operation it’s Christmas really quite soon.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Help!

I seem, ermmm underprepared and all of a sudden it seems to be nearly Christmas. How can it be just two weeks away?

I also have no energy or arsedness. I don’t want to be all miserable for dd and dh. I need to cheer up and to be an utter cliche, find some Christmas spirit.

How old is your dd?

There are lovely, lazy ways to be festive. Is your tree up? If not, get it up ASAP.

Set aside an evening, stick a film on, get a pen and some paper. Make lists. Presents (what have you bought? Who do you need to buy for), what food do you need to get (I.e are you hosting? What nice food do you like)?
Then plan where to buy this stuff from and when you can get it (I like military planning, lists, get online, find it all, check it's the best deal, order, done).

Then for Christmas spirit, what do you normally do? Any traditions? A walk around a local farmers market / Christmas market or a wander around somewhere with great lights is usually a good place to start 🎄🎄

She’s 18, last year before uni. Not exactly a little un, but it’s been a really tough term, she’s still working very hard and she needs cheering up.

No decorations up, no cards sorted, hardly any gifts sorted. Fortunately it’s just us, we are traveling to relatives before and after Christmas.

I’m usually involved in church quite a lot, I should go on Sunday. Maybe that will help. I should do as you suggest, get list making and get a move on really.

Tomorrow tree and cards. Thank you.

@OhYouBadBadKitten how's it going?

Have you had any snow where you are? We've had a bit and it's made my (normally a bit grinch-ish) DH feel festive

Ordering all gifts online and having it gift wrapped and delivered directly to recipients.

Cut down your gift lists and buy only for people you're actually seeing & or close to. Cut down obligatory gift buying.

Buy your Christmas dinner pre-made from M&S or a supermarket ready to bung in the oven. Keep it simple.

Could you invite friends / relatives /neighbours over for drinks & mince pies? A little socialising sometimes helps you to focus on the moment & having fun.

Good luck whatever you do.

I feel like it's come up very quickly too!

My tree is up and I have some presents bought but still got loads to do. Working up until 22nd as well so hardly any time to do anything/go shopping. Work is totally manic as well which isn't exactly helping.

I am trying to just do bits at a time and hoping for the best!

It will all come right I'm sure.

thank you for asking
We did have about five mins of snow yesterday and that was lovely. The tree is up and carols are playing, so on the surface it looks better. It is still two weeks away, so perhaps I’ll cheer up soon. I called a family meeting this morning and got them to say what they wanted to eat and drink for Christmas.

I think the socialising idea is a really good one actually, I had to cancel an evening out early this week as I wasn’t well enough. Maybe I should invite a few friends around for the week before Christmas. I like that idea. And maybe just make it a snuggling on the sofa Christmas with lots of tv. I should see when church are doing a carol service.

If I didn’t do cards would that be ok?

Thank you for the suggestions.

I know what you mean... it's been sort of looming for ages hasn't it but felt like it was still a long way off. I was all "oh I'll worry about it nearer the time" and now, all of sudden (it feels!) it's December and it's only a couple of weeks away

I do the bare minimum of cards... just a couple of close friends that have moved away and my parents as they're big on cards. They're all a bit of a waste of money really aren't they?

My DD sent me this last year when I was struggling a bit to find my Christmas spirit!