tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post4245726986341123457..comments2024-01-26T00:47:28.825-08:00Comments on Vintage Thirty: After Twelve Years, I Finally Got My Crap TogetherTootsie Farklepantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18336671002327112885noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-48808795334275284572008-12-29T07:52:00.000-08:002008-12-29T07:52:00.000-08:00You got it all wrong, sister. You WANT to be out ...You got it all wrong, sister. You WANT to be out on the 23rd and 24th with the men. Do you know why? 1. They don't stand in the middle of the aisle and hem-haw; they pick something and move on. 2. They usually don't have all 14 of their children with them so they take up less space. 3. They pay with cash and don't chit chat with the cashier so you get through the line in record time! <BR/><BR/>lol.<BR/>I love your blog. I've had a great time reading it this morning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-51855008635869609352008-12-28T12:18:00.000-08:002008-12-28T12:18:00.000-08:00Big family stuff is so fun. In small doses - like ...Big family stuff is so fun. In small doses - like visits and then back to quiet...JCKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04582581376724478366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-71755292658264715182008-12-23T20:59:00.000-08:002008-12-23T20:59:00.000-08:00I think I might be tempted to suggest drawing name...I think I might be tempted to suggest drawing names. Plus, if my kids see this post, they will ask for someone in your family to adopt them.Jennifer Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16239563357592230711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-14869809695379834842008-12-23T20:22:00.000-08:002008-12-23T20:22:00.000-08:00Tootsie: The Matron's husband has 74 FIRST COUSIN...Tootsie: The Matron's husband has 74 FIRST COUSINS. There are pages and pages of relatives. Polish Catholic immigrants, his grandparents' generation. So the gift giving to all just had to go LONG by the wayside. My kids continue to be spoiled by my mother, who only has five, compared to John's mom, who has sixteen grandchildren. ... .bunnies!Minnesota Matronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16565431067927240183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-72711173766333961412008-12-23T09:19:00.000-08:002008-12-23T09:19:00.000-08:00That's why I don't wrap until Christmas Eve and th...That's why I don't wrap until Christmas Eve and then I have a return pile.<BR/><BR/>It's so much easier when they get older--you just give them 1 present that costs between $300-$500 dollars. It's may more expensive, but easier.Jenn @ Juggling Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14455967210924573398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-53289782629141270572008-12-23T03:51:00.000-08:002008-12-23T03:51:00.000-08:00I've finally convinced my mother that it's okay if...I've finally convinced my mother that it's okay if the gifts aren't even in number. My kids weren't into the counting, and if they were, I would have put a stop to it. My mom spends $50 per grandkid (she has 10 of those, so it does add up). <BR/><BR/>When we lived in Germany with 2 preschoolers and a baby, the extended family was so generous that the number of packages under the tree was obscene.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-88571630681564583592008-12-23T01:30:00.000-08:002008-12-23T01:30:00.000-08:00I keep a spreadsheet going so I can keep track of ...I keep a spreadsheet going so I can keep track of what I have bought for everyone and see that the 3 kids are "even". I always start shopping early, so I have to do this or else I will forget what I have bought! I'm in the same pickle that you described anyway though- the kids are technically even as far as quantity of gifts- but the quality factor is off- and really- they have 9 gillion gifts to open from grandparents etc- are they really even going to notice? I'm always afraid to find out! Ugh-Ringleaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00432502725369879074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-91879646214956935762008-12-22T22:49:00.000-08:002008-12-22T22:49:00.000-08:00This used to be the scene at my grandparents' hous...This used to be the scene at my grandparents' house when I was growing up. There were seventeen cousins running around, multiple presents and a personalized stocking for each. I miss those days. And you're right...I do wish I had your problems. Maybe next year :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-45191686206901152472008-12-22T22:24:00.000-08:002008-12-22T22:24:00.000-08:00I do the even amount of presents thing and then en...I do the even amount of presents thing and then end up with FAR TOO MUCH and the kids get bored opening.<BR/><BR/>But it has gotten easier and far more expensive as they get older. Smaller gifts that I had to sell a kidney for.<BR/><BR/>Luckily the kidneys were not mine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-26299747224940742272008-12-22T21:24:00.000-08:002008-12-22T21:24:00.000-08:00Actually, I did reign it in this year. And it loo...Actually, I did reign it in this year. And it looks a little depressing. And I am starting to have second thoughts. Like seriously, there are only about five things under the tree right now. <BR/><BR/>When I say scale back, I scale back.Saucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16959141177904095053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-82119226148641951552008-12-22T20:56:00.000-08:002008-12-22T20:56:00.000-08:00I'm still trying to reign in the gifts and my kids...I'm still trying to reign in the gifts and my kids are teens. It's slightly better from extended family now - they give gift cards or money (every teen's favorite gift). Still, try as I might ... things always end up being TOO MUCH. And yes, with the economy sucking as it does ... it is not a good thing. NEXT YEAR I'm going to do a better job ....