What's for Dinner?

This is the place to post ideas about what you want to make. Depending on how organized you are, maybe add an ingredient list and I'll try to get a handle on the food bill forecast. I don't know how much money will be in the pot (haha pun), but if you can make dinners for $25 and breakfasts for $10 that would put the food total at $280. It might end up being more than that, and that's ok, just keep the cost in mind. (There's no way we can keep Christmas dinner to $25)


If I'm way off base, let me know. Each couple gets to make 4 meals. Only one meal a day though. We'll work out the schedule later. The reunions I've been to where this worked, we did a brunch and an early dinner. Snacking in between obviously as needed. However, if the majority of the Mann family wakes up at 7 and wants a full breakfast right then, let's do that and have a snacky lunch or dinner. Let me know what you think.

This is also the place to beg others to make food you can't but really want for the holiday. Such as me begging someone else to make cinnamon rolls. And mashed potatoes.

Stocking Tradition

My favorite traditions for stockings is this: on Christmas eve we all write something we love about each person and put it in their stocking. Then, on Christmas morning everyone has 8 love notes, and it just warms the whole room.We have done this in my family for most of my life.

Look how cute this one is!

Your Presence is our Present

No presents for us please. I've been dreading bringing this up, because so many people show love through gift-giving and receiving, and I don't want to hurt their feelings. Look, we're all making sacrifices to get together, and if we can come away from it with happy memories, an extra five pounds, and maybe, just maybe, a swell family picture, that is good enough for me. For us, the big wall-to-wall toy fest is birthday time. So, please don't feel like you are expected to haul anything to Texas, and let's face it, you probably won't have much to haul back.

Camp Christmas!

Okay folks, you know who you are! Two grandparents, Four parents, two sisters, four kidlets. In a three-bedroom house! We've had some great suggestions so far by phone and email such as getting a family photo done while we're together and looking for someone in need of a house-sitter. I know there are lots of things to think about (sleeping arrangements, eating arrangements, gift-giving, and entertainment). This week, let's focus on entertainment. Here are some things we could do:
Make big Signs for Santa
Nativity story
Dreidle with gold coins or candies (yeah, I know it's Jewish, but it's fun)
Service project (scavenger hunt, go caroling)
Christmas carols
Quilt a denim quilt
Gingerbread houses (graham crackers or the real deal)
Santa Lucia tradition
Family History or Personal history storytelling (maybe video a grandparents interview?)
Seminars or Workshops where we share something we've learned this year. Galveston (cookout on the beach, old Kemah boardwalk, Moody Gardens $$$)
Sidewalk chalk, fun backyard stuff, Arwen in kennel in backyard?
Talent show (Anyone seen Dan in Real Life? Go rent it right now!)
Couple dates (take an afternoon off, leave kids at the homestead, take car)
Sports day at the park (tennis, basketball, soccer)
Rent some bikes and go for a bike ride through the forest ($)
Boats on the lake ($)
Nasa
Also, our Museum of Natural Science is having a huge Chronicles of Narnia exhibit. It would be about $20 per person, so unless you're all nuts about it, we don't have to do it. (I think Elizabeth and I should sneak down there though)

I know when you're traveling, you are more tired than normal, so I'm not saying we have to do all of this by any means. (Is it too ambitious to have at least 2 activities scheduled per day?).

Come back often to see more updates and toss in your 2 cents.