I'm just going to say it.

[MintyGlint]

I'm ready for Christmas now.

That glint of the winter sun early in a morning. You can see your breath but the sunshine makes everything sparkle.

The feeling in the air as shoppers wander home, it's already dark and everywhere glows with lights and candles.

The sound of schoolchildren singing carols at our local church.

The look on faces when they open gifts, cooking as a family. The drive between houses to see other family. Hot chocolate, warm slippers, tinsel.

My first Christmas as a mother. Waking up with my daughter every day.

Just me? It's probably just me.

[MollHackabout]

how about everybody donates the money they spend on crackers and puts it in a fund. the interest could then be used for any number of things.....poorly puppies,people with no water,lonely elderly,rehab programmes

Thanks for the moral highground suggestion, but we already donate extra to charity at Christmas (as well as regular donations throughout the year). We also collect toys, toiletries etc for our local refuge and volunteer to collect donations for our local food bank.

Don't assume that just because people spend more on fripperies (including crackers) at Christmas, they're not thinking of those less fortunate. For many, doing just that is at the heart of what Christmas is about. It doesn't mean we can't be a little frivolous, too. The two aren't mutually exclusive, you know.

[peppercold]

Nothing cringey about your op at all. Fucking hell talk about miserable. If you don't want to talk about Christmas then don't read the fucking thread! Jesus some people can be right miserable buggers.

On a lighter note I've been saving all year with Park. I get vouchers next month so I'm ready to go! All the best! 🎄

[Badders123]

I've already ordered my first gifts!
Some stocking fillers for the boys - spent a grand total of £5 :)

[NightWanderer]

At first I thought you meant ready as in everything bought and ordered.

I can't buy things too early as inevitably in the run-up to Christmas, various new toys will be released that my kids will get excited about. Your one is too little for that though.

I love September, not as hot as August and it's so peaceful once the kids go back to school. My birthday is in September and we are planning a camping trip one weekend. I love the leaves changing color in autumn and the cool evenings.

My kids are excited about Halloween. I already found some cool fabric to make trick or treat bags, and have started buying decorations.

I hope you have a great Christmas, OP.

[MintyGlint]

pepper I'm excited about my vouchers too!

[peppercold]

This is the second year I've done the vouchers, really takes the pressure off for me

[Sniv]

I love autumn, love winter and love, love, love Christmas.

And finally, after a few years of top floor flats or lodging, I now have my own front door and a ground floor window and the thought of having proper Christmas decorations - a big, laden wreath on the door and a wee christmas tree covered in frosted fruit and little robins twinkling through the blinds - makes me so happy.

[thedaisymeadow]

I think some posters have SAD! How can you hate Christmas? Lol!

[KondosSecretJunkRoom]

I got all excited about Christmas this time last year and I was bored to bloody tears by the time it came around. I'm going to ignore it till December this year and see if I can be less bah humbug.

[specialsubject]

Dark evenings, leaves down, miserable weather, endless shop shop shop buy tat nonsense - no ta.

Heres to september, warm weather and flowers.

[thedaisymeadow]

I love dark evenings :)

[ilovesooty]

daisy try using your imagination.

[StrangeLookingParasite]

how about everybody donates the money they spend on crackers and puts it in a fund. the interest could then be used for any number of things.....poorly puppies,people with no water,lonely elderly,rehab programmes. Now that would be something worth celebrating.

How frightfully worthy of you. Dear.

[thedaisymeadow]

What do you mean sooty?

[MrsKoala]

I liked summer before I had dc, now it's shit. They wake early and won't go to bed as its too light. It's too hot to deal with tantrums. I can't wear dresses and loose things as they hang on them/I need to crawl round the floor. Summer holidays are endless and miserable. They don't eat any summer food other than ice cream. My floor is filthy drone all the mud and water from the paddling pool being traipsed in. Ds2 peeing on the floor. Bring on dark nights and mornings and hours in front of the tv.

That doesn't mean I'm looking forward to xmas tho. Just it not being summer anymore!

[HelloCanYouHearMe]

The first Saturday in December is xmas tree day in our house. DP goes out, xmas songs on the iPod and mulled wine on the hob

We have a 7ft fake with silver and pink baubles and warm white fairy lights

This will be DS' second xmas. He will be 18mths and at the moment he makes a beeline everything he really shouldnt the tv, wood burner, plug sockets

My tree isnt going to stand a chance is it?!

[ilovesooty]

daisy I didn't think it was so difficult. I meant that you could try using your imagination regarding How can you hate Christmas? Lol!!

[thedaisymeadow]

Gosh, are you normally this snappy? It was obviously a lighthearted comment (as I put a 'lol' after it.)

Seriously, if it's difficult for you for some reason I'm sorry to hear that but you're really quite rude!

[randomer]

Randomer...you're assuming people don't give to charity at Xmas?

not assuming anything at all....an idea only

randomer hmm how about you don't tell people how to spend their money?!

only I DIDN'T

[stayathomegardener]

DD 17 started Christmas shopping last week.
I left behind!

[ilovesooty]

Oh dear daisy

I might well ask if you're usually so sensitive to what you perceive as rudeness.
I still think suggesting you use your imagination to explore what seemed a pretty crass and thoughtless comment was not unreasonable.

[randomer]

why are people so horrible? I'm not worthy at all and I wish the OP all the best with her celebrations.

I just have some difficulty coping with people going overboard when others have nothing. I think that is a valid point.

[ilovesooty]

randomer your point is perfectly valid as far as I can see.

[KondosSecretJunkRoom]

Oh this Christmas shit gets nasty.

[Badders123]

I suppose it depends what you mean about "going overboard" doesn't it?
For some they are only happy if they have sourced their gifts for free from a skip - under a dead fox preferably :)
Meh.
I like Xmas (despite my beloved dad no longer being here to celebrate it with us :() and I like to buy nice gifts for people I care about.
So sue me :)
Can't wait for the cold bright frosty mornings!