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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Ho ho ho...here we go round again! Countdown to Christmas 2025, thread 1

1000 replies

NoWordForFluffy · 25/12/2024 22:14

365

Evening!

I'm tired after today, but the buffet was a success. Tomorrow it's dinner!

Everyone seems to love their gifts, which is always good. 😊 Bed soon as it's all go again from the morning!

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ConstantlyCooking · 05/01/2025 08:44

Good morning all! We had a beautiful sprinkling of snow yesterday that settled, but it's been washed away by the rain now.
Tree and decorations will come down today. We replaced random cardboard boxes with plastic crates last year and it makes everything much easier.
Pleased to hear you're feeling better 70!

NoWordForFluffy · 05/01/2025 08:48

We have massive Really Useful Boxes for our decorations. I think it's 3 at the last count! DS' room is like a little grotto. I'm not sure if he wants to take his down or not! He loves Christmas!

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PumpkinSpicedTea · 05/01/2025 08:55

Good morning! I'm enjoying the countdown. Actually can't believe it's the 5th January already 😂

Putting in an online food shop order for Tuesday which is not normally the day we collect but all over the place with days. However trying to think of any ideas for meals is proving difficult! Was bored of meals ideas before the Christmas holidays and will be bored again.

Soccermumamir · 05/01/2025 08:56

Morning,

We have snow as well. It's starting to rain here now though, so will probably have ice in hours time 🤦‍♀️
Gonna enjoy my last day off, back to work and school tomorrow.

sunshineandrain82 · 05/01/2025 09:04

We use really useful boxes as well so much easier to stack. Though we have anywhere between 9-12 boxes. But one is a tree box full of wrapping paper. Have one for cards that sort of things as well.
Elf has its own. Box that's not visible. Though we had a cull when we got them out. So probably have some spare now. But can't understand why we have to have 2 boxes of "spares" that are never used. Might suggest taking those to the tip when they come down tomorrow 😰

NoCheesesForUsMeeces · 05/01/2025 09:39

We did similar a couple of years ago Constantly - pre plastic crates my decorations were in a mix of shoe boxes, cardboard moving boxes and giant gift bags.
We do have one giant cardboard box left but it's pretty sturdy so will do for now.

Fluffy our crates aren't massive but they take up a big chunk of the attic. I rearranged them this year so we have baubles in one and a rogue shoebox as they wouldn't fit, one for lights, one for kitchenware, one for random bits along with stockings, one with cards, gift bags, tags and anything that wouldn't fit in the others then a big cardboard box with most of the ornaments, a wrapping paper bag, 2 Christmas trees in bags and a giant plastic laundry bag type thing with the throws, cushions and clothes vacuum packed and thrown in along with the wreath and doormat. It's ridiculous really Xmas Blush

We had snow too. Rain washed some away but there's a sprinkling left. Looks dangerously icy though.

sunshine could you look at donating the decorations you don't use? I gave a load of ours to the local church and DHs school a few years ago.

For wrapping we decided to go for Santa bringing a big present and a few small ones associated with it (this year a wooden kitchen, apron, chefs hat, wooden pots and pans and a toaster) all wrapped in paper with Santas face on. I still have half a roll left.
Everything else was from us and was done in Spider-Man paper 🙄

I hated doing that. I know it's against MN rules etc but I like to see a mish-mash of different papers under the tree.
It's what my parents did and part of the fun that I remember was pulling a present out and having to check who it was for and swap with my sister/deliver it to mum or dad etc.
Will look to do that in a year or 2 I think, when LO is fully settled as they found this year really hard (understandably).

NoWordForFluffy · 05/01/2025 10:06

That's how we did presents, Meeces. This year the piles were smaller and all in the same paper. DS (who still believes), didn't seem to notice!

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TheWoollybacksWife · 05/01/2025 10:14

I've always done one design of wrapping paper for presents from us then another design per child for Santa presents with stocking presents wrapped in tissue paper (again one design per child). Not exactly uncomplicated 😵‍💫 but it meant that I knew what belonged where when filling stockings and setting out presents. Now they are grown up everything fitted in a carrier bag each and I just use whatever three different paper designs I have enough of.

