X-mas 2011

[Commando]

I went to the mall here in Boise w my sis & ma to cash in the gift certs they gave me for xmas. It was surprisingly fun, despite the mass of humanity! I gave them a glimpse into my psyche a bit when they were saying how impossible I was to shop for. I confirmed that, yes, being a bachelor of my age, when I want something practical I usually just get it, but that I would have really been stoked to get something I would never just buy myself that I would secretly want-- like Star Wars lego kits or something like that to mess around with.

I ended up grabbing some sweet "grown up" vans and some good lookin' jeans in Pac Sun

[thesaint258]

Right now, I'm watching some programs on KUEN (9 in Utah on DTV) about Old World traditions and Christmas Markets.

Krampus seems like a fun Christmas tradition!

Krampus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oh it is. It's basically an excuse for guys to get drunk and hit people as they go through the streets, but it's a lot of fun.

[Portland Ute]

Oh it is. It's basically an excuse for guys to get drunk and hit people as they go through the streets, but it's a lot of fun.

Every year I proclaim that next year will be the year that "Knecht Ruprecht"/Krampus will make a visit to our home.

My wife is adamant that I cannot because it will scar them for life.

This is part of the problem with American traditions. There is no bad to counter the good. Without the bad, there is no way to fully appreciate the good that is St. Nick.

We know that there must needs be opposition in all things. I think it's the right thing to do to introduce a little Knecht Ruprecht (less scary than Krampus)into Christmas around here...

[PaloAltoCougar]

Every year I proclaim that next year will be the year that "Knecht Ruprecht"/Krampus will make a visit to our home.

My wife is adamant that I cannot because it will scar them for life.

This is part of the problem with American traditions. There is no bad to counter the good. Without the bad, there is no way to fully appreciate the good that is St. Nick.

We know that there must needs be opposition in all things. I think it's the right thing to do to introduce a little Knecht Ruprecht (less scary than Krampus)into Christmas around here...

Because of my two-year stint in Austria, I was familiar with the Krampus legend, so for our extended family Christmas Eve gathering (25 or so) back in the 80's we dressed up little filsdepac as Krampus. We had him enter the room ahead of Santa's visit and let him beat the crap out of his cousins with tree branches.

[il Padrino Ute]

Every year I proclaim that next year will be the year that "Knecht Ruprecht"/Krampus will make a visit to our home.

My wife is adamant that I cannot because it will scar them for life.

This is part of the problem with American traditions. There is no bad to counter the good. Without the bad, there is no way to fully appreciate the good that is St. Nick.

We know that there must needs be opposition in all things. I think it's the right thing to do to introduce a little Knecht Ruprecht (less scary than Krampus)into Christmas around here...

You could teach your kids to appreciate the good without them having to get their backside kicked. Just skip celebrating Christmas every other year. If they get nothing next year, they'll be much more appreciative the year after when they receive gifts.

[cougjunkie]

I took some items back and did some shopping with my wife yesterday. Went up to the District and Jordan Landing, practically ghost towns. It was awesome hit a ton of after christmas sales and returned some items, no waiting in lines, no fighting for parking spots, just a nice peaceful day.

[Portland Ute]

I took some items back and did some shopping with my wife yesterday. Went up to the District and Jordan Landing, practically ghost towns. It was awesome hit a ton of after christmas sales and returned some items, no waiting in lines, no fighting for parking spots, just a nice peaceful day.

Fashion place was a zoo yesterday evening. Gateway not so much. My parents said Layton Hill was a ghost town in the early afternoon.

[wuapinmon]

You could teach your kids to appreciate the good without them having to get their backside kicked. Just skip celebrating Christmas every other year. If they get nothing next year, they'll be much more appreciative the year after when they receive gifts.

Honest question, what's your opinion about the amount of money spent building temples?

[Portland Ute]

You could teach your kids to appreciate the good without them having to get their backside kicked. Just skip celebrating Christmas every other year. If they get nothing next year, they'll be much more appreciative the year after when they receive gifts.

I'm surprised at this coming from you.

I would have thought you would like the idea of Krampus.

[cougjunkie]

Amazon.com has christmas tree storage bags on sale for $13. They hold up to a 9 ft tree.

[Parrot Head]

Merry 3rd day after Christmas! I haven't been on since Christmas Eve, but I wanted to show the spirit to my fellow CUFfers. I will try to be more on top of things for El Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos as I'm eating my rosca.

Also, like PDX Ute, I think it's odd that LDS are so quick to ditch church on Christmas Day and I'd like to have some kind of special sacrament meeting each year on Eve and/or Day. I was at my mom's ward for Christmas and it was straight music. The only words spoken were "Hymn # ___" and when the Bishop read some of Luke 2 at the very end. It wasn't very well done. And I don't think I'll get as much joy from "O Holy Night" in the future if I have flashbacks to the guy struggling through it this year. It was not a chart topper.

[TripletDaddy]

Anyone know a good online place to buy X-mas lights on the cheap? I want to stock up for next year. I am going to endeavor to do my trees and I figure now is a good time to land some deals. Maybe not.

[wuapinmon]

Anyone know a good online place to buy X-mas lights on the cheap? I want to stock up for next year. I am going to endeavor to do my trees and I figure now is a good time to land some deals. Maybe not.

If you want really cheap, Wal-Mart at 50% really can't be beat. But, selection could be wanting at this point.

I bought some Mardi Gras lights from these guys about three years ago, and I was very pleased with the quality. None of the bulbs have burned out, and the packaging was top notch. I kept the boxes to store my spare bulbs in.

http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/

[kccougar]

Anyone know a good online place to buy X-mas lights on the cheap? I want to stock up for next year. I am going to endeavor to do my trees and I figure now is a good time to land some deals. Maybe not.

I don't know if they have after-Christmas deals, but we bought our lights this year from www.1000bulbs.com, and I thought their prices were great.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Here's a tradition that we started about 10 years ago. Sukiyaki dinner.

Following your lead, I cooked sukiyaki tonight for the family.

"Daaaad, this is great! Why haven't you cooked this for us before?"