Hobby Thread - November 29, 2025 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. A spin of the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies (TM) landed on advent calendars.

Are you thinking "I'm not into advent calendars and I can barely count, but I am eager to learn more. I can't wait to get into the content!" I knew it. Enjoy.

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What are you hobbying?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. All (legal) hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Pants are optional. Puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice. Don't be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Tomorrow is the first Sunday in Advent. The time for preparation and anticipation of Christmas is upon us. If only there was a fun and clever way to track the countdown...

Where did Advent Calendars come from? Here's the explanation, thanks to a German Girl in America:

In literature, the earliest mention of a countdown Calendar comes in a 1851 Children's Book by Elise Averdieck. Thomas Mann also mentions the Advent Calendar in his novel Buddenbrooks. By 1902, the first "Christmas Clock" was sold in Hamburg. It counted the days, much like a clock counts the hours with a movable dial and hands.

More history:

It was German lithographer Gerhard Lang, however, who came to be known as the "inventor" of the modern Advent calendar in the years that followed. When he was a boy, Lang's mother would help him count down to Christmas by fixing 24 cookies to a makeshift calendar.
After World War I, Lang released his first Advent calendar with pieces of chocolate inside, paving the way for the modern versions.
In the U.S., Advent calendars saw a massive boost in popularity after World War II.
"President Dwight Eisenhower's grandkids had a picture in Newsweek magazine of them opening an advent calendar, because at that point, Advent calendars were still sort of a new thing in the United States, even though they had been produced in Germany for 50 years," Landau said.

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Has an advent calendar been part of your Christmas tradition?

Do you have a favorite in your house? Did you have one as a child?

Have you made a calendar of your own?

What fun treats have you put in an advent calendar? (Disclosure: interweb searching for "advent calendar" yields way too many expensive examples with high dollar goodies each day rather than simple and fun treats. I guess fools and their money are soon parted...)

Are there advent calendars out there you think would be particularly well suited for the Horde?

Any other favorite advent traditions?

Do you have three purple candles and one pink candle ready for your advent wreath? Do you use blue instead of purple?

Are you among the early birds bringing home a fresh Christmas tree before November ends? Are you already setting up an artificial tree?

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DIY Craft Beer Advent Calendar

Steps:
1) Decide on a design (square, rectangular, or triangular)
2) Cut shipping tubes or dividers
3) Glue shipping tubes or dividers together
4) Fill each tube with a craft beer bottle or can
5) Decorate
6) Enjoy

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This looks like a fun little craft project. Click the photo for instructions:

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Cardboard tube (aka toilet paper roll) DIY calendar.

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From the Ore Mountains of Germany, known as Erzgebirge.

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For Doggo (and doggos):

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Fortum and Mason building in London:

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Mercedes-Benz in Munich:

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Get a part each day and assemble them into a finished product. From the Germans (naturally):

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Presume everyone already has this one:

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did an boating theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, contribute something from your personal hobbying. We will feature a different theme next time. What are you hobbying? We love showing off Horde hobbying. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 You can always count on Advent calendars.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 29, 2025 05:31 PM (uQesX)

2 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at November 29, 2025 05:32 PM (Ia/+0)

3 One of the excerpts mentions modern Advent calendars. I saw a YT vid recently that dates the Advent calendar as quite a bit older than the nineteenth century.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 29, 2025 05:34 PM (uQesX)

4

It's 25 O'Clock

https://youtu.be/xGF7o_I4mAw

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 29, 2025 05:35 PM (pkeXY)

5 Happy Thanksgiving to all. Thanks for the thread, TRex. When I was a kid, we made Christmas decorations from Pringles cans. They each had a miniature scene like a Nativity, illuminated with a small candle above.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at November 29, 2025 05:36 PM (31p00)

6 I really admire people who are creative enough to make advent calendars . I had a challenging enough time finding regular advent calendars that had religious pictures and not 25 days of chocolate. Chocolate is fine, but I don't want it for an advent calendar. I finally went to Hallmark. They had one religious one and the Irish store had some lovely ones.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 05:36 PM (jUN6x)

7 I first learned about the advent calendar watching Bad Santa.

Posted by: the way I see it at November 29, 2025 05:36 PM (KDPiq)

8 5 When I was a kid, we made Christmas decorations from Pringles cans. They each had a miniature scene like a Nativity, illuminated with a small candle above.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at November 29, 2025 05:36 PM
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Wow. Sounds great! Pringles cans are good hobbying material.

Posted by: TRex - once you pop, you can't stop at November 29, 2025 05:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

9 Wow. Sounds great! Pringles cans are good hobbying material.
Posted by: TRex - once you pop, you can't stop at November 29, 2025 05:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

Pringles can, rubber band, wiffle ball, empty box... next thing you know you have a tank.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 29, 2025 05:39 PM (uQesX)

10 Alas, this thread is a week to early for me as tomorrow is our family yearly Christmas grave wreath making. We put together wreaths from evergreens pine cones, Christmas ornaments, ribbons and bows.
Will have a picture next week.

