Countdown Until Christmas

[Heroine of the Dragon]

Since I cannot send out any vB-gifts, I decided to do something different.

Hope you all join in with the spirit of fun and togetherness!!!











Dec 1st –

If you like to know exactly how many sleeps left (and I always know), you can always check-

Santa's ★ Official ★ Count Down To Christmas Clock

Or if you prefer a more hands on/mouth approach, you can fill an advent calendar with some sugary delights or candy bars and start eating them… or else make a gummy bear tree or six or seven of them so you can devour many of them before Dec 24th…




So, Santa will be here in just 23 sleeps… and he’s preparing like crazy for that one night when magic is literally tangible!!! And for those of you questioning Santa's ability to get his job done in just one night... well... the answers are slowly being leaked...

5 Scientific Theories That Help Explain Santa To Smart Kids | Cracked.com








Either way... it's time to start thinking of spreading some magic!!!

Click to view video.

I'll try my hardest to update this thread every single day with something relevant to Christmas... UNTIL THE BIG DAY!!!!!!

[Gabriel]

O_O

Wow. This is kind of a lot of work! And sheesh, thinking about it, you must sent gifts to a LOT of people back when the VBPlaza was a thing. Thanks I guess. I'd say you've got that whole spirit of Christmas thing down pat. XD

That Cracked article was pretty great btw.

But, EVERYONE knows that Santa is just an ancient human from the distant past who, through a series of nondescript adventures, wound up with a bunch of futuristic alien technology. And, he decided to use his amazing stuff for good instead of evil!! TuT

[Valigarmander]

Whoa, it's December already? I'm still eating Halloween candy.

[Heroine of the Dragon]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

O_O

Wow. This is kind of a lot of work! And sheesh, thinking about it, you must sent gifts to a LOT of people back when the VBPlaza was a thing. Thanks I guess. I'd say you've got that whole spirit of Christmas thing down pat. XD

That Cracked article was pretty great btw.

But, EVERYONE knows that Santa is just an ancient human from the distant past who, through a series of nondescript adventures, wound up with a bunch of futuristic alien technology. And, he decided to use his amazing stuff for good instead of evil!! TuT

Christmas is my favourite time of year... I don't think of this as work...

Heh, I used to send well over 100 gifts through the vbPlaza, Gabriel!!! It's a wonder I didn't break it every year... >.> And even though it would take me over a week to get through my list, I really enjoyed sending the gifts out!!! Thanks!!

Yeah, I liked it a lot, too.

Actually I always thought Santa was related to the elves... ancient ones, of course!!!

Originally Posted by Valigarmander

Whoa, it's December already? I'm still eating Halloween candy.

It snuck up on us, Val... and you could always put some of your Halloween candy in an advent calendar just to count down the days!!!





So... on to some more Christmas!!!

Dec 2nd – I thought I'd mention about how to make some game decorations... because they're cute and we seem to like gaming and decorations are so much fun to have around us at this time of year!!!

I was inspired by these:



...and found the pattern!!!

Nintendo Papercraft - The resource for all your Nintendo themed papercrafts!

Or

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NvhnTb-4j3...papercraft.jpg (I put it as a link so it wouldn't stretch the post)





For other ideas of cubecraft, check this link out:
mario cubecraft - Google Search



IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIF you happen to make any, share pictures of them... I would love to see them!!!


Anyways, I like decorations a whole heap!! I like shopping for decorations and I love receiving decorations as gifts!!! ESSDEE is awesome and buys me a new decoration every year... and I always return the favour!!! It's fun...






Okay... some questions, so you can all join in my fun by posting your answers!!

Have you ever made Christmas decorations?
Do you have a favourite Christmas decoration?
Like me, do you have a growing collection of Christmas decorations to call your own?
Do you decorate your room with christmas decorations?
Do your decorations follow a theme?

My answers:
Yes... I have made wreaths, paper garlands, felt decorations and this year I have crocheted some.
One of my favourites is a fairy that ESSDEE and AYEEYE gave to me for 'Christmas in July' in 2010.
Well, my answer is in the question... I have a great collection of decorations!!
Somewhat... I have fairy lights up all year round and decorations on my walls that were technically Christmas decorations... but they were too pretty to put away with the rest of them!!!
No... my collection is very eclectic... and maybe a little... odd!!!




