What have you enjoyed or looking forward to this Christmas?

[christmas2022]

I've got quite a busy social calendar which I'd usually revel in, but some have felt like a chore.

One of the things I'm most looking forward to is a decent bit of time away from work and resting.

That sounds so boring doesn't it.

Someone else cooking dinner!

Similar to you OP. We’ve spent the last few months renovating and it’s been quite stressful. DP works long weeks so generally we eat dinner fall asleep. I know I’ve been snappy because I wfh so have been the one doing a lot of the work and dealing with workmen and deliveries.
I can’t wait for a few days to enjoy our new home and reconnect a bit.

Later on today, my kids are in a christmas play. They've been practicing for weeks and also helped build the set.
They will be at the community centre all day. Doing a final practice, having lunch then two performances.
I am so, so proud and can't wait to watch them. They are 10 and 7 and will be playing a "who" and an elf.

Being off work
Glass of wine in the evenings - I only really drink at the weekend but at Christmas I have a bit more.
I've a few nights out planned - one with my sister and nieces I'm looking forward to!
Seeing DS1 happy with his presents (hopefully!!)

My kuds veing home from uni
Absolutely CANNOT WAIT

DS1 home from uni.
The darts!

DD is 3.5 this year so it’s the first year she’s really got the build up to Christmas. So I’m looking forward to everything! We’ve already done a national trust Christmas story and the nursery party. We’ve got her dance Xmas party and a visit to the grotto coming up

Being off work for a week, guilt free about not taking extra hours as the DC are off school. Just spending time with them, having fun, not worrying about anything, not worrying about childcare. Building chocolate Christmas house, decorating biscuits, going on a walkabout to see the lights. Mostly, going to bed for a whole week without feeling like I have shortchanged the kids, work, housekeeping or finance. A week of contentment! I can't wait!

Christmas lights
Christmas market
Christmas parties
Seasonal show
my Christmas tree
Christmas fair
Seasonal networking event
the shop windows
seeing old friends

Putting Christmas tree up today! Ds coming home from uni next week, opening the bottle of Baileys, Boxing Day munching left overs and eating chocolate

Urrgghh auto corrected to DH name, will get the other one deleted

Going to church late on Xmas eve
Time at him with DH and DS - feels like the only time of year we do it
Extra reading and craft time
Two weeks off kids activities!!!

Work night out, then being off for TWO WEEKS!

Having almost two weeks off work, with no pressure to keep joining meetings or doing bits of work. Only time of year this happens as the whole company stops work at Christmas. It’s also my longest time off work this year!

Ghosts Christmas special
Detectorists Christmas special
Inside number 9 Christmas special
Sewing Bee Christmas special
Gone fishing Christmas special
Motherland Christmas special
The cleaner Christmas special

I'm not moving from the sofa basically.

Taskmaster Christmas special
Would I lie to you Christmas special
Tiny Christmas challenge
Bake off Christmas special

I really need to buy a radio times and a highlighter.

Reading this makes me really miss busy Christmases when the dc were school age. Used to love the school play, baking for the xmas fayre, Carol concert. We have bugger all now!

Both dc will be home for about a week over Christmas which will be lovely, I'll have to try and find some festive things to do but they won't be home til 23rd and most events are done by then 🙁

I went to the Christingle service this week, was lovely 🥰

Time off work.
Lie ins with no alarm clock and no having to get up at 5.30am and de-ice my car.

I’m not cooking this year, going to family, so looking forward to a relaxing Christmas day and being a guest for once!

Christmas Eve theatre trip & later Midnight Mass.

A Few nice walks in nature.

I’m looking forward to my Boxing Day sandwich 😋 with my homemade spiced plum chutney.

And watching the Motherland Christmas special.

Drinking Baileys in my pyjamas between Christmas and New Year.

Forcing the kids out for a long walk.

Eating my fave Guilian chocolate shells.

I love how simple and joyful the ideas are on here.

Makes me think that even though I'm not a millionaire these are actually the lovely simple things in life that money can't buy.

I wonder whether the average millionaire is looking forward to the same kind of things.

We've done loads again this year. My favourite was the Polar Express. I wasn't feeling very xmassy till we went on there last week. Got me in the Xmas spirit. I'm now looking forward to finishing work on Thursday, got our works Xmas seminar on Friday, meal with some colleagues after then home to chill 🥂
I'm also working the following week up to Xmas eve running a HAF programme at a Youth Club I also work for. Looking forward to making sure these kids have some lovely Xmas memories also 🎅

I love sending and receiving cards, I have quite a few friends that I only hear from at Christmas (yes I know I could pick up a phone) and it really is lovely to receive their news and hear how are getting on. I also enjoy the Carol services and this year I have found out about a brass band concert (free!) which is my sort of thing. Lovely meals of course and our DS home from Uni.