Christmas tree panic

[flapjackfairy]

My neighbour put her christmas tree up yesterday in the big bay window. It is twinkling away at me and is sending me into a state of quiet panic! We have a real tree and i dont even know when i am going to find time to go and buy it nevermind decorate it!!
I always feel that no matter how early i begin getting organised (and presents all bought and wrapped already) as soon as the start of december draws near everything falls apart and it becomes the mad rush that every year i swear to avoid.
For example this years dramas so far are cancelled trip to austrian xmas markets due to serious illness of close family member and 2 sick children so been stuck in the last week or so and no end in sight yet. Other xmas visitors who should have been here for christmas and new yr period also have a serious health issue and will probably have to cancel also.
People laugh at how early i begin preparing but if i didnt i dread to think what our xmas would look like.
Is anyone else feeling the quiet panic yet or is it just me??

[KookSpook]

Have you a local greengrocers that will deliver one for you?

[Jaynebxl]

What Rudy said.
I've you've already bought and wrapped presents what is there to panic about? A but of food and some decs. No hassle.

[Crispsheets]

Why are you stressing?
You can buy a tree and decorate it in a couple of hours.
And it's only November.

[AuntieStella]

Channel Dad's Army or Hitchhikers Guide and Don't Panic!

It's not quite Advent yet (Advent Sunday tomorrow, start of December not until Thursday next week).

You're being normal and she's being premature. Because although you try to plan early, it doesn't work that way because it's not right for you. Starting ever earlier is not the solution, but is a sure-fire way to lengthen the time you feel the stress for.

I'm really sorry to hear about the illnesses in your family, and can see why that might make this Xmas difficult.

Can you find time to sit down this weekend (maybe tomorrow, to mark the start of Advent) and make a list of what you know you want to do to mark the occasion, other things you'd like but depend on health of others, dates relating to schools/workplace/club events, things that other people in your household prize.

That might make it seem a bit more manageable.

(And read all the threads here about households who don't put up their tree until the days before Christmas - Christmas Eve itself for some)

[stonecircle]

People who put Xmas trees and decorations up in November are bizarre.

[flapjackfairy]

Oh thanks all for boot up the bum. I know it is mad to get stressed so early though i have to say calander is pretty much full already for dec. Actually i am a v organised person tbh but i get stressed when things go wrong and derail my plans! Honestly at my age you would think i would know better!!
Time to laugh at myself and close curtains so cant see next doors tree i think x

[LaChatte]

On, the contrary, keep the curtains open and enjoy the view which involved no cost, time or effort on your behalf

[ijustwannadance]

Get a fake tree?

[ferngrubb]

It will all come together OP. Plenty of time yet but you have had a lot on your plate. Is your neighbours tree a real one? It will be bald by the 24th!🎅

[PrincessMortificado]

We have a great quality fake-tree. It's up already but not decorated, the lights just add some colour to the place.

Could getting one of those save you a bit of stress? They take no time at all to assemble.

[BeattieBowRisenFromTheDead]

Did I miss something? It's the 26th of November isn't it?

I live on the Continent and they don't start selling live trees here until the second week of December. With the exception of foreign chain stores there's not a decoration to be seen in town

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

We won't be buying or putting up our tree until the 17th December as it's the first day in December DH and have off together!
November is far too early! All our pressies are bought but that's it. There's not much else to do surely? The decorations are meant to be fun, not stress. It'll happen.