Warning - Husbands don't read!

[Ozman1944]

The house was easy; Plugged in the icicles permanently installed on porch; Nativity scenes for Living room, Library, Den; unfold & plug in fibre-optic tree from Big lots; loop cord between display cases to hold cards.
The big hassle is going to be decorating the Chapel & drag out the 5' foot Nativity figures after Sunday Mass(23rd) and set up in time for Midnight Mass (10.00pm these days in Los Angeles, I know, don't mention GUNS) on Monday night.
Last year was worse as Christmas eve was Sunday night. Phew! what a rush! Barely finished in time. (no one thinks to volunteer to help set up). As Advent precedes Christmas it is inappropriate to make the church 'Christmassy' until the actual day (25th); The real Christmas Season lasts from Dec 25th to January 6th. [unlike the 'financial xmas season' October thru January].

[RossCroft]

umm... i've been in the shop making christmas presents? does that qualify?

[Yaish]

The wife and I have a deal. She gets to decorate, and I get to shut up about it.

The deal started out "she gets to decorate, so long as I don't have to do anything" but then that puts the wife on ladders (my lovely bride is a bit accident prone) hauling trees (I'd miss the chance to show off my muscles) and getting boxes from the attic (there could be spiders up there don't you know?)

I try to do as little as possible, but I help her out on the stuff that she needs help with, and shut up about the disruption of my normal routine.
I did surprise her and plugged in the lights on the house this Thanksgiving, so we had a nice display when it got dark.

I'm used to a later start, as a child we never decorated until after the 16th, my mothers birthday.

[James MacMillan]

The wife and I have a deal. She gets to decorate, and I get to shut up about it.

The deal started out "she gets to decorate, so long as I don't have to do anything" but then that puts the wife on ladders (my lovely bride is a bit accident prone) hauling trees (I'd miss the chance to show off my muscles) and getting boxes from the attic (there could be spiders up there don't you know?)

I try to do as little as possible, but I help her out on the stuff that she needs help with, and shut up about the disruption of my normal routine.
I did surprise her and plugged in the lights on the house this Thanksgiving, so we had a nice display when it got dark.

I'm used to a later start, as a child we never decorated until after the 16th, my mothers birthday.

Sure, but are they Christmas Spiders??

[Yaish]

No, they aren't. And if I even mentioned the name of Panache's drink she would never have it just on principle.

[Panache]

...
But then, on a whim, I googled it and came up with this, among others.

So, I think that Jaime might have a German tradition in his house???

I am proud of my German heritage as well as Scot and Dutch so I find the story charming. A happy coincidence.

No, they aren't. And if I even mentioned the name of Panache's drink she would never have it just on principle.

Then by all means dub the drink a different name, I should hate to think of a lovely redhead deprived of such a libation that might make her merry and help appreciate the "spirit" of the season.

Cheers

Jamie