Christmas 2023??

My DD usually hosts her DB and his family, also me and her own family . We have to have the discussion early though because she is a nurse on night shift and the rota is done a couple of months in advance. She will probably request to work Christmas Eve night and Christmas night this year because she wants New Years Eve of so she can host a party. These dates are generally shared between her team so that nobody works more than her fare share . All in all it means no formal Christmas dinner for us this year .

JayDee60

We’ve just moved back to the area in the middle of our families. We had been a distance away looking after in-laws but now they’ve gone we’re back. Family can now come and visit in a day. All of a sudden they want me to be cooking the Christmas dinner when before they’ve been happy to go to a restaurant or get another family member to “invite” them. Unfortunately they’re between 32-42 and none of the women can cook a Christmas dinner or be bothered too. I feel stressed already and not looking forward to the next time it will be mentioned.

Tell them you’re not able this year!

Suggest a restaurant. Suggest the men cook! It’s not something only a woman could do!

I'm same Serendipity- love it.I signed up for emails from the secret elves club- try it, its all year round..I also collect gifts when i see them, for birthdays or christmas, if i see something somone will like, or in a sale, - but with costs rising, this year, if its not already in the 'present box' then they're not getting it! 🫤

Christmas is not a good time of year for me so we usually go away abroad. This year we have already booked 5 days in Malta - something nice to look forward to

We’ve just moved back to the area in the middle of our families. We had been a distance away looking after in-laws but now they’ve gone we’re back. Family can now come and visit in a day. All of a sudden they want me to be cooking the Christmas dinner when before they’ve been happy to go to a restaurant or get another family member to “invite” them. Unfortunately they’re between 32-42 and none of the women can cook a Christmas dinner or be bothered too. I feel stressed already and not looking forward to the next time it will be mentioned.

Actually trying to pin down 2 of our DSs as we need to book accommodation nearby. Otherwise not giving any thought to present planning, etc, do that sometime in December.

Having just said that, I've usually finished all my 'C' shopping by March (only got 3 people I do anything for).

How dare anyone even THINK about the 'C' word in August, jebel mind MENTIONING it!!!!! 🥵😵‍💫🤯😡🤬

Already got the alcohol stashed due to using up vouchers!!
Planning on a curry on Christmas Day ! Started stocking presents to spread the cost .

Not at all.

I saw my first ‘pop-up’ advert for Xmas in June !

narrowboatnan

Can we get Halloween and Guy Fawkes night over first. Please?

I usually say that

Gransnet is such a bad influence 😁

Can we get Halloween and Guy Fawkes night over first. Please?

Yes, although I'm usually a last minute shopper. I went to a craft fair in our village hall and I was inspired by the pretty handmade jewellery on one stall and the hand decorated wooden boxes on another. I bought a little bracelet for my granddaughter and a wooden box to keep it in. I expect to revert to last minute shopping now 😆

I'm not surprised many don't want to be reminded of it. For some people Christmas is a tough time of year, or just forgettable. I love Christmas but most years don't want to be reminded of it until at least October - not much to plan, not much to book usually. By the time Christmas actually gets here it's already been around us for four months and we avoid shopping centres like the plague until we have to go. I'll never forget seeing a toddler having a meltdown because he wanted to visit Santa in October, and Mum telling him it was too early, Santa was busy, didn't help when he could see Santa and reindeer all around him.

That should have read Nooooooooooooo!

Nòòooook can't bear the thought !

No, I haven’t thought about it yet, but then I don’t have any plans to make or bookings to arrange. We decided last year not to buy presents for family, (nor have any from them),as it was becoming expensive plus everyone can buy what they want as and when they need it. It saves a lot of puzzling about what to buy, knowing that more than likely it would be gifted to the next church fayre or a charity shop. We will be the same this year.
For people who have things to organise or make, then I suppose early prep is essential.

In January 2020 we moved to a house big enough for all the family to join us for Christmas etc. Covid and family shift work ruled it out for 2 years. Then my husband died and I spent the next Christmas as a ghost at my daughter’s. They are coming to me this year.

It surprises me you are all so negative about this.

For years I had to start thinking about Christmas at the latest in the beginning of September as there were both the elder and the youngest generation of the family to take into account, plus whatever would be going on at the school where I taught.

Now we are a far smaller family unit so planning starts later in the autumn and this year I am trying not to think about any long term plans as DH's health is becoming increasingly poor. So until we know precisely where we are healthwise, I am trying not to plan anything very much.

But as I love Christmas a couple of small ideas are already creeping in.

My "Christmas" plans involve putting stock in my various online shops that I hope people will buy. I am takeing a few weeks off at the moment to sort, photograph, price and upload suitable items ready for the winter season.

As far as personal plans are concerned I dont celebrate it, put up decorations or buy (or expect) gifts. It saves a lot of hassle.

To me christmas is a time for making money, not spending it.

Only with dread.

We've just booked our flights to Vancouver to spend Christmas with our son and granddaughter! It's been nearly a year since we last saw them so I'm excited already!

I think if you need to book theatre tickets or train rides or something similar then things do need to be sorted early.
This phone call was about family dynamics which I refuse to get drawn into. I am nobody's go-between or arbitrator especially the wider family using me. DD's and DH yes everyone else can sort the mess out they have made for themselves.
I like the idea of them waiting until September,not get me involved in the middle of summer.

Already booked our family get-together for just before Christmas and a trip with the GC (all 10 of them!) to Longleat same weekend. With so many of us I like to be organised