How can I bring Christmas to my husband?
December 12, 2018 12:33 AM Subscribe
I don’t celebrate Christmas, and we live in my home country, where Christmas just means time off work and great shopping sales really. It doesn’t bear any special meaning to me other than it’s my husband’s favourite holiday. So I want to do something nice for him.
We just got married in August. He’s from the UK and I’m from Malaysia, so we had 3 big weddings (two in my country, one in his), and a honeymoon in Greece. As you can imagine, it was a big financial toll on us this year so we decided to skip going back to the UK to spend Christmas with his family, as is tradition for us.
Now, he’s a BIG lover of Christmas. He loves the cold, the sitting huddled in the pub with a pint, or around the fireplace with a mug of tea. He loves wearing silly-looking Christmas jumpers. He loves seeing his family and friends from back home over the holidays. He loves the family traditions - the board games, togetherness, food, and presents. LOTS of presents, which means he’s naturally awesome at gift-giving. Me on the other hand, I’m at best cursory at it. I have been giving my brother the same shaving kit every year for his birthday. And Christmas, to me, at least up until meeting my husband, just meant Christmas sales and public holidays.
He's not expecting anything and I don’t think he has anything else in mind besides exchanging presents and watching Love Actually (our own Christmas tradition). So I want to make this a nice surprise.
Some compounding factors:
- No Christmas tree because our cats would destroy it in seconds. Same goes with the usual Christmas decorations.
- Most our Christmas-celebrating friends won’t be in the country or are generally unavailable, so can’t do Christmas Eve dinners or anything like that
- I’m on a very, very limited budget. This is THE most important factor
- My family is staunchly Muslim, so Christmas with them is out
- He’s not about going to church for mass
Things I’ve thought of:
- Skype with his family on Christmas day, would need to work around the 8 hour time difference
- Get him Percy Pigs, his favourite Christmas candy
- And of course a Christmas gift, haven’t decided on what though
And… that’s about it. I’m stumped. Obviously I’m not good at this sort of gesture-y kinda things, I honestly don’t know where to start. I just want to make this Christmas special for my husband, even if he’s thousands of miles away from home and family. I know he would do the same for me if I were in his shoes.
So help me with suggestions please, Mefites!
We just got married in August. He’s from the UK and I’m from Malaysia, so we had 3 big weddings (two in my country, one in his), and a honeymoon in Greece. As you can imagine, it was a big financial toll on us this year so we decided to skip going back to the UK to spend Christmas with his family, as is tradition for us.
Now, he’s a BIG lover of Christmas. He loves the cold, the sitting huddled in the pub with a pint, or around the fireplace with a mug of tea. He loves wearing silly-looking Christmas jumpers. He loves seeing his family and friends from back home over the holidays. He loves the family traditions - the board games, togetherness, food, and presents. LOTS of presents, which means he’s naturally awesome at gift-giving. Me on the other hand, I’m at best cursory at it. I have been giving my brother the same shaving kit every year for his birthday. And Christmas, to me, at least up until meeting my husband, just meant Christmas sales and public holidays.
He's not expecting anything and I don’t think he has anything else in mind besides exchanging presents and watching Love Actually (our own Christmas tradition). So I want to make this a nice surprise.
Some compounding factors:
- No Christmas tree because our cats would destroy it in seconds. Same goes with the usual Christmas decorations.
- Most our Christmas-celebrating friends won’t be in the country or are generally unavailable, so can’t do Christmas Eve dinners or anything like that
- I’m on a very, very limited budget. This is THE most important factor
- My family is staunchly Muslim, so Christmas with them is out
- He’s not about going to church for mass
Things I’ve thought of:
- Skype with his family on Christmas day, would need to work around the 8 hour time difference
- Get him Percy Pigs, his favourite Christmas candy
- And of course a Christmas gift, haven’t decided on what though
And… that’s about it. I’m stumped. Obviously I’m not good at this sort of gesture-y kinda things, I honestly don’t know where to start. I just want to make this Christmas special for my husband, even if he’s thousands of miles away from home and family. I know he would do the same for me if I were in his shoes.