Posted by: Skip at November 29, 2025 05:41 PM (Ia/+0)

11 I never *heard* of an Advent calendar until recent years, when companies are using them to move merchandise like an Advent calendar with a chocolate treat in each little window. But don't go by me. I grew up in one of the most Catholic cities in the U.S., had Catholic friends and married a Catholic girl of Irish extraction -- and had never heard of the Stations of the Cross until about twenty-five years ago!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:42 PM (wzUl9)

12 I'd suppose you could make an Advent calendar with each of the twenty-four little boxes holding a bowl's worth of pipe tobacco. That'd be interesting.

I'm trying to locate some Christmas- or "winter"-themed blends, and already a lot of them are sold out. I have the remnants -- about a thumbnail-sized flake -- of such a blend I received last Christmas. I'll try to see if I can name it to 12/25 before I use it up.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:45 PM (wzUl9)

13 I saw the Dinosaur adventure Calendar at a craft store today. I was guessing it was a subtle dig against God creating the world, but maybe that was an uncharitable thought due to my fatigue.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 05:47 PM (64qRd)

14 The Porsche calendar looks ultra-cool! Any idea of the scale, or the length of the finished car? And where can you buy these?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:48 PM (wzUl9)

15 My hobby is making lists of the Roman and Byzantine emperors.

Posted by: Bulg at November 29, 2025 05:49 PM (77rzZ)

16 I first learned about the advent calendar watching Bad Santa.
Posted by: the way I see it at November 29, 2025

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Lauren Graham is in that. Gotta see it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:50 PM (wzUl9)

17 My hobby is making lists of the Roman and Byzantine emperors.
Posted by: Bulg at November 29, 2025

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Miss Linda wants me to make an inventory list of all my pipes: brand, shape, when and where I purchased each one, etc. An Excel spreadsheet would be perfect for that, and then I can print it out.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:51 PM (wzUl9)

18 Miss Linda wants me to make an inventory list of all my pipes: brand, shape, when and where I purchased each one, etc. An Excel spreadsheet would be perfect for that, and then I can print it out.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:51 PM (wzUl9)

Make a spreadsheet? Remind her you're retired.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 29, 2025 05:54 PM (uQesX)

19 Bourbon Advent calendar (which is $$$) or the cigar calendar, which is equally stupidly priced.

The Bourbon calendars run over $120. And they are not even full shots.

They're "tastes."

Think eye droppers.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 29, 2025 05:54 PM (NwnyJ)

20 Advent is a religious thing, and mostly a Roman Catholic thing, I believe. Never understood how the escaped into the more secular scene.
Seeing them referred to here as countdown calendars makes it a bit more clear, I would have expected that to have overtaken Advent more by now.

Posted by: From about That Time at November 29, 2025 05:55 PM (sl73Y)

21 Posted by: Bulg at November 29, 2025 05:49 PM (77rzZ)

And who is the best and worst of each of those categories?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 05:55 PM (TIRHP)

22 Makerhaus (https://tinyurl.com/bdfzwcyp) had the Porsche Advent kits, as did Amazon, but they're sold out.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:56 PM (wzUl9)

23 Had an Advent wreath in Lutheran church with four candles. Light one candle each week until all four are alight.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 29, 2025 05:57 PM (pkeXY)

24 14 The Porsche calendar looks ultra-cool! Any idea of the scale, or the length of the finished car? And where can you buy these?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 29, 2025 05:48 PM
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It is made by Franzis. https://tinyurl.com/yak9kpd3
I don't see that color on their website, but looks the one they have is out of stock. The final result is a 1:43 scale car.

Posted by: TRex - mini dino at November 29, 2025 05:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

25 Posted by: From about That Time at November 29, 2025 05:55 PM (sl73Y)

My mother was a nominal Protestant and she liked Advent calendars. The "high" Protestant churches have them as well. But I was thinking the same thing - that the countdown calendars have replaced the religiously connected ones.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 05:59 PM (TIRHP)

26 Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 29, 2025 05:57 PM (pkeXY)

Yep, so do Anglican, Episcopalian and Methodist churches.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:00 PM (TIRHP)

27 We had a Belgian chocolate advent calendar last year that #2 son gave us. Mrs fd and I split each piece each day.

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 06:00 PM (vFG9F)

28 I used the 3D printer to make the Nakatomi plaza Advent calendar.

As you pull each day, Hans Gruber falls one more floor. She loved it.

Posted by: Chappyman66 at November 29, 2025 06:01 PM (boKcN)

29 I always had a religious peekaboo Advent Calendar as a kid, it was fun to open a new door each day. My grandma one year gave us fancy ones that had a piece of candy each day.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 29, 2025 06:01 PM (3U2FH)

30 Posted by: Chappyman66 at November 29, 2025 06:01 PM (boKcN)

That really would be appropriately named a countDOWN calendar. 😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:03 PM (TIRHP)

31 Leftover Thanksgiving ham calendar won't last a week.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 06:04 PM (LHPAg)

32 Indeed.....you really feel the approach of the day....

Posted by: Chappyman66 at November 29, 2025 06:05 PM (boKcN)

33 Or you could say it keeps you grounded

Posted by: Chappyman66 at November 29, 2025 06:06 PM (boKcN)

34 One of the best Advent calendars for guys is one of the ones full of tools. The ever-indulgent wife has been getting me the Wera one for the last several years. You can find it on Amzn or just go straight to KCTool - kctoolco.com where I see they still have some of this year's as well as some from past years. Tools don't go stale like chocolates so get all you want. Warning: some of them are a bit... pricey (but worth it).
Just search 'advent calendar' and see what's still in stock.

