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I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

But I do have a rule that I compromised on with my husband, "No Christmas (music or decorations) until after Thanksgiving.

BUUUTTTTTT, I am about to order the tickets for the Polar Express---a scenic train ride where you go to the north pole to pick up Santa and then on the way back he reads the Polar Express and hands out a bell to each kid. You're encouraged to wear your pajamas and you get hot cocoa and cookies.

I already am working on a list for my son's presents.

I ordered my christmas tree from the nursery in July

I have been through the Christmas Ornament section of Hobby Lobby probably 5 times

And, not really christmas related but I convinced my husband if we don't NEED my christmas bonus for bills I want to pay for 2 IUI cycles if I am not pregnant by then.

I LOVE Christmas, but make a point to not do anything related until after Thanksgiving...like that night

It's hard not to get excited because I hate Halloween. I know so many people love it, but I just don't get it! I hate dressing up/spending money on costumes and walking around freezing in Wisconsin. I wish I cared because it would be something fun to look forward to...but alas. I probably should step up my game so LO can have some pictures to look back on of him dressing up. Otherwise I would do nothing until he asked.

I can’t let myself think about it this early, because I’ll start making lists for the boys, then I’ll start buying things because I see deals, then I’ll keep buying things because “they would LOVE this!”, then I’ll spend way too much money and buy way too many presents. I did buy something for my brother already, though, and I ordered some personalized books for the boys. Decorating has to wait until after Remembrance Day.

@erinbaderin: I literally just googled when Remembrance Day is, and no fair! you get to start a couple weeks before me

Nooooooo too soon! I can't even wrap my head around Halloween yet...

girl, it is still in the 90s where I live (South) so I cant even fathom fall stuff...much less Christmas.

On another note...when is fall coming? it's so hot!

@misolee: I'm with you. I'm still waiting for fall temps so I can do all my normal weekly baking without sweating to death. Where is fall?!

I am so excited for Christmas this year! We live near family for the first time in six years so we will get to celebrate with so many more people we love. Though it also means navigating how to divide holidays which we really haven't dealt with since DD was born almost four years ago.

Also DD's birthday is early December so it's a crazy month. I already have people asking what she might want, so I have been trying to update her Amazon wish list.

As for traditions:
DD always gets a hallmark ornament.
DH and I pick out an ornament together - this year it will be a "first house" one.
We all go to a tree lighting.
DH and I have hot chocolate and watch Love Actually on Christmas Eve.

I just told DH yesterday that I'm officially excited for fall/winter holidays.
I'm still mostly focused on Halloween right now though, and how much fun it will be for DS1 who is 4 and dressing up DS2, who will be 8.5 months.
But I am getting giddy thinking about the Christmas movies with my big boy and getting the tree, etc.

I sort of keep a running list all year long of things that DS1 mentions he wants (from commercials, walking around the city, etc). So I have a quasi-Christmas list for him.
I have a small list of things I want/need for DS2, which isn't really for Christmas, but I will use for it.

Is it bad that I'm kind of dreading the travel with a one year old and that's overshadowing any excitement? I think we will visit my parents, which will be fun, but it means connecting flights at the height of holiday travel madness and then a three hour drive from the airport to my parents' house (LO isn't a fan of the car...) I've been delayed at random airports so many times doing that trip. And the stuff they'll inevitably get LO will make dealing with all the luggage required to travel with a baby that much more annoying. DH has a family event in November that also involves long connecting flights (I'm lobbying to not visit anyone for Thanksgiving, as I can't handle three trips in two months, but may lose that battle...) Last year Christmas was right around my due date, and it was so nice just to stay put!

@periwinklebee: oh man- I don’t think I could handle all that traveling! I don’t even want to drive five hours to my parents.

@bhbee: I really don't see how you manage with 3, and I think I remember you saying earlier that you'd be flying with all of them on your own - crazy! Shipping is a good idea...

@Foodnerd81: If it was driving five hours I'd still be dreading it... especially in holiday traffic

I already bought Christmas gifts for most people already XD I have a baby due in early Dec. so trying to get everything done before the baby comes. We typically don't decorate till Dec. though. I shop online a lot so if there is a good deal on something I will buy it and set it aside for the next occasion (birthday or Christmas).

I am SUCH a Christmas person, despite being agnostic. It's always been the big holiday in my family when I was growing up - lots of traditions and fun, and now that I have a LO, the holiday I look forward to most as well. Last year DD was just 10 mo and could barely unwrap presents and was indifferent to most everything going on except a bottle and a bouncer. This year is totally different - she knows and loves her cousins, had preferences in all sorts of areas (clothing, toys, food, people).

I haven't really taken many steps towards this Christmas as there's a not-so-small possibility DH and I might have to work on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I should know in about 6 weeks.

Either way, did go ahead and buy these two casual play dresses off Amazon.

I've already purchased gifts... can't wait to decorate

I also love Christmas.
My daughter will be 2 weeks shy of 2 years old and I’ll be 9 months pregnant so I’m hoping to get organized early this year.
I just started picking up some items on sale for our daughter. So far I have Barbie doll and car, baby alive, and play doh kit.
We’d like to get her a table and chair set and I’m not write sure what her ‘big gift’ will be yet. I’m thinking one of those kiddo trampolines? She’s super active and really into jumping right now lol.

In terms of traditions, we cut our tree off of our property every year, hot chocolate and light watching (she was too little to do this last year, maybe this year), Santa parade, writing Santa a letter, Christmas Eve box (pjs, book, snack), Christmas baking, milk and cookies for Santa (too little last year, maybe this year)... I’m sure there’s some I’m forgetting but those are most of the standards.

@WinterBee: I have brought my now 5 year old tothe nutcracker for the last 3 years and it’s one of my favorite holiday traditions. Her sister’s bday is right before Christmas so it’s a nice thing to do with just the big girl before all the birthday and Christmas busy-ness. Plus her name happens to be the same as the girl in the ballet. At some point I’ll probably need to bring both girls but for now it’s just me and my big girl.

I have already started buying gifts so I can spread the purchases out. I have also started making presents for people since homemade gifts take time. We don't decorate or listen to Christmas music until after thanksgiving. At 13.5 months I hope E will start to understand Christmas and enjoy the traditions my family has.
@periwinklebee: I agree with @DesertDreams88: getting the 3rd seat while way more expensive is so great to have somewhere else to put them plus it's a whole row to yourself.

I love Halloween but we’re traveling for Christmas so we are very much thinking about it. We bought plane tickets to spend the holidays with the ILs last night.

I surprised myself and bought tickets for Christmas morning. We were planning on going the next day because pre-Christmas flight are so spendy but this saved $800 ($1600 from going a few days before Christmas). I’m excited and already somewhat stressed about fitting in our holiday traditions at home, Christmas with my family, travel, and Christmas with DH’s family. But I know the kids will love it.

@nutmeg36: http://a.co/d/gH0B86p

I liked them because they are casual. TOns of very frilly Christmas dresses, but these are more everyday wear (and cheap)!