Yes, I am one of the nutty ones who gets out and starts shopping at 5:00am the day after Thanksgiving. I have done it for years. It is a tradition. Me and my BFF Christie begin strategizing Monday prior to Thanksgiving when the stores make their Thanksgiving Day sales flyer available for viewing online. We call each other and talk about what we like and who has the best price. Then on Thursday she sits at her house with her flyers and makes her list. I sit at my house with my flyers and make my list. We call each other one last time to finalize our meeting time and place. Lights out.
3:40am~my alarm sounds
I jump in the shower then get dressed in the clothes that I laid out the night before. I quietly tip toe out into the black of night and take off. "Oh what fun it is to shop on the day after Thanksgiving" (My car was packed with flyers, coat, and shopping purse before I went to bed. I make less noise in the morning if all this is already done.)
This year was just as wonderful as I ever. Did we get everything we went for? No. Did we get upset? No. Did we see things we were not expecting and delighted with the price? Yes.
We have been doing this for years. The secret to enjoying the day is not to take things too seriously. For us, it is really about being together. The moments we share are precious, even after 40+ years of friendship.
What happens the day after Thanksgiving?
The Pope family tradition is to put the Christmas tree up the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is so much fun! We open the ornaments slowly and talk about each one. (This year we missed it by one day. We put it up Sunday.)
Signing off to go experience another Pope tradition: Extreme Makeover Home Edition while snuggling in Mom and Dad's big bed.
Share some of your family traditions, Thanksgiving, Christmas or other.
We have been doing this for years. The secret to enjoying the day is not to take things too seriously. For us, it is really about being together. The moments we share are precious, even after 40+ years of friendship.
What happens the day after Thanksgiving?
The Pope family tradition is to put the Christmas tree up the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is so much fun! We open the ornaments slowly and talk about each one. (This year we missed it by one day. We put it up Sunday.)Signing off to go experience another Pope tradition: Extreme Makeover Home Edition while snuggling in Mom and Dad's big bed.
Share some of your family traditions, Thanksgiving, Christmas or other.
9 Comments:
40 plus years of friendship--that is truly a blessing!
We set up the tree Friday--played games as a family--ate chili and hot fudge brownie sundaes!
I love traditions, and oh, wasn't that Extreme Home-makeover a tear jerker...love that show.
God bless!
I loved that edition of EHM, too! Bless their hearts! Y'all!!!!
We decorate the tree and remember where the ornaments came from as well. The boys laugh at some of their homemade ones, but those are more precious than any store bought baubbles.
We actually stopped a tradition this year! For the past 18 years, Craig and I have gone out to a tree farm in Moonville, SC--don't you love sweet southern names? We cut down the perfect tree! In the past few years, the boys have helped. But, it is so messy and sticky(we usually will get the Leland Cypress and last year wound up with the dreaded prickly Cedar)that we started a new tradition this year. The door buster special at Old TIme Pottery bright and early on Friday had me smiling and wheeling my buggy with a lovely tree that won't tip over and break ornaments. And...we don't have to crawl under it to water said tree! Mama, Daddy and children like this new tradition!!
Glad that you and Christi had fun! And that you've been friends for over 40 years means that y'all played happily together in your playpens!!! Too cute!
Hugs,
Susan
I started a new tradition last year with my son. For the last 12-days prior to Christmas at breakfast I will light a candle at the table and together we say, "Jesus is the light of the world." Then I tell him a little story about Jesus and His love.
My son loves this and now anytime he sees a lit candle he will say, "Jesus is the light of the world." I plan to keep this tradition going and hopefully one day my son will light a candle on his breakfast table and tell my grandkids, "Jesus is the light of the world."
Thanks for sharing. I love these traditions.
Jesus is the light of the World. I love being in the Light.
I loved your post. We do things a bit differently at the Kidd's house. We do not get our tree until the first weekend of December, that is when we go skiing for a day and go to a choose and cut lot in the mountains. I do try to have the other decorations done, so the tree is done all by itself. Not sure about this year because of my travels.
Blessings,
Charlene
Wendy,
There was a time when I would have laughed at your start time of 3:30 a.m. but I guess my hat is off to you now. This was the first time in 20 years I didn't go out on Black Friday, it felt good in a wierd kind of way. It is all about the game plan and having fun.
It is so neat to jump around the blogs and hear the different traditions.
blessings,
Diane
my most favorite Christmas tradition at the H house is Christmas eve... we go to the candlelight service at church *always special to be together at church* then jump in our car to begin our caroling rounds *widows, speical friends, people who have meant a lot to us during the year* when we finally make it home, we unwrap our new Christmas pj's, sit down to a family dinner (at 9 pm) and parade in the milk, cookies, and napkin to the fireplace... three kids made the traditional santa snack of two things interesting :) the three girls then sleep in the same room and laugh and giggle til we fall asleep.
this has been the H tradition for about 20 years. things have changed throughout the years, but the feeling of being together never changes!!!
Wendy: I was at the Learning Express for the 30% off for 2 hours sale beginning at 6 AM. That's about as early as I'll do. Good for you!
We decorate for Christmas every Thanksgiving weekend, too. Love Thanksgiving weekend! Jim and Joshua made a "Jesus Emmanuel" sign in white Christmas lights a few seasons ago for our light display outside. That's our favorite.
BTW, my NIV "Chrono Bible In A Year" arrived over Thanksgiving weekend! Can't wait to start being a W2! :)
Wendy,
I got my NLT Chrono Bible from P31 and your little note of encouragement for our journey starting Jan 1 today. Thanks for being a vessel and leader for us.
Lynn
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