I make every effort to keep the Christmas season calm.we went to the parade. I prepare favorites and cookies, what I usually cook. Husband and I do not exchange gifts, we don't need anything. I do like an occasional glass of wine.
Here in France, a lot of families buy a table decor disposable at every party meal: paper tablecloths and napkins, cardboard plates, plastic glasses... I SAY NO, for the expense and for the ecology too. On any special occasion, I use a nice tablecloth and its towels (the same every year), nice glasses and dishes, always the same. This is called tradition, (different in each family according to their means). that my children and grandchildren are very happy to meet again every year: the parents show the children photographs of when they were at this same table 30 or 40 years ago. It's so touched. Thank you for this comforting video! Hello! Adorable Dolly!
I spend my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day volunteering at the dog shelter (as well as routinely during the year) and then come home to watch movies, sew, read and relax.
I love the freedom that comes with knowing that you can do Christmas your own way, and that is fine. Everyone's Christmas will look different and that is also totally fine. Thankyou for your vlogs Jane and Mike x
Our book club used to do a Kris Kringle for our Christmas get together but have decided to combine the money we would have spent on gifts and donate it to a charity . This year the money was donated to Hospice. Far less stress and the charity benefits ❤😊
I say no to stress, full stop. I just made a list today for tiny Christmas gifts, which will be home made sugar scrubs for girls and fancy herbal salts for guys. Easy and fun little token gifts. ❤
This year I’m saying no to gifts for people we rarely see except once or twice a year. This is extending to other “holidays” like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, birthday gifts that aren’t in our inner circle, etc. Cards only. If it’s a group effort, making a donation to charity.
I say no to traveling for Christmas, and am actually relieved our youngest son, who lives in the Midwest is staying put this year. We will see him next spring when the weather is much better.
My husband and I say no and have never exchanged Christmas gifts. We carefully pack and reuse the same decorations year after year! I bake the same favorites year after year and stick up on the ingredients well ahead of time and spread out the cost. Our family love my homemade treats as gifts. We also do a Pollyanna with a set amount budget. We all spend Christmas together at one of our son’s homes but choose to say no to Holiday trips, cruises, ski vacations and so on. We don’t mind what day we celebrate the holidays and set a lovely table and enjoy simple inexpensive favorites beautifully plated.
You could travel in the holidays if you wanted to either get stuck in a contraflow at Dover or camp out on the floor of Heathrow. Syay home it's much nicer
I had so much of this stuff that last year I contacted our food pantry and asked if I could give it to them to hand out to their clients. They were thrilled and I like to think I made it a bit easier on some busy parents and gave some children a happier Christmas. Decluttering some of my wrapping items made me very happy.
I'm saying 'no' to letting other people's multiple Christmases and numerous social plans make me feel lonely. I have one Christmas meal with family and bought myself a stuffed turkey roll so I can keep the annual treat going for a few days.
I say no to striving for perfection of any sort. I stay true to myself and do the best I can. But I will not beat myself up if I forget something or somebody on my Christmas list. And if I feel a bit down over the holidays, I won't put on that fake cheery face. I'll just spend some time alone quietly to collect myself. I say no to neglecting my budget to over give to charities and churches.
Hi Jane and Mike. Amongst other things, I say no to any city or town centre shopping at this time. Can't be doing with all the hustle and bustle. Thankfully I've no need to go anyway. Wouldn't envy anyone travelling over Christmas either, especially with the planned train strikes. I'm having turkey steaks from Lidl, which I bought around a month ago as the nearer to Christmas it gets, they seem to disappear off the shelves. Also, must compliment you both on these Vlogmas videos. They are beautifully presented.👌You make a great team. 🤗🎄🐕🐕🦌🎄
No to putting up a load of decorations and taking them all down again, making the house look bare. If I had the energy for all that climbing around, I’d rather tidy the front garden or clean the carpets. I will put a tree up for a few days just so my grandson doesn’t think I’m odd. Roll on January, I’m sick of Christmas already!
Partner and I havent exchanged gifts for over 20 years. Theres nothing either of us really want or need. Christmas dinner will be a roast dinner, this year it will be lamb as there is a leg in the freezer that needs to be eaten. This year we will be having our dinner on the 25th with our french family. Usually its a different day, but everyone has that day off this year. For us its a flexible date. Whatever fits in with everyone. I have put up our third hand christmas tree. Some of the decorations were made by the kids, the youngest is now 31 so gives an idea of the age of some of them. Some of the dairy lights are made of glass, thats how old they are, but they work, so wont be replaced until they stop working. We will not be eating out in restaurants over the holiday period. We will see friends and neighbours and have aperos and nibbles. Nothing fancy, nothing stressful. Christmas should be enjoyed, not endured.
