bibliothecula
Academic ronin
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,727
like Bunnicula, only with books
|
 |
« Reply #90 on: November 03, 2009, 03:16:16 PM » |
|
Tell people that you prefer gifts to your favorite charity instead of more unwanted things.
Eh, in my family this would come across as pretentious and judgmental. My in-laws especially would think that by saying this, I'm actually expecting THEM to do the same in return and if they don't they're greedy. I'm not saying it's right, but this is how a lot of people would respond. Yeah, I always thought it was pretentious when done in reverse, when someone gives you a gift of a donation to the gift giver's favorite charity, but when someone suggests this as a gift that they would like to receive e.g. 'My friend was just diagnosed with cancer and it would mean a lot to me if you gave a gift to the American Cancer Society in my name," I would be happy to comply, just as I do with requests of charitable donations in lieu of flowers at a funeral. However, I know you can't control how your in-laws choose to react. Too bad, because lots of charities could use the support in the down economy. My dad didn't like it at first, but now all of the adults in the family make a donation to whatever charity for each other. For instance, Spouse and I gave this year to Planned Parenthood in the name of the whole family; last year one brother and SIL gave to a rape crisis center in our names, etc. The younger generation--now all in college--gets some little homemade thing, and we give everyone some kind of homemade food treat. We do this partly because I was sick of getting unwanted, weird gifts that no one put any thought into, partly because I think as adults we have a responsibility to give to others who need things more than we do, and partly because, yes, it is cheaper to give $100 to a charity than spend $25 on each individual person or $35 on each couple. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I came. I saw. I cited.
|
|
|
|
thundering_m
|
|
« Reply #91 on: November 04, 2009, 03:58:19 AM » |
|
"Holiday Shopping Drives Me Batty" Gift List: (when a gift card just won't do)
Chocolate (big boxes, fancy brands always appreciated; local brands are sometimes fun, too)
Wine et al.
Winter-themed mugs (with tea, coffee, hot cocoa, etc)
Food gift baskets (sausage/cheese, or tea/coffee/cookies, or sweets/snacks)
Winter-theme lap blanket/throw
(please feel free to add to this list, for the benefit of fellow gift-challenged forumers)
I agree with your suggestions, Stratus. I like giving things that are consumable at the time of opening: treats to eat and also fun stuff to do. A new puzzle, game, or interactive something or other. At the Museum of Flight in Seattle they sell this way cool stomp rocket. Absolute hoot for any age. An old favorite: give a roll of stamps. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
-TM
Thundering Marshmallow
|
|
|
|
collegekidsmom
|
|
« Reply #92 on: November 06, 2009, 11:10:34 AM » |
|
Anyone have to make mashed potatoes for a crowd? If you had to make regular mashed potatoes for more than 20 people-the white fluffy kind that you can make a well in to fill with gravy, what do you do? I just bought a new mega-potato ricer for the Yukon Gold. I am hoping that I don't have to peel the potatoes with this big ricer, as peeling all those potatoes is a big job (usually I have kids do it). I usually serve out of a giant crock pot on a buffet. Any tips for large scale mashed potato consumption? I am wary of "make ahead" as I had bad renditions of that. Any good tips?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
prof_smartypants
Treasure-pilferin' and grog-swillin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,644
Kiss the baby!
|
|
« Reply #93 on: November 06, 2009, 11:42:04 AM » |
|
Ugh. Husband just invited his parents for Christmas. Without checking with me first. Apparently he thought we had already discussed this. Maybe I was drunk and agreed to such nonsense, but even drunk, I can't imagine I would have done such a thing.
Worst. Christmas. Ever.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Welcome to college, motherf*cker.
|
|
|
biomancer
trying to be the person my dog thinks I am
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,585
CHE Fora Hazmat Team
|
|
« Reply #94 on: November 06, 2009, 12:32:41 PM » |
|
Anyone have to make mashed potatoes for a crowd? If you had to make regular mashed potatoes for more than 20 people-the white fluffy kind that you can make a well in to fill with gravy, what do you do? I just bought a new mega-potato ricer for the Yukon Gold. I am hoping that I don't have to peel the potatoes with this big ricer, as peeling all those potatoes is a big job (usually I have kids do it). I usually serve out of a giant crock pot on a buffet. Any tips for large scale mashed potato consumption? I am wary of "make ahead" as I had bad renditions of that. Any good tips?
