What are you doing for Christmas this week?

[Deliveroo]

Disclaimer - yes I know it’s early, but this is the Christmas Board.

Over the years I’ve worked out a 12 week plan for myself so I can get it all done a little bit at a time. Last week was for reading back over my notes, starting my lists, putting aside money for gift cards (I don’t buy them until December but I put the cash in a card now), and dropping off a bag of unwanted Halloween bits from last year to the charity shop.

This week I have to have the who’s going where conversation so I can get stuck into menu planning. We typically host or visit one set of parents, and then have another family get together on each side too. I need those dates on the calendar so the teens can fit their much more exciting social lives around them.

What will you do for Christmas this week?

I’ve almost finished Xmas shopping. On a low income so pick up bargains throughout year. I’m hoping some of the last few things I want for children are on offer on prime day. So that’s my Christmas ‘goal’ for the week! Though I won’t have any more Christmas ambitions until about November after that!

Nope.

I’ve bought a few presents this week , ordered my advent cards and booked a hotel for my Christmas theatre outing

Ordered advent calendars, ordered two presents. Usually I don’t do anything for Christmas until after Halloween, not sure what’s come over me!

Ooo, advent cards…. Could I ask where from please?

This week we've organised who is hosting and when (we've got Boxing Day this year, which is fine for me.)

I also picked up three bottles of wine in Sainsbury's as it was 25% off their taste the difference range so I bought some nicer than average wine for us to have on Christmas Day.

@AlbionVs Impressive

Laithwaites advent calendar on order ( this is my present from DH). Much rather have this all December than a big present to open on one day .
Airbnb booked last month.
DH has asked for a specific present. Sadly his birthday is also Christmas week so less helpful than it could have been.

Baileys is on offer in Tescos so I’ll be stocking up on that. Also drums of Twiglets.

I’ve bought my wrapping paper, ribbons and my daughter’s advent calendar

Ordered a fossil advent calendar for LO and got her and extra one with chocolates from the natural history museum with dinosaurs. My partner thinks I am bonkers!
Fruit is soaking in orange juice and orange liquor for making mince meat. Only have one little jar left!
And I want to get round to make chicken stock for the freezer in base for coming recipes.

Chucked out last years red cabbage from the freezer to make space for this years (it wasn’t a good batch I don’t think).

ordered bits from Temu to decorate wreaths with the kids

bought the ingredients for the Christmas cake.

Starting to rehearse Christmas program for concert in mid December. It takes a few weeks for a choir to learn new material.

I wrote my Christmas cards yesterday

Trying to work out what to get dp, apart from a book he’s asked for that’s not out until dec, I have no idea, normally I’d top up his clothes but he’s since updated his whole wardrobe so can’t do that anymore. I will also get him lush as he loves a bath. So I’ll be spending the week trying to figure that out.

They do them everywhere but I got them from the Yorkshire trading company .
https://www.yorkshiretrading.com/products/festive-singing-farm-friends-advent-calendar-christmas-card

I saw Smyths have 3 for 2 on paw patrol toys so got some as son loves that show. Also been looking at Christmas tops as we have Christmas photo shoot booked in November.

Thank you so much , will go and investigate

I’m going to be wrapping presents this week. (Bought everyone’s except DCs) although stocking fillers are done. Also got a few frozen bits and snacks yesterday from Tesco. Hoping to get a big shop done end of October.

I am ordering the final items needed for DD’s homemade beauty advent calendar.

I need to write out a list of what’s needed for Christmas cakes and get those to let the fruit start soaking. I will bake it in the October break.

Thanks to the bargain thread I got the one fragrance I still needed for SIL last night.

This week (a holiday where I live) is the week that I start to "do" things, rather than just plan/think about things.

Starting with making mincemeat, because it needs to sit for 1-2 months before use. You can't easily buy it where I live, so I've been making it for the past 5 years or so. Will do it with my son in a few days.

After this week, I'll start gradually shopping and prepping. Christmas eve recipes to sort out, advent calendar to buy at some point. Won't do too much shopping until the "santa" list is locked in after halloween. In case of a sudden change of mind or new hobby appears...

I have 4 large storage containers I used to put my 3 DC and FS gifts in before they get wrapped. This year I have another FS so been and bought another storage container. I've bought 10 new pairs of socks and pants and put back for FS 1, I've got new hoodie and pants for eldest DS. Each week now I am going into town when it's not busy and picking up a few items to go into containers. These things all go into their large Xmas stockings. I've also bought a football shirt for FS 2 that I had to order to get number and name on back. I'm keeping my eyes open and when one of the supermarkets have either Toblerone or Terry's chocolate orange on a good deal I'll get them one each.

I do hope you're joking but if not won't everything be dusty and a bit sad by the time it's actually Christmas?

I did a good bit of shopping over the weekend. Normally I am chronically unorganised and end up doing everything in early December which isn’t kind for my pay or stress levels! So this year making conscious effort to be done nice and early. I think DC are mostly sorted, not got a thing for DH yet but his birthday is next month so that’s the focus for now. Feeling pleased I have made a good start though!

Bought 2 baubles from ocado, but I don't organise anything and it always goes off well.