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Christmas

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

complete list of things to think about for Xmas

26 replies

time4tea · 03/11/2007 14:44

hello

am mad and sleep deprived but need to get going on the Xmas thing as we are doing it at home for the first time (with DS1 3 and DS2 9 months) - can anyone add to my list of things which need doing:

plan:
*sending of cards
*buying of presents
decorationstree/no tree decision
*sorting out the food menus/buying for the whole period (I hear Delia's book is a must)
*planning some outings (we're in Stoke Newington) for the Xmas - NY period, including carol service

am I missing anything, you ladies who have done all this before....

OP posts:
WaynettaVonBlood · 03/11/2007 14:45

order turkey....

ExplosiveScienceT · 03/11/2007 14:45

remembering the real reason for the season

TrinityRhino · 03/11/2007 14:54

you have to have a real tree, they smell delightful

there, decision made

PeachyCosmicExplosion · 03/11/2007 14:57

Get yourself on the M&S site and have a look at the food pre-order catalogue- then the meat etc you want will be waiting in store when you choose.

Add in wrapping of rpsents- takes FAR longer here than I ever expect it will!

And a dd a treat for yourself, christmas is lovely but can be ahrd work.

(and if you're doing pud and cake yourself you need to get a move on!)

vacua · 03/11/2007 15:00

argh it all makes me want to disembowel myself

: runs screaming from thread :

ExplosiveScienceT · 03/11/2007 15:02

What is so overwhelming , Vacua?

vacua · 03/11/2007 15:04

I dunno, sometimes just getting through each hour at a time is enough innit? I think I'll fall back on Waitrose Entertaining like last year, if there are even any delivery slots left. Ignorez-vous me, am a miserable git today!

PeachyCosmicExplosion · 03/11/2007 15:06

You'd better book that slot now LOL

failing that M&S are still quite clear of slots LOL

We're at mum's for christmas BUT ahving them back for 3 days, then FIl and stepMIl over- so it will get just as hectic.

dooley1 · 03/11/2007 15:07

*deciding where to have Christmas and who with
*what to buy for who
*suggestions of things people can buy the dcs as they always ask

*leaving plenty of time to ask on Mumsnet for age approprate gifts - ie what the feck should I buy 11 year old nephew

PeachyCosmicExplosion · 03/11/2007 15:14

Oh and making sure you buy at least two gifts (chocs!) that are multi age grup friendly for the ones who just 'pop over' or you forget!

And remembering to post the gifts to those you cant stick (inlaws anyone) so you dont have to relaise you forgot and then go visit.....

scattyspice · 03/11/2007 15:18

OO Peachy, you're so sorted.

Don't forget, plan xmas day outfit (I know i'm shallow but hey).

mintydixcharrington · 03/11/2007 15:59

tan
wax
new bikini

ChipPYROMANIACminton · 03/11/2007 16:30

Book yourself a hairdresser appointment.
If you want to buy frozen food start running down your freezer contents.

mazzystar · 03/11/2007 16:41

make your cake this weekend, if you haven't already. need plenty of time to feed it with booze

yummybunnymummy · 03/11/2007 19:48
  • christmas eve presents (Christmas day is truly wonderful for our boys so dh and me always have a Christmas eve pressy for each other - always underwear, something frivolous etc - wonderful!)
  • advent calenders - we have little boxes we open and I have to start early collecting small things to go inside, rather than aways putting in chocolates.
  • cake made.
  • we make our christmas cards (laminated photograph of the us all) - so we'll start next week.
  • food plan - for the last few years I planned our meals over the 2 weeks, wrote lists, and brought as much as I could in advance, which also helps spread the cost, and it worked really well for us, although I love cooking and having an excuse to indulge in culinary feasts for 2 weeks is like complete heaven for me..and my waist line....

T4T - if you are beginning to plan now, things will be fine, everything, especially with children sort of eventually falls into place, Christmas does not have to be stressful, be realistic about what you want and need to do, so you can sit back and really enjoy it..xxx

yummybunnymummy · 03/11/2007 19:49

ditto..the real tree..its the only way to go!

StressTeddy · 03/11/2007 19:52

Table gifts
Crackers
Pyjamas for Christmas Eve pressie
What to wear

crunchie · 03/11/2007 20:36

We will start planning in ernest in a couple of weeks, as they are coming to ours this year!! WoooHoo edible food for once

However I have done my chistmas baking shopping!!

I dug out the cake, pudding, mincemeat recipes and wrote a shoppin list and went today. I only need apples and eggs and I am sorted (I will get them fresh)

Menu is already planned, trad turkey, veggie option, potatos, broccoli, carrots etc All written down (not shopping list yet)

I fancy a new table cloth, decorations are in the garage, tree will come from down the road. Collected some time in December.

Presents ar eslowly coming together, I have done the pre-shopping research!!

What else is there?

time4tea · 03/11/2007 22:13

Hey all you MothersOfInvention!

this is sensational! normally I've been to in-laws for Christmas, MIL queen of organization.

I'm not so bothered and happy enough just going to Mass at Christmas (so actually 'real' meaning of christmas is more important to me than the other stuff...) but with DS1 getting a real thrill from Halloween trick or treaters coming to the door (are those children dressed up all my friends? he says ) and up watching fireworks out of the window this evening and loving it, I'm getting Nigella-y about Christmas now

this is all great, thanks for the tips!

OP posts:
SoMuchToBits · 03/11/2007 22:27

OK then -

Make cake, puddings etc.

Buy things like advent calendars, tree crackers, other crackers, tree chocs, any other decorations.

Order/ buy tree if real one.

Order turkey/other meat/poultry from butchers.

Buy presents, cards, wrapping paper, gift tags, sellotape.

Write letters to go in cards for people you don't see, and only write to once in a while.

Wrap presents and post those that need it.

Plan menus, do advance internet shop for bulky stuff etc, then write lists for other food shopping you need nearer the time. Don't forget things like foil, batteries, spare bulbs for tree lights etc.

If having people to stay, make sure you know what sleeping arrangements will be, and that you have enough bed-linen, towels etc.

Nearer the time, I usually do a timing list for Christmas dinner, so you know what needs to go in the oven when, etc. Also you can make some things ahead and freeze them (e.g. last year I made soup, quiche etc for use over festive season, froze them and thawed when required. I was really glad of this when I was ill on Christmas Eve, and could just say to my sister "Heat quiche in oven and bung together a salad with the ingredients which are in the fridge" - instant supper!)

Errrr - is this enough to be going on with?

time4tea · 03/11/2007 22:34

have just booked and done the bulk of my Ocado order (!!!!!!!)

thanks again ladies. I do say about 5 times a week in genuine wonder, isn't this internet lark amazing, you can learn so much from others and get so much help from others through it. what an extraordinary world our babies are growing up in.

OP posts:
SoMuchToBits · 03/11/2007 22:51

Oooh, I wish we lived near enough to a Witrose to be able to do an Ocado order!. Still, we are going to my sister's for Christmas thisyear, so I don't have to do absolutely everything in my list this time!

SoMuchToBits · 03/11/2007 22:52

Well, obviously I meant a Waitrose and not a Witrose!

time4tea · 05/11/2007 15:51

I made a good list with all your tips, but then succumbed to my Nigella fantasies (ie being Nigella in all her glamorous voluptuousness (rather than just being a cuddly teacake like me) and having the lovely snacks) and got Red magazine, it has an insert with lots of lists (esp for extra household stuff I would have forgotten like tin-foil, matches) and tips

recommended

OP posts:
claraq · 05/11/2007 15:55

Make sure you have a good stock of Calpol in. And Medised just in case....