Ohhh can't forget another Christmas carol...

Click to view video.

[Heroine of the Dragon]

Oh no, don't you all go...

on me......... I was kinda hoping someone would be interested in Christmas with me!!!!

Gah... this could be a catastrophe... BUT... I have the exact remedy you ALL need... CHRISTMAS ELF MARSHMALLOWS!!!!



Please eat them up!!!



Anyways... where are we?

Oh yes...

Dec 3rd – Time to decorate the tree…



First, you have to put your tree up if you have an artificial one, or go to some place to buy one that was especially chopped down for Christmas or go to a nursery and buy a potted one. Then it's a matter of choosing the perfect spot and orientation for your tree.

Everyone has their way of decorating the tree. Some start with lights and garlands and tinsel. Others start with the tree topper. Others do it however they can do it quickest with little ceremony!!!

And your tree, too, could look like this:



Do you enjoy helping to buy/get the tree and decorate it?

This is actually one of my favourite parts of Christmas and I have so much fun decorating our tree. It's artificial and probably close to needing to be replaced but I guess we will be using it again this year!!

I would love to have a mini forest of Christmas trees and have them scattered all through the house. Onnnnnne day that dream will come true!!!

Not all trees are as we may imagine. Some people are super-creative as the following trees show...





and



I am now inspired to make my mini forest a very interesting and eclectic collection of trees, too, now!!!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


Last thing... something to share some answers about... a Christmas "this or that"…
Get kissed under the mistletoe or Make angels in the snow?
Chocolate Santas or Marshmallow Rudolphs?
Stocking on the mantle or Presents under the tree?
Egg nog or Hot cider?
Angel tree topper or Star on top of your tree?
Decorating the tree or Putting lights up?
Snuggling in front of a fire or Taking long sleigh rides?
Family time or Friend time?
Expensive presents or Presents made with lots of love?
Snowball fight or Building a snowman?
Singing carols or Listening to Christmas stories?



And your daily music...

Click to view video.

[Booyakasha]

Haven't built a snowman recently. I think I'll borrow my niece and nephew after the first decent snowfall and do exactly that.

They've started playing Christmas carols over the PA at the store. It's okay. I mean, the mix has a few songs I don't like (like 'Baby It's Cold Outside'---yuckers), but it also has treats like 'I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas'. Whimsical, if you're into that.

[Valigarmander]

Originally Posted by Heroine of the Dragon

Dec 2nd – I thought I'd mention about how to make some game decorations... because they're cute and we seem to like gaming and decorations are so much fun to have around us at this time of year!!!

I was inspired by these:



...and found the pattern!!!

Nintendo Papercraft - The resource for all your Nintendo themed papercrafts!

Or

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NvhnTb-4j3...papercraft.jpg (I put it as a link so it wouldn't stretch the post)

Now I've got an urge to try papercraft. I don't need another useless hobby, though. I've already got so many.

[CaptHayfever]

^^Ours has the Muppets version of "12 Days of Christmas." Epic.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

[Random User]

Originally Posted by Heroine of the Dragon

I've actaully made a couple of these little guys. Never thought to put them on my Christmas tree, though. I think I'll just be doing that.
P

[Jenocide]

Have you ever made Christmas decorations?
I helped make a series of red bows to put on a red/gold themed tree one year.

Do you have a favourite Christmas decoration?
Hmm... not particularly... but I like to go around looking at the lights and stuff in general.

Like me, do you have a growing collection of Christmas decorations to call your own?
No. I don't really have any yet.

Do you decorate your room with Christmas decorations?
Nope, never done that.

Do your decorations follow a theme?
Well, we've done color themes, but nothing besides that.

Do you enjoy helping to buy/get the tree and decorate it?
Well, I don't mind decorating the tree. Me 'n Tazy have never had a real tree though, always an artifical one.

Get kissed under the mistletoe or Make angels in the snow?
Snow angels! Getting kissed like that is embarrassing.

