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Original poster

To ask if you make a 'big deal' about 1st December?

190 replies

mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 13:41

So this year, after having so many years of struggling with my mental health and illnesses I'm excited for Christmas.

I want to make Saturday 1st December a really special day. I'm going to have the tree up and all the baubles lined up ready with the advent calendars and a nice breakfast with Christmas songs on. I literally want to make the most exciting start to December for my girls.

Do you have any traditions or things you always do on 1st December?x

OP posts:
chocatoo · 10/10/2018 16:25

Actually Xmas pjs etc on 1st makes good sense as get a month of wear...otherwise they’re worn for such a short time then too small for the next year. Think I might adopt that idea!

DarlingNikita · 10/10/2018 16:26

I used to love the excitement of getting the advent calendar (back in the day when they just had pictures in them; I'm a gimmer)
but I'm a bit taken aback at the idea of presents for 1 December, TBH.

ohtheholidays · 10/10/2018 16:31

For us the new Christmas bedding sets will go on(we have a couple of sets each allready so they can be washed and changed)the advent calendar's will go up,the Elf will appear, we'll watch a family Christmas movie and we'll make something special for breakfast.

longwayoff · 10/10/2018 16:32

Anyone got an advent box? 24 drawers with a little present each day. Scandinavian thing.

BarbarianMum · 10/10/2018 16:32

We celebrate the 4 Sundays of advent, so this year our Christmas celebrations will begin on Sun 2nd Dec and the tree will go up on the 9th.

cjt110 · 10/10/2018 16:34

For those not wanting to think of the C word yet, click on a thread over there >>>>>>>>>

I hadn't ever thought of a December box but I like this idea. We have some Christmas books already that I could gather up and put into it (He had me reading the 12 days of christmas the other night before bed and rather than a partridge in a pear tree, each verse ended with "And a cow" according to my 4 year old")

I pencilled in when we are doing our tree this year. Last year we did it whilst DS was at nursery. Again, I have pencilled this is in for a day when he's at school and DH and I can put it up and surprise him.

What traditions have you found good for your just 4 year olds?

Original poster
mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 16:34

Hi @BarbarianMum that sounds interesting... can I ask how you spend each of the Sundays please?x

OP posts:
cjt110 · 10/10/2018 16:35

Outraged you cannot get this bedding in a Kingsize :(

Original poster
mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 16:37

@cjt110 I wish I could surprise my DDs with the tree up but they're adamant they want to help so that's something we'll do together x

OP posts:
cjt110 · 10/10/2018 16:38

mumof2sarah There's too much stress doing it just me and DH, let alone adding our whirlwind in....

TeeniefaeTroon · 10/10/2018 16:38

The elf of the shelf arrives with the advent calendars.

Original poster
mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 16:39

@cjt110 that bedding is really cute. I'm dreading the actual tree decorating for the whirlwinds lol x

OP posts:
SilverySurfer · 10/10/2018 16:46

For those not wanting to think of the C word yet, click on a thread over there >>>>>>>>>

For those wanting to think about the C word in October, click on the Christmas Board over there >>>>>>>>>>

BarbarianMum · 10/10/2018 16:47

Well we have an "Advent plate" 4 red candles on a plate with winter greenery (holly etc).

On the first Sunday of Advent we make the Christmas cake and, as it gets dark, we light the first candle, put some carols on and have tea and Christmas biscuits/mince pies together. Let candle burn down 1 quarter.

Second Sunday we put the tree up, decorate house, light 2 candles.

Third Sunday we go Christmas shopping, wrap presents, write Christmas cards. Light 3 candles at dusk. More tea/mince pies.

Fourth Sunday Christmas baking, all candles lit, watch a Christmas film together. Smile

Original poster
mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 16:49

@BarbarianMum that sounds really lovely. I hope you enjoy each and every Sunday xx

OP posts:
MinaPaws · 10/10/2018 16:51

We put fairy lights up the stairs on 1st. I put the wreath on the door. DH won't let me have a tree that early, but the lights are sorted, the christmassy scented candles lit and the Christmas music comes out to listen to while I cook or during bath time when DC were small. DC have advent calendars and we eat by candlelight that night. I LOVE advent. Best part of Christmas.
Have a lovely time.

flowery · 10/10/2018 16:51

I’m amazed and impressed that people have enough headspace and time for this sort of thing tbh!

Original poster
mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 16:54

@flowery i finally have space not clogged by a fog atm so I'm just enjoying the organising etc x

OP posts:
PatchworkElmer · 10/10/2018 16:55

DH gets his Lego advent calendar, DS dons the first of many Christmas outfits and wears festive pjs to bed. I put the Christmas duvet on, DH rolls his eyes but secretly loves it. I make DH watch Elf, and the tree goes up.

DS will be 2 this year, so I think he’ll finally start to ‘get’ it. Hope you have a great Christmas Op.

Original poster
mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 16:57

@PatchworkElmer that sounds like perfection. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely plans. I hope your day goes perfect. Your son will get it a lot more this year x

OP posts:
TheTurnOfTheScrew · 10/10/2018 16:57

We don't buy anything new, but we dig out the Christmas CDs, books and DVDs. Reading The Jolly Christmas Postman is one of the pleasures of the season.

StrugglingMumma · 10/10/2018 17:13

I love the December box ideas! We are trying make Christmas more about spending quality time together as a family doing activities rather than lots of presents that end up sitting unused.

ProfessorMoody · 10/10/2018 17:15

I love it when the bores come out with their "it's such fucking nonsense" comments.

Anything and everything that can make Christmas a happy time for my family I'll do. We've had so much trauma at that time of year, it's time to enjoy the magic. Plus, it's for children. You know? Those little people who most parents want to make happy?

Dont like it? Don't do it.

I’m amazed and impressed that people have enough headspace and time for this sort of thing tbh
Really? It's not that amazing really. Planning a Christmas doesn't take much time or headspace, and I don't have much of either, yet I manage it.

gothefcktosleep · 10/10/2018 17:22

This is lovely and I hope you have a wonderful start to the run up to Christmas.

I put the tree up and watch the Muppets Christmas Carol.

Original poster
mumof2sarah · 10/10/2018 17:28

Hi @ProfessorMoody I appreciate your comments about the against 1st December comments and I thank you for it but noones boring, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I've learnt the best way to deal with an opinion I don't agree with is to read it and say well that's their opinion or like most people have said to not read it at all, swipe by it. This is a thread regarding Christmas and it's October so I knew I'd get a few people making comments other than what I've asked for help with.

I hope that everyone on this thread enjoys their day and evening now and on 1st December x

OP posts:
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