Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with christmas

Can you help identify this Christmas Present?

Fiat124 — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 12:15:28 -0800

Can you help identify this Christmas Present? My mom received, um, something, from her friend for Christmas and has been pulling her hair out trying to figure out what it is. I have no idea what it is either, so I thought I'd see if the hivemind could shed some light on what this thing is:

Mystery Pic 1
Mystery Pic 2
Mystery Pic 3
Mystery Pic 4

Thanks!

Is there a way to approach unequal staff Christmas presents at my workplace that will not come off as me being jackassy?

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:34:57 -0800

Is there a way to approach unequal staff Christmas presents at my workplace that will not come off as me being jackassy? I work at a small private school as a specialty teacher and I feel like every year, the staff Christmas presents from the parents become more and more unreasonable. I don't teach for the presents and I don't expect them per se, but when I know they are happening and I see such huge inequalities, I have to admit, it stings a little.

The first year I was there, each class gave me a present. They collected from all the parents in the class, and divided it so the homeroom teacher got 2/3 of it and the specialty teachers (music, French, art) for 1/3 split between them. In the last year or so, they have been kind of winging it.

I am a specialty teacher and unlike the art and music teachers, I am full-time and see each class every day. I teach 7 classes and got a gift card on behalf of the whole school for $125, which is less than $20 per class. The homeroom teachers, who work the same hours as me, got a single present from their own class and these ranged from Tiffany jewelry AND a spa gift card for one teacher to a brand new iPad for another. It just doesn't seem fair.

I want to emphasize, I am not complaining about the stuff per se. I just don't think the parents should be buying *anybody* an iPad here! And it does sting when my work seems to be valued at $17 per class and another teacher's work seems to be valued at $500! I just wish the principal could intervene and set some guidelines here for next year so that *if* parents feel compelled to buy teacher gifts (which, again, I don't think they should have to do at all) there is some sort of guideline for them on who works with their kids, how much, and what a reasonable limit is for gifts for each of these people.

I grew up in a blended family where blatant inequality such as this occurred (xbox for one kid, scented candle and paperback novel for another) so I understand that I am perhaps over-sensitive to this issue. And I do want to emphasize again that for me, it truly is not about the stuff---it's the inequality that hurts---hearing of other co-workers who work the same hours with the same kids as me bragging about what they got and I got so much less than they did...

So...is there a way to approach this with the boss where I won't come across as a total jackass? I can wait until the year-end meeting and mention it as a thing to work on for next year, or address it now, whatever is best. It is not an urgent, burning issue. But if there is a way to do it where I don't come across looking like a jackass or a scrooge, I'd like to say something...

Can Twelfth Night be twerrific?

mostlymartha — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:48:20 -0800

What are some fun, delicious, or delightful things my husband and I could do that would make great Twelfth Night traditions? I love fabulously festive Christmas to-do. However, my job is incredibly stressful during the holiday season, so I never get to put up my tree and get in the spirit until December 23rd at the earliest. As a result, I like to keep the holiday going at my house through Twelfth Night, and I feel like having an Official Tradition would make it even more fun.

Other than giving gifts or having a party, what could we do/make/eat to make our Twelfth Night special?

I like you, but I hate the gifts..

baconandvodka — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:54:41 -0800

Is there a polite way to tell your significant other that you absolutely hate the gifts you've received from them for holiday? But wait!! I'm not being snooty for the reasons you'd think I would! More inside.. He got me three things for Christmas, but they all seem last minute and non personalized. On the other hand, all the gifts I got him-- they were based on things that he obviously was into and loved. It was the type of situation where you open the wrapping and you're like.. "You don't know me at all, do you?"

But here's the kicker! On other occasions, he's gotten me things that I obviously like. It's not he's oblivious to my likes-- he isn't. We've been together for 3 months and he's purchased me gifts before that were intune to my likes and dislikes.

But for Christmas it was like I got the left over gifts that he had for other people. I feel like there wasn't any effort put into the gifts and he just did it b/c he *had* to do it. Doing the gift exchange was his idea too! I'm not being bitchy about the monetary amount of the gifts, I could care less about that, I have a problem with how he didn't give a single bit of consideration to the things I'm interested in or like. If I knew that the gifts were going to be like this-- I would have declined even exchanging gifts in general.

Am I being petty? Do I just bite my tongue, be bitter about it and then end up holding this against him, or should I say something? If I do say something-- HOW? He's SO sensitive and I'm blunt.

