Good Morning Christmas Eve 24th December 2025

Good morning from Wiltshire.

Had GD3 and GS2 from 9-1 and gave them an early lunch as they had a play date in the afternoon. They only had one spat in that time which is UNHEARD of. DH did the M&S collection a round trip of 16 miles. He was very lucky insofar as he got a carpark space just as someone was leaving. He was in and out quickly to find the carpark gridlocked and people queuing to get in. But he wasn’t very long at all.

Today we’ll see DD1, her DH and the - -horrors- little darlings again and then pack up to go to DD1’s. I’m taking an obscene amount of booze, homemade sausage rolls, bread sauce and cranberry sauce plus some canapés for the evening. I’ll also take along my Epoisses cheese which I’m told will have to stay outside in an outdoor cupboard as it’s only us that like it. I’ve heard it’s banned on the Paris metro due to its pungent aroma.

I hope you are able to enjoy Christmas Jax after such a trauma and your family look after you.

Happy Christmas to you all. XX

Thankyou Grandmabatty
I might give it a go but not just now, I am not wanting my heartstrings tugged any more presently.

Utbb, It's a wonderful life is quite bleak in many ways. I have never felt it sentimental or mawkish but heartwarming. I think you should give it a go

Good morning Mick and everyone.
I'm thinking of you all and wishing you a peaceful Christmas.

Reading RaHM’s little poem makes me wonder, am I the only one who has never seen It’s a Wonderful Life?
Mawkish sentiment, which I assume it is has never appealed to me.
Am I wrong?

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a very dark, chilly and still morning in north Yorkshire. Didnt start well as had a rubbish night, not sleeping well and painful back. Then did manage to fall asleep only to miss the bach and the plan to be up early lost. Creaking a lot this morning, havent dared to get into the shower yet and a lot of things I need waiting to be ironed yet. Gnash gnash, not the way I wanted to begin today. Will have to hope to wash away my feelings when I get in the shower.

Yesterday I was struggling with my back amongst other things, but did manage to go out and get most of the things I wanted. The present I had specially and awkwardly got ready for Nichola who has done so much for me this year, I took to Upready, struggling to get there through the crowds only to find that she had been so poorly she hadnt come in. I went home and did a bit more sorting out, but then felt it mattered that she had the present for christmas day, so reluctantly got the car out and drove to her house very carefully in the mad rush of demented drivers. Anyway got there without mishap, and delivered the present but didnt stay, not wanting to get any bugs myself, but pleased to see her and thank her for all her efforts on my behalf and then got safely home.

You can only make what efforts you can but it is a hard time for many of us and I arrived home, feeling pleased that I had made the effort, walked into the flat and then just suddenly was hit with that wave of sadness, walking into somewhere quiet with no family rushing about, missing my lovely husband, who was so good at calming things down, doing up parcels, making good suggestions and helping with everything. It is more than 8 years since he died now, and I manage as best as I can. You always miss someone dear to you, but have to learn a way of carrying on. Yet times like these just come at you and get under your guard. I know many of us are coping with these feelings but the one thing that I say to myself is that even though there is sadness there, I am glad that I still have him with me always and that at these special times I wouldnt want to forget him.

Well, I need to sort out what ironing is needed and get it done. The way I feel at the moment it will be stripped down to the minimum, but never mind, everything is clean and the bed changed etc. I am not having anyone to stay or coming here for christmas day but still have that habit of making sure that at least for the start of christmas day, everything is clean and tidied and sorted, however quickly that changes.

Must check through my things and make sure I have shoes and matching bits and bobs for my christmas outfit. The forecast is for very cold and I have to admit that I mostly live in trousers and tops and sweaters, so I must check out my things for a day of wearing a dress for once, and making the effort to look smart and tidy if not fashionable and elegant. Gone are the days when it mattered that I had picked the right colour or had something quite fashionable. I still chose a good colour that I like to wear, but comfort and ease of getting things on and off these days feature higher in my list!1 Well I still stick to the old adage from years ago. That you take care dressing and checking your outfit,do your make up and hair, look at it all in a long mirror and then forget about it all and just get on with your day. Just looked out of the curtains and there is a little light coming up, rather greenish and it is very cold. Can see the outline of the tree, and no wind or signs of life there. Did see a squirrel rushing about yesterday so they are still around somewhere.

