Busy little helpers: how’s Christmas coming along?

Dear users, dear authors,
Are you busy with your Christmas projects?

Nothing at all yet—because I’m not going to let myself get caught up in this annual stress just because it’s Christmas! As for Christmas gifts, I only need something for my husband and my youngest granddaughter; for the others, we stopped exchanging gifts a few years ago. We believe that simply being together as a family is gift enough, especially since we rarely see some family members during the year because they live farther away.
Apart from that, I’m also completely lacking any Christmas spirit—I’m not even in the Christmas mood yet, though maybe it’ll come. I’ve also noticed that the older I get, the less interested I am in Christmas.

Love, Inge

Just yesterday I ordered some yarn for a Christmas wish—though that was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Otherwise, things are pretty much the same here as they are for Inge; we only give gifts to “the kids” anymore (even though they’re in their mid-30s now.... 🤣).
But I find this time of year quite cozy—the gloomy days of November fade away during Advent behind decorations and lights. Some people have already hung things in their windows; I like that, and I’ll be redecorating everything next week, too.
On Christmas Day itself, we’ll all be together with the whole family again. That doesn’t happen very often—maybe three or four times a year—so we really enjoy it.

I read just a few days ago that psychologists have found that people who decorate their homes for Christmas early on are happier. Well then, I’ll probably get started this weekend...

Ruth, well, I’m happy right now… Or maybe I just have more time than in past years.

I’ve already started decorating, and Christmas carols are playing in the background.

Yesterday I did some needle felting with my grandson



And today I baked marzipan stollen

Ruth, well, I’m happy right now… Or maybe I just have more time than in past years.

I’ve already started decorating, and Christmas carols are playing in the background.

Yesterday I did some needle felting with my grandson



And today I baked marzipan stollen

We’ve actually stopped giving gifts for years now. We haven’t had any Christmas stress for a long time,

but I do enjoy giving gifts. So sometimes there are surprises. Of course, my two granddaughters get their gifts. We often don’t find out what they want until the very last minute.

This year, the “order” came in that the teddy bears absolutely need new clothes (very urgently… smile). Well, of course I’m happy to fulfill this wish. After all, I’m always in charge of everything that has to do with dolls and teddy bears.

The little 4-year-old also asked for a jacket and a pair of pants. I really have to get a move on now to get that done in time. Christmas is coming faster than we think. But I’m not going to stress about it. If not, they’ll just get a package after Christmas.

This year, for once, I’m in the Christmas spirit very early. It’s just so nice—a little decoration, candles, and cookies or gingerbread… we really enjoy that during this dark time of year.

So far, I’ve only started baking for Christmas because we’re participating in the kindergarten’s Advent bazaar and selling cookies.



About 220 cookies each of two kinds so far—I still want to make one more variety 😊

Some of the decorating is already done, Christmas music is playing every day (I love it!), and on the side I’m working on a scarf that I want to give as a Christmas gift.

Everything else will probably get finished in a rush during the week before Christmas 😅

Oh wow, that looks so delicious! Soooo many Christmas cookies—that must have taken a lot of work and time.

I hate Christmas and all that commercial nonsense that goes with it. When places like Aldi start stocking dominoes, stollen, and speculoos as early as September, it drives me crazy. This year, I finally talked my husband into going to the Jagdhaus Eiden in Bad Zwischenahn for a week starting on December 20. Back in the day (before we met), I always spent Christmas in Mallorca. I’ve always been a Grinch...

Hate is so unnecessary and just causes wrinkles. You don’t have to go along with things you don’t like.

You’re right, Veronika, well
I don’t like Christmas
or Halloween either, by the way...

I love the Christmas season. Outside, November and December are usually gloomy and dreary—we rarely get days with sunshine or even snow. That’s why I love it when my home is all decked out. With music playing in the background and cookies baking—something we haven’t had for the past 10 months. We’re crafting and redecorating everything. It’s only like this for two months a year, and I enjoy it all over again every year 😊🎄.

Yes, it bothers me too that stores start stocking Christmas treats as early as September. I ignore it, since I can’t change it. But I don’t buy anything before mid-November.

But everyone has their own preferences, and that’s how it should be. I’m not interested in Fasching or Carnival, and Halloween and Thanksgiving pass me by unnoticed 👻.

Now I’m going to look for some yarn for a new hat and make myself comfortable on the sofa with a cup of tea.

Have a wonderful day, everyone. 

Petra, I feel exactly the same way as you do.
As soon as it gets gray outside, I need it to be cozy inside.
By the time we switch back to standard time at the latest, my mood shifts from more minimalist decor to “hygge”—then I need lights and candlelight everywhere.
I’ve already been putting up Christmas decorations for the past few days and am really enjoying it—all that’s missing now is the Advent wreath and the tree.
Even my husband is getting into the spirit early this year; in fact, he was the one who kicked things off.
He said, “Should I clean the windows? Then you can go ahead and hang up a fir garland with lights.”
Okay… done. I’ve already made my first plans to meet up with friends at the Christmas market, too.

I’ve got candles burning here too, but not for the holiday season—they’re for my sister, who’s having a high-stakes surgery tomorrow. Only once I know she’s doing well will I slowly start putting up Christmas decorations, even though I’m really not in the mood for it. But my family says I should start then; they think it’ll take my mind off things.

Love, Inge

Your family is definitely right, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for your sister.

I’m not quite in the Christmas spirit yet either. I’m sure it’ll come.
My husband already brought the decorations up from the basement today, so tomorrow I’ll start hanging the string lights in the window. Just a few Christmas decorations (we don’t have that much space, after all)—that’ll be enough. I have the day off tomorrow, anyway.

When it gets dark outside, I’ll enjoy the colorful lights in the window. I like colorful lights (not just at Christmas). Other than that, the Christmas spirit really kicks in when I open the first door on the Advent calendar—that’s when things get cozy.
I really should start baking cookies soon, too.🤔

Our Christmas market opens on Monday. Maybe I’ll get a little into the Christmas spirit there when I drink my mulled wine and eat some sautéed mushrooms. That’s a must.
Otherwise, with this stormy weather, I’ll curl up on the couch with my crochet project, a hot cappuccino, and some gingerbread. (They’ve issued a severe weather warning.)

Wishing you all a cozy afternoon/evening

Oh, Inge, it’s clear you’re not really into decorating right now.
Anyway, I wish you and your sister all the best, and hope you can still have a wonderful time together.

@Inge, all the best to your sister 🤞🤞

I have candles lit too

Have a lovely evening despite this dreary weather 
Best regards
Margitta 

Inge, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for your sister.
I won’t start decorating for Christmas here until after Sunday of the Dead. I won’t start before then. I love the Christmas season, but everything in its own time—and Advent is in December. That doesn’t mean it’s gloomy and dark here, though; I have lights and candles on too, but I’m still using fall decorations.
The Christmas stollen is already baked—it has to let the flavors develop, after all—and I just baked the Elisen gingerbread cookies and coated them with powdered sugar icing. They need to sit for a bit, too; only then are they really good.
On Sunday, we’ll celebrate my husband’s birthday first, and then I’ll get started on Monday.
I’ve already gathered some moss for the door wreath. It just needs to dry out a bit more.
During Advent, I love walking through the streets and looking at the houses, which are often decorated with such care.
Warm regards, Marita

I still have to do some baking on Sunday, too. On Monday, we’re invited to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s place in Schleswig for a kale dinner. It’s a tradition started by my mother-in-law, who passed away in 2016—she always invited the family over for kale on her birthday. My sister-in-law has taken over the tradition, and a few years ago I got into the habit of baking cookies for everyone, even though I’m actually not very good at baking...