Countdown to Christmas part 2

[SideOrderofSprouts]

Wow! Part two!!

8 months to go

I find early present buying increasingly difficult as the DC (my own as well as nieces and nephews) get older as their tastes change so rapidly. But I have one rule that is set in stone: to have all presents bought and wrapped by the end of November. I also like to plan all the menus (Christmas, December birthdays), decorations, etc., well ahead of time (no later than October). I find that the more organised I am, the more I am able to enjoy all the activities in the run up to Christmas. Which, for some reason, is very diffucult for most people to understand...

Which is why it is so comforting to be on this thread with like minded planners AnotherShirt

I work part time in a term time role so have lots of time to plan, shop and wrap. I would struggle to be one of those people who wrap on Christmas Eve after the DC have gone to bed. On Christmas Eve I take the DC to the children's Christmas service and then home for party nibbles, champagne and Elf There was sulking last year (from my adult DC) that we were going to church on Christmas Day as my DM was staying and the children's service was too busy for her. I have to agree with them.

This is the first year I'll have a child at school, so also the first year I'm going to be asking for in between Christmas and New Year off. Hopefully the fact I've worked the last two (I changed jobs in Sept 15) means I'll be allowed it this year!

A top tip for the online shop: get it done in early November and just keep moving it forwards until it's on the right day. That way, you can just log in at midnight and just move your shop rather than having to think / plan.

Sainsbury's don't tend to release slots much earlier than 3 weeks' prior (delivery pass customers got them a touch earlier last year, I think, but I can't remember even though I have one! 😂).

I've attached a photo of my tree as it is today! 🎄

Thank you for the kind welcome Sprout . I love all your organised ways. I always used to think that getting things ready early detracted from Christmas, didn't feel festive etc. But since having DC I've realised that actually, all it does is free up your time closer to Christmas, to enable you to enjoy it all fully. I used to be a Christmas Eve wrapper but that got far too stressful. I'm much better at that now, but trying to be even more organised!

I'm very excited. Dh has his rota for
Christmas and he is on earlies on Christmas Day!! Which means the three of them split the shift and he
Will only
Have to do two hours ❤️ Now eldestsprout is older and doesn't believe in Santa 😭 She's helping with present buying and magic making

Sprout how old is eldestsprout? It's been a while since my two eldest found out. DD1 was in year 8 and we just sort of assumed she was still playing along for the sake of her younger sister. DD2 has always been a bit more worldly wise and I think she was about 10. As I said earlier DS still believes but I suppose he may be playing along for the sake of his dear old mum.

Eldestsprout is now ten. She found out after this Christmas just gone. Middlesprout is just turning six and firmly believes babysprout (formerly babychips) is too young

Can I also join you all? This thread is like a big cosy hug nobody else in my family is obsessed with Christmas or enjoys planning so this is heaven!
I'm pretty invested in getting the festivities sorted early this year as DS is turning 1 on NYE so I'm anticipating a busy time in December, plus I want to be able to really enjoy our first family Christmas without worrying about shopping or wrapping or planning!

Welcome welcome Rosie. We are like the big festive snuggle jumper you always love to wear

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Sat and watched "A boyfriend for Christmas" yesterday morning while the family were having a lie-in.

Someone mentioned Christmas panto's earlier. We have gone to Billingham Forum Theatre pantomime every year for the last 10 years. It's a firm tradition now. We alternate each year going with either my parents or my partners parents. We book really early as soon as we can so we get a private box (doesn't cost anymore but they sell quick). I checked a few days ago and the cast still hasn't been announced. Last year it was Tyler from the Benidorm tv show. 😊🎄

How can it be May and I feel left behind already?! I'd love to join in the Christmas madness :-)

I have 4 children, who by Christmas will be 8, nearly 5, 3.7 and 16m. It's a busy time, and we're moving house in a couple of weeks so I've not bought anything yet as I didn't want extra things to pack. I do already have a gift for one of my boys though, who was browsing Amazon on my phone and managed to order the Melissa & Doug Folding Castle!

I have a spreadsheet that I complete every year, for both birthdays and Christmas with the person/gift/budget/amount spent etc. which helps a lot. I also have a gift tracker on my phone. I always try not to pay full price for anything, and am a bit gutted Tesco stopped the points doubling deal!

We don't know what kind of house we'll be in yet, so tree and decorations will be a later decision. Our big tree might not fit in!

Looking forward to planning with everyone :-)

Mama, you're moving in a couple of weeks but you don't know where to?! Or are you Forces, so you just get allocated something on arrival?

