What nice Christmassy things have you done today?

[Footprintsinthesand]

I thought it would be nice to have a thread that is just about nice christmassy things that people have done. Ideally there will be no arguments about the commercialisation of Christmas, December 1st boxes, Christmas Eve boxes, cost of living crisis etc. There are umpteen other threads about that.

I REALLY couldn't be bothered today. I'm ill and coughing up a lung. But I rallied for an hour and convinced DH to put the outside lights up while the DC (4 and 21 months) were in nursery. I also got all the Christmas stuff out of the loft and put a christmas duvet, christmas book and soft toy on each of their beds (all from previous years but they're too little to remember).

Finally, I put the advent calendars on the fireplace. Just chocolate ones.

It was so worth it to see their little faces. Oh to be 4 years old at Christmas again!

Has anyone else had a lovely 1st December?

Christmas shopping in Cambridge 😊⛄️🎄

Wrote about ten Christmas cards and wrapped another present.

Went to an outdoor carol concert. It went remarkably well considering it was -2°.

Walked around Cambridge, didn't see anything I'd want to buy anyone so decided this year we will just do cash so went home feeling less stressed about everything.

Perfect.

Wrapped all the presents and put the coloured fairy lights in the christmas vase to go on it's shelf by my pc desk. Looks so pretty.

We listened to Christmas songs all day in the office. That’s as far as I’ve got today. Might go to the shops early tomorrow, if I can face the cold.

The DDs are mid/late teens and for years now they’ve said they’re too old for advent calendars, I say ok, then on 30th November at about 6 PM someone says ‘we don’t have Advent Calendars this year’ and it always ends up with me going to the shop just before it closes to get the last calendars, it’s our little tradition!

Then today we did the next part of our tradition where they notice I don’t have one, I say I don’t need one. They say I do. We have a pretend stand off and in the end I agree that I’ll get one if there’s any left.

Filled first pouch of Advent calendar for DD and gave it to her, wore Christmas socks, listened to Christmas songs, went to Christmas party.

I made this. My first ever

Went to a botanical gardens Christmas lights which opened today, beautiful, lakes were iced over, music playing and had hot choc with cream, soup and ginger and lime cake. Got DS some chocolate brussels spouts and mini magnets.

Also the Christmas presents I ordered from Fortnum & Mason arrived and the musical gramophone advent calendar. Just putting it on now.

Listened to do they know its Christmas time?

Kiddos opened their advent calendars this morning,
I started wrapping presents this evening as I want to be done by next week as we're off on a mini holiday and I only have the patience to do a few at a time 😂

Christmas tunes on the radio at work and mince pies with our coffee. Tried out some party food for dinner - mostly good but glad we tested!
Also tested Prosecco

We added a few more decorations, my DC we’re delighted to come home and see our home literally lit up!

I wrapped the remainder of the presents and the dreaded Elf on the shelf came back delivering advent calendars (and maybe a beauty one for me!).

Choose Christmas Tree from garden centre to be delivered end of next week.
Sent What’s App message to my adult children threatening saying that if they don’t send me present requests by Sunday,Santa will be on strike 🤦‍♀️

Had a final meet up of the year for a hobby group, celebrated with champagne. I also did some Christmas shopping while in town and checked on contents of some parcels that arrived. My DC are adults now, so there's not the same excitement as when they were tiny but I'm dying for them to come home, and was on the phone to DS2 tonight who said he felt very Christmassy already.

Since yesterday husband and I are taking turns in wrapping three gifts a night . I hate doing it .

Made Christmas puddings with the GC after I brought them back from school.

DD made paper snowflakes, she seemed to have forgotten all about them since last year so found it really exciting!

*@Silkiefloof that looks lovely, where is it?
The elf arrived last night so very excited children this morning. Tree up tonight (it's massive so I always find it more of a chore than fun) Spent the last fortnight slowly cleaning the house from top to bottom so now that's done feel like I can really get in the spirt and enjoy it all 🍾

Cleaned my house with Zoflora frosted peppermint and got the decorations out of the loft. Tomorrow DH is taking me shopping to pick out presents for Me! Whoop whoop

Looked after my 3 yr old granddaughter this after. We decorated a 'baby' Xmas tree, opened 2 doors on her peppa pig calendar , opened the first door on her rubber duck advent calendar and decorated a Velcro Xmas tree and put that up. We also read the nativity story for the first time and then put out my wooden nativity figures. She was so excited and loved each thing we did. It's the best thing ever watching everything through a child's eyes!

Thanks Broodywuz Its the Cambridge botanic gardens, first day of first year they have done in and was really good and quite magical. Have to pre book a timeslot. You can't see it too clearly but all the ponds had ice over them.

Sang with my choir at local Christmas event

We went to Wishmas today folllowed by Afternoon Tea at a gorgeous hotel in London. It even snowed (for about 10 seconds). To,or row we are going to our favourite garden centre/farm shop which we have done for the past 30 years or so. That always puts me in a xmassy mood

Put the tree up

Had a walk in the dark to looks
at the houses all decorated

Gave the kids their advent calendars

Got the Christmas napkins out to eat with dinner