Countdown to 2016 - a whole extra day to wait.

[AbbyCadabby]

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[santa]

I love this thread. Other people missing Christmas!

Dragged our lovely tree over to the garden centre recycling point yesterday. It lay there happily with its friends (we pictured them having a Tree Party after dark.) It still had some jaunty glittery bits on.

While there of course I bought some Christmas stuff half price for next year - including a jolly red and green doormat. And I've bought some Christmas pyjamas and socks in the sales. It makes me feel better to have some stuff stashed already for next time.

It's over a month since we went to our first Christmas 'thing' - a late night shopping event in Broadway village - and looking at it that way, it's only 10 and a bit months till the next first Christmas event

(Though as my mother always said, 'Never wish time away'.)

I'm 58 by the way and for all those not happy about ageing, I can honestly say this has been my best decade in many ways - even though as a family we have quite a few problems at present - but in myself, I'm happy and content in a way I never was in the stressed 20s and 30s.

Decorations came down on the 6th. The room seems a little dull (but more spacious and I can't deny that's a positive).

Went to the V&A the other day and couldn't resist buying a little tree decoration there. I love getting them when we visit interesting places, it means we can reminisce when we decorate the tree each year! :)

Our Christmas eve puzzle arrived too. It's beautiful. I've put it back in the shipping box and need to try and forget about it.

It is DS's birthday today so we did get a bit of present opening before school and the windowsill is full of cards again. I'm feeling a bit better than I did this time 9 years ago but I could certainly do with the post-birth adrenaline surge

Apples that was a lovely positive post about getting older. I'm now in my late 40s and DH will be 50 this year and this has been our best decade so far too. I look at photos of my mum in her 40s and she looked so much older than I do at the same age

My Christmas drawer has been restocked with wrapping paper and cards and everything has been packed away carefully for next year. Would it be really weird to point people towards the Spode "Christmas Tree" range is the ask what I want for my (Easter) birthday? I treated myself to the sweet dish last summer and would like some other bits and bobs to add to it.

Hi Ladies,

Oh I am so joining this thread! I am missing Christmas terribly. I just love it and wish my life away for the next one to come around. Unfortunately Christmas 2015 wasn't as great as previous Christmas's, in fact it was like an episode of Eastenders but I cannot wait for Christmas 2016 so I can rectify it.

I need to make sure I decorate the outside of the house more next year, so will keep my eyes peeled for any lights still on sale. I am missing the glow of the Christmas tree, so I have bought some clear fairly lights and draped them over my fireplace, they will stay up year round. Still burning winter fragrance Yankee candles and will until March.

I am hoping to wind down more from work next Christmas, I am self employed/freelance so want to try and work very part time in December, if at all (hoping to be heavily pregnant at that point or have a tiny baby - fingers crossed) I already have a DD and she is missing Christmas too. She loves Christmas music and is still playing it on youtube.

Sitting with my Cath Kidston Christmas organiser writing down what i'll do differently in 2016 and I think i'll put Carols from Kings on (I have it recorded)

Finished first week back at school.

Christmas feels like ages ago, can't believe it was only two weeks.

Planning to spend the weekend catching up with work, housework and cracking on with the crochet for Christmas gifts.

I'm so glad I'm on maternity leave, and haven't had to go back to work this week! I actually intended to go back this week (baby is eight months), but changed my mind and decided to take the whole year instead (as it turns out, things have changed and I'll be resigning!).
I started my Christmas 2016 spreadsheet yesterday! I'm going to reduce the budget this time. The 2015 budget was £525, and we still have £180+ left in the Christmas account. So this year I'm aiming for around £400 total.
My DD (3) is missing Christmas, too. This was the first time she's really understood Christmas at all, but she can't understand why it's over! I have to keep telling her all the lovely things we've got planned this year and myself, too.

Shoes sound fancy 0B - well done on getting a bargain.

Christmas really does feel like ages ago. Hence I like to look forward to the next one. I don't consider it wishing my days away - just something to build up excitement about.

Welcome, VF, and good luck ttc. How old is DD?
DS (5) wants outdoor lights next year (as do I - DH not mega keen) after a lovely drive last Xmas looking at a neighbourhood where near-enough every house had gone to town with their outdoor light displays. I actually want to move to one of the roads! I really need to get to a garden centre but have probably missed the boat for bargains.

CZ, my baby is eight months old too! Were you on the antenatal threads? April or May if so? I joined at the very end, but am now in the postnatal FB group.

I'm early 40s and this feels like it will be my decade - completed our family, so looking forward to these magical early years with my children.

