The Christmas Stress

[twoandcooplease]

Santas elves (Yodel and Evri) haven't delivered DS or DSDs Christmas presents... all ordered by 12/12 and have been sat with couriers for over 7 days with no updates in days

At which point does it become more stressful to

A. Be a worried mum sitting duck waiting on the deliveries that may not come until after Christmas

B. Giving into town 3/4 days before Christmas to The Entertainer replacing all the kids toys (which also involves building up the courage to phone family members and ask for a loan)

Am I the only one having this problem? If you're having the same problem what would you do or what are you doing so Xmas isn't ruined?
I don't know what to do - fuck fuck fuckity fuck

Also, dsd would have been having her Christmas with us on the 24th so 3 days. 3 fucking days

Depends on ages. I'd just make up a nice stocking for each and say Santa's been stuck in North Pole but presents will come soon.

Spend lots of time doing what they want to do on Christmas and prepare them before.

Are you not getting any delivery updates from them? My phone is full of almost daily emails on the location/eta of things I've ordered.

When presents don't turn up in time here, the intended recipient gets a photo of the gift/screenshot on their phone. We're all adults though - not the same for children I know.

But could you maybe do this and buy one or two small gifts for them to open on the day after they've done stockings? And make sure you have lots of games organised to distract them? I don't remember much about presents I got for Christmas when I was a child, but I do have fond memories of happy family gatherings, nice food and lots of games/jollity.

I understand why you're upset, but try not to make too big a thing of it as they'll take their cue from you. If you act as if it's a disaster then it will be for them. If you're all breezy and matter of fact, hopefully they won't mind too much.

DS is 18mo and DSD is 8.
So ages I can push the 'Christmas is coming late this year, sorry. The presents will be here when they get here' idea my DSDs mum suggested I do!

I am being so breezy though but internally I am worried. I just have to keep reminding myself there is still time and the drivers deliver up to 9pm so there's hope. Not much but some...

Re couriers - at first they all messaged when they received the parcels from the store. After that the only updates I have had was one on 16th saying they couldn't deliver due to weather conditions. There was no problems with weather in my area so I take it as an excuse. Another parcel said it had attempted delivery on 15th and would try again within 24hr but had an additional message that it actually had not tried/failed and rest assured they had my parcel safe and would deliver again soon

Anything through Royal Mail and from Amazon have come. Unfortunately the kids presents are coming through courier

I dread to know what would have happened if I wasn't organised

I am finding Amazon very fast this year. Is it too late to cancel the delayed stuff and order with them perhaps. Think it would need to be today though

Amazon have been awesome, prime, next day delivery has been great, I do live in a city though, so that might help. Probably put the kiss of death on it now! I hope your parcels arrive OP.

Amazon is doing free returns, so also waiting anxiously on Royal mail deliveries, I bit the bullet and ordered back up items on Sunday. They have now all arrived. One of the Royal Mail packages has arrived so I returned the one back up today. We had no delivery at all from the Royal Mail today and obviously they are on strike Friday and Saturday so I'm very relieved we have back ups ready as it would be a bit nail bitting waiting for the last opportunity delivery tomorrow otherwise!