Anyone started planning Christmas already?

Callistemon

Your sprouts, Lucca, I am so worried that your sprouts won't be cooked properly

? ???

Sorry, can't find a sprout emoji

God Callistemon I forgot ! I’ll put them on to boil straightaway once I’ve made those silly incisions in their

Bottoms.

I'm so relieved!
Mine have been boiling for nearly a week now.
How many weeks to go?

I have a friend who has all the presents bought and wrapped by September & hidden in the attic. She cooks a turkey crown in November and freezes it so all she has to do is heat it up on the day
Veggies go the same way
Sucks all the joy out of C*******s in my opinion

We've got family birthdays before then which I haven't thought about yet

And when is the last posting date for Australia?

Don't panic. We have an extra fortnight to boil the sprouts

Marmight

I have a friend who has all the presents bought and wrapped by September & hidden in the attic. She cooks a turkey crown in November and freezes it so all she has to do is heat it up on the day
Veggies go the same way
Sucks all the joy out of C*******s in my opinion

You are so right. It’s only ever fun if it’s December. How tasteless would that turkey crown be ?

One time I ordered turkey from butcher in town. Walked in on Christmas Eve morning to collect it, met a friend for coffee, walked home. An hour later realised I’d forgotten the @#** turkey..... made it back with minutes to spare before butcher closed.

Callistemon

We've got family birthdays before then which I haven't thought about yet

And when is the last posting date for Australia?

I don’t post to Oz any more. Not worth it. DS wraps something from Granny Lucca!

No, I do that usually Lucca but I have made them something each which I was hoping to take with me this year

The last time I sent a parcel to Oz it cost so much, I had to recover in a darkened room for a couple of days Now, I take what I can - not this year sadly - or order on line from Oz companies. Last year DD in Oz sent 4 small presents via me for the GCs. I had to pay UK tax (which was far more than the value) before they would deliver. So, beware those with Oz families. This has never happened before!

I used to send mostly cash to a niece in the US - had to be cash since any other way of sending money cost so much in fees. Used to put it inside a slim paperback or wrapped around something else small and relatively light - e.g. she always loved After Eights! So I could just write ‘book‘ or ‘candy’ for US customs.,
I did this for many years and it never went astray.

vampirequeen

Definitely planning already. Spreading the cost makes it easier. I'd hate to start the New Year with new debts.

I feel the same

I am not planning get togethers or anything, but I have started shopping here and there when I do see a good deal

Marmight DD sent a piece of jewellery for her niece (my DGD), already paid GST on it then I had to pay a Customs charge and VAT as well. HMRC couldn't make their minds up whether it was due or not so held it at Customs while we "discussed" it.

Marmight, I can’t believe that, cooking a turkey crown in November!
I thought it was quite bad enough the way some people cook the turkey on Christmas Eve, slice it and warm it up next day in gravy!

To me the smell of turkey cooking is one of the pleasures of the day. And it has to come to the table in all its golden glory.

Witzend

*Marmight*, I can’t believe that, cooking a turkey crown in November!
I thought it was quite bad enough the way some people cook the turkey on Christmas Eve, slice it and warm it up next day in gravy!

To me the smell of turkey cooking is one of the pleasures of the day. And it has to come to the table in all its golden glory.

My MIL always did the turkey the day or two before any occasion. It was so dry after being reheated! ?

Half the fun of C*******s Day is sticking the turkey in the oven at stupid O’clock, your hair & clothes reeking of turkey fat, preparing endless amounts of veggies, lumps in the gravy, kicking the cat, screaming at the kids, finding first, then shoving coins in the pudding, trying to keep MiL & FiL sweet, frantically finding a present for cousin Doris as you forgot you’d invited her too, reminding DH to keep all the glasses topped up, not just his own then, peace at last apart from the scraping of plates and chomping of gnashers. Ah yes, I remember it well