My nieces & nephews get multiple Christmases at it is -- one w/ Mother, one w/ Father, one with each set of Grandparents.... We're finally starting what I hope proves to be a new wonderful tradition this year, something myself and my step-daughter have been lobbying for for 4 years. Christmas Day my husband and I will have his children (grown), 1 1/2 yr old grandson, and my children (adolescent) together for an extended feast and spend family time. The night previous my girls will have had Christmas with their Dad. Thursday after Christmas (not included in the new tradition) everyone is invited to my Mom's for more face-stuffing, because my bro & his wife will be in for 3 days from NY -- attendant will be husband's kids, bro's kids, my kids. New Year's Day, having spent a few days taking care of post-Christmas Sales and avoiding last minute Christmas shopping crowds, husband and myself will host snack-fest w/ his kids and mine, and exchange presents. My kids are old enough at this point to understand the delayed gratification of more presents per dollar. New Years Day presents. Avoiding the fuss and muss of trying to fit 7 Christmases w/ extended, step-, and divorced families into one day, we hope to bring a little more Good Will to this home. Julie Krueger ========Original Message======== Subj: [lit-ideas] Re: Christmas Trees Date: 12/17/05 4:27:47 PM Central Standard Time From: _ritchierd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:ritchierd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) To: _lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Sent on: May I recommend a good history of Christmas in America? Stephen Nissenbaum, "The Battle for Christmas." Excellent on how the very kind of people who are now crusading for Christmas' holiness were the strongest early naysayers. My brilliant idea today, as I drove past lines of cars backed up at the mall exit on the 217 freeway, was that we should do Christmas like they do potluck suppers--last name letters a-m get one date on which to celebrate, last name letters m-z get another date. Thus you spread the purchasing season, some people get two Christmases, and there is all round less frenzy. David Ritchie Portland, Oregon ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html