In Preparation For Christmas Today I Will.....

[onlyhereforthechristmaschat]

...clean out the freezer and make a meal plan to use everything up before December.

I hope you don't mind me starting this thread this year @beautifulsunflowers I absolutely loved this last year. I watched from afar and followed along doing one thing everyday to spread the cost, time, energy and Christmas cheer throughout November and December.

What is one thing you plan to do today to get organised?

Yes, I'd have thought so.

I've even sliced a thin bit off the top of a burnt Christmas cake, slopped on apricot jam, then the marzipan, and it's been fine

Hope your DS recovers quickly and you swerve Noro virus this Christmas SugarCookieMonster

We saw in-laws yesterday so presents have been exchanged. I still need to get a card for DH🤦‍♀️

Freezer still needs sorting, I’ll get onto that tomorrow.

The Christmas cake will likely be fine. As @WeMeetInFairIthilien says, cut the burned bits off, give it a good feed with some booze, apricot or ginger jam round the edges then marzipan and royal icing. It'll be grand.

I've now bought about as much as I can before the pre-Christmas food shop on the 23rd. I managed to pick up some smoked salmon and fresh cream and other bits that will last until Christmas today so other than picking up the vegetables and some last minute fresh bits I think the food shopping is pretty much there.

Oooh didn't know they made figgy pudding at Cartmel

Me neither! I love their sticky toffee pudding so I've got high hopes for this one

Bought last present today and delivered a couple of christmas cards locally.

Bought 2 bottles of Aldi's dupe of Tia Maria to replace the one I.....ahem......sampled......

😂 I opened a bottle of Bailey’s from last Christmas, just to make sure DH didn’t give my present to SIL this year.

Today I will write the cards for the neighbours. I really really will (as soon as I stop buggering about on Mumsnet...)

Wrapped all presents for all three ds, also wrapped birthday presents for youngest ds. Only have dh's presents left to wrap now.

Made plain & red onion marmalade sausage rolls & put in freezer.

Bought a card for DH, I will try to wrap presents this evening.

I have finally begun embroidering my table napkins. I only need to do 5 so I should be finished in time.

Wrapped the gifts for a couple of colleagues that I had delivered to my friend's address.

Went for festive cocktails & late lunch, after work, with above friend - tried to treat her to lunch & a cocktail but she vanished off to the bar & came back with two more 🤣

I'm just about to attempt to make toppers for my cakes - I have a vision but not sure how it'll work 🤔

Ta-da...just need to see if I have some red ribbon somewhere to hide the wire I've used. Ooh, or maybe twine? I have twine! (Ignore the batteries...they haven't made their way to the tea lights yet!)

I haven't posted since 8th Dec. In that time I had a work trip abroad, then came back and suffered the sudden loss of my dad who was only 60. Really grateful that thanks to this thread I am more organised than ever, the santa presents are wrapped, the teachers presents are ready to go this week, and lots of other little things that will make the next week some bit less stressful for me. I still didn't get the batteries I mentioned in my last post, but am glad my last post has reminded me that I need them!

Finalised the Tesco food shop, that's coming on Sunday and then the main feast is M&S collection on Monday.

Stormy weather here and a poorly three year old - feeling very glad I was organised ahead of time!

@whatnextaaaahhh i am sorry for the loss of your dad xxxx

Sorry for your loss @Whatnextaaaahhh

Today I wrapped presents, just need to sort a couple of things for DH. For years I’ve been buying socks and hankies as presents from DC. Now they are working they buy presents themselves.

Thanks everyone. I am now sorted for Christmas present wise aside from wrapping a few bits for my nephews. It's such a relief. I'm on the lookout for a trifle bowl over the weekend.

Sorry to read about your dad @Whatnextaaaahhh 💐

I'm off for my nails done this morning, then into town with a small list...alone. The alone is hugely important & I can't wait!

Almost the final thing to do is ensure my Ocado order is finished by 11.30pm tonight!

I say almost because I still need fresh veg but can get that at the farm on Monday or walk down into town, which will probably involve a detour into a pub, so not really a chore more a final flourish before hunkering down at home for the week.

Christmas day forecast is still and bright so a long walk will be on the cards if it is accurate.

I must ice the cake today!

My tesco shop is coming this evening. A couple of substitutions but all good ones. Wrapped the last few presents. Nearly there now.

Last gifts wrapped
Beds stripped, washed, and drying
Baking except dd1's mince pies
Cauli cheese made
Birthday cake organised for the weekend
Table runner and napkins ironed

Just market for veg and prep Christmas dinner tomorrow, I think!