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Christmas

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

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Original poster

What will you do differently next year?

104 replies

MaitlandGirl · 26/12/2017 09:22

While the horrors of 2017 are still fresh, I’d there anything you’ll do differently next year?

We’ve already decided we’re having Christmas just the 5 of us. It’s time for BIL to take one for the team and have MIL (and FIL) for Christmas lunch. FIL is great but MIL is hard work.

The kids will all be over 18 next Christmas and I’m seriously considering giving them all cash + a stocking. It’s not easy finding ‘big’ presents for them anymore as they’ve got pretty much everything the want/need.

The big thing will be doing the entire Christmas food shop on Christmas Eve - I always buy far too much food and figure if I’ve got to restrict myself to what I can fit in a small trolley it’ll still be a great meal but I’ll save a fortune.

OP posts:

Dancer123456 · 26/12/2017 11:47

To not have the entire house come down with a bug on Christmas Eve.

We still haven’t cooked Christmas Dinner as no one can face eating it.

Book less things in December, we cancelled a few because it was just too hectic.

We’ve had a nice low key Christmas, which I’d like to repeat but I know the grandparents want to come next year.

Love them and there is usually no drama, but having a quiet Christmas has been so amazing! X

hashtagelfie · 26/12/2017 12:00

Wrap everything before Christmas Eve and label which are tree presents and which are stocking presents. Don't trust dh to fill the stockings.
Keep a list of what I've bought.

That's about it really. Day went really well and I don't think ds5 was too worried when his stocking contained blind bags yet his brothers (8) had a PS4 game (refer to the above changes!). Oh maybe not buy so much food. We'll be eating cheese and crackers for weeks (my slimming world consultant will not be impressed)

GingerIvy · 26/12/2017 12:00

-Buy less food or at least less Christmassy food. I have Christmas cake in a container and the dcs are asking for doritos. I think a little goes a long way and makes it more of a treat.

-Make our own crackers. Both dcs have ASD, and the idea that they had no control over what was in the cracker (and it was never what they wanted - or the one they really wanted was pictured on the cracker box but no actually in one of our crackers) really caused a lot of stress for them. Next year, I am going to get items that I know they want/like and make our own crackers, with their names on them, so that stress is removed.

-Again, ASD meant a lot of stress over deliveries prior to Christmas, but not being able to see what they knew was likely a gift for them. The idea that the gift was in the house but they couldn't know what it was and had to wait until Christmas was really stressful for them. More proactive planning (buying prior to Christmas) will help that. And allowing them to choose a few of their gifts prior to Christmas (from the money given by relatives) may help alleviate that.

-Plan some activities to do late in November, as by mid December, they are struggling with crowds and chaos, so are less likely to tolerate many activities.

GingerIvy · 26/12/2017 12:04

hashtagelfie yes, a list and wrapping and tagging gifts - both definitely things I need to incorporate for next year!!

Kikisxmas · 26/12/2017 12:07

Only one thing which is less presents for the kids. They got more than I expected from family and it was a bit much.

We made lots of changes this year and went a bit more low key. Minimum Christmas days out, less baking etc. Last year I wore myself out trying to make everything perfect. We have 2 year old twins and trying to do too much just makes life harder.

Best Christmas yet I'd say.

Floralnomad · 26/12/2017 12:08

Next year we are going to actually put our collection of Swarovski Christmas ornaments on the tree as most have never been out of their boxes and I have at least 28 if them. I’m also debating having Christmas dinner at home rather than going to my mums as I’m sick of having to put up with my extremely rude BIL , although I’m not sure that will be worth the massive fallout it will create .

longtompot · 26/12/2017 12:11

Nothing really, apart fom not being ill? I think this was the nicest Christmas we have had for a long time. Even played games! If I were to do something different next year it would be to buy presents earlier, as and when I see them.

TheWoollybacksWife · 26/12/2017 12:15

@JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth do you buy presents from particular shops? You could buy a gift card or voucher for (say) Argos one month, a different shop next month and so on. Keep them in an envelope in a safe place and then go shopping in December. If you bought just John Lewis vouchers you would be able to use them for toys, clothes and for food in Waitrose.

