Comments for Slow Christmas http://slowchristmas.org spend less money, spend more time Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:02:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on And on earth, goodwill toward men by Quintin Endow http://slowchristmas.org/2009/11/13/goodwill-toward-men/#comment-202 Quintin Endow Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:02:38 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=228#comment-202 Hi cheers for an incisive post, I really found your blog by mistake while looking on Goole for something else closely related, in any event before i ramble on too much i would just like to say how much I enjoyed your post, I have bookmarked your site and also taken your RSS feed, Once Again thanks for the blog post keep up the great work. Hi cheers for an incisive post, I really found your blog by mistake while looking on Goole for something else closely related, in any event before i ramble on too much i would just like to say how much I enjoyed your post, I have bookmarked your site and also taken your RSS feed, Once Again thanks for the blog post keep up the great work.

]]> Comment on The Best of Slow Christmas by Karen http://slowchristmas.org/2009/12/23/best-of-slow-christmas/#comment-117 Karen Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:02:20 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=856#comment-117 On the only-stockings-for-Christmas idea, I found out that my friend's family instituted that new tradition for the whole family, not just the parents. Apparently, no one died from it. To Eden on cooking with kids: I find that I can do it only when one dish is being made. Trying to get multiple dishes ready at the same time while paying attention to a toddler's antics makes me nutty. So Jack cooks with me when I'm only doing a dessert or a one-dish meal. He's very into it! On the only-stockings-for-Christmas idea, I found out that my friend’s family instituted that new tradition for the whole family, not just the parents. Apparently, no one died from it.

To Eden on cooking with kids: I find that I can do it only when one dish is being made. Trying to get multiple dishes ready at the same time while paying attention to a toddler’s antics makes me nutty. So Jack cooks with me when I’m only doing a dessert or a one-dish meal. He’s very into it!

]]> Comment on Down to the wire: 3 steps to Christmas sanity by Resolution: Slow Christmas meet Slow Life « Slow Christmas http://slowchristmas.org/2009/12/16/3-steps-christmas-sanity/#comment-110 Resolution: Slow Christmas meet Slow Life « Slow Christmas Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:36:18 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=749#comment-110 [...] And now I must say goodbye.  I’ll be thinking of you often throughout the year, dear Slow Christmasers. Be sure to make your requests for next Christmas in the poll to your right. And when things get rough, don’t forget to stop, think, and drop. [...] [...] And now I must say goodbye.  I’ll be thinking of you often throughout the year, dear Slow Christmasers. Be sure to make your requests for next Christmas in the poll to your right. And when things get rough, don’t forget to stop, think, and drop. [...]

]]> Comment on The Best of Slow Christmas by Betsey Washler http://slowchristmas.org/2009/12/23/best-of-slow-christmas/#comment-107 Betsey Washler Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:31:41 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=856#comment-107 This was an entertaining read, I'm always on the watch for great articles and blog ideas so thanks. I've bookmarked this article so I'll stay in touch! This was an entertaining read, I’m always on the watch for great articles and blog ideas so thanks. I’ve bookmarked this article so I’ll stay in touch!

