephant gift exchange which is always fun.
We used to do a Christmas white elephant gift exchage with my family. But with 5 siblings all having kids and grandkids, it finally got to big for us to handle as we got older. It was always fun.
My husband and I will be spending Christmas with my parents and the rest of the time will.be visiting friends
I’ll be meeting up with my cousins who live on the west side of the country so don’t get to see them so regularly. The age range will be from 2 to over 60! There are bound to be traditional ‘pass the parcel’ games (amazing if such a game could be done on a livestream!) and much festive food. I also have three Christmas lunches in the week before Christmas, one at the local Church, one organised by my previous employer and another with ex-work friends! I’m going to need lots of exercise by the end of that week! Got to complement you on the mini-livestream yesterday. You can tell it was good as it lasted twice the estimated duration!
Sounds like the ” Gag Gift Game” played out at my cousin’s farm when /if I go there…..lol….it’s hysterical, what gets brought out to from family members to the cousin’s farm to play, but one never knows until their number is called, open the wrapped/bagged up concealed “gag gift” , then have the option to either keep or trade ….. I’ve had a few good trades/keeps in my eyes of the gag gifts, I saw them as fun treasures with practical uses for me but some other stuff, got onwards donated or trashed by me or family members and another game that side of family would partake in on their own amongst themselves in their own immediate families with one another …. ” Stump Gift ” … Wrap up an unusal gift item , , then when each family member is given same Stump Gift, it’s game on to see who can guess what it is and used for …. I have fun trying to guess alongside but hever get a Stump Gift to participate in as it’s something of a tradition within that immediate family …. I’ve just taken part in the ” Gag Gift ” game only ….lol… but loads of laughter, fun , fab gathering had… one year one of my younger cousins ate wayyyyyy to much and it caught up with them just as they stepped outside my aunt’s door to go to their car to go home…lo … as in🤢🤮 ….poor kid ….
Sounds like a lot of fun!
We have a couple of Advent Calendars to enjoy on the road to Christmas Day. The MLTClub calendar (of course) and a Gnome that provides us with a random Christmas movie to watch each evening.
Christmas Day is a traditional family gathering to exchange gifts and just enjoy each other’s company. I prepare a slow roasted prime rib for dinner to feed the growing family (21 with grandchildren being added regularly!) The day is filled with music, games, and relaxation.
I don’t have any plans yet, but I don’t plan to be alone. I will find somewhere to go on Christmas day. I’m hoping my son and grandson will come over Christmas Eve.
Be doing the same. Christmas Eve get together with the family.
Driving down from Oxford to Devon to spend Christmas with my parents – always a lovely place to be! x
I will of course be listening to my MLT CDs on the drive down – including the new Duo sessions CD!
I think for me the days leading up to Christmas are more active with shopping and visiting and taking in the fun things going on in town. Visiting our little Kriskindlmarkt downtown and walking through the lights in the park. Christmas Eve I go to my Mother in laws house for dinner and maybe a game of UNO with the kids. Christmas morning we have breakfast together and open presents. My Brother’s and Sister’s families are so spread out they get together at different times and different places. I try to get to a few of the parties and maybe play cards but I would rather stay home and relax. We usually play euchre (pronounced You-ker) which I believe is German or maybe Norwegian. Do you play card games, if so, which ones.
I also have a game suggestion similar to Jung’s. Maybe for a giveaway or just for fun. In stead of guessing numbers we could guess 60’s songs or MLT songs and you give us clues until someone gets it right. I do like Jung’s idea of you playing us guitar riffs for clues.
Tim, yeah sometimes all the activities leading up to Christmas is just as special and memorable as Christmas eve or day itself. I recall in the day, going Christmas shopping for all my nieces/nephews and family and watching them open the gifts was so fun and exciting too. I haven’t been to a Christmas market in a while, there are a few in the big city, that sounds like a great idea. Being able to spend Christmas with mom and dad was always the best part.