Posted by: KCSteve at November 29, 2025 06:06 PM (bxAlI)

35 28 I used the 3D printer to make the Nakatomi plaza Advent calendar.

As you pull each day, Hans Gruber falls one more floor. She loved it.

Posted by: Chappyman66 at November 29, 2025 06:01 PM
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That would be a Yippee-ki-yay-calendar.

Posted by: TRex - die hard is a christmas movie at November 29, 2025 06:06 PM (IQ6Gq)

36 34 One of the best Advent calendars for guys is one of the ones full of tools.

Posted by: KCSteve at November 29, 2025 06:06 PM
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Good way to fill out a socket set.

Posted by: TRex - where is that 10mm socket? at November 29, 2025 06:08 PM (IQ6Gq)

37 Welcome to the party pals! It's an Advent party.

Posted by: Chappyman66 at November 29, 2025 06:08 PM (boKcN)

38 36 34 One of the best Advent calendars for guys is one of the ones full of tools.

Posted by: KCSteve at November 29, 2025 06:06 PM
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Good way to fill out a socket set.
Posted by: TRex - where is that 10mm socket? at November 29, 2025 06:08 PM (IQ6G
I need a deepwall 10mm.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 06:09 PM (LHPAg)

39 Took advantage of an unfinished project for the foster kid and added an upper shelf to my electronics workbench. Moved most of the test equipment up to it.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at November 29, 2025 06:09 PM (lUFok)

40 Grew up with Advent calendars (religious pictures, no chocolate)
Never had an Advent wreath (parents not big on candles). Got my own when I moved out, then learned what a pain the clean up is at the end of the season.
We have a German smoker that counts down the days til Christmas. Became a necessity when we lived in CA, as the weather was the same most days. Dec 25 can just sneak up on you before you know it!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 06:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

41 "Good way to fill out a socket set.
Posted by: TRex - where is that 10mm socket? "

I would like a 10mm socket set advent calendar. 6 points, 12 point, shallow, medium, and deep well, 3/8 and 1/4 drive, thinwall and impact, all the possible combinations should fill out a month.

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 06:13 PM (vFG9F)

42 Commandment 4.5: Roll with it. Didn't make the final draft even though it was placed between authority of parents and murder prohibited.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at November 29, 2025 06:16 PM (YlWIZ)

43 41 "Good way to fill out a socket set.
Posted by: TRex - where is that 10mm socket? "

I would like a 10mm socket set advent calendar. 6 points, 12 point, shallow, medium, and deep well, 3/8 and 1/4 drive, thinwall and impact, all the possible combinations should fill out a month.

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 06:13 PM
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We're onto something. Will see about adding to the 2025 Moron Christmas gift buying guide.

Posted by: TRex - first sockets, then drill bits at November 29, 2025 06:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

44 My mother does the three red and one purple candle advent Sundays. She told me what was what but I can be a bit thick.

Posted by: Accomack at November 29, 2025 06:19 PM (IG7T0)

45 Advent is a religious thing, and mostly a Roman Catholic thing, I believe. Never understood how the escaped into the more secular scene.
Seeing them referred to here as countdown calendars makes it a bit more clear, I would have expected that to have overtaken Advent more by now.
Posted by: From about That Time at November 29, 2025 05:55 PM

Advent is also an Orthodox thing. 40 days out from the Nativity, much like Lent, only the fast is more relaxed.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 29, 2025 06:19 PM (Wnv9h)

46 Why did Frosty say 'Happy Birthday!'

Seems a bit creepy.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 29, 2025 06:19 PM (zZu0s)

47 I always had a religious peekaboo Advent Calendar as a kid, it was fun to open a new door each day. My grandma one year gave us fancy ones that had a piece of candy each day.
Posted by: Tom Servo
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I have one of those around here...somewhere.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 29, 2025 06:23 PM (XeU6L)

48 One year in the strip Pearls Before Swine, Pig comments that he always thought it was an "Advil Calendar" which had a pain pill in each window for the Christmas season

Posted by: Kindltot at November 29, 2025 06:24 PM (rbvCR)

49 Plus advent calendars kind of both heighten and capture t he season for kids. You get small candy or toys and you get one a day until the big day when everything is grand. Least that is how mom and dad made it for me.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 29, 2025 06:24 PM (zZu0s)

50 48: Never saw that one but its funny.

Posted by: PaleRider at November 29, 2025 06:25 PM (hhkIi)

51 My family is fond of the cat and dog advent calendars at Trader Joes. My mom's cat has evolved the ability to detect his advent calendar anywhere in the house sight unseen, and it has to be hidden in a high cabinet with a cat-proof door to make it all the way through Christmas.

This year will be the first year I have a *completely home-grown tree*. I got fed up with spending over a hundred bucks for a spindly weed full of spiders, so I got some baby pine trees and set up my own tree farm

So I guess that's a hobby? A very small tree farm?

