How prepared for Christmas are you?

[Glitterbomb123]

I think I have everything bought apart from one thing. Have only wrapped a handful though and have a tonne to wrap for the kids.

We aren't hosting Christmas day, only boxing day so need to get the food in for that.

Do you have everything bought? Everything wrapped? Just wondering how prepared people are really. Especially those with kids or lots of people to buy for.

I think more or less all Christmas presents bought, but I have 2 birthday presents to get, one which needs posting asap.

Done the few cards we still bother with, and DD has done and taken in hers for her friends at school.

Nothing is wrapped.

At least half of the presents are hiding at MIL’s house as there’s nowhere to stash them in our tiny house. I’ve arranged to take everything else there one night this week then I’ll wrap everything there and DH can bring it back on Christmas Eve.

Tree and decs went up first week of Dec, and we’ve been adding handmade stuff like paper chains and snowflakes etc as we’ve been doing stuff like that to keep DD entertained. It is very far from the tasteful luxury look I would love, but it’s making DD happy.

Turkey ordered ready to be collected on 24th. Rest of the food shop still to do, although I’ve been stocking up on non perishables (and booze) as and when, and DH took it upon himself to go out specifically for cheese this evening, coming back with quite an impressive selection - so really it’s just veg, desert stuff and things like milk, eggs etc and I need to buy a ham for Christmas Eve. I normally organise a click and collect but just completely failed to do so this year.

Baked the cake and have the stuff to decorate it, will do that over the weekend probably.

House had a thorough clean yesterday and is relatively tidy and I’ve had a massive sort out of our bedroom as the clutter was making me feel less than festive! Will have another thorough cleaning Monday before guest arrives. I’ll change all bedding to the Christmas version once DD breaks up from school on Thursday (DD’s was passed on from older cousins, the one on our bed I bought easily 10 years ago, and both are reused every year before anyone faints from the consumerism of it all!)

Probably missing loads but oh well. It will all be fine.

Some major work projects to get finished beforehand too - think I’ll feel more mentally prepared this time tomorrow when hopefully I’ll have got the biggest things out of the way.

All presents bought and wrapped in September
Food ordered and paid for from M&S in September for collection on Xmas eve.

Decorations all up, gifts bought and wrapped bar 3 things still in the post. Food shop part one being delivered by Tesco on Sunday then Marks and Spencer on Tuesday. House clean to do.

@needhelpwiththisplease
September!!!!
I wish I had this level of organisation 😂
Teach me your ways!

We don't host any more, and we all gather at DS2's house once every couple of years or so. It involves people coming from abroad, kennelling of dogs, etc.
This year is a quiet year at home, which I am glad about, as I have had some dreadful virus and have the strength of a wet sponge.

All presents have been sent off, and cards. We also have three January birthdays, so these go off, too.
Cards for round the village will be delivered next week by DH.
All non perishable food has been bought and DH will do the final run in town next week for lamb leg, veg, cheeses, cream and whatever. We get given a salmon and a brace of pheasants every year, which is brilliant.

Mantlepiece greenery and my huge Solstice Sun will go up on the 21st. I have a present for the coven's Secret Satan wrapped and ready, plus made some vegetarian curry to share.
We don't generally put the Xmas tree up until Xmas Eve, and when it's just us, we have an easy artificial, pre lit one, and I dig out a few favourite baubles.

So I have only DH's presents to wrap and put under the tree, and greenery to harvest.
I wonder what I've forgotten…

Presents all brought and wrapped apart from a few stragglers which were delivered yesterday / today.

Trees been up since 1st December.

Suitcases packed as we're heading abroad for Christmas, just need to add the last bits and toiletries the day we go.

Bonus that we don't need any Christmas food as we won't be here so no food shopping to be done!

Feeling very organised!

House decorated, cards sent, presents wrapped.

Need to do a food and booze shop which I am dreading and still really busy at work until Thursday lunch but should be plain sailing from there.

All presents bought, waiting for 1 still to arrive. Everything wrapped and ready to go for nieces/nephews and wider family. Just my own kids to wrap now. Food wise, got most of the non perishables, need to do a big supermarket shop and butcher collection on Christmas eve. Plus another decent house clean

I'm not. I hate every single thing about it.

@Giggorata

What is a Solstice sun? I want one now.

Not very!