Mick hope you have a good trip meeting lots of friends today. Bellasnana so pleased you are feeling a bit better and hope it continues to tomorrow .Karmalady, sorry you are having a down day. I hope that you can enjoy tomorrow with family and then return with a new bright idea for what you might like to start up in the new year. Look around now and see how much you have achieved this year, you have done so much and brought a lot of order to your home. I wish I had done half as much here. Maybe tomorrow an unexpected thought or present may come to you and lead you onto your next plan. May you draw on your calmness and knowledge to find your next adventure.

Wishing everyone on GN a happy day tomorrow, that you all have contact with those you love, whether in person , on the phone or online. Thankyou all for the year of interest, laughs, support and good ideas. I feel it has been a good part to my life to be part of this community and look forward to more tales of all sorts from all over. A happy christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year to you all

Good morning from Leicestershire.

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and thinking about all of you who are feeling sad at this time of year.

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas. Love the nativity scene fgt2

Morning all from a chilly West Oxfordshire.

Daughter arrived yesterday. As usual, she had brought all her presents with her and will wrap them here. She is the only one of my children who still does this!

I will be mainly defrosting the Christmas food which I have made over the last few weeks. I iced the Christmas cake yesterday and will ice the chocolate ‘shed’ today. OH collected the turkey yesterday and is in charge of preparing it for roasting tomorrow.

Elder son and his family are coming for the day tomorrow. They will be back on Saturday and will drop granddaughter off while they go to Scotland for a few days.

We too have a funeral to look forward to in the new year. A very old friend died (not unexpectedly) a couple of days ago. Fortunately he was at home with his wife and all five of his children.

Have a good Christmas Eve. Thinking of the FGT2S especially.🎄

Good morning from N Bucks where it is grey and cold.
All my boxes etc are stacked on the table ready to go into the car and I plan (?) to be on the road at 9.30
Before we all sink beneath the waves of last minute shopping, sprouts, stuffing, Away in a Manger😥😥 wrapping paper and Baileys, may I wish you all a very happy Christmas with those you love, I know how much we feel the empty chair, but God bless us all every one!

Good morning, a very chilly and grey start here in south Glos, at least it’s a dry forecast for the next week or so.
Yesterday I did very little, my oomph has evaporated. Today will be similar, just housework etc. I will do the ironing later.
I think we’ll take the dogs to the village for a walk this morning, we haven’t been down there for a while because everywhere is so muddy.
A quiet Christmas here too Gagagran, everything is done and ready. I don’t go overboard anymore, just a nice dinner and a few treats.
Sending hugs to everyone who could do with one x

Wishing Mick and all who join in (or read) a very Happy Christmas. x

I meant to say my Son was calling from China

Good morning everyone from the East Coast.
I was woken by my phone indicating my soon was calling to do a video chat from China.

Today is our Christmas dinner but not until four o’clock when family will arrive. Alot of it is prepared so it won’t be too stressful. There will be 11 of us around the table and I’ll plate up a dinner to take round to mums tomorrow.
DH has a sackful of gifts to give out around the table that’s his thing and he will set the table and will keep the washing up cleared away as I’m cooking. We are a good team.

I love hearing about everyone’s festivities seeing friends and family. It’s very heartwarming 💐
Sending Christmas love and best wishes to you all and thankyou for sharing snippets of your lives. It’s been a pleasure participating in the good morning thread.
Merry Christmas 🎄 🎉

Good morning from a still dark Suffolk where the weather turned very cold last night.

We’ll do today what we always did when the children were little….bring in and decorate the Christmas tree,put on display my mother’s knitted nativity and display the cards. The tree is a tiny live one with roots that lives outside from 7 th January. Years ago it was several feet tall dug up by DH from a field of a local farmer.

But things change and we are happy to go along with the changes.

I’m visiting my dear friend in the Care home taking along a bottle of delicious dry French wine I introduced her to earlier this year and we’ll enjoy a glass together. She can then enjoy the rest of the bottle over the rest of today and tomorrow.

