Anyone else unorganised and overwhelmed?!

[Froppysue]

I have no Xmas tree up, so many presents still to be bought, not even thought about wrapping paper much less bought any. No stockings or stocking stuffers, no Xmas jammies.. house is a disaster and we have a birthday next week too which I have nothing for. Someone please make me feel better and tell me it will come together by the big day? I did find the elves today 🙈
Anyone else in the same boat? My Facebook is full of perfect Xmas trees with wrapped presents underneath which have been there since November.. I’m about pulling my hair out here!

Oh Lord yes. We’re all ill. no decorations up and currently in mad online panic buying mode. I’ve no idea what’s going on, how many more presents I need so I’m buying random things. Every year I swear I will take a couple of days off work to do it all but it’s too busy at work. I’m hoping it will somehow come together.

Make a list. There's still time to get it together I would shop in person - delivery services are shocking right now and you'd be cutting it fine if you relied on them.
Decide what's most important and focus on that. Maybe tell adults that you would prefer not to do presents this year, so you can focus on any kids.
It doesn't have to be perfect - if your kids have some gifts, there's a dinner, some booze and chocolates then it's all good!

This is me every year!

Get it ordered if your buying online otherwise it won't come in time. Everywhere's struggling with the Royal Mail strikes.

If your going to the shops, you've got loads of time don't worry about it.

I am definitely less organised than usual, because we have all had horrible longlasting colds. I am not completely disorganised but I am not the usual Christmas fairy.

We're moving house on Friday! New place isn't ready, old place isn't packed. Work is shit busy, have my 4th and final exam tomorrow evening so Christmas is just another headache in a long list of headaches 😔
But we've got two weeks yet so it's not all lost!

No Xmas tree here, not all presents are bought, house is complete mess. We were unwell twice since November so no much energy either. We are not having party or anything- just 3 of us so it’s our personal pressure to make things perfect.
it’s often like this and usually gets together mostly, I cut on dishes (no starter, one non ambitious dessert plus cheese), presents (I started ordering my presents myself - much simpler), activities and painting my nails.

Yup, got DDs 16th this weekend and two sleepovers (who agreed that??) I’ve got no wrapping paper for the birthday, let alone Christmas!

If you don't work full time, you've got plenty of time. Make a list and work thro it, ticking stuff off as you go. Good luck

Do you have a rough idea of what you're getting people? If online, I'd stick with Amazon and do one order tonight. Just sit down and do it. Amazon deliveries have been OK around here. It's all the rest that are a nightmare!

Go to the nearest supermarket ASAP and get wrapping paper and food/toiletry gifts. I did this in Sainsburys yesterday. Sorted DH's stocking in one trip.

Loads of time left if you just blitz it.

Goodness glad I’m not alone, and that I’m not not moving (sorry @blibblibs - really do hope the move goes well!)
@OzziePopPop you’re brave having 2 sleepovers!

We’ve had the worst year, I’m disabled too so trying to do the littlest thing takes forever and leaves me exhausted and sore, I can’t get out the house and scared I’ve left everything too late for delivery with the Royal Mail strikes!

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head @pizzaHeart it is personal pressure. I just want to make sure the kids enjoy their day, I may prioritise ordering some board games so we have those to do at least.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed, I’m usually much more organised I’m not sleeping I’m panicking so much so I need to just take some deep breaths and relax.

Yes, I have been hideously ill with that nasty cold going around, so I haven't bought anything asides from a few bits I picked up in October.

Tree isn't up, I still haven't got a clue who is actually going to be here on Christmas so don't know if I should be buying extra stockings. I am annoyed and my mum is trying to organise a new year's day dinner with everyone, but I'd rather just rest. She's threatening to cancel it if I don't go!!

We usually have a fake tree but this year I want a proper real tree and DP and I are having a stand off about it.

I'm pregnant so no festive drinks or cheese boards for me, I am just not in the spirit this year at all.

Okay so I think I’m 60-70% sorted…
Cards- writing as few as possible- I hate the clutter
Tree- up with lights but no baubles. This is actually more entertaining as we are hanging random things on it- my favourite was a 60cm panther.
Other decorations- not got any out…I actually prefer just lighting some candles though…
Presents- have enough big things. I’ll just go to Home Bargains and buy Pop Tarts and chocolate for the fillers.
Paper- don’t have it yet but you can buy it everywhere anyway.
Elf- we have 5 of the things. The original was missing so Amazon sorted that today. They don’t do much- just move around the house. No scenes set here. It’s enough though.

I can want things perfect but that can mean I’m either snappy or holding my irritation in. So I’m trying to not be so much that way.

Hi @Froppysue, not brave… I’m also disabled and have crippling anxiety and guilt over it. I’ve also said I’d take them to big city half an hour away on the bus (in my wheelchair on Saturday. At least the forecast is dry and I’ve got two helpers to carry the damn wrapping paper!

please don’t do what I do and stress and worry yourself I’ll, it definitely doesn’t help 😂 yes, those are ironic tears as I’ll be doing exactly that.

Hugs to you and all other disorganised (busy!) people!

Same here, just spent the last 4 days in bed being ill with what I can only describe as man flu! (Who else would be flat out from a simple cold??)
Had a days holiday to sort Christmas presents, decorations and freezer foods.
Done zilch and will have to face the music at the weekend and play catch up.

Best thing is to make a list for priorities and who can help...

Worst of all, had to give away £80.- worth of Panto tticket

I have my tree (real tree) & it's sitting undecorated. I'm in the middle of long awaited divorce proceedings (a long time separated) & it's stressful & I've no support. Have had sick kids & self. Heating isn't working, had a bad skid on ice at weekend so car is in for repairs. I'm exhausted as single mum doing it all myself, and work is hectic.

I am very unprepared. I have done essential present shopping eg for items that needed posting. But my actual DC will have nothing at this rate!

It's all exacerbated by money being very tight.

I will be ok; I will have to be. But I would love one of those excited Christmases where I can properly get in the spirit, enjoy the run up, treat myself, do Christmas baking enjoyably not in a panic. I actually really like Christmas, if I got a chance to!

I have a decent amount of time off over Christmas tho, I am really looking forward to that.

I was feeling it last week, I did the Xmas cards and wrapping so can finally breathe. I'm missing quite a few gifts that haven't yet arrived 😕

I was so excited and prepared but we’ve been ill on and off for weeks so it’s all gone off the rails. I’m feeling overwhelmed now.

This is me!
We have all been ill for weeks! I really wanted this Christmas to be special.
Hoping for another miracle at this point

If it makes you feel any better, I've been really smug at how organised I am this year. All presents bought and wrapped last month, all activities booked etc. However took my dc to see Santa on Saturday and all 3 of them decided to ask for something completely different to what they originally wanted! Now I'm trying to panic buy these random items and scared about delivery etc. It doesn't always pay to be organised 🤣

It will come together and you will all have a great day.

Can you get a supermarket delivery? Asda and Tesco for example have toys, games and electronics on their normal listings. You can add them to an online order and won't be at the mercy of Royal Mail/couriers.

Amazon gave me a weeks free trial of prime so I used that to get a few gifts, also click and collect if there's no delivery slots

I'm normally very organised but this year I don't give a shit about anything Christmas. I'm not even worried.

Do you have children op? If not, I wouldn't worry too much nothing wrong with a chilled Christmas as adults!

Sympathies for the heating situation. Been the same until mid afternoon when it was fixed for me. I could have cried with relief. I have a twig tree to erect and a house to tidy and clean one handed as I scalded the other filling a hot water bottle last night. All I can say is thank goodness for homemade sloe gin which is dulling the pain and making the mess little more than a blur