So are you looking forward to Christmas yet or still feeling frazzled?

[ClaireDeLoon]

I just thought as I switched on the lights on the tree that now that everything is pretty much done/organised in terms of presents and arrangements made I feel relaxed and happy about Christmas, enjoying a few nights out with friends etc

I think I'm a bit of a control freak in that I do like to plan things in advance and feel a bit stressy if I still have presents to get, does anyone else get the same way?

[SantarissaCripslock]

I'm feeling impatient! I'm so ready - all present bought and most are wrapped, house decorated, going to my parents for Christmas dinner so don't need to think about that.

I'm all excited and can't wait. My DCs are just turned 6 and 3 so are the perfect age for the whole Santa thing and it's all lovely and wonderful and super and and and...

[tulpe]

Finally beginning to look forward to it. Most gifts are bought - just DHs stocking to do and hoping the jumper I ordered for him will turn up before the big day.

I just put up some decorations today. DCs tree is done and will buy the real tree on Saturday morning.

Online shopping slot booked with Waitrose, have already made and frozen stuffing, cranberry sauce, bread sauce, spiced red cabbage, roast potatoes (not roasted of course - but ready to go straight in oven from freezer), Christmas pus and cake done too. Am planning on spending rest of the week wrapping and then baking this weekend and next week.

Feel like its been a bit of a struggle this year to get into the spirit of things. Not helped by building work on kitchen only finishing yesterday (3 week project turned into 2 months :(. ) and DS1 and I suffering with vile viral infections.

Still. Onwards & Upwards!

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

I'm annoyed as I cleaned the windows last week, got the crib set up, bought a wreath (usually make one), but haven't got around to replacing the nasty shiny ribbon so it's going crispy in the utility room.

Haven't got the decs down yet as have no tree, so will prob not wash windows again.

And did I say DH has gone abroad until Friday so I have to get the Christmas tree by myself tomorrow, using the too-small soft top car because the big (bought for the bad weather) number is stuck in the garage?

I'm sure I'll think of something else to moan about share before long.

[Numberfour]

frazzled and shattered

[2gorgeousboys]

I put all the decorations up and am feeling Christmassy however I have only bought 1 present - have 19 people plus DC's to buy for and will be starting on Monday once I have finished work.

I have however written lists of everything, planned food shop and ordered meat from butchers.

I love the last minute shopping and preparation and would hate to be one of those people who boasts they have finished their shopping at Easter.

[domesticsluttery]

I would personally like enough snow to fall to make Christmas completely impossible this year. I have enough alcohol and snacks in to survive on, and being housebound in my PJs and a woolly hat for a few days sounds wonderfully appealing.

I have actually bought all of my presents, I'm just not sure when on earth I'm going to wrap and distribute them. I have written all of the cards that need posting, but can't get going on writing the rest.

Both my side and DH's side are coming to us this year, which looked like a good idea at the time but I am now wondering what on earth posessed me. All of the meat is on order from a farm shop, but if it snows they might not be able to deliver anyway.

The schools here don't break up until the 22nd. Which as I work in the school also means that I am on overdrive until then too. Again, a couple of snow days would ease the load considerably.

Oh, and the DC's Christmas day outfits have been ordered online and are coming from a warehouse... in Scotland. In the snow. So back to the PJs idea.

Oh and it is my mum's birthday on Friday and she is being a complete old fart about everything, which I don't have the time or energy for. DS1 and I have both had flu and so aren't firing on all cylinders, and I don't have time to run around after anyone else.

The tree is up though as DH brought one home to cheer us up when we were in bed ill. I didn't bother cleaning first, teh pine needles are doing a fine job of hiding the dust. Everything looks better by candlelight anyway.

Bet you're sorry you asked!

[JenaiMarrsTartanFoxCube]

Oh yes, Jajas. Hush is fab. Bought a gift set for dp from them last year - went down a treat.

[Chandon]

my MIL will bring the pudding.



BIL and SIL will bring starter

a friend offered to get some tghings for my nieces when she is in town...

{wonders if they all MN and have been stalking me and worried about my post ? }

[NorbertDentressangelOnTheTree]

I am looking forward to it providing the weather doesn't conspire against us.

