We have to order our turkey in October from our local butcher so that’s the start of it for me. I’ve had a big blue book for years and everything gets written in that. I quilt and knit so yes, I like to start early-ish with those projects.
Christmas is a time of comings and going’s and never quite knowing who will turn up when so the food needs planning too, though not quite yet. Except for the mincemeat which I shall make next week with DGD.
But yes, it is about Jesus’ birth and I too hate all the commercialisation and materialism but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a happy, fun time or that we can’t enjoy the preparations!
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Christmas
I'm going to keep a kind of diary of some of the things I make and do for Christmas.
If anyone wants to join in they are welcome.
Maybe we can swap ideas. 
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First of all I collected up the pruned tendrils from my Wisteria, and wound them around each other to make a wreath.
Still needs a few more strands to plump it out, but when finished I will decorate it.
Not sure whether to go for the trad. Christmas red and green with bits of glitter, or maybe skandi type with natural fir cones cinnamon sticks etc., finished off with a velvet vanilla coloured bow!
I'll have to take a look in the Christmas craft box(es!) to see what is looking the nicest.
Next persuaded my husband to bring down the many boxes of trimmings etc., down for me to check through, and they are now stuffed under the dining table until I get to decorate the house later on.
I cant ask him to trudge them back upstairs, too much stress on the knees!
It gives me the chance to look through and see what is looking a bit jaded and decide if I should buy new.
Found the outside lights and tested some to see if still working. Yes, so arranged them strategically in the back garden.
We had cut back a large tree a couple of weeks ago, which left the view from the window a bit empty, and I didn't like it.
So we dug out a large pot, heaved it (well he heaved I steadied it) onto the sack truck and wheeled it into position.
Then stood the largest pruned branch (about 3ft) into it and filled the pot with earth to hold it in place.
The branch is nicely twisted so I spent a couple of days on and off winding lights around it to emphasise its lovely shape. Fiddly but the effect is very pretty.
Then I filled the top of the pot with some trailing variegated ivy, (being sold off at 50p a pot).
Now I've left the lights off for now, as it is a little bit early!
But I'm looking forward to seeing them everyday from my window over the Christmas period.
It's the one thing that perks me up when the clocks change and windy wet winter seems to stretch out before us.
BBbevan… Don't you mean Christmas Palava (?)
I don't know if I'm relieved that our family complications mean our Christmas isn't busy so no need for lists or spreadsheets or envious of those who will have a the type of Christmas that needs the planning. I can see benefits to both . A Christmas cake will be made half term week, always has been and I see no need to change, I decorate because I love to see it, Mr C and I will choose food we want to eat so no major food shopping needed. We will see family after, sometimes a fair bit after, Christmas for a 'normal meal, so no need for major organisation. We enjoy the run up and make sure we do Christmas type things, so different but not necessarily bad.
Oh this is my kind of thread!
Big family who all really love everything Bout Christmas, so if I don’t start early I can’t afford it and run out of time. So it’s all systems go here !!
I have 2 birthdays to fit in too between now and the big day, so currently I am knee deep in making birthday banners and personalised goody bags to their chosen themes.
But I have some wonderful tea light holders to decorate and some personalised baubles for the families trees and then stockings to personalise :-)
I don’t know how I ever found time to work!
Attached a pic of one of my tea light holders
My Christmas spreadsheet never really closes. 
Most of the presents I need to buy were bought, wrapped and delivered to my sister up North a while back, just in case we don’t get up there before Christmas (though I’m sure we will). I’ve got some of the little presents squirrelled away for the stockings I make up for any grown ups coming here on the big day (6 to do this year). And all my cards were bought last January.
Just the DGC and family Secret Santa to sort out and they can all wait till December.
Food prep starts around Hallowe’en, when I make the cake.
I’m not as crafty as I’d like to be, but I have got a barely started Christmas cupcake embroidery somewhere that I must dig out.
I love the idea of a treasure hunt for children. I’ll be working on that.... Any tips re clues and treasure would be very welcome, BradfordLass.
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