Chocolate Santas or Marshmallow Rudolphs?
Marshmallow Rudolphs!

Stocking on the mantle or Presents under the tree?
Hrmm... I guess... if it's at home I'd prefer the stocking. Just so the dog doesn't get to it.

Egg nog or Hot cider?
Hot cider :3

Angel tree topper or Star on top of your tree?
Star!

Decorating the tree or Putting lights up?
Decorating the tree

Snuggling in front of a fire or Taking long sleigh rides?
Snuggling

Family time or Friend time?
Friend time

Expensive presents or Presents made with lots of love?
Presents made with lots of love!!

Snowball fight or Building a snowman?
It doesn't snow much here, but I think I'd rather build a snowman.

Singing carols or Listening to Christmas stories?
Singing carols!

[Cosmonautical]

I'm too ADD to read these all the way through today. That and the heat here in Perth has really stomped all over most of my interest in Christmas. Sorry, HotD, I'll be back another time.

[Heroine of the Dragon]

Originally Posted by Booyakasha

Haven't built a snowman recently. I think I'll borrow my niece and nephew after the first decent snowfall and do exactly that.

They've started playing Christmas carols over the PA at the store. It's okay. I mean, the mix has a few songs I don't like (like 'Baby It's Cold Outside'---yuckers), but it also has treats like 'I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas'. Whimsical, if you're into that.

Please build one for me, too!!! Pics would be very awesome if you get a chance... ;)

I'll be sure to listen to that song shortly!!!

Originally Posted by Valigarmander

Now I've got an urge to try papercraft. I don't need another useless hobby, though. I've already got so many.

Heh, haven't we all?! You know, the way I see it, it's not really useless since you can always add it to your CV of Life as a new skill you learnt!! :cool:

Originally Posted by CaptHayfever

^^Ours has the Muppets version of "12 Days of Christmas." Epic.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

I doubt I've heard the muppets version of that and will try to find it after listening to Boo's song!!

Originally Posted by Random User

I've actaully made a couple of these little guys. Never thought to put them on my Christmas tree, though. I think I'll just be doing that. :D
P

Photos would be awesome!!! Especially hanging on your tree!!!

Originally Posted by Jenocide

[Lots of answers...]

Wow!! And thanks!! That was great!!!

Originally Posted by the Octopus

I'm too ADD to read these all the way through today. That and the heat here in Perth has really stomped all over most of my interest in Christmas. Sorry, HotD, I'll be back another time. ;)

I totally agree about the heat. I didn't even get the lounge room started yet... and that's cool, AYEEYE, I'm sure the thread will be here all December!! :p






OKAY!!! Some Christmas yummies now

Dec 4th - COOOOOOOOOOOKIES!!!

Make some for yourself or some to share...


What are your favourite Christmas biscuits/cookies?

I like a little bit of gingerbread, LOTS of shortbread and some white chocolate macadamia nut biscuits, too!!!!



Seriously... I don't think you can have too many cookie pictures in a thread... :p



But let's start with gingerbread since you cut it with cookie cutters or a knife and bake it in interesting shapes!!








Here's a recipe I found online since all mine are in aussie weights and temps:

Ingredients

6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsulfured molasses
Royal Icing
Fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

Sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder into a large bowl. Set aside.
Put butter and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then eggs and molasses. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Divide dough into thirds; wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface to a 1/4-inch thick. Cut into snowflakes with a 7- inch snowflake-shape cookie cutter. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
Bake cookies until crisp but not dark, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
Put icing in a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip (such as Ateco #7). Pipe designs on snowflakes; immediately sprinkle with sanding sugar. Let stand 5 minutes; tap off excess sugar. Let icing set completely at room temperature, about 1 hour.

Gingerbread Snowflakes - Martha Stewart Recipes

And you could always make your own cookie cutter shapes and do interesting cookies:



Hmmmm... those are cute!!!




MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE recipes for Christmas cookies... Holiday Entertaining: Christmas Cookie Recipes - Martha Stewart

YUMMMMMMMMMM

Also... for an aussie recipe for gingerbread
Gingerbread for biscuits, trees and houses. :: Recipe :: ABC Queensland



Soooooo do you have a secret family recipe for Christmas cookies that you want to share with me?
Have you ever baked cookies?
Do you like cookies that are still warm or thoroughly cooled?