Wholetthedogsoutwhowhowho · 05/01/2025 10:27

ConstantlyCooking · 05/01/2025 08:44

Good morning all! We had a beautiful sprinkling of snow yesterday that settled, but it's been washed away by the rain now.
Tree and decorations will come down today. We replaced random cardboard boxes with plastic crates last year and it makes everything much easier.
Pleased to hear you're feeling better 70!

That's what I've done earlier on this year and labelled them "tree Dec's 1 of 4" etc and it was so easy to find them. But also tidying away as I know new everything would fit back into the plastic boxes. I actually didn't mind packing them away this year whereas usually I hate it!

sunshineandrain82 · 05/01/2025 10:46

It is definitely something I could do. Will depend on what the condition is like. We did tip some of it last month (broken/not working etc)

Paper wise. Our children are autistic and have a various of needs so previous we have done a wrapping paper per child and Santa has his own paper.

This year our younger 2 have some reading skills and can recognise their own names. And a bit it help from the older siblings. We did mix of paper (children shared the papers) but different tag style for each child. But Santa always has his own paper.
They only get something small that fits in a sack and stocking in our house from Santa though.

TheWoollybacksWife · 05/01/2025 10:49

I'm another one with big lidded boxes for the decorations. One for each tree with a small plastic box with padding for my special porcelain and glass baubles. I've got metal shelves in the garage that the boxes sit on. The only things that don't go in the garage are the fabric things like the tree skirt and advent calendar - they live in the bottom drawer of a chest of drawers in the spare room.

caramac04 · 05/01/2025 13:21

For my Christmas baubles I glued plastic disposable cups to the base of a large cardboard box - or two - and store the baubles in there. It works really well.

notlisteningwithmother · 05/01/2025 14:14

NoWordForFluffy · 05/01/2025 08:21

Morning!

We have snow. Not a huge amount, but some. Rain is forecast later this morning though, so it's not meant to last.

Really do need to take the trees down today. Don't really want to though!

Same here Fluffy - last night's snowfall was still on the ground this morning but soon washed away by heavy rain.

Much to my surprise I was very much in the mood to pack up what remains of our Christmas decorations and food. Christmas gifts included some nice candles which will help fill the empty spaces and replace the twinkle of fairy lights.

Inspired by comments here about wrapping paper I'm sorting out my stash and checking how much I have left before I pack it away. This year what I thought was most of a roll barely wrapped a jigsaw puzzle!

Boxes will be packed away later in the week so that any stray items are rounded up before I venture into the loft.

DCs will remove decorations from the tree later. Once that's done and the tree is down we usually sit and enjoy coffee / hot chocolate and Christmas cake together. After that I need to get back to more normal eating patterns and get back to work!

Following the countdown thread for the first time!

NoWordForFluffy · 05/01/2025 14:19

It's so dark without the tree! Xmas Sad And also so big! Xmas Grin

We've had it up since 23 Nov (DS' request!), so it's been up ages! 🎄🎄🎄 The one in the hall went up a few days before that. That one is coming down next.

We have a box per tree (3) and a 4th box for other bits and bobs (countdown, candle holders, little houses etc).

We're keeping the balcony lights on there and will probably still light them until spring. Winter is a dark old season!

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/01/2025 14:43

Our decorations were taken down on Dec 1st ( we always do it then)
I had a sticker on the glass door to the front porch which didn't peel off like the ones on the French doors . It was a 'mare , split into fragments .
Note for Christmas Notebook 2025 - don't buy ( it was a snow globe with Father Christmas on a sleigh . Looked much nicer in the advert , more 3d but IRL it was a standard plastic sheet . The ones on the french doors were that silicone peel off/stick to damp glass and last years )

I'm doing a Sunday Dinner ( as it's Sunday Xmas Grin ) got some broccoli and cauliflower that needs to be eaten .
Roast potatoes ( a given) and Yorkshire Puddings - Aunt Bessie is in charge of these this time .

Banoffi Pie , because - well it;s bananas . 5-A-Day and all that Xmas Wink

fishfingersandchipsagain · 05/01/2025 15:15

I don’t want to take the tree down 😫😥

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/01/2025 15:22

fishfingersandchipsagain · 05/01/2025 15:15

I don’t want to take the tree down 😫😥

G'wan G'wan G'wan (Mrs Doyle voice )

It's time .......

