Where are you with your Christmas planning?

[BatFinksWings]

Figured I can ask this in here without being lynched 😀

I've started buying the kids gifts - they're 23 and 14 so hopefully their tastes won't change too much in the next couple of months.

I've made a start on food. I predict issues come December so I've already got my joint of beef, chicken and turkey crown in the freezer along with sausage rolls, vegetarian mains and other bits and pieces

I've bought most of my chocolates/ Percy pig goodies / tins of sweets/ cheese biscuits tin. I've also bought wax wrapped cheeses as they're dated so well

Soooo .... am I the only nutter who does this?

Marks and Spencer are not allowing people to pre order in Northern Ireland because they can't guarantee they can deliver. Bloody Brexit.

I've read bits in the Christmas topic on MN.
I said to DH last night we ought to think who we are seeing on Christmas day (which either means a trip to my parents, or staying here and inviting the inlaws).

So far:
.Bought all stocking gifts
.Researched new Christmas cake recipe and am buying ingredients this Saturday
.Gifts for adult DDs done
.Gifts for GC (inc advent calendars, Christmas story book and Christmas pyjamas which get left on their doorsteps on the 1st.)
.Menu planned for Xmas Eve and brunch and dinner on the Day.
.Sausage and vege rolls being made for freezer on Sunday
. One item such as chocolates or nuts will be added to each weekly shop from end of Oct
. Checked my stock of wrapping paper and gift bags/Christmas napkins/tablecloth etc, no need to buy any more there.
Still to do:
. Beginning of November I'll start making the bits that can be frozen in advance.
.Have to make final decision on gifts for DH and youngest DS.
.Eldest DC and partner and GC will have an adult hamper and kids' hamper of goodies which I'll organise for delivery soon. (They're in another country)
. Same goes for parents/siblings also overseas. I always organise this early and choose a mid Dec delivery date.
. Treat myself to a new frock. Not being profligate, it's always something to be worn regularly afterwards, I just like something new on the day. Got that tradition from my mother.
There's much less to do now I don't have five kids at home any more!!

Bought the children’s gifts (almost) still trying to find treasure X monster
Booked Polar express
Booked centre Parcs winter wonderland but not booked activities yet
Put M&S food order in
DN and DN gifts need to be bought when back in stock
Still need cards and paper and most adult gifts.

Booked accommodation for visit to family for post Christmas party.

Fruit is soaking to make Christmas cakes today or tomorrow. I'll also make a couple of individual Christmas puddings and give them their first steam.

I've cleared space in the freezer for some frozen Christmas treats.

I've got wine left from a family party earlier this year so I just need to add a couple of bottles of red and we are done.

Meat order done with the butcher.

I get a weekly veg box so I think that's sorted.

I need to get to a JL to refill my quality street tin.

I've got a shopping day booked with my adult DDs next month to get them some of the traditional bits and bobs that go in their stockings.

I've got enough cards and wrapping paper already.

We buy for 4 sets of nephews and nieces and they usually have a family cinema voucher so I need to check if their parents are still happy with this.

I need to buy for DH who is having a think about what he wants. It will probably be something for the garden - last year it was a potting bench.

DS is also having a think about what he wants. Probably something guitar related. His stocking is sorted apart from some chocolates.

I'm going to be knitting socks for my DDs. Each pair will take about a week so as long as I start by the beginning of December I'll be fine. I'm getting some other crafting stuff done first.

As of a few weeks ago I had virtually done all of my present shopping. I still need to get the odd present but can't get them until they are released. I did get them out to wrap a couple of weeks ago but decided I couldn't be bothered. I'm pregnant and due 24th Nov so was hoping to have all the presents wrapped before then.

Food wise, nothing; we go to my parents. I'll get the odd extra treat in but don't want anything too much really.

I've done the stockings for DC & about 2/3 of their main presents. Got their Christmas pyjamas, some sweets & bought the wrapping paper.

Also about half way through everyone else's & have a few bits in the freezer that I could make a roast out of.

I love Christmas planning

I have started too. Reading that Boris was planning to save Christmas is enough to send anyone into a panic!

So turkey, ham and beef ordered plus a Christmas cheese selection to be collected on 23rd
Christmas wine and other drinks bought
Ingredients for cake almost bought
Have done freezer inventory so will be using stuff up to make space for some Christmas food - planning on pre-cooking red cabbage, stuffing and some soups and sausage rolls etc. We also always have lasagna on Christmas Eve so will make the ragu and freeze it.

Have been buying chocolates etc over last few supermarket shops so almost done on all of that

Not a huge present list here as it’s just DH, 20 year old DS and I. Used to have a huge list so it’s easier (and cheaper!) now but I do miss it.

It’s also DH’s birthday in November. So far due to reading a whiskey thread on here his presents are mostly whiskey! I do like the idea of a potting bench though or something similar.

Like someone else up thread we moved house last year and although we decorated I wasn’t overly happy with it. And it’s one of the best bits of Christmas for me. So I’m spending time thinking about that now. I have a vast selection of decorations so don’t necessarily need to buy much. Want lots of cosy lights etc.

Planning lots of movies, walks, puzzles and games.

Christmas is the only thing that gets me through autumn and winter so I really enjoy the planning. If that involves a bit of rampant consumerism it is what it is.

