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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Eeek coming over to the dark side

24 replies

onedsrightnow · 08/07/2017 14:07

So I'm a last minute Christmas shopper 😬I'm due baby no.2 in December so I need to all the help and tips I can get! Starting to shop this month Eeek

OP posts:
RuggerHug · 08/07/2017 15:32

Join us!!!Grin well have you a list/plan sorted since you're thinking of starting this month? And congratulations on the Christmas baby, we are the bestWinkGrin

onedsrightnow · 08/07/2017 15:48

Ah thanks, yes I have just done a list and rough budget. Hard to pick up things that are suitable now though. Will do my little boys sock this month, sweets, underwear etc

OP posts:
elQuintoConyo · 08/07/2017 15:57

Lists.
Lists.
Lists.

Don't buy for everyone.

Don't make anything (i'm guessing you'll be up to your tits in dc1 + preparing for dc2).

If there is anyone who'd be happy with 3for2 Boots stuff, get it when you see it.

Vouchers are great: days out, experiences, cinema etc.

Buy online - you'll find Christmas-themed things online all year round.

I have just started to note down things DS has mentioned liking, it'll give me an idea of our budget and also if grandparents are out of ideas.

I would suggest getting some kind of brotherly-themed decoration for the tree.

Congratulations Flowers we also have a December child, makes Christmastime... um... interesting Grin

BiddyPop · 10/07/2017 11:31

Also think now in the peace and calm - to help build those lists!

Things like:
When exactly is Baby due? How close is the latest due date to Christmas (as in, latest Dr would let you go overdue), or how early may you (within the 2 weeks before, 2 weeks after 40 weeks window!) possibly expect to have baby?
Do you WANT to be at home or somewhere else?
Do you have TIME to consider that at the last minute (do your families need it arranged well ahead or can they cope with a last minute addition or removal from plans)?
Do you think you would like to host anyone else other than your immediate family of 4, or would you prefer to be hosted, or just hunker down as the immediate 4 of you?

Is there anyone who might be offended at any of the 3 decisions above, (of the last question) and would they need to be influenced now to get the idea that YOUR plans may not fit in with THEIR expectations?

I would try to put things in the freezer in advance.

Family meals for around that time.
Individual portions of the same meals to allow you to feed only 1 person or to expand a planned dinner as needed.

Things like mince pies or other nibbly things (sweet and savoury things) for visitors - so your DH can easily look after you and any visitors.

Arrange online shopping lists for the weeks around the birth - for having things in for Christmas treats etc, but also just to be organized and not have to face supermarkets in the heaving mass of Christmas shoppers for bin-liners and eggs. Or at least, only going out for 1 or 2 things and not a full trolley load!

Organise other supplies now as you can - gift wrap (when you see it on sale), tape, ribbons (if you use those), wrapping for packages to post, Christmas cards, stamps, etc. Put them in 1 place, and then you can get on with writing cards or wrapping gifts whenever you get time/energy.

Do you want a tree? Do you want a real one or a fake from the attic? Do you want to put it up together, as a family, (even if you are supervising from the couch with a tiny baby) or is that something DH can do with your elder DC while you are in hospital as a "surprise" for you?

Other things that might be good, depending on the age of your older DC, would be a crafty box or a few easy activities and treats for them in the run up to Christmas. So a box of strips of coloured paper and sticky tape to make paper chains (and you can watch while feeding new baby as you'll probably need both hands regardless of method of feeding initially). A nice sticker book or some free printable colouring sheets from the web. A Christmas story to read together snuggled up (with new baby too or while new baby naps), and maybe a favourite or a new, seasonal or favourite character DVD to watch. Or get a nice recipe to make some cookies together while baby naps.

Are there any traditions you have already established with elder DC, especially if they may need to be adapted this year? Can you still do them? What changes do you need to make? Do they involve bookings (and can they be flexible) or just making family time?

Enjoy!!!

YouKnewWeHadToDoItEventually · 10/07/2017 17:41

BiddyPop can I just say I am a little in awe of your wonderfully organised and detailed posts Blush

BiddyPop · 10/07/2017 17:49

YouKnew I'm both a Christmas lover, parent of a December DC and living a mad busy life working around DD (ADHD/Aspie) FT work and workaholic DH! So if I am NOT organized, it doesn't happen!! Xmas Grin

Lots of it is based on YEARS of thinking around problems, and also seeing ideas and advices given here (between Christmas and other boards) and just putting it together - in an attempt to stave off doing any actual work at my desk usually ..... Xmas Blush

MrsPringles · 10/07/2017 18:58

Another one completely in awe of biddypop and her planning skills and tips!

