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Christmas

ONE MONTH to go! House a mess? Totally unprepared? Join me for a panic thread :)

20 replies

PontyMython · 25/11/2011 07:48

Oops. We have so much to sort out in our house - presents are pretty much sorted thanks to my eBay obsession but the house is cluttered and we haven't even begun to think about decorating, food, family visits etc.

Normally we would have by now, last couple of Christmases I've been super organised (well, except for the tidiness thing, I admit I've never been good at that!) but this year I have started work and college as well as committing myself to various volunteer things.

We have decluttered quite a lot over the year but we have such a long way to go! Some of the DCs' presents are big in size (dressing up box) so I am determined to clear more space somehow. We recently got a big game cupboard so that has helped, but they still have a lot of toys I should get rid of. We've sold some, and donated some, but I really need to throw some away too Also need to sort out the kitchen a bit more.

Decorating isn't done until after my birthday in a couple of weeks, so not quite such a big deal.

Anyone else got any tips, or just want to join me in an "oh bugger, not long now!" thread?

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2kidsintow · 25/11/2011 08:10

My shopping is done and all gifts, except those for my DD's are sitting in a monster gift bag to keep them tidy and all together - we buy for a lot of people so it is full to the top.
I've got activities with my DDs planned for when school finishes and my calendar is FULL of their school activities and my school activities.
But the house.....Blush....with a hoarder for a DH and not enough storage space it is interesting to say the least. Quite where we are going to fit a tree, never mind gifts and toys, is going to be interesting. I'm lugging a bin sack full to the charity shop later as I try and declutter too.

Have fun.

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LordOfTheFlies · 25/11/2011 10:02

I haven't got anyone visiting for Christmas. DH is working til the Friday before. I'm off for the school holidays (DC 12 and 9.6)

I need to;
tidy the pantry and note what's in there
go through DS clothes and put the outgrown ones to charity shop (did DD in half term)
wrap the DCs presents- need to double check what I've got and hide them. DS found his (little snoop)

Our weekends are taken care of now until Christmas,
I'll be running round with a bin bag and the hoover at midnight on the 24th Grin

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armani · 25/11/2011 10:15

I have also got loads left to do before the big day! I've decluttered some of the dcs toys but they still have too much. So need to go through it all again. I'm done present wise but need to wrap them all yet. Also want to have a mega clean through the house so it's gleaming cone Xmas day, it really needs it, we have 3 dc under 5.

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GlaikitFizzog · 25/11/2011 10:20

Ha! I'm getting my kitchen done next week! House is in uproar! DS is ill so demanding lots of attention. I haven't started my main shopping yet, just got a few bits on line.

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RubberDuck · 25/11/2011 10:22

I want to cancel Christmas :(

We had a flood last week (fecking washing machine) which took out all the downstairs as for some reason the house slopes ever so slightly that the water managed to run into every room. All the flooring has been ripped up and industrial dehumidifiers making it sound like we're living in an aeroplane. No idea how long it'll take to dry out before we can even begin to think of replacing the flooring.

Oh, and I'm hosting this year :/

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CointreauVersial · 25/11/2011 10:22

I have that awful "calm before the storm" feeling, when you know you really ought to be doing stuff, but the urgency just isn't there yet.

Is it me, or does it still feel like Christmas is months away? It might be the weather - I can barely see my screen for sunshine at the moment!

Loads to do here. Most of the presents have been bought, although DD2 is getting a new bed/desk so we are trying to work out how best to get it out of the loft and set up as as surprise.

DH's family is in Ireland, so I must get cracking on packaging stuff up and getting it in the post (such a bunfight in the local PO in December).

Christmas Day is at my sister's, but then we have my dad and family here on Boxing Day and my mum and family here the day after, so TWO days to cater for. And we generally do a New Year's Day drinks, but haven't thought about that.

Christmas cards are bought, but need to get down to writing them.....

Maybe I need to get the decorations up sooner rather than later - that will give me the Christmas feeling. Aaargh!

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CointreauVersial · 25/11/2011 10:24

Glaikit - that reminds me, we had our bathroom done last December. Then all the snow arrived.....the joiner finished fitting the new window at 4pm on Christmas Eve!!!

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GlaikitFizzog · 25/11/2011 10:36

DON'T Cointreau :o, My dad and brother are doing it (they are professionals) I've been waiting since we moved in almost 3 years ago. DS is 7 months so next week is going to be fun! Not! And if it snows over the weekend then I'm screwed!

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sweetheart · 25/11/2011 11:19

I feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew this year and am starting to panic!

I've got 5 faimly birthday's in December which I haven't brought for and I've done a bit of Christmas shopping but not all of it. Dh and i do have a day off booked to do that though so I'm not too panicked just yet.