Don't make them ahead - they'll turn to glue. You can have the kids peel them a couple hours in advance and put the potatoes into your biggest pot and cover them with water until you're ready to cook. Drain the water and refill, then cook. For 20# of potatoes you might want to use a hand-held mixer (or transfer some fraction of the potatoes at a time to the largest mixing bowl for your stand mixer) if you have either, rather than a potato ricer. I personally prefer the hand mixer option, and I make potatoes for 30+ people a couple times a year. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Clueless people can be dangerous. The acidic environment they can spread often needs to be neutralized, and humor is basic. - Dellaroux
Viruses invented people so that people would invent airplanes so viruses could get around better. - R. Duda
|
|
|
|
collegekidsmom
|
|
« Reply #95 on: November 06, 2009, 12:53:38 PM » |
|
Yes, that's what I usually do-the hand mixer route. I hadn't thought of using the big stand mixer with batches. Lately, I have been making smaller batches for myself using Yukon Gold potatoes and the ricer, mixed with warmed up cream, butter-little olive oil on top...Was wondering about going that route for the large crowd. Saw a giant ricer, which I must confess I bought-but not sure about trying to rice that many potatoes from the giant pot. Also when I make small batches, after I drain the potatoes, I put them back into the empty hot pot to dry a little before ricing, but with the giant pile, they are a little wet still. Thanks, Biomancer for that vote to stick with the usual big pot and hand mixer. I always wonder if there are better ways of doing this dinner. Over the years, I have bought more peelers so more people can be roped into peeling with a nice gadget.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
alto_stratus
|
|
« Reply #96 on: November 07, 2009, 09:47:51 PM » |
|
Those stores that prepare everything for you are magical. I'm doing that this year.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
oseph
|
|
« Reply #97 on: November 07, 2009, 11:00:57 PM » |
|
Holy s***. MIL found out that Perfect Brother is going to stay in Foreign Country for Christmas. When I heard the news, realizing that MIL would be alone for Christmas, I invited her to spend it with us.
But she's already bought a ticket to go see Perfect Brother in Foreign Country.
Huh. Good for her.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Oseph....you are right and you make sense.
For your future comments, I insult very directly.
|
|
|
|
shrek
|
|
« Reply #98 on: November 07, 2009, 11:19:21 PM » |
|
I LOVE LOVE Thanksgiving. It's MINE! My in-laws and mother all live too far away to come. So do my siblings and spouse's siblings. We invite people we like or invite no one, it doesn't matter. Last year it was just us (3 of us) and we had a small turkey, stuffing, and salad. And dessert. That's it! Each year, no matter how many people come (and we've had years where there are 20 or more) we make basically the same thing. When people hear the menu they'll say, "well, Thanksgiving just isn't traditional without ___." My response used to be, "great, bring it!"
Now my response is, we will make x, y, and z. If you think there's something you'll miss, please bring and share your tradition. It works (and it's fun).
Even when family comes (and sometimes they will get on airplanes and all that), it's fun. We do what we always do. We go for long walks in the neighborhood park. Invite our neighbors over for drinks and just go with the flow.
Christmas-- well, that's another thing.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
biomancer
trying to be the person my dog thinks I am
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,585
CHE Fora Hazmat Team
|
|
« Reply #99 on: November 08, 2009, 10:47:48 AM » |
|
Holy s***. MIL found out that Perfect Brother is going to stay in Foreign Country for Christmas. When I heard the news, realizing that MIL would be alone for Christmas, I invited her to spend it with us.
But she's already bought a ticket to go see Perfect Brother in Foreign Country.
Huh. Good for her.