So help me with suggestions please, Mefites!
Here’s what we do (and we have cats) it works for our elementary age school child, he is ALWAYS delighted!
Lights go up above cat height. And we blow up white, red, and green balloons for wherever the presents are. Large trees don’t work for us, but a smaller tree in a pot on top of something the cats are forbidden to jump on, does work. So the presents are wrapped and the ballons surrounds them. It looks magical with the christmas lights twinkling!
Get lots of small & fun inexpensive gifts so there’s lots to open. Games for two people, stuff like that.
I also make Kedgeree for Christmas Morning. We have Proseco (if you drink.) There’s a giant mediterranean style spread with dips, bread, tapas, cheese, and pickles for the all day hang out and game playing or movie watching. There’s a big meal no one eats until it’s leftovers. We go for a family walk.
You could host an open house party on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve.
On Thanksgiving we usually go to the beach, so if you are near a beach and it’s warm (or not! I grew up on the Atlantic!) a beach outing or walk is great on a holiday.
It’s OK to do something adjacent, but meaningful on the day. Some folks go out to the movies.
Memail for the Kedgeree recipe. Mine is an upgrade.
Happy Christmas!
PS. Last year we got a telescope and used it Christmas night, hot chocolate and blankets for nighttime. A++
A cheap telescope is fine to look at the moon or whatever planets are visible right now where you are. You won’t be disappointed.
posted by jbenben at 12:51 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
Lights go up above cat height. And we blow up white, red, and green balloons for wherever the presents are. Large trees don’t work for us, but a smaller tree in a pot on top of something the cats are forbidden to jump on, does work. So the presents are wrapped and the ballons surrounds them. It looks magical with the christmas lights twinkling!
Get lots of small & fun inexpensive gifts so there’s lots to open. Games for two people, stuff like that.
I also make Kedgeree for Christmas Morning. We have Proseco (if you drink.) There’s a giant mediterranean style spread with dips, bread, tapas, cheese, and pickles for the all day hang out and game playing or movie watching. There’s a big meal no one eats until it’s leftovers. We go for a family walk.
You could host an open house party on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve.
On Thanksgiving we usually go to the beach, so if you are near a beach and it’s warm (or not! I grew up on the Atlantic!) a beach outing or walk is great on a holiday.
It’s OK to do something adjacent, but meaningful on the day. Some folks go out to the movies.
Memail for the Kedgeree recipe. Mine is an upgrade.
Happy Christmas!
PS. Last year we got a telescope and used it Christmas night, hot chocolate and blankets for nighttime. A++
A cheap telescope is fine to look at the moon or whatever planets are visible right now where you are. You won’t be disappointed.
posted by jbenben at 12:51 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
Are you in KL? Go to Kenny Hill Bakers and get a few mince pies. They will not be expensive by Kenny Hill standards and will be good. I agree with getting a small tree and decorations (look in Daiso) and put them where your cat can't reach them. It will be really drab for him otherwise. Or helll, use a potted tropical plant, that's what I did one year when I hosted my inlaws for Christmas in KL. (I don't celebrate it either and they are from the UK too). Check and see if they have Christmas crackers. If not, get silly paper crowns or reindeer hats to wear over dinner. (These are normally included in the crackers).
If you can budget a feast for two, try a roast chicken with some Christmasy sides like brussels sprouts and stuffing if you are up to making it. Or go to an expat oriented supermarket like Ben's which will be overflowing with the stuff.
posted by tavegyl at 1:29 AM on December 12, 2018 [9 favorites]
If you can budget a feast for two, try a roast chicken with some Christmasy sides like brussels sprouts and stuffing if you are up to making it. Or go to an expat oriented supermarket like Ben's which will be overflowing with the stuff.
posted by tavegyl at 1:29 AM on December 12, 2018 [9 favorites]
Paper chains are cheap and easy to make, best if you can get red and green paper.
Roast dinner - turkey and stuffing (roast a chicken if you can't get a turkey crown), gravy, roast veg, and homemade Yorkshire puddings (as he's British - they are cheap and easy to make). Cranberry sauce if you can get it.
