100 days to go!

[Devo1818]

Anyone else enjoy a good run up to the festive season? I feel like the temperature really dropped today so the (fake) Oodie is on and I'm in the mood! How is your Christmas prep going?

@Devo1818 Happy 100 day countdown! I feel the same, and now things are appearing on shelves in the shops it's OK to start dropping the C word into conversations with friends and family. This WILL be the year I'm not wrapping on christmas eve 🙃

I always mean to wrap as I go! Have started putting gifts for the kids away in the cupboard but nothing wrapped. Have ordered some wrapping paper which was on offer from Studio though.

My pumpkin spice candle is burning - lovely!!

I love the build up! My favourite time of year.

I’ve started buying a few presents (thanks to the Christmas thread!). I’m starting earlier this year to spread the cost and as DH turns 40 in Dec I need birthday gifts too so extra spending!

We’ve booked a 2 Santa visits for DS(4), a sleepover at Chessington and an afternoon tea at the local fancy pub.

I’m keeping an eye out for food order dates as I want to get as much booked and paid for as possible. Although M&S last year was carnage! (They gave us a bag of free stuff because so much was missing from all the orders)

Lovely!!

I just signed up for a Sainsburys delivery pass so I can book a slot when they are released a week early. Lovely having it delivered so you don't have to battle the shops (although doesn't sound like M&S helped much with this last year!!)

Tonight to cheer me up my beloved dvd grumpy women at Christmas is going on after one of my crushes films. I love this normally I try to hang on till this time next month but life is hard at the moment I can’t do any food shopping ( chocs etc) till I know I’m definitely moving so this will do.

Oh God, I haven't even though about it yet, but you're right. I got up early this morning and it was 7 degrees.

My only planning so far is trading in DS' Frog 59 to replace with an adult bike.
I booked the chimney sweep and have been stacking logs for weeks. And I've checked the gable lights work. It's a start. 😀😀

I'm waiting to book ice skating but ticket launch has been delayed because of the Queen passing away. Apart from that I have everything else booked. Going for usual Santa, Polar Express and Panto plus a Christmas Fair at a local nursery.
Aiming to have all the prep done by 1st Dec so I can relax and enjoy the month!

Bit selfish but even if still stuck here do think it’s selfish to have forton and masons marzipan fruits had then a couple of years ago and loved them.

I'm in full christmas mode! Have been getting bits of diy and painting done, motivated by the house being nice for Christmas.

I've ordered a few presents and have a load more sitting in my Amazon basket.

We are giving the DC tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child after Christmas but before the DC go back to school, so I've had a lovely time finding an Airbnb and thinking about what else we might like to do while we are there.

I booked Castle Howard yesterday. I saw it on TV last year and thought it was fabulous but by then of course it was too late and had all sold out.

A couple of people are ticked off on the list and I have some strong ideas for others. The past two years I’d lost my Christmas mojo so I’m pleased it has come back (and so is DH who stepped up but would prefer not to).

I think we all need a little magic and something to look forward too after covid, cost of living and other world events. As well as the wrapping early intentions I've completed my most stressful gift purchase last night, DHs gift. Hardest to buy for and ticked off a lot of good ideas over the years, golf watch, ugg slippers, coffee machines, experiences etc the past couple of years I've only got sorted at the last minute so to have him almost finished this early is fab. Looking forward to a more relaxed December 😃

I was in TKMaxx last week , they had a Hallowe'en section with the most amazing smelling candles .

Start of Autumn, DH birthday , Hallowe'en, Guy Fawkes (though this yer might be more subdued as it is literally £££ going up in smoke) DS Birthday and Christmas . My favourite time of year and I love the Countdown and the changing seasons

I love planning trips!

I actually really need to have a good clear out and de-clutter.

Oh brilliant - what did you go for?

A heated golf gilet from Ororo and a few packs of Sock shop bamboo socks (Tk maxx). The gilet was a pricey buy compared with other ones on the market but this one allows for better movement and has heated pockets. Just need to buy him some chocolate, golf hat and shower stuff he's done.

Aw great thread! I was in town today and spotted a good few Christmas things in the shops so now I feel like I can really start getting excited

Looking at cosy Christmas bedding it’s a start.

I have an unexpected 3 hours to myself tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to have a big clear out - toy and clothes cull. I love a good de clutter before Christmas.

Also I think I'm going to go for our brushed cotton bed linen tomorrow when I change the beds - it feels cool enough now!

I’m so excited about Christmas!! Just picked up Christmas pyjamas and jumpers for DC from Next. I’ve bought wrapping paper for Santa presents. I’ve nearly finished their stockings. Need to do a quick check of all my hiding places when they’re back to school on Tuesday to see what else I want to buy.

Had our chimney swept last week and just had another big palette of logs delivered.

Today I’m wearing my new thermals and they’re lovely and toasty.

Over the next couple of weeks I want to finish a good sort and clear out of every room. There are a few small DIY bits to finish too 😊

Oh lovely, you sound very prepared!
I love it too.
Operation sort the house out is underway. Have put away summer stuff, got out winter stuff and emptied the "Christmas cupboard"

Down to 95....!

My Christmas wrapping paper arrived today. Was intending on wrapping as I go but I have put a few bits away for the kids already and it does feel early...

Another exciting thing that happened today was the Smyths toy catalogue arrived. Kids are going to explode.

Ah yes, and I completed operation toy clear out!
Not sure if I have been brutal enough but will do for now...

Can’t do anything yet until Friday when I know new home is secure but A traveller in time dvd will turn up and be put away for Christmas night. In a Christmas tote bag which will have bits put into it.

A bit of a downer to my Christmas start, I’ve been in bed over a week with covid, though I didn’t know it was covid until my DH made me do a test today so I’ve not been able to get out and about. Usually I love September when the dcs are in school and I can start scouring the shops. It hasn’t stopped me completely though, I’ve been doing lots of online browsing and bought a few bits.

Ive all but finished one DC, I will just pick up a couple of novelty bits when I can finally drag my bum out of bed.

I have 3 online shopping bags waiting to purchase full of my other DCs presents. Only thing stopping me is I know I can probably pick some of the things up cheaper in the shops. If I’m not up and about by Monday I’m definitely clicking buy now though. I like to have all the dcs presents done by the end of September so I’m not stressing about making sure they get what’s on their lists. We have a number of birthdays in Oct/Nov & Dec so there is still lots of shopping to do. I have everything bought, wrapped and ready to gift by end of November.

I do want to be better organised with my wrapping this year though. Usually I colour code so each DCs presents are wrapped in their favourite colours, all great, they are wrapped and packed away early, but they have started to notice both ours and santas presents are wrapped the same, plus I often forget to label them when wrapping so were Santa may have given 1 dc something, another dc will have been given it by us, this sparked a few questions last year.

December is all about relaxing and enjoying the Christmas experience. Pantomime and Christmas activities are already filling up. I’ve also booked a Santa experience afternoon and tickets to see Elf the musical, I can’t wait to see my DCs faces as Elf is a surprise.

The biggest thing I’m excited about this year is I get to buy a new tree so so excited. I’m going bigger than my last tree so it will need more decorations too.

We don’t usually do fancy foods or drinks but I must admit I did like the look of a few things in the M&S Christmas range, I may treat myself to a bottle of the gold flake Prosecco this year for Christmas Day.

Sorry you are ill!
I must have a look at the M&S food.
I colour code christmas wrap for DC too but wrap their present from FC in a different wrapping. I only have 2 though so its easy to distinguish whose gift it whose