[KarinaS]

Has the economy affected your holiday plans this year or are you bound and determined to spend Christmas somewhere "special"?

[April Showers]

We've only gone to visit family for Christmas a few times in the 23 years we've been married. The 1000 mile drive combined with the passes that tend to get closed due to snow make us stay home and make our own tradtions. While my kids love to visit with their cousins, we do it in the summer. Now that I have kids in college, they really just want to be home for Christmas.

[SandiC.]

I'm doing Christmas three times this year, none of them will be anything "special" other than being with loved ones. the first will be a dinner at home with Jer, Dana and the three kids. Dinner and gift exchange. We'll do this on the 21st as they are all heading to Texas for a few days with Jer's dad the 22nd. The 23rd, Andy and Tracy will be here from Florida. We'll get some time to visit and then out to dinner that evening with Ray and Brianna and Julianna. This will be the first time Andy and Tracy get to meet their new niece. Then the 24th Andy and Tracy will be heading up north to be with her family and they fly back to Florida Christmas day. Andy has to be back at work the 26th. I have to work Christmas eve and Christmas day, but should be done by noon both days. Christmas afternoon Ray and Brianna are coming over, as well as cousin and her DH will drive down from Sioux City, weather permitting. We'll just hang, play some games, chat, and casual eats, nothing fancy. A few gifts, mostly for the baby. the whole theme this year is laid back, no effort, relax, the only thing is to be together, done in shifts. LOL. The bright spot for me will be getting some hang time with my cuz the 26th and 27th. She's bringing her laptop and I'm going to get her a trial download of PSE8 and teach her to scrap. LOL. So far the tree is not up, not sure if I'm even going to put it up now. A couple of decorations out, but minimal. Just not in a place to work myself into a frenzy this year, but the spirit is strong inside. Maybe the simple approach makes the stuff in the heart stronger and it doesn't get lost with all the trappings and doings, etc. Never done it this way before and so far, its feeling pretty good. I don't have a to do list a mile long and that is a good thing.

[RosemaryS]

We'll be home for Christmas this year. Kids are coming and Doug's parents are sure to be here too. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!

[princessrunningfingers]

We are celebrating at home, as we always do. We'll be missing a couple of grandkids who live away and aren't coming for Christmas. Christmas day will be at our house, as it usually is, and we go to Church on Christmas eve, joined by some of the kids and grandkids. Very quiet Christmas for us, but that is the way we like it.

[catinkeri]

We are driving 26 hours (with three kids in the back that should be fun) to spend Christmas with the in-laws. DS is coming home for three weeks over this time and it's the first time we've gotten to see him since he headed away from home, so I'm looking forward to spending time with him again.
catching up with some old friends while we're in Phoenix, haven't seen them for about six years so that will be nice. Also catching up with a Kiwi (someone from New Zealand) friend while there as well.
Sandi - you sound like you've got a busy few days ... and working as well. You are such an amazing woman!
Whatever you're doing, wherever you're doing it ... have a truly wonderful celebration everyone!!

[Cheri T]

We are lucky to be within 2 hours of both my family and DH's family. The 19th we'll have Christmas with his parents and sister/her family 45 minutes away from our home. My parents come to us (2 hours away) for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I think DH's extended family will get together the Sunday after Christmas, again at my in-law's house. And we will make time sometime before mid-January to get to my grandparents home 1.5 hours away to meet my parents, visit, and give Grandma and Grandpa their gifts.

I admire any of you who have to travel far with multiple children. My kids get ornery enough at the holidays without having to add in stressful travel and seeing people they haven't seen for a year:)
Happy holidays everyone!

[CRS]

We aren't changing our plans this year. We go to my sil's house for Christmas Eve with all of dh's family. Then Christmas Day, we'll be at home, with my youngest sil who lives in SLC and possibly my dad. I like being home so that the kids can play with their new gifts. It's kind of hectic on Christmas Eve but Christmas Day is nice and relaxed.