Play fun Christmas music in the house (pop songs) - you may be able to find top of the pops Christmas specials on YouTube.
If you want to go all out with the cooking make a Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, or mince pies (all somewhat difficult). Gingerbread cookies are much easier.
Make mulled wine with lots of cinnamon - tastes good and will give your home a Christmassy smell. Otherwise try scented candles in cinnamon or pine scents.
posted by hazyjane at 1:32 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
Roast dinner - turkey and stuffing (roast a chicken if you can't get a turkey crown), gravy, roast veg, and homemade Yorkshire puddings (as he's British - they are cheap and easy to make). Cranberry sauce if you can get it.
Play fun Christmas music in the house (pop songs) - you may be able to find top of the pops Christmas specials on YouTube.
If you want to go all out with the cooking make a Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, or mince pies (all somewhat difficult). Gingerbread cookies are much easier.
Make mulled wine with lots of cinnamon - tastes good and will give your home a Christmassy smell. Otherwise try scented candles in cinnamon or pine scents.
posted by hazyjane at 1:32 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
Spotify has great Christmas mixes - the jazz ones are lovely for background music. IKEA has awesome cheap Christmas decorations and DAISO is definitely way cheaper and fun. You can make stockings with Daiso felt, scissors and some fabric glue which is totally fun as a silly evening activity for each other and then fill them up with candy and useful $1 shop gifts like nail clippers and pens. Then next year you have stockings again from the year before. Paper chains I agree are also easy. Snowflakes can be made from print paper and threaded together into big long chains and taped across ceilings in big clouds - best if your walls aren't painted white.
Sainsbury and Tesco treats in the international sections at supermarkets are probably cheaper than M&S Percy Pigs - they are way overpriced here.
The Skype is a lovely idea. Are there other people he'd usually have seen around Christmas that he won't this time like cousins or family friends to also add to the mix?
Do you have access to a colour printer at work/other places? There are lots of Christmas printables on Pinterest that can be made for cute decorations. Another gift option is to print photos and moments from the last year and compile them together into a small notebook as a hipster scrapbook for 2018 to give him. My eldest son is making this box for his girlfriend this year with little notes and some tiny photo printouts in small envelopes for each inside page (no rubber stamping - he's using scrapbook pages) and the contents are an origami heart which unfolds to a gift certificate. Younger son did this previously for his girlfriend (candy inside) and it went over well because of the number of small notes, gifts, pictures inside, and it is pretty easy to make and cost less than $10 to make, depending on paper.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 2:20 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Sainsbury and Tesco treats in the international sections at supermarkets are probably cheaper than M&S Percy Pigs - they are way overpriced here.
The Skype is a lovely idea. Are there other people he'd usually have seen around Christmas that he won't this time like cousins or family friends to also add to the mix?
Do you have access to a colour printer at work/other places? There are lots of Christmas printables on Pinterest that can be made for cute decorations. Another gift option is to print photos and moments from the last year and compile them together into a small notebook as a hipster scrapbook for 2018 to give him. My eldest son is making this box for his girlfriend this year with little notes and some tiny photo printouts in small envelopes for each inside page (no rubber stamping - he's using scrapbook pages) and the contents are an origami heart which unfolds to a gift certificate. Younger son did this previously for his girlfriend (candy inside) and it went over well because of the number of small notes, gifts, pictures inside, and it is pretty easy to make and cost less than $10 to make, depending on paper.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 2:20 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
I‘d do a photo session with him and you in his favourite silly jumpers. Then he has something to share with his family. Maybe a friend could help?
