Its almost thanksgiving soon to be Christmas.Now i love the holidays family the food.What i hate is the stress that always seems to come this time of year.My wife always tries to make everyone happy with family plans but its not possible with 7 kids and 3 grown grand kids.I keep telling her we just need to find times where most are happy.She wants us all to go out to dinner,we tried that last year a party of 25 people.You would think restaurant's would like a party of people that size NOPE ,Cracker barrel said no Lone Star said a Hell No.We did get in at an Apple bee,s It was OK service was good food fair.As me and the wife get older we have quit buying presents (we do for the 3 young grand kids) we take everyone out to dinner.
Even though we don't buy individual gifts for the family we do make boy girl gift bags.We have found it is easier to do than anything else.a girls bag has hand lotion, candle.candy,and a few other things.A boys bag has socks gloves thin mints a flashlight and a Pint of my Moonshine that is oak aged.Some folks may Think its lazy to not buy a gift specific to a person but as a family grows it becomes difficult and i hate gift cards.Last year dinner for 25 and 32 bags the bill was over 800 and we are still adding to the number with new grand kids and great grand kids.\
Like i said the holidays are nice but the stress takes a lot away from it.With little kids in the picture maybe it will be fun again in a few years.Nothing like seeing a 2 year old shredding paper.The kids are asking what me and the wife want they don't understand at our age we have all of our needs and most of our wants.
My family is small. Just my wife and I, and our two kids. The kids live up North, so we don't have a christmas tree here at the house unless they are coming home. Instead of buying presents we give them money, because that's what they need more than anything else. I miss family christmas holidays, they were always fun.
ReplyDeleteHarry me and the wife do enjoy the kids.Its the conflicts of personalitys thats the problem.Next year i think i will be camping in florida and skip it.
Deletehi. some nosy suggestions. we rent the two church halls out and sometimes its one of the big families at the holidays. look into the prices in your area.
ReplyDeletethen the big families bring in food from our big supermarket or one of the catering restaurants.
if you want to decorate go on ahead. at christmas they have a faMILY MEMBER DRESS AS SANTA.
AND MEMBERS BRING WHATEVER DESSERT OR SIDE DISH THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR.
MY HUSBAND IS PASTOR SO WE ARE ALWAYS INVITED. NOT A WELL-PAID PROFESSION BUT OFTENTIMES A WELL-FED ONE.
can't be any pricier than a restaurant.
our janitor cleans but you bag your own trash unless you give him a bit of $$ on the side to do it and have his prior agreement. janitors have lives, too, and he may not have that much time scheduled for your party.
just a few thoughts and it is less stressful than a restaraunt.
a friend has family reunion twice per year. not everyone can make it but they get two opportunities and then there is always next year.
if some of yours can't make Christmas then maybe Pascha? or fourth of july?
deb harvey
I will have to look into that. My BBQ has made me get to know all the preachers in this area. One has a full kitchen i know as i have catered for them before.
ReplyDelete