Instead of our family members travelling Christmas eve and Christmas day, we get together for our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve and exchange gifts then. This not only cuts down on the cost of hosting twice...we used to celebrate together both Christmas eve and day, but with many times the snow in Canada becomes a problem for travel. This cuts out travel on Christmas day, so that people can relax at home, enjoy unwrapping their presents at their leisure and since we all get leftovers, we don't have to cook. Often, we will get together prior to have a free winter experience such as tree lighting ceremonies, The Christmas train, Carol Ships, or free concerts/events.
This year I’m saying no to attending our neighborhood Christmas party (at $37-52 based on what you order to eat). I’ve attended each year for 17 years, but this year I’d prefer to just stay home. 🎄
So with you on not travelling anywhere. People still ask if we're going back to the UK for Christmas as if it's a given, even though we never have, and frequently the same people (if they're Brits or other expats themselves, French are usually just making conversation and not really interested anyway!) regale us with the horrors of their own travels disrupted by every kind of awful weather and other problems. Otherwise we say no to staying up till midnight, either on Christmas or New Year's eve.
Only yesterday I said no to an invite for first Christmas day, because they celebrate it with gifting each other all kind of gifts. The only extra that I always get for myself at Christmas is 1 milk chocolate orange from Terry’s and I also do that for Easter. I say no to new decorations for Christmas and just use what I have, I’m happy with the things that I have…a small Christmas tree with some ornaments and handmade little bows and a nativity set by a Dutch artist called AnnekeBouke, also my ornaments are made by her.
I do love christmas but am always happy to ditch the tradition for the sake of practicality which scares certain members of my family when it comes my turn to host. One year it was 40 degrees celcius and we were hosting. The only room with aircon was my husbands homemade sound recording studio which was a room with no windows and old carpet nailed up floor to ceiling. We set up a table in there and served extremely untraditional food. At least we weren't sweltering and I refused to turn on the oven.
We said no to new decorations, holiday clothes, and expensive food. Since the pandemic, we have gotten rid of 50 or more percent of decorations and only kept ones that have memories attached. I cook a small turkey breast and buy a pound of ham. 4 to 5 sides with store bought pumpkin pie. We also ask for gift ideas or cash or wanted gift cards. I have cut out the small gifts for different social groups of friends. Just cards and that list has narrowed down. We focus on the reason for Christmas. It's much less stressful.
We are retired now and don't spend money on making more food than we know what to do with. When the kids were home and even when the grandkids were young Christmas Eve was a full buffet. Then a Christmas sit down dinner.❤❤ Give the girls a hug from me.
I say no to lots of decorations. I bought a tree 30+ years ago when I moved into my first home. I couldn't afford many decorations for it so got some candle lights and some red baubles. To fill in the gaps I used some silk poinsettia flowers and gold bows. I haven't got more decorations because I love the simplicity of it. I also say no to overindulgence. I have my main course for lunch and if I have a pudding I have that for supper. After many years of travelling back to the parental home now they are no longer here I love the freedom of being at home and just taking the day as it comes.
We send cards but no presents. We donate to charity sich as centre point etc and do toy donation each year. Like Sheila we avoid town centres like the plague, if i have to in i go assoon as shops open its usually really quiet. Gift bags can be found in abundancein charity shopsfor about 10p each. We have xmas day meal and left over/ make shift meal boxing day. My son works over xmas so its a headache getting everyone in the room at the same time to eat xmas dinner loool❤
Luv luv luv your doggies, I say no to travelling miles to hav Xmas lunch or dinner with some relatives, yes I luv them but far too stressful, making and taking your share of food all that way for a few hours
I make every effort to keep the Christmas season calm.we went to the parade. I prepare favorites and cookies, what I usually cook. Husband and I do not exchange gifts, we don't need anything. I do like an occasional glass of wine.
Here in France, a lot of families buy a table decor disposable at every party meal: paper tablecloths and napkins, cardboard plates, plastic glasses... I SAY NO, for the expense and for the ecology too. On any special occasion, I use a nice tablecloth and its towels (the same every year), nice glasses and dishes, always the same. This is called tradition, (different in each family according to their means). that my children and grandchildren are very happy to meet again every year: the parents show the children photographs of when they were at this same table 30 or 40 years ago. It's so touched. Thank you for this comforting video! Hello! Adorable Dolly!
I say “no” to workplace secret Santa…. It was like a gift registry!
I think it's unnecessary too
I spend my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day volunteering at the dog shelter (as well as routinely during the year) and then come home to watch movies, sew, read and relax.
Thank you
This year we are focusing on experience gifts for the grandchildren instead of more toys. Much better !