Jung, for the last 10 years or so my town has been doing a good job around the holidays. The night after Thanksgiving they light up the park and the following weekend (last night), they open the Kriskindlmarkt which is on the old main street downtown. I drove down there last night but it was so busy I didn’t stop. They have little shops with crafts and gifts and food and beverages. Also a bandstage but it has been quite cold here lately. A bunch of us are going down next Saturday as it is open only on the weekends. The Club advent calendar is starting to get me in the Christmas spirit too, even the music on the radio is sounding better, Lol. Can’t wait until tomorrow’s livestream, it’s so much fun listening to Mona and Lisa.
I never heard an origin story on euchre before. My grandmother, who was born in the 1890s, taught it to us. But as you know I’m not that far from you Tim; people in Michigan all know the game. But we had to teach it to my nieces’ boyfriends/husbands on the east coast; they never heard of it.
Euchre is the #1 card game in my family.
Hi Chris, I’ve never researched the origin of euchre but assumed it came from Europe as my ancestors and most of the pioneers in my area were German, Norwegian and Swedish. We learned from our elders and are trying to teach the younger ones but most aren’t interested. A few bars in town would have leagues and occasional tournaments. Did you ever play dirty clubs? It’s kind of like one man euchre where you score down from 15 to zero and if you get set you go back 5. We’ve had games that went until dawn or just called them off because we were out of beer!!
My grandmother’s parents were born in southern Germany. And she’s the one who taught us. If it’s from Germany, maybe Mona and Lisa, or some of our Club members from Germany, know of it.
Never heard of dirty clubs. Wikipedia says “origin unknown” about euchre.
I had a circular discussion with ChatGPT about euchre. ChatGPT is incapable of just saying “I don’t know” when you ask it a question, fwiw. But it doesn’t know either.
Hey Tim, in my country , the Netherlands that game is played, Jokeren we call it. You have t make sets of at least three different2’s, 3’s etc or sets of 3 following cards like 7,8 and 9 of hearts. Its a game every dutch person knows
Eric, that sounds like the game we call Gin or Gin rummy. You have to make “runs” like 7,8,9 or “books” 3 or 4 of the same number. At my old work place we played a 3 handed version of that game at every break period. Interesting discussion.
We play all sorts of card games, but we never played euchre. My wife remembers her Irish American grandfathers playing euchre in rooms full of cigar smoke and ash, and that they shuffled the deck in a different way that most do now. We play bridge with our neighbors, which we call “gridge”, for geriatric bridge – we allow card play take backs, table talk, and the like (we are not serious card players).
Dennis, I never played bridge but I would surely prefer the gridge version. We played partner euchre or dirty clubs but just for fun amongst family and friends, however certain family members would get upset if you made mistakes. If we played in a tavern league or tournament it got more serious. We used to get into some good nickel and dime poker games too amongst family.
im on call 365 days 7 days a week with holiday lets so will probably be called out to repair something during the day. Ill try and get some sort of Christmas food cooked and hopefully my son arrives home from Salford university feet up and a bit of boring TV between break downs.
We sometimes wish we had 365 days / year, 7days a week people here! If they exist, we haven’t found them. If you ever think of moving, we can guarantee you will get more work for less money here.
All our kids and grandkids come to my house on Christmas Eve. My brothers , sister, spouses, nieces and boyfriends come too plus some neighbors and friends. We cannot have a sit down dinner with that many people so we set up a buffet and when you are hungry, go make yourself a plate. Christmas music is playing all day including your album. There is a lot of commotion and too many people but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Wagner’s are always welcome, we have lots of food and sweets. My wife and I close the day by going to Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day, my wife and I exchange gifts and have a quiet breakfast. Later we go visit our children in their homes for a little bit each.
In a past Advent Calendar, you shot some scenes in the kitchen that I thought were hilarious. So this year, how about a Holiday cooking or baking segment? Michaela could participate too.
Oh I forgot to add, my son and his wife have announced they are expecting their first child in May. That will make 5 grandchildren.
