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?

I have bought DC1 advent calendar. Issued wish lists at the request of family. Booked all the Christmas events in. Booked the Christmas shop. That's about it so far

@mintycedric had to reply to your comment about That's Entertainment! We've such fond memories of watching this with my grandparents I didn't realise you could buy it. So sorry about your dad, it'll be a nice way to remember those good times x

Thanks @FiloFaxx...I must admit I had a little pang when it turned up as wish I'd thought to look for it last year.

I am so looking forward to reliving those memories though.

It was only a tenner on Amazon if you're feeling similarly nostalgic : That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection [2007] [2005] www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000G5SG7I/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_KCYAQRDY8PW6TAYKR822?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I've booked the Christmas Eve breakfast.
I've got one small present left for Ds2 to get.
A couple of things left for dd.
Need ideas for ds1 but got clothes, aftershave, toiletries already.
Dniece - done
Dnephew - money for days out
Adults - still need sorting

I've also got the meat for Christmas dinner and have got emergency frozen veg in case there are problems.

Just really need a big tidy up and buy some new lights for the windows as the others went off last year.

I know that even though I feel prepared at this point in time I will be running round at the last minute having forgot something which I'll end up stressing over!

@MintyCedric

Thanks *@FiloFaxx*...I must admit I had a little pang when it turned up as wish I'd thought to look for it last year.

I am so looking forward to reliving those memories though.

It was only a tenner on Amazon if you're feeling similarly nostalgic : That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection [2007] [2005] ]]

I can only imagine what that was like for you

I must say I am tempted!

I've been loosely following the Organised Mum's Christmas where each week she gives tasks to try and do in advance of December. It's been going OK.

I've got most of family presents just the kids main gifts to get.

Ordered turkey and food from M&S

I'm squirreling away items each week when doing my weekly shop (essentials like Baileys )

I need new lights for the tree but haven't seen any in shops I've looked in 🤔

All presents got except parents a teacher gift. Plus 2 for dh.

Have got :advents, Xmas pud, most of the things like biscuits chocolates etc

All 4 kids stocking fillers done. Couple to get for dh.
All 4 kids main and general gifts done.

All individual cards brought ie mum, dad etc
Wrapping paper I think i have in loft.

All birthday cards up until January also purchased.

2 santa visits booked (did 2 as dsc isn't with on one we wanted so booked another to Inc her.)
Breakfast with santa booked
Theme park booked
Farm with santa booked.
Santa local train thing planned. No booking req.
Kids Xmas soft play party booked.

Xmas photoshoot booked.

MintyCedric That looks a great puzzle to do.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Sorry about your dad. I don’t have either of my parents now but I have a little glass angel that a friend bought me that goes on the tree and I always think of them. Might be a nice idea for your family to remember him. I’m sure your mum would appreciate one.

DH is going to order a bottle of that wine in our Christmas box.

I am in the middle of a huge clear out - need to order a skip this week it's got to be brutal because until I get that sorted we won't have any room for any more stuff!!!!!
Storage is an issue for us so need to clear the decks first
That was the plan for this week but it's not going as quickly as I'd had hoped 🤦🏻‍♀️

@Redsquirrel5 thank you.

I've been looking out for a special tree ornament for Dad but haven't found anything that's grabbed me yet.

I've started doing resin art recently so might make something myself if I don't see anything soon.

Enjoy your wine! I must admit I was always more of white drinker until I started my subscription but I've been very much converted, especially in winter.

Well ahead. I've bought and wrapped and also delivered (to other end of the country) all presents for everyone except my own DCS. Stocking fillers done for them but not main presents yet.

I changed jobs in the summer and was expecting less pay. In fact I've earned quite a bit on overtime but that's a bonus. But I wanted to get Christmas sorted early on in case I was skint.

Loving this thread, please OP

I’m not as organised as some here but am on my way….