R is for... really cool gift that begins with R?

booksherpa — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:18:20 -0800

I need to buy a few small gifts that begin with the letter R for a family gift exchange. My budget is $20, the potential recipients range from an 18 year old college freshman to a 70 year old. My family in general has a wacky sense of humor, are fun and silly, like music, and will be appreciative of cleverness in the execution of the theme even if the gift(s) don't have much function or practical purpose, though I don't want the gifts to be completely useless. One thought I've had is buying 20 "R" things at a dollar store, but I'm not sure I could come up with 20. I don't know why I'm so stumped on what to get. Help!

How do I transform cookies into lasting Christmas tree ornaments?

film — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 14:13:03 -0800

How do I turn my gingerbread man cookies into long-lasting Christmas tree ornaments? My brother and I decorated our gingerbread man cookies with royal icing glaze, and they turned out so awesome, that we want to turn them into permanent tree ornaments for next year. Does anyone have any idea how to coat them and make them more sturdy that we can keep them for use for next year?

I am thinking shellac or resin, but seeing if anyone has experience already doing so.

Thank you!

Help me find a Christmas song that sounded like the A-Team!

markblasco — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 23:33:06 -0800

Help me find a Christmas song that sounded like the A-Team! I heard a song on the radio today while driving in the Seattle area, sometime around 1:30 or so. It was an orchestral christmas song, it may have been a medley, I definitely recognized it, although now I can't for the life of me remember the melody. The sound was like the A-team theme, a 70's/early 80's orchestral group with some rock drums in there. Probably electric bass, although I couldn't tell in the car. Lots of strings and horns, but not a lot of guitar (if any, I'm not sure that there was any guitar in there at all). At first I thought it was super cheesy, but as it kept going I started moving my head along with the music, and by the time it was over I was determined to find it. Of course, we had a family gathering and I couldn't look it up, and now I have no idea what it was.

I need to find this, my soul cries out for it. Plus, it will probably drive my wife crazy, and that is always a plus (well, I guess not always, but in this case it would be).

So, think early 80's orchestral rock version of christmas music. What is it, and where can I find more of it?

Southwest Christmas jazz?

dhartung — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 12:05:18 -0800

I just heard a recognizable piece of music at a Christmas event, but can't name it. General characteristics are that it has what I would call a Southwestern feel but it was in a jazzy motif (possibly just because of the make-up of the group). The main tune was possibly a tenor saxophone (but may have actually been played by a keyboard, I didn't see the brass on stage). The song reminded me a lot of Ravel's "Bolero" but was not Bolero or a Christmas arrangement of it, and didn't have the march feeling of the Bolero harmony. The sax line had a series of notes that would match very closely with the Fiddler on the Roof line "Is this the little girl I carried?" but instead of repeating and then a counterpoint, it drops an octave and you have a fillip or flourish more like "Bolero". It did not, however, have the same overall feel of building tempo and intensity like Bolero.

Because all of the other music was dead-familiar Christmas standards ("Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", "White Christmas", etc.) I'm pretty certain this one had a holiday motif as well. And as I say, I know I've heard it before.

GET THEE TO SUNSHINE NOW.

roboton666 — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:15:15 -0800

What should I expect flying with a young child (8) from Seatac on Christmas morning? I fly out at 7:00 AM, boards at 6:30. I'm planing on getting there between 5:15-5:45.

Has anyone flown out on Christmas day? I imagine it will not be busy, but I also wonder if the airport will be lightly staffed, making getting any drinks and food after the security line difficult.

I'm not too worried about it, but if if I am totally wrong and it's like "OMFG madhouse get ready for hours of lines", then I should probably adjust my arrival time.

What is the best "Santa Tracker" for a first gen iPad?

leafwoman — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 08:18:06 -0800

Help me find the best Santa Tracker What is the best "Santa Tracker" for a first gen iPad? A website or an app would be fine. This is for a group of youngsters aged 4 to about 16 and with several scattered between those ages. All but one is a girl and the boy is 8 or so.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays MF'ers!

Birmingham on Christmas Day: options?

Wordshore — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:07:48 -0800

Birmingham, England. Christmas Day. Is *anything* open at all? Looking for places to eat (if possible), and anything to do in terms of entertainment and culture. Ideally near or in the city centre, as public transport will be off and taxi fares exhorbitant. So far, have just got a few chains of Wetherspoon pub, and the occasional corner shop.

Quick Christmas Pudding

lungtaworld — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 14:19:52 -0800

Due to a very recent decision to cook Christmas Dinner (rib roast and Christmas Pudding) I need a quick version of an unsteamed pudding that I can make today and serve on Tuesday. Should be dark and succulent and fragrant. I am soaking the dried fruits in rum as I write this. Inventive Cooks please help me.

