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No just the usual toast, yogert and coffee

Have you ever had a christmas domestic disaster?

I have water leaking from my central heating system into bowl on floor in kitchen. Plumber says its a major job as he will have to take up the bath (in room above) to get at it. 2 man job for 2 days. Oh joy. Postponed til Jan 3rd.

DD had no water for a week and now she has flu. So Christmas postponed until next week.

Do you have a wreath on your front door? Bought or made yourself.? I always make my own .

‘Morning Ken! Happy Christmas! ⭐️ 🦌 🌲
I’ve got my own handmade one, it’s fake with baubles but it’s very nice.
I love getting out my glue gun!

What colour is your front door?
Ours was a very tasteful dark red, but it’s now bright green.
It was supposed to be a dark Windsor green - but it isn’t.
It was a lock down ‘thing’

Oh, I’m sorry about your daughter.
It’s a flipping good job that she’s got her water back.
My dad and his wife have got flu too.

Good morning early birds. Happy Christmas 🎄

Happy Christmas to you too NotAGran

Happy Christmas everyone. Hello Fanny .
Our house is Swedish design so we have a teak front door that opens outwards.

Same question please.

Our mock Georgian house has a white door with a big brass knocker.

Can you hear anything outside at the moment?
Total silence here in my village. Glorious.

No, it’s very quiet here too.
The very occasional car sweeping past.
Our house is quite strange as to the front we are on a bus route to the city centre, and the house looks like quite a dreary 1940’s two up two down, but to the back it’s totally rural backing onto fields and woodland.
It’s like a wonderful secret.

What’s for lunch?
We’re having ‘beef’ (no cows harmed) wellington, honey roast parsnips, roasties, Yorkshire puds and sprout gratin. 😋 Maybe red cabbage.

3 Ryvitas and an apple as I am in bed with hacking cough/sore throat etc. DH has gone to DS2 and family to eat Christmas Dinner and take presents. I just didn't want to pass on my germs. He will bring me back a dinner when he comes home. It's only half an hour away. I haven't coughed quite so much today so will probably get up this evening.

What is at the top of your Christmas tree 🎄? We have a star. There is also a fairy somewhere but I haven't felt like looking for it.

A very odd pointy, slightly malevolent fairy.

Do you have any very old tree decorations?. I have two glass baubles, at least 50 years old

Afraid any glass decorations bit the dust long ago but I do have some robins and some apples I have had a long time. There is always the apple core, which shows Rudolph must have visited and eaten an apple.

Have you any favourite TV programmes so far this Christmas?

I enjoyed Doc Martin this evening.

Do you go to any Boxing Day sales?

At one time I would go into town for the Boxing Day sales with my eldest daughter but we don’t bother now. I prefer to have a lie in, go for a nice walk with the dog and then just have a relaxing day now.

Have you many leftovers to eat up tomorrow?

We haven’t started yet as DD has been ill. So we are waiting until she feels better to have Christmas. However I was half way through making a trifle when Christmas was cancelled , so DH and I will have to eat that.

Do you make anything special with your left overs?

I use the Turkey and ham for a pie with leeks added.
I do try not to over buy but family are always happy to take bits and pieces home.
Apart from the little grandchildren we open our gifts i the afternoon.
When do you open yours ?

Christmas day morning, usually. It's strange doing this alone but I've got used to it now.

How long does it take you to tidy up all the paper, cardboard, bits and pieces, to make the house look reasonable again?

I take a gentle 'one bit at a time' approach rather than a blitz, so obviously it can take days. I'll sort out the cards first, and then put the rest of the things away as and when, trying to make sure it's all gone by Twelfth Night as they say it's bad luck.

How do others approach the putting away business?

I take cards down first, usually by New Years Eve then everything else comes down on the 2nd January. I then have a good clean, vaccum and polish. Now I’m on my own I will be relying on one of my DC to put everything back in the loft so they may be lying around on the landing for a little while.

Have you ever returned a gift to the shop or re-gifted a present that you have been given for Christmas.

I don't put anything away until 6th Jan as I think we should still be decorated for 12th night (which I take to be the night of 5th). 12th night was traditionally the final celebration night of Christmas.

Has anyone in your family been ill over the holiday? I have been coughing and ill, though testing negative, off and on since 18th. In bed all day yesterday and if I get up or talk the hideous coughing starts.

Sorry SachaMac my message sent before I read yours. I haven't returned anything to the shop but I have circulated gifts, as long as neither party was likely meet the other.

Same question regarding being poorly.

DD has been very poorly and as we were going to her, we haven’t had Christmas yet. She , as of this morning is still in bed.So no Christmas lunch for a while. But she has an enormous turkey she has had to cook as it was defrosted. Still all small things and she will be well soon.

Same question please

My DS & DiL both have Covid so all of their Christmas plans had to be cancelled. I had the cold flu virus that’s doing the rounds in the run up to Christmas, I’m pleased to say I feel much better now but it took some shaking off.

Have you had many edible gifts this year. I haven’t had as many this year, a box of luxury chocolates and a selection of nuts which I sat eating while watching Call the Midwife last night.

I had a box of gorgeous Hotel Chocolat chocolates, a bottle of Bailey's and some Green & Black's chocolates.

Have you cooked today?

Only poached salmon for the lunch buffet.

Are you doing anything on New Years Eve?
I am going to see Eric Clapton.