9 Sleeps

As children my DSs and I would search the house looking everywhere for the place where all the presents were stashed - we could never find anything. I suspect that DF kept them in his office at work and only brought them home on Christmas Eve.

Quite glad really, Christmas presents on Christmas morning really were a surprise.

Don't panic! Or is it "We're all doomed"??

Soutra , "cause we are not !!!!!

Anything I have not bought or organised by now, I shall do without.

At least I am not responsible for the meal - just need to turn up suitably dressed, carrying the parcels and a bottle and a box of crackers.

Sounds good to me Elegran. I am typically last minute. Still have heaps of shopping to do for myself (although I have done everyone else's for them) and not a clue as to when I am supposed to do it. I had the children last weekend, I have them tonight and tomorrow and next weekend too.

Blimey how many sleeps left????????

Suitably dressed - that's a problem. If I wear anything "special" I just know I'll get goose fat down it!

I will be OK on the dress front this year.

DiL has some specific kitchen/cooking/food requirements, and is happier left on her own in the kitchen (or just with DS, who is familiar with them) so I will be ensconced in the living room with DD, son-iL, grandson, brother, Sis-inL, the drinks and the nibbles, with Ds and D-inL popping in and out with updates on the cooking and to refill their glasses.

Any sartorial misadventures will be from dropping sprouts into my lap or gravy down my front.

Everything is sorted for our day at DDs house with the DGCs,DS1 & 2 and their other halves calling in during the morning so all set,I have my Christmas apron all ready and my Red Chef's hat all ready to be worn so no problems up to now.

Soutra that made me think of my dear mum who would buy a new apron every year to wear when cooking Christmas lunch maybe you should get one in preparation for that goose fat

Nonu don't be trying to get us all in a panic!

River

8 and counting
trouble is I have now coughed my way through the night and have woken with no more than half a brain. This was not on my "to do"list. I have had to cancel the exam invigilation I was doing this afternoon and the prospect of going out for the tree and to collect stuff on order at John Lewis makes me want to crawl back under thr duvet. It's just a b***dy cold not properly like poor soop but now DH has started sneezing too. Need this like a hole in the head!

benylin is good for coughs Soutra .

As you say , 8 now !

keep in the warm.

Won't everything keep for tomorrow, when you may feel a bit brighter?
Keep warm and plenty of fluids today says Dr Lona

Good advice - Boots max flu relief, a shower hair wash, foundation and blusher will keep me going I think!

Just read a brilliant idea on another forum. A young Mum gets her children up at about 5am on Christmas Eve and does the supermarket shop then, when it is quiet and fully stocked. Then they all go to the cafe for a big breakfast. Then in the evening, when it is bedtime, the kids go to bed quickly and easily as they are very tired. Think I may try that this year. Sounds fun

Don't take the flu relief too late in the day or it will keep you awake [I assume it has a stimulant in it]. I always keep a few benylin day and night capsules so I can use the nightime one to help me sleep if ever I need one [I suppose a drowsy antihistamine would work as well]. And do try the 'Vicks on the Soles of the feet' thing. It did help me when I was really poorly a few years back, although, by then the doctor had releneted and given me antibiotics. I'm someone that's totaly opposed to overuse of them but in some cases the GP's hold them back for to long.

Sounds like a good plan, nanapug, but most of the shops here don't open until 8 apart from Tesco, which is open 24 hours.

I don't know why I posted that, as you did say 'supermarket shop'...

Ana I for you .
teehee

Also down with a heavy cold, haven't tried Boots Max relief, living on lemsip and any old strong aspirin type tablets I have around as I can't face going out, using whisky in hot water at night, smothered in Vick on chest but what is it meant to do on the soles of the feet?

In essence it is a good idea to do the Christmas shop on Christmas Eve
BUT what if they haven't got certain items , I would be bereft .
NO too late for me .

Vicks - I don't know why it would work on the soles of the feet but I have tried it the last two nights and SLEPT THROUGH! I'm still coughing in the daytime but at least I have had a good rest. Maybe it works as a mixture of reflexology and aromatherapy.
It can't do any harm so why not try it!

I'm going to give that a try - it's not quite like wearing Chanel No 5 in bed (a la Marilyn Monroe - but past caring.)
Just about up to schedule with the to-do list - have had a major go at getting spare rooms ready, beds made up plus extra bedding as we have 2 different permutaions of 6 people over the 3 nights and I am a domestic goddess so fresh sheets etc for each night for 3 bedrooms !! Moved some furniture around to try to give us space for 13 at the table and found it will only work if I add the card table on to the end - hope the cloth is long enough now. I am looking forward to using one of MIL's huge white damask tabelcloths with a red satin and silk runner down the midddle - I love a nice table but never ever bother with a cloth , which would have been unheard of in DM or DMIL's day. Real damask napkins too - oh the fun I will have with the laundry after Christmas
I wonder if I have overdosed on the Max flu relief?