Are you running round in circles?

All done now Ladies! No need to fret over it for at least 10 months!

Well! I did not try it.

You sound so relaxed. I shall have to take a leaf out of your book Jalima!

It's all the rushing around enjoying myself this week that has exhausted me!
I fell asleep in the chair watching a programme which I was enjoying so now I won't be able to sleep when I go up the wooden hills to Bedfordshire.

Good idea Jalima. For me too.
I don't do a special clean especially if no one is coming. And as someone else said whats the point. clean afterwards.
I an definitely more disorganised. I think maybe we slow down but don't realise it. I'm actually in bed now. Christmas day is lovely but the pre Christmas is exhausting.

Time to just say dont be rude
Perhaps not at Christmas annep but it could be a New Year's Resolution?

I am becoming less organised the older I get. However, I don't know why I am cleaning, washing, etc because we won't even be here!

I tidy but don't clean particularly before xmas. The place will be filthy after xmas anyway with grandkids and cake. After putting away the decorations I feel as if I can breathe again and tend to get motivated for a decent cleanup.

It's not so much getting in a tizz, or getting overstressed. It's more that I want to have a good fettle of the house before I put up the tree and I will be happy once it is all done and then I can relax Xmas day when everyone is here. However, as I hate the thought of housework and cleaning, I have to get in the right mood and move myself up a gear to get motivated. So I will be a little stressed until its all done, it's that feeling of stress that gets me started.

A bit of rock music would help get me going, but OH is down with a bad cold, so that means he will be too ill to help but not ill enough to go to bed and he will sit in the living room watching my every move and throwing out helpful remarks like "I don't know why you are bothering, Xxxx will not notice". Now that will make me stressed.

I used to be quite nifty with the lists, spreadsheets, and planning ahead. Sadly, my children took after their father, and are disorganised and can change plans at one day's notice. For example, when I first started planning this year, my daughter was coming on xmas eve and leaving on xmas day. Then it was changed to leaving on boxing day, and then more recently to come on 23rd and leave on xmas day. Then finally I brought the bar down on the last plan plus the stay till boxing day. It was one change too many for me, too close to the event.

I'm a spreadsheet girl too. Once done, works indefinitely. Efficient? Hope so. Lazy? Undoubtedly.

I would not say I've done my best sorry. Jalima. Time to just say dont be rude. But I too walk on eggshells with daughter MissAdventure And I blame myself but its easier than arguing. Its comforting to know I'm not alone.

Readymeals that is also the story of my year exactly, re kitchen fitting! You are amazing. Actually it isn't finished yet, still got to paint. No, we are NOT painting before Christmas, done that before too many times. I'm getting more slapdash relaxed about the whole thing.

Thanks, yes I’ll slap my smile on. I’m very non confrontational and youngest daughter whilst very assertive is very laid back

glammagran just smile and say thank you for the puddings - let them sort it out between them. If she says anything about the house just say 'this is a home; if it's not clean enough for you, I'm sorry, I've done my best and there's the vacuum/bathroom cleaner/scrubbing brush etc and keep a big plastered on your face!

You're not alone in the old "walking on eggshells" game, glamma.
I understand that its easiest to just keep the peace though.
Hope your festive celebrations are peaceful..

Half the time I’m too “scared” to text or phone her - it’s always the wrong time. She can be very caustic. It’s not just us. Its everyone else too. My main task is ensuring she and stepfather (DH) don’t get into a row. Just trying to get her to organise desserts was a nightmare. Youngest daughter has a severe nut allergy so they were texting back and forth regarding suitable pudding. How hard can it be?

Don't allow her to voice her fault finding to you then.
It would be just as easy to question why someone feels the need for a show home, but most people have manners enough not to voice their opinions.
It might be time for your daughter to learn some.
I'm not getting at you, by the way, but I'm always reading how bloody rude adult children can be, and it really gets on my wick!

Last year we were on my DH’s start of his retirement cruise. Sigh! This year cooking for 9. I have my elder daughter and family, SIL’s parents - they are great friends! Youngest daughter and partner plus newish baby. Will miss son and family but will see them for New Year. My main problem is eldest daughter’s very exacting standards. She thinks I’m an utter slob, I truly I’m not. I’ve scrubbed every inch of the house but she’ll find fault somewhere. She does live in a “show home” - I couldn’t.

I don't have anyone for Christmas day. We are usually alone. Going to son's this year. Usually have people on boxing day.
About 3 weeks before Christmas I make a card list, present list, and a list of what needs done tick things off and revise it regularly. (ie wrap and deliver presents, buy food, put up decorations, write/post cards, hairdresser)
Food is from Marks.
I don't do a huge clean or shop. I clean every week. That's good enough. No point in overstressing.
Tree isn't up yet. So.......
If you have everything done and you're still stressed try some meditation. You need to relax.

Precisely!

Me neither MOnica. I set the bar nice and low so that I can always hop over it!

I have been up to London for the day, to have lunch out and go to a matinee show in the afternoon. We had a lovely time and a nice journey back. To morrow I will be at Waitrose at 7.30, the farm supplying the turkey just after 8.00, the pork butcher for the gammon around 8.30, ending up at the bakery at 9.00, where we will have coffee and a bacon sarnie in the cafe. Home by 10.00 and, apart from icing the cake, I can relax for the rest of the day.

There is not a shred of Early English Martyr in my make-up. I have never understood the love affair so many women have with guilt.

Love Mabon1 comments! She shoots from the hip doesn’t she?

I was having a lovely day until my Hairdresser rang to say she wasnt well and had to go home, she booked me in for Thursday next week AFTER Christmas, when I thought things couldnt get any worse,I collected our post looking for Christmas cards and there was a big fine to be paid for a parking fine I had paid but they wouldnt hear of it, so £60 gone from my not too huge bank account, better to pay immediately I thought,just waiting for the third disaster today then I can sleep well tonight.I have wrapped all my christmas presents so thats positive I suppose.

I've just got in from delivering presents and my newly decorated study is full of plastic gluttering and associated fittings.....I think my DH has decided to replace and repair the leaks I mentioned last winter!!!