I'm sorry I don't feel pain the way you think I should, but...

six sided sock — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:04:15 -0800

A couple of weeks ago, I moved out of my marital home (details in my posting history). Whilst I seem to be doing okay, most people expect me to not be. In fact, they seem to expect a fragility and sadness from me that I'm not feeling even remotely. This has lead to some judgements from people that I could have done without. How can I navigate the sympathy of folks during the holiday season without having to pretend to be an emotional mess (which I'm not) and without suffering judgement from people who don't know the whole story (Which I can happily live without). Since I left I've experienced a range of emotions, but they seem to have settled down since I moved in to my own apartment. I've had help from friends with basic decorations and putting-together of flat-packed furniture, and right now I'm quite content in my new home.

But people seem to think that I shouldn't be. They seem to expect me to be a blubbering wreck, incapable of celebrating Christmas without my wife. Some of them who know us both have pointed out that my wife is very lonely and finds all the accoutrements of Christmas miserable-making, whereas I have gone out and bought myself a tree and had great fun decorating it with friends.

The most judgemental comment I've had so far is that I'm not showing any respect to my marriage by having a good time. I should, it seems, be as miserable and low as I can be, and anything else means that I'm not a good enough estranged husband (or something).

These comments are coming from people that I can't really avoid contact with, as they're either family or close family friends. I'm going to be spending the next couple of weeks away from my hometown exactly so I can avoid things, but whilst I'm here people seem keen to drop their opinions on me without asking.

So, Mefites, how can I either avoid being judged or at least gently discourage them from sharing their judgements with me when I don't want them?

Finding a Christmas treat from the past

nassep — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:53:58 -0800

Hello We are looking for a Christmas treat. They were toffee like almonds but I have googled this and only find recipes for toffee almonds. They are sugary, crunchy and In Australia around the late 1980s. We can remember having them but can't seem to remember their name. Any help will be appreciated. Angela

Looking for a Messiah...

Currer Belfry — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:53:16 -0800

Looking for Messiah sings, greater Boston area. It may be a bit late for this year, but can anyone recommend a good Messiah sing in the greater Boston area? (I'll gladly schlep to Portsmouth, the South Shore, or Nashoba Valley for a good one.)

I'd prefer one where the audience sings the whole thing (or at least substantially all of it). Would love to perform it with a full-fledged chorus and orchestra, but I've found a great festival chorus for the holidays, and rehearsals for that group take priority. But there is always time for a Messiah sing.

If any group does a Messiah sing around Eastertime (which seems like a better fit for the Messiah), I'm open to that too.

Thank you and merry Christmas/Festivus to everyone.

A Christmas Breakfast Miracle?

MsVader — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:41:19 -0800

What are your best recipes for a savory breakfast casserole that can be prepared the night before and cooked in the morning? I'm in charge of bringing an egg-and-sausage-type casserole for Christmas morning festivities with my family. We've had egg-cheese-sausage casseroles in the past that were OK, but always ended up being a little too salty or too blah. Now that it's my turn to make something, I'd like to find a more interesting (and tasty!) recipe.

Searching the typical recipe sites is kinda useless, since people will give five stars to just about anything. I'd prefer to have recommendations from the AskMe hive mind, because, well, I trust you guys.

Details:
- It'll need to serve 10 people (including two kids, ages 4 and 6)
- The less morning prep time, the better
- I'll need to transport it in the car, so excessively liquidy casseroles might be a problem
- I have a crockpot, so perhaps that can be used?
- There will also be a french-toast-type casserole, so I was thinking mine should be on the less-bready side.

How to present surprise gift to grandparents

pear — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:01:22 -0800

For Christmas, my family is endowing a college scholarship in my grandparents' name. My grandparents have no idea. How should we present this gift to them? The endowment is a not-insignificant amount of money. My grandparents' children (my dad and aunt) and their grandchildren (my sister, cousins and me) will all contribute to the endowment, along with our spouses.

We're planning to frame and wrap the endowment certificate but beyond that, we'd like this to be a really special moment for them and us. In total, there will be ~20 people there to help give the gift, including both of their children and all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and spouses.

A little background - My grandparents were both teachers and education has always been incredibly important to them. They met at this college and my dad, my aunt and some of my cousins got degrees there as well. In part because of their encouragement and support (both emotionally and financially), all the cousins are college educated and some of us have graduate degrees. Also, five family members now teach in some capacity.

My grandparents are incredibly warm, kind and generous people. They've always made a point to be there for the big (and not so big) moments in our lives. I could go on and on but, in short - they're amazing and we all love them so much.

They're also getting older (mid- to late-80s) and, although they're in great shape now, we've all started to think about their legacy. Of course they're leaving a huge, huge mark on their family but it'll mean a lot to them that a student will receive scholarship money in their name every year. We expect there may even be tears from my typically-stoic grandfather.

