It's almost Christmas in July time - Christmas Countdown 2018 part 4

[BiddyPop]

I believe it's day 190

HOW did we get past the 200 mark so fast? And only 12 Days until Christmas in July starts, for anyone who celebrates that.

Had chocolate brioche rolls and Disney Cars cereal for breakfast. 😋🍫🚗🚘

Making chicken in red wine and thyme sauce with potatoes in creamy garlic sauce for lunch. 😋🍗🍷

Thanks NoWord!! My DH usually gets into the swing of things - eventually!! I'm going to start doing some lists for presents and decorations. Also want to book the panto - when does everyone else go? What other Christmas activities does everyone plan on?

Dd came in early for a snuggle as well this morning - first in a while. Last minute panic about a lost watch (found where she abandoned it weeks ago for sailing!), but she was otherwise just quietly excited rather than bouncing off the ceiling. Dropped her to Den - it looked like a rucksack on legs as you couldn’t see any of her other than feet from behind! (Rucksack with sleeping mat, folding chair and wellies all attached - separate bag of boating gear/life jacket/shoes with sleeping bag attached, and small rucksack with lunch and important goodies!).

Dh and I got nice breakfast out, then. Spent past 3 hours tidying and sorting. I have a run to bottle bank and storage unit, while he is going to DIY shop shortly, then I get some sewing time including some festive projects I hope and we’ll bbq for dinner.

I like to go to choral concerts - a local university group and a local choir both do lunchtime events near work.

There is also a showing of the Snowman with a live orchestra playing the score some years - that is lovely!

Starting to declutter today, really enjoy sorting through things.

I'm thinking of making reusable fabric gift bags this year, has anyone else done this? Not sure what size to make as haven't brought any main gifts yet!

The Snowman was near us last year, but was really expensive on top of other stuff we had planned, and it also didn't fit into our schedule very well.

We do a Santa train in the Lakes and will also go to Speke Hall when they have a Christmas event on (they did a Victorian Christmas thing the other year where the Hall is decorated and there's all sorts of entertainment / stalls). That will probably be the lot, I think, as I don't want to whip the DC into too much excitement in the build up!

I think 70 may do reusable bags. Or Woolly, potentially. I think there's someone here anyway!

I saw some paper advent bags on eBay that were originally from Ikea.
It might be worth running the gaunlet of the Fresh Hell that is Ikea to buy some this year. I'm not even going for meatballs (vegetarian) but DS likes the mini Daimbars and I can get some festive bedding .

I can recycle paper into the guinea-pigs' bedding

The little hessian bags are too small for some of her Advent gifts otherwise I'd get the cute little ones that have a drawstring.
I can't sew them, my sewing skills only appear at Hallowe'en (must be witchcraft )

I took DS to see The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre when he was just turned 5yo. He's now 18yo and he still remembers it
It was fiendishly ££ about £30 even back in 2005 but soooo lovely .

Popped into the RSPB shop today and have sorted out my aunt and uncle and have one gift for my grandma. However had a conversation with my dad this afternoon which suggested that grandma may not be here by Christmas :(

On the plus side I have got this beauty out ready for this year :)

Redgreen is that on a rug? If it is, DS2 had that 1! 😆

Yes it is PSB, almost everyone seems to have one

Making Cumberland pie for supper. 😋

That sounds lovely 70s, do you know roughly when ikea puts Christmas stick out? The closest one to me is about 4 hours away, but we are going in August - might be a bit too early!

Love the planner RedGreen!

We only usually do the panto and sometimes the outdoor Christmas show they have near to us. Although last year the weather was atrocious so never made it! The Snowman would be wonderful.

I help plan a community Santa's Grotto which is great fun!

Hi all, not checked in here since feb/March-ish and it’s thread 4 already 🙀. My afternoon/evening plan is to read the whole thread(s). Back soon.... xxx

Woolly, what month did you book your wreath-making slot? I fancy it this year.

DS2 will go to bed at 7. 😴

I booked it in late September Fluffy. I'll start looking around in mid August when I get back from holiday. There is a craft centre at Harborough that runs various Christmas courses that look good. They don't have any availability now and I can't tell if that's because everything is fully booked already or if they haven't opened the slots yet.

I couldn't see anything when I searched. Maybe I'll check weekly from next month / week!

I bet crafts in MH are fancy. 😂 I do love it there!

Watching Christmas episode of Miranda and getting in the spirit :) Desperate for some cold autumnal weather and Strictly now.

And checkout what we picked today!

I tried to book onto the local council wreath making session, and they wouldn't let me book. They've apparently had complaints that it's the same people every year and other people can't get on. So instead of telling people not to leave it to last minute, then putting on more classes, they won't let people book if they've done it before I don't know anywhere else around here that does it!

Lost Ikea is usually around the end of October, I think. They put a Christmas section online at the same time, so I always look out for that.

Sorry to hear about your grandma, redgreen. You could do a special early Christmas for her, if that's something you think she would enjoy? (We also have that rug)

Yeah, Aqua were not quite in the Britpop genre, but we were quite drunk by that point. Technically it was at least 90s, unlike the Beyonce we put on afterwards

I didn't get to bed until 4, then I was awake at 8.30. so I went back to bed for a nap when DS did earlier. Hence why he's still awake now, although that's not helped by it being 26 degrees in his bedroom!

Wow Redgreen it'll be Strictly before we know it

I was counting the weeks in church yesterday I know I should have been listening to the sermon 17 weeks to Advent.