What did you do for Christmas today?

**peanut** · 12-12-2008, 08:35 PM

I'm starting this thread as way to keep me motivated and on track. And also to remind me that Christmas isn't always about gifts and fancy decorations, but also about the little things we do to celebrate, like going caroling, skating with the family, watching Christmas movies together, etc. There are a multitude of ways people celebrate Christmas. I'm hoping people might find some new ways to make Christmas more meaningful to them off this thread...

So...

Today I decided to prepare for my daughter coming back from university. It means she and her boyfriend (who is local) will be eating here more often. Means it's time to megacook a few meals for the freezer. Today it was a huge pot of chicken stock. They love my chicken noodle soup.

I also megacooked a huge pot of spaghetti sauce to feed DH and I over the weekend, as we prepare for Christmas. I like to have quick meals on busy days.

And, I am currently making chocolate dipped peanut butter chocolates...kinda like pb cups, but not in the cup. They'll go in stockings come Christmas.

What about you? What are you up to today?

Jean

**bumplett** · 12-12-2008, 08:43 PM

today I volunteered to work at my son's school in the Secret Santa Shop.

I enjoyed it!

**frugalfriend** · 12-12-2008, 08:49 PM

Well, I got OUT the Christmas cards, but left them on the table and went Christmas shopping instead . . .

Got my dd a beautiful Bible, and the perfect angel ornament for my mom (get her one every year). Bought two other gifts.

We are going to watch some Christmas movies tonight!

Originally Posted by peanut

And, I am currently making chocolate dipped peanut butter chocolates...kinda like pb cups, but not in the cup. They'll go in stockings come Christmas.

Any possibility of you posting this recipe?!?! It sounds sooo good!!

**TexasPeanut** · 12-12-2008, 09:22 PM

Today I picked up some dvd's for DH, which means I am done with all of the shopping. I stopped by and donated some toys to Toys for Tots. And the I stopped by the grocery store and picked up some candy cane ice cream. Which I'm eating right now and it's fabulous! Tomorrow I will be baking some cookies and getting the Christmas dinner menu in order so I can make sure I have everything on hand.

**madhen** · 12-12-2008, 09:37 PM

Today I made several varieties of cookies for gift platters. I thumbed through my 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas book for inspiration re: decorating and homemade tree trimming, present wrapping, etc. tips.

**Jeanna** · 12-12-2008, 09:43 PM

Well today I made my first trip to CVS and got a $15 dollar i-tune gift card for my nephew and the new Batman for my son, it was $19.95 but if you bought at least a $15 i-tune card they took $10 off. Also I picked up quiet a bit of candy to put with homemade gifts. If you bought $20 worth (which really doesn't take long) you got $10 extra bucks. So I think I did really well there. Then I went to Walmart got my groceries and finished getting baking needs so that I can get started making treats and mixes.

**peanut** · 12-12-2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfriend

Any possibility of you posting this recipe?!?! It sounds sooo good!!

Sure! It's out of "Not Just Beans"...

PB cups...my way...

1/2 c. butter, creamed
1 c. smooth peanut butter
2 c. icing sugar (confectioner's sugar)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 lb. good chocolate for dipping (I like bitter chocolate...preferably Callebaut!)

Cream butter and add pb. Mix. Add icing sugar and vanilla extract. Mix together. Shape into small 1/2" diameter balls and place on a cookie sheet that is covered with wax paper. Melt some chocolate in the microwave. Usually I find a hunk big enough for a cereal bowl takes 2 minutes on high to melt. It won't look melted, but stir it...it is. If it isn't, zap for another 30 seconds.

Then use a toothpick to stick in the fondant balls and dip in the chocolate. Turn it on it's side before taking it out of the chocolate, or you may end up leaving the fondant in the bowl of chocolate!

Place on the wax paper. You may need another toothpick to help coax the first out. That will leave a little hole in the top of the chocolate. Just go back later with a toothpick or spoon and dollop a bit of chocolate on to fill the hole.

Leave on the wax paper to harden. Store in freezer till Christmas. Not sure mine will make it till Christmas, but at the price of the chocolate ($8!!!) they better! It made over 100 chocolates for me.

Jean

**madhen** · 12-12-2008, 10:17 PM

Sounds like you made peanut butter truffles.

Also sounds very tasty!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-12-2008, 10:28 PM

Nothing, zippo. Sounds like everyone else is doing great though.

**spyzvixxen** · 12-12-2008, 10:37 PM

added a few more ornaments to the tree & set up the nativity scene

**brennasmom** · 12-12-2008, 10:44 PM

Shopped for slippers for DS. I *think* I found some!

**IntlMom** · 12-12-2008, 10:51 PM

made cookies and packed clothes to be wrapped in the suitcase for when we get to CA

**madhen** · 12-12-2008, 10:52 PM

Forgot that I also purchased a book on-line as a Christmas present. It is by Paco Underhill, titled Why We Buy - all about the social engineering that goes into the construction of brick and mortar stores and the actions of the people within them in order to get us to spend our money. I wonder if it would be tacky to read it before I give it away.

**janelane** · 12-12-2008, 11:28 PM

I wrapped almost everything today, just a few more boxes to go. I feel old: my hips are screaming at me tonight for sitting cross legged on the floor for so long!

Also realized I accidentally ordered DH a duplicate of something. I didn't even notice until I was ready to wrap them. It's okay, he can use both, but then I had to go re-order what I *meant* to get. So my bank account is also now screaming at me as well, heh. (It was only 17$ but I still feel bad.)

**purktoni** · 12-13-2008, 08:08 AM

Well, its too early for today, but yesterday I finished my Christmas shopping. I got $115 worth of Meijer gift cards (finishing my mom's Christmas shopping for her), got my daughter what she asked SAnta for (Hannah Montanna doll on sale at Target for $7.99). Also bought groceries for this week and got a few things for next weekend's Christmas Party.

Today I will work on my sewing (Making pajama bottoms for my DH, 3 boys and dad) and make cut out cookies with the kids. Will also finish wrapping gifts hidden in my closet.