Countdown to Christmas 2024: And So We Begin (Thread 1)

[NoWordForFluffy]

366

It's a leap year next year, so an extra day to wait!

I've ordered 120 baubles today, as WeRChristmas sent me a 50% code for today only. Annoyingly I could get our new tree way cheaper today! 😭

I'm exhausted now I've finally had time to sit and relax. Tomorrow is a chill day.

I love the lights one meeces. Yes dh looked at me like that when I suggested he have some water earlier…

@NoCheesesForUsMeeces I'm quite taken by the lights one too! My "For..." has been on time out for a looong while now, really ought to pick it up again.

Ooooh hello! So glad I found you here! Not been on MN in about 2 years but i remember this thread ❤
Hope you're all feeling fab and just to throw my 2 pennies in, I've ordered littlest DD(4) advent calendar today 😀
Lovely to see some crochet plans in here too, im working on a halloween blanket now but will be on the hunt for some good chunky christmas yarn soon 🥰

Ooh, I love the lights one, Meeces 🥰

When I ever get time to get back to crafting, I'd like to make something like that. It'll be after I finish that Christmas cross stitch that I started like 2 years ago, mind 😳

Not had time for any Christmas planning yet, but I sorted through my seeds last week ready to start sowing. I'm not planning to buy any more this year, and just concentrate on growing what I already have. Famous last words...

Another vote for the lights one Meeces. That comment about DH and the patio though - it sounds like you dug him back up! 😳😂

330

Morning!

Office day here today. I still haven't got into the swing of it yet! I think it being dark and miserable doesn't help. One day!

Meeces, lights here too.

@Schneekugel, yes, I thought it sounded like he'd been dug up too. Undead husband? 🧟‍♂️

@WoogleCone, did you have the same name before? Welcome back!

@NoWordForFluffy I did indeed :)

Day off today for me but plenty to do, couple gym classes and nails. Need a powerful colour, got an interview on thursday!

Thought so, as your name is familiar!

Good luck with the interview. 🤞🤞

Good luck with the interview @WoogleCone.

I am working again and as I have a cold I decided I would stay at home rather than go to the office and spread the lurg around. Yesterday was utter carnage so hoping for a slightly less intense day.

I think your intent not to buy seeds matches the whole thread about Christmas mags every year Firefly

What are you aiming to grow this year?

Welcome back Woogle and good luck for your interview! What sort of sector are you interviewing for?

Schneekugal not quite dug him up, but he's been (theoretically) one foot in more than once...

why I hope you're feeling better soon.

My work day was hectic. Can't remember if I mentioned here but I was 'poached' for a new project but I'm essentially trying to get new project (and team) organised and going while also winding down the previous one.
Today that meant doing back to back meetings, bouncing focus from new to old project and back again, with random emails etc about both all day and trying to review boring documents.
I swear this emoji was made just for me 🤯🤯🤯

Have also decided to do the lights blanket based purely on votes here, then evaluate the stash

Congratulations on being poached Meeces.

I might start a project book for next Christmas and plan out what to do with each month until we get there. I was googling about Rudolph days yesterday and I like the idea of that.

Meeces definitely the best pattern!

I spent my lunch looking at the seed sale on Suttons. Didn't buy, so I'm sticking to my resolution so far... Have also re-homed the self seeded buddleia and holly bush from the garden. I have nowhere they could reasonably go, but they're well established (1ft high) so seemed a shame to just compost them.

I usually try my hand at a few things. I always grow tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse, but I also picked up watermelon seeds from Lidl last year, so they'll be going in there as well this year. Then lots of salad things on the allotment. And peas everywhere I can find a space, because fresh peas are my favourite thing to eat!

But Suttons had patio aubergine seeds, which piqued my interest...

Good luck with your interview Woogle.

Yay Meeces, looking forward to seeing it progress!

329 Morning. Yet another busy day here but thanks to a GP app right in the middle of the day I haven't been required to do my office day.

