Definitely my Gamecube and in general presents from that year that made me question whether Santa actually was real or not.
We went on vacation over and through Christmas I believe, and I remember thoroughly checking around our tree with my brother for any presents that were put down early. Alas, it was not Christmas when we left, so there were no presents.
After we came back though, under the tree was a pile of presents that me and my brother couldn't believe just appeared out of nowhere. It couldn't have been out parents since we were all on vacation. It HAD to be Santa.

It never occurred to me at that age that people other than out parents could have the keys to our house.

But yea, that was pretty magical at the time. Hopefully one day I'll be able to have a special day like that for my potential kids.

Btw, I'd like to be in the giveaway. Thanks for hosting this again!

Happy Holidays y'all.

I'll bring the white knights and beta males....unless someone has them covered already, that is. ;)

Sorry that I hardly participated in this thread during the last few days, but things were quite busy. Will try to catch up tomorrow.

Thank you for sharing Portuguese Christmas traditions and decorations. Santa likes that and left a little gift in your stocking.

I hope you aren't getting burnt out or run around too much so quickly.....we still have MANY days and night to go this holiday season. :)

Thank you very much and Merry Christmas. :)

One year we made an halloween themes christimas tree: instead of balls and angels, we put witches, ghosts and the like on it. I'm not a Christmas tree fan but that one was the coolest.That Christmas I got one of my favorite phones ever, the first Sony Walkman phone. It had a joystick for Java games and was great for mp3s.
I don't like Christmas and traditions in general but those were nice days.

Now that's an original decoration! Never heard of anythin like that. Is that a local thing or just something your grandmother used to do?

Santa loves that smell as well and left a present in your stocking!

It's not local to us here in the US. I've always thought it was a Hungarian thing. But maybe it's just a my-grandmother thing!
EDIT: And what nice stocking stuffer, too. Thank you!

Thessaloniki (the photos in the last attachment are from there). Unless you're asking about the capital, Athens (last photo in the penultimate attachment).


You're welcome, glad you like it.

I'd be surprised if any shops there would sell them; as far as I know, it's not a custom, or even known, in any other Mediterranean country, let alone any place farther north. And your kids doing the decoration and all makes for a nicer experience, and is closer to the spirit and origins of the tradition. Just remember to have the bow facing inwards!

Skimmie, if you're still looking for Christmas decorations, what about the slide that Santa kicks the kid down in that same movie (a Christmas Story, I meean)? >;)

Santa is disappointed and challenges you to put up at least one tiny bit of decoration at your place. As an incentive he left a little present for you.

Shout-out to misteryo, who provided that gift!

Oh, my God! Great many and merry thanks to you guys and misteryo for the gift! :D

It made my night! ^_^

Heheh

"You can't have that BB g*n...you'll just sh**t your core out kid" ;)

I'm in for the giveaway, something to trim my wishlist would be a nice present.

I enter a Christian school up-to junior high. Before the Christmas-New Year long holiday, every students attend the annual Christmas celebration. Afterwards, we usually get a gift pack containing treats, stationary sets etc. Now, I forgot if it was the 7th or 8th grade,we all got a drinking mug. Maybe cause the size is ideal for a 13 years old me, it then became my main cup for milk, chocolate drink etc. But as it the case with oft-used glass, that mug since chipped with the markings on it faded. I don't have the heart to just throw it away and it has since sat on my cupboard with other new unused mugs.