Anyone started prep for 2018?

[cheesemumma]

I know I must be crazy but bought matching Xmas jumpers for the family in the next sale last week and booked our panto tickets.

Got to admit a little excited already.

What does anyone else do throughout the year?

[Stompythedinosaur]

I've started a list for presents.

I've boxed up some things I bought for Xmas 17 to give Xmas 18 as they seemed a bit too much.

That's it so far!

[73kittycat73]

I have bought three small presents already, but I haven't kept to my resolution to wrap as I go.
Apart from that might watch Arthur Christmas later.

[Ski40]

Hi! Whatever month of the year it is, I am always doing something christmassy because nothing in the world cheers me up like it!
So far I have bought a gorgeous giant reindeer head for this year's display and some new frosted dark green tinsel.
I am gathering a new batch of pinecones for my Xmas decorations. I paint or glitter them through the year.
I am sourcing new recipes from my collection of Christmas with Southern Living books and thinking up menus as I host a lot at Xmas.
I have started a new Pinterest board with ideas for this year.
I have bought some cards and wrapping paper in last year's clearance sales.
I have started to gather goodies to put in my DIY crackers.
I try to keep a Christmassy feel in my house all through the year. There is a lot of red downstairs and I always have apple spice Glade candles going and fairy lights here and there.
The only downside is by November I'm all Christmassed out lol. 🤣

[Nicpem1982]

Christmas jumpers are bought
Panto tickets booked
Wrapping paper bought
Dds school cards bought

[1969angel]

I get o excited have. made a list and paid first month to park hampers oh and decided on turkey wellington for crimbo lunch lol

[1969angel]

My dd moving out soon so will have a proper dining room so.once she gets moved will decorate and buy gifts every month

[Pixie2015]

Have the panto tickets always buy year in advance - some nice cards and expensive wrapping paper in sale - few pressies for children already stashed away x

[NoWordForFluffy]

I bought the jumpers and t-shirts in the sales for the kids. I've also bought the crackers, cards and wrapping paper.

Santa train tickets were bought in January. I'm hoarding Nectar points for this year's food (almost at £170 already!).

I love Christmas!

[cheesemumma]

Wow! At @ski40 that's impressive. Glad I'm not alone! I'm moving country next month so can't really start prezzie shopping till then but fully intend to. @73kittycat73 wrapping as you go is a great idea. Will help to avoid the Christmas Eve panic. @1969angel are the park hampers thing worth it? @nowordforfluffy santa train sounds good fun. Might Google it.

Me too. I love it. I think I love the prep and anticipation more than the day!

[NoWordForFluffy]

We do the one at Lakeside and Haverthwaite. There's a good few round the country though. Where vaguely are you?

[cheesemumma]

East Anglia

[Ski40]

I love to hear everyone else's prep ideas 😍😍

[NoWordForFluffy]

Apparently there's the North Norfolk Railway which does them if you're that far east. Otherwise Nene Valley if you're more Peterborough way.

[Castleway]

Xmas jumpers purchased in sales as well as a couple of gifts (clothes for DS and his cousin in the relevant size). Also started saving with the savings club in work.
Last year was our first Christmas in our new house (and DS's first Christmas) and we realised that our existing Christmas tree just didn't seem big enough for the new front room so we moved it into the kitchen and bought a bigger one for the front room.
I've decided the kitchen tree can henceforth become DS's (and any future children's) tree and he/they can choose decorations for it each year and it can also have anything they make in nursery/school on it I'm quite excited to build up the decoration collection on it, like DP and I have done on the existing tree over the years.

[cheesemumma]

Oooo @castleway I've done a similar thing. I bought some beautiful felt ornaments for our daughter to have a tree next year. I got them in the sale from debenhams. OH thought I was crazy but I'll know he will love it when it's set up next year. I was thinking of putting it in her bedroom. She'll only be 20months (and probably still in our room). So don't know where it'll go. So sweet though.

[NoWordForFluffy]

I got a little tree last year for the kids (4ft) so I can have my tasteful tree and they get the decorated in the dark tree!

[1969angel]

Ive used park hampers.for past four years never a problem

[Castleway]

@cheesemumma that sounds lovely and I'm sure your little one with love it - my DS will be 20 months at Christmas too!

@NoWordForFluffy, yes they were my thoughts exactly!!

[NoWordForFluffy]

[cheesemumma]

@castleway really? I've why I'm so excited for this year. Hopefully we will have bought our first home and DD will be much more aware of everything this year. We will also be moving back to uk so will get the big build up which I have missed for the last 6 years. Eeek I'm excited. Only 10 more months

May have a look at the hampers. My mum always use to get them when we were little. I remember opening them. It was so exciting. And may be goid o spread the cost!

[Allthepinkunicorns]

Christmas jumpers/t-shirts and pyjamas were bought in the sales in January. I also got some lovely crafty bits for my ds in the range in January. I've got Santa's letters and elf accessories as well. I buy a couple of presents every Month so I don't have to go shopping in December unless I really want to. I just need to book our santa visit and start putting money away for the food shop. I love planning for Christmas [santa]

[Castleway]

Awww good look with the big move @cheesemumma! It's going to be so exciting this year isn't it

[Castleway]

*luck even!!!

[FollowYourOwnNorthStar]

Yes!

I love Christmas, 🎄and I love that this board exists on Mumsnet! So nice to find people like me!

I have started my Christmas prep for 2018. I bought some new silver charms for the Christmas pudding and I’ve been working on the cross stitch stockings for the family (2 down, 5 more to go! But this is a labour of love, done over years).

I’m also trying to create a bit of a list of things to do, or improve on, and i’m combing back through all the Mumsnet Christmas forums for ideas!

Loving this thread!

[cheesemumma]

@allthepinkunicorns I know the planning and preparation is the best bit isn't it!!

@castleway thank you. Hoping to be in our house and settled by Xmas. Really want to be able to decorate and host this year. It really will be ace [santa]
@FollowYourOwnNorthStar do you nake your own Xmas pudding? Wow. I'm really going to try and do a lot of homemade this year but the best laid plans o mice and men hey?!?