The thing that is stressing me is the house - I need to sort the kids rooms and play room to ditch a load of rubbish, plus with a children christmas party and Christmas day for 11 to host I'm feeling the need for a total spring clean. Trouble is I'm working full time up until the 1st party and our weekends are full with birthday parties, dinners with various people and other commitments!

I daren't even think about the food shopping & preperation! Shock

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PontyMython · 25/11/2011 11:37

Shock rubber duck I'm so sorry to hear that, how stressful for you! My friend has just had her washing machine break, hopefully her dad can fix it as she can't afford to replace it :( Xmas is a horrible time for things to go wrong like that. Surely you can get someone else to host this year though?!?

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RubberDuck · 25/11/2011 11:41

Yeah - we can do. I'm sure my mother would host if necessary, but we have a ... rocky relationship at best. The difference between hosting her on my turf and being at her house for the duration is a small but psychologically significant one.

Ah well, not much we can do about it. I'll just have to stock extra Baileys Grin

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PontyMython · 25/11/2011 11:51

Ah I see. Hope everything gets sorted out :) certainly puts my grumbles and panics into perspective!

I want to come up with a list of everything that needs doing. I like lists :)

Sticking to them is a different matter

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RubberDuck · 25/11/2011 11:57

Nothing beats a really good list Grin I particularly enjoy making christmas card lists and then never actually getting around to sending any Grin

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PontyMython · 25/11/2011 12:14

Oh, we don't send cards - waste of time and paper IMO. Birthday cards are different but generally Xmas cards are looked at once and chucked away.

Might have to this year though now DD is at school, and I'm at work, I don't want to seem surly by not doing it

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25goingon95 · 25/11/2011 12:37

I have that awful "calm before the storm" feeling, when you know you really ought to be doing stuff, but the urgency just isn't there yet.

This is how i feel too!!! Grin

I have so much to do. Ive started a course recently and been working extra hours so ive really let the housework go :( I did a bit of decluttering a few months ago but really need to get a move on now. Ive decided im going to do it room by room starting with the lounge. Full clean and declutter then all lounge xmas decs are going up. Then on to the dining room and so on. Im planning on doing the lounge after lunch :)

Ive got all the presents and cards they just need wrapping. Some food bought, but a fair bit to get yet.

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CointreauVersial · 25/11/2011 14:55

I just received a list from my sister listing all the food she wants me to bring to hers on Christmas Day (we tend to share the food-buying).

Angry How can she possibly be so organised? She's coming here on Boxing Day and wants to know what to bring. I don't even know what we're having for tea TONIGHT, never mind 26th December.

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PontyMython · 25/11/2011 15:19

Eek, thankfully I've got it quite easy in terms of family. Xmas is just us four, and we have DH's DCs over on another day (they are teens and choose to be with their mum, she would be alone otherwise, so fair enough - we've thankfully never had battles over who 'gets' them IYSWIM!) and on yet another day - either 24th or 26th - my parents visit. So we basically have 3 Xmases :o they are all fairly low key but thankfully my parents are so grateful for us cooking a delicious meal that they happily pay for the food we cook for their visit.

I have no idea what we are cooking on Xmas itself as we prefer something easy so we can just play with the DCs :)

We need to sort out the kitchen - we brought our own fridge when we moved in and the LL never took their one away. We've decided to use it now, to have extra freezer space especially. But we've been using it (switched off) for tins/cans etc, so we have to jig everything around a bit. Our kitchen is tiny - you can barely swing an atom let alone a cat in there - so it is not an easy task!

I only work PT but it's amazing how much that (and college - I'm an apprentice) has taken up in terms of time. Luckily my holiday timetable is awesome and I have lots of time off. So I don't want to spend all of it tidying or panicking about not being ready!

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ENormaSnob · 25/11/2011 15:37

I feel stangely calm.

It is my birthday next week and am having a house party next Saturday so all Christmas prep can wait til after that.

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PontyMython · 26/11/2011 10:16

Hmm, well having a lie in this morning (up with DS) but can't bloody sleep Angry so I've started my list. It is mostly about deciding remaining presents, and rearranging the kitchen. Even without breaking down tasks like "more tidying" the list is huge Confused

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pugsandseals · 26/11/2011 12:06

I'm working extra hours at the moment and finding the run up to christmas looks hideous! Out today, tonight & tomorrow with various events. Same next weekend. DH & I are struggling to find a Christmas shopping day so he's had to book a days holiday in a couple of weeks time as it's the only time we both have free. Add to that Christmas school things & away weekend before Christmas and I really can't see how it's going to happen!

We have a family tradition of putting up the decorations on the first weekend in December. Strike day might be my saviour in getting the decorations down from the loft & ready to put up, but it really feels like I'm only going to be snatching the odd hour here & there to prepare for Christmas this year!

Not organised what we're doing about visiting etc. over xmas yet either, but I really don't care so much about that at the moment.

And breathe!!!

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