So what have you got ready for December 1st (for your dc) ?

[FESTIVEFRANNY]

I have bought new Christmas bedding to surprise the dc with on the 1st.

I don't do a Christmas hamper on the 1st like many do but I do bring down the box filled with Christmas books and Christmas DVDS.

I have just placed an order for all the Christmas crafts we do on the December weekends, so should be all set to go on the 1st!

What do you do?

CharlotteBronteSaurus

Me too, its the music that makes it, just perusing some on amazon now.

And I totally agree about just seeing what works for you as a family, no need to panic about what other people do and no need to judge others for doing too much or too little! :)

Yes we too are entering into the world of craft this year.

Your xmas sounds wonderful fuzz!

The German calenders sound amazing Gobblin, can you link to them online?

we don't have chocolate in the advent calendars
in other years we have made a list of 24 treats together and I print them off and laminate them (LOVE my laminator) and randomly put them in the hanging stocking calendar that we have. It was a lovely way of forcing us to do something together that wasn't school, work or nagging each day.

stupid little things like - read christmas story, have hot chocolate and marshmallows after school, lie on a blanket in the garden and look for shooting stars, go on a night walk. Some of them were money related like walk to the shop for some sweeties. but mostly not.

Fuzz I agree DH and I are making it up as we go along because neither of us have happy memories of Christmas. His parents cancelled christmas the day he asked if FC was real. No gifts or decorations or anyhting.

DS is in Y3 and joined the choir. He is beyond excited about singing at the local precinct for the switch on of the crappy lights!
Lots of Christmas music in this house (and the car!) too

No, saldy not they are from a card shop called "Maythers" ? They have a fab collection. Really stunning, I have not seen any as stunning anywhere else.

Just had a quick look on amazon this is the nearest sort of thing I can find.

Coppenrath Verlag

Festivefranny I want to come to your house for Christmas! I have bought my 2 a Cadburys advent calendar each and we will get out the box of Xmas DVDs and books.

Justasmallgless that sounds like it is going to be a wonderful build up to christmas! carols and twinkly lights.. perfect!

Never that's really sad.
Love your activities though especially the shooting stars one - might nick that! We do a night walk looking at everyone's decorations and mark then out of 10.
There are lots of ideas on Pinterest of crafts but would love to see yours Franny

Aw thanks gobbolino :o it's been a tough few years but family life is generally on the up and despite various things going against us it's all falling into place

Tomorrow, We are going to a place called the Christmas Barn, on Christmas Common, its a farm that once a year have huge tree barn but also an amazing display of about 10 huge trees all with amazing decs. I love it, was going to hold off till December but I can't resist any longer!

NKU that's awful about the cancelling Christmas! I already know what we will say when DD figures it out - again something I read on here: when it comes to Xmas magic, there are two types of people - magic believers, and magic makers. And when you stop believing, you get to become part of the magic making instead :)

Incidentally, I want a laminator

Thats OK Fuzz, same here really, trying to make things better for the DC's than we had

My DH never had FC, because his parents wanted all the credit .

He still does not really get how we have to hide the presents and one year he didnt understand why I had to wrap FC presents in a different paper to the one we used for our gifts .

Fuzzpig I love my laminator -tesco value one and it's fab

laminator is my favourite thing it was £9 from asda and I use it 3/4 times a month

Gobblino that sounds wonderful, what a lovely day out.

I am sad about these stories of sad children at Christmas though. Bit of a trigger for me too.
DH had perfect Christmases as a child and can't understand why I go to so much trouble over it

Doitnicelyplease

You have just made a (37 weeks) pregnant woman laugh a little to hard

I have arse all ready....
It CANT be Xmas yet,because my due date is way before Xmas and I haven't done that yet!

So will you all please Cease and Desist until after I've birthed DC3.

I thank you.

Upthe
Glad to provide a chuckle (with extras )

Got a little worried at the poster who suggested I may be doing too much...bit late now I've got 4 reindeer and a Christmas monkey to keep happy...

Well I'll put out the advent calendars and our basket of Christmas books will be parked by the hearth.

I'm making a door wreath for the first time this year....so barring any crafting disasters I will put it out on the 1st. I think I'll let mine put up some window clings too just to kick things off.

Otherwise I think we'll roll out the rest of the decorations with the tree later in the month.

Ohh and I love the book advent idea. I'm putting that on my radar for next year

Wow I don't even think about doing anything on the first, I've only just discovered Christmas stockings. Yes I had a very deprived childhood. Anyhoo thanks mumsnetters for all this inspiration, I'm getting my Christmas craft box a ready, my children will be delighted!

Oh and elf on a shelf? Going to google now as I haven't got a clue, I'm intrigued.