It's Christmas Time, finally!

I haven't posted much about my holidays lately. I didn't even manage a Thanksgiving post. Perhaps it's because I've been so busy with my Christmas Shopping. Like a lot of people, the economy has not been enjoyable. I have less spending money than usual, and I usually don't have too much.

Money isn't everything. That said, I am not going to let the economy get in the way of my enjoyment of the Holiday season and spending time with my friends and family.

This is why I am The Holiday Man. My life has never been filled with material riches, but I have always enjoyed the holidays and some of the more enjoyable aspects and deeper meaning you can find with your loved ones.

Halloween Coming Soon ( and Christmas Too) !

I was at Target today picking up a couple items and noticed the Christmas items are now up. Of course, I love all Holidays, but Christmas is my favorite. I think I might have to get some new Christmas lights and maybe a new lawn reindeer. My Rudolph is falling apart!

And of course there is a whole section of Halloween costumes and decorations. It's time to figure out what my kids are going to dress as this Halloween. What about Dad? Am I going to wear a costume this year? I don't know. Halloween is cool but I'm much more into Christmas time.

Is the Grinch Stealing Christmas this year ( 2008)?

Well, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and you know what that means- Christmas Presents! That means Christmas shopping and of course much of that shopping is done online. I first started to buy Christmas presents online about 5-6 years ago. These days I do much of my shopping online.

I am seeing a lot of sites that are predicting the Grinch is coming this year, however. Apparently a Barclay's forecast is saying christmas sales are slowing down this year. But if you dig further it's not that big a deal. Online Christmas shopping is GROWING. It's just not growing as much as last year. And internet Christmas shopping is growing faster than any other type of shopping or store.

The reality is, even if the economy slows down christmas gift giving this year, shopping on the internet will still be strong. Just not crazy growth like we've seen before.

I must admit, financial considerations might curtail my own shopping this holiday season, but it will never dampen my Christmas Spirit!

Ended up Having a Labor Day Cookout

Well I mentioned in my labor day 2008 post we might have a cookout. Well we did endup having a cookout and grilling up some steaks.

I ended up trying some of those Omaha Steaks gourmet mail order steaks. I had never had them before but I got a gift certificate for Father's Day. They were actually very very good. I was surprised. I'm not usually one to buy food online. Actually I think this was the only time I have ever done it.

I also got a present of a wine basket from some online mail order wine company. It's amazing all this stuff you can get online now. Never have to leave the house.

Of course the kids had hotdogs and pepsi. Overall it was enjoyable.

Labor Day Means School is Out

When I was a kid we didn't start school until after Labor Day. Either times have changed or due to a change in location things are different here and now. My daughter is already in her second week of school. This year labor Day doesn't mean time to get ready for school. It means 3 Day Weekend!

We might have a cookout. I don't know what the weather is going to be like.

The Fourth of July ( July 4) 2008- Had a blast !

We had a great Independence Day. On the 4th of July we had a family cookout followed by late night fireworks. Our town invested more money this year in better fireworks and seemed to payoff. They were much better than years past.

We also managed to avoid rain outs this year. It seems almost every year around this time is time for thunderstorms. It rained some earlier, but when it mattered all was clear.

Happy Father's Day

It was a good Fathers Day for me here. My family came through with some really nice and thoughtful presents. I was really not expecting it. They say it's the thought that counts. Well, it was very thoughtful. Nothing extravagant- the Father's day gifts were just right.