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

I’ve started today - if I can count that when I went shopping I got an advent calendar for the dog. That’s it so far. I’m not a stresser, and I don’t make any lists, I keep it all in my head, but it will happen regardless - we do a 7am foray to the supermarket a couple of days before for all the food and drink, our annual Waitrose extravagance of putting whatever we like in the trolley, it’s never failed us yet, and it’s part of our Christmas.

Norah

Out of interest - what is on Christmas 'lists' on November 7th. Just curious, do continue listing whilst I dawdle gardening.

Remember not to miss last posting dates for overseas!

Out of interest - what is on Christmas 'lists' on November 7th. Just curious, do continue listing whilst I dawdle gardening.

We bought our new Christmas tree today. Our 30 year old, much loved one finally fell apart last year and was consigned to the tip. We actually went out to look at plants to replace the ones chopped down to allow a new fence to be erected.

henetha, I used to do all that - but not anymore. I don't do any
shopping, cards or presents, just give the kids money for the grandkids, then order the same food as last year online (with my saved lists).

I do an early December 'Christmas' meal - to get the family gathering over with, then I'm a guest on the day itself. No tree or decorating, no special preparations - I just love it.

I gave in and today ordered Christmas Eve boxes for the GC who are sleeping here on Christmas Eve, along with reindeer food, hot chocolate & mugs, Christmas pj’s, and Santa’s flying license.

I make no apologies, I am carrying on the Christmas spirit of my parents who loved it and always made it special.

^Have any of you started to get organised yet? Some will think it's too early, but I like spreading the financial load a bit.
And what about food. Have you decided what to have yet?^

No, too early, but fine for others. We need to get the garden tended, the trees and shrubs ready, work to autumn done and dusted.

Food: we've 4 Christmas meals. Each of of daughters select for themselves and their children, GC, GGC - each on a different Advent Sunday (usually). We typically know what they prefer, but.. no definite plans, yet. We have our own Christmas feast, just us two, menu long set from when we became vegans (foods we love).

If people want to plan now, for whatever reasons -- have fun.

I forgot the one where we were told not to say if we liked winter, as some people can't afford the heating bills. Seriously, the thread police are having a field day just now.

Well, I intend to continue to enjoy Christmas. Not every Christmas in my life has been fine and dandy, The first one after my sister died, she was in her mid-40s was difficult, as was those after each of our parent's deaths, and the one in 2020 which DH spent in hospital semi-cosncious with a hospital caught infection that was antibiotic resistance.

But no matter what the decorations went up and those of us able to gather together remembered the living, who could not be with us and the dead who would never be with us again.

To quote from the Libretto for Benjamin's Brittains opera, Albert Herring,^in the midst of life is death, death must come to one and all^

Others I know have other reasons to dislike Christmas and I would never force Cristmas on anyone who wanted to avoid it.

But to expand Doodledogs comments, if we were all to abstain from doing everything where someone would be made unhappy by it. We would all be sitting on our hands, doing nothing and gently starving to death.

Those who think it is still too early are not alone!

I love lists and often have sub lists. Very satisfying to cross things off. On the kitchen table at the moment …..Christmas food list. And Sainsbury’s online order . Plus jobs to do.

I used to love Christmas, but since I discovered his ‘affair’ at the Xmas Party , I just tolerate it now, for the sake of the GC. Having said that, I have bought Cards for the neighbours. My neighbour has just today, got her beautiful silver-lit outdoor Xmas tree in the garden.

I'm sorry that Christmas is difficult for you too, Floradora, but this is getting to the point where we will have no threads at all.

I don't read every thread, so I may have missed more, but over the past couple of days we've been told not to discuss the term 'grannies' when used as a generic for older women, not to mention our husbands getting in the way, not to give an opinion on whether people should RTFT and now this.

Nobody has to read anything that upsets them. If it is clear from the first couple of posts that a thread is going to be about something you (anyone) find difficult, you can just move to another one.

You did start the OP with this sentence, henetha Dare I mention the C word? so anyone who didn't want to read further need not.

I'm sorry it's an unhappy time for you Floradora and I realise it's not always a jolly time for everyone.

I did think today, after we'd been out shopping where the decorations are already up and the 'C' music is playing, that the staff will be heartily sick of it all before the beginning of December!

Oh dear, Floradora. It wasn't my intention to upset anyone. Now I feel awful.

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.

I broke out the Christmas spreadsheet nearly a month ago. Our usual suppliers of pork and turkey have both closed down, one last weekend, with less than a months notice, so I raced round while they were still in business and the gammon joint, sausage meat and pork pies for Christmas are already tucked away in my freezerand the turkey is on order from a different supplier, still local.

I ordered the cards last week and they arrived today and I have sent out requests to my nearest and dearest for their wish lists from Christmas, so I can start getting in the Christmas presents

Oh yes, I have made the mincemeat and Christmas puddings.

Apart from that I have barely started!

Cards are done ready to post or deliver. Pressies are mainly money these days so not a problem.

I'm getting a bit nervous about Christmas lunch as it's going all out traditional Ukrainian but on Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve. I've been eavesdropping on the menu being discussed and MrA and I are wondering whether a midnight feast will be in order. So far the only things I recognise are bread, borscht (which neither of us like but it may depend on who cooks it) and potato and onion pancakes. And stewed cabbage. There was some talk of jellied fish but I hope that's been vetoed.

I’ve started buying DH presents, to spread the cost, and the cards are bought (except a few special family ones). I will be making the pud on stir up Sunday (around the 26 Nov), and the fruit cake the following week as it’s not a rich fruit cake, so can be made nearer Christmas.
The turkey crown is in the freezer, and the red cabbage is cooked and in the freezer, too.
The remaining meat order is in at the butcher.
I will be going to the cheese stall at the end of the month and that will also go in the freezer.
So, yes, I’ve got some things done and other things organised.

As a family, we decided last year to cut right back on gift buying, as we all have what we need or can get it when we do need it, so instead, I will take a few foodie bits round for them to enjoy at their Christmas meal. It’s removed a lot of pressure, wondering what to buy and knowing that in all likelihood it will end up in a charity shop, at a church fayre, or whatever. There’s a lot of us, too, so it was becoming ridiculously expensive. I’m not sure that everyone is doing the same, but we made it clear that that was our intention, and stuck to it.

Joseann your cake looks delish, looks like you'll need a good hiding place for the next one (or two)...

Love a list, but this year I'v bought a note book with dividers and named each section as - plans and dates
projects and crafts
shopping
decorations
recipes
and have taped an envelope inside for receipts.
Trying to at least feel organised! Just off now to add all of
your ideas to my 'Christmas Planner 2023'

All Christmas presents have been bought, wrapped, and put away. DP has to take his family's next month. My family will be here from Portugal this year, so I started early because I'm so excited again. DD has got the alcohol sorted. Christmas meal has been ordered from Cook. We had one from there a couple of years ago and it was so easy to follow the timings and it was delicious. I've got a Christmas slot from Ocado and about to get another from Tesco. I even managed to get three birthday presents for next year, bought and wrapped. I've made lists of what I've got and where I've put them. Never been so organised, although I've no idea what we are having for tea today!

Grocery delivery slot booked this morning, majority of presents bought for our immediate family, I’m awaiting a list from my son, as usual..
Cards and stamps bought, I’ve just ordered some wrapping paper.
We’re at my daughters on the day for the first time, control has been wrested from me!

And I thought I'd booked a Waitrose delivery slot but it seems to have been lost.

Think I'll just hibernate this year.

My lists are saved on the PC, as are labels.

The saddest thing is updating the lists and labels each year and crossing off names 😥