I really need to do a spreadsheet, but I'll begin that when I buy the big stuff. 😁

I have popped to wales for a couple of days and see it has been rattling along at quite a pace whilst i have been gone (this thread that is !)
I feel a bit left out so checking back in to say hi to everybody and welcome new people esp those with suitably christmassy names ( yes that is you Mary !)
I do wish you hadnt mentioned on line shopping though!
I have only recently started on line from sainsburys and being a bit of a technophobe i am panicking about xmas food shopping because i have (in a moment of total madness brought on by finding you lot and overdosing on festive spirit ) booked a cottage for a large family get together this year. I am so regretting it now because i dont know how to book a slot in time and didnt even understand the comment about moving it forward til the right date etc. So i will be bugging everyone for advice as soon as autumn arrives to make sure i have it covered.
Just wish now i had played it safe and stayed home but heigh ho hopefully it will hopefully be ok.
I have decided to keep gifts low key as much as you can with 5 kids (one now married so sil as well there) and a big extended family ! So this year all kids are getting a hamper full of things that will amuse and delight (hopefully ). And that way i will only have to remember one thing each for them and any extra gifts for anyone else. Dont quite know how we will fit it all in though !

You'll be an online shopping pro by Christmas, flapjack!

Normally you can book 3 weeks in advance for your shop. So, when I say you do your shop and move it forwards, it goes something like this:

1st November: book slot for 22nd November and do an order that looks something like you think you'll need for Christmas.

8th Nov: move order to 29th Nov; edit if necessary.

15th Nov: move order to 6th Dec; edit if necessary.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CHRISTMAS SLOTS ABOUT NOW

Some supermarkets (especially if you have a delivery pass deal with them) will release Christmas slots so you can book them with more than 3 weeks to go. These slots open at midnight (so, if the slots open for booking on 20th Nov, log in at midnight on 19th Nov) so you can then edit your order to change the date to the Christmas slot you want, then check out. No need to stay up doing a full order.

You can then edit as much as you like up until whatever the cut off time is. It's very easy! 😁

It doesnt sound easy ? But as you say no doubt it will be more natural by then . Thanks so much for that . Oh but what is a delivery pass? See totally clueless!

Sainsbury's have a pass that you pay for annually so you don't 'pay as you go' for shopping.

You get extra a Nectar points throughout the year when you have one (I've got a fiver's worth being given to me on this week's shop) and every few weeks you get something free if you put it in your trolley and then apply a code (we've had cookies, filled pasta, pancake ingredients and potted daffodils so far this year!).

Here's the page:

www.sainsburys.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DeliveryPassFaqView?langId=44&storeId=10201&krypto=J4ye4LMiF5yLjPGLzqeu26YPNDhzSNpzs7dAUNIIRUyuQ%2BbOA5CLPefXEsEtl2PHACGUisUGF7WTyssW0ECMFqNkPSTTczrqR5Q8KVo%2F%2BI2fc9rKPmg6PHC5z8lg%2Fpi2&ddkey=http%3ADeliveryPassFaqView

However, you might find they give you a discount voucher when you get a delivery, so maybe don't sign up at full price just yet!

I'm so exited. I thought it was just me that started to plan Christmas this early and never dared mention it to anyone for fear of reprisals. The most I've ever admitted to my family is being exited on midsummers day as it's nearly Christmas. even they took a step back eyeing me suspiciously I'm so happy to find you all.

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Just so poor Sprout isn't doing a solo countdown

I was watching QVC, one of the presenters said something like that's on advanced order to deliver in June. Oh soom be June, can't believe we're halfway through May. Then June, then Christmas

Yes , that's the spirit .

I know when its my DD Birthday then we're Half Way There.

Thank you wooly

Hello sayhello!
No we are here all year round though i am a newbie this year so enjoying it v much.
Like you midsummers day is v exciting and christmas fever begins in earnest. Just got to survive the 6 weeks holidays first ! Though i have to admit this year is going faster than ever! Scary !!
Thankyou no words for that info . I will get onto it !

I had a lovely time, in between pulling trailers and boats around and getting soaked, sitting in the bar of the yacht club where DD's competition was on - I started a cardigan for new DN expected in October. I was almost at the point of shaping for arms at the back - when I saw a hole had developed in the middle of the back about 15 rows back (cries). So I will have to rip all that back (or maybe just start again as I am rubbish at picking up stitches after ripping back).

I had a lovely time last week knitting a scarf for DF - except that it was too short and I ran out of wool - can't get that one anymore.

I think I need to give up on my attempt to reignite my crafting....

Hello hello, I'm here I've just been immersed in a Hen Do/Stag Do/Wedding cycle x2

Busy as a busy thing!!

Not good enough mrs. How's Martha?