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

M0nica

I use A4 paper which has printing on one side only, torn in half to A5 size and about 20 sheets at a time clipped to a piece of stout card. I have one beside me as I type

I am about to replan my menus for the next few days and prepare a shopping list and then make a list of all the other things I want to get done today.

I use A4 paper which has printing on one side only, torn in half to A5 size and about 20 sheets at a time clipped to a piece of stout card

I asked DH to remind me to buy some shorthand notebooks for lists then he reminded me he has loads of home-made note pads like that, which he made, M0nica.

Went to M&S and realised I'd forgotten my list 😃

I use A4 paper which has printing on one side only, torn in half to A5 size and about 20 sheets at a time clipped to a piece of stout card. I have one beside me as I type

I am about to replan my menus for the next few days and prepare a shopping list and then make a list of all the other things I want to get done today.

Without lists, my ADD brain would explode 🤯

My daughter uses those squared notebooks, whereas I favour the back of receipts or torn off bits of junk mail/used envelopes. One day I will be as grown up as she is

I find haaving everything written down means I can check and make sure nothing is forgotten'

I had a classic case of not checking this week. When we come to France I have a check list of things I need to remember to pack, but which it is easy to forget. Most of the time I look at the list and everything has been packed, but this week DH and I were very busy the two days before our trip and we were coming on an early morning ferry, which ment leaving home at 5.30am.

I forgot to check my list and as we relaxed on the ferry DH said to me: 'Did we pack the chain saw?' - and the answer was 'no'.

With our house being in Normandy, level with Jersey. and with the clear up from Storm Cearon still going on, and we had been told there were branches down, it is the one item we knew we needed.

Somebody, can’t remember who, said ‘happiness is a ticked off list’. I’m not a great list maker but I do like my Christmas lists, somehow it’s all part of the fun. I’m on my own but will go to my dd’s for Christmas lunch and the family will come to me for afternoon tea on Boxing Day after going to the pantomime.

For various reasons through my life Christmas has been a difficult time so I’m just so grateful that I’ve reached a stage where I can really enjoy it.

One of the reasons that I write lists is that I would forget things otherwise. I'm very ancient now and my memory isn't what it was. But I always did like lists anyway.

We have two family birthdays in November, middle daughter's last week and husband's next so we never get into hard planning till those are past. We shall be sending fewer cards, as 2nd class stamps are 75p each (usually send about 80). Thinking about having an artificial tree for the first time but they cost a fortune too. I've been unwell since July so haven't quite taken the plunge on inviting anyone for Chritsmas Dinner (thinking of asylum-seeker friends) but have told our DDs we don't need to be entertained on the day. We have ceased being the people who gave the big Christmas for everyone since we downsized and have a smaller dining table. I can't say I mind. Did about 44.

M0nica

Well, I enjoy Christmas: the planning and preparation in the runup as well as the season not just the day.

I do not think there is any good, bad or indifferent way of spending Christmas. Our reaction to Chritsmas is formed by time, our experience, family circumstances and for every person who thinks those of us who make a big deal of Christmas are ridiculous and pride themselves on mw little time and effort they give to the event, I am sure if i saw how they spent their time, I would find things they devote time to that i would consider a complete waste of effort.

Good point, I think. Everybody views Christmas 'efforts' differently.

I like some aspects of Christmas, none enough to dwell on more than that aspect/that day. I'll change over all linens to festive soon after 11 November, I'll change out the crockery at that point as well.

But lists? No, things will happen as they must. Not much different to normal any day in the calendar of the year.

The house will be cleaned as any time, trees will be purchased/ placed/ decorated. The children will find filled shoes. The 4 Advent celebrations prepared/served (once each daughter gives her food preference).

Christmas lunch, for the 2 of us will be cooked after Church. The remaining special meals through 6 January will be accomplished -- but we always clean/ cook/ serve. No huge differences needing a plan.

We change lighting in the gardens, make a holiday grotto for the children in a spare summer house type building, but that's just a swap from summer to winter - we do a lot of swapping all through the year.

Nothing to write on a list. Just happens, always has.

semperfidlis, IMO the reason women do most of it is because a lot of men really aren’t that bothered. My dh was from an all-boys family - TBH my MiL was herself almost like an honorary boy - and all Christmas ever really meant to him was the ‘enormous’ meals his mother cooked - all the boys were big eaters!

They never bothered with presents for anybody except perhaps for their mother. He can take or leave things that are pretty much essential to my Christmas, e.g. traditional carols, Carols from King’s, etc.

However he’ll happily go along with what I do, manhandle the tree and saw a bit off the bottom, etc., so I’m not complaining And he still enjoys the food! But I know that if I hardly bothered with any of it, he honestly wouldn’t care.

semperfidelis

I haven't done anything at all and I am perfectly happy about that. And why is it that the women are doing most of the work?

My ideal Christmas would be to make a seasonal picnic - turkey sandwiches, cold chipolatas, salads, cheeses, Christmas cake and stollen - and then be driven off in to the woods nearby where just me and my immediate family would eat out in the open if not too cold, or in the cars if it is. We'd drink alcoholic or non alcoholic punch brought in flasks. Then we'd just sit in total silence for a few minutes and think about those who are no longer with us and maybe share hopes for a better world in 2024.
If only......

Sounds perfect to me!

Well, I enjoy Christmas: the planning and preparation in the runup as well as the season not just the day.

I do not think there is any good, bad or indifferent way of spending Christmas. Our reaction to Chritsmas is formed by time, our experience, family circumstances and for every person who thinks those of us who make a big deal of Christmas are ridiculous and pride themselves on mw little time and effort they give to the event, I am sure if i saw how they spent their time, I would find things they devote time to that i would consider a complete waste of effort.

My main pre-occupation for the holidays was to get things ready for my various shops. I began my preparations back in August. Hopefully I will sell lots of antique and vintage stuff to Americans who will want it Fedexed over to arrive yesterday.

Around mid December I will close down all my shops for a month.

Cards decorations and gifts - I dont even go there.

Well, I live alone so it's all down to me.
But my favourite Christmas was years ago when my then partner and I took sandwiches and a flask and climbed a large rock on Dartmoor and stayed there for hours. It was perfect peace, but just a bit chilly.

I haven't done anything at all and I am perfectly happy about that. And why is it that the women are doing most of the work?

My ideal Christmas would be to make a seasonal picnic - turkey sandwiches, cold chipolatas, salads, cheeses, Christmas cake and stollen - and then be driven off in to the woods nearby where just me and my immediate family would eat out in the open if not too cold, or in the cars if it is. We'd drink alcoholic or non alcoholic punch brought in flasks. Then we'd just sit in total silence for a few minutes and think about those who are no longer with us and maybe share hopes for a better world in 2024.
If only......

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.