If you‘re feeling saucy, a „sexy“ picture of you in his silly jumper (and little else) might make him happy!
posted by Omnomnom at 3:09 AM on December 12, 2018 [4 favorites]
If you‘re feeling saucy, a „sexy“ picture of you in his silly jumper (and little else) might make him happy!
posted by Omnomnom at 3:09 AM on December 12, 2018 [4 favorites]
What are his favorite Christmas eve and Christmas day meals and traditions? Yes to Christmas music, definitely find time to Skype sometime during the day (can you talk to his family beforehand to set up a time and surprise him?). We have cats but we can still get away with some decorations so don't rule it out completely.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:20 AM on December 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 5:20 AM on December 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
Christmas presents from the cats! (new socks?)
posted by Omnomnom at 5:39 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Omnomnom at 5:39 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Print out a tree poster and hang it on the wall.
posted by sciencegeek at 5:40 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by sciencegeek at 5:40 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Christmas music and a yule log video on the biggest screen you have is very Christmas-cozy to me.
posted by rachaelfaith at 6:01 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by rachaelfaith at 6:01 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
He loves the cold, the sitting huddled in the pub with a pint, or around the fireplace with a mug of tea.
Netflix has an online fireplace. I would make a cozy "nook" in the house. Set up the laptop/computer/phone to stream the fireplace near a comfortable chair. Lay out the items for a nice tea. Bonus if you can get a christmas themed mug.
He loves wearing silly-looking Christmas jumpers.
Wear them all day! And maybe consider getting him some christmas pjs (and a set for yourself too). My husband also loves wearing a Santa hat.
He loves seeing his family and friends from back home over the holidays. He loves the family traditions - the board games, togetherness, food, and presents.
Skype is a great idea. Does he play any online games? Like Words With Friends? Or something else? Maybe you could reach out to friends and see if they want to play. Another thing you could do is get a nice set of holiday cards/winter themed cards and write them together while listening to Christmas music.
LOTS of presents, which means he’s naturally awesome at gift-giving.
I'm not great with gift giving either and my husband is. I've had the best luck when I give myself a theme or rules. A common example is: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read (these are 4 presents, not one present that meets all 4 criteria).
posted by CMcG at 6:07 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Netflix has an online fireplace. I would make a cozy "nook" in the house. Set up the laptop/computer/phone to stream the fireplace near a comfortable chair. Lay out the items for a nice tea. Bonus if you can get a christmas themed mug.
He loves wearing silly-looking Christmas jumpers.
Wear them all day! And maybe consider getting him some christmas pjs (and a set for yourself too). My husband also loves wearing a Santa hat.
He loves seeing his family and friends from back home over the holidays. He loves the family traditions - the board games, togetherness, food, and presents.
Skype is a great idea. Does he play any online games? Like Words With Friends? Or something else? Maybe you could reach out to friends and see if they want to play. Another thing you could do is get a nice set of holiday cards/winter themed cards and write them together while listening to Christmas music.
LOTS of presents, which means he’s naturally awesome at gift-giving.
I'm not great with gift giving either and my husband is. I've had the best luck when I give myself a theme or rules. A common example is: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read (these are 4 presents, not one present that meets all 4 criteria).
posted by CMcG at 6:07 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Sorry for the double post but I just want to say, from one pragmatic gift giver to another, I think it's really awesome that you are going outside of your comfort zone to make the holiday special for your husband.
posted by CMcG at 6:09 AM on December 12, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by CMcG at 6:09 AM on December 12, 2018 [16 favorites]
On the 'decorations out of the way of cats' theme, I've no idea if mistletoe is available in Malaysia, but if not, put a sprig of some other kind of greenery hanging from the ceiling in a spot where it would be fun to kiss every time you're under it - in a doorway, or in front of the fridge, or something!
posted by penguin pie at 6:11 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by penguin pie at 6:11 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
DIY Frost for windows and mirrors from epsom salts and dish washing up liquid.
Stars made from cereal box cardboard wrapped with aluminum foil, string together or hang large ones.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:13 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Stars made from cereal box cardboard wrapped with aluminum foil, string together or hang large ones.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:13 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Oh, and maybe a Christmas stocking for him, hanging up somewhere visible when he gets up in the morning, filled with daft, inconsequential treats. Put a tangerine/satsuma/similar in the toe, then fill up with candy and ridiculous small doodads that he doesn't necessarily need or even want, but which will be nice to receive. Soap, sweets, small toys or puzzles, nuts, a keyring, a mini book, stationery. Google stocking fillers if you want some ideas.