House is decorated and most presents purchased - but nothing wrapped and have no clue how or when I can start, all weekend is blocked out, so looking like late evening 23rd at earliest to start wrapping which makes me feel sick. No food shopping done yet and that's looking like evening of 23rd too. So overall feeling very unsettled by my unpreparedness this year!

Presents all bought and majority wrapped, cards written and posted, turkey ordered, food shop booked, so practically done but...... it's our 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday and we haven't booked anything,bought anything or planned anything. Only moved 3 weeks ago to a different part of the country so it wasn't top of our list.

@mollyfolk , it's just a large gold metal plaque, shaped like the sun, with a face. 🌞

Totally ready. Not bought anything and spending 3 months in the sun. Chilled.

Yeah all ready, decs up, gifts wrapped, delivered, cards out, stocking fillers purchased and xmas eve bag ready to fill. My son is 18 and still loves his xmas pjs, hot choc, mug, popcorn.
Just a food shop and lil clean on Monday.

It's going to be minimalist for me; I have a lovely decorated LED tree up and I've sent off 6 parcels. Just need to drop off family presents now then focus on nice food for the few days when things are shut.

It really sneaks up, doesn't it??

I'm going to feel really stupid getting on a bus with a santa claws bag for my mother but will try to act innocent. I thought that given her arthritis it was better to put all her presents in an Xmas bag with lots of tinsel. Downside to this is that I bet she goes through it early, the temptation will be too much

I'm waiting for one present to show up in the post. Last two for my son arrived today so I've only three presents in total yet to wrap. Food was ordered way back so just need to go over it as it's mainly Christmas focussed but I'll need to make sure we have food for a couple days before and after. Only me and my kids this year.
What's really weighing on my mind is I haven't done my taxes which I usually turn over to the accountant in October! I need to get that done asap.

@mondaytosunday yeah I've got a paperwork deadline as well, luckily they've given me a week's extension. They should bear with you if you or your accountant let them know.

Presents are done, most are wrapped.
There’s a leg of lamb and 3 packs of pigs in blankets in the freezer but no more plans! We haven’t even decided what we want to eat for Christmas dinner yet.
Our main celebration will be on the Saturday after Christmas at DD’s house. Usually we have a quiet Christmas Day and then DP’s kids come over and play board games on Boxing Day.
Currently have an unexpected house guest (one of the adult kids of DP) so no idea how this will affect things.
Away or at work until Sunday night so I have to get everything done on Monday- I’m working on Christmas Eve. No pressure!

Presents wrapped apart from 2 waiting to be delivered, food is bought just got to get fresh bits on sunday, decorations up so pretty much sorted really

The 3 DC are all done (and wrapped) as are parents. The food order will arrive 24th. I can nip out for anything missing early on 24th as I'll know first thing if anything isn't arriving. Although we're out for actual Christmas dinner. I'll be doing round two on boxing day.

We don't do gifts for the neices and nephews and siblings as its just not feasible (huge families on both sides) but I've sent my sister money as she is hosting us Xmas day. Sounds very transactional but there is no point us lugging stuff to her on Xmas day (we'll be walking round) and I don't want her to be out of pocket so I've paid the wine / champagne and desserts which she has just added to her main shop.

Tree has been up for 10 days and I'm not sure it will last another week.

I've not done any cards this year as I've not got round to it but the kids did craft some cards so we'll hand them out when / if we see people.

I'm working (from home) Monday and Tuesday next week but kids finish tomorrow and Friday we have plans with friends (Christmas lights / lunch etc). Weekend I'll get house in order / we will make our gingerbread house and we have a family dinner on Sunday.

I feel the same as I do every year. That the festive period I used to love so much is totally ruined by work, illness, guilt and exhaustion.

But come 3pm Christmas Eve I'll be totally relaxed as then I know what's done is done!!

I totally know what you mean.

I've always loved Christmas but having kids I find makes it so stressful, like wanting to just make it magical for them. It's pressure that I put on myself I don't know why!! It literally takes the enjoyment out of it for me which is so sad because it's such a special time

I have everything sorted but also the nail-biting wait for the food shop on the 23rd. Please God make sure they send everything so I don't have to brave the shops!!

Apart from the tree and other decorations, pretty ready.
Though we are all ill. ..

Presents here, mostly wrapped, lots of stuff in the freezer but.. Not a single decoration up or tree due to illness.