Slightly off subject...
What are your favourite Christmas characters?
(I probably forgot a bunch, so add any that are missing...)

Kris Kringle
Jack Frost
Frosty the Snowman
Grinch
Mayor Augustus Maywho
Ebenezer Scrooge
Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, Yet To Come
Jack Skellington
Sally
Sugarplum Fairy
Nutcracker
Rudolph
Dancer
Prancer
dasher
Vixen
Comet
Cupid
Donner
Blitzen
(wheeeeeeeeeeeee I still remember the reindeer names!!!... >.> okay to continue...)
Suzy Snowflake
Santa's Little Helper
Ralphie
Virginia O'Hanlon
Buddy the Elf



I think I like them all... I'd need to ponder which are my very favourites before I could say...




Finally, some music!!!

This would be one of my most favourite Christmas carols... and I often sing it... loudly and all over the house!!!

Click to view video.

:D

[Crazyswordsman]

Can we have an activity for those of us who don't (or can't) celebrate Christmas too? -CSM

[Random User]

Soooooo do you have a secret family recipe for Christmas cookies that you want to share with me?
Have you ever baked cookies?

No to both, unfortunately.

What are your favourite Christmas characters?

Jack Skellington. This guy is the personification of my two favourite holidays.

[Crazyswordsman]

^As for the answers to both of these questions, we make good HANUKKAH cookies out of sour cream and cinnamon and sugar. They're surprisingly good, and much better than my ex-coworker's bacon cookies.

As for my favorite Christmas character, I should probably say the elf from the tacky stop-motion Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special that wants to be a dentist.

Have you ever made Christmas decorations? I'm Jewish, so no. I'm left out of this one.
Do you have a favourite Christmas decoration? I like looking at people's trees and seeing the variety in ornaments they chose.
Like me, do you have a growing collection of Christmas decorations to call your own? Again, I feel left out of this one
Do you decorate your room with Christmas decorations? Nope. See the answers to questions one and three. But by G-d, I really WISH we could do Hanukkah themed decorations but no one will let us!
Do your decorations follow a theme? See above
Do you enjoy helping to buy/get the tree and decorate it? Why aren't Jews allowed to have trees!?
Get kissed under the mistletoe or Make angels in the snow? The former. I feel the need for a kiss waaaay too often
Chocolate Santas or Marshmallow Rudolphs? Chocolate anything!
Stocking on the mantle or Presents under the tree? Why do I have to feel left out of a completely awesome tradition? Two of them, should I ask?
Egg nog or Hot cider? Hot cider, easily.
Angel tree topper or Star on top of your tree? Does a star of David count? Or do I have to be Christian for this?
Decorating the tree or Putting lights up? If I could choose it would be decorating the tree
Snuggling in front of a fire or Taking long sleigh rides? The former. Now if only I could have someone to snuggle with.....I'M 26 AND STILL SINGLE. I'M A SHAME TO HUMANITY BECAUSE I'M ALONE AND NOT MARRIED.
Family time or Friend time? I really have no preference; I need both.
Expensive presents or Presents made with lots of love? I don't care too much for money 'cause money can't buy me love.
Snowball fight or Building a snowman? Snowm'n
Singing carols or Listening to Christmas stories? Even though I'm Jewish and technically not allowed to sing Christmas carols, I do so anyway because it's fun. Take that, establishment!
-CSM

[Heroine of the Dragon]

Originally Posted by Crazyswordsman

Can we have an activity for those of us who don't (or can't) celebrate Christmas too? -CSM

We sure can!! I had planned to cover other traditions at this time of year and I certainly don’t mind doing activities to include you!!

In our family, Christmas is not so much about religious observances as it is about sharing love, time, effort, fun, food and companionship!! So I sing Christian carols? Well, it’s because I like them.

Originally Posted by Random User

Soooooo do you have a secret family recipe for Christmas cookies that you want to share with me?
Have you ever baked cookies?

No to both, unfortunately.

What are your favourite Christmas characters?

