Shall we have a reminder about things we are doing differently this year?

[BeamingBrenda]

I know we had a thread about this earlier in the year but I thought a recap closer to Christmas would be helpful.

So this year I won't;

Be sucked into buying stuff from the bargain thread just because it's cheap. I have a list and I'm sticking to it.

Overcook. We do not need leftovers hanging around for days that I have to turn into weird combinations we wouldn't normally eat.

Buy lots of treat food. We don't need mountains of it and I only regret it come January when I can't do my clothes up. I will focus on quality not quantity.

What about you?

Definitely NOT buy as much for the DC this year. Last year was ridiculous and I couldn't stop buying things I saw on the bargain thread. I am following the bargain thread but so far haven't bought anything. I'm actually trying to keep a handle on how much I spend generally so it is good to be more discerning about what I am buying. Still love following the Christmas threads though :)

I've just downloaded a really good Christmas organiser ap.

Basically you write down the names your buying for and a budget then everything you buy you record on the list and it takes the money off your budget. You can also tick off if it's wrapped and where it's hidden.

This year will be the first year the dc will only have a budget of £150 each. I know it still sounds a lot but I normally spend any spare money I get on their presents and last year it was stupid money, think at least a grand for the pair of them (not each) and I'm a single parent with a part time job. Absolutely ridiculous and they don't play with toys anyway.

Although all the clothes I bought them still fit them now and haven't faded to badly.

Which app are people using?

Things I'm doing differently:

• going to church instead of sending everyone else off while I stress over cooking.

• planning something for Christmas Eve (grotto booked ) so it's special instead of feeling like a normal day with small children.

• not booking the whole Christmas week off work. See above.

• working between Christmas and New Year so I don't have an avalanche of emails after taking off the first week of January for settling/teacher training.

• doing Christmas cards early.

• having a budget.

• not buying mountains of unnecessary food.

• going to my parents' house for Christmas dinner instead of catering for the soon-to-be-ex-IL's at home.

• doing a Christmas stocking for myself :o

We usually plan things for each weekend leading up to Christmas (DS birthday is in the first week) ,

This year, I'm not planning a Christmas Day Out (we went to Harry Potter last year but I cannot think of anything this year that my DS would go for. Cinema at IMAX is my go-to plan)

I aim to do loads online in November (presents not food) . Lakeland Limited , M&S,

So my wandering about the shops will be for The Twitch any last minute things .
I always like the idea of Christmas shopping but IRL , by the time I've got 3 bags , I need to go back to my car to put them in the boot, someone trying to get my parking spaces gets all hmm when I say "Sorry, I'm not going yet" (if I get to the car park at 8am to nab the good parking spots, then have to drink coffee for an hour till the shops open , I'm staying put).
Add hot flushes,queues,trying to jostle the bags while I browse......the reality doesn't match the dream, does it?

the reality doesn't match the dream, does it

No! this is why the dream and the anticipation is so important and delicous

I will complete the present shopping earlier in December, because we always go down with a flu bug shortly before Christmas when I want to get the last few bits. I like going out on Christmas Eve to get a few bits but not doing urgent main present shopping. Although having said that, the Boots sale just after Christmas last year was brilliant for toiletry sets

I will make more of an effort with a Christmas stocking for me and DH. I got a few bits and wrapped them the last few years so we had something to open while DD works her way through the pile (and less edibles/sweets/choc for her, they don't get eaten by her)

Disclaimer - we travel back to see our families after Christmas so most of our presents are actually handed over after Christmas. My nerves are not strong enough to do the whole lot in the sales though, no way!

I'm not going to let the in laws emotionally blackmail dh into seeing them every day over Christmas. dh is in agreement and has even agreed that we do need Christmas eve to ourselves. I'm not doing a starter that needs to be cooked. It will be prawn cocktail for the adults and salad for me and the kids (dd and DN will be perfectly happy munching on cucumber sticks.) I'm cheating with as much of the food as I fancy because last year I made it too hard on myself! There will be more I'm sure!