And if you can find it, spray on snow, on the corners of the windows!
posted by penguin pie at 6:18 AM on December 12, 2018 [4 favorites]
And if you can find it, spray on snow, on the corners of the windows!
posted by penguin pie at 6:18 AM on December 12, 2018 [4 favorites]
Cut out paper snowflakes. Cheap, fun, decorative.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 6:19 AM on December 12, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 6:19 AM on December 12, 2018 [8 favorites]
We have a tradition of adding to our paper chain each year (it lives in a rubbermaid storage bin the rest of the year). Each year it gets a little longer, and each year we get to look at the links we made years ago. We decorate each link with crayons, markers, stickers, messages to santa, whatever feels fun. It's a nice, free, way to mark the years.
posted by lizifer at 6:27 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by lizifer at 6:27 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
If you can't find pre-made Christmas crackers around, they're relatively cheap/easy to make at home. Maybe DIY crackers that you make for each other could even become part of your holiday tradition?
posted by helloimjennsco at 6:47 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by helloimjennsco at 6:47 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Air freshener, candles or potpourri with scents of the season: pine and fir, bayberry, cinammon and clove.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 6:52 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 6:52 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
I have cats, and I have a small potted rosemary plant, trimmed in the shape of a tree. You could maybe make some greenery decorations out of sprigs of rosemary, tied with some colorful ribbon. My cats won't go near it. Plus, you can use some for cooking, if you make a chicken, or a piece of lamb, etc.
My FIL was from the UK, and his favorite fancy dessert was trifle. Layers of cake (I used pound cake), dowsed in sherry, with raspberry jam, fresh berries, and vanilla custard, topped with whipped cream. You can make little ones in small bowls or glasses.
Whatever you make for Christmas dinner, be sure to include some roasted potatoes.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:54 AM on December 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
My FIL was from the UK, and his favorite fancy dessert was trifle. Layers of cake (I used pound cake), dowsed in sherry, with raspberry jam, fresh berries, and vanilla custard, topped with whipped cream. You can make little ones in small bowls or glasses.
Whatever you make for Christmas dinner, be sure to include some roasted potatoes.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 6:54 AM on December 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
There were a lot of good suggestions in this similar question from last year.
posted by Funeral march of an old jawbone at 7:21 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Funeral march of an old jawbone at 7:21 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Definitely a good Xmas playlist. The music is about 80% of it.
Is there a church near you that does a Christmas Eve service? That’s the sort of thing that you can just walk into for free as a surprise for him. The one I go to is pretty damn magical - everyone singing carols and holding candles.
posted by bunderful at 7:33 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Is there a church near you that does a Christmas Eve service? That’s the sort of thing that you can just walk into for free as a surprise for him. The one I go to is pretty damn magical - everyone singing carols and holding candles.
posted by bunderful at 7:33 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Wow guys. Seriously thank you all for such great suggestions. Especially love the DIY ones but really I would favourite all answers they're all helpful. This Christmas-noob is buzzing with ideas now!
posted by milque at 7:34 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by milque at 7:34 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
Christmas is in the end of December because that's when the Winter Solstice is, and a lot of Christmas symbols are about light and life (evergreen boughs and trees). Malaysia being so close to the equator, this is not as apparent, but lights are so much a part of the holiday. I would do much of the above - favorite candies (can the family send them?), mince pies, paper garlands, Christmas music, scented candles, lots of candles, paper snowflakes. Fairy lights are pretty anyway, and very Christmas-y. They can be twined with the paper chain garland to good effect, and if you use green paper, you can say it represents evergreen branches. Gingerbread is tasty and traditional, and smells like Christmas while cooking.