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-76704608234665282008-12-22T20:53:00.000-08:002008-12-22T20:53:00.000-08:00I am SOOO with you. I know I over did it yet agai...I am SOOO with you. I know I over did it yet again this year. <BR/><BR/>Next year I am shopping in October and not buying ONE thing in December.This Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00901260218798651456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-86698792815179549792008-12-22T20:29:00.000-08:002008-12-22T20:29:00.000-08:00You should see my living room! Same, same same... ...You should see my living room! Same, same same... and half of our presents aren't open yet!Mommy2Twinkies-Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10621411925358532925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-45066152703431659532008-12-22T19:58:00.000-08:002008-12-22T19:58:00.000-08:00Someone recommended hiding all the presents after ...Someone recommended hiding all the presents after the kids go to sleep on Christmas Eve - then the parents sit on the couch and drink coffee for hours as the kids tear around the house looking for gifts. I am so trying this!Suburban Correspondenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11488916572135296650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-60731745129718777782008-12-22T19:55:00.000-08:002008-12-22T19:55:00.000-08:00I had the most amazing technique revealed to me be...I had the most amazing technique revealed to me before I even thought of having children and it has been a blessing - we wrap 3 presents for each kid (works for all gift-giving occasions, really): something to wear, something to read, something to play with. I might put a bunch of books in one gift bag, or sweater & jeans & GAP gift card in another, but the point is they only have 3 things to open. <BR/><BR/>So you still kinda need to weigh the stash, but it helps with the opening frenzy.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure how to solve the "presents for EVERYONE" dilemma, sorry.stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04257126641387033673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-83375522865609670342008-12-22T11:14:00.000-08:002008-12-22T11:14:00.000-08:00I do the same thing every year usually with the sa...I do the same thing every year usually with the same result as you - too many gifts! This year we also cut way back. My husband who normally complains about the excesses even said to me last night,"Is that it?!" (I felt so proud). And although our family isn't as bent on world domination as yours appears to be, grandparents & friends will kick in some gifts to the pile too & soon our tree will look just like yours & my husband will once again turn to me and say "I think we need to cut back on the gifts next year".Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15438333764159215619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-62501898670323280282008-12-22T10:12:00.000-08:002008-12-22T10:12:00.000-08:00I can't let my kids know that's how Christmas work...I can't let my kids know that's how Christmas works!Swirl Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18241915723936809627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-23485530960777715552008-12-22T10:08:00.000-08:002008-12-22T10:08:00.000-08:00Geeze I thought I was the only one who tried to ma...Geeze I thought I was the only one who tried to make the gifts even.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>My word verification is OUTTED....AGSoccerMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00578376700382710359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-87242904711004961072008-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:002008-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:00I remember a big Christmas, we sit around opening ...I remember a big Christmas, we sit around opening gifts one a time so all can see (ask my wife) and we ended up taking breaks for bathroom and lunch. It also slowed things down when the kids played with everything and then had to be found to open the next one.JoeinVegashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05613274657685121948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-19189576773050569562008-12-22T09:09:00.000-08:002008-12-22T09:09:00.000-08:00What a great shot. Thanks for posting that one, T...What a great shot. Thanks for posting that one, Tootsie. I'll be kinder the next time we try to pull a family picture off and I lose my mind.Lisa Wheeler Miltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07386193798727387546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-78353410978851574382008-12-22T08:44:00.000-08:002008-12-22T08:44:00.000-08:00Oh yeah, we have presents around the tree...in the...Oh yeah, we have presents around the tree...in the master bedroom closet and in the spare room. I'm so feeling you on this.<BR/><BR/>And yet, I was out shopping yesterday. Just can't beat some of those deals out there.AutoSysGenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182101665968215991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-90169806199254340342008-12-22T08:29:00.000-08:002008-12-22T08:29:00.000-08:00HA! The men around here wait til Christmas Eve th...HA! The men around here wait til Christmas Eve then go to WALGREENS to do their shopping!derfinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11146774907696083985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-83528036832087077352008-12-22T07:48:00.000-08:002008-12-22T07:48:00.000-08:00Between your family and mine, I think we have enou...Between your family and mine, I think we have enough people to start our own town. We can call it Humplikebunnies because apparently everybody breeds WAY too much. We have had a new baby every. single. year that I can remember.Burgh Babyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09123901504643963583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-47408120018124200052008-12-22T07:10:00.000-08:002008-12-22T07:10:00.000-08:00I understand completely! When I find myself in tha...I understand completely! When I find myself in that situation, I will generally squirrel a few of the "extra" gifts or the "cool gift" away for birthday gifts :)Jennileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07684495712469386275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7919889744528028610.post-72413848091989300162008-12-22T07:08:00.000-08:002008-12-22T07:08:00.000-08:00We never put presents under the Christmas tree unt...We never put presents under the Christmas tree until Christmas Eve, that way when the kids wake up it's totally overwhelming. I come from a family that splurges on Christmas– it's the one big super gift giving day of the year and we like to make it memorable!katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15473873972538963061noreply@blogger.com