I think a holiday cooking segment including Michaela is a great idea.
We carry on the Christmas stockings tradition where the stockings are emptied one by one right after having our homemade biscuits. The big hand-sewn stockings with the names of all six kids and a Santa Claus face complete with fluffy white beard dating from the early 1950s. So we contine that with newer stockings for our 2 kids and 2 grandkids, and also our pets. Dana and I started our own tradition of mail ordering a huge box of Gardner’s chocolates. Famous for their peanut butter and other meltaways, ladies.
On Christmas Day my wife and I will have dinner and open gifts at the home of my stepdaughter and her husband and their two young kids, one of whom will be experiencing his first Christmas.
The following weekend I’ll drive to Kentucky to do the same with my mom and my siblings and their kids. New Year’s Day is my brother’s birthday, so as long as we’re all together we’ll make time for that celebration as well.
My daughter lives 2800 miles away in Seattle, so we’ll just have to exchange smiles and well-wishes via a Zoom meeting. I’ve introduced her to MLT, and she finds the music to be very pleasant and notes that Mona and Lisa are “fun”.
Safe driving David. Especially if crossing the Appalachians.
Thanks, Tom. Yeah, I have to keep my fingers crossed that there won’t be severe winter weather at 3000 feet elevation!
Merry Christmas to you David, wishing you safe travels.
Thanks, Tim, and the same to you. I imagine Christmastime in Wisconsin is beautiful.
It can be David, we got a little snow this morning but it is 35 degrees. I had to hurry to get it shoveled before it melted, Lol. I bet the Carolinas are beautiful too when it snows.
Hi Mona and Lisa. I think sometimes just no plans and just hanging out at home with family, a lot of delicious traditional Christmas snacks, and opening presents are the best. I like to include a small bottle of Irish Cream lacing the eggnog to warm me up.
Near where we live, there is a small lake where the city lights up the forest and trail around the lake with Christmas lights and there are many food trucks selling hot chocolate, donuts, pretzels….lots of yummy winter Chrismassy treats. Most of Coquitlam come out to see the lights for the month of December when the lights are lit up. MJ and I like going there often throughout the Christmas season, but especially Christmas Eve, and walking around the 2 or 3 KM lake walk, seeing all the lights and enjoying some snacks too. That has become our Christmas tradition. Here is a link to a very short video highlighting the Coquitlam Christmas Lights at La Farge Lake. It feels so nice seeing all the families come out with the kids. A few years it snowed, and it was a Winter Wonderland. I think this year, it is unlikely to snow.
For the upcoming livestream, here are are some ideas I came up:
1.. Guess that guitar riff. Mona and Lisa play a short snippet of a guitar riff on their guitars, and we all try to guess the song. Each time play a little more of the riff, until it is guessed correctly.
2..Guess that rock song lyrics, including some MLT songs. Show a small snippet of the lyrics, and people try to guess the song. Mona and Lisa can draw pictures to give hints.
Big hugs
Jung
Jung, I like your video. It looks very much like the light display in our park but ours is smaller. There is a huge lights display in La Crosse WI along the Mississippi river that I try to visit once during the season. You can walk through it, drive through or take a horse and carriage ride. If I get down there I will share some pictures.
Hi Tim
The Christmas light display along the river sounds great, and taking a ride on a horse drawn carriage would be wonderful.. Do share some photos when you go.
Tim, there used to be a lighting display alongside a river tributary in a small Ohio town that was discontinued. It was in Ludlow Falls, Ohio, and we went to take pictures for the last year they had it. I’ve traveled a bit in Wisconsin, and would love to see that display. Once I went to a State Park in Minnesota where you can go to see the mouth of the Mississippi River. It’s a ways back in there, and I locked my car keys in the trunk! Had to walk all the way to a Ranger station for help. How’d I ever make it through my bachelor years?✌️
John, yeah Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin have a lot of State Parks and a couple National Forests. If you break down or have trouble you may be delayed a while or end up walking a few miles. Beautiful country though. The bluffs along the Mississippi from Winona MN down to Prairie Du Chein WI are beautiful, hundreds of eagles.