Roast beef(roast chicken, lamb) and Yorkshire puddings, more, roast potatoes, peas. You may be bale to get a Plum pudding from amazon or at a shop; it's really a cake with fruit. It's best warmed and with brandy added, and with brandy sauce - butter, powdered sugar, brandy. Christmas crackers are usually done after dinner. This is really a nice thing, have fun.
posted by theora55 at 8:13 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Roast beef(roast chicken, lamb) and Yorkshire puddings, more, roast potatoes, peas. You may be bale to get a Plum pudding from amazon or at a shop; it's really a cake with fruit. It's best warmed and with brandy added, and with brandy sauce - butter, powdered sugar, brandy. Christmas crackers are usually done after dinner. This is really a nice thing, have fun.
posted by theora55 at 8:13 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
If there will be a time on Christmas eve or day when you will be home and he will be coming in, darken the house, light candles and put on his favorite music. It's nice to have a moment when the holiday officially starts.
posted by BibiRose at 8:48 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by BibiRose at 8:48 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
When I was far away from home a friend asked me what my favourite Christmas stocking stuffers were. I rattled off the things my family always put in our stockings ... And he gave them to me in a basket for Christmas.
Still one of my favourite gifts. None of it was expensive, it just meant I had the particular chocolate and treats I missed.
Can you find out from him parents what the stockings would normally contain?
posted by chapps at 8:55 AM on December 12, 2018 [6 favorites]
Still one of my favourite gifts. None of it was expensive, it just meant I had the particular chocolate and treats I missed.
Can you find out from him parents what the stockings would normally contain?
posted by chapps at 8:55 AM on December 12, 2018 [6 favorites]
Christmas presents from the cats!
Christmas presents for the cats!
Christmas presents exchanges between the cats!
Christmas presents exchanges between your cats and any other friends with pets!
posted by soelo at 10:32 AM on December 12, 2018 [7 favorites]
Christmas presents for the cats!
Christmas presents exchanges between the cats!
Christmas presents exchanges between your cats and any other friends with pets!
posted by soelo at 10:32 AM on December 12, 2018 [7 favorites]
Definitely have him wake up and find a full stocking. In the US at least, it's often traditional to stuff the toe with a fruit--apple, orange, and in my family it was often a pomegranate. Other things my family would put in the (adult) stocking would be toiletries, little kitchen gadgets, maybe socks or underwear, candy canes, chocolate (Santas?), individual sized snacks, and other little things.
You can use a literal sock if you don't have a stocking, but make sure it's a knee high, or it kind of lacks the oomph you want.
posted by Stewriffic at 10:37 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
You can use a literal sock if you don't have a stocking, but make sure it's a knee high, or it kind of lacks the oomph you want.
posted by Stewriffic at 10:37 AM on December 12, 2018 [5 favorites]
Also, for reference, "stocking stuffer" is a search term to help you find out what sorts of things you can put in a stocking.
posted by Stewriffic at 10:47 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Stewriffic at 10:47 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
I spent Christmas in Malaysia a few years ago now (it was great!) and was really surprised by how extremely Christmassy public spaces were. Christmas decorations in shopping centers were next-level. And performances! There were singing elves on centre stage... troupes of nutcracker soldiers and ballerinas. Like your husband, I love Christmas, and this was a delightful surprise. Maybe a tour of Christmas displays/lights (this is a Very Christmas Thing in the UK and Australia) and take in a free shopping centre performance? Completely free! We were in KL and KL Central was especially mind blowing with many many Elves and a brilliantly over the top three-story high Teddy bear in an Xmas jumper. On Christmas Day we Skyped to family and wore ridiculous Christmas hats - and then streamed Christmas movies. This is a lovely thing to do for your husband - have fun!
posted by t0astie at 11:11 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by t0astie at 11:11 AM on December 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
If he's used to lots of presents, wrapping up a lot of small things might be more satisfying to him than one big thing.
posted by metasarah at 12:52 PM on December 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by metasarah at 12:52 PM on December 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Candles? You should be able to get them in red and green and white. Not too pricey, I wouldn't think.
Solid decorations? I don't know what's available to you locally that would fit your budget, but little figurines of Santas and sleighs and little houses with chimneys curling up smoke &c. are pretty widespread. Put them on your mantel or similar. They're not usually terribly fragile.
posted by praemunire at 12:46 AM on December 12, 2018 [7 favorites]