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Original poster

If you don't yet know what you are doing at Christmas, why not?

126 replies

Nextphonewontbesamsung · 13/10/2019 18:43

If you haven't planned everyone's presents (never mind buying them).
The menu.
Who goes where and when.
What you are wearing.
What you are going to be doing on Christmas Eve.
And everything else ...

Why not? what is the reason for this?

I haven't given Christmas even a passing thought. It's only Mumsnet and the giant stacks of chocolate tubs blocking my way at the entrance to the supermarket that makes the word Christmas come into my head at this time of year.

I might pay attention to it in the last week of November when I buy my kids an advent calendar. Then first 3 weeks of December is fair game to get Christmassy.

Things is, to me this is normal. It isn't being disorganised or stressed or leaving it to the last minute. 3 weeks seems to be about the right amount of time to devote to doing Christmas. And I speak as the one who has mainly been the host for the past 20 years.

But am I unusual? Where are you my fellow people who are a bit more relaxed about Christmas?

OP posts:
Bunnylady53 · 14/10/2019 19:34

I work in retail & our Christmas displays were out in September! I love Christmas but I think at least get Halloween & Bonfire Night out of the way first. It’s confusing for kids I think.
I have bought about half my pressies but must admit that’s quite unusual for me. We have Avon & there was lots of really nice stuff in the last brochure. I have also stashed loads of little things away for DD all through the year. As far as Christmas itself goes, it’s always 5 of us here ( me, DH, DD, DM & DF). I’m working Christmas Eve but the 3 of us will celebrate when I get home. I’m starting to plan a few things leading up to the big day, including a Christmas thing at a theme park & another with DD’s half brother where you meet Santa on a train. Will probably book the panto soon, although that can be a bit of a minefield as DD has sensory issues. I love Christmas but I do think it starts earlier & earlier & there is a lot of pressure from magazines etc to make it perfect.

Bunnylady53 · 14/10/2019 19:42

P .S Haven’t planned menu yet but we tend to do something a bit different for the big day. One year we had spiced beef which was absolutely amazing.
I dress up, even if no one else bothers! Don’t go out much so I figure if I can’t sparkle on Christmas Day, when can I? I have a lot of dresses so need to have a trying on sesh ( have put on 2 stone 😢)

Gingaaarghpussy · 14/10/2019 20:12

I know what I'm doing, fuck all, all alooone.
As far as I'm concerned the only good thing about xmas stuff in September is giant tubes of orange smarties. I spend months eating them.

Interested in this thread?

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Christmas Events & celebrations
Bunnylady53 · 14/10/2019 20:30

Gingaaarghpussy - so sorry you’re on your own for Christmas. Hope you make it nice 🎄🎄🎄

PickAChew · 14/10/2019 20:34

Because it is one overhyped day.

Blastnamechangeagain · 14/10/2019 20:39

1, I don’t have my off duty yet so absolutely no idea what I am working over Christmas (nurse so I could be at work on Christmas Day).
2,About to move house so absolutely not buying anything at the moment.
3, The idea of the usual family stress from in laws ( they don’t understand I have to work over the Christmas period) just makes me want to forget the whole thing.
4, It’s October why on earth would I care about Christmas yet?

Bobthefishermanswife · 14/10/2019 20:44

I know we are with my parents, that's as far as Christmas planning has gotten here.
We still have my brother and my other halfs birthdays to do first. I'll probably consider presents end November, even then that's before my oh's birthday...

x2boys · 14/10/2019 20:47

Some of the replys on here Hmm Some.of us second a budget i can't afford to buy everything all.at once so have to spread the cost over a few months ,also.it,s my sons birthday on boxing day so Xmas is expensive ,must be nice not to.have budget for Xmas and pay for it all in December but there youre are

x2boys · 14/10/2019 20:48

Are on a budget*

Aldibaldi555 · 14/10/2019 20:49

Because I don’t give a crap about Christmas.

And DC is only one

LER83 · 14/10/2019 20:52

I do hate thinking about christmas this early, would much prefer to save it all until December, but I find there is nothing left if you leave it too late. Last year at the end of november I tried to book santa, all sold out everywhere near me, out of stock everywhere for a toy my daughter wanted, and all the shops are empty and dont restock. Our local tesco had removed pretty much all its christmas stuff before christmas, couldn't even get a gift bag! So this year I've gone early!

NemoIsLost · 14/10/2019 21:00

No idea, I hate how Xmas gets earlier every year. I do shift work (nhs) and have no clue yet what my shifts will be over xmas
I don't even think about it until mid Nov

Snog · 14/10/2019 21:01

I've only just decided where we will be, who with and what's on the menu.

