NationStates Jolt Archive

in case you wondered why your calendar was giving out free chocolate its Christmas and Santa doesn't give presents to naughty people :$

so what have you been buying? can I peek at what you got me? am I the only one who feels they may have brought too much of those chocolate tins?

I brought a ton of clothes for myself when I went shopping in town so I've decided to shop for others on the net and so far have picked up socks, tons of cigarettes and (I feel proud of myself) some P-mates (http://www.femalefreedom.ca/)

Firearms, reloading equipment, ammunition.

Firearms, reloading equipment, ammunition.

you shop at walmart?

you shop at walmart?

I buy the reloading equipment and ammunition from Midway online.

I buy the firearms from an FFL holder in Virginia (never at Walmart).

I don't do Christmas. Atheist, also I loathe to shop, I hate receiving gifts and thus refuse to give them.

I don't do Christmas. Atheist, also I loathe to shop, I hate receiving gifts and thus refuse to give them.

You could at least do Festivus.

You could at least do Festivus.

For the rest of us

You could at least do Festivus.

I could, but then I could also dance naked in the moonlight. Neither is especially likely.

You could at least do Festivus.

Why? Why replace a meaningless sham with another meaningless sham?

Why? Why replace a meaningless sham with another meaningless sham?

Well, it's a meaningless sham without any need for a God. So one might see the appeal to atheists.

Everyone has some family and friends whom they have dysfunctional relations with, so Festivus would work well for those without religion. I wouldn't want them to miss out on the fun.

Why? Why replace a meaningless sham with another meaningless sham?

Meaningless shams are the best reason for living. I'm giving you http://www.hammondscandies.com/candy-coal-p-8.html for Meaningless Sham day.

I don't do Christmas. Atheist, also I loathe to shop, I hate receiving gifts and thus refuse to give them.

I'm similar, I love to receive gifts, I just hate giving people things. Oh but I do enjoy Christmas, because of all the shit I get.

You could just make up your own holiday.

Well, it's a meaningless sham without any need for a God. So one might see the appeal to atheists.

Everyone has some family and friends whom they have dysfunctional relations with, so Festivus would work well for those without religion. I wouldn't want them to miss out on the fun.

The point is - if the event is already hollow, crass, and commercial - why would you replace it with something else hollow, crass, and commercial. Where is the appeal?

Most atheists either don't much care about christmas, or 'celebrate' it because family and friends do. If you're going to celebrate at that time of year, 'festivus' seems pointless - why not celebrate something 'real', instead - like the end of the year, or the December solstice.

Meaningless shams are the best reason for living. I'm giving you http://www.hammondscandies.com/candy-coal-p-8.html for Meaningless Sham day.

No, meaningless shams are a pretty poor reason. It's not that hard to find something 'real', if you NEED to celebrate - you could get thirteen 'real' celebrations a year just by celebrating lunar months.

when did Christmas become about religion:confused:

I buy the firearms from an FFL holder in Virginia (never at Walmart).

oooh is this a hint of what your sending me? because the first time I caught the glimmer of the AUG it was enough :)

I'm similar, I love to receive gifts, I just hate giving people things. Oh but I do enjoy Christmas, because of all the shit I get.

I always enjoy giving myself maybe because I always get crap

Most atheists either don't much care about christmas, or 'celebrate' it because family and friends do.

I'm willing to bet a fair few do it because it fun and traditional...which is pretty much the same for Christians and *gasp* Muslims (well the ones that celebrate Christmas that is)

No, meaningless shams are a pretty poor reason. It's not that hard to find something 'real', if you NEED to celebrate - you could get thirteen 'real' celebrations a year just by celebrating lunar months.

And what purpose does celebrating lunar months serve. Why does it need celebration?

And what purpose does celebrating lunar months serve. Why does it need celebration?

13 more public holidays a year sounds pretty bitching :)

I'm willing to bet a fair few do it because it fun and traditional...which is pretty much the same for Christians and *gasp* Muslims (well the ones that celebrate Christmas that is)

Dealing with my inlaws isn't 'fun'. I could care a little less about 'tradition', maybe - if I really tried.