]]> Comment on About Porter by Julie http://slowchristmas.org/about-porter/#comment-94 Julie Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:47:56 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?page_id=62#comment-94 Hi Porter. So glad I read about this at work. This is definitely going to catch on. I used to jealously watch a friend of mine knit, sew, crochet, paint or bead beautiful things to give to friends and family for Christmas. Tiring of walking the malls and other shops for unique gifts, I decided this year to make little felt tree ornaments. So after Thanksgiving I sat down with felt, threads, beads, and patterns and set about making what I hoped would be gifts good enough to give. The first one was, well let's just say it adorns my tree, but the others came out pretty nice. My daughter, who was visiting for our annual cookie bake, took one look at what I was doing and sat down and started creating her own ornaments. She even modeled one after our Boston Terrier - it looks great! But best of all, we had a blast working on our creations and seeing what we could come up with. By Christmas, we had a table full of trees (white and green ones), deer (OK, one actually looks more like a llama), dogs, and snow people. They were great to attach to a bottle of wine, cookie tins, or packages. And they all looked pretty good on the tree. We're already practicing what to make for next year. Hi Porter. So glad I read about this at work. This is definitely going to catch on. I used to jealously watch a friend of mine knit, sew, crochet, paint or bead beautiful things to give to friends and family for Christmas. Tiring of walking the malls and other shops for unique gifts, I decided this year to make little felt tree ornaments. So after Thanksgiving I sat down with felt, threads, beads, and patterns and set about making what I hoped would be gifts good enough to give. The first one was, well let’s just say it adorns my tree, but the others came out pretty nice. My daughter, who was visiting for our annual cookie bake, took one look at what I was doing and sat down and started creating her own ornaments. She even modeled one after our Boston Terrier – it looks great! But best of all, we had a blast working on our creations and seeing what we could come up with. By Christmas, we had a table full of trees (white and green ones), deer (OK, one actually looks more like a llama), dogs, and snow people. They were great to attach to a bottle of wine, cookie tins, or packages. And they all looked pretty good on the tree. We’re already practicing what to make for next year.

]]> Comment on Who doesn’t like butter? by Bernie Teakell http://slowchristmas.org/2009/11/06/who-doesnt-like-butter/#comment-93 Bernie Teakell Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:56:23 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=110#comment-93 A nice recpe idea you have here. I am always looking for more ideas to keep the kids entertained with and this one might just do the trick so thank you for sharing it. A nice recpe idea you have here. I am always looking for more ideas to keep the kids entertained with and this one might just do the trick so thank you for sharing it.

]]> Comment on About Porter by Christine http://slowchristmas.org/about-porter/#comment-90 Christine Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:09:17 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?page_id=62#comment-90 I completely agree with your philosophy. This year, having my only child in her third year of college in an adjoining state, and my husband's oldest getting married a month after Christmas (on the opposite coast), I experienced an epiphany. We would have a "green" Christmas. A "recycled" Christmas. A Goodwill Christmas to put it bluntly. I informed everyone concerned of the rules: items could be handmade, purchased second hand at a thrift store, antique store, garage sale or whatever establishment they chose. Retail was also allowed, but with a 40% or better discount from MSRP. I figured if everyone was aware of what to expect up front, no one would be weirded out by a "used gift". It was more of a scavenging game than a "look how poor we are" exercise. The point was to slash the monetary outlay without loosing our need to rip paper come Christmas morning. The end result was great. For instance, we found my daughter (a seamstress) a $129 clothing steamer at Goodwill for $12.50. We also found her a Rowenta Professional MSRP $120 iron for FIVE BUCKS. I will mention that both were in like-new condition. We were not buying junk; we were selecting lightly used cast off items to give them a newer, more appreciated life in our home. My husband was tougher to find things for. Being an electronics engineer, if he needs it, he probably has one. I don't know what 90% of his stuff is (wires???). His books are incomprehensible. However, in early December, I found a subscription to Discover magazine, which had been $29.95 around Thanksgiving, on sale for $15. I also shopped at Paperbackswap.com, a website that trades books; you pay the shipping on your books, earn credits and then you get to shop for something you want. I searched for online discount codes and at Borders.com bought a $19.95 book for $12 with free shipping. Got Christmas eve P.J.s on sale 50% off ($12). All in all, a very satisfying experience. I didn't keep track, but we probably came in under $200 total. Of course, this type of Christmas isn't for everyone. And it requires a lot of browsing. And time. You can't just rush out the week before and find that great something. But it was a really cool way to extend the budget and spend some of our money at a charity (Goodwill, et al). So, get over the double phobias of 'used' is unacceptable and that you have to spend a certain dollar amount of someone or it isn't a good gift. Try a recycled holiday. You might be pleasantly surprised. I completely agree with your philosophy. This year, having my only child in her third year of college in an adjoining state, and my husband’s oldest getting married a month after Christmas (on the opposite coast), I experienced an epiphany. We would have a “green” Christmas. A “recycled” Christmas. A Goodwill Christmas to put it bluntly. I informed everyone concerned of the rules: items could be handmade, purchased second hand at a thrift store, antique store, garage sale or whatever establishment they chose. Retail was also allowed, but with a 40% or better discount from MSRP. I figured if everyone was aware of what to expect up front, no one would be weirded out by a “used gift”. It was more of a scavenging game than a “look how poor we are” exercise. The point was to slash the monetary outlay without loosing our need to rip paper come Christmas morning. The end result was great. For instance, we found my daughter (a seamstress) a $129 clothing steamer at Goodwill for $12.50. We also found her a Rowenta Professional MSRP $120 iron for FIVE BUCKS. I will mention that both were in like-new condition. We were not buying junk; we were selecting lightly used cast off items to give them a newer, more appreciated life in our home. My husband was tougher to find things for. Being an electronics engineer, if he needs it, he probably has one. I don’t know what 90% of his stuff is (wires???). His books are incomprehensible. However, in early December, I found a subscription to Discover magazine, which had been $29.95 around Thanksgiving, on sale for $15. I also shopped at Paperbackswap.com, a website that trades books; you pay the shipping on your books, earn credits and then you get to shop for something you want. I searched for online discount codes and at Borders.com bought a $19.95 book for $12 with free shipping. Got Christmas eve P.J.s on sale 50% off ($12). All in all, a very satisfying experience. I didn’t keep track, but we probably came in under $200 total. Of course, this type of Christmas isn’t for everyone. And it requires a lot of browsing. And time. You can’t just rush out the week before and find that great something. But it was a really cool way to extend the budget and spend some of our money at a charity (Goodwill, et al). So, get over the double phobias of ‘used’ is unacceptable and that you have to spend a certain dollar amount of someone or it isn’t a good gift. Try a recycled holiday. You might be pleasantly surprised.