DH is being mysterious and told me to keep myself free tonight so we can go out for dinner (break for me and my stress levels I assume) but also tomorrow evening and he's refusing to say why 🤔 Not sure whether to be worried or excited!

Schneekugel is the project book to plan Christmas specifically (food/decs/gifts) or for crafty type things?

I completely failed the first Rudolph day of the year but my plan is to use them to check in on my Christmas craft list so I don't end up panicking and running out time like I do every year

Firefly I didn't both attempting peas last year. Maybe this year.... are they easy to grow?

DH has requested I grow 'proper' tomatoes this year after doing cherry ones last year. I'm planning on doing spuds again, strawberries, possibly parsnip, definitely chillis.
Looking for things that are successful in pots and aren't too high maintenance because I'm keen but not skilled

I've also set myself the challenge of having almost continuous flowers in the pots out the front from March - October.

I'm not sure yet, maybe a bit of everything Meeces. I'm normally a last minute Christmas chaos type of person. Then I discovered this thread and thought if I make Christmas the main focus of the year I'd be able to enjoy it more. The project book would take me one step further and get me organised. I'm into crafts too so I could definitely try doing something Christmas related, that's a good call. I want it to be fun so I won't think too hard about it, I'll let the ideas come to me as and when.

Dead easy, Meeces. You just need to make sure they don't dry out, but other than that they're pretty much plant in decent soil and leave them to it.

What did DH have planned for tonight? Was it digging the foundations for a new patio... 😜

What flowers are you thinking of growing?

Please can I join this thread, everyone sounds lovely. Every year I have the best intentions and end up being last minute and stressed. This thread has inspired me so far and I've purchased some bargain stocking fillers to stash away plus new tree and decs in the sales. But I need motivation to keep it up 😊

Welcome Belgium. We are indeed lovely on this thread 😁

You may find by Christmas, though, that you have grown more tomatoes than you know what to do with, have at least three unfinished craft projects and are contemplating a patio for when your DP won't behave themselves...

I have four unfinished craft projects already

I only have one unfinished craft project, but I keep forgetting it exists - fibro fog is being blamed or books are currently more interesting take your pick.

@Schneekugel also keep an eye out for the Poncetastic thread that starts in September. This is where the crafty/foody people gather to share their makes and plans. It's a good place for ideas.

Last year some started a "Today in preparation for Christmas..." thread that was great to read and keep track of jobs. I don't have little ones any more so my Christmas preparation is pretty relaxed. Hopefully it will happen again this year.

I'm a one knitting and one crochet project at a time gal - I can't handle unfinished things 😱

328 Morning all

What sort of crafts do you do schneekugal? I think we have a mix of knitters, crocheters and cross stitchers on this thread.

😂 Firefly Luckily it was just a meal out to the local pub. It's nothing special but it's not a chain and the food is good so it was nice to get out.

I know almost nothing about flowers. I planted various bulbs a few months ago and they're starting to come through now.

I tried doing sweet peas but they were a bit annoying so def not them.
They'll be in partial shade if you have any recommendations?

Welcome Belgium
Rudolph days may work for you - check in on your Christmas plans and do something towards it on the 25th of every month

I have 2 unfinished projects (both blankets) but I'm ignoring them and starting a new one this week (the Christmas lights one).
Plus I have a cross stitch on the go. Not to bad imo

Thanks for the heads-up Bucktoothed. Sounds great.

Meeces I do cross stitch, card making, painting, those zen colouring books for mindfulness, scrapbooking and I decorate things with random bits and bobs I have lying around. I want to get into jigsaws and embroidery. I don't have patience for knitting though and I never tried crochet.

Hi Belgium. I'm new too.

I stuck some bulbs I found at the back of the cupboard in some dirt in November. They're growing now but I don't know what they are yet.

What a shift that was. I know my job is talking on the phone but wow. So many calls. Mind blown.

I must get back to my knitting or I will never finish it.