Photos - Our Black Hills Mt. Rushmore Christmas

[BonnyW]

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

Well we draw names in Ruth's family...the kiddos we each get some gifts for. Ruth's sisters have 3 and 1 respectively...so that's no big deal and it's fun to give gifts to the little ones. Our kids are both grown, so they're in with the adults who draw names for each other each year.

My family just buys gifts for everyone...

The bingo thing is something we came up with a few years ago. Apart from the gifts we give by drawing names - we buy gifts for the kids who are old enough to take part in this too, as well as gifts for adults. We buy them all year long....tools, candy sets...mp3 players (NOT the real expensive ones)...gift cards to Lowe's, Best Buy, Menards...some neat things everyone can use expensive and not, practical and not...This year there were some antique serving bowls and some crystal serving items for things like jelly and salt shakers and so on...PLUS all the gals are crafty so they make things to put in there as well - Ruth made a KILLER Christmas Tree skirt which was more like a round Quilt than anything...and we usually FILL UP a table and lay them all out beforehand for people to browse before the game begins. We play bingo and on each bingo you get to go and choose a prize. (NO Stealing) After you win and select a prize, IF you win again on the same card your name goes on a list for the second round. After everyone has won at least once, then those whose names were on the list for their second win can go and choose a prize...this we do until everyone has been twice. Then the cards are cleared and we begin again. We've found this works pretty well.

All year long we think of things that can go into the bingo prize pool (And we take suggestions) and when we see something we'll buy it and put it into the prize pool. (Of course we do buy things the kids would like JUST for them, and we do buy duplicates of certain items so there's no dealing with those issues). We NEVER ever have any hard feelings, and in some cases depending on the number of items left after we've played a few rounds - they're either whoever wants them or they go back in for the next year...

Plus we put our own Gift Certificates in there, if a family member has a certain skill someone can use. Ruth's Dad is a retired Engineer and carpenter.... One of my BIL's is a skilled carpet and tile layer...My DIL is a skilled professional photgrapher that still has access to have studio and portrait work and all of that - so that's fun as well. Sometimes you can buy tile or carpet or whatever and have the real high $$$ stuff done for free by a family member....

You can be creative, spend whatever you want as we've all learned to stockpile throughout the year. It's become one of the things I look forward to about Christmas the most.

Very, very nice tradition. I really like the idea of having everyone's skills in the 'pot.'
What a great way to spread the season over the year.

[Andiline]

Originally Posted by WornOutTire

My daughter has been there, and it is definitly on my list of things to do before I can't...
Andrea, I'm just curious, what time is it there?

We're six hours ahead of the US east coast (like New York time) and seven hours ahead of Playa. So for me it's midnight in about 15 minutes and that's why I am going to sleep...

Andrea

[xqqzme]

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

Love the nose hair photo of #2 (I think that's Jefferson but history was not my best subject)!!!!

[TAPPY]

Originally Posted by BonnyW

Very, very nice tradition. I really like the idea of having everyone's skills in the 'pot.'
What a great way to spread the season over the year.

I like that tradition to - what a neat idea and fun for everyone as well.

[MsRubio]

Awesome pics Cuff....what a great place to spend the holidays.

[emc]

Beautiful pictures Cuff.
Love the bingo thing.

[Eileencc]

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

Well we draw names in Ruth's family...the kiddos we each get some gifts for. Ruth's sisters have 3 and 1 respectively...so that's no big deal and it's fun to give gifts to the little ones. Our kids are both grown, so they're in with the adults who draw names for each other each year.

My family just buys gifts for everyone...

The bingo thing is something we came up with a few years ago. Apart from the gifts we give by drawing names - we buy gifts for the kids who are old enough to take part in this too, as well as gifts for adults. We buy them all year long....tools, candy sets...mp3 players (NOT the real expensive ones)...gift cards to Lowe's, Best Buy, Menards...some neat things everyone can use expensive and not, practical and not...This year there were some antique serving bowls and some crystal serving items for things like jelly and salt shakers and so on...PLUS all the gals are crafty so they make things to put in there as well - Ruth made a KILLER Christmas Tree skirt which was more like a round Quilt than anything...and we usually FILL UP a table and lay them all out beforehand for people to browse before the game begins. We play bingo and on each bingo you get to go and choose a prize. (NO Stealing) After you win and select a prize, IF you win again on the same card your name goes on a list for the second round. After everyone has won at least once, then those whose names were on the list for their second win can go and choose a prize...this we do until everyone has been twice. Then the cards are cleared and we begin again. We've found this works pretty well.

