Having an operation on December 13th. What can I do beforehand to get organised?

[Monroe]

I'm having a hip operation o December 13th. Nothing too serious but I'll be off my feet for 2/3 weeks

So I'm trying to get ahead of myself

DH works full time, we have 2 DC'S both in school and I'm in uni / on placement full time. I finish placement on Friday 9th, my dad arrives from Ireland for the weekend on the same day, he leaves on the Monday when I have exams at Uni then the op on the Tuesday. I'm starting to panic a bit!

I know i can do most of the shopping online but I'm also trying to get ahead with meal planning and preparation to get us over the Christmas period. Plus any advice on activities we can do as a family that don't involve any movement! We always try and do something christmassy each weekend but I'll obviously be a lot more limited but don't want the DC's missing out

[Somerville]

Organise your diary for between now and then well - set times laid out for study and revision will mean you don't the feel guilty when you are busy doing other things. Book in active Christmassy stuff to do the first few weekends in December, before the op. Also perhaps for DH and the kids to do the first weekend after your op, since you'll have seen them all week and will probably enjoy some time to relax by then. They can go shopping for your Christmas presents!

If you meal plan soon then you could work out what can be made and advance and frozen, if you particularly like cooking or are on a tight budget. However if not then I'd just do a cheat year and buy more pre-prepared than usual under these circumstances.

Make sure you delegate everything you can to your DH and your kids. Older primary kids can be taught to do laundry and make toast and cups of tea (for you!), for example.

Buy yourself plenty of Christmassy books and magazines and get in some good box set to enjoy from the 13th onwards! Sounds like you'll be very ready for a bit of a rest by that stage.

[Somerville]

Oh and make sure your DH books time off on the last week of term to go to the DC's carol concert or nativity play or whatever their school does. Ask him to film anything like that for you.

[Monroe]

Somerville amazing, thank you

Unfortunately we are most definitely on a budget (the life of a student) so I should definitely start meal planning. DH is great but December is his busiest time at work and cooking is the one thing he can't do, although he'd be happy to throw pie and chips in the oven.

The inlaws live about an hours drive away. I'll be suggesting he takes the DC's to visit the weekend after my op, keep everybody happy. We can go ice skating the weekend before!

And thank you for reminding me to schedule in the revision / planning. Think I need to be quite strict with myself. I have an academic planner, going to dig it out now and start booking in time for each. If i can get all the gifts bought and wrapped by end of November i can concentrate on studying for my exams in the weeks before.

[Somerville]

No problem. I'm having to get organised about Christmas early this year too (more cheerful reasons - getting married just afterwards!) do I know what it's like.

Get baking and cooking and freezing if you have the freezer space.

Xx

[Makemineacabsauv]

Buy the turkey and any trimmings you are happy to have pre made and bung in freezer. You can also make roasties, Yorkies etc and freeze too. I'd make big bath he's of chilli, spaghetti Bol, shepherds pie etc and freeze so you have tasty ready meals there when you need them. But in those part baked rolls and baguettes and keep in cupboard/freezer just in case you run out of bread. M&S do fab meals for 2 for a tenner which are good value and you can stash the wine away and freeze the meals. We bought 4 this weekend and it's mostly gone in the freezer/garage for Xmas hols. But M&S shepherds pie and the beef ribs are ds' favourites along with the potato croquettes.,

[Somerville]

Sorry for slight hijack but I just saw I did kisses earlier.

I never do kisses. I'm most bemused.

What'll my fingers randomly type next? Hun? Hubby? Hubster?

[Monroe]

big lolz hun, hope you and your future hubs have an amazeballs wedding

Great idea about the M&S meals, I'm sure we can stretch to a few for the freezer.

I've spoke to DH, he is contacting fil about a visit. Depending on mil shifts (she works in retail) he is going to go the weekend after. The kids will love it and I get to rest up and drink all the saved M&S wine

[Makemineacabsauv]

I've been Sami g the M&S meals for £10 wine - it's very nice!! Might need to try some more, just to be sure though!! Oh, and Asdahad prosecco for £4 if you fancy sticking up on that too!! Good luck for op!

[Somerville]

big lolz hun, hope you and your future hubs have an amazeballs wedding

[Somerville]

I've been thinking about Christmas activities that don't need any movement, as an apology for lowering the tone of your thread with kisses.

All the obvious; tracking Santa on NORAD on Christmas Eve and festive movies and the like.

But beyond that, can you think of some ways to bring Christmas experiences to your house for you to all enjoy together? A friend of a friend popping round in a Santa suit, if your kids are young enough. That kind of thing.

And also things the kids can do with minimal supervision from you while DH is at work: decorating a gingerbread house. Making paper chains. All the old fashioned fun.

Hope the op goes well, BTW. And the exam!

[Monroe]

If DH doesn't go to the inlaws the weekend after I'm thinking of having a movie night / picnic with all their favourite snacks and treats and lots of Christmas films.

DC's are 10 and 6 so not so little but they do still love crafty stuff and the gingerbread idea is great

[flapjackfairy]

You could make christmas shaped cookies and freeze them (holly,bells,stars etc) . Buy tubes of icing,sprinkles ,silver balls etc and then one afternoon kids can defrost and decorate. My kids all love this and it passes a few hrs and they can hang on tree or just eat as normal biscuits.
Even my 70 odd yr old mother gets into the excitement doing this..!

[Monroe]

Great idea, we will definitely do that. I have a few baking books with lots of recipes, I'll let the kids choose a couple and make sure we have all the ingredients in beforehand