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 29, 2025 06:25 PM (5da0R)

52 Posted by: Accomack at November 29, 2025 06:19 PM (IG7T0)

I m not sure what the red is ? . In usual Advent wreaths it is three purple candles and one pink one for the Sunday of "Joy"- third Sunday in Advent ,and then there's larger white candle for Christmas Eve.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:25 PM (GLmO1)

53 Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 29, 2025 06:25 PM (5da0R)

That's neat- starting a little tree farm

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:26 PM (GLmO1)

54 The Porsche kit featured in the content up top is the only one I've ever seen that slowly releases parts that are later built into a finished end product. I like the idea of a gradual reveal and then combining the parts into a keepsake. The company makes others like a VW bus, firetruck and F1 race car.

Posted by: TRex - de-constructed dino at November 29, 2025 06:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

55 I don't have an actual tree. We use an old fashioned towel rack with arms sticking out, because one year my son who was about four saw it in a room upstairs and said "That looks like a tree". No danger of loads of needles dropping off or of cats climbing it.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:32 PM (GLmO1)

56 51 This year will be the first year I have a *completely home-grown tree*. I got fed up with spending over a hundred bucks for a spindly weed full of spiders, so I got some baby pine trees and set up my own tree farm

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 29, 2025 06:25 PM
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Outstanding! Best wishes! How many did you plant? How long ago did you plant?

Posted by: TRex - home grown dino at November 29, 2025 06:32 PM (IQ6Gq)

57 Every time Frosty was un-magic he was reborn

Posted by: Skip at November 29, 2025 06:32 PM (Ia/+0)

58 Someone gave me an Advent calendar with daily nibbles of chocolate when I was a kid. I had no idea what it was and ate all the chocolate in minutes.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at November 29, 2025 06:32 PM (9ipOP)

59 Posted by: Kindltot at November 29, 2025 06:24 PM (rbvCR)

LOL.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:33 PM (GLmO1)

60 As writing is a hobby - because I'm making no money, I was interested in this Rick Beato vid from yesterday. Apparently, some large music companies are teaming with AI platforms. Could it mean "corporate music" will become a reality? I can understand amateur songwriters using AI programs to help craft a tune, but big companies are always looking for a way to take from producers and bypass them. Will it lead to fake music topping sales charts?

https://tinyurl.com/26363bwu

Posted by: OrangeEnt at November 29, 2025 06:34 PM (uQesX)

61 52 I m not sure what the red is ?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:25 PM
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Red isn't symbolic or religious - just festive. Goes with the green and red Christmas color palate.

Posted by: TRex - symbolic dino at November 29, 2025 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

62 Although my family were all good Catholics, we never had Advent calendars in my youth. A few years ago Mrs. JTB and I started having one as a pleasant tradition. Lately, it's been harder to find religious or even seasonal ones in local stores. This year we saw the dinosaur one and a Harry Potter version but not religious. I should check the Hallmark store in town. Had the same problem finding a creche some time ago. Finally found one.

Posted by: JTB at November 29, 2025 06:36 PM (yTvNw)

63 Posted by: TRex - symbolic dino at November 29, 2025 06:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

Ok . It was a holiday wreath not a traditional Advent wreath. Sorry; didn't get that .

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:36 PM (GLmO1)

64 Posted by: JTB at November 29, 2025 06:36 PM (yTvNw

Yep, unless they've sold out Hallmark should have some.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:37 PM (GLmO1)

65 Poinsetta and Holly Berries(?) Are both red, right?

Santa (Saint Nick's) uniform is Scarlett. Probably has something to do with the Blood of Christ.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at November 29, 2025 06:39 PM (zZu0s)

66 In my early years, the harbingers of Christmas were the arrival of the Sears Christmas catalog and Mom pulling out the Advent Wreath.

Posted by: mrp at November 29, 2025 06:40 PM (rj6Yv)

67

Where did the red & green motif come from? The poinsettia plant?

(I just looked up "poinsettia" and googled decided they need to tell me that LEGO sells a Lego poinsettia plant. And this is why I hate Lego -- they will will literally lego-ize everything.)

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 29, 2025 06:42 PM (uEFJY)

68 I recently dragged my acoustic guitar out of retirement, and am starting to play again. But with busy holiday week I have not gotten fresh strings for it, and I need a new battery for my Snark tuner, so for now I tuned it by ear. It's a nice instrument, and was mostly close to in-tune.

In a few weeks I want to get my BC Rich Gunslinger and Gibson SG tuned up by a guitar guy.

I am far from good, but I enjoy playing for fun. I ignored them for too long.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Bonafide at November 29, 2025 06:43 PM (0aYVJ)

69 The "pink" candle is the Rose candle. It's lit for the third week that includes "Gaudete" Sunday.

Posted by: mrp at November 29, 2025 06:43 PM (rj6Yv)

70 This topic got me thinking. If I were to make an Advent calendar, I would like to have a a picture of a bird or flower behind each door. Things I consider life affirming which seems appropriate to the season.

Posted by: JTB at November 29, 2025 06:44 PM (yTvNw)

71 68 I recently dragged my acoustic guitar out of retirement, and am starting to play again.

I am far from good, but I enjoy playing for fun.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Bonafide at November 29, 2025 06:43 PM
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Love to see posts like this. Best wishes!

Posted by: TRex - six string dino at November 29, 2025 06:45 PM (IQ6Gq)

72 70 This topic got me thinking. If I were to make an Advent calendar, I would like to have a a picture of a bird or flower behind each door. Things I consider life affirming which seems appropriate to the season.

Posted by: JTB at November 29, 2025 06:44 PM
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Sounds like a whittling project!

