Never heard of Petanque.....interpretation needed....likely the same as croquette if it is played in the garden .....how did we go sooooo off topic
This might help you understand why those gifts were given @Cody Fousnaugh. https://www.gotquestions.org/gold-frankincense-myrrh.html
Well, Christmas, and other special days during the year, are very important to us, as well as giving and sending cards and gifts. For those that don't do it or even celebrate Christmas, or the other special days a lot of folks do, that has to be up to you. Obviously, a number of people don't, and won't, understand the "why not" of it, but........... Will say again, during the 21 years I was divorced, I didn't really celebrate Christmas, because I had very few friends and no relatives. Heck, I didn't even give Veteran's Day a thought and I'm a Veteran. Any days I had off for holidays, I was just glad to have off. Now that I'm married to a lady that loves Christmas, decorating and buying gifts, as well as celebrating other special days, like Valentine's Day, I do it as well and love it.
@Cody Fousnaugh , I just wanted to tell you about what happened after you had the little discussion about gift-giving. My dear Bobby decided to give me a Christmas present, and when we went to Sam’s club this month, he bought me a set of new cookie sheets. That might not sound impressive, but all I have ever, ever had was the worn out ugly black ones from the thrift store or a yard sale, so having actual brand new cookie sheets is an awesome gift in my eyes. Every time I bake cookies , I am reminded how much my husband loves me, and I am happy all over again. He might wish he hadn’t started this now, though, because I already asked him for what I want for my birthday............Pizza Pans ! !
I'd rather not know what I'm getting for Christmas. If there were something in particular that I wanted, I would just buy it, so I'd rather get something that I wouldn't otherwise buy for myself and I have never returned a gift, other than clothing that didn't fit, and that was for a replacement.
It's really hard to find gifts to give to the older grandkids...as their parents buy them everything they want all year long. It wasn't this way when I was growing up...or even raising my own kids....we did not have the kind of income that would "pay" for Christmas every day. So when we did get or give things for Christmas, these gifts were appreciated and used all year long. My grandkids play with their new things or use them until they tire of them or there is an updated version which "they just have to have." Even with the younger grandkids it is getting harder to buy for them...for they already have everything too. Every day is Christmas for many kids who are growing up now. Sometimes I think parents try to give their kids everything to try to make up for all the time they can not spend with them because of their careers. I finally heard my middle daughter tell me this Christmas that she is really starting to hate it. She doesn't even know what to get her kids anymore and she's really tired of never having a moment to relax and enjoy the Holiday Season. I told her to think about how she can make some changes that would make Christmas more meaningful to her...and therefore her family too.
The grandsons at my daughter's got lots of gift cards and the older boy got clothes he wanted. The big items for the 14 yr old were a new basketball hoop for the back yard. A TV for his room and a new Xbox and some games. He got two sets of new headphones so he doesn't have to take the one that he uses in the den with his PlayStation 4 upstairs. Also got controllers for the games...always an extra for a friend that comes to play. That's all I remember seeing. I got mostly money and some sweaters and perfume and lotions and potions and a firestick since my son never sent me the old one he had. I don't get the iwatch because I wasn't sure yet but got enough money to buy it if I decide on it. Pickles also got some goodies in his stocking.
Just remembered the Harden basketball shoes the 14 yr old got...he was very happy with those because they weren't on his Christmas list and he was surprised. My daughter said she got him every single thing on his list so no surprises except the shoes and stocking stuffers. The TV was also a surprise...he wanted one but they had a rule of no tvs in their bedrooms. I helped persuade my SIl that Nicholas deserves one....he is a super kid. He also got a firestick in his stocking and some game cards or whatever he uses on the Xbox The oldest also got an Uber card in his stocking.
It's kind of cool that the 12 yr old in Illinois plays on his PlayStation with my 14 yr old grandson in California. They talk to each other through the game...I can hear them. They seldom see each other even if they are cousins because of the distance but at least they get to play something together. They can talk to other people also...strangers so you do have to keep an eye out...at least on the 12 yr old....Nicholas is older and knows not to talk to strangers on the internet...he only plays with his friends or his cousin.
@Babs Hunt ....are my pics the right way? I can never tell. I did run them through photobomb to crop but didn't rotate them because they look right to me.
Chrissy, your pictures ALWAYS look right to me...... PS They are great pictures of a happy family, and lots of Christmas presents under a beautiful Christmas tree.
Thanks @Yvonne Smith There was a part of me this Christmas that wished I was there like I was last year...Christmas with the older ones is different and I enjoy the Illinois Christmas more...even the weather. Hopefully next year!! I also meant to say ran them through photo lab and not photo bomb, lol.