Jack Skellington. This guy is the personification of my two favourite holidays.

Drats, eh!!! Oh well… maybe you have favourite cookies?

Originally Posted by Crazyswordsman

^As for the answers to both of these questions, we make good HANUKKAH cookies out of sour cream and cinnamon and sugar. They're surprisingly good, and much better than my ex-coworker's bacon cookies.

As for my favorite Christmas character, I should probably say the elf from the tacky stop-motion Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special that wants to be a dentist.

**Lots of answers!**
-CSM

Ohhh. Have you got the recipe? Do you decorate the cookies?

Dentists scare me… so I should be afraid of that elf if he ever realises his dream!!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Dec 5th – The first part of this post is dedicated to CSM and anyone else who celebrates Hanukkah.

Hanukkah starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasts for eight days. For 2011, that would be December 20-28

From my understanding (and please correct me if I get anything wrong, CSM), Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem, and means the Festival of Lights. The festival is observed by the kindling of candles on a candelabrum known as a menorah. The first candle of the menorah is lit at nightfall on December 20, followed by another candle each nightfall until December 28th, then the remainder of the candles are lit.

There’s plenty of yummy foods shared… fried potato cakes (latkes), jam (jelly) doughnuts (sufganiyot) and cakes and cookies decorated with traditional Hanukkah colours and symbols...







And COOOOOOOKIES:



…and gift-giving has become acceptable among many, and some gifts follow long-standing traditions such as the giving of gelt (money)!

Decorating at Hanukkah is beautiful!! And can be easy to make, like this felt bouquet:



Instructions:
Make A Gorgeous Rose Bud Bouquet From Felt! - creative jewish mom

She also has a great candle decorating idea:

Fill Your Home With Light: Simple Hanukkah Candle Holder Jars! - creative jewish mom

Or maybe a Star of David mobile:

The Little Things: Crafting for Hanukkah - Star of David Mobile

And I really like wreaths and generally you can find awesome ideas for them online… which I did… even for Hanukkah:










An activity…

How many words of three or more letters, can you make using only the letters from the following?

Hanukkah: festival of lights

...post continued...

[Heroine of the Dragon]

And all this talk about the Festival of Lights leads me into the next bit of Christmas… putting up Christmas lights around the house!!!



OHMYGOSH I love Christmas lights!!! I seriously feel like a moth attracted to a flame with all those sparkling and flashing and colourful lights!!!


Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee so many prettttttties…








And one of my favourites because of the aussie-ness of it. I’d love to do something similar one day, too…



See those BOOMERS???? AWESOME, HUH?!!


So, we don’t put many lights up. DRATS!!! In fact, we barely decorate the outside of the house. But that does not stop me appreciating all that hard work others do to light up the nights leading to the BIG DAY!!!

We do, however, dedicate one evening to driving around at looking at other people’s lights. I already have two addresses to visit this year!!

And, of course, I have fairy lights in my room that I use nearly every day of the year…


Hanging lights should be a simple affair, but you know, there may still be hazards… so follow these tips:

Home Tips : Tips for Hanging Christmas Lights


As with many things, you could always make some “lights”… with card or felt… and decorate your room, tree, above the window, over the door, around the computer screen, etc with them…





Here’s a globe pattern:





Happy crafting!!!

Oh and music… AUSSIE CAROL!!!

Click to view video.

[Cosmonautical]

CSM, I'm heartily not Christian but I don't see any harm in celebrating the holiday. Are you strictly forbidden from taking part in a family celebration? Nothing I do really has much to do with a religious context. I love christmas lights and snowmen, etc, and it just extends so far as appreciating family.

[Gabriel]

^I like this guy.

Oh sorry HotD! I, uh, don't really stay up-to-date on the forum on weekends, so I never checked this topic until just now. >.<

I saw there were a ton of questions there, but....yeah, there's no way I'm digging through all that just to answer a few questions. I'll start answering them from here on, however.

[Crazyswordsman]

^^I do celebrate Christmas. We celebrate with people who celebrate Hanukkah with us. In fact, the two holidays actually coincide this year so we're going to celebrate both holidays jointly. -CSM