I've started a list, well, more than one really.

Stopped sending cards a few years ago, apart from giving my daughter a card.

Only one gift to buy for a friend, and a £10 budget to buy my daughter a small gift to open on Christmas Day. (We both do this and usually buy something silly and funny to laugh at)

However, we have gifted each other a sunshine holiday in January. I paid her half and she paid mine. A perfect start to the new year.

As for shopping, we just add a few extra bits for Christmas.. mostly savoury. No Turkey this year - we’ll go for gammon and a slice of pork with some crunchy crackling for Christmas Day. (And knowing my luck a trip to the dentist after )

I have bought one present because I was supporting a Christmas fair. and Christmas earrings for going to lunches for myself and a pair to post to daughter.
I hav started thinking about Christmas....... and planning it in my head.

I've started my list of who I send cards to and thst's about it.
Would love to start buying presents but my sister and her family and her grandchildren never manage to get lists of what they would like so it's always cash as I don't want to buy something that they don't want so that makes family present buying very easy.

I love lists!
Mostly on paper and in MS Publisher, but also putting key things in the calendar in my phone/ipad. Next Thursday is a "Review Christmas" entry in my calendar.

I live solo in a retirement flat with a degree of community - lunch, including Christmas lunch, is part of the deal. So no big family meal to buy and cook.

Last year was weird: many residents went off to families, and most of the rest had palled up with others to sit with at lunch. Fortunately, there was a table of four of us "leftovers". It felt very lonely - not that most others had plans, why shouldn't they? but that the "head prefect" of the residents didn't bother to check. Gosh, I felt left out! This year am absolutely determined to be a Leftover again, and to look out for anyone else in that boat: if I can stop anyone else feeling that invisible, I'll definitely do it.

Oh. That was as a digression. Oops.

I only buy for my two brothers and their other halves, and a dear couple and a good friend. Mostly bought or made (Determined Crocheter) but "Review Christmas" will make sure of that, and I'll write the card list.

Then I'll have a Me list too. I've had solo Christmases for some years but always with joy and in my own home with lots of good food and Baileys and hints of childhood - bowls of red apples, tins of sweets. I think I didn't try hard enough last year, this year I will.

Oh, and the dear couple, who are new friends, have invited me to their house on Boxing Day! Am looking for recipes for a luscious cakey thing to take.

Oh Pearlsaminger I do love your name and was sincerely only thinking the other day I haven’t seen you posting in a while! Probably just on different threads, but 👋 anyway!

.Ailidh "Review Christmas entry in my calendar"

I like your style! I definitely think you should promote yourself to 'Head Prefect' as you sound very kind and thoughtful, new friends sound lovely too

I haven’t even begun my Christmas lists yet. I’m beginning to feel just a little bit panicked as I’m usually organised and start early. But this year I’ve moved house and it all happened a bit suddenly. So I’m in my much smaller bungalow, surrounded by boxes and with savings depleted, wondering where to start! I love Christmas and know it will all work out but I wish I was feeling just a little bit more organised.

I used to work in a gift shop. We had a good laugh one Boxing day when a lady came in with a Christmas shopping list. We were not sure if it was late for that Christmas or early for the next one.

DD’s birthday is on 22 November, so we don’t start planning until after that.
Having said that, I’m making patchwork quilts for SiL’s nieces, so have had to start some time ago!
Also, now I’m a widow and go toDD’s for the festivities, in9 longer bother with any planning. Just do as I’m told.

keepcalmandcavachon

.Ailidh "Review Christmas entry in my calendar"

I like your style! I definitely think you should promote yourself to 'Head Prefect' as you sound very kind and thoughtful, new friends sound lovely too

Agreed. My vote goes to Ailidh too. The Leftover gang will become the cool kids in no time.

I sometimes think that Christmas is a lot of stress for one day, but I also think that it gives us all a focus in what would otherwise be a dreary time of year. I normally feel that December is early enough to start thinking about it, but for various reasons I have a lot on my plate this year, so need to be on top of things earlier than usual.

Stopped sending most cards a few years ago now - send Seasons e-mail messages/pictures to all those on my list who use the media. I think the postage on top of the cost of cards, which end up in the bin, is far too expensive. I still have a few overseas cards to send and some I hand deliver. Sad to see my card list getting smaller as people die.

Ailidh, that’s a very kind thing to do. It can be incredibly lonely when you’re left out like that. If you’re still looking for a cake to take to your friends Nigella’s clementine cake is very good. It’s made with ground almonds so is really moist and flavoursome..

Thank you for the votes, guys!

Yes, I was surprised at how gut-wrenchingly lonely I felt - feeling left out was a far different experience to contented solo celebrations!

Thank you for the cake suggestion, teabagwoman! It sounds delicious, and just right. It's the same guys that I asked a few days ago about what to take to breakfast, and I said then I'd take the Buck's Fizz suggestion to Boxing Day - it'd be perfect with the cake!!