I 'celebrate' christmas because my wife and my kids do. And because there's food.

And what purpose does celebrating lunar months serve. Why does it need celebration?

I didn't say it needs celebration, or that 'celebrating' lunar months served a purpose.

I just said, if you MUST 'celebrate', you might as well at least celebrate something 'real'.

I just said, if you MUST 'celebrate', you might as well at least celebrate something 'real'.

Why?

Why?

Why do some people insist on breathing 'real' air, or eating 'real' food?

In other words - your question is kind of nonsensical. Why deliberately participate in a lie?

Why do some people insist on breathing 'real' air, or eating 'real' food?

In other words - your question is kind of nonsensical. Why deliberately participate in a lie?
ive always wondered why, too.

"oh i dont believe in christianity so ill make up some other belief that also has no chance to be true"

but then its always been important to me that stuff i believe in be true.

ive always wondered why, too.

"oh i dont believe in christianity so ill make up some other belief that also has no chance to be true"

but then its always been important to me that stuff i believe in be true.

Well, even if you believe in Jesus, and all that... just from the New Testament accounts we know with a pretty good degree of certainty that a December 25th celebration is not 'true' to the 'facts' of the belief.

So - it means two separate things when I say the event is a 'meaningless sham'. First - to someone like me, christmas celebration IS meaningless, and pretending I was really involved WOULD be a sham. But secondly - even to the christian - it's known that it's a symbol, that Jesus wasn't literally born at that point.

Most christians, I'm sure, know that the 'Christmas' festival is an attempt to subvert a pagan festival. It's meaningless upon meaningless, lie upon lie.

i dont have a problem with that. christianity is an amalgam of ancient beliefs anyway. sure it would be better if we all acknowledged it but....its kinda cool to still be celebrating saturnalia.

the only reason that crap exsists is so that we don't celebrate every day

Firearms, reloading equipment, ammunition.

Pics, please. :D

Why do some people insist on breathing 'real' air, or eating 'real' food?


Because you need to, to survive.


In other words - your question is kind of nonsensical. Why deliberately participate in a lie?

What lie? That Jesus wasn't really born on the 25th? Very, very few Christians actually believe it's possible to pinpoint Jesus' birth to exactly that point, so that question is redundant. This doesn't even touch upon the fact that atheists and other religious types celebrate Christmas not to celebrate Jesus' birth, this being a very large portion of the population that celebrates Christmas.

it's known that it's a symbol, that Jesus wasn't literally born at that point.


And by definition, a symbol HAS to have meaning to someone, otherwise it is by definition, not symbolic. Thus you calling Christmas meaningless, is utterly false.

And by definition, a symbol HAS to have meaning to someone, otherwise it is by definition, not symbolic. Thus you calling Christmas meaningless, is utterly false.

No it isn't, because you're conflating several different elements.

I said that - for example - one of the reasons it's 'meaningless' is because it IS meaningless to an atheist. There is no significance to the festival. Which is the point I was making in the context of replacing it with festivus - similarly meaningless.

Another element would be that - being a symbol doesn't mean there's a meaning. The Crucifix is a symbol that has meaning in the christian context - the christmas TREE is not.

No it isn't, because you're conflating several different elements.

I said that - for example - one of the reasons it's 'meaningless' is because it IS meaningless to an atheist. There is no significance to the festival. Which is the point I was making in the context of replacing it with festivus - similarly meaningless.

I think there's lot's of significance about that time of year, but that's a different story. Regardless, I don't see why an accurate date actually makes anything more significant, I don't find my birthday any more significant than Christmas. The fact that a certain duration of time since my birth has passed has no intrinsic value to me.


Another element would be that - being a symbol doesn't mean there's a meaning. The Crucifix is a symbol that has meaning in the christian context - the christmas TREE is not.

It can symbolise many things. For me it symbolises my childhood and the Christmas traditions of our culture that go way back.

What lie? That Jesus wasn't really born on the 25th? Very, very few Christians actually believe it's possible to pinpoint Jesus' birth to exactly that point, so that question is redundant.