I have some LED candles in vases dotted about for light as in January you do need something like this .

I get quite sad on some of the Threads just after Christmas when people take down the tree on Boxing Day and write " I've taken it down and cleared away . I just wanted to get my house back " like the tree and decorations is an unwanted invader there under sufferance . Maybe it is ?

fishfingersandchipsagain · 05/01/2025 15:31

At least I was sensible this year and got some pretty cotton ball lights I can put up once the tree is down. But, it just looks sooooooo pretty.

NoWordForFluffy · 05/01/2025 15:53

The kids have opted to keep their tree up for now. Which is fine, as I don't venture into that lounge much! The lounge and hall trees are firmly down, however and the furniture moved back where it belongs (the TV cabinet 12 inches to the right, and the blanket box for storing school bags back under the mirror in the hall, rather than further into the hall).

All tree traces vacuumed as well.

I need to do my weekly clean of the lounge now the tree has gone, then everything is done for today.

Weather-wise, it's started to rain a bit more heavily now, but hasn't taken enough of the snow yet. If it stays as is, we'll have ice rinks instead of pavements in the morning. Hopefully it'll rain harder. All night!

I'd rather get soaked in the morning than have to navigate ice (DH is doing the walks today!).

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HeartandSeoul · 05/01/2025 16:01

70isaLimitNotaTarget · Today 14:43

Our decorations were taken down on Dec 1st ( we always do it then)

Can I just check, did you mean 1st Jan?!!!

ElsieElf · 05/01/2025 16:31

After norovirus wiped out our kids on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, this year was decidedly underwhelming. We ate bits of Christmas dinner over days as it was just 4 of us, 2 who were still not eating much.
I think, us cutting back on stuff and giving them more experience gifts (theatre tickets, pop concert) worked well. I feel less concerned about where all the stuff is going.
I went to TK Maxx and bought some stocking fillers for next year. 75% off some bites Things I know they will like and will need by next year. Now to squirrel them away but not forget about them.
Also put £50 quid in with the decorations to buy our takeaway after getting the tree up in December.

MrsDilligaf · 05/01/2025 16:38

Roast Dinner here too this afternoon, along with Pigs in Blankets at DD's request. I'm not feeling like spending hours cooking so we're having M&S roast potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings, I will have to slice a few carrots though so I'm counting that as cooking.

Snow had all but disappeared by mid-morning. although from pictures on Facebook I think there was a few snowball fights and sledging outings going on around midnight Xmas Grin

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/01/2025 17:04

HeartandSeoul · 05/01/2025 16:01

70isaLimitNotaTarget · Today 14:43

Our decorations were taken down on Dec 1st ( we always do it then)

Can I just check, did you mean 1st Jan?!!!

Ha! Yes Jan 1st Xmas Blush

There are something that get set out on Dec 1st ( Loo roll, hand towels Christmas straws etc) but everything else is about 10-14 days before Christmas and definately after DS Birthday .

Torturedsoul · 05/01/2025 17:38

Hello all.

I'm much inspired by this thread so have started some lists and popped some key dates in my phone calendar to help me along.

I am more bah humbug than I am a Christmas fairy but I want to try and enjoy it this year instead of it being a worrying time where I am overly concerned with people having THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!

I have already planned to take some time off in early December when my girls are in their Christmas shows both in and out of school so that I can spend that week enjoying the festivities instead of trying to shoehorn getting other stuff done too.

I am more of a lurker than a participant so I thank you all in advance for your wisdom and ideas. If I think of anything useful to add then I shall speak up of course ☺️

wehumans · 05/01/2025 18:02

Our tree went down yesterday. The house feels bare and I miss the twinkly lights, but it was much needed. I’ve labeled all the Christmas decorations and they’re all in the right boxes, future me will be thankful. I do big clear lidded boxes. I’m also feeling really motivated to get the house organised. My friend is taking DS out tomorrow so I’m going to do a big clear out when I have the house to myself.

It snowed overnight, not too much, but we took DS out on the sledge. We only dragged him to the local shop but he enjoyed himself😁.

We always do one wrapping paper for presents from us (unless we run out), and then a different type for Santa’s present. Santa only gives us 1 present here, everything else is from family.

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