Over 100 expected for Christmas Eve, and now in between fainting I am throwing up snot and not started preparing yet!

[Philoslothy]

I am almost four months pregnant and this time have really bad morning sickness to the extent that I am passing out. Just to up the ante I seem to have a really bad cold/ flu and so have started throwing up my own snot! The room is spinning and I constantly have the sweats.

I am feeling so unwell that I am losing track of the days and am not sure how many days we have until Christmas. I do know that we have about 100 guests for a Christmas Eve party, about 20 for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

WE have no presents which is not the end of the world but I have not bought the food or drink never mind started preparing it.

I am sure everything will be fine, but home is hard enough at the moment so I can't share how stressed I am. So inbetween sneezing, shivering and vomiting I am smiling and telling everyone that it will be OK .

I am so annoyed with myself for getting stressed over Christmas, I never get stressed about Christmas.

100? 20? Eeeks! good luck! I say make some lists

Time to call in some recruits I think! And delegate!

I can't write but I can dictate lists into my iPhone and get one of the children to write it up and DH to check for things I have missed. The children are cleaning, DH is reading cookery books!

Call in help and recruits! Roping in some of the 100 to help out is the best course of action. People do love to rally round.

I might send DH to the pub and tell him not to return until he gets willing volunteers.

Sorry, 100?? 100?! Where are you hosting? At home? Are they friends/ family or is it for a do for a club/ group etc? If friends/ family enlist some help from them and if not enlist some help from friends/ family if possible for the event! You need to look after yourself

It is a party so I only need canapés, sweet things and drinks - not a formal meal. It is at home, the house is decorated ready. The gifts for the party are all done and the children are making sure they are all wrapped. I am worried about how I am going to host, I am back in bed shivering at the moment.

Can you text/email your guests and tell the truth and ask everyone to bring a dish each? I've never had a party that size without people at least bringing a bottle and some chocolates.

good luck OP!

DH and DSS are off into the village to get some recruits. People know that we are having a hard time at the moment, DS has been in hospital and having a very hard time, so people will help- I just need to admit that I can't do as much as I would like to.

I can't cancel, it is a charity event and quite a big event in the village calendar. If needs be DH and the children can host without me .

The freezer section is your friend. Don't cook. It's the day after tomorrow. Hope you're better soon.

100???!!! How big is your house???!!!

Can everybody bring a bottle? Can everybody chuck in a tenner and you phone for pizzas?

It is not really a order a pizza kind of event. However DH and DSS have assembled a team. DSS's mother has offered to host if I want to sleep. Some neighbours have offered to put me up at theirs Christmas Eve if I need to rest.

Why are you doing this? You don't have to you know. Cancel it!!

Cancelling is not really an option, it is something we do every year and it raises a lot for a local charity. However I personally do not have to do it.

Hi OP I hope you are feeling better but please don't push it. Is the vomitting part of the pregnancy or a combination of that & the winter vomitting bug? You don't want to pass the bug onto your guests.

Are you near a wholesalers like Costco where you can buy large catering packs of food & drinks?

I have just returned from Tescos & they have reduced a lot by 50%. Their 7 cheese selection box is now 4 so 10 of those would be sufficient for 100 people. The 900g box of crackers is 3 now so several boxes of crackers, cheese & fruit to make a giant cheese board. Perfect easy food for a large crowd.

M&S will have reduced their party
canape selection by now or will be
offering bundle deals.

I am being looked after by neighbours. DH, DSS and his mother have everything under control.

The vomiting is morning sickness, it was bad with the last 3 pregnancies.

Thankyou for asking.

"DSS's mother has offered to host if I want to sleep"

This is possibly the most heart warming thing I've seen this Christmas. I have no idea about the details of your life OP but you're obviously doing something right.

I hope you feel better soon.

YY Storytown. :)

please rest and take up the kind offer to host elsewhere. Do it now while there is time to make new arrangements. You are pregnant, and you really shouldnt be pushing yourself too hard. Good luck.

It is bring hosted in our home but not by me! I am currently propped up in bed next door. I may pop in but strictly as a guest.

Thankyou storytown, she is indeed a wonderful woman.