My Christmas was just about right although next year I will insist that DD2 gets a taxi to her boyfriend's house in the evening. Drinking lemonade with my dinner because I was driving later was just wrong

mistermagpie · 26/12/2017 12:18

We're staying at home. I've never ever had Christmas in my own home (as an adult) and yesterday carted my two kids to the in-law's as usual. We are NC with my family so the default is that we go to DH's parents for the day. Well after six years of that I told DH that next year was 'my' year so I could choose what we do. Our children are very young and hate being dragged around places anyway, today we are having a lazy day playing with toys and watching tv and it's much nicer than yesterday.

So next year we stay at home!

TheIrregularChoice · 26/12/2017 12:18

This year was our best Christmas yet, so I’m hoping to repeat it again next year. We didn’t spend a huge amount on gifts or food, due to having little spare income at the moment, but I think we were better off for it, even though I worried about being tight and the dc not having enough . They were thrilled with their presents and actually took time to enjoy every gift. We should be debt free by next Christmas, but I’m still going to keep the spend small.
The big change I hope to make is to have DD2 finally sleeping through the night!

MrsZB · 26/12/2017 12:18

We have been quite low key this year which has been great although it did mean DD didn't get to go and see Father Christmas which she only mentioned once everything was fully booked.

I have been ill which has not helped so I would like to not be ill next year!!

We ate at 5.30 yesterday but next year we will eat at lunchtime to get it done with.

More games I think.

Oh and I have ordered some gift bags in the sale today to wrap presents in. Feeling uncomfortable about the amount of Christmas wrapping paper that has to go in the bin.

MrsZB · 26/12/2017 12:18

Oh yeah and buy less food!

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 26/12/2017 12:21

Next year will be my turn with the dc for Christmas, but this year we had our family Christmas a few days in advance (just the 3 of us, no extended family lol) and then I spent the day yesterday with friends, so the only real difference will be celebrating on the 25th.

Dailystuck71 · 26/12/2017 12:23

Just food. I was better this year. We entertained for about 30 on Saturday. I bought beautiful cupcakes and a chocolate cake. All Christmas themed. Cost about £80. Most of it in the bin today.

That’s about all though. Everything else is probably going to be eaten.

MomToWedThorFriday · 26/12/2017 12:32

I’ve decided we’re not going to bother with any form of bird for lunch, we all prefer pork, so we’re going to have a huge joint of pork for Christmas dinner next year!
I will also try and get some more bits for my DH. We had a low spend limit this year through circumstance but next year should be better and I’d like to spoil him

JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 26/12/2017 12:39

thewoollybackswife buying vouchers throughout the year is a great idea thank you. I also like the suggestion of writing cards months in advance. Basically anything i can do earlier next year, i will do

Alicetherabbit · 26/12/2017 12:43

Doing Xmas next year at home, this year was lovely visiting, but next year we move into our dream home and I can't wait to host.

Oblomov17 · 26/12/2017 12:47

Make sure I have peas.
Last year I forgot the gravy.
Presumably I need to do a freezer and cupboard checklist, the week before.

Other than that, no problems over the last few years, or ever, really.

1happyhippie · 26/12/2017 12:47

I had a lovely day over all. No arguments and a pretty fun day all round.
The only thing I am doing differently next year is starting earlier. I left all the present buying for everyone till December and felt slightly panicked.
I am going to buy throughout the year and start saving something each month.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 26/12/2017 12:52

Definitely start earlier with preparations... :)

Misstomrs · 26/12/2017 12:59

Nothing.

We’ve had Christmas at home. My DH and I have had some quality couple time when our DS was in bed and had some really good conversations about our future. The grandparents come tomorrow for twixtmus for 3 days (all staying) and then it’s more family time for new year.

Gorgeous.

I’m sticking to my 2017 mantra for next year: is this the best we can do?

Ps - I think everyone buys / eats too much food. It’s the law at Christmas.

Overthehillsandfaraway8 · 26/12/2017 13:14

Not cooking Xmas dinner and clearing it all up with no help ... again. Next year we're going out and I don't care what it costs. Also, not spending a ludicrous amount on food which then won't fit in the fridge.

Fenellapitstop · 26/12/2017 13:23

I’m not going to work any of it next year, I’m going to have all my children together, I’m going to start doing present shopping earlier and buy less of the snacky food. This year has been pretty hard

tootsieglitterballs · 26/12/2017 14:05

Try and encourage family to come on Boxing Day instead of Christmas Day...

Lovemusic33 · 26/12/2017 15:20

I think next year I won’t bother buying presents for people, will just give vouchers to close family. Would also love to go abroad next Christmas so I don’t have to do the ‘socialising with family’ thing.

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