THE SECRET to staying sane in the HOLIDAY season/prep!

[@bethstratton3391]

Sorry I couldn’t make your live yesterday, but I watched it back and I liked hearing you discussing your family Christmas traditions and hearing Robin singing. It was nice to see Ivon looking better today. I loved her commentary as you were cooking, it makes me smile the loving little jokes you have together. Also, the pancakes looked yummy. It was sweet of Robin to help with putting the shopping away and it made me really chuckle to see him jumping on the bin rubbish. 🤭 I loved that you played “Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel”. I am glad that putting out your kitchen decorations made you feel a sense of joy. As you know I love your Christmas curtain.

[@ThisMainerMom]

More Ivon in todays video! 😃

[@SonyaChavez]

I’ve noticed on several other couple’s live that there is a lot of unintentional interrupting. If this was Roben’s first live, he wasn’t aware that you greet people as they join. I would suggest if you want to let him know you need to answer someone, just put your hand on his. But, it didn’t appear to me that he was bothered and he’ll be more prepared next live. I enjoyed watching in the playback. I think you have such a sweet family! Happy Thanksgiving.

[@pate2680]

You are such a good Mama to your three girls at home. I love how you pamper them while they are feeling unwell. I especially love how you are caring for your "baby," Ivon, while she is growing HER baby. ❤

[@SandraOgrodnik-wm4ph]

My grandchildren are 8, 3 1/2, and 6 months. We’ve done “experiences” for a few years and it works great. Gift cards to Dave n Busters, museums, zoo etc. also money for their bank accounts. I find creative fun ways to wrap and gift so they can open gifts. They do get some toy or video too. But mostly gc to do later

[@DistanceTraveled]

Gift giving is a true skill. Gift giving is one of my love languages, and my sister has agreed to financially back me buying the presents for the whole family from her and from me. We did it last year, and it worked out very well. My sister wants to give, but knowing what to get everyone stresses her out and I'm more financially constrained than she is, so this way, we both end up with the result we want. My boyfriend's family does Secret Santa where for extended family members, everyone is only responsible for one name. I thought this was a great financial management idea for years, however this has been overridden a bit with the women in the family taking over whatever names their families draw (so the men get whatever the wives think they should get and not necessarily what they want). But I have been in environments before where White Elephant has worked well because there were enough overlapping interests in people groups that the mix of gifts was quite balanced.

[@sburwell75]

My mother-in-law had a lot of granchildren and great-grandchildren. She bought each of them socks and a lifesaver book(remember those?) due to a very limited income. Everyone loved getting their Christmas socks. We all gathered at her tiny home for Christmas. Everyone brought a dish and one of my husband's brother-in-laws managed a local grocery so they fixed the turkey. We have the best memories of laughing and talking and enjoying each other's company back then. The only family my husband has left is one sister so we go to her house for Christmas now. She is 93 and everyone brings a dish and we eat and enjoy each other's company. Tradition continuing!

[@terryruiz7417]

What lovely memories!

[@croccatcher]

I’ve a squirrel in my garden called Charlie he been coming for years. He is so funny.

[@ThisMainerMom]

That’s such a cute name!!

[@terryruiz7417]

I began a few years ago gathering a variety of items for family, placing each one's in a gift bag as a collection. Some ideas...favorite snacks, homemade goodies, small useful items that i run across like warm special socks, books, specialty foods. I wrap the items up, include couples together in one large gift bag. Recipes you can assemble in large mouth jars, like soups, cookies with instructions are fun gifts to make. We are able to include a cash gift as well, but not necessary. Your imagination can run wild with this gift giving. Its fun! We're great grandparents, and this works well for us.

[@allioakley3372]

I used to make several types of Italian cookies on top of cooking elaborate meals and be exhausted. Today i made pizzeles. It takes hours. I'll give them out to friends and neighbors for Thanksgiving. I'll make the Italian Ricotta cookies....at Christmas time. I'm slowed way down down down and Karen it feels GOOD 😊❤️❤️❤️

[@DistanceTraveled]

24:50 we loved seeing Robin! ❤ easily forgiven.

[@davettepittman525]

So glad you put up your holiday kitchen valence. I was hoping you would.

[@Mags-m3d]

I love your little crib and that you put it in the kitchen the heart of the house. I also have a little one that I got when I first got married 28 years ago now and I alway put it up in my kitchen too. I hope to decorate this weekend for Christmas. We don’t do Thanksgiving here in Ireland but I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful that I found your KZbin channel. You’re so down to earth and real with your channel and I love that as I can relate so much with you. God Bless xx

[@ThisMainerMom]

Thank you! I am so glad you found me too and I appreciate your friendship ! ❄️❤️

[@Mags-m3d]

@ ❤️

[@JulieS1961]

My family doesn’t really exchange gifts (except we give practical things to the grandkids). We pick a time to get together and eat snack like foods and play games and just visit, no dishes, no crazy schedule, just relax and enjoy each other.

[@carolynoquinn4573]

Sounds fabulous 🎉

[@TerriWitman-bca]

Always enjoy your videos! So much like my families life haha. I have 3 grandkids that live with me. Always busy

[@simplyfreedom171]

I've simplified Thanksgiving by not traveling back to family every year. Christmas is simplified by fewer people to buy for, not buying new decor, simple wrapping (no bows), reuse gift bags, saying no to excessive outside home events. We save all year for gifts to stay on budget. I send only a handful of cards. I also start very early (Oct) to prep. Holidays can be simplified! I also no longer bake, better for health, time and wallet.

[@lisaann6267]

I do feel somewhat guilty when its Christmas. Things have gotten so tight financially. My sister bought me a toaster oven, im so grateful for, but i still want to give her something.maybe nonslip fuzzy socks.

