Progress report on Christmas 2015

[chanie44]

How are you doing?
Are you ahead or behind on your preparations?
How does this compare to previous years?

I'm doing okay, although I feel I like I should have done more.

Children's stockings are done, although I'll twitch nearer the time. I need to get their pjs for Xmas eve - I normally get them when I see some on offer, so I'll wait until the autumn for warmer pjs. Main presents, I'll get nearer the time.

in terms of presents for everyone else, I've done about 40%, but that's mainly my family - OH family is more tricky to buy for, so that's why I feel so behind.

Despite lots of thinking about Christmas, I have actually bought v little so far and most of that was in the sales. On the plus side Christmas wasn't really on my radar this time last year so in some ways I feel more organised.

I have bought a few things but mainly practical things like nighties/PJs. I dare not do what I did last year and buy too much too early, then twitch, then the DC suddenly discover something they love closer to Christmas. I keep looking for bargains but am def becoming more discerning!

So far have also got a few craft-y things - Aquarellum paint kits were on sale recently so bought some at half price, and Djeco stickers/make mermaid kits at 40% off am in France though so not much use for UK shoppers and some little bits from dot com gift shop sale.

I am kinda behind for me, but not dreadful at the same time.

The decision on location has been made.

I have started my buying - but I am well behind compared to most years. And I've done almost no crafting. But I have plenty of time yet.

My Brussels sprouts are growing. And sage too - must freeze some of that in next few weeks!!

Completely coincidentally, I went looking for my Holiday Grand Plan sheets this morning to start printing them - but they're not there anymore!! Well, I think I can find them, but the site that used host it also has a couple of other plans and may be phasing out the HGP.

But I had been contemplating changing to the Holiday Houseworks Plan anyway, so just saved most of the necessary sheets for that instead. Now I just have to find a quiet hour at the colour printer/photocopier to print them all off.

I've bought the kids pjs and that's about it! Need to get a move in as DC3 is due on Christmas Eve!

Lists made. Couple gifts bought. That's it so far.

I've made a small dent into my list, pjs, slippers, toiletries, gift sets, dolls, soft toys for nieces and nephews etc etc. in fact I think most of the extended family have been bought for now.

Have got tonnes of wrapping paper I bought in the sales, and have already made noises to suggest that we shall be visiting relatives on Christmas Eve this year and not having guests to stay over- instead I'll make a champagne brunch for those close enough to pop in on Christmas morning and then we have the rest of the day to ourselves. DH gave a sigh of relief at that one.

I'm marking everything off in a notebook as I stash away and finally remembered to keep the receipt of last years food shop that I scribbled on to say what was wasted/ needed extra of so that's my core food list ready to re-order!

I may be slightly anal about Christmas organisation

Cross post with OhHoly congratulations!

The holiday is booked. That is all and that's enough for now!

I'm not sure whether to feel unorganised or just incredulous at how much you lot have done. Do you not forget what you've got for who or where you've hidden it or ask if there any are requests nearer the time? I know that my nieces and nephews will change their minds several times between now and 25th December!

I forgot - I DO have DD's Pjs as she was given a set last year that were swimming on her. SHE suggested putting them straight in the box for this year!!

Luffs my DD, I do!! She's another Christmas nut! And being a Boxing Day babe, she is entitled to

OhHoly, congratulations!! Apart from planning ahead on presents, are you going to do a lot of internet shopping? I'd suggest having plenty of family meals put into freezer, in family and half family portions so you can add extra people who drop in, as well as things like mince pies or cookies etc, or sausage rolls, to just (let DH) fling in the oven for visitors. And make a plan NOW for Christmas dinner - actually 2 plans. 1 for if DC3 arrives on time, and you are home with a newborn, who is cooking and washing up or hosting you all....2nd is for if you haven't yet gone in, want to do an easy dinner but might actually want to do it pottering around your own kitchen. Oops, 3rd potential plan is what will DH and older DCs do if you are in hospital with newborn (or for any reason really) on Christmas Day itself?