Thanks for sharing the lights! While watching, it struck me that light is a very important part of most cultural celebrations – one of those universal elements that draw us together.
Hi Jeannette. Light is certainly a symbol of enlightenment, knowledge, good, and love. Something this world needs more of. Christmas is all about light, and I find good music is exactly that too. One of my favourite quotes by a musician is, “light the darkness” – Bob Marley.
Yes, good music can certainly enlighten the soul and make our burdens feel lighter.
Hi Jung!
I enjoyed the video you sent from your “neck of the woods,” so thank you for that and for sharing your story! Here’s a video of Christmas time in Leavenworth Washington. You may have been there since it’s not too far from you. The town was made to look like a German village in the mountains, but it also reminds me of Austria & Switzerland in the Alps!
Leavenworth is about 1,171 feet up in the North Cascade Mountains, 2 & 1/2 hours northeast of where I live. I took my Middle School, & High School Band, Orchestra & Jazz groups to perform there 7 times, & they loved the experience! But we went there in the Spring or Fall & didn’t make it up there in December.
It’s touristy in Leavenworth, but a great place to visit for the whole family! — Bud
Leavenworth: Your Winter Wonderland – YouTube
I can see why Leavenworth is a tourist attraction. I don’t think I’ve seen fireworks in winter before! It reminds me of a German-styled town I visited with my German class in high school – Frankenmuth, Michigan. I remember the year-round Christmas store especially.
Hi Bud
Thanks for the video. Leavenworth looks absolutely magical in the snow and Christmas festivities, a winter wonderland indeed. It is a special place for me, as we visited there in Aug 1996, when my family did a Washington state road trip in a mini-van visiting all the places we use to live across the state in the 60s, ie Pullman, Ione, Wenatchee, Bridgeport, Tacoma and Seattle. We spent a day in Leavenworth, and I remember all the beautiful shops and eateries. We had brunch at the “Cafe Mozart”, a very Austria inspired restaurant. The waitresses were dressed in traditional long dress from Mozart’s time I believe. We had a wonderful time there. Looks like Christmas would be a beautiful time to visit there too.
Hello to Jung & Everyone,
I forgot to mention that one Family Tradition we have is to watch videos of “Merry Christmas Mr. Bean,” (which I’ve also shown to my students on occasion, ha-ha!) And also “Blackadder’s Christmas Carol.” These are hilarious shows from England, which I’m sure some of you have seen already! (And if you hate to laugh, DON’T watch “Fawlty Towers!”)
CHEERS! — Bud
I haven’t seen the Black Adder show in years. Thanks for reminding me! Very funny as I recall!
Hey Bud, I love some of the British comedies. My favorite was always “Are You Being Served”. They used to show it on PBS back in the day, so funny along with Monty Python. One I watch now is called “8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown” on YouTube. It’s a very funny but kind of dirty game show.
Tim, I also watched “Are You Being Served?” during its run on PBS around 1990, and I loved it! Each character was distinct and seemed to me to represent a different British stereotype.
“Mr. Humphries, are you free?” “Iiiii’m freeeee!”
Hi Bud
Yeah I like the Mr Bean comedies, they are so hilarious. I don’t think I’ve seen “Merry Christmas Mr Bean”. I will look for it and maybe watch it this Christmas. I can’t say I’ve watched a lot of Christmas movies, but have watched the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart many times, such a wonderful message of appreciation for what we have right in front of our noses in our daily lives. Another one I enjoyed was “A Christmas Story”, about the adventures of a 12 years old boy dreaming of a “Red Ryder BB Gun” for Christmas. Resonates with my childhood Christmas a lot. Charlie Brown Christmas is another, and The Snowman is another favourite, where the song “Walking In The Air” came from, that MLT did a most wonderful cover/video of. It’s funny the more I think of Christmas movies the more keep coming up. HAHAHA. 😁