All year long we think of things that can go into the bingo prize pool (And we take suggestions) and when we see something we'll buy it and put it into the prize pool. (Of course we do buy things the kids would like JUST for them, and we do buy duplicates of certain items so there's no dealing with those issues). We NEVER ever have any hard feelings, and in some cases depending on the number of items left after we've played a few rounds - they're either whoever wants them or they go back in for the next year...

Plus we put our own Gift Certificates in there, if a family member has a certain skill someone can use. Ruth's Dad is a retired Engineer and carpenter.... One of my BIL's is a skilled carpet and tile layer...My DIL is a skilled professional photgrapher that still has access to have studio and portrait work and all of that - so that's fun as well. Sometimes you can buy tile or carpet or whatever and have the real high $$$ stuff done for free by a family member....

You can be creative, spend whatever you want as we've all learned to stockpile throughout the year. It's become one of the things I look forward to about Christmas the most.

Cuffed, I love this idea! Sounds like so much fun, and even better that everyone gets into it all year long. Love your Mt. Rushmore pics too! Great looking fmaily!

[Shammy]

Great report, great photos, great tradition!!!

Can you adopt me?

[Manitou]

Thanks for taking the time to post the wonderful photos, Tim. What a great way to spend time with the family. Beautiful family!!

Sometime soon we hope to make it to the Spearfish Deadwood area.

[cuffedlinks]

Originally Posted by Manitou

Thanks for taking the time to post the wonderful photos, Tim. What a great way to spend time with the family. Beautiful family!!

Sometime soon we hope to make it to the Spearfish Deadwood area.

Spearfish Canyon and other areas are some of the most beautiful anywhere.
Deadwood's full of history and loads of fun these days...

SD would love to have you drop in.

[MN Annie]

Thanks for the pictures, Cuffed!

We've been there several times, and our next trip is planned for mid-July. I have looked extensively on-line for cabin rentals, and the house you rented looks familiar. We still haven't decided if we will rent or camp. It depends how many of our group ends up making the trip and what they want to do along the way to the Black Hills.

Is there enough snow now on Terry Peak for good skiing?

Edit: I just realized my avatar is taken at Sylvan Lake in the BLACK HILLS!

The Black Hills are beautiful! My favorite place is Harney Peak (the view is awesome). The hills are a great place to visit

[cuffedlinks]

Originally Posted by MN Annie

Is there enough snow now on Terry Peak for good skiing?

The Black Hills are beautiful! My favorite place is Harney Peak (the view is awesome). The hills are a great place to visit

Both Deer Mountain and Terry Peak are running fine. I believe both make their own snow but I know for sure that Terry Peak does. Pretty good skiing....it's no Vail, but plenty of good runs from beginner to expert....and tubing, boarding, etc...

Harney Peak and the tower there were both visible from the cabin on a farther hill off in the distance....

Think we ran into this cabin because we knew the owner's brother. Great place. $250 a night divided between all the families (4)....And there's PLENTY all over the Hills area.

Funny thing - Ruth showed some pictures at work and almost everyone said, "Oh, that's 'Hole in the Wall'....a great party place when we were young"....

[cpfstich]

Great pics Tim, thanks!

[NorthMinnesota]

Very nice photos! I haven't been to Mount Rushmore for years....makes me want to go back. What a nice way to spend a family Christmas.

[cuffedlinks]

Originally Posted by NorthMinnesota

Very nice photos! I haven't been to Mount Rushmore for years....makes me want to go back. What a nice way to spend a family Christmas.

Just a few years ago they redesigned and built an entirely NEW area all around..of course all the artist's studios and structures are still there - but it now has a much more Romanesque appearance to the entry and supporting buildings, etc...