We still have non perishable goods from last year, and I think we have the turkey in there. I've also bought some presents for everyone except my eldest grandson, even if it's only a chocolate orange.

I have defrosted the chest freezer
Turkey will hopefully be coming with the shopping tomorrow.
Tins of chocolates, Christmas pudding is bought
90% of dcs presents have been bought including stockings
Some have even been wrapped and more will be done tonight
Living room has been rearranged to clear the area where we put the tree (will go up last weekend in November)
Couple of bottles of Champagne are still in the cupboard from last year, along with a bottle of fake baileys bought earlier this year.
Have 3 dcs birthdays in November/December. 1 completely bought for, I almost done, 1 I know what I'm getting but haven't bought it yet.

Still need to sort out extended family presents And find pigs in blankets in stock somewhere.

All 3 DDs done although I know I will add bits, because I won’t be able to help myself.
Santa experience booked
DH having a joint birthday and Xmas gift, it’s sat in his office not wrapped, I don’t care, he choose it so no point wrapping, will take the DDs shopping for his annual novelty socks and undies closer to Xmas
In-laws done
DNs & Ns done with exception of 1 gift. All also have Nov & Dec birthdays so had to get those covered too
Need to get a couple of token gifts for other relatives. That’s usually wine & food but we arnt living in the same country this year so will get something small to send, probably personalised tree ornaments.
Food will be what ever is available in store the week of. I usually stock up on lots of nibbles and pigs in blankets and our usual meals in the weeks running up so we don’t have to do any shopping but don’t have fridge and freezer capacity this year so it will be just enough to see us through a couple of days after Xmas.
I’m now spending my free time wondering around shops looking at Christmas decs, I’ve set myself a small budget to enjoy buying some fun bits.

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Love this idea, thank you, you just solved my last DN gift problem 😁

Most presents bought and have in mind the others i still need. Party food, nibbles, alcohol and turkey bought and put away too. However what i am most excited about is the firework display i am going to on 6th Nov as it has been cancelled for the last two years. It really gets me in the mood for the coming festivities and i love it!

I have a spreadsheet with all the presents planned for each person. I've bought almost all the main gifts for family, and have about 50% of stockings done; only sweets and nibbles left to buy.

I've planned all food over Christmas, and will be batch cooking instant meals so I don't have to cook when we have family here.

All the wine and spirits have been bought and stashed away.

I love Christmas.

Ordered a fresh Christmas tree to be delivered at the end of November.
Ordered new outdoor decorations (lights, garland and wreath)
Bought personalised Christmas stockings from Etsy.
Presents for kids bought and wrapped.
Ordered stocking stuffers and waiting for them to arrive.
M&S food order sorted and have items in the freezer.
Still need to address/send Christmas cards.
Checked supply of wrapping paper, gift tags, cards etc. and will need to reorder for next year.

We have ordered the main present for our three year old son, I buy throughout the year so just one more present for him to buy.
I've started to put ideas together for my husband, doing kk for family,so will make that easier.
Don't know if we are at home or with family for Christmas dinner so haven't thought about dinner yet.

I’ve booked up my December weekends (dinner/night out with work friends, girls weekend away in a cottage, weekend with family & finally Christmas!)

Not much to buy - don’t do presents for DH or adults in the family, so just DD, nieces & nephews. All very little so will do each a stocking with colouring books, a soft toy, jumbo crayons etc.

Need to source a second hand vintage Christmas jumper for my posh and tasteful friend (buying each other jumpers rather than Secret Santa this year). Any ideas where I could get one please?! Must be wool & have a skiing type pattern apparently

Also need to buy charity Christmas cards and do the food order as I’m hosting this year..

I've made the Christmas cake too, my first ever one (how could I forget!)

most important! think of believable excuses not to go on the work's night out , rather than admit I hate socialising (to be honest, I think they know already)

They'll definitely know so I would just tell them. We have someone in my team that never wants to come on nights out which is totally fine but because she won't actually say that and invents excuses we have this ridiculous charade of inviting her out because we'd hate her to feel left out, she's always "busy" and says maybe next time but never comes to anything. I'd so much rather she said "socialising isn't my thing but have a lovely time and a drink for me."

I've bought one present and the kids have already found it and opened it.

I’ve done quite a lot so far - most presents bought except for a couple of bits left for my parents and the “big” present for DD. Have booked most of the trips out.

Still have food to think about and exactly what we’re doing over the holiday with family visits etc. I get really antsy if i’m not prepared well in advance so I’m hoping to be done very soon - and definitely by the end of October!

Shit. Is it happening again this year?

I've bought my son 8 most of his presents all ready as they were all on sale
A few things in the freezer gravy, red cabbage
Just going to buy a few things when I see them every week by December I'll be done and get to enjoy the run up to Christmas

The way I’m feeling now apart from in-laws I don’t care about anything else why should I bother when H smokes about £60’a week oh yes and must have lottery I don’t want to win the lottery with him. So Christmas can go this year

I've planned who's going to be where for Christmas and NY (we are going to stay with dh's folks for a couple of days over Christmas and hosting mine for a couple of days over NY).

That's it. I don't even start thinking about Christmas shopping until early to mid November. Won't think about NY food until December, and don't need to think about Christmas food as we'll be guests!