Can we have a general Christmas chat thread?

[Mortgageandmoney]

I'm sorry if there is already such a thread. I'm been (obsessively) checking the forum for the last couple of weeks as I love Christmas but I only have one friend (and DH) who can tolerate the chatter - friend is probably even bigger Mrs Claus than me!

Feeling a bit rubbish today and this forum has been pepping me up recently.

Again, sorry if there is already a thread which I've somehow overlooked!

Lovely thread OP :)

We've put our outside Christmas lights up. They are draped across the branches of a magnolia tree, I also have hung up 5 large red glitter baubles and 5 white wooden snowflakes on the tree and it looks lovely. I shared a photo to our street WhatsApp group and have had lots of lovely comments. Several other people are going to put their lights up this weekend / next week. Christmas is definitely on its way :)

Also a reminder that Kirstie's Christmas starts tonight on TV
22 November at 8.00pm Channel 4.

We’re still painting the house so as soon as it’s finished I’ll be straight to the shed to get the decorations out. Can not wait!
Done most of my shopping and non perishables for food, waiting to grab a Xmas delivery slot of the rest.
Going to start wrapping soon when watching Xmas films.
We usually host so god knows how that will work, crossing fingers for a relax in the lockdown for Christmas week. Feeling really excited despite everything else.

I really need to finish my christmas shopping this week and start on my christmas chutneys. I finished the majority of the gifts but I still need a few bits here and there to finish it off. Also need some hot Chocolte bombs for our christmas eve box. Finish decorating this week too and also need to purchase wrapping paper and Sellotape!

I am looking forward to Christmas so much this year. I am assuming that DS1 and his DP plus their 3.5 year old will be here. Last year it was DIL's turn to visit her mum in her home country, so we had an early Christmas in the beginning of December before they departed.
I am enjoying the more peaceful run up, so much easier when we don't have to get the whole house decorated for a week or so.
DGS should be far more aware of everything this time.
Fingers crossed for no restrictions ruining our plans.

Presents bought and wrapped. Cake baked and fed. Red cabbage in freezer.Cards written
Will do the tree next weekend

Inspired by this thread I put xmas music on while I made tea, and I'm planning on having a relaxing night watching a crappy hallmark christmas film.

We’re so looking forward to Christmas and I’m loving this thread. People in real life just don’t get it and of course you can’t meet up with people to go shopping or get a Christmas gingerbread coffee.

Today I’ve given in to family pleas of wanting a star on top of the Christmas tree. Normally we have ginsela Graham’s forest fairy but alas she’s looking worse for wear nowadays.

On a recommendation from the Christmas threads I’ve been doing my morning walk routine to Nigel Slaters chronicles of Christmas on podcast. It is so so festive I can’t recommend it enough to inject some more (if needed) Christmas spirit!

I have gone from sailing into the season without stress to wondering where all the time went?? We’re redecorating at a snails speed and unlikely to have lights in the main room or even a radiator before the big day. I suppose the tree will look nicer by new year if it’s not subjected to heat. 🤣🤣

DH has suggested Christmas tree shopping ext weekend

We walked to a garden centre today and they had potted trees for sale but their real cut trees are in on Friday but for sale on Saturday after they’ve cut trunks I think he said.

@TrickyD my 3.5 DS is at a wonderful age for Xmas right now. He's so aware of what it is and is so excited. He spent all of dinner time tonight explaining where Santa will be leaving his stocking and presents and who he thinks will be getting gifts this year. He's also expecting snow... Living by the sea in Dorset, the best he's going to get is snowflake stickers on the windows we rarely get snow this way

Well I’m getting a Christmas dvd on and sorting out the presents to be sent this week, so excited now. Yes I’m a saddo but I love Christmas and we’ve gone all Christmas out with the red and my advent calendar can’t wait for December the first to start opening that.

@HerbErtlinger fake snow! The Christmas mine were two and four we lived in Cyprus, yet they were adamant it would snow. They lived the little pots of fake snow in their stockings (you just add water) and played with it for a good hour outside in their Anna and Elsa costumes with their new Anna and Elsa dolls.

HerbErtlinger, how lucky you are to be enjoying your DS’s Christmas excitement. Our DGS does not live near us, so we will not be able to watch his growing anticipation. Next year it will again be the turn of the South American family to host Christmas, hence our hopes for a special one here this time.
Luckily our three other DGCs live locally, but as they are 15, 17 and 26 it is not exactly the same, delightful though they all are!

@Aroundtheworldin80moves ooh good idea, he's obsessed with play doh and kinetic sand and the like so I expect he'd love a little pot of snow in his stocking. Off to look for some now

I was putting a wreath on our front door and a woman walked by and said, “It looks lovely!” and that interaction made my day.
Christmas tree goes up next Saturday, along with random house decks.
What is the key to hanging star lights in the front window so you can’t see the wires? My DH let the side down.

Evening all what a lovely thread idea. I love the build up to Christmas.
So far the children have presents and I’ve began to wrap. Today we made cake and pudding. Mincemeat I made earlier in the month. This week I’ll get the Christmas decorations out, freshen up the linens and check all is working - also work out batteries! Plus I’m going to make the cards and labels. I’ll get my boys to add some colour to them at the weekend. Next week will be decorating - thinking of making an orange garland for the stairs. I need to make a list and plan tbh so I don’t forget stuff

Lovely thread OP.

We just spent the evening looking through our old Christmas photos and videos and it’s given me far too many ideas!

Chottie I love it when people put baubles outside as well as lights, it really cheers everything up.

Laura thanks for the nigel slater tip.

The Big change for us this year is moving our tree from its 12 year position in one corner, now taken up with dh home office!

So... We will probably have to move it to the other side of the... Room 🎄🎄😱😱

Spent this evening seeing some Christmas place mats to go with my table runner. Got so much Christmas fabric. I seem to be a bit addicted to buying it and not really using it. Going to make some new cushion covers next as my current ones have seen better days

More Christmas lights in our village I love seeing no misties this year.

@TheRubyRedshoes

Chottie I love it when people put baubles outside as well as lights, it really cheers everything up.

Thank you :)

Our local FB page has started a 'Twinkle Trail'. On a local map, all the houses decorated for Christmas are being added, so you can plan your evening walk via them.

Morning everyone!

I love the twinkle trail, what a lovely idea. Our town christmas lights are now on, planning a walk around this evening. Luckily we live all of 150 meters from the start of them! We used to live in a flat and one November night we woke up so a really strange noise. Went upstairs (it was more like 6 steps than real stairs) and at the window was a man on a cherry picker! Wasn't expecting that! It was an old, very tall building. Such joy to have the lights twinkling through our window each evening though.

Ginny I love a crappy Christmas film too. They all follow the same formula and are so predictable but it wouldn't be Christmas without them! The DCs helped me wrap some presents for family the other day with one on in the background, was lovely.