It is the Carols and Crib service in the church at the bottom of the garden late afternoon and then a quiet peaceful time here until DS and tribe arrive for Boxing Day. We’ll talk to the DD’s and DGC as well tomorrow.

I hope all have a lovely Christmas especially those not feeling their best or caring for others.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s still dark and looks dry
A little bit of food prep to do today, nothing much. DH and I will go out for a short walk somewhere this morning and then a coffee afterwards. Other than that I’ve nothing planned. I’m still trying to shake off this cough and I’m still feeling tried after the virus, I’m certainly sleeping a lot anyhow 😴
Safe travels to everyone on the move today and hope the traffic isn’t too bad
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Morning Mick, morning All. A dry day forecast for our corner of Somerset, Alexa says the sun will appear.

Yesterday was odd. We visited two supermarkets, both with very busy car parks and then few shopper inside. Not that I complained. We were out and back in 90 minutes including a coffee stop. Excellent. Chatted to two friends on the phone, one has been floored by the flu virus, the other is quite unwell and more than stressed about practical issues in her home. I counted my blessings.

Ironing for me this morning, a kitchen to clean and last minute tidying. Mr C will clean the bathroom and we’ll be ready to welcome Santa. Veg will be prepared this evening with 🤞 tomorrow works as planned. Our son was unwell yesterday, he says a cold, we hope not the flu virus. I worry as he lives alone. Always something for sure.

My thoughts go to everyone finding this season a difficult one for whatever reason.

Wishing you all the best Christmas Eve it can be.

Good morning from Stockport where it feels decidedly chilly after a few mild days.
Another one here feeling very emotional, tears are never far from the surface and we have no small children here to lighten it but I shall get through the next couple of days and then all shall be well.
Greetings to you all and hope the unwell among you feel better soon and can enjoy Christmas.

Good morning everyone from a chillier south coast.

Lovely to read of all your busy "doings" and feeling a bit lazy as we are having a very low key Christmas. Just the two of us and easy meals planned. DD is coming on Monday with the two DGC - although they are now in their twenties so should really be called DGAs I suppose. Son-out-law is a hospital consultant and is on duty all next week so unfortunately will not be joining us.

We have much to be thankful for and will enjoy the peace and quiet and share memories of Christmas past. I hope that those who have lost their DHs or partners can find a little comfort in their loneliness by doing the same.

Kindest regards to all who are sad, suffering, lost or lonely particularly at this time.

Virtual hugs available to anyone in
need. There's nothing like a good heartfelt hug for unspoken comfort.

Good morning all from a dark but dry Black country.
Need to drop DH prescription round to pharmacy and a quick dive into Aldi to pick up a couple of forgotten bits.
Safe travels those on the move and virtual hugs where needed, have the best day you can everyone whatever your plans and may you all find a little bit of ☀️.

Good morning from a dry but very windy Torbay.

It must be a poignant time for those who are without loved ones this year. I hope having family around will be a comfort to you, BlueSapphire.

Yesterday, we went into town on the bus but it was surprisingly quiet. We enjoyed a walk round with refreshment breaks in a pub and Waterstones where we had lunch. DH forgot to bring the foil from tablet packs to recycle at Superdrug. 🙄 (one of the main reasons for going) Our quest for tree lights was unsuccessful and we ended up patronising a shop near home that sells all sorts. Adding lights to an already decorated tree isn’t easy…! 🎄

nanna8: my DD1 and family are over from Geelong, VIC currently as it was the funeral of her FIL on Monday. They have found it chilly here although my DGS1 from Australia had hoped to see snow!

Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas Eve. ⭐️🎄🎁🧑🏻‍🎄⭐️

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it is 6°C

You sound much brighter Bella.
Kalu, I was talking to the General Manager of that Shopping Centre, yesterday at the funeral. He advised me to avoid it!!

Yesterday, the church was full to the very high ceiling with mourners.
We had put extra chairs for Christnas, thank goodness we did.
I saw people, I hadn't seen in years.
The deceased's daughter, whom I know, read the eulogy and I could hear lots of people trying to smother sobs.
A brave young woman, to stand up and do it in front of so many people.
The only time, I have seen so many people at a funeral , was when my friend died. A passing police car had to stop and manage the traffic, which was gridlocked.

