Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So, where is everyone in holiday preps? Decorations out? Cards done? Gifts done? Any cool gifts you've found that you are particulary happy with?

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I do light decorating since it is just Pookey and I. I put out some nicknacks around the house but skip a big tree since I don't host any parties here. I am trying to get up the gumption to get cards done, I mail out about 25 (much less than earlier years). My gift shopping is about 80% done since I mail a big box to Texas right before Thanksgiving to take care of my three neice's December birthdays and all the Christmas gifts for the majority of may family (in Texas).

The older kids and my parents like gift certificates, so the one gift I am happy with is a "Webkinz" orange and white stripped stuffed cat I got my 6 y/o neice. If you aren't familiar with Webkinz, the stuffed animal comes with a passcode and the child goes online to care for the animal. The cat looks like Pookey and their neighbor's orange and white cat, Sprinkles. She should like it.

I think I'll now go back to thinking about getting the cards ready rather than actually doing them.
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Tammy and Pookey
(Stanley 8/91 - 8/07)

I gave up on a big tree about 5 years ago when I finally got tired of picking up ornaments that cats removed and fishing cats OUT of the tree. I have 2 small fiber optic trees and those are up. I also put garland with lights and a wreath over my fireplace and around my front window and that is done too. I didn't do cards last year as my father had just died the month before and I just couldn't get interested in the idea. Have not decided if I am going to resume this year or not. Most people that I am really interested in, I am in contact with on the puter and can send a card that way. May send to a few people. I have already sent the money to my step kids for their Xmas and for them to buy the grandkids whatever they want to get them from Grandma so that is done. My mom is easy, she loves turtles (the chocolate and nut kind not the green and living ones) and the new employee that I just hired just happens to own a fudge and candy business that she makes everything herself. Her turtles are to die for so mom will be getting a box of those. I still need to go shopping for the rest of the people on my list. Including the furballs.
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Tessa Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo,Salem, Wicca, Marmalade, Amelia, Rocket and Turbo (we iz NOT fosters) and the 5 porch kits, Mocha, Tigger, Cali, Torti and Smudge also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Onyx,Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts & together again//Fly free Penny 12/12/07
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

Not much to do here; didn't even put poinsettias (fake)all around this year like I usually do. Put a dozen big silver plastic ornaments out under the eaves, hung on fishing line
(painless since I could reach without ladder)and stuck some
lighted stars down the sidewalk that my mother didn't want to use this year. Already have the few gifts necessary and only
send cards to those out of state that I don't hear from any
other time except Christmas. Kind of just a "still alive"
note on both our parts. LOL Quit mailing cards to people I
see all the time a few years back when postage began to go up.
Guess I should do some sort of e-letter but haven't gotten to it.
Grinches-R-Us.
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Jeopardy, Catiya, Octavia and Medley

My Dad LOVES turtles, as well. It is the one gift I know to get him for Christmas every year. He loved them from Fannie Farmer, a candy shop in Iowa. They haven't been open for years, but I'll pick up Russell Stover and other brands for him at the holidays...
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Tammy and Pookey
(Stanley 8/91 - 8/07)

>>My Dad LOVES turtles, as well.

Tammy, turtles aren't hard to make, you can even "cheat" and use the Brach's caramels and melt them down... and melted milk chocolate chips. All in the microwave.... It does take a little time and some care, but sooo much tastier fresh than the boxed stuff that was made months ago.

Yumm, PHAbyMom. I do NOT need to know how to make turtles in my own home. That is too dangerous to know... I'll forget you put that awesome idea in my head.
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Tammy and Pookey
(Stanley 8/91 - 8/07)

>>Yumm, PHAbyMom. I do NOT need to know how to make turtles in my own home. That is too dangerous to know... I'll forget you put that awesome idea in my head.
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It's not just your head!!!! I love turtles but usually won't buy them. Now, it's really going to be hard to resist!!!!
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Jeopardy, Catiya, Octavia and Medley

I mailed out most of my cards. I'm not doing many this year. It's going to be a rather simple Christmas because of finances. My husband has wanted to get Wrath of the Lich King since it came out last month. He hasn't gotten it yet, but when he does, it will be considered his Christmas present. I probably will get him something small to unwrap also. The cats are getting some catnip and maybe a fishing pole type toy. I'm not getting them anything fancy. The things I've bought in the past didn't go over. For example: the cat tunnel, a gym exerciser with brushes for the cats to rub against, catnip discs, battery operated mouse. Star has been using the cat tunnel again, but the other things remain unused and in the closet.
Star would be happy with a bunch of milk carton rings and Quentin would like some shoelaces or folded pieces of paper. Along with catnip leaves, those are their favorite things.

Ellen

You have me thinking, Ellen... I think I'll give Pookey a paper wad ball and make his Christmas morning...

I finally got off my duff and did up my Christmas cards yesterday and mailed them off today... I mail out about 25 and then have about a dozen local cards, primarily for co-workers and a couple neighbors.

We have cut adult gift giving in the family a good bit this year and focus primarily on the kids. I will do a good bit of baking (cranberry bread, pumpkin bread, fudge) that I will give to people I visit over the holidays.
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Tammy and Pookey
(Stanley 8/91 - 8/07)

I have all my human family bought for and wrapped. Now I just need to get the furbabies their presents. But I don't dare wrap anything until the night before cause Mya likes to unwrap hers.
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Jaime owned by
Mya and Quinn the dogs
and the cats: Gabby and Moxie
Crashie 08/98 to 09/29/08

I have the tree up but we are not really doing much. I don't dare put any wrapped presents under the tree. Boris just loves unopened boxes! He has had quite a year - he turned 6 this year and we found out that he is extremely sensitive to anesthetics. Took the guy about 5 days before he finally snapped out of it completely. We went on a month long vacation while he spent the month with my daughter so he has been quite content to stay home.
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Boris's Human, Pam