Jesus wasn't born on that date... the 'festival' doesn't have any connection to the birth of 'Jesus', or christianity. It takes the rituals of Saturnalia, and attaches them to certain elements of European pagan celebration.

Celebrating 'christmas' is pretending. It's a stolen celebration, on a stolen date. And - let's be honest - almost no one celebrates it in christian terms anyway - if for no other reason that there ARE no actual 'christian' ways to celebrate 'christmas'.

The fact that the question of birth is redundant... is part of the reason why your 'why' question was nonsensical.


This doesn't even touch upon the fact that atheists and other religious types celebrate Christmas not to celebrate Jesus' birth, this being a very large portion of the population that celebrates Christmas.

I don't get what you're saying here - least of all, in the context. It seems like you're trying to discuss how I'm wrong about the meaningless-ness of christmas... by pointing out that it's meaningless...

?

I think there's lot's of significance about that time of year, but that's a different story. Regardless, I don't see why an accurate date actually makes anything more significant, I don't find my birthday any more significant than Christmas. The fact that a certain duration of time since my birth has passed has no intrinsic value to me.


Although, rather tellingly, you still picked a marker for an actual event - you didn't offer 'the fifth Wednesday of the year', or something like that - you refer to a specific 'real' event.

It isn't a matter of an accurate date... it's a matter of we know that the event has no connection to the event it is supposed to represent... and it isn't even dealt with on thoise terms, anyway.


It can symbolise many things. For me it symbolises my childhood and the Christmas traditions of our culture that go way back.

What does? The christmas tree?

I don't get what you're saying here - least of all, in the context. It seems like you're trying to discuss how I'm wrong about the meaningless-ness of christmas... by pointing out that it's meaningless...

?

What I'm pointing out is that by you claiming that people are deliberately lying, you're claiming that by celebrating Christmas you're saying that Jesus was specifically born on this date, this is fundamentally not the case however.

Although, rather tellingly, you still picked a marker for an actual event - you didn't offer 'the fifth Wednesday of the year', or something like that - you refer to a specific 'real' event.


For one thing, Jesus' birth was a real event to a huge portion of Christians. Whether a specific duration has passed since that date is completely irrelevant to whether they should celebrate it or not, which is what I'm getting at.


It isn't a matter of an accurate date... it's a matter of we know that the event has no connection to the event it is supposed to represent... and it isn't even dealt with on those terms, anyway.


The actual event has plenty connection for many Christians, there are more things to an event than the date. What you do during the event, for instance, is much more important.


What does? The christmas tree?

Specifically, putting up the Christmas tree inside your living room and decorating it.

I think I won't partake in this thread, seams like a troll fest... sad really.

I brought a ton of clothes for myself when I went shopping in town so I've decided to shop for others on the net and so far have picked up socks, tons of cigarettes and (I feel proud of myself) some P-mates (http://www.femalefreedom.ca/)

I like that, buy presents for myself. But why would you give someone P-mates? Wouldn't that be a strange not to mention awkard present?

Oh and you have got to tell us if something isn't safe for work.

Well, even if you believe in Jesus, and all that... just from the New Testament accounts we know with a pretty good degree of certainty that a December 25th celebration is not 'true' to the 'facts' of the belief.

Are you saying because he wasn't born on December 25th then that is a bad day to celebrate it? Rather than just having a day to celebrate it as a representation?

My 21st fell on a Tuesday, does that mean it was meaningless to celebrate it the Saturday night before hand? Even though it was just a representation of the actual day. And thenm if true that means the celebration I had the following Saturday was also wrong and not real and neither was the one I had on Friday. In fact the only celebration that was real would have been the one I had on Tuesday night.

People, this is a shopping thread. Shopping! Fun stuff! If you're bored by shopping, go wait for us in the coffeeshop .. I mean, start a new thread ... and have a nice seasonal argument about the Stolen Pagan Holi ... about the date of Christmas.

Like, $12.25 is on topic; 12/25 isn't.

(Hey, did I get the Americanisation of the dates right?)

Like, $12.25 is on topic; 12/25 isn't.

(Hey, did I get the Americanisation of the dates right?)

You got them spot on.

Thanks, btw.

(Hey, did I get the Americanisation of the dates right?)