• DS2 main gift is sorted
• Waiting for DS1 to confirm which phone he would like (reconditioned)
• Some of their stocking fillers sorted
• DH’s main gift was delivered last week
• Godchildren are done
• Know what we are getting MIL
• Cards and wrapping paper ordered
• Christmas Eve lunch booked
• Night out with friends booked, table reserved
• Hair and beauty appointments booked
• Invites sent and accepted to Christmas lunch (at ours)
• List of items in various online baskets waiting for me to press pay

Tried to order the turkey today, the butcher had a good laugh. No orders taken before Halloween he said.

Waiting to get our damaged Christmas tree sorted as it’s still under warranty. Supply delays mean it may not be sorted until late November, eekk!

We will be able to go to Church this year which will be lovely.

@myheartskippedabeat

I am in the middle of a huge clear out - need to order a skip this week it's got to be brutal because until I get that sorted we won't have any room for any more stuff!!!!! Storage is an issue for us so need to clear the decks first That was the plan for this week but it's not going as quickly as I'd had hoped 🤦🏻‍♀️

You're putting a skip-full of your existing possessions into landfill purely to create enough space on your home for a whole load more stuff? Please tell me to have misunderstood!

Ordered a couple of bits for DD1 today, silk pillow case and a cheese board.

We’ve almost cleared out everything we don’t need. Most has gone to charity shops but old teddy bears without the CE mark have gone to the tip. Our local one a “fuel from waste” bin. I’m actually done on main presents, just stocking fillers needed now. We normally buy DH his favourite soap from Molton Brown but this year I’m trying to avoid plastic where possible. I might get him a fleece instead.

We’re getting closer to moving so I still can’t buy food items I would normally freeze. It’s really stressing me now. I’m halfway between panicking about not having the food I want and thinking fuck it, I don’t care, we’ll have pasta 🤦‍♀️

Dinner booked. Other meats in the freezer. All presents bought and wrapped. Tins of choccies ect all put out of the way. Just cards left. I love to get it all done early so I can enjoy the run up at the Xmas markets and parties/pub social events without worrying about money.

I've got most of the kids presents and I've wrapped them too.
I've got about 10 presents in total left to get.
Pigs in blankets and the first batch of mince pies are made and in the freezer. And I've got a lot of the long dated food sorted too.
Panto, bauble decorating and Santa train are booked.
I'm wanting to have it mostly sorted for the start of Dec so I can enjoy all the things we have planned without having to think about what still needs to be done.

Update- I have now as of Saturday bought some candy canes and baubles in a local garden center which I have stashed in a drawer already. Hopefully this week I can go back and see what else I can purchase. Have yet to do a Christmas lunch checklist. Starting to think more now that Halloween is over yes.

Feeling good at the moment... all of the 'out of the house' gifts are bought. Will wrap closer to Christmas.

Lots of stocking fillers are done as well as quite a few pesky advent calendar fillers.

But still got the main presents for the two youngest DCs. They need tech so am holding out for Black Friday. Unfortunately lost out on the Currys laptop which would have been good for DS.

I've bought things to make my fireplace garland, doing it myself with the glue gun and a plain garland and some lovely decorations I bought today.

Hoping to get cracking with the cake soon too! Also started watching cheesy Christmas films 😍

Got a couple of bottles of Prosecco, medjool dates and a jar of mincemeat today.
Couple of charity shop books for DC's stocking.
Otherwise, not a lot ...

Ordered a cheese board for DD1 and Clarins hand cream for DD2. Bought the fleece for DH. Food wise, ordered Stollen and champagne this week.

Almost bought all the presents - just missing the usual pants, socks etc for DH and DS1, everyone’s new pyjamas and the craft wood and nails for one of DS2’s presents. I’ll wrap them nearer the time.

Started laying away snacks and non-perishable goodies - chocolate biscuits, biscuits for cheese etc - but there is still quite a bit to do there. Need to clear out the freezer this weekend to make some space for the turkey crown and the ham.

I’ve booked us a weekend in York to include the Christmas market, tickets to the big pantomime in town (my kids’ Christmas present from my mum) and tickets to a youth theatre pantomime locally too. Also going to the Carol service this year.

We do a refillable advent calendar each year which contains jokes, money, sweets and activities to do together like printing some brown paper to make wrapping paper, making gingerbread and doing the Christmas food bank run, so nothing to do for that.