Posted by: TRex - small scale dino at November 29, 2025 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

73 Posted by: mrp at November 29, 2025 06:43

Thanks for the proper terminology on colors and yes, gaudete means "rejoice" so we Protestants name it joyful Sunday.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (GLmO1)

74 City workers in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, were instructed to not use red and green Christmas decorations in public places.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (XeU6L)

75 Santa (Saint Nick's) uniform is Scarlett. Probably has something to do with the Blood of Christ.

It has more to do with Coca-Cola's marketing department, but repurposing that color is long overdue.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (lUFok)

76 My hobby this minute is eating white chocolate mousse cranberry pie.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (LHPAg)

77 Substituted a cedar for a pine Christmas tree long ago. The cedar boughs make great wreaths and sprays.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (sDNVV)

78
Speaking of Christmas trees...

1958 episode of Father Knows Best, Jim was exasperated at how everyone lost the true Christmas spirit -- Kitten demanded a purple tree, Betty disagreed and suggested pink, and Bud "commercialized" Christmas by using carols to sell used cars.

So, point is, we've been battling these "forces" for more than 65 years to preserve the "true" spirit of Christmas.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 29, 2025 06:49 PM (uEFJY)

79 76 My hobby this minute is eating white chocolate mousse cranberry pie.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM
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Yum, yum and double yum!!

Posted by: TRex - all my favorite flavors! at November 29, 2025 06:50 PM (IQ6Gq)

80 Red and Green? Well, Holly and Ivy are traditional.

Should I link to the carol?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 29, 2025 06:51 PM (XeU6L)

81 Lutherans do Advent as well. And Lent, of course.
At least the LCMS does. I don't know about the rest.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 06:51 PM (+4S8X)

82 Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (XeU6L)

Why? Because it's part of the supposed "Palestinian " flag?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 06:52 PM (GLmO1)

83 76 My hobby this minute is eating white chocolate mousse cranberry pie.
Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (LHPAg)
Excuse me, cheesecake. What was I thinking?

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 06:53 PM (LHPAg)

84
Father Knows Best about...Christmas Trees:

I cued it up:

https://is.gd/ZYMxHS

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 29, 2025 06:53 PM (uEFJY)

85 72 ... "Sounds like a whittling project!"

I can imagine chip carving the numbers on each door. Or possibly doing it with pyrography. I have some pieces of birch plywood that might be suitable.

Posted by: JTB at November 29, 2025 06:54 PM (yTvNw)

86 Parts that have Islamized will see diminished Christmas celebrations

Posted by: Skip at November 29, 2025 06:54 PM (Ia/+0)

87
folderol

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 29, 2025 06:55 PM (uEFJY)

88 Santa (Saint Nick's) uniform is Scarlett. Probably has something to do with the Blood of Christ.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

One of our local RC churches was the His Precious Blood church. Maybe most not his. Whatever, always cracked me up a bit. Imagined they had good teams or at least tough, in YMCA church league basketball.

Posted by: From about That Time at November 29, 2025 06:56 PM (sl73Y)

89 Fa ra ra ra ra......

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 06:57 PM (LHPAg)

90 This advent calendar thing seems like cultural appropriation.
From Germans.

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 06:58 PM (vFG9F)

91
Why? Because it's part of the supposed "Palestinian " flag?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
--------
They backed off but, note reference to 'holiday' decor:

an email from the Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, city administrator to employees was widely reported as instructing them to avoid red and green Christmas decorations in public spaces to be more "inclusive". The email suggested inclusive decorations like snowflakes and festive lighting, while discouraging religious or Christmas-specific symbols. Following significant public backlash and viral criticism, city officials clarified that the email was a suggestion, not a policy, and that all holiday decor was welcome in city buildings.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 29, 2025 06:58 PM (XeU6L)

92 Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 29, 2025 06:58 PM (XeU6L)

Bunch of weenies. I'm glad people spoke up and the local government tbacked off.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 07:00 PM (Nx5jP)

93 "instructing them to avoid red and green Christmas decorations"

Just put up the green and reds ones then.

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 07:00 PM (vFG9F)

94 I will say that my town goes all in on Christmas decorating. Helps for getting in the spirit.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 07:01 PM (sDNVV)

95
You see, we have to be exclusive to be inclusive.

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 29, 2025 07:01 PM (uEFJY)

96 I kick started a bundle of game-advent calendars this year. You get new bits of the game on each day, and at the end you open up the calendar and get a map and rules. Pretty cool actually.

Posted by: Are you sure about this sir? at November 29, 2025 07:01 PM (U/7CP)

97 74 City workers in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, were instructed to not use red and green Christmas decorations in public places.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 29, 2025 06:48 PM (XeU6L)
That would come under the heading of submission.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 07:02 PM (LHPAg)

98 68... Pug,
A few years ago I got out my acoustic guitar (new when I bought it, now an antique) and had it worked on. Made a significant improvement: better sound and easier to play.

Like you, I just play for fun so my very rusty skills don't matter.

Posted by: JTB at November 29, 2025 07:02 PM (yTvNw)

99 What's so inclusive about a snowflake? I don't like snow or snowflakes. Don't these people ever consider what might trigger me?

