Getting ready for Yule?

[Rhianna813]

How’s the Yule planning coming along in your household?

Share any details about the hustle and bustle….. Are you done shopping or just starting? When do you decorate the tree? Will you be traveling? How many parties or rituals are you invited to?

[ladyalpha]

Yule came too quick again this year. lol We have the tree up, but we still have to go this weekend and get the kids special ornaments.
Shopping in my family usually isn't finished until the 24th. lol We are such procrasinators and usually with all the bills and other things needed to deal with, we have to stagger everything to make it all work out in the end. This year I was happy that I actually got to go along for at least one shopping trip. Usually I stay home with the kids and my husband fights the crowds. Which means I end up not knowing what "we" got them until I am wrapping them. (Something I'm not a big fan of..but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do). This year I got lucky and my mom was able to watch my kids while we went and bought them each a couple of presents, so I at least know those ones.

We definitely will not be traveling. Usually we go to my aunts and others in the family come over too..but this year I'm not sure how we are doing it.
I am debating what we are going to have for dinner for the big night, just to try to save some money. But, it seems we will have to bite the bullet and buy a ham anyway. My oldest is really looking forward to it and my husband said my ideas were good, but not if I was wanting to save money. lol
We are doing our own ritual this year, although we might have members of our local group over for the rite. It depends on what is going on for them and us.

It is a little different for our family because we celebrate Yule and then celebrate Christmas. Yule is strictly about the Gods and then Christmas is all about gifts and feasting from morning to night. lol But, to be honest, I would rather stay at home and away from big gatherings. I feel uncomfortable around a bunch of people, even if they are family members. So after about an hour or so hanging out, I am ready to run screaming for the door just so I can breathe and think again. Yeah..I'm a horrible daughter/niece/cousin/etc..lol

Blessed Yule to everyone,
ladyalpha

[Rhianna813]

We are always on a tight budget, as we do the single income thing. I work, DH stays home with the kid. Sometimes he makes money selling his crafty items on ebay. This year everyone in our state is getting a kick back check though and it should arrive any day now! Woo Hoo!

I canned fruit for the first time this year and this will be my main gift to family and friends. I have 4 neices/nephews and my own DS to buy for, plus DH. I am happy to say I have some lists made LOL I have my project list which includes homemade stuff and getting my canned good looking decorated. Thankfully I have outlined what I am buying for who and which stores to check. Some gifts are already purchased :-)

I decided to not make any new ornaments this year and instead will make Yule cards with my child. We don’t have the tree yet or much decorations up yet….. we are always such slow pokes! It sounds like my Dad’s family wants to celebrate Christmas a few days early this year because our family is big with lot’s in laws and multiple places to visit. That might work out great… or just pile up with the winter solstice activities we do. Crossing my fingers. Luckily most of this is in town, only one short trip down the highway to see the in laws. DH and I are famous (for good or bad) for loving our privacy and only going to the bare minimum of family events. I am already “up to here” with relatives hahahahahaha!

There are two Winter Solstice celebrations/ rituals on the same night, one DH helps co-ordinate; so I will go to that one. We were also invited to the Spiral Scouts Yule ritual, which is open to the public. Oh yeah… and I am also going to a women only Full Moon/ Yule combo ritual. And then I am going craaaaaaazy LOL Thank Goddess I was able to take the whole week off from work this year!

:abanana: :boing: :abanana: :boing:

[Lyrien]

We never do anything pagany for Yule. We have a tree up, but that's as for as we've gotten for the holidays. We usually don't shop for gifts until late, but this year we're on a very tight budget because of some uncertain job changes with my husband's employment. We took family pictures to give as gifts for all of the grandparents, but other than than, we've purchased nothing. I really need to get going with that. LOL

My parents are flying in for Xmas, they do this every year; one of the benefits of living in Florida, I guess. And we will also be having a giant food gorging fest with my family and some friends. I love to cook for others, it brings me great joy.

Other than that, aint nothin' goin' on.

[Lunacie]

My daughter got in the mood and put the tree up the weekend following Thanksgiving. Then the weather got cold so I didn't get to put the lights on the fir tree in front of the house until today.

I like to do as much shopping as possible during the year so as to spread out the cash flow, but couldn't think of any good gifts this year (it's been a rough year). Then my oldest granddaughter was complaining the other day about using the mirror that's located in the hallway and how the light isn't so good there but I complain if she makes a mess with her makeup in the bathroom - so I went shopping for a pretty mirror to hang in her bedroom, and a new comb and brush set to match, and a pretty tray to hold the comb, brush, and makeup on her shelf.

While I was in the store I saw several cute "Dora" items and picked out something for the little granddaughter. Then at work on Sunday I found the perfect bracelet for my daughter and set it aside with a note to the boss so I can pay for it next week. But I can never think of anything to get the old son-in-law or the new possible son-in-law.

[WillowsMuse]

We have all our decorations out...cept one I can't find. Our tree is up...and looks just beautiful. We have lights outside. I'm pretty much finished shopping for pressies. We don't do much pagan-ey stuff, although, I do celebrate Solstice with my best friend.

Here is a pic of our Norway Spruce, Stubby. :hearthear He's just a baby.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w169/willowsmuse/stubbylove.jpg