What can i do now to get ready for Christmas?

[Fibbke]

I hate Christmas. i always leave everything too late and it ends up being a stressful expensive nightmare.

I have four teens. Ive bought a few bits for their stockings. I'd love to get them done and finshed in the next couple of months. Anything else?

I have a decent present drawer of bits and pieces. Buy things as I see them.
Last year's cards were never sent so I just need to buy stamps and send them!
We reuse our decorations but buy one new bauble each from the garden centre each year.
I've booked Santa sleepover at Chessington and paid for that as our family treat.
Might have a go at sewing some fabric gift bags to cut down on wrapping paper waste. There are some Christmassy fabric scraps in my sewing box.

Brilliant thread!

I think the Good Housekeeping get ahead Xmas mag comes out next month, love reading that on my Summer holiday and picking a couple of new recipes and drinks that we'll try in the run up to Xmas.

Nothing wrong with giving teens cash

Agree 100%
Like Father Ted said, perfume is the perfect woman gift (ad lib here) cash is the perfect teen gift .

My DS saves My DD spends

Sometimes she asks for a gift voucher ( Urban Outfitters or TopShop) so she can put it towards something I will roll my eyes at .
Easy enough to wrap and no waste

I agree with the cash for teenagers - but tape it to a selection box. My friend does that for my 12 year olds and they love it. Chocolate and money, what's not to like.

Now would be a good time to have a conversation about exchanging gifts with people when it's a chore. I buy for neices and nephews but not the parents as it just ends up swapping 'stuff'. SIL is quite wealthy and was heartbreaking that she would spend so much money on expensive ornaments when we loathe crystal ballerinas or limited edition candle holders in the shape of entwined tulips. We suggested meeting up for a meal instead but it has never happened as they are in different city and always so busy. I stopped the aunts, cousins etc., and to be honest they all seemed relieved it just took someone to broach it. I still buy for parents but now its something for the garden or edible. Also, one childless aunt who always buys for my children - she gets a gift from each child and I make her a cake. I also buy for some friends too but the list is much shorter and less stressful that it used to be.

I have just ordered a few personalised enamel popcorn bowls from notonthehighstreet as they recently had 20% off. I will fill them packets of popcorn and a DVD (yes we still have one). I have for the kids a board game each and bits for their stockings.

You may also want to give your DH a list. What is to stop him going group the supermarket and buying the selection boxes and gift envelopes nearer the time. Get him to pick up wrapping paper and sellotape. Would he refuse?