not started yet, am thinking should maybe do something - help me - and others compile THE definitive Christmas to-do-list

[ernest]

Ok, now officially december, 3 weeks, give or take. What do I need to do?

Off the top of my head, and not in order

Buy, write send Christmas cards
Buy Christmas presents
Decide what to have for Christmas dinner & order if nec.
Put up Christmas decorations.
buy tree.
Make mince pies for teachers

That's it, right?

Any ideas for ds2 7th birthday present. getting him ds lite for Christmas.

Also last year the boys made a Christmas present for grannies etc - decorated mugs. Any ideas for crafty present from not very arty 4, 6 & 8 year old, that would also be useful/ appreciated, don't just wanna dish out ugly clutter

Ooh make mince pies for the teachers, now theres an idea!!

Um yes, I think you have it covered there. I don't need to cook Chritmas dinner as we will be at MIL's...well I will help, but I don't need to worry about the buying turkey etc.

You forgot wrapping the presents....

Lego for DS2???

I have 2 DS's birthdays a week before Christmas and DH and DS1 not long after, so I am arranging a party at the moment! Tis all a bit too much! I have bought Chritmas pressies and the like, but don't properly think about it til the 18th!!

Present for Granny, um decorated photo frame? Ooh you could make fudge or something with them and put them ina nice basket

Is that really it? I've been reading posts from people who've been at it for 6 months, and I've done nothing. That list is tiny. Could do it all in 1 day, surely? If that's really it, what's all the fuss about? Feel convinced I've forgotten something MAJOR.

ANyone know how many mince pies you get per jar of mincemeat? Obv. depends on jar size, but I come to UK at weekend and will buy, so obv only got 1 chance, if don't buy enough am knackered!

do as much or little as you like IMO - as long as essentails like presents, decorations etc are there is some shape of form be nice to yourself and don't sling extra pressure at it.

it is either 12 or 24 a jar

(hm,helpful!)

The DS's are in short supply in UK apparently.

Sounds like you are not in UK though so you may be OK!

2 a penny here!

ernest - how are you these days? did you move? dh ok?

Same here! Where are you?

ta beety, yes, dh ok, baby no. 4 due June, heartbroken to say will be moving at end of summer, dh been in Milan 1 month. Our last Christmas here, sob At least I get that
ABudafulSightWereHappyTonight , I'm in Switzerland, for now.

Today we did our Apple calendar with pics of boys, so feel doing something. I love the one we did last year.

re ideas for presents for relatives

would consider bath bombs (google-notmartha). They are piss easy but cos they sell for a daft amount in Lush people get all excited when they get them. OH and you don't need to faff with citric acid and so on, you bascially need baking powder, food flavouring (you can get "natural" ones, whatever that means), colouring if you want, and some liquid to top up (check the site for exact quantities, can't remember). The thing is to match their ratio of dry-wet. Also, stick them in the fridge for a bit as that makes them easier to turn out. If your kids can make sandcastles, believe me, they can make bath bombs. My 2 yo can do it.

biscuits etc -make them and bung them in a kilner jar (£1 each from tescos/ikea).

your pregnant?

11 weeks, yes. Am delighted a always wanted 4. Slightly scared for many reasons, but as I've got so much going on,not too much time for worrying. The boys are thrilled. Am on my own at mo as dh already been away a month (returning weekend)

Mght go mad and put up christmas lights today

wow life really ahd changed - is he in Milan full time now until you go after the summer?

yes and yes

So have bought Christmas cards but would like to make some if can be arsed.

Still not thought of guft to make. Bath bomb nice idea, but no one I know has baths, all just showers.

And idea for ds's 7th birthday present/Christmas present.

Luckily don't have many people I have to buy for.