Love that
I love the freedom that comes with knowing that you can do Christmas your own way, and that is fine. Everyone's Christmas will look different and that is also totally fine. Thankyou for your vlogs Jane and Mike x
@@jhodieking6172 thank you
Our book club used to do a Kris Kringle for our Christmas get together but have decided to combine the money we would have spent on gifts and donate it to a charity . This year the money was donated to Hospice. Far less stress and the charity benefits ❤😊
I love that
I say no to stress, full stop. I just made a list today for tiny Christmas gifts, which will be home made sugar scrubs for girls and fancy herbal salts for guys. Easy and fun little token gifts. ❤
Lovely 🥰
I say no to buying all the new Christmas decorations, instead use the same ones every year.
Well done
I say no to anything that involves being with people who are out to get drunk and doing stupid things. I would rather stay home and craft!
I can't think of anything worse!
💯💯💯💯
I'll be making a brisket on the 25th because it's also the first night of Chanukah
This year I’m saying no to gifts for people we rarely see except once or twice a year. This is extending to other “holidays” like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, birthday gifts that aren’t in our inner circle, etc. Cards only. If it’s a group effort, making a donation to charity.
Well done
I say no to traveling for Christmas, and am actually relieved our youngest son, who lives in the Midwest is staying put this year. We will see him next spring when the weather is much better.
Your best present, feeling he's safer.
That's lovely 😊
My husband and I say no and have never exchanged Christmas gifts. We carefully pack and reuse the same decorations year after year! I bake the same favorites year after year and stick up on the ingredients well ahead of time and spread out the cost. Our family love my homemade treats as gifts. We also do a Pollyanna with a set amount budget. We all spend Christmas together at one of our son’s homes but choose to say no to Holiday trips, cruises, ski vacations and so on. We don’t mind what day we celebrate the holidays and set a lovely table and enjoy simple inexpensive favorites beautifully plated.
Same for us no traveling at holidays
Lovely 😊
You could travel in the holidays if you wanted to either get stuck in a contraflow at Dover or camp out on the floor of Heathrow. Syay home it's much nicer
I say no to stress this Christmas,,simple food,,no gifts and peace .❤❤
Good 👍
I have said no to any more wrapping paper & gift bags. I always stock up at after Christmas sales and I have a huge tote filled and I'm using them up.
Great
I had so much of this stuff that last year I contacted our food pantry and asked if I could give it to them to hand out to their clients. They were thrilled and I like to think I made it a bit easier on some busy parents and gave some children a happier Christmas. Decluttering some of my wrapping items made me very happy.
I'm saying 'no' to letting other people's multiple Christmases and numerous social plans make me feel lonely. I have one Christmas meal with family and bought myself a stuffed turkey roll so I can keep the annual treat going for a few days.
What more do we need
Thank you, Jane and Mike. love to puppies.
Thank you
I say no to striving for perfection of any sort. I stay true to myself and do the best I can. But I will not beat myself up if I forget something or somebody on my Christmas list. And if I feel a bit down over the holidays, I won't put on that fake cheery face. I'll just spend some time alone quietly to collect myself.
I say no to neglecting my budget to over give to charities and churches.
Well said
Hi Jane and Mike. Amongst other things, I say no to any city or town centre shopping at this time. Can't be doing with all the hustle and bustle. Thankfully I've no need to go anyway. Wouldn't envy anyone travelling over Christmas either, especially with the planned train strikes. I'm having turkey steaks from Lidl, which I bought around a month ago as the nearer to Christmas it gets, they seem to disappear off the shelves. Also, must compliment you both on these Vlogmas videos. They are beautifully presented.👌You make a great team. 🤗🎄🐕🐕🦌🎄
You'd love it here......no Christmas craziness at all
@FrugalQueeninFrance Certainly would!
No to putting up a load of decorations and taking them all down again, making the house look bare. If I had the energy for all that climbing around, I’d rather tidy the front garden or clean the carpets. I will put a tree up for a few days just so my grandson doesn’t think I’m odd. Roll on January, I’m sick of Christmas already!
I understand
Partner and I havent exchanged gifts for over 20 years. Theres nothing either of us really want or need. Christmas dinner will be a roast dinner, this year it will be lamb as there is a leg in the freezer that needs to be eaten. This year we will be having our dinner on the 25th with our french family. Usually its a different day, but everyone has that day off this year. For us its a flexible date. Whatever fits in with everyone. I have put up our third hand christmas tree. Some of the decorations were made by the kids, the youngest is now 31 so gives an idea of the age of some of them. Some of the dairy lights are made of glass, thats how old they are, but they work, so wont be replaced until they stop working. We will not be eating out in restaurants over the holiday period. We will see friends and neighbours and have aperos and nibbles. Nothing fancy, nothing stressful. Christmas should be enjoyed, not endured.