I am petrified that the forecast snow will mean that we won't be able to get to the ILs and will suddenly find ourselves at home with empty cupboards.

Its a long way to drag a sledge through the snow from Waitrose on Christmas Eve (and thats if everyone who was planning on staying at home hasn't panic bought everything off the shelves )

[JenaiMarrsTartanFoxCube]

Oh feck - I still haven't found anything for one of my best friends. Any ideas? Late 30s, professional, no DCs, under £20-ish (we don't overspend on each other)?

[JenaiMarrsTartanFoxCube]

Jajas - no, just us three. Tis pretty darned easy.

[GoodKingSlubbersArseFellOut]

Mostly relaxed. Am pretty much done. I'm fretting slightly about the washing machine freezing up in the garage again as it did a few weeks back and not having any clean clothes for Christmas day.

We're off to London for 4 days on friday. Keep thinking when we get back there will only be 3 days left, then I get a tad angsty.

[JenaiMarrsTartanFoxCube]

Other than a bit of online shopping for presents, I've done bugger all.

The tree and the decs will go up this weekend, the wrapping for DP and DS usually gets done drunkenly on Christmas Eve, but I'll try to get others' done in the next few days I guess.

DP will head into Hades Waitrose to try and secure a turkey and whatnot next week I should think. I'm at work till the 24th.

I'm pretty chilled

[strandedatseasonsgreetings]

Christmas starts on the 20th Dec when we land at Gatwick.

Bugger I've got A LOT to do

[blossoming]

Agree with clairdelune chandon

[DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain]

I'm feeling a bit frazzled but it is mostly because so much other stuff is needing to be done right now in addition to the Christmas preparations which are pretty much finished.

[blossoming]

Age range of my 24 in laws? Start at 2 months, ends at 82 ( miserable old goat), and every decade inbetween. I shall also have to be gracious host despite having major issues with one of the families.

[ClaireDeLoon]

Chandon you MIL needs to being a nice homemade pudding with her then for you to heat up.

[SummerRain]

I'm officially finished my shopping so feeling very zen and relaxed about it

Enjoying the run up now

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

I was feeling reasonably organised (for me), until I came down with a stomach bug on Saturday night.

Scuppered all my plans for getting the tree/decorating/cleaning/wrapping presents.

Am only just starting to feel human, and now DS2 is off school with laryngitis, so have now lost the rest of this week as well.

Plus we go ski ing on the 19th, so everything has be ready before then < wails >.

DS1 has three things in his stocking; DD has no idea what she'd like so I'm scrabbling around trying to find last-minute presents for her.

I foresee the usual Christmas Eve scenario; me wrapping in a frenzy after the last DCs have gone to bed (after 10.30), DH watching me whilst swigging port and saying 'I don't know why you always leave it to the last minute.'

[Chandon]

Oh but I feel CROSS about it!!!

Firstly, we were supposed to celebrate it just the four of us, nice and relaxed.

Then MIL and SIL call and say they want to come to us. Then BIL and SIL call and say they hear their parents are coming to us, so they'll come too. SIL then adds that a few weeks ago she decided to become vegan (but vegetarian is "acceptable" for her christmas dinner, she said). The other BIL and SIL call that we are all having christmas together and they feel peeved and left out, so they 9and their 4 (!!!) kids are coming too. WE NOW HAVE DINNER FOR 15 TO DO

Then MIL txts that dessert HAS to be home mad Christmas Pudding, otherwise it is "not really Christmas".

We are going on Hols, and not coming back until 24th (after all I did not think we'd have a big christmas to organise)so I have to organise all the food and presents THIS WEEK.

Have not been able to leave house all week due to sick DC.

Have hurt my back (recurring problem)and unable to even put decoration up, or do any tidying.

DH abroad.

I just want to call the effing inlaws and tell them to ef off. No effing clue where I am supposed to get all the last minute presents, food for 15 etc. without leaving the house.

rant over.

better get some wine.

Right now I hate them all, but know I will manage to be nice and gracious host on the day and might even anjoy it.