So, any ideas for how to present this to them? We'd like the giving of this gift to be more of an "event" than a "oh hey, here's this gift for you that was under the tree".

Last Minute Amazon Gift

starkraven — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 04:54:43 -0800

Your idea for ~$125 gift exchange gift that can be bought using Amazon Prime today for arrival tomorrow? I really did check out the GiftIdeas wiki and the gift and Christmas tags, but saw nothing useful. I'm participating in a gift exchange where the gift value should be near $125. I'd like to order it from Amazon today, using Amazon Prime, and have it arrive tomorrow. The gift should be basically gender neutral -- I consider both kitchen and tools to be gender neutral. Can you help me, hive?

Good online source for Christmas carol tabs?

freem — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:45:54 -0800

Anyone know of a reliable source for guitar tabs/chords for Christmas carols on the web? Searching for tabs for Christmas carols brings up the usual plethora of ultimate-guitar.com and 911tab.com links, which feature six different wrong-sounding versions of every carol. A single good source of correctly transcribed christmas carols would be a tremendous boon. Anyone?

Suggest fun, weird movies for Christmas watching?

Grandysaur — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:36:30 -0800

I'm looking for non-traditional fun (maybe dark) Christmas movies, for my Christmas day full of movies. Right now, I'm watching Rare Exports, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hogfather . Any other awesome and ridiculous suggestions? From this askme I'm considering He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special, and Blackadder's Christmas Carol.
Netflix instant play would be awesome, but not necessary.

Bah! Humbug!

zizzle — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:58:33 -0800

Which film versions of "A Christmas Carol" or "Scrooge" should I absolutely watch in the next few days. I developed a tradition of reading the novel in December a few years ago, but due to timing, I wasn't able to read it this year. So I would like to watch as many film versions as possible.

I have seen the following so far:

1935 w/Seymour Hicks
1951 w/Alastair Sim
1983 Mickey's Christmas Carol
1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol

There are sort of only a few hundred more. So of them, which are the absolute MUST SEES.

Thank you!

Gift/Activity ideas for Dog

Youremyworld — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:20:51 -0800

Christmas gift/activity ideas for my dog? My dog, Lily, a 4 year old Australian Terrier, is the love of my life. After my partner and daughter of course! I would like to think of new activites and toys/treats that she might like.

I have never really been a dog person as I have quite a fear of dogs although since I got Lily I have become a lot more confident, so things that involve other dogs are ok too. I really want to do different things with her that will stimulate us both and show her how much I love her. She gets lots of attention and cuddles at home but we don't get out as much as I would like to. She loves walks and rides in the car.

What types of things does your dog like doing?
What types of toys and treats do they go wild for?

How to keep the kids busy and me sane on Christmas

rebeccabeagle — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:31:14 -0800

We are hosting the family Christmas celebration this year. I've got the food, the gifts, and the decorations under control. I need help with the entertainment. In particular, entertaining eight kids in a very small house. Our family gatherings are usually hosted by the folks with larger houses and playrooms. The kids are turned loose upon arrival and when they get too boisterous are herded into the playroom. This won't work in our house, since not only do we not have a playroom, but barely have a room big enough to fit all eight children. (And despite having children ourselves, our house is not particularly child-friendly.) I'd like to plan some activities to keep the kids entertained and keep the Christmas-bouncing-off-the-walls to a minimum.

The children range in age from 3 to 11. Playing outside is not really an option. Table space for crafts or board games will be very limited. Whole family activities are good, but things that keep the kids busy while the adults eat and socialize are even better. I know I could probably corral most of the kids with a movie, but it would be really nice to have some other tricks up my sleeve (and maybe even create some new holiday traditions!).

Stocking Stuffers for Young Boys

qsysopr — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 05:03:06 -0800

Can you suggest some stocking stuffers for two boys, ages 11 and 13? They need to be inexpensive ($5ish) and ideally Amazon Prime items. Unsurprisingly, the boys like sports and video games. I'm a big reader though and I try to instill a reading habit in them when I can. I always loved my stockings growing up (and was disappointed when mom thought I was too adult to have them anymore) so I need good ideas for my own son's stockings.

Show me a link to your favorite, male, solo (as in, no groups) rendition of "O Holy Night".

brownrd — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:26:36 -0800

Show me a link to your favorite, male, solo (as in, no groups) rendition of "O Holy Night". Acapella is good too. I am singing, yet again, on Christmas Eve. I do this song the same way every time. I am a reluctant tenor if that helps. I want to see how others do this.