YouKnewWeHadToDoItEventually · 10/07/2017 20:21

I'm even more in awe of your skills now BiddyPop Shock I can only aim for your level of organisation!

Honestly though if I see your name as I'm scrolling down a page I really enjoy reading your posts thoroughly as I just know your advice is just awesome!

TheWoollybacksWife · 10/07/2017 21:04

Oh yes. She eclipses my planning skills and I'm known as the most organised person in my family. I love reading her Christmas planning posts.

Those of you who aren't already there please come and join us on the Countdown to Christmas threads. Xmas Grin

Wheelycote · 11/07/2017 07:00

Just reading this thread I can feel myself getting sucked over. I'm normally a last minuter

Wheelycote · 11/07/2017 07:02

Thewooly are there Christmas countdown threadsShockSmile

NoWordForFluffy · 11/07/2017 07:17

Yes, Wheely come and join us! (We've been counting down since - ahem - last Christmas Day! 😂)

BiddyPop · 11/07/2017 08:03

😊😊😊

onedsrightnow · 11/07/2017 08:03

Wow biddypop, thank you so much for that post! I have now made a to do list from all your advice. Def going to set up the online shopping, great idea! I am also in awe, my did is nearly 5 but asd so have to be super organised too!

OP posts:
Wheelycote · 11/07/2017 08:04

What!!! Last Christmas Day Shock I need to take a leaf out of your books.

Wheelycote · 11/07/2017 08:08

Please could you put a link to the thread...I've just searched and there's hundreds of threads with the word Christmas.

TheWoollybacksWife · 11/07/2017 08:20

This should do it. Christmas Countdown thread 2

Wheelycote · 11/07/2017 18:46

Thankyou the woolly

Emeralda · 11/07/2017 21:07

Another BiddyPop fan here! I swear her Christmas-related posts smell of cinnamon and come sprinkled with icing sugar. I also look out for people writing their Christmas cards on a plane in August, in case it's Biddy.

Speaking of Christmas cards, if you are a card sender, it might be worth getting an address list together and buying stamps in advance. Is DC1 old enough to make some cards with some card templates and some Christmas stickers from Baker Ross?

Remember to compose a list of things you'd like for yourself, in case people ask.

You could opt out or scale down this year if you like. I got wider family Oxfam goats etc when I was due around Christmas and no-one has complained yet.

ipswichwitch · 11/07/2017 22:54

I am also the proud owner of a December baby (well he's 3 now!)
We decided early on that we'd be going nowhere Christmas Day (he was 12 days old) so I ordered the Christmas dinner from M&S. it's foolproof and even DH, who can burn water, manage for to get that in the oven. It was so nice we've had it every Christmas since so I'm not spending all day in the kitchen. You order it in november (I think) and pick your collection time, then just send someone to pick it up.

I've started buying things now. Mainly stocking fillers. I use an app to keep track of my budget and where I've hidden stuff!

Cookie dough can be made in advance and frozen, so if you feel like making some for Christmas Eve or whatever just defrost and away you go.

Booking online grocery deliveries is a good idea, just keep an eye out for when the Christmas slots get released. When the Christmas food comes out in the supermarkets I add a few bits to each weekly shop so we have quite a stash by Christmas.

I got DS1 a Christmas sticker and activity book which I got out when I was feeding DS2, so he'd have something to occupy himself with and I could supervise from the sofa.

NoWordForFluffy · 12/07/2017 07:56

M&S food can be ordered from October (there's usually a free bottle of wine if you order early!). In fact, it's usually this week that we find out what food they're going to be offering this year!

#excited

onedsrightnow · 12/07/2017 10:35

Totally going to order the m&s dinner! Free wine, whoooo whooo, I'll need it by Christmas Day!

OP posts:
Wheelycote · 13/07/2017 19:59

Ipswich cookie dough can be frozenShockSmile?? Can shortbread mix be frozen too??

BiddyPop · 14/07/2017 16:04

I have never made shortbread so I can't say, but I make cookie dough in a log shape, which is a little soft, so as long as it's not too thick a log and you have a big knife, you can actually slice it from frozen on Christmas Eve if necessary!

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