I'm done, apart from DD's main present, but only because she doesn't know what she wants as usual Started getting food and drink in too, all the Christmas in July stuff has made me impatient for the proper Christmas food to come into the shops!

Im rather behind this year on the account of giving birth in 11 weeks :O

Biddy you've really panicked me! That's an excellent list of starting points though, thanks. Just need to start putting contingency plans in place now!

I have Christmas pyjamas, jumpers. stocking fillers. I'm just starting on advent calendar fillers. I'm making Christmas stockings this year so I need to make a start on those. I have a few presents already. oh and I got all my wrapping paper and crackers in the January sales. much better than last year

I'm about on track I think. Only a few sticking fillers brought so far but that's because things are a bit tight currently but I've got a good amazon list on the go, and we've decided where we're going to be on various days.

OhHoly Don't panic!! Now is a good chance to think things through, then you can make plans based on the various options, what you think you'd like to do, and how likely you think each scenario is. And also setting expectations for others rather than being bounced into hosting 20million and cooking turkey from scratch for everyone!!

Side Congratulations!! You could always look on the forthcoming events as plenty of time awake, alone, in the early hours, to be browsing online both looking and purchasing - and then home alone (with baby) when postman arrives for deliveries once schools return too!! And some quiet time when the baby is napping (once you've recovered yourself - not the first couple of weeks!!) to start filling the freezer with goodies hidden behind things, or labeled "liver and onions", for Christmas season!!

side YY , you'll have loads of wee small hours browsing the t'interweb moments to look forward to.
I had DS in Dec 1999, the Millenium Christmas and New Year build up. DH and I cannot remember what we ate for Christmas dinner that year

Today I bought the first present for the Christmas box- a pair of socks for DD with a festive picture on them. They need a wash, goodness knows where they'd been loitering.(Still in packaging so not worn )

I'm not doing too badly.
Organised DH present
Got DC stocking fillers

Anyone got any ideas for a 6 month old girl who at present has no toys of her own!

So stuck on Dh bday and Xmas- same as every yr!

6 month girl needs an Xmas baby grow obvs! And a trolly of bricks.

Kids have their joint present sorted but not main present. Got a few stocking fillers.

I have their Xmas pjs sorted, scored some hatleys in tk maxx.

Countdown til qvc Xmas in July at the moment.

Dh knows I just want Yankee candle for Xmas.

I'm under way with the DC's and DH's stockings. I've got a few smaller presents for the DC stashed away, and bought all the wrapping paper and majority of the cards as well as some Christmassy craft stuff in the January sales. I've got the Santa's sack app so I know what I've bought, what it cost and most importantly, where I hid it!

I have never been a "lets get ready for Christmas before September" kind of person.

However, last month I bought myself a new Xmas jumper in the sales. And new slippers for the dc to go in their stockings. There is something to be said for getting half price winter items in the summer sales and putting them away.

So for someone who usually waits until after bonfire night to get preparing, I'm well ahead

Happily DD1 and DD2 know what they want as main christmas presents. DD1 wants an ipad mini, which it just so happens my dad doesnt want his anymore so hes going to wipe it, box it, we buy a case and its ours. Fortune saved!

DD2 wants a bike so thats easy enough to start looking for :D

After that, so far out of all ive bought RRP: £229 Actualy Cost: £79 :D

Oh no I shouldn't have read this..mild panic!! I am away from Nov 1st until Dec 16th so I should start planning...where to start?!

This year I'm buying the m&s Christmas dinner. I'd like to make the place a touch more magical with lights but not sure where to start! My friend puts white lights in vases which look lovely.

I want a properly magical Christmas so I'm already planting the seeds with the grinch dh

Excited much!

Sounds like good progress is being made.

I'm off to Spain next week, so I'll be on the lookout for presents.

um. i have done precisely nothing. but it will be fine