Yus.

No, meaningless shams are a pretty poor reason. It's not that hard to find something 'real', if you NEED to celebrate - you could get thirteen 'real' celebrations a year just by celebrating lunar months.


Pfsh. Un-birthdays are the way to go.

To contribute something, I havn't bought anything yet, and I can't afford much. Do photographs of yourself make okay gifts for family members?

To contribute something, I havn't bought anything yet, and I can't afford much. Do photographs of yourself make okay gifts for family members?

If you want to look like a huge narcissist, then yes.

Meanie. Mothers love pics of the fruit of their womb.

My almost-problem is what to get for the guys at the parking station, who fudge the entry time for my car every time I'm late so I don't have to pay daytime rates.

I could try the standard slab of Fosters, but maybe some of them don't drink. Ideas?

Meanie. Mothers love pics of the fruit of their womb.

My almost-problem is what to get for the guys at the parking station, who fudge the entry time for my car every time I'm late so I don't have to pay daytime rates.

I could try the standard slab of Fosters, but maybe some of them don't drink. Ideas?
Since they're fudging for you, give them some fudge.

I have discovered that you Aussies go nuts over American fudge. :wink:

Meanie. Mothers love pics of the fruit of their womb.

My almost-problem is what to get for the guys at the parking station, who fudge the entry time for my car every time I'm late so I don't have to pay daytime rates.

I could try the standard slab of Fosters, but maybe some of them don't drink. Ideas?

You don't want me to answer with the first thing that came to mind!

Hmm.. how about a gift card or something? Or a tie, a tie is the perfect I don't know what to gift you gift.

Since they're fudging for you, give them some fudge.

I have discovered that you Aussies go nuts over American fudge. :wink:

According to my daughter, Aussies also go nuts over American Tollhouse Cookies and S'mores.

To contribute something, I havn't bought anything yet, and I can't afford much. Do photographs of yourself make okay gifts for family members?

One year, when I was broke and my kids were both away in the Navy, I bought a photo album, divided it into two sections, one for my daughter and one for my son. I put copies of every picture they sent me in the book, in chronological order. She cried when I gave it to her, said it was the best Christmas present she ever received. I do know it was the one present I ever gave her that didn't end up stored at the back of a closet.

According to my daughter, Aussies also go nuts over American Tollhouse Cookies and S'mores.
S'Mores are good too, though I think Ardchoille might get some strange looks if she builds a fire in the parking lot to make a Christmas treat for these guys.

S'Mores are good too, though I think Ardchoille might get some strange looks if she builds a fire in the parking lot to make a Christmas treat for these guys.

I say do it!

If I build fires anywhere in the open I'm gonna get fines -- it's bushfire season here. But the fudge and the bikkies are great ideas. (Maybe I'll even take my life in my hands and make 'em some boiled-in-the-tin condensed milk caramels.)

*cheesy little-girl voice, closeup camera: Thank You, Nation States General!*

I just got most of my mine from Oxfam Unwrapped

According to my daughter, Aussies also go nuts over American Tollhouse Cookies and S'mores.

never heard of them

I'm getting my grandparents a DS lite and Final fantasy III for it.:D

I'm getting my grandparents a DS lite and Final fantasy III for it.:D

Nintendo DS?

I have discovered that you Aussies go nuts over American fudge. :wink:

Indeed you can make an excellent trap for catching Australians using a garage with an electric door baited with fudge.

Indeed you can make an excellent trap for catching Australians using a garage with an electric door baited with fudge.
Well, if I ever need to catch some Australians (And have a garage with an electronic door handy)...

I have not done any christmas shopping yet. I might start this weekend.

I celebrate both Hanukkah & Christmas (Jewish with a Christian dad). Main consequence? Double the presents.:D

There is one present I will not reveal, because it is for someone on GM.

Otherwise...

$25 FYE gift card (for potential girlfriend)
Earrings (for Mom)
Charlie Wilson's War, by George Crile (for Dad)
Seize The Fire: Heroism, Duty, and Nelson's Battle of Trafalgar, by Adam Nicolson (for dad)

That's it so far. Later today, I'll go to B&N and get a gift card for my best friend. I may also see if I can find any good books to give to Mom for Christmas.

