Christmas

I put the trees up yesterday and the outside lights today. Tomorrow I'm boxing up decorations for the charity shop. I don't have the energy to put the amount I usually put up. Someone else might as well enjoy them and save money too.
I have lots of presents to wrap I will do that next week as we have a busy weekend. We are using up food from the freezer this week to make space for Christmas indulgence.

I’ve just spent a happy hour ordering presents from the French Soaps Company - the only problem being that I spent far too much for myself too.

I did make a Christmas cake today.
Will have to post overseas cards tomorrow.

We had our first Christmas card with today’s post! One of DH’s ‘only surface for Christmas and funerals’ cousins but ahead of the pack this year.

The Christmas cake is made and being fed with Amaretto, and I have bought a pudding. DD's birthday is on the 2nd so I won't get into gear with anything else until that's out of the way!

escaped

keepingquiet

Why does reading these threads make me depressed?
I think it is because it is still November...

Sorry, but I did say next month which is December. In 4 days' time.
It was meant to suggest a thread for keeping on track with Christmas preparations. And hearing how everyone is organised. And being prompted or reminded if anyone mentions something on the list we'd forgotten. Or just something interesting. Like a sort of group countdown.
Sago reminded me, a gift for the gardener. And also money in a card for the postman.

It is almost December 1st.. Advent. First Christmas dinner for our family. Menu planned, shopping done, wrapping done, linens changed, table to lay and food to cook.. all coming along quite well.

Outside is done until we find more to do..

I love Christmas too, especially the preparation. Christmas cake made and some presents and the Christmas cards bought. Yesterday the two real Christmas trees were delivered but will remain outside until the second weekend in December. I have spent the last week or so cleaning and putting out all the Christmas decorations and pretty lights. I tend to go for the Scandinavian style of decoration. Off to Germany soon to visit friends for a week so shall be well and truly in the festive spirit after visiting the Christmas markets and having some mulled wine. When we come home it will be the last of the preparations and then a trip to the airport on Christmas Eve to collect our son who will be home from Japan for Christmas and the New Year. He won’t know which way is up on Christmas Day poor thing but it will be wonderful to have him there with his brothers.

Oooh Iove this thread. Thank you Escaped for thinking of it.
Almost all Christmas presents are bought, wrapped and labelled and stacked in the spare bedroom. A much anticipated trip into Cardiff tomorrow for lunch and shopping should allow us to buy the last couple of presents. Came made and being regularly fed with rum. We will buy a tree from the local farm and decorate it on the 16th ready for our drinks party. Baking will get underway the week before Christmas.

Cake not came

This morning I went to town to buy the special Christmas cards and the stocking fillers for dd and Dsil. Despite being in their thirties and parents, they like a stocking from Santa, or me. It was a very wintery journey with thick frost. I'm home and resting my aching hip. Cards will be written later

Wow, everyone here seems to be very organised and I think I too have covered most of the early reminders offered. I'll take the advent calendars round to the DGC tomorrow. I'll be relieved to offload them as my food obsessed dogs nearly sniffed them out from the shelf last week!
Just a little poster mentioning festive hazards for anyone who has a dog, or cat too.

Decorations and tree will go up on December 1st. Cards will be written and posted this weekend.
All presents bought just need wrapping, l will do that next week.
It's just myself and Toby the dog but l love Christmas 🎄 ❤ so l shall carry on with all the traditions as if DH was here.
I'm useless at baking so will buy extra treats but not too soon.

I am way behind on Christmas too I am putting the Xmas tree up this weekend and making a start writing my cards out.

Can't you just post that sort of thing on this thread?

What else should it be about, granted that it is called Christmas?

All Christmas cards written, presents bought but have to be wrapped. Decorations going up this weekend for Advent and to make the most of them until Twelfth Night.

Chrisky

I am way behind on Christmas too I am putting the Xmas tree up this weekend and making a start writing my cards out.

way behind

I haven't even given it much thought yet, apart from making a Christmas cake yesterday.
Not written the overseas cards yet.

Postman brought our first Christmas card today! I’m posting our overseas cards on Monday (Australia & Spain) and all the others in about a week.

I think we’re pretty well up to speed here. All the presents for the 3 DDs and families were collected 2 weeks ago when they came for my birthday. Ham, cheese, smoked salmon ordered from specialist suppliers tho in smallish quantities. Waitrose slot for the 23rd. Menu plan done. December reading pile sorted. Nothing else till next week.

grandtanteJE65

Can't you just post that sort of thing on this thread?

What else should it be about, granted that it is called Christmas?

I think this might be a question for me?

I opened the thread by asking if it was already a "done" item on GN each year, not wanting to tread on any toes, you understand!! It is intended to be a very spontaneous thread with thoughts being added as they come along. Also a way of picking up ideas and checking one's own progress. People can write whatever they like - last posting dates, something they've seen in a shop, past memories etc - whatever Christmas thought comes to mind.
Anyway, the thread's momentum will prove whether it is worthwhile or not. 🎄

Who would like to open a thread for us GNs who do not do Christmas by choice (almost) apart from volunteering.

Try it on GN, see what response comes in.
Volunteering is a great idea.

My nephew wanted to volunteer last year, (late decision because his girlfriend sadly dumped him). The rules were very complicated in terms of checks on him, do he gave up trying.

*so

I have a little tree which I put loads of lights on which twinkle and looks lovely as you drive past.
I have written all my cards and they are ready to post. I have an order from Booths. Not having turkey but ordered a venison haunch. Big enough for me, DH, my daughter and her friend she has invited.
I didn't want to spend Christmas eve queuing up for hours at our local butcher in the freezing cold so have an order to collect the Tuesday before.
My and DH are having salmon on Christmas Eve and will have a buffet to ourselves on Boxing Day.
I'm quite organised this year.
Not doing presents as we buy for ourselves when needed. Me and youngest daughter have stopped present giving but have discovered my eldest has bought for us. She has just moved into a flat so will have to think of something for her.