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 07:02 PM (vFG9F)

100 I guess the uninvited guests have to be placate, wouldn't want to upset any and cause Jihadists

Posted by: Skip at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM (Ia/+0)

101 We have a wooden Christmas tree advent calendar. It’s old and cute.

Ribboning a fresh Christmas tree is a bazillion times harder than a fake tree- and I can ribbon up a tree, y’all. I am stepping back for a bit because at this moment, I want to set it all on fire.

Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM (Wmg4n)

102 I loved the lead-up to Christmas when I was a kid. You knew it was near when the Sunday School classes got our little books with that year's Christmas program in it, and the speaking parts were assigned. All the signs -- the church program rehearsals, the putting up of the town creche, the city's decorations on the light poles and the "tree" on the little island in the Fox River, that when I was older I discovered was not a tree at all, but just strands of lights. From the bridge at night you couldn't tell.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM (+4S8X)

103 * hands Piper an eggnog with a shot of brandy in it*

Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 07:05 PM (sDNVV)

104 100 I guess the uninvited guests have to be placate, wouldn't want to upset any and cause Jihadists
Posted by: Skip at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM (Ia/+0)
The jihad is not 'caused', it's a requirement.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 07:06 PM (LHPAg)

105 I've been 3D printing up a storm, I've printed several Star Wars Dioramas, Deckards Blaster, and a bunch of cases for ESP32 devices and touchscreens.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 29, 2025 07:06 PM (XV/Pl)

106 101 I am stepping back for a bit because at this moment, I want to set it all on fire.

Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM
***
Stage 1: This is going to be great!
Stage 2: Hard but promising!
Stage 3: This sucks. I hate it.
Stage 4: Wait a minute, this might work.
Stage 5: This turned out great! (but let's never do it again)
[time passes]
Stage 6: Remember when we did that thing? Wasn't that fun? Let's do it again! This is going to be great!

Posted by: TRex - seen this movie before at November 29, 2025 07:07 PM (IQ6Gq)

107 Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM (+4S8X)

Nice memories.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 29, 2025 07:07 PM (TIRHP)

108
Way, way off-topic, but has anyone ever done a study why we humans make that certain ahhhh sound after we sip coffee? We even, naturally, make particular facial expression. You know what I'm talking about.

We don't do it for anything else, or any other hot beverage. No one is going ahhhh and nodding slightly after a sip of tea. Right?

Why do we do that? It's in our genetic makeup, yes?

Posted by: Soothsayer at November 29, 2025 07:07 PM (uEFJY)

109 Eromero I know that, you know that but Leftists think that

Posted by: Skip at November 29, 2025 07:10 PM (Ia/+0)

110 I should check the Hallmark store in town. Had the same problem finding a creche some time ago. Finally found one.
Posted by: JTB
*************
Most of the religious stores are no longer in business...but many convents have gift stores, or are a source to identify where you can find these items. As are the staff in a church office. Good luck!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

111 * looks at wine glass and goes ahhh*

Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 07:11 PM (sDNVV)

112 Why do we do that? It's in our genetic makeup, yes?
Posted by: Soothsayer at November 29, 2025 07:07 PM (uEFJY)
Whiskey produces the same reaction.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 07:13 PM (LHPAg)

113 This advent calendar thing seems like cultural appropriation.
From Germans.
Posted by: fd
*********
It's a "large church" and the Germans are very happy to share their traditions....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

114 111 * looks at wine glass and goes ahhh*

Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 07:11 PM
***
[tilts glass... *clink*]

Posted by: TRex - cheers! at November 29, 2025 07:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

115 103 * hands Piper an eggnog with a shot of brandy in it*
Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 07:05 PM (sDNVV)

Bless you.

Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:13 PM (Wmg4n)

116 96 I kick started a bundle of game-advent calendars this year. You get new bits of the game on each day, and at the end you open up the calendar and get a map and rules. Pretty cool actually.

Posted by: Are you sure about this sir? at November 29, 2025 07:01 PM
***
Neat idea. Got a link?

Posted by: TRex - lost even with a map at November 29, 2025 07:15 PM (IQ6Gq)

117 106
Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM
***
Stage 1: This is going to be great!
Stage 2: Hard but promising!
Stage 3: This sucks. I hate it.
Stage 4: Wait a minute, this might work.
Stage 5: This turned out great! (but let's never do it again)
[time passes]
Stage 6: Remember when we did that thing? Wasn't that fun? Let's do it again! This is going to be great!
Posted by: TRex - seen this movie before at November 29

Maybe this is the year for a minimalist tree.

Grateful is laughing, isn’t she?

Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:15 PM (Wmg4n)

118 Way, way off-topic, but has anyone ever done a study why we humans make that certain ahhhh sound after we sip coffee? We even, naturally, make particular facial expression. You know what I'm talking about.“

By a unique coincidence, it chemically triggers the Fart Reaction.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 29, 2025 07:16 PM (3U2FH)

119 * looks at wine glass and goes ahhh*
Posted by: Ben Had
*********
Wine glass...and wine...that's what I'm missing! BRB...

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:17 PM (IQ6Gq)

120 "Stage 1: ...Stage 6:" applies to so many other projects too. Still, excellence is rarely easy.

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 07:17 PM (vFG9F)

121 101 We have a wooden Christmas tree advent calendar. It’s old and cute.