[Smiles]

If the weather holds, we will be with my aunt and cousin at my aunt's house Christmas Eve through the 26th. Last year we were snowed in for a week, and we celebrated at New Years. That was very unusual for our weather. I like being home at Christmas, but at 91, it's hard for my aunt to travel.
Taking it a little more low key this year, and that's working out well.
Safe travels to all who are leaving home, and wishing you all a relaxed and relaxing Christmas season!
hugs,

[mbc72]

When I had kids I made the pronouncement that I would not travel at Christmas, and we have stuck to that-I just find it too hectic and stressful. That being said, we usually have company, either my parents or his as neither lives very close. This year is looking like no one will be able to visit. I am selfish enough to look forward to a quiet Christmas. I love having guests, but I would rather have them at a non-holiday time so we can all relax and enjoy each other.

I do wish that we lived close enough to "make the rounds" on Christmas Eve and just say hi and spend time with family without involving plane rides and overnight driving. Someday...

[Sarah in VA]

We will be at home this year, and as usual when we are at home for the holidays, Jeff's parents will be with us. The rest of the family is too far away for Christmas travel, although we will be on the phone off and on all day with them!

I usually try to have some type of craft and/or cooking activity for them to enjoy with me. Last year I brought my laptop downstairs and with their help in the selection of papers and embellishments, we made several of Valerie's Centerpieces, then after I printed them out, they did the cutting and taping while I cooked and decorated the living and dining rooms. I'n open to your ideas for this year's activities! Please!

We'll have a casual supper on Christmas Eve, probably a fish chowder - something nice and warm and comforting and just enjoy the evening being together.

On Christmas Day, after opening gifts, I'll make a brunch, saving the main holiday meal for Dinner. Later, we'll drive around the neighborhood enjoying all the decorations.

My MIL and FIL are in their mid to late 80s and I'm hoping to get some opportunities for some really good portrait type photos of them. Again, I would appreciate your suggestions on how to do this and make it comfortable for them.

The day after Christmas they usually like to go to the mall! I'm hoping this year I can talk them into going to the National Mall instead! Even if we just drive downtown and see one or two outdoor monuments, it will be better than the shopping mall.

On Sunday, they will be leaving for home, and we will be on our way to Rehoboth Beach for a few days to celebrate our anniversary. We just love the beach and the town in winter!

[bikeneday]

Our plans are about the same as every year, with the exception of presents for the adults. We have designated this to be the holiday of 'let your presence be your presents'! My siblings will be here with their children, my DD & SIL & grandsons and my mom & in-laws. Lots of sleep-over company, but that makes it fun. We will cook/eat & drink & play games/cards for 4 days straight as people come & go as need be. I absolutely can hardly wait - and I thought the anticipation of opening gifts was too much when I was little... I am just excited for the first car to roll into the drive. The sad spot is that DD in FL will not be back until January, but then we will still have a great time now and then in January too. (She is planning the Jamaica wedding & flight prices dictated she come in 2010 when tickets are a bit cheaper.)
Sending each of you special wishes for the best holiday ever.

[Sara Arell]

Merry Christmas to everyone! Hoping that whatever your plans are that you will just have a delightful Christmas this year!

We will be going to Charlotte on Christmas Eve morning and spend the night with DS #1 and his family - they have little ones and we love Christmas morning with them - then we will head back home on Christmas Day so we can spend it with my Dad and his special lady who is still in the Med Unit at the nursing home. Kind of tense this year with all that is going on here, but I am sure we will relax a little watching Lucy and Campbell have Santa Claus!

Sandi, your plans sound awesome! I have also kind of not decorated so much this year - my DIL goes all out with the decorating so I will just enjoy all of her decorations and not feel badly that I did less this year - decided that the drive to decorate heavily was just not worth the tension that seems to go along with it. Now I just have to hope that guilt doesn't set in - LOL

Merry, Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you.