I find that some family members are easier to shop for others. In my case, Dad is easy - I simply make a beeline for the military history section. Alternatively, I can give him a sci-fi novel I have recently read and enjoyed.

Mom is a little harder. I have common tastes in jewelry with my mom, but not quite so in the book department.

My brother, I simply ask him what music he wants, or pick out a video game I think he'll like. Gears of War 2 is probably a safe bet.

Out of money.

According to my daughter, Aussies also go nuts over American Tollhouse Cookies and S'mores.

What are S'mores? I have heard it before but never seen one. And are American Tollhouse a brand or a type of biscuit?

What are S'mores? I have heard it before but never seen one. And are American Tollhouse a brand or a type of biscuit?

S'mores are graham crackers, with chocolate and melted marshmallow on them. They are like heaven in a square package, especially when they are still warm.

Tollhouse makes the best semi-sweet chocolate in the world, its usually bought in little pieces that are put in cookies; very good with nuts mixed in. Cookies are a bit different than biscuits.

Drum kit! I bought my 15 year old a drum kit for crimbo! Man that's soooooo sweet, jammin' time at my gaff

S'mores are graham crackers, with chocolate and melted marshmallow on them. They are like heaven in a square package, especially when they are still warm.

Sounds noce, but what are graham crackers?

Tollhouse makes the best semi-sweet chocolate in the world, its usually bought in little pieces that are put in cookies; very good with nuts mixed in. Cookies are a bit different than biscuits.

Ah ok, and I know what you guys call biscuits, but what you call cookies in Australia and I think the UK it is known as biscuits.

Drum kit! I bought my 15 year old a drum kit for crimbo! Man that's soooooo sweet, jammin' time at my gaff

Until he (or she) gets their friends over with their respective instruments and begin to practice playing and it sounds terrible. :tongue:

oooh is this a hint of what your sending me? because the first time I caught the glimmer of the AUG it was enough :)

Well, you live in the UK, so it's unlikely that they would allow me to climb down the chimney and put this under your tree:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/jtkwon/zombieloadout.jpg

Drum kit! I bought my 15 year old a drum kit for crimbo! Man that's soooooo sweet, jammin' time at my gaff

Don't you live in a flat? You must be mad, if not you soon will be...

Well, you live in the UK, so it's unlikely that they would allow me to climb down the chimney and put this under your tree:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/jtkwon/zombieloadout.jpg

Dude.. Those guns are awesome!

Sounds noce, but what are graham crackers?


C'mon! Even Canadians know what these are...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_cracker

C'mon! Even Canadians know what these are...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_cracker

Good thing I'm not Canadian. But I don't think they are even sold here in Australia at least not widespread. Maybe in some local import store in Sydney but you wouldn't find them in supermarkets.

Good thing I'm not Canadian. But I don't think they are even sold here in Australia at least not widespread. Maybe in some local import store in Sydney but you wouldn't find them in supermarkets.

For real? Jeesh, you'd think that you all lived on some big Island in the Pacific somewhere.

Good thing I'm not Canadian. But I don't think they are even sold here in Australia at least not widespread. Maybe in some local import store in Sydney but you wouldn't find them in supermarkets.

Aussies don't know what graham crackers are?!:eek:
INJUSTICE!!
They are sooooo good.

Aussies don't know what graham crackers are?!:eek:
INJUSTICE!!
They are sooooo good.

I don't know are there any in Finland.

For real? Jeesh, you'd think that you all lived on some big Island in the Pacific somewhere.

:tongue: Yeah you would think we are living down under or something

I don't know are there any in Finland.

At least you know what I mean

:tongue: Yeah you would think we are lived down under or something


Oh it hurts so bad to laugh but I can't help myself...

I hope I'm at least cheering you up a bit before that interview.

Oh it hurts so bad to laugh but I can't help myself...

I hope I'm at least cheering you up a bit before that interview.

lol, yeah it is mate, cheers.

Don't you live in a flat? You must be mad, if not you soon will be...