Ribboning a fresh Christmas tree is a bazillion times harder than a fake tree- and I can ribbon up a tree, y’all. I am stepping back for a bit because at this moment, I want to set it all on fire.
Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM (Wmg4n)

Ummm, one should not joke about fire with a real tree...says the person who put up my shiny 7ft fake pine tree yesterday in about 45 minutes, start to finish and fully decorated...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 29, 2025 07:17 PM (tOcjL)

122 110 ... "Most of the religious stores are no longer in business...but many convents have gift stores, or are a source to identify where you can find these items. As are the staff in a church office. Good luck!"

The Grateful,

Thanks for the suggestions. The religious stores in town have closed in recent years. I suspect mail order like Amazon did them in or the owners retired.

Posted by: JTB at November 29, 2025 07:18 PM (yTvNw)

123 Have heard it all now. We have bigots in this country who do not like red and green decorations. Well, don't come around my house. I would HATE to insult you.

Posted by: Case at November 29, 2025 07:18 PM (5Je/N)

124 106
Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:03 PM
***
Stage 1: This is going to be great!
Stage 2: Hard but promising!
Stage 3: This sucks. I hate it.
Stage 4: Wait a minute, this might work.
Stage 5: This turned out great! (but let's never do it again)
[time passes]
Stage 6: Remember when we did that thing? Wasn't that fun? Let's do it again! This is going to be great!
Posted by: TRex - seen this movie before at November 29
Maybe this is the year for a minimalist tree.
Grateful is laughing, isn’t she?
Posted by: Piper
************
No, his response was mocking me...if you want to join me, please do.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:18 PM (IQ6Gq)

125 I just poured a glass of eggnog.

Right on cue, Kaylee the Calico Kitty Cat (the cutest little cat of them all) has turned up looking for her portion...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 29, 2025 07:19 PM (IBQGV)

126 116 96 I kick started a bundle of game-advent calendars this year. You get new bits of the game on each day, and at the end you open up the calendar and get a map and rules. Pretty cool actually.

Posted by: Are you sure about this sir? at November 29, 2025 07:01 PM
***
Neat idea. Got a link?
Posted by: TRex - lost even with a map at November 29, 2025 07:15 PM (IQ6Gq)

Thought about doing one of those escape game themed ones...but it seemed like 24 days to solve the box might be a bit much...you'd either only open it every weekend, or get sick of it by day 15...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 29, 2025 07:19 PM (tOcjL)

127 "It's a "large church" and the Germans are very happy to share their traditions....
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba"

If it involves chocolate, I'm all for it.

Posted by: fd at November 29, 2025 07:19 PM (vFG9F)

128 Ummm, one should not joke about fire with a real tree...says the person who put up my shiny 7ft fake pine tree yesterday in about 45 minutes, start to finish and fully decorated...
Posted by: Nova Local
********
45 minutes? Seriously? That is heresy....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:20 PM (IQ6Gq)

129 Mini-tree farm: I have about 10 trees of various sizes currently, including the planned sacrifice for this year

I forget when I started officially; I collect pine tree babies for my yard and just see who survives. The official start was probably 6 years ago. Pine trees grow pretty fast in the PNW. The babies are easy to get, too. My mother's yard is absolutely thick with them, like weeds. I just pull up a handful every time I visit.

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 29, 2025 07:20 PM (5da0R)

130 128 Ummm, one should not joke about fire with a real tree...says the person who put up my shiny 7ft fake pine tree yesterday in about 45 minutes, start to finish and fully decorated...
Posted by: Nova Local
********
45 minutes? Seriously? That is heresy....
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:20 PM (IQ6Gq)

My spouse and I, with the kids, have it down to a science. Tree is in 3 parts and spouse handles that and the tree skirt. I do the star, lights, and tinsel with my tallest girl, and then the other 3 kids get ornament duty. All while Pantatonix Christmas album plays. We didn't even finish the album yesterday.

That said, I still need to do my 90% off After Christmas sale outdoor solar lights...which are still kicking after 10 years...I have one BIG bush to decorate at my townhome, and it lets me have Christmas lights for no out of pocket every year...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 29, 2025 07:22 PM (tOcjL)

131 45 minutes? Seriously? That is heresy....
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29

Right? How is this even possible?

Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:25 PM (Wmg4n)

132 Business partner is very craftsy and I try so for 30 years Christmas was exchanging homemade Christmas decorations. When a 10 ft tree could no longer hold them all it was time to call a halt.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 07:26 PM (sDNVV)

133 We finally gave in to my allergies and got a fake tree when we made the move here in '20.
I miss the fun of choosing the tree, and the scent of it -- we usually got Charlie Brown-type trees, and the gaps and flaws just made it fun.
Now it's just the same old fake tree and I miss that part of Christmas.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 07:27 PM (+4S8X)

134 131 45 minutes? Seriously? That is heresy....
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29

Right? How is this even possible?
Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:25 PM (Wmg4n)

Ummm, practice? We now do the roles we're best at, thus why the art kid helps me with lights and tinsel...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 29, 2025 07:28 PM (tOcjL)

135 My spouse and I, with the kids, have it down to a science. Tree is in 3 parts and spouse handles that and the tree skirt. I do the star, lights, and tinsel with my tallest girl, and then the other 3 kids get ornament duty. All while Pantatonix Christmas album plays. We didn't even finish the album yesterday.
Posted by: Nova Local
***********
Helpers! What a great concept! I am quite envious....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

136 Time to say thank you and good night before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for being here. Tune in next week for a new theme!