It always seems a bit early to start christmassing before Halloween is done.

AlkaSeltz · 14/10/2019 21:08

Absolutely no idea. I'm Jewish, none of us are religious, our families have worn out our patience, I don't give a crap about buying loads of stuff, so all in all, IDGAF Grin

MrsPnut · 14/10/2019 21:11

I have booked my Christmas delivery slot, bought the advent calendar gubbins and they are slowly making their way from China. I’ve also bought a few presents and that will be it now until into November.

TonOfLead · 14/10/2019 21:36

I know where I'll be as we have a well-established rota.

I have started buying presents for the DC - grabbing things when they are on offer to help budget. I can't afford to get everything in December.

I know how I'll be spending Christmas Eve - trying to get the overexcited DC to go the fuck to sleep before 2am.

I'll decide what to wear when I wake up on the day.

Koloh · 14/10/2019 21:52

We don't do anything before Advent, December 1 except if necessary book a food shop, for 24th Dec. It takes me half an hour to order the food; it's only a big roast dinner after all.

I do try to keep it in its proper place as everyone I know that bangs on about Christmas in November is sick of it by Boxing Day. I like the traditional rhythms of the season, and really like to do the whole 12 nights of Christmas, so I pace myself! First week we get a calendar and sing carols, bake the cake. Next week we sort presents -- we don't buy loads anyway so I usually just spend a morning ordering things. Then just the odd party, nativity, concert etc. Decorate and put up the tree on Christmas Eve, usually during the Nine Lessons, and prep veg etc for next day. Then a lovely dinner and carol service and maybe a walk to the pub. I really enjoy Christmas!

It doesn't need much planning, our Christmas, tbh. I'm not organising the carol service, after all, and most things are the same year on year. I have a box marked DECORATIONS and on Christmas Eve I take things out of that box and put them on a tree, and so on. :P

I am lucky in that I like all my close family so it's not a problem to have them over, which I think makes the difference for a lot of people. I think any of the things I have mentioned could become appallingly stressful if I had to do it with/around/for people I hated.

tinselvestsparklepants · 14/10/2019 21:59

If I don't think about Christmas before my MIL does we run the risk of being ambushed and having to fit in with her plans. Which means I usually start getting twitchy at the end of July as for a few years she asked on 1st August without fail. In fact she hasn't asked yet this year so I'm getting suspicious....

Yeahthatthing · 14/10/2019 21:59

We're supposed to be having DHs family over but my dad is dying. If he's still her I'll be spending it with him. If he's not, I'm not sure what mum will do. DHs grandad has also taken ill and may not be able to travel.

I doubt we'll know exactly what we are doing until much nearer the time. And right now I really don't care.

BrunoLovesMe · 14/10/2019 22:13

Yeahthatthing for you Flowers

SavetheMinden6 · 14/10/2019 22:14

Xmas is decided in December. October is DW's birthday and November is fireworks. It's the way it is.

BlackeyedGruesome · 14/10/2019 22:30

I buy presents when I see them, could be a couple of years in advance if in a charity shop say.

I buy food as early as possible. spreads the cost, less work nearer christmas.

I plan where we are to take into account my elderly mum, ex, sil, dcs and how much work I can do.

mistermagpie · 14/10/2019 22:32

My baby is due on the 2nd of December. I simply can't think about Christmas this year!

reluctantbrit · 14/10/2019 22:37

I have to work on Christmas Eve and family is abroad so it will be just the three of us but as we are Germans it means DH and DD will do a lot of work to have everything ready when I come back from work on the 24tih to celebrate Christmas.

DD does her list mid-November, she doesn’t believe anymore but I still say that without a letter to FC there are no presents. It started when at the time she changed her mind so often there was no point on starting any earlier.

I work and work is buys and demanding in December, i want to enjoy the activities without worrying what to do when. So we plan a lot ahead but it means my mind is free enjoying the markets, ice skating, carol concerts (one year I bought tickets on July)etc without worrying when to fit present buying in, that’s all done either online or by the end of November.

I bought two things so far, surprises I found on offer as I wasn’t prepared to pay full price anyhow.

Gingaaarghpussy · 14/10/2019 22:50

bunnylady53 's ok. I would rather be on my own. Extended family xmases were hell for my anxiety. Every year there were 20+ people and groups who stuck together. I only ever went for the benefit of my kids.
Nowadays, now that my mother is dead, its bliss. I get to have what I want for xmas dinner. Last year it was pizza. Grin