I have had many sorts of christmas times over the years happy and sad, abroad and in this country. As a singer I am always very busy with rehearsals and concerts too , but as a ttaditionalist I wont look at any C stuff before bonfire night is over. Lets enjoy things in their turn instead of dashing through lifes pleasures just to suit the shops!! My tips that I do every year, whether presents bought or organised. I always plant 3 bowls of hyacinths (always stick to same colour in one bowl so that they flower at one time) and set them up so that they start coming out the middle of January and so have beautiful perfume and cheering flowers until the end of february. Then regardless of whatever else I have got ready I have my "rescue" presents wrapped and labelled and ready. So I buy usually Anton Berg"posh jaffa cakes " so they are individual wrapped jaffa style bisucuits but with liqueur in so orange in cointreau and plums in slivovitch or whatever. Wrapped up carefully and a card attached but NOT written on. Then go to book shop and get a book voucher for the other preseent. So come the day if you have an unexpected guest or are given a gift that you havent expected you have these 2 to choose from . You just say oh left it hidden and go and get it quickly writing the persons name on it. If they are diabetic they can have the book token etc etc, so you are covered all ends and sides. Even better , if you have been super efficient you wont need them. So in the middle of january, weather miserable, no spare cash, you can invitea couple of hardworking friends to come for super fresh coffee and posh anton bergs and are allowed to complain and moan about whoever in their family has driven them made over the holiday. The book token is yours - well you might lose it or it could go out of date, best treat yourself to a book you have always wanted. Now I call that a win win situation and most efficient. Before now I have sat coffee cup in one hand , lovely anton berg on plate and smelling my beautiful hyacinths, and breathing a sigh of relief that I have got through another festive occasion without either throttling a family member ruining the dinner or collapsing in a heap saying I cant sing another note!! Try it!

I have started another list for now, GOING OUT.
This one is exciting me most.
After many years, like you all, well most of you, December has been devoted to doing all the things families need doing.
Then I looked after my H with dementia so that stopped going out much at all.
Then I felt too old, guilty, too tired etc.
This year my friend across the road, a fellow widow and I have thrown caution to the wind.
We have already booked 2 evenings out, looking at a third and trying to fit two nights away, just locally, but that is proving tricky.
One night out booked with my GD and her friend.
If this seems excessive, I am very old and constantly think this could be my last Christmas or at least my last healthy one.
I intend to make it a good one.

Enjoy your nights out, annesixty. I hope you get your nights away sorted out, too.

Floradora9

It would be good if anyone starting a Christmas thread would give a warning in the header . There must be many more like myself who just cannot bear the thought of Christmas and find it upsetting . It makes me so depressed and I just long for January 2nd. to come round.

My friend is the same. She detests Christmas. She has no family at all just her partner. She was an only child and never had children herself. She finds it all very hard.

annsixty

I have started another list for now, GOING OUT.
This one is exciting me most.
After many years, like you all, well most of you, December has been devoted to doing all the things families need doing.
Then I looked after my H with dementia so that stopped going out much at all.
Then I felt too old, guilty, too tired etc.
This year my friend across the road, a fellow widow and I have thrown caution to the wind.
We have already booked 2 evenings out, looking at a third and trying to fit two nights away, just locally, but that is proving tricky.
One night out booked with my GD and her friend.
If this seems excessive, I am very old and constantly think this could be my last Christmas or at least my last healthy one.
I intend to make it a good one.

Good for you Ann. 👏👏 sounds great, have a wonderful time.

I have always loved Christmas, the lights and all the decorations. This will be my first Christmas without my DH but l will still be decorating as usual and trying to enjoy myself as he would have wished me too.My list is completed, most presents bought.
Online shop booked, all goodies ordered to make life easy for me though. Hopefully Toby, my new rescue dog and l will have a very Merry Christmas.

heneatha For me, never too early! I start formulating a mental list in September of how Christmas will be orchestrated due to family and friends each year - who’s hosting and what, who’s available, traveling, food theme(s), kid’s gifts, adults yes/no gifts, will you be crafting, cards, tree up this year or not? It’s all a whirl 🌀

October is list and shopping month.

By November I’m already behind. 😆 By our Thanksgiving all decorations are up, cookies are done, and some gifts are wrapped and ready to send. Music ON.

By early December the rest is done. I sit back and relax, lunch with friends, enjoy holiday events.

This is all a fallacy. Some years are actually perfect 🤷🏼‍♀️; other years the hot water heater goes out, someone gets sick, car problems, short of funds, emergency for friends or family- you know, Life!

But I will always be a certified Christmas nut.
USA Gundy

I have one granddaughter almost 3 and another who has just had her first birthday.

Last year it was decided and agreed by all, that in future we would only buy gifts for the grandchildren, hooray!! The last few years its been a nightmare trying to choose gifts for our children and they found it equally difficult buying for us. None of us really 'need' anything and with having to post things as well it gets complicated.

So granddaughters will get a little bag with chocolate buttons and bits and bobs, (they both have mountains of toys). and some money put into their savings accounts, we will have a quiet time as they all either live too far away or are visiting in-laws and not us this year!

I will probably make a roast for Christmas Day just for the two of us (and spoil the cat) and still make mince pies, we are not complete scrooges!

As for cards we only send about a dozen now.

The only list I will be making is for my Lidl shop.

Maya1 I have always loved Christmas, the lights and all the decorations. This will be my first Christmas without my DH but l will still be decorating as usual and trying to enjoy myself as he would have wished me to

Most presents bought, cards written. Turkey ordered, Christmas cake and pudding made. Caught covid last Christmas and it was awful. I'm wearing a mask the week before Christmas.

My lists start in January along with buying gifts etc. Hate shopping at Christmas,hate crowds....

Christmas is the second weekend of December for us (me and hubby) this year. Spending Friday to Monday with friends and having a Little Christmas. I have got the presents, made crackers, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Making Christmas hats now, Christmas stockings to make next. Takes the pressure off the actual day, when we will treat ourselves to a relaxing day, a nice meal and enjoy a long walk, even if the weather is bad.