What are you excited for during the holidays?

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   Ryan Hupferposted 15 years ago

   
   
   As you can see in the picture above, I tend to get pretty excited about everything that goes on around the holidays. The sweatshirt that I'm wearing in that picture is considered an 'Ugly Christmas Sweater' and this is officially my second year to wear it. Just like my puffy-paint-covered sweatshirt has become a tradition for me, I'm sure that many of you have also have a few traditions that you do each year as the holidays get closer, like putting up your Christmas tree, decorating your home or sending out cards to your friends and family.
   
   But, none of these compare to all of the fun stuff that actually happens on Christmas and Christmas Eve, which are filled with eating, hanging out with family and taking some time to be with the people that matter the most. It's these things that I would have to say that I'm looking forward to the most this holiday season and I get to kick it all off here in a few days when I fly back to Indiana to see all of my family and friends.
   
   My family has a huge dinner on Christmas Eve and all of the little ones run around like crazy as the presents start getting passed around. It's always so much fun to see the kids tear into their presents (or the presents that aren't theirs) and to see how excited they get. Yep, this is what I am looking forward to as the holidays are getting really, really close.
   
   I also wanted to see what types of traditions or other things all of you fine Hubbers out there are looking forward to getting into over the holidays as well. Post your holiday plans below so that we all can see what all you'll be doing over the next couple weeks.
   
   Also, don't forget New Years! I think that I'm going to Chicago to celebrate this year.

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      Veronicaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Woe!
      Is that Monty Python in your background?

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         Ryan Hupferposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         You know it.

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   Cris Aposted 15 years ago

   it should have been called the "Ugliest Christmas Sweater Ever!" LOL i have no definite plans as of yet but will get back to this thread once I've laid down everything! Just can't resist commenting on the UCSE!

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   Ryan Hupferposted 15 years ago

   Yeah, I know - it's awesomely bad.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 15 years ago

   Awww-- it matches your eyes (and your tongue).

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      Ryan Hupferposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      haha...thanks for noticing, Rochelle.

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         Rochelle Frankposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I notice stuff-- if I have time to ponder, and that was a ponder-us image.
         
         I am looking forward to having my sons, daughters-in-love and grandchildren here... it's about the people, and food, and probably snow fun. And about the stable birth of of Hope for mankind. JOY!!!!

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   SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

   Having time off to enjoy myself.  I like being able to work on my projects and do some art work too.

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   Lissieposted 15 years ago

   We are driving across the Nullabor but I have booked a cabin in Ceduna on the eastern side, we live in Perth, which we will get to on the 24th. Not sure what we are having for Xmas day : we have to surrender all fruit/veg at the border so it might be a non-veg Xmas if the shops are closed by the time we get to town LOL

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      Ryan Hupferposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Watch out for those wombats!

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   Ardieposted 15 years ago

   I am most looking forward to seeing my sister for the first time in 8 years (and my 2 nephews)

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   waynetposted 15 years ago

   I'm gonna eat, drink, be merry and play with the kids toys and steal their sweets...and that's all before Christmas day.
   
   On Christmas eve I am going to dress up as Santa and scare them to death in the middle of the night...they'll wake up and say oh Santa you came and I'll turn round and say Santa's not home and rev the chainsaw...Bzzzzzz Bzzzz
   
   Seriously though I'm gonna get drunk!

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   dineaneposted 15 years ago

   Sounds like a plan! Me too

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      Ryan Hupferposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The only thing better than getting drunk over the holidays is getting drunk with your family over the holidays.

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         waynetposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         My wife doesn't drink, my kids are too young to drink and most of my family I've lost touch with....So it's just me and the damn elves!!

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    Lisa Petrarcaposted 15 years ago

    This Christmas will be different than any we've had before. We received an early "GIFT" that became an unbelievable blessing. A white envelope was slipped into my husbands hands at our son's football game. The friend gave specific instructions not to open it until he got home. He put it into his pocket and came to sit beside me telling me what had just transpired. I curiously looked at it, "What is it?" "I don't know but we have to at least wait till we get in the car."
    