Why yes I do! Heh and my sanity issues are of course well known within my family.

Music though, is one of the great joys of my life, so I'm really lookin' foward to it. I've never heard my son play, but he is in a ban with some school friends so it should be umm interesting, and of course the chance to play along with my son, I'm all agog at it.:D

I don't know are there any in Finland.

I don't know, but they certainly are here in Spain. And I had them when I was in the US.

lol, yeah it is mate, cheers.

Cool, because I really need to try and sleep soon. Its almost 9 am.

Cool, because I really need to try and sleep soon. Its almost 9 am.

You were up all night?

I need to get some sleep soon too, but then it is just after midnight.

Why yes I do! Heh and my sanity issues are of course well known within my family.

Music though, is one of the great joys of my life, so I'm really lookin' foward to it. I've never heard my son play, but he is in a ban with some school friends so it should be umm interesting, and of course the chance to play along with my son, I'm all agog at it.:D

The next Partridge family perhaps?

You were up all night?

I need to get some sleep soon too, but then it is just after midnight.

Yeah, painful muscle spasms in my chest. I think i am exhausted enough now to sleep though.

Meanie. Mothers love pics of the fruit of their womb.

My almost-problem is what to get for the guys at the parking station, who fudge the entry time for my car every time I'm late so I don't have to pay daytime rates.

I could try the standard slab of Fosters, but maybe some of them don't drink. Ideas?

Banana split cake.

Graham cracker crust, a layer of crushed pineapple, then a layer of cheesecake, then a layer of bananas, whipped cream, with peanuts and cherries on top. My mother makes 'em every year, and while they're too rich for my taste they are quite good.

The next Partridge family perhaps?

Naaa hardly, I just play for my own amusement really.

Yeah, painful muscle spasms in my chest. I think i am exhausted enough now to sleep though.

Oh I hope your alright? Wasn't something heart related I hope. Well when you do go I hope you get a good sleep.

Oh I hope your alright? Wasn't something heart related I hope. Well when you do go I hope you get a good sleep.

I got hit by a car when i was in college, going about 20-25 miles per hour. I shouldn't have been running that fast but...

No actually, it hit me when I was going across the crosswalk, light changed when I was halfway across and the assholes started moving. I thought I had space between 2 cars and bang... bruised my ribs. Now I get painful cramps all through my chest 2 or 3 times a year. It never lasts long. It was either move and get hit, or hold still and get run over...

I got hit by a car when i was in college, going about 20-25 miles per hour. I shouldn't have been running that fast but...

heh lol

No actually, it hit me when I was going across the crosswalk, light changed when I was halfway across and the assholes started moving. I thought I had space between 2 cars and bang... bruised my ribs. Now I get painful cramps all through my chest 2 or 3 times a year. It never lasts long. It was either move and get hit, or hold still and get run over...

Yeah gee that's pretty terrible. What does the doctor say about stopping it? If you don't mind me asking of course.

Yeah gee that's pretty terrible. What does the doctor say about stopping it? If you don't mind me asking of course.

Since its irregular I just use muscle creams and over the counter pain killers. I once got muscle relaxers prescribed for it, but they didn't help.

Since its irregular I just use muscle creams and over the counter pain killers. I once got muscle relaxers prescribed for it, but they didn't help.

Oh ok yeah, well I hope it doesn't cause you to much pain especially when you get older. That isn't going to be fun.

Banana split cake.

Graham cracker crust, a layer of crushed pineapple, then a layer of cheesecake, then a layer of bananas, whipped cream, with peanuts and cherries on top. My mother makes 'em every year, and while they're too rich for my taste they are quite good.
how do you do a layer of cheesecake?


*edit*

ohhhh its a layer of jello no-bake cheesecake eh?

Well, you live in the UK, so it's unlikely that they would allow me to climb down the chimney and put this under your tree:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/jtkwon/zombieloadout.jpg

Nice gun pr0n! :D

I still have a couple of things I need to get / some people I need to give something to where I don't know what yet, but here's the list so far:


Boyfriend: A set of tableware. He moved into a shared flat and his flatmates have not mastered the art of washing dishes in a way that removes yuck from them, and he keeps complaining he wishes he had his own set so that he can just take it into his room and have one he and only he uses.