Oseph, based on everything I've seen in the Clueless MIL thread, I think you just got the best present you could ask for - a holiday without the stress of MIL. (I'm not trying to be heartless here - just suggesting that since you don't have to worry about her guilt-tripping you about how you spend the holidays for the next 8 weeks, things should be a lot smoother.) Enjoy! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Clueless people can be dangerous. The acidic environment they can spread often needs to be neutralized, and humor is basic. - Dellaroux
Viruses invented people so that people would invent airplanes so viruses could get around better. - R. Duda
|
|
|
|
oseph
|
|
« Reply #100 on: November 08, 2009, 10:55:50 AM » |
|
Holy s***. MIL found out that Perfect Brother is going to stay in Foreign Country for Christmas. When I heard the news, realizing that MIL would be alone for Christmas, I invited her to spend it with us.
But she's already bought a ticket to go see Perfect Brother in Foreign Country.
Huh. Good for her.
Oseph, based on everything I've seen in the Clueless MIL thread, I think you just got the best present you could ask for - a holiday without the stress of MIL. (I'm not trying to be heartless here - just suggesting that since you don't have to worry about her guilt-tripping you about how you spend the holidays for the next 8 weeks, things should be a lot smoother.) Enjoy! Trust me - I'm fine with this situation. There was the potential for disaster. Mr. Oseph's career is kind of up in the air right now, and he's trying to figure things out. MIL has been pretty supportive over the phone, but last night she snapped and told him she was tired of his self-doubt and indecisiveness. Then of course she praised Spoiled, Perfect Brother for his travels in Foreign Country, conveniently overlooking the fact that she completely supported Spoiled, Perfect Brother for 13 years while he played around doing little worthwhile. Now he is The Golden Child and Mr. Oseph is her embarrassment because he isn't as successful and peppy as she is. I think Mr. Oseph reminds her of her late husband, who was much the same way, and their conversations bring back memories of immense frustration. I could be totally wrong about this, but that is how it appears to me. We will see her at Thanksgiving, but she will be outnumbered by my family, all of whom are kind of a mess but also very openminded about what constitutes a "successful" life. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Oseph....you are right and you make sense.
For your future comments, I insult very directly.
|
|
|
tmeao
Junior member
Posts: 97
|
|
« Reply #101 on: November 08, 2009, 01:12:57 PM » |
|
A new holiday issue has arisen...So we are going to war-torn, State Department has advised against travel to this country for years, for the holidays. Family connection, though I also do work in the area. We have visited before, with kids in tow, and really, so long as one knows where to go, understands local politics, etc. it is relatively safe.
Here's the problem. My son mentioned that he was going to this place for the holidays and now his teacher has repeatedly brought up the issue and expressed grave concern to him (quite frankly, I think she knows virtually nothing about the place but it is one of those places that is burned in the American psyche as dangerous, fractious, and anti-American), Fortunately my son has a decent head on his shoulders and thus far I think he is inclined to believe our depictions of the place but he also is an impressionable young boy and her commentary about the dangerousness of this trip is getting old. Thoughts? Nice but direct request to teacher to please stop? Ignore it?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
crowie
|
|
« Reply #102 on: November 08, 2009, 01:22:59 PM » |
|
Ignore for now, but if she keeps bringing it up, yes, a polite request to desist is in order.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
tinyzombie
She hides the stars under her hair, and is a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 5,594
elevate from this point on - chuck d
|
|
« Reply #103 on: November 08, 2009, 01:38:27 PM » |
|
We are going to Unlikable Extended Family's for T-Day. I think T-Day is unlikable too.
I don't think anyone else will be drinking.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
*waving tiny zombie flags* Correct, as usual, TZ. That's because you are not Dude. TZ, however, is Dude. TZ is my favorite. |
|
|
|
scampster
|
|
« Reply #104 on: November 08, 2009, 01:40:33 PM » |
|
We are going to Unlikable Extended Family's for T-Day. I think T-Day is unlikable too.
I don't think anyone else will be drinking.
At least I can always count on the alcohol flowing freely with anything having to do with my immediate or extended family. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
When you are a scientist your opinions and prejudices become facts. Science is like magic that way!
|
|
|
|