See y'all in Club ONT!

Posted by: TRex - counting down the days at November 29, 2025 07:29 PM (IQ6Gq)

137
My spouse and I, with the kids, have it down to a science. Tree is in 3 parts and spouse handles that and the tree skirt. I do the star, lights, and tinsel with my tallest girl, and then the other 3 kids get ornament duty.

Posted by: Nova Local at November

Ahhhh… I see the issue here. No one will decorate with me. Something about being way too rigid about how and where things go. I don’t know, seems a little dramatic, but good heavens you can’t just put the same colors next to each other like we are heathens or something! 🤣

Posted by: Piper at November 29, 2025 07:29 PM (Wmg4n)

138 Little kid with chocolates advent calendar races through opening all the little doors the first week.

Grown-up with miniature booze bottles advent calendar does the same.
😁

Posted by: mindful webworker - jus' one mooorrree... at November 29, 2025 07:30 PM (LaTF/)

139 The first year we were married we had about 4 ornaments. We picked out our tree and had a Christmas party and asked all our friends to just gift us an ornament. I still have those, 48 years later.
The tree had lots of little pine cones on it, which we did not realize until it had been up about a week, in the warm and cozy apartment. We started hearing these little popping noises, and didn't realize what it was until we took the tree down. It was the pine cones starting to open. We collected as many as we could find and kept them, and I put them out in a basket every Christmas.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 07:30 PM (+4S8X)

140 and, I'm willowed.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 07:30 PM (+4S8X)

141 We're not doing much decorating this Christmas. We're looking for a small fake tree for our small fake apartment. Both sons have other plans for Christmas. But it's okay. I'm still gonna do a nice dinner for me and my bride.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Bonafide at November 29, 2025 07:31 PM (0aYVJ)

142 135 Helpers! What a great concept! I am quite envious....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:28 PM
***
I help! (ish)

Posted by: TRex - helper dino at November 29, 2025 07:31 PM (IQ6Gq)

143 I don’t know, seems a little dramatic, but good heavens you can’t just put the same colors next to each other like we are heathens or something! 🤣
Posted by: Piper
************
100% correct.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 07:32 PM (IQ6Gq)

144 The elf always has to go underneath the ice skater in the short skirt!

Posted by: Ben Had at November 29, 2025 07:34 PM (sDNVV)

145 Of all times to miss the Hobby Thread.... I had never heard of Advent Calendars, never had one as a kid, or knew anyone who had one.

About 10 years ago, I saw some gorgeous wooden ones, and bought one for Thor, my mama and myself, and we just live it. No religions significance for us, despite my having a devoutly Catholic husband, just lots of fun little gifts. We go w a y overboard, and half don't even fit in the little drawers, but we enjoy it. It has replaced atockings for us, and It's nice to stretch the fun out a little bit. We do the 12 Days of Christmas, too, starting on Christmas Day, obviously, so our Holiday season stretches til Epiphany.

I do Advent calendars for my 2 closest friends, too, and get various LEGO Advent calendars for certain kids.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at November 29, 2025 07:35 PM (Vvh2V)

146 141 We're not doing much decorating this Christmas. We're looking for a small fake tree for our small fake apartment. Both sons have other plans for Christmas. But it's okay. I'm still gonna do a nice dinner for me and my bride.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, Bonafide at November 29, 2025 07:31 PM (0aYVJ)
I'm working this Christmas, just as I did Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

Posted by: Eromero at November 29, 2025 07:35 PM (LHPAg)

147 NOOD

MOVIES

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at November 29, 2025 07:36 PM (ULPxl)

148 Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 07:30 PM (+4S8X

What a lovely story!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at November 29, 2025 07:37 PM (Vvh2V)

149 I just filled my kids advent calendar up. It gets more expensive every year and the candy selection to choose from gets smaller and worse. Of course my kids are big and one is in college so this won't go on for much longer.
But the advent calendar was always one of their favorite Christmas traditions.

Posted by: lin-duh at November 29, 2025 07:45 PM (VCgbV)

150 I hate movies.

Posted by: Ronster at November 29, 2025 07:47 PM (Z7eKX)

151 Wow.

My sense of inadequacy has peaked.

Y’all are amazing. I have no cool traditions to carry on. My parents isolated themselves from their families, so that cultural tradition was nil. And then, it was just me and my boys with a fake tree and cheap ornaments.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 29, 2025 07:50 PM (mT+6a)

152 Advent Calendars were not a thing when and where I grew up. I was only dimly aware of them.

Hobby related? Went out to the warm shop this afternoon, and scrapped out an old worm-drive Skilsaw that proved to have a burned-out motor. Rendered it down to aluminum, steel, brass and copper bits. And saved the motor brushes.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 29, 2025 07:53 PM (npFr7)

153 and, I'm willowed.
Posted by: TecumsehTea at November 29, 2025 07:30 PM (+4S8X)

Nah, this is where the cool kids hang while the others go to the Movie Thread.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 29, 2025 08:05 PM (npFr7)

154 Nah, this is where the cool kids hang while the others go to the Movie Thread.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon
*********
I love it...and I respect your talents with motors. Wish we lived closer so I could learn from you...

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at November 29, 2025 08:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

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