Shopping Google-fu sought. I want a P'tit Quiz T'choupi -- in Canada, or at least N America. [more inside]
posted by kmennie on Nov 6, 2009 - 2 answers

I want to make lots of neat little gifts to give friends for Christmas. I'd like these gifts to be useable, elegant, consumable, and grown-up (not decorative, artsy-fartsy crafty crap). My recipients are Pragmatic New Englanders, and would be irked receiving potpourri, eye pillows, embroidered towels, door-hangings, pine-cone-bird feeders, or anything of that ilk. Hence: consumables. In the past I've had past successes making figgy pudding with brandy butter and a collection of homemade ketchups, relishes, mustards, and chutneys, but this year I want to move out of the kitchen. Blow me away with millions of amazing little home-made gift suggestions. [more inside]
posted by mr. remy on Nov 6, 2009 - 27 answers

Turkeys. Which festival consumes the most? [more inside]
posted by popcassady on Nov 5, 2009 - 14 answers

In previous years I've made a lot of cookies to give away to friends and family around the holidays. This year I'd like to do something a little different, but still make it a gift of food. [more inside]
posted by sararah on Nov 5, 2009 - 42 answers

What are some traditions that we can incorporate into our first Christmas solstice together? [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi on Nov 3, 2009 - 21 answers

Holiday gift giving going out of my comfort zone but I don't wanna be a scrooge. Please hope me. Longish explanation inside. [more inside]
posted by pointystick on Nov 2, 2009 - 36 answers

How can I handle my feelings for my parents during this holiday season? [more inside]
posted by bananaskin on Nov 1, 2009 - 32 answers

My girlfriend wants superpowers. What should I get her for Christmas? [more inside]
posted by moonroof on Oct 29, 2009 - 42 answers

I have been taken over by an urge to embroider a Xmas tablecloth. Trouble is, I know nothing about embroidery or cross-stitching and I need a little (a lot of) help getting started, if you would be so kind. [more inside]
posted by widdershins on Oct 29, 2009 - 23 answers

Rome and Italy for X-Mas: bad idea or not? [more inside]
posted by i less than three nsima on Oct 8, 2009 - 8 answers

Christmas? Yule? Santa? Looking for direction in celebrating with my 2 year old son. How did you celebrate the holidays (which was maybe a bit nontraditional) ? [more inside]
posted by beccaj on Oct 6, 2009 - 31 answers

Great places worldwide for a two week snowboarding and sightseeing holiday around Christmas time? [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi on Aug 14, 2009 - 7 answers

Looking for a couple of funny, tasteful christmas songs that would likely have the backing track available. [more inside]
posted by Thrillhouse on Aug 10, 2009 - 7 answers

Which towns in the Mid-Atlantic and New England have good Victorian Christmas celebrations in November / December? [more inside]
posted by larkin123 on Jul 15, 2009 - 8 answers

How late is too late to send out Christmas cards? [more inside]
posted by sandpine on Dec 31, 2008 - 31 answers

Cheese present for pregnant sister, which are safe? [more inside]
posted by speef on Dec 25, 2008 - 10 answers

14 years ago I was given a baby grand piano for Christmas, where it lived at my mother's house until now. She recently remodeled and sold it (with my full agreement) since I have no room for it and interstate moving would cost as much as a new piano. She wants to give me the proceeds since it was my present, but I think we should at least split it since it was a really expensive gift and it has remained at her house. What do you think? [more inside]
posted by true on Dec 25, 2008 - 13 answers

I've got nowhere to go for Christmas and nobody to celebrate it with. Every place I could use to distract myself is closed. The soup kitchens already have too many volunteers. Plus I have no car. I'm going to be bored as hell. What to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 24, 2008 - 37 answers

