iVillage Holiday Roundup

It's a busy week in the iVillage community as many prepare to travel or entertain for the holidays. From goodies to gifting, here's a sampling of the holiday buzz:

-- So your gifts are wrapped and your halls are decked... but what about stockings? From who gets them to what you put in them, the ladies on the Joyful Home board are talking about it. Do you get your cat a stocking? What about adults? Plus, cl-twig04 has some suggestions that would be just perfect for my stocking, "[a] diamond bracelet, trip to Hawaii with a competent sitter watching the kids at home while you sun bathe, maid service for 6 months, personal chef for 6 months..."

-- iVillagers on our Jewish Family Life message board are sharing their Chanukah traditions and memories. cl-janetlh reminisces, "I remember my father's off-key singing of Ma Otzur after reading the blessings. (And my father always did the blessings and lighting.) My father can't sing, but I love that he does!"

-- They're talking about their favorite holiday movies and last-minute gift and treat ideas on the Christmas 2008 board.

-- Gingerbread anyone? GardenWeb member jojoco shares her family's recent gingerbread construction projects on the Cooking forum. Check out that Empire State Building complete with cookie King Kong!

-- For more cookie help, try the Sweet Life message board, where they're swapping their favorite dessert recipes and even sharing tips on making the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Although, in my opinion, any chocolate chip cookie is the perfect one.

-- On the Dieting Buddies board, they're wrapping up their Holidays Mega-Challenge and giving support for sticking to their diet and fitness plans during what might be the most tempting time of the year to indulge in not-so-healthy treats.

-- Oh sure, we're all about tidings of comfort and joy but what are those things that just get on your nerves at the holidays? Christmas letters? Monster gifts from the in-laws? Secret Santa anxiety? Whatever it might be, be sure to chime in on the conversation on our Current Debates board where iVillagers are sounding off on their holiday pet peeves.

-- The Pagan Paths community members are sharing Yuletide blessings as well as offering up some really great gift basket ideas.

-- In the Lipstick Lounge, apple376 laments about being given lavish gifts by co-workers when she can't reciprocate. Are baked goods always welcome? The ladies seem to give the stamp of approval.

-- Meanwhile, no_mamaboyz4me is "sick of crappy gifts" on the Dealing with In-Laws message board. My favorite piece of advice on this issue comes from auntanna02 who offers, "Next year buy them Chia Pets. There is nothing like a Chia Pet to get a message across."  Now isn't that the truth?

-- I don't need to tell you that money's tight for many this holiday season. This is even more pronounced in our Debt Support Group. One iVillager, sillycanadian, has come to realize that sometimes things are even more fun when you're not spending money -- simply by the virtue of focusing on the simple things. She writes, "when I am really trying not to spend money, I have more fun with my kids."

And that's just the tip of the iceberg, of course -- no matter how, what or where you celebrate *or* what your dilemma might be, we most likely have someone talking about it in our community. The prevailing theme, though, seems to be having a safe and happy holiday and looking forward to a great 2009. I think we can all get on board with that, right?