to say that Christmas starts in December

[QuizteamBleakley]

Today, I have had two calls from DM, asking what our plans for Christmas are. Specifically, she wants to know what time we intend to get to their house, how many nights we're staying and if I can do the annual music quiz.

I must admit to being a slack-arse planner, preferring a more relaxed approach, but I think it's too early to make concrete plans, particularly since:
a) we live 80 miles away
b) our first DC is due on 13.12.2010 (my birthday, no less)
c) IT IS SEPTEMBER!

Bless her, I know she wants to be organised but, FFS, even she can't need to put the sprouts on yet...

I imagine this type of thing is an annual event on MN, so please don't flame the relative newbie! Just wondered if you have a 'start date' for Christmas-prep talk?

I've had to start planning early this year (usually wait til november). I'm due DC3 on dec 7th so don't want to be shopping for presents when i'm huge or with a newborn. We're on a budget and have 9 birthdays close to christmas, including me,DH,DD and DS.

We've also got to work out how we're going to see my parents, DH's parents and pick up DSD on christmas day.

No way I could do all that heavily pg/with a newborn and two toddlers to look after.

YABU. I used to always leave things to last minute and end up hating christmas because I was always skint from buying presents etc. And living alone meant that when I'd visited family I always had to go home to a lonely house. Now I have my son to buy things for and to share the whole day with, not just the dinner bit. So I'm so looking forward to it this year and couldn't wait to start buying things for it. :o

Actually as you're having your first baby I'll cut you a bit of slack, sorry

YANBU to feel uncertain about how you'll feel, and what you'll want to do so soon after your baby is born.

FWIW, personally I'd jump at the chance of someone else doing Christmas. Organising Christmas while heavily pregnant, and hosting Christmas with a newborn to look after are two things I hope I never have to endure! Really not my idea of fun.

Going to visit family and letting everyone coo over my new baby on the other hand does actually sound like it could be fun.

My DS was born Christmas Eve. We got out of hospital midday on Xmas, and turned up for Christmas dinner at my parents in the afternoon. It felt amazingly special and was such a lovely way to welcome DS into the family.

So, if it was me I'd put up with your DM's early planning instincts, and jump at the invite!

I am organised this year as I am having my pils to stay, and he has just been diagnosed with dementia. The flights are booked already and I will be doing lots of batch cooking so meals will not be an issue and I won't wear myself out as I usually do when they stay, and take weeks to recover. They depart and my mum arrives on the same day for New Year, so again, am being organised with her flights etc.

My bil and sil need a break as we are abroad so can't help out with pils as much as I feel we should, so having pils for Christmas gives them a 10 day break.

nope - my Christmas should already have started - well it has - have put the notice in the newsletter for this Sunday for the choir for the Carol service. Need to plan it next.

Also once I've got DS1's birthday out of the way next week will need to start getting bits together for Christmas as can't afford to do it all in one go.

Oh actually I bought a big tin of chocolate biscuits the other day for Christmas as they were on special offer

YABU

I have to budget carefully to have any sort of Xmas as all, so I buy all year.

Are low-income so I start making presents well in advance. Bramble-hunting big time this afternoon to make jam to give as gifts.

Have one child with a November birthday and another with a December birthday so budgeting is crucial.

My family lives abroad, so to travel there for Xmas means we need to get tickets before September or it's unaffordable. The ILs live in Edinburgh and cannot offer us lodging, so we need to book accommodation for Xmas now to get a place at all much less a reasonable price if we're going there.

DH has to book holiday for Xmas in July so the work rota can be planned according.

People who plan before December often don't have the luxury of close by family or no kids or only one kid, which IMO is a piece of piss.

why don't you offer to "do" christmas this year and then you could leave it as late as you like to plan. If someone else is planning it then YABU - it is up to them to decide how much planning time they need.

christmas starts in december! ds1 was due 15dec but came 28th nov! so watch out!!

actually Christmas usually starts in November - 1st Sunday of Advent is generally the last Sunday in November.

YANBU to not want to plan what time you will be arriving at your DMs. But if this is your first DC, then they often arrive late, so you might be in labour or in hospital, or still pg and not wanting to be more than 30 mins drive from your hospital.

I'd tell your mum you'll try to make it, but until Christmas eve you can't plan one way or another.

Oh, and I had DS on christmas day last year, I told everyone they could only have gifts I could order on-line and get delivered to the house so they had to think about it early. I refused to drag myself up and down the high street trying to find things for people then carrying them all home. On-line or not at all should be your mantra! (and get a turkey in your freezer just incase you aren't up for traveling)

Although, if you're not up for travelling, the chances of you wanting to cook a full Christmas dinner frankly seem low...

I`m wondering why you are planning Christmas away when you are due on the 13th.