Last minute Christmas dessert. Someone at my wife's work made this. It's a "cake" made by taking three pies (pecan, pumpkin, apple) and smashing them one on top of the other into a three-layer "Pie Cake". It was frosted with Pecan Coconut frosting. Apparently it was very very good. We can't get in touch with the guy who made it, so we were hoping the hive mind could help us out. If anyone has heard of this, please let us know if it is as simple as taking pies out of their tins, smashing them (gently) into three distinct layers, applying the frosting and VOILA, a weird but tasty dessert item!
posted by high0nfire on Dec 24, 2008 - 4 answers

I have in my possession a large cut of beef called a round roast. What is it (pot roast, maybe?) and how do I cook it - tomorrow? [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri on Dec 24, 2008 - 18 answers

20+ years ago, I heard a recording of the Hallelujah Chorus done by an English village on WFCR. It was horrible. I'd like to hear it again. [more inside]
posted by QIbHom on Dec 24, 2008 - 10 answers

Some time ago either on MeFi or BoingBoing there was a link to a bunch of songs that I *swear* were Christmas songs played in the wrong key or one half-tone down or something... Does anyone have any idea what I'm talking about and where I could find this (again)? [more inside]
posted by mrzer0 on Dec 24, 2008 - 8 answers

For the past two years, I've come across a TV channel broadcasting a looping video of a fireplace with Christmas music. I have no idea what channel it was on, or how/why it exists. All I want for Christmas is answers.
posted by SamuelF on Dec 23, 2008 - 17 answers

Heroin addict decides to face her habit so she moves to the bucolic Scottish (or Irish, somewhere in the UK at any rate) countryside, meets a (decades-older) blind farmer, falls in love, kicks the habit, eventually has to grieve his death, starts writing luminous poetry, publishes... but what is her name, or the name of her book? (last-minute, last-ditch Xmas-gift-filter) [more inside]
posted by Aubergine on Dec 23, 2008 - 4 answers

Beer-basting-poultry-filter: Hi Mefites, I'm cooking my Christmas turkey tomorrow and would like to baste it with some yummy beer. [more inside]
posted by irishkitten on Dec 23, 2008 - 6 answers

My school-aged children received some money for the holidays and decided to buy toys for needy kids instead of spending it on themselves. I took them shopping yesterday and, all told, they've got about $300 in toys to donate in addition to what I'm also kicking in. Now, what are we going to do with this stuff? [more inside]
posted by _Mona_ on Dec 23, 2008 - 11 answers

Should I buy a goat for Christmas? [more inside]
posted by typewriter on Dec 23, 2008 - 22 answers

I want to visit some interesting shops in London... for Christmas shopping. Today. Help! [more inside]
posted by jaffacakerhubarb on Dec 23, 2008 - 9 answers

Please suggest a cafe or restaurant that's open for Christmas day dinner in Melbourne (Australia)? [more inside]
posted by nomis on Dec 22, 2008 - 6 answers

Recommendations for a Christmas meal in Kauai. [more inside]
posted by kamikazegopher on Dec 21, 2008 - 3 answers

What techniques can you use to avoid falling into the family dynamic trap? By that I mean, for the first few hours/days everything's fine with parents and siblings, my identity is intact, but soon after, somehow, we're all playing the same parts we always played (we've all flown the nest)... I find it annoying how I find it difficult to rise above this. ie. feeling intimidated by my older brother, oddly belittled by my younger brother ignored by parents. I'm sure I'm a rather oversensitive middle child but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only factor! This year I am determined to enjoy my Christmas without the family dynamics crap. We're all old enough for this not to be a problem, surely? Futile perhaps, but maybe with your rather general advice I may be able to make inroads!
posted by yowza on Dec 21, 2008 - 33 answers

christmas present filter: help me pick out a book for my grandmother! [more inside]
posted by slograffiti on Dec 21, 2008 - 22 answers

150 gift baskets needed by Monday! Looking for suggestions for SF Bay Area local small businesses, artists or crafters that are likely to have at least 150 of an item small enough to be included in a handbasket. [more inside]
posted by obloquy on Dec 19, 2008 - 7 answers

