SURVIVING CHRISTMAS - MUMSNET WANTS YOUR TOP TIPS

[AbbyMumsnet]

Yes we know, we know, it's only October. But before you know it it will be THAT day again, so we're compiling a Mumsnet list of top tips on how to survive all aspects of Christmas. From defusing difficult in-laws to keeping up with your kids' expectations to coping with countless car journeys to far-flung relatives, post your survival tips here. TIA.

If you have a large group of people coming for Christmas unch, split the work up so no one person has all the work/expense. (obvious really)

And drink lots of sherry as early in the morning as possible.

Go somewhere else for christmas!!! (Im off to dads for the ooooooh 24th year running!)

Yes I agree with batters. Start drinking good and early.

Also don't leave anything til the last minute. Everything you can do beforehand, do it. Get stockings ready, presents wrapped. There's always so much which has to be done at the last minute.

Start NOW.

I have accumulated most of the presents for the children already and spent an hour wrapping them the other day. They are in a box ready to be hidden in the loft for the next 2 months.
I bought loads of paper and tags and cards at the weekend - and it was pleasurable as town was fairly quiet and looking round the Christmas displays was easy.
Intend to get everyone elses presents by mid November. I am attempting to be super organised this year as expecting baby no 3 at Christmas.

If you buy LEGO or simular make it a family tradition to open and build the models on Boxing Day.

We have done this for many years with DS

It means it gives DS something to look forward to and also he has time and space to build the LEGO

Also the little bits don't get lost

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!

lol - that's start now with the shopping, NOT the drinking!

Never think that it's too early to start preparing (o.k. I don't mean start peeling sprouts now).

Have a couple of non gender specific (craft items usually good) for emergency present giving so you dont find yourself in an embarrasing situation when your dc's are given presents and you have nothing to give back! not that its ever happened to me ......

buy non perishable food items bit by bit with the weekly shop. not so noticeable to the budget as buyin all in one go.
and save all your nectar points/tesco points to help with the big christmas food shop.

Find time for either a quiet family walk or attend a church service all together, depending on your beliefs/preferences.
I think an hour or two together, with no barking MILs/burning sprouts/Lego diplomatic incidents/blaring telly etc, is really vital.
That, and keep drinking.

Bottles and bottles of fizzy stuff. Preferably champagne but cava will do. Christmas day goes like clockwork ...well it does for me anyway, not sure about the rest of the family

At about 10am have a glass of champagne. From then on keep drinking slowly throughout the day. Not enough t make you want to stab Uncle John but enough to make you smile at him when he tells you about his nose hairs

I'm seeing a bit of a theme emerging here...

Can I just say that I PMSL every time I see your Halloween moniker Jackie
And I have not started drinking for Xmas yet

With little ones, try and stick to their routine as much as possible, even if it means they arent sat round the table for christmas lunch because they are napping!

Drinking seems to be the way to go then! We have never travelled anywhere at Christmas - we made a decision when DS1 was born that we weren't putting baby, and all his stuff, plus presents and driving anywhere, not even on boxing day. My mum and step dad, and MIL and step PIL have done it year about and it's ok. MIL winds me up a bit though.
We also cook our turkey on christmas Eve, let it cool, cut it and fridge it. next day, take out as much as you need and heat it through in gravy. Saves waste i think.
I also get as much veg as possible prepared on Christmas Eve.
I have never stressed about christmas, my policy being - there's food, drink, choclates, tv etc. if they don't like it they can go home.

I think I'll stick to Batters idea of topping up with wine regularly throughout the day so it all passes in a bit of a haze .

In-laws and ageing auntie are coming to us AGAIN (6th year running ) and I just know it will be the same as always. FIL will get pissed and start talking really loudly about the state of England and how it was never like this in his day.

MIL will have one Baileys and it will go straight to her head and she'll have a little weep about a long lost boyfriend that she let go, and how she never got over it, and she'll corner my poor mother and have another little weep about how her marriage has never been happy.

Ageing auntie will sit by the radiator and insist and on having the heating on at 100 degrees minimum, plus a huge blanket for her knees, then she will tut loudly every time she hears one of my DDs utter a single word. And she'll moan about the extravagance of the day and how spoilt children are. And she'll get incredibly stressed if her Christmas dinner isn't ready by 1.00pm, and if, God forbid, it happens to be 1.15 she will refuse to eat it, saying it is way past her usual lunch time .

God, I can't wait. Roll on Christmas

Stick to the same menu every year so you are not trying to cook something for the first time on Christmas Day (or practise beforehand). Prepare as much as of the dinner as possible on Christmas Eve (veg etc) so you don't spend the whole morning in the kitchen.

buy presents as you find them! don't look at something in a shop and think "oh my mum would love that." and leave it for a later date... it will be gone/sold out by the time you decide to go back and buy it! buy it straight away if you know it's a good present.

also, shop around. if it's a toy that's available in argos and boots for the same price, go to boots and get your points/3 for 2 offers in!

test toys. put batteries in them. nothing worse than opening a present on christmas day (or birthday for that matter) and there being a vital part missing or it not working! avoid the tears!

Check what batteries are likely to be needed for new toys and stock up beforehand.

Stock up on batteries of various sizes just incase something comes where they aren't included.

Playpens make a great cage to put the tree in to stop tiny ones getting at the presnts or decorations!