As a I was pottering about the sacristy, a former colleague came to see me. The previous day, I had posted a message about our deceased parishioner and she needed clarification.
Unfortunately, we have two parishioners, with exactly the same base. She came to ask if it was X of the church or X of the bowling club.
The bowling club thought it was their member and were mourning him. It caused a such shock, when he was spotted in the Main Street, after everyone thought he had died!!!
The parishioner asked what was wrong with my eye?????
I had no idea what she meant, until I got home.
I had burst a blood vessel, due to all the coughing. It is pretty awful looking.

I had a busy afternoon, mini sttcky toffee puddings made and the Christmas cake decorated.
I then finished the rest of the wrapping, except DH's.
I had totally forgotten about him! 😂 it will be done today.

A very early start for us, we are off to a funeral, unfortunately it involves three motorways and DH is rather anxious.
My greatest fear, is that thee no otorway services on this journey. Diverticulitis flare up and a weak bladder are making me rather anxious.

Apparently DD is coming down to wreak havoc in my kichen with the turkey, DH had to clean and clear the garage fridge of booze yesterday, as per her orders instructions.
I am glad I will be out!😉
She has 'previous.'

I wish you all the best of days, especially for those, who find this time of the year very difficult.💐
I didn't have time to go back and read the posts yesterday, I am send a hug to Blossoming.

I must go. DH has lost his black tie, which I kept with his newly ironed shirt. 😡

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s cold and dry out, no frost but a fresh easterly breeze blowing. Dentist yesterday morning was good, just one small filling which I knew about and which he filled without anaesthetic. He is very kind and complimented me on my walking, knowing I have problems with my back. The drive there was easy but I ached afterwards. I visited my dementia friend in the afternoon, she was asleep all the time I was there, but her DH and I had a pleasant chat, reminiscing about our schooldays!
My son in law will collect me and a car full of food and presents at sometime today - needless to say I have no idea when he will arrive!

karma I’m sorry you’re feeling ‘down’ at the moment. it’s a difficult time of year to get through.

kalu you were brave to venture to the shops yesterday, possibly the busiest day for shopping, certainly round here.

bella I’m pleased you’re feeling a bit better now, especially after the carrot and ginger soup! It sounds a good “pick me up”.

Thinking as always for those gransnetters who are struggling in any way and hope that today brings some improvement for you all.
Have as good a day as you can.

Good morning. A busy day for us starting with DH collecting the Turkey and ham from a local farm. Food preparation and transportation of various items to DD2s who is hosting tomorrow.
There will be a short visit from DGSs 2 & 3 and then we will see them on Boxing Day.
Sending thoughts and good wishes and hope everyone can find some peace and happiness at this time.

Good morning everyone from a still dark and dry morning in Northampton. I have been up ages having not been able to sleep, my head whirling with today's plans. In the end I got up at 4am and made tea and toast which I took back to bed.

I have already vacuumed the bedrooms and staircase this morning, cleaned out the cats' litter tray which will go into the.garage shortly as DCats went off to the cattery yesterday. They went into their carriers with no fuss and were collected at 3pm.
I have also dressed the dining table with the Christmas tablecloths, done a load of washing up from last night, and emptied the dishwasher.
Just got to vacuum downstairs.

And then I'm going to get an early bus to the shops as I thought of a couple of extra things I needed.

When I get back a quick lunch then put the presents round the tree.

The family start arriving around 4ish and DD-out-law will prepare her usual delicious Swedish Christmas Eve meal. DGD1 has asked if her boyfriend can come and sample a bit of a Swedish Christmas and of course he is very welcome.

Missing DH more than ever this year; he loved Christmas and being with family and it meant so much to him. As I've been getting things ready I keep thinking "Oh, DH would have loved this and been so happy, it's not fair he isn't here ", and have to wipe away a few tears. But then I think I have a lot to be thankful for.

Wishing all a peaceful and happy Christmas Eve.

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