[@JulieS1961]

I think your gift idea is perfect! I totally get where you are coming from, I have siblings that are able to spend so much more. I’ve finally convinced them I would really like to spend time with them without worrying about gifts. It takes that pressure off and is so much more enjoyable.

[@jennyjenkins877]

Ivon is so right... I was just talking to my partner about how this whole year has flown by!

[@jessicaquiroz7178]

My mawmaw had 6 kids (my mom was the oldest) and 15 grandkids (I’m the oldest). As the grandkids came she gave less gifts but did try to make homemade gifts. She was an excellent sewer and made beautiful quilts and afghans. She even made me Barbie clothes for my dolls. I loved that gift the most but unfortunately when I went to live with one of my aunts for a little while and then went back to live with my mom, my aunt wouldn’t let me take them with me and I never saw them again. My other favorite gift she started for me was my Barbie dolls. I kept them for my daughter but she never wanted them so I gave them to my cousin’s daughter so at least that way they stayed in the family.

[@kimiastewart6293]

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and Leo, too!

[@sonyahubbard3226]

Love the little nativity

[@sharonwengler3225]

No matter how old our kids get they love when we make them pancakes 💕

[@ThisMainerMom]

So true!! 😃

[@angelarothbauer8096]

When Ivon said a small batch and frowned then put her hand on her belly - I expected her to say but I’m eating for two 😂😂😂

[@ThisMainerMom]

😂🤣

[@jeannebowes2898]

Just a few items to pick up tomorrow. We celebrate Native American day on Friday, rather than Thursday, but the foods are much the same. I have to do a gluten, dairy free meal for one son and I am no expert: Turkey, sweet potatoes, home-done cranberry sauce, sprouts with bacon. Rather ordinary but all I have the energy for. If it does not snow tonight, son and I will rake leaves in the afternoon tomorrow. Our holiday pumpkins will go in the compost pile this weekend. I have some smalls stored in garage to use later. The squirrel vs Magpies in our yard.

[@angelarothbauer8096]

Years ago I planned and finished gifts by Thanksgiving - I still wrap them but it saves me time

[@helenelindholm656]

Nice to see you all. Is Ava a student or she works? If it's ok that i ask? Thanks for a nice video. Take care all❤

[@DistanceTraveled]

You might want to consider putting the comments in slow mode. That would give you more time to digest what is being shared without the pressure to rush.

[@lisaann6267]

Many have decorated early this year. Including me! I am going through my decor, things im bored with will go to salvation army this friday. Plus a few other things i found.

[@simplyfreedom171]

I know some famllies do couple or family gifts as a way to simplify.

[@cindypavao822]

Yesterday I saw your video pop up so I played it and saw you and Ivon making pizza. I think it was from about 4 years. I guess you tube randomly puts videos on, anyway, you have a great treasure of videos to watch with your family in the future. ❤

[@ThisMainerMom]

Aw I remember that one!! ❤️

[@JulieS1961]

It’s fun watching you and your family! Awesome family! ❤

[@ThisMainerMom]

I’m so glad you are enjoying it! ❤️

[@carolynoquinn4573]

We definitely drew names for gifts. To me as long as the young kids get gifts...don't bother with stockings anymore.

[@carolynoquinn4573]

I love your Nativity!

[@lisahumlicektaylor2682]

Showing a little sass there with the sugar!

[@ThisMainerMom]

Haha yes!! 😂

[@melissakoon2097]

My mother inlaw made sugar cookies , my grandma would send us a package of all different kind of cookies and treats, I thought he was talking over you

[@debbiegoodwin2421]

When the kids were young, I used to get so upset about everything . Now I don't get too upset about it. But I do feel bad about the kids were young.

[@carolynoquinn4573]

"Girl"? I can hear my Mom now.....

[@CynthiaMiller-cc3qj]

The key words in my holiday celebrations now are LESS & FEWER or NO: less food; fewer gatherings; no stockings; no cards; less decor; fewer gifts; less wrapping (use gift bags); LESS STRESS. We are 78. Time to dial it down.

[@theresachristian4246]

Can you block the trolls?

[@jeanettekvinlaug2772]

❤

[@allioakley3372]

Okay so the trick is you take the bag of trash out of the kitchen trash can and you put on sneakers and you crush it down and then you put it back in the trash can and you fill it some more until you know you can physically get it out of the house without it exploding 😂

[@ThisMainerMom]

Exactly!! 😂🤣

[@dw5593]

Hi Karen, has Ivon had her vit D level tested? I know that she struggles with getting cold. Wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving.

[@brianlee1517]

Women’s Hope podcast episode 138: Guarding our hearts, a survival kit for the holidays, is something that I need to hear each Christmas. I hope it helps someone else the way it helps me het through the season as a woman with feelings of responsibility for the holidays and wanting to be a gracious hostess. 😊

[@ThisMainerMom]

Thank you for sharing that! 😃

[@MsArtistwannabe]

I decided not to host anything this season. My daughter has a big house and a boyfriend that cooks and cleans. Last year I brought homemade rustic sourdough with Kamala olives bread, pumpkin pie, apple pie, stuffing and creamed spinach.

[@melissakoon2097]

Get gifts bought before Thanksgiving so you can enjoy December and not have to be out with the crazy rush after Thanksgiving I also shouldn't be around all the people with a low immune system

[@ThisMainerMom]

Definite goals!!

[@carolynoquinn4573]

Is it Ava, or Eva?

[@ThisMainerMom]

Spelled Eva but pronounced Ava. Spanish spelling of a French name! 😃

[@carolynoquinn4573]

So you're shuffling in the morning? Lol.

[@angelarothbauer8096]

Tasted like pretzels lol

[@סופיגנדל]

🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱❤

[@flipsforfun6116]

❤