Boyfriend's mother: An ice-scraper for her car that comes in a polar bear plsuh toy sort of glove. She's infatuated with any sort of bears.

Boyfriend's father: Some sort of candy. He's a sweet tooth.

Boyfriend's sister: A bottle of home-made oil with lots of chilies in it.

Own mother: Chili-oil as well.

Dad: A mouse in car-shape, with functioning head- and rear-lights when clicking. He works at Volkswagen.

Assorted knick-knack for friends.

how do you do a layer of cheesecake?


*edit*

ohhhh its a layer of jello no-bake cheesecake eh?

Yup. Still quite good.

I miss cheesecake.

C'mon! Even Canadians know what these are...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_cracker

They aren't very common over here in the UK, so the normal method is a melted marshmallow mashed between two chocolate digestives. Not the same, but could be a lot worse.

I like that, buy presents for myself. But why would you give someone P-mates? Wouldn't that be a strange not to mention awkard present?

well shes going to do traveling and I figure the whole penis envy thing will make it like a dream come true.

just call me Mr Ice :cool:

Oh and you have got to tell us if something isn't safe for work.

damn I new I should of installed secret cameras on your work computer!

I could try the standard slab of Fosters, but maybe some of them don't drink. Ideas?

how can you be a parking attendants and not drink drink :confused:

buy them some porn.

Out of money.

get a paper round hippy :p

Drum kit! I bought my 15 year old a drum kit for crimbo! Man that's soooooo sweet, jammin' time at my gaff

your neighbors are gonna hate you

Well, you live in the UK, so it's unlikely that they would allow me to climb down the chimney and put this under your tree

better bloody not do without the wrapping paper >.> *sasses the gunman*

SNIP

so you went to an arts and crafts store? :wink:

so you went to an arts and crafts store? :wink:

Huh? No. I went to a regular supermarket (oil, chilies, candy, and mouse) and a kitchen supply sort of store (tableware and bottles, and they also had the polar bear thingy).

.. or am I just not getting the joke?

Tollhouse makes the best semi-sweet chocolate in the world...

Only if, by 'world' you mean the USA.

(Hey, did I get the Americanisation of the dates right?)

Yeah, but we Yanks spell it "Americanization." At least most of us do.

I may be the exception, at least for NS posts. :tongue:

For the love of crap, I bought nothing but crap this year. I'm talking about $20 gifts on the average, and that's to family I'll see on Xmas. On the plus side, I'm completely out of debt.

Yeah, but we Yanks spell it "Americanization." At least most of us do.


You were saying, SarSonia ... ? :D

You were saying, SarSonia ... ? :D

Now you're just being silly. :tongue:

Yup. Still quite good.
im a fan of fake cheesecake as well as the various recipes of real cheesecake.

i was just momentarily flummoxed by the question of how to transfer already done cheesecake to be a layer in another cake.

then the answer came to me because im smart like that.

Cheesecake pudding would also work Ash and it's sweeter. *just use the pie filing recipe


I still have to purchase each of my children's "big presents". (each kid gets one big present and then some traditional presents, like pajamas and clothes and a stocking full of candy and hair bows) I've bought everything but their big presents, mostly because what the young one asked for is way too big to store for very long at all......she wants a house she can fit in. I'm getting her this (http://media.kohls.com.edgesuite.net/is/image/kohls/124415?wid=230&hei=230&op_sharpen=1) one.....I have no place in my condo to put it except in her room, which isn't a very good hiding place. I'm hoping that will suffice and that she isn't actually asking for real estate.

Cheesecake pudding would also work Ash and it's sweeter. *just use the pie filing recipe


I still have to purchase each of my children's "big presents". (each kid gets one big present and then some traditional presents, like pajamas and clothes and a stocking full of candy and hair bows) I've bought everything but their big presents, mostly because what the young one asked for is way too big to store for very long at all......she wants a house she can fit in. I'm getting her this (http://media.kohls.com.edgesuite.net/is/image/kohls/124415?wid=230&hei=230&op_sharpen=1) one.....I have no place in my condo to put it except in her room, which isn't a very good hiding place. I'm hoping that will suffice and that she isn't actually asking for real estate.
ya but it will come in a box, wont it?



i didnt know there was cheesecake pudding.

