It's the anticipation really, isn't it?

I won't feel the anticipation until I reach DS and DiL's home on Saturday and am sitting in 'my' corner of the sofa (having ousted the cat) with a glass in my hand. Kids' concerts are on this week, so I'll miss them... .

You are all so lucky to able to see the "little" concerts ours live too far away !

Dont set me off glamma

To-morrow will be the last Navitity Concert DD & I will attend at School as Luke goes to the "big school" next year so we will have hankies in abundence to be sure,I go to pieces when the little ones from the reception class come out all dressed in their t-towels and shirts with the stuffed animals that we have seen used over the many years we have been attending,feeling quite emotional just thinking about it really.

When our DC were young the excitement got too much for DS and by Christmas Eve he was on the point of explosion so a family Christmas tradition was invented.

Whilst I stayed in the kitchen and prepared the vegetables, made mince pies and listened to the Kings carol service, DH took the DC on an expedition (never called a walk - who wants to go on "a walk?) to find some holly with berries on for me. He always made sure that he had previously located some but also made sure that the expedition took in a VERY long detour to get to it. The fresh air and exercise had the desired effect of making sure DS, especially, could actually sleep on Christmas Eve.

Now, guess who does exactly the same with his own two DDs? {tchgrin]

Talking of carols and tears I am filling up thinking of it all, I have to go through it today and tomorrow at school for the DGC, I even fill up as the children file in and thats me lost for the whole performance.

Then tomorrow we go to our local hospice Light a Life service in memory of my MIL, and I spend that in tears too. Think I need a handbag full of tissues.

I have given up on all the hype and but enjoy Christmas the quieter the better. I love being out in the car and peeking in everyones windows to see their decorations.

I don't have any children in my life but walking round the shops seeing all the little ones excited faces, listening to school children on the radio singing carols - does for me every time.

I would add, I don't get the pillowcase these days! That was when I was small!

Oh yes! That lumpy pillowcase at the foot of the bed!

I'm having a hard time deciding if the feeling in my stomach is Xmas anxiety or Xmas excitement. I think it's starting to become more excitement now.

Flickety even the thought of that, the little one singing, makes me all, oh, you know!

phoenix I too prepare the Christmas meal on Christmas Eve to the background music of the Kings College service. Next Tuesday I will think of you preparing your meal while I prepare mine!

As for lights, even the traffic lights look festive at the moment!

I have been blessed to have had more happy and nostalgic Christmases in my life than less happy ones, but still feel this year will be special as DGS, at three and a half is now old enough to understand what Christmas is all about and he and his sister, three years his senior, and parents will be with us this year. DGD has been telling DGS lots of stories about what Christmas at Grandma Flickety's is like. Last week at a carol service he joined in singing the first verse of Away in a Manger word perfect and note perfect. We all hope he will do this again for us on Christmas day.

I get the shivers when listening to the beginning of the service from King's College, the solo first verse of "Once in Royal David's City" I think I read somewhere that they train about 3 choristers to do this, then the one to actually sing on the occasion is only told as they are about to go in, to minimise the "nerves". Not sure if it's true.

But I too am guilty of welling up at nearly all services, nativity plays etc when done by the littlies!

That was beautifully put, thank you phoenix

I am becoming more CBA with it all, the hype, the overspending, blah, blah, but on Friday I was at GDs Carol Concert and emotions were sky high then one girl sang a solo of O Holy Night and I was done for. That is one song guaranteed to stop me in my tracks and I can't help filling up.

Today in Sainsbury's a local primary school choir were singing carols then this little angel voice sang O Holy Night! I ended up trying to hide amongst the towel shelves while my face crumpled, again!

GD2 who is 4 will be an angel at her nursery nativity on Wednesday! I will not be worth a button by the weekend at this rate!

Lovely!

I totally agree, it the run up that I love more than the actual day ! I love to take a drive and look at all the lights on peoples houses,playing my cheesy christmas songs, staff parties, buying and wrapping presents, going to carol concerts... I love it all

Cant wait for DGD to be in her nativity plays !

This year is just amazing as at 2 1/2 she is overwhelmed with delight at everything - the 'twinkle twinkle little star trees' and 'farmer mis-mis' and her little face when we visited toys r us was a picture !