]]> Comment on Bad at crafts, seeking Slow Christmas. by Jen http://slowchristmas.org/2009/12/06/12-experience-gifts/#comment-88 Jen Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:33:35 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=581#comment-88 Great ideas. I give gift certificates for restaurants and spas/massages every year. They're far more appreciated than some piece of disposable junk. Personally, I'd love a skydiving lesson! One thing that's missing from the list is to give a pair of tickets to someone who watches sports on TV so that they can see their favorite team in person. Great ideas. I give gift certificates for restaurants and spas/massages every year. They’re far more appreciated than some piece of disposable junk.

Personally, I’d love a skydiving lesson!

One thing that’s missing from the list is to give a pair of tickets to someone who watches sports on TV so that they can see their favorite team in person.

]]> Comment on The Best of Slow Christmas by Porter http://slowchristmas.org/2009/12/23/best-of-slow-christmas/#comment-87 Porter Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:36:22 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=856#comment-87 Thanks Danielle! I love the article, and I linked to it in the News section. Thanks Danielle! I love the article, and I linked to it in the News section.

]]> Comment on The Best of Slow Christmas by danielle http://slowchristmas.org/2009/12/23/best-of-slow-christmas/#comment-85 danielle Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:52:02 +0000 http://slowchristmas.org/?p=856#comment-85 Hi Porter-- Just wanted to let you know you are featured in my Your Daily Thread article on how to have a slow holiday. Thanks for your inspiration! http://yourdailythread.com/2009/12/22/have-yourself-a-slow-holiday/ Peace, Danielle Hi Porter–

Just wanted to let you know you are featured in my Your Daily Thread article on how to have a slow holiday. Thanks for your inspiration!

http://yourdailythread.com/2009/12/22/have-yourself-a-slow-holiday/

Peace,

Danielle

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