Speaking of silly ... is anyone shopping for any deliberately silly presents?

The only one I am getting this year is a kitsch parrot fridge-magnet for my (terminally cool, uber-sophisticated) eldest son.

When he was little his favourite toy was a green plush parrot that squeaked. When he was nine I mentioned this in front of another kid and got royally told off for being such an embarrassing parent.

Consequently, every Christmas since then, no matter how broke we all are, he has received some new parrot-related object. His siblings contribute too.

(I know someone who'd appreciate those wonderful P-mates, but an appreciated present doesn't count as silly.)

ya but it will come in a box, wont it?
Yes, but I don't have a place to put the box.....:p My mother in law is taking them Christmas eve and bringing them home Christmas morning, we intend to buy it on the 23rd, and hide it at a neighbors and then while the kids are gone we're going to put it together in her room. When she gets home to open all her presents she won't have her "big" one and we'll say we probably "left it in her room" and then :D


i didnt know there was cheesecake pudding.
It's wonderous. We often use it to make mini cheesecakes which is to put the pie filing in mini-muffin cups and then let it set up and then sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbs on top.

Also cream cheese pudding is good for that too.

Yes, but I don't have a place to put the box.....:p My mother in law is taking them Christmas eve and bringing them home Christmas morning, we intend to buy it on the 23rd, and hide it at a neighbors and then while the kids are gone we're going to put it together in her room. When she gets home to open all her presents she won't have her "big" one and we'll say we probably "left it in her room" and then :D



It's wonderous. We often use it to make mini cheesecakes which is to put the pie filing in mini-muffin cups and then let it set up and then sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbs on top.

Also cream cheese pudding is good for that too.
its there really going to be enough room for her bed with that thing in her room? i would have killed for something like that when i was little.

i gotta start paying attention to the pudding section.

Just done all my Christmas shopping, got my mother a Digital Camera the other day, got all the food tonight. I'm mainly getting lots of clothes for Christmas - gotta look my best! :D

its there really going to be enough room for her bed with that thing in her room? i would have killed for something like that when i was little.
Yeah, she's got a twin sized bed, and a school desk and basically that's it. Her room is rather large (for a 5 year old) it's like 12X15. Her dresser fits in her closet so she has wide expanses of open room. We measured.

i gotta start paying attention to the pudding section.
You really should.

Speaking of silly ... is anyone shopping for any deliberately silly presents?

The only one I am getting this year is a kitsch parrot fridge-magnet for my (terminally cool, uber-sophisticated) eldest son.

When he was little his favourite toy was a green plush parrot that squeaked. When he was nine I mentioned this in front of another kid and got royally told off for being such an embarrassing parent.

Consequently, every Christmas since then, no matter how broke we all are, he has received some new parrot-related object. His siblings contribute too.

(I know someone who'd appreciate those wonderful P-mates, but an appreciated present doesn't count as silly.)

Not shopping for deliberately silly this year, but after my youngest brother was almost killed by a drunk driver (off duty taxi diver), I spent several years buying him toy cars, plush taxicabs, and anything with phrases like 'catching a cab' on.

Only if, by 'world' you mean the USA.

America is the world! The rest is just details.

I should put that on a T-Shirt...

I'm being unimaginative. My daughter raises tarantulas, I'm getting her an Avicularia versicolor and then things like sweaters and fluffy robes. My son is an Avalanche fan so I'm getting him tickets to a home game and then things like sweaters (in Avs colors). I'm crocheting a poncho for the little girl next door (her mom's pregnant and I made a blanket for the baby already) and needlepointing decorations.

There can only be one...

Speaking of silly ... is anyone shopping for any deliberately silly presents?

got a guy mate with long hair some coupons for a free haircut :p

oh and candy G-strings for everyone

gotta look my best! :D

you can't put yourself under the tree silly.

(off duty taxi diver)

:eek2:

:eek2:

I know, right?

D'oh.