    After the game we quickly said our goodbyes and rushed to the car. My husband tore it open, looking inside there was eight crisp one hundred dollar bills. With a note saying, "I hope this will help you". The next evening when we went to the vartsity game, we confronted our friends to tell them we couldn't accept it. They said, "We were at church and our pastor said, use your tithing this month to help anyone you feel is in need. We both walked out of the church, looked at each other and said, Anthony & Lisa at the same time."
    
    We have been struggling financially but wanted to be sure that we used the money for whatever the Lord wanted, so we prayed and waited for an answer. A week went by still no answer. We just decided to be patient.
    
    The following week my dad was scheduled for a biopsy, a spot had appeared on his lung. My mom sat anxiously waiting while my dad was in surgery. Within 45 minutes the doctor appeared, he quietly asked my mom to follow him. They went into a small room where he closed the door. My mom felt a panic overtake her entire body. Then he spoke the dreaded words, "Your husband has 4th stage inoperable lung cancer, his only hope will be chemotherapy with only a 5 percent survival rate with treatment."
    
    My mom wanted to run out, but just dropped her head down in disbelief. "How can this be, he has had NO SYMPTOMS! No cough, shortness of breath, pain, NOTHING!"  The unthinkable was happening, first the loss of her son at 21 and now her husband.
    
    We received the answer to our prayer, the money was to be used to go to Utah to spend Christmas with my dad. We have not been together at Christmas in 13 years. The "GIFT" provided the means to make this much needed trip. The gift of friendship, love, and faith has made it possible for my family to all be together to support my dad, on what may be his last Christmas.

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       robie2posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       what an inspiring Christmas story-- thank you so much for sharing it.  Lots of us hubbers will be sending thoughts and prayers to your parents-- may you all have a joyous Christmas together this year.  There are no coincidences:-)

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       Laila Rajaratnamposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Lisa,we are praying for your dad  and hope he will be able to enjoy many more Christmases with you all!! Believe in Christmas miracle!

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       ripplemakerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Lisa, I am touched by your sharing.  It's a beautiful thing when we allow love to move us and reach out to others.  Both the giver and receiver are both blessed.  Loving hugs to you and your family and esp. your dad.

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    Rochelle Frankposted 15 years ago

    Lisa:-- It's nice to have a personal miracle once in awhile. Best  wishes to you and your family. Thanks for sharing.

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       Lisa Petrarcaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Rochelle! We are all praying for another Christmas miracle...complete healing.

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    poorQpineposted 15 years ago

    me poorQpine,
    I am looking forward to making my way down to the closest neighborhood each night for the next few weeks in search of delicious cast away foods. This is the very best time of year to go dumpster diving. Each dive is capable of rendering a delicious assortment of holiday food specialties and the cold weather is perfect for keeping all of my favorite finds in excellent condition until I can chew it all up. Season's Greetings to everyone at HubPages.

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       Patty Inglish, MSposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Happy food hunting!

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    gamergirlposted 15 years ago

    Did you guys know that someone in this thread has a secret?
    
    *gasp*
    
    check it out.
    
    http://tinyurl.com/secretsomething01

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       Dottie1posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       awwww, thanks for sharing that?

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       Ryan Hupferposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Oh no! The secret is out...although, if I posted it on a blog it's probably not that big of a secret.
       
       Thanks for spreading the word though, Charlotte.

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    gamergirlposted 15 years ago

    Hey, if I can get you some awesome Hublove well wishes as your happy "fictional" relationship progresses, then my work is done!
    
    LOL

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    seohowtoposted 15 years ago

    I am excited to go to Colorado for skiing. Hopefully none of the companies will go out of business by this time::))

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    Mishaposted 15 years ago

    Lenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I missed you!

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