Absolutely agree with you
We totally agree, no need to over indulge. We have another year til we move to France so don’t need any more stuff to move with!!
@@LimousinLife not long now
Instead of our family members travelling Christmas eve and Christmas day, we get together for our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve and exchange gifts then. This not only cuts down on the cost of hosting twice...we used to celebrate together both Christmas eve and day, but with many times the snow in Canada becomes a problem for travel. This cuts out travel on Christmas day, so that people can relax at home, enjoy unwrapping their presents at their leisure and since we all get leftovers, we don't have to cook. Often, we will get together prior to have a free winter experience such as tree lighting ceremonies, The Christmas train, Carol Ships, or free concerts/events.
Nice!
This year I’m saying no to attending our neighborhood Christmas party (at $37-52 based on what you order to eat). I’ve attended each year for 17 years, but this year I’d prefer to just stay home. 🎄
Good for you
We have never had a tree as we have always had cats. People often reacted strongly like we were committing some huge sin. We try to keep it simple.
It's an unnecessary extra anyway
Say no to workplace gift exchanges. No more Secret Santa for me. More to spend on people I really love and charities we support.
Well done
So with you on not travelling anywhere. People still ask if we're going back to the UK for Christmas as if it's a given, even though we never have, and frequently the same people (if they're Brits or other expats themselves, French are usually just making conversation and not really interested anyway!) regale us with the horrors of their own travels disrupted by every kind of awful weather and other problems.
Otherwise we say no to staying up till midnight, either on Christmas or New Year's eve.
We never do...it's a joke even trying, rough sea, ferry cancellations....madness to travel
Only yesterday I said no to an invite for first Christmas day, because they celebrate it with gifting each other all kind of gifts. The only extra that I always get for myself at Christmas is 1 milk chocolate orange from Terry’s and I also do that for Easter. I say no to new decorations for Christmas and just use what I have, I’m happy with the things that I have…a small Christmas tree with some ornaments and handmade little bows and a nativity set by a Dutch artist called AnnekeBouke, also my ornaments are made by her.
You do you!
Thank you x
I do love christmas but am always happy to ditch the tradition for the sake of practicality which scares certain members of my family when it comes my turn to host. One year it was 40 degrees celcius and we were hosting. The only room with aircon was my husbands homemade sound recording studio which was a room with no windows and old carpet nailed up floor to ceiling. We set up a table in there and served extremely untraditional food. At least we weren't sweltering and I refused to turn on the oven.
@@jessieelliott3157 perfect
No to new Christmas themes every year, same old lovely deccies come out every year. Vintage like us.😉🙏❤️😻
Love that!
Very entertaining!
I say no to spending time with people I really do not wish to be with (thinking of extended family here).
Great!👍
Great video!
Thanks
We said no to new decorations, holiday clothes, and expensive food. Since the pandemic, we have gotten rid of 50 or more percent of decorations and only kept ones that have memories attached.
I cook a small turkey breast and buy a pound of ham. 4 to 5 sides with store bought pumpkin pie.
We also ask for gift ideas or cash or wanted gift cards.
I have cut out the small gifts for different social groups of friends. Just cards and that list has narrowed down. We focus on the reason for Christmas. It's much less stressful.
That's great
We are retired now and don't spend money on making more food than we know what to do with. When the kids were home and even when the grandkids were young Christmas Eve was a full buffet. Then a Christmas sit down dinner.❤❤ Give the girls a hug from me.
Thank you
I say no to lots of decorations. I bought a tree 30+ years ago when I moved into my first home. I couldn't afford many decorations for it so got some candle lights and some red baubles. To fill in the gaps I used some silk poinsettia flowers and gold bows. I haven't got more decorations because I love the simplicity of it.
I also say no to overindulgence. I have my main course for lunch and if I have a pudding I have that for supper.
After many years of travelling back to the parental home now they are no longer here I love the freedom of being at home and just taking the day as it comes.
Well done
BRAVO to you both! I have learned the same things & it's so freeing!❤
It really is!
We send cards but no presents. We donate to charity sich as centre point etc and do toy donation each year. Like Sheila we avoid town centres like the plague, if i have to in i go assoon as shops open its usually really quiet. Gift bags can be found in abundancein charity shopsfor about 10p each. We have xmas day meal and left over/ make shift meal boxing day. My son works over xmas so its a headache getting everyone in the room at the same time to eat xmas dinner loool❤
That is awesome!
Luv luv luv your doggies, I say no to travelling miles to hav Xmas lunch or dinner with some relatives, yes I luv them but far too stressful, making and taking your share of food all that way for a few hours
@@tessmusson8180 good job 👏
I spend big on needy children ,but dont spend much on other things at xmas.
Lovely 🥰