Holiday Preparations

[dragnlaw]

Oh my! I'd never heard of that, Aunt Bea. Thanks for posting! How interesting.

 

[taxlady]

Oh my! I'd never heard of that, Aunt Bea. Thanks for posting! How interesting.

Ditto

 

[Kathleen]

American Halloween celebrations stem from traditions of many countries. Some people claim that it started with the time of year that some religions set aside to remember the dead, which may be loved ones as well as a church's saints and martyrs. Some countries believed that November 1st was a holy day when saints could be closest to the Earth and, therefore demons would try to prevent them from coming closer by coming the night before. Costumes may have been to prevent people from being recognized and "trick or treating" may stem from some customs of putting food (treats) by one's door to distract (or trick) evil beings on that night. Hallow'en, All Saints Eve, and All Hallows Eve have been celebrated for centuries, in many countries, and the current American customs were initially started by Irish and Scot immigrants in the 1800s. Of course, America stepped it up and influenced other countries through movies (and college exchange students who could dress most sexy and drink until everything seemed tricky or treaty ....and so few in this country really recognize the history behind the holiday. Kiddos do not even give good "tricks" if you say you would like one when you answer the door anymore - although I hear that St. Louis often expects kids to at least offer a joke in lieu of a trick. I actually knew a cheesy magic trick that I took along in hope that someone would ask for a trick but no one ever did.

 

[dragnlaw]

A couple of years ago I was custodian of the treats here. I asked some kids if they knew the rhyme "Trick or Treat, Smell ... " I was amazed to find they knew it! LOL. but then don't know why - kids never tire of rhymes about smelly feet and such, eh?

 

[Silversage]

No it’s not. And I would only want a celebration event if it held some importance for us.
Down here, the Halloween celebration has become steadily more popular over recent decades.
The problem I have with this is that Halloween has its roots in history particular to the USA. Really nothing down here that lines up. So it’s just a matter of getting dressed up and begging strangers for sweet treats. Very bizarre.

Halloween had its roots in Ireland, not the US. It dates back to pre-christian pagan times, when beliefs of spirits passing through the "veil" were common. They originally carved large turnips (rutabagas) not pumpkins. Much of Australia was populated by British and Irish prisoners, so I'm surprised that those traditions didn't transplant there.

 

[dragnlaw]

So there you go Jade. Now you can have a perfect excuse for a celebratory supper on October 31st. Invite all your friends, explain that they must wear a frightening costume to scare away the evils that are trying to sneak thru the divide to attack the Saints the following day on Nov. 1st. Plus be scary enough to keep them away while everyone also then celebrates All Souls day following on Nov 2nd.

 

[rodentraiser]

Halloween is my favorite holiday.

So I don't think I'm going to do anything for Thanksgiving this year, not that I do anything anyway. My parents are dead and I'm not talking to my racist, jerk brothers. They can sit around and poke each other with knitting needles for all I care. But I do have to figure out when Thanksgiving is, so's I don't go trying to shop somewhere and get stuck at a store that's not open or worse, that is open with a crowd.

I'm slowly getting organized for Christmas though. I ordered my Christmas cards online. They'll arrive just in time to send them out, I'm sure, but even that will be better than previous years. Usually I get Christmas cards sent out in January. Yeah, procrastinator is my middle name.

 

[medtran49]

But I do have to figure out when Thanksgiving is, so's I don't go trying to shop somewhere and get stuck at a store that's not open or worse, that is open with a crowd.

I'm slowly getting organized for Christmas though. I ordered my Christmas cards online. They'll arrive just in time to send them out, I'm sure, but even that will be better than previous years. Usually I get Christmas cards sent out in January. Yeah, procrastinator is my middle name.

A week from this Thursday.

 

[dragnlaw]

Went to Wally's World today. Bought a 24" lit Christmas tree. Will put some antique family heirloom trinkets on it. Yes, there is a tree upstairs, but my house used to be decorated to the gills come Christmas and this isn't my house, is it? A lot of my stuff is in storage (still! will probably still be there for my kids to clean out) But I do have this small box my sister made (a quilter) and with a few trinkets from Christmas's past. Never really put them out before (animals) but now... guess I will.
I'll post some pics in the morning.

 

[CharlieD]

We are going to my in-laws and all kind of kitchen clueless people are coming and bringing all kind of crap they make. I better make turkey and mashed potato, so there is some to eat.

 

[dragnlaw]

Here are the pictures of my decorations for my little tree.
Here is the tree all decorated. but lights are way too bright for such a little tree nor to be able to see them properly!

Didn't have a topper so grabbed an egg I broke, (right after painting!)

 

[medtran49]

LOVE that egg! Too bad it broke. Still lovely though.

I started a crochet wreath for the front window about a year ago and didn't get it done. So, I got it out today to finish. It's 2/3 to 3/4 done so hopefully I can finish this year. Got battery multicolored lights for it. It has red and white poinsettas, 2 sizes, pine cones with Holly leaves and berries, and a big red and white bow. It's going to be the same front and back, so outside and inside will both be pretty.

 

[Jade Emperor]

@dragnlaw that decorated egg as your topper is a fantastic idea! I love it!
That’s the kind of thing that could easily become a family tradition.

 

[caseydog]

I need to get a new Festivus pole. I used the one I had to repair a fence.

CD

 

[dragnlaw]

Holiday Christmas Train is passing by in our backyard tonight. Becoming a traditional invitation to families with kids to come and watch. DIL has been prepping all week!

 

[dragnlaw]

Finally figured out how to do it! LOL Blue arrow is where the train goes by in the ravine. Arrow stops at the edge of a trampoline that the kids can be in so as to be higher getting a better view.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Holiday Christmas Train is passing by in our backyard tonight. Becoming a traditional invitation to families with kids to come and watch. DIL has been prepping all week!

I would love to see it!!!

 

[Aunt Bea]

The cranberry sauce is cooling and the pumpkin pie is in the oven.

 

[msmofet]

Done so far. Cranberry relish, sautéed mushrooms, roasted the Turkey wings to boil for stock, mixed ingredients for praline topping for the sweet potatoes.
Today - Make stock and pies, hope they fit in the fridge. Don't have much room in the fridge due to the turkey thawing, the smallest I could find was 20 lb. But free is free. May have to throw some turkey out.

 

[larry_stewart]

We are going to my in-laws and all kind of kitchen clueless people are coming and bringing all kind of crap they make. I better make turkey and mashed potato, so there is some to eat.

I hear ya 100%
For me it shouldn't be called Thanksgiving, but "Bring something for yourself to eat cause we don't want to cook anything special for you" Day. Once again, the tradition carries on. I was asked to bring something I eat. Well. I dont want to eat just one thing, so Im basically bringing a whole bunch of stuff that I know will taste good. They can suffer with the over cooked, dry turkey that when carved, looks like a crime scene, and the roasted veggies with cups and cups of oil ( no exaggeration ). I will be bringing 2 pasta dishes , a sweet potato lasagna ( that has been requested for the past 3 years), fruit salad ( with some exciting fruit, not the same ol same ol, cinnamon buns , marinated mushrooms and roasted potatoes in BBQ sauce. I guarantee my stuff goes before theirs does.