Can I save Christmas in 2 weeks?

[Fragglewump]

Help - I’ve been very busy with my job and life and Christmas has kind of caught me in a state of ‘rabbit in headlights’ I’ve done nothing apart from get my tree up. Is anyone else this far behind?

Course you can!
We don't put our tree up until end of term - so this weekend.
Who do you need to buy for?
Make a list of any extra/different food you need.
Start playing Christmas music.
Sorted!

No I'm not that far behind but you can save it.
Online food shop for delivery and online shop for presents. Make a list and try and try and pick up as much as u can in the one place. Gift bags instead of wrapping paper and a lovely festive smelling candle in the house.

Make lists - what presents you need to buy and who for, get anything online ordered as deDlines for xmas delivery will be coming up.
Work out what food you need. Probably won’t get a delivery slot now so go and do the non perishables now and then have a list of fresh stuff you need closer to the time.

Not even got the tree up here!

Amazon Prime free trial? There's usually a deal flying around. Just remember to cancel after the 30 days if you don't want to continue.

They have deals and suggestions every day. You can even do your (ambient) grocery shop through Amazon Pantry so you'll definitely have enough Toblerone/Pringles/cat food.

Are you following the Christmas suggestions threads? There's a few really excellent long threads with lots of suggestions and links. Some deals will no longer be on, but they'll certainly give you ideas.

Yes me. So I hope you can.

Yes, totally. Amazon prime. M&S food. You have two whole weekends!! You’ll be fine.

Yep, you are not alone OP. I am massively behind. Moved house last Friday. I would love to light a festive candle but god knows where the bloody matches are. Don’t think I’ve sat down in 5 days, although back to work tomorrow so I get a chance then. Lists. I need to make a list.

I think the main problem is I have lots of people to buy for and no ideas/suggestions or responses to my requests for inspiration. We have four teenage dcs who don’t know what they want!! I don’t want to buy any old crap just to have something to wrap up.

Can you get them to suggest for each other?

Do they just want money?

Give us a list e.g. SIL 40s foodie, MIL 70s beauty queen, DC1 17 sports fan, and a budget. We love a list.

Oh yes
Fil - 80s spends half the year in Oz with girlfriend, loves gardening
Sil/Bil - retired, travel, garden,
DM - just retired, cooks, loves mooching around charity shops
DM’s Dp - loves beer, spicey food, football
Dd - 17 - learning to drive, loves books,

Whoops pressed too soon.
Ds - 17 - loves music, going out and works
Dd - 15 - loves music, veggie food and art
Ds - 14 - loves fashion, photography, art, drums and whatever the latest obsession is.

Have a look at presentindicative for nice quality small things: some good literary or artistic things, solid feminist ideology, etc.

Maybe Google for interesting subscriptions esp for your gardeners and foodies.

Would your teenagers still like new pyjamas (etc) as a nice thing to open? Could be mildly funny e.g. matching Christmas themed. Then you can give them what they really want (£££) and chocolate / jelly babies etc on the side.

For your DM and her DP, I think notonthehighstreet.com have a curry club dinner kit subscription, would that tick the boxes for spicy food and cooking?

I haven't even got the tree up yet, OP.

I have done the kid's presents - but nobody else's.

I'm hosting Christmas so have to have a massive top-to-bottom house clean

I'm going to end up doing the Flylady crisis clean, while crying into a glass of mulled wine, and shouting at DH

Think I'll get off MN and make a start actually.... good luck! I'm sure we can both do it!

Over here! We have our tree up and that's it! No presents or anything got yet. I've got 3 assignments due this week that I'm only half way through. Plus sorting the house and Christmas concerts. Just wish it would fly right by this year. I don't have the head space for it.

Seriously? I think you will enjoy the actual 3 days more than the people fussing for the last two months.

Shops still have decorations - most on sale
Shops still have wrapping and cards - most on sale
Shops rammed with gifts
Shops rammed with food. - most open till late when they are crowd free.

Enjoy your living in the moment!