I'm only buying chicken breasts (or whatever is in a small packet). It's just me and 2 dc's, no need for me to have the oven on for ages to cook a while chicken. We would still have enough picky leftovers for sandwiches.

I will do photo cards for older relatives who aren't on fb and would be happy to see a recent pic of the dc's.

I don't understand how anyone can cope with the shops in December. A couple of years ago I left shopping til the last minute. Half the online stuff turned up late, the shops were hellish and half the things I wanted had sold out. Awful experience. I now finish shopping in November at the latest and really enjoy December. Looking at the Christmas lights, enjoying markets, doing fun things with DD and baking. Perfect!

Get all presents bought before the end of November and wrap as I go, no more being up till 2 in the morning on xmas day frantically wrapping what feels like a million presents muttering to myself that this is the last time and I end up doing that every year! Also no wrapping stocking fillers they can go in as they are. I love going shopping but doing most of it off amazon this year and then getting a few bits in the shops
Will make more of an effort with dp presents we normally don't bother to focus on the kids but he's been a rock for me this year and I would like to show that.
A few nice days out with the kids planned and an overnight stay in london for me and Dd1 (14) so looking forward to that

Book a restaurant for Christmas Day.

We're having Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and a picky buffet on Christmas day to free me up from cooking and dh up from toy duty (and ds from eating instead of playing duty!)

Ooh the wrapping (pain in the bum or what)

I used to barricade myself in, put the TV on (something background but not demanding my attention) , put two washing baskets (one for DD ,one for DS) on the sofa, and their Christmas Stockings -which are bags- on the side.

I bought Costco paper ,4 rolls all different. So I know which were which, no need for tags.

I used the ironing board as a table, good scissors, roll of tape on a dispenser.

Now, my DC presents are the tiny ££ type. I bought boxes (QVC) and tissue(Costco)with some nice ribbon.(The Range)
Larger presents in those bags with pull-ties.

Much,much easier.

This year I plan to have all presents bought and wrapped, all cards written and any home improvements finished by the end of November.

Then spend December having fun with no stress!

Mine is buy in more food!

We spend Christmas at DPs, and then come home. Last year had nothing festive in at all when we got back, felt very sad on NY day and found ourselves in the Co-op buying cheese and beer.

This year, accept we will want some treaty things and actually buy some bits in, even though main meal won't be here.

Don't over buy for DCs. Say this every year...

I'm going to spend less time on wrapping presents and more on food/cooking and hanging out.

Anything to go in the post will go in the first week of December - no later, can't stand post office queues.

Less booze, more canapés, more carols, more chestnuts, more people over. I'm going to play a board game or two.

We are planning a good Christmas. Two years ago dp had a serious motorbike accident at 50mph on 16th December. We had to miss out on a lot of things like Christmas eve ice slayings and midnight mass. I got him home in a very fragile state the day before Xmas eve. He spent most of Xmas day sleeping.

Last year we took in a friend and her four children (so 9 of us in a two bed house) and quite honestly, it was hard going. I barely saw my kids and spent most of the day cooking and checking Bailey's in the kitchen. We were still clearing up three hours after they left. And her kids were still up at 11.30pm on Xmas eve and I wanted to kill someone at that point.

So this year...No hospitals, no visitors...Just us four and the cats. Tree, presents, food and in my pjs as long as I want!!

I'm not going to jump into buying DS's bigger presents too early this year. He's always changed his mind by December.

I'm cutting back on gifts. Thinking of doing small joint presents for the absolutely essential couples this year (so 3 instead of 6 presents) and cash for DNs apart from the new baby.

More picky bits in the cupboard and not overfilling the fridge and freezer.

Better chocolates, just less of them (we found a 3/4 full tub of Roses in the back of a cupboard last month).

coffee sounds lovely for this year .