Abby She's 6. She just loves Christmas, like her Mother! She asked Santa to bring a sibling, but unfortunately he isn't listening!! It's been 16 months now & it's getting really disheartening. This Christmas made me realise even more that it's all about family and I am desperate to complete mine with one more. I envisage my Christmas table in year's to come and there's 2 kids there, not 1, so fingers crossed.

It's her last Nativity next year, they don't do them once they get to Juniors. Sob!!!!

Best of best best luck, VF. DS asked for a baby last Xmas, and this year his wish was granted. I hope magic happens for you soon.
I know the disheartening wait - ours took over 16mo, though I was BFing at the start so that probably threw things a bit. But 18mo is apparently average, so you aren't even over that. fx

Got my Xmases mixed up. He asked for a sibling Xmas '13, was pregnant with her Xmas '14, and she was here for Xmas '15.

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And my last post before I pack away my Christmas name until Advent. [santa]

I think I may have to leave my husband...he REFUSED (REFUSED I TELL YA!!!) to let me look at the reduced Christmas things In John Lewis today.

The utter toad!

I only wanted a little look...grrrr....

Whispers "online shopping"

constantly you are a genius!!

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My DD wouldn't let me look at some JL Christmas random stuff last year.

I was tempted to leave her (in TopShop or New Look - she wouldn't miss me at all )

Lakeside still had the tree up (albeit naked of lights) but c'mon ........ my hoikey judgey pants were right up there.
Twelve Night has been and gone .

(Our local shops still had them on display on Friday as well. Hell In a Handcart I tell you )

Thanks Abby Trying the sperm meets egg plan this month, so hoping this is the month! If my calculations are correct I would be due around 12th October...

Oh I keep thinking about Christmas Eve, it was the best day of the year. We woke up, made Jamie's epic hot chocolate, watched the snowman, father christmas and on angel wings. Then we headed out to our local pub with friends and their kids, there were carol singers, a grotto, mince pies, hot chocolate & an amazing atmosphere. When we came home we watched carol's from Kings, sprinkled the reindeer dust, tracked santa, listened to santa update, left santa his mince pie & drink etc etc. It was magical. Later on I went to midnight mass.

It's the best day of the year. Roll on the next one.

Hope you get your little pumpkin baby, VF.

Yes, Xmas Eve and the build up - just magical.

There is a house in my street that still had their decorations up today!

No, Abby, I wasn't on any antenatal threads on here. I was a long time mn lurker until fairly recently!

I got some cracking bargains in the sales this year, all online! Got a Ted Baker cardigan from John Lewis, reduced to £50. I've got a load of stuff coming from Lush, too. Hopefully that'll be arriving tomorrow.

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I am dead jealous of those who managed to get some nice Christmas bargains....I haven't managed to get near the shops yet. Oh well, maybe this week (but not today, as have hockey car pool and meetings tomorrow, and DH away Wed so need to work at lunch to get home on time....hmmm I see a bad pattern forming here).

Lots of Christmas bits still floating around. We changed DD's sheets yesterday, so they are in the wash. Towels have been washed already and piled up for putting away, along with a couple of mugs that hid during DH's purge last week. I'll get those put down in storage no later than Saturday afternoon, maybe even earlier.

My plan, vaguely, is that 2016 will be the Year of Homemade. I am going to make a cross-stitch tree decoration for each of my siblings. I have plans for a load of different toys and nice things for all the various young people. A set of cushion covers for DBIL to match his sofa, and appliqueed placemats for DSIL. DMIL and DPs need some thinking about yet, but I am sure I'll come up with something. Maybe I will knit again....

Went out for a walk with the DDs this morning and saw no less than three houses still with their decorations up! Definitely Christmas decorations as Santa featured heavily!

The weather is so beautiful in my neck of the woods today. Cold, crisp & frosty. Why wasn't it like this in December?

I'm currently watching one of those made for tv corny Christmas movies.

can I join ? I absolutely adore Christmas and cant wait ! already have a few pressies in that I got in the sales :)

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Of Course you can join in Zazzabeans, the more the merrier!!

The aim of the thread is 2-fold:

1. Remember that the good intentions of Christmas are worth living by all year round (Peace on earth, goodwill to all (wo)men etc )

1. Plan ahead, so that come Christmas, we are totally zen, house is perfectly coordinated and clean and decorated, presents are piled beautifully wrapped under the tree, and we are enjoying the festive season not stressing out over everything that has to be done!!!!

And have some fun while we're all at it!

(Disclaimer - others may have different thoughts about what the thread is intended for, feel free to add)