Cluelesshusbandfilter: Ladies! Help a semi-clueless husband find a book bag for his lovely wife!!! [more inside]
posted by Ponderance on Dec 19, 2008 - 15 answers

When does your family open Christmas presents from each other? [more inside]
posted by Point n Click on Dec 19, 2008 - 30 answers

My boyfriend and I would like to bring some traditional Austin or Texas foods to Louisiana for his family to try over the holidays. Basically, we're looking for tasty treats that will withstand 8 hours in the car (we're bringing a cooler, so cold stuff is fine). So far we've thought of sausage from Lockhart and Bee Butter from the Bee Cave Honey Company. We need some more/better ideas!
posted by odayoday on Dec 19, 2008 - 23 answers

Help me think of cute ways to show my new boyfriend that I'm thinking about him over the holidays! [more inside]
posted by catburger on Dec 19, 2008 - 16 answers

Christmas Cookies Disasters filter: I was making Aunt Sis's Strawberry Tart Cookies, Gourmet's favorite from 1993. They spreaded into flat disks. [more inside]
posted by leigh1 on Dec 18, 2008 - 7 answers

I was a dolt and missed the deadline to ship my Mom's potential Christmas gift to my parent's house before I left town. So now I'm left with one weekend in NYC to find her something pretty for the home that's also small enough to fit in a carry-on suitcase. I need recommendations for classy, inexpensive stores in NYC that carry unique and/or handmade bowls, candle holders, tableware, etc for under $80. [more inside]
posted by Viola on Dec 18, 2008 - 14 answers

I'm looking for gift ideas for a family member who is into snowboarding. He already has all the basics but I do know he needs a new pair of goggles (which shouldn't be hard to find). I'm also interested in any cool accessories that you could recommend beyond the basic stuff your average snowboarder would have. The price range I'm looking for is around $50. Thanks in advance!
posted by adustum on Dec 18, 2008 - 13 answers

What should I do in Istanbul on New Year's Eve? [more inside]
posted by rsk on Dec 17, 2008 - 2 answers

Best gift for under $30? [more inside]
posted by mistikle on Dec 17, 2008 - 19 answers

I'm off to Beijing for the Christmas break and want to take my friends out for a big xmas dinner. It's my first time to the city and I'm struggling to find any good guides to food there. Any recommendations for a good slap-up meal on the 25th? I'll be staying around Chao Yang.
posted by hydrophobic on Dec 17, 2008 - 6 answers

What are some actual examples of this Christmas-time cliche? [more inside]
posted by neroli on Dec 16, 2008 - 16 answers

Manhattan Church filter: My partner's sister is coming for Christmas Eve, and would like to attend mass. [more inside]
posted by roomthreeseventeen on Dec 16, 2008 - 8 answers

How do I celebrate my first Messianic Hanukkah? No one else in my family is Jewish, and they're trying to "make me" celebrate Xmas. [more inside]
posted by hasna on Dec 15, 2008 - 46 answers

Throwing a Doctor Who Christmas special party! I'm in need of clever ideas. [more inside]
posted by sian on Dec 15, 2008 - 22 answers

Two Toronto residents staying in the city over Xmas for the first time. What if any are the quintessential entertainments (restaurants, masses, sporting events, traditions, whatever) taking place in or around Toronto on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephens' Day? [more inside]
posted by jamesonandwater on Dec 15, 2008 - 8 answers

Help me send virtual gifts to my kids overseas. [more inside]
posted by nax on Dec 13, 2008 - 5 answers

Posting this for a fellow librarian, searching for the title of a book or story having to do with a lonely Christmas tree that finally gets chosen by a couple, who then put the tree on the mast of their boat. The story/book is from 30-40 years ago. It is not "The Fir Tree" by Hans Christian Andersen, or "The Legend of the Three Trees". It also has nothing to do with "The Christmas Tree Ship".
posted by chiefbroad on Dec 13, 2008 - 0 answers