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?

@Terriblytwee I looked at the website and thought the contents were good/a bargain. I have bought beauty advent calendars in the past, and it was such a chore opening them every day. Jam today 😀

I am defrosting the freezer overnight ready to start adding a few meals for the days in the holidays when I can’t be bothered cooking but don’t want to fall back on a takeaway as we have previously had a habit of doing.

What a lovely tradition with the decorations.

An icicle through the heart. Melts, and no evidence is left of a murder weapon.

HTH.

Went to the Range yesterday (twice…)

Got some decor for the house. They had so many great things at a great price. We started having 2 trees last year (one real, one faux) so needed some baubles etc for the real tree as last year we didn’t have much left to go on it.

Absolutely buzzing with what I was able to get.

Won’t be using them for a good while as we obviously don’t get our real tree for ages, but really happy to have everything ready to go.

The temptation to start decorating now is so high but I will resist for another few weeks!

Today if I have time I would like to nip into M&S and see if they have any wrapping paper out yet. I have presents that have arrived and would like to get a head start on wrapping this week if possible.

Good idea with the baking supplies.

I need to get some dried sage for similar reasons- I always prefer fresh sage but there was one year where I could not find it anywhere for days running up to Christmas. Eventually got lucky and found a sage plant for sale in M&S (last one on the shelf, never swiped anything as fast), but it’s always good to have dried versions as a backup.

It has been noted :-)
Replacing mistletoe berries with the stolen pearls

And walking backwards from the open window in wellington boots to indicate the perpetrator came from outside!

And there are many options with open fireplaces melting wax you just need imagination......

H breathes a sigh of relief each festive season he survives

Look Fantastic has a good offer on this week so I’m buying bits for DD.

Absolutely nothing. It's the most painful, lonliest time of year for me. No one gives a crap and they know I'm by myself. I hate it. I tried hard last year to make it nice for my brother but got it all thrown back in my face. It's a really hard time for a lot of people. I can only dream of a happy Christmas, with all the colours, smells, lots of love and happiness and FUN! I really miss board games. What I would give for someone to play a boardgame with or to sit and watch a movie with. I do envy you guys.

@YourBrickTiger I’m sorry to read this. Is there a local befriending service or church that you could tap into? I know the idea of strangers is worse than loneliness for some. I hope you can cultivate some tiny moments of peace and joy for yourself. Perhaps online scrabble or another game with a lovely treat might be good? Or going to a carol service or to see some Christmas lights? I’ve seen people on their own at pantomimes too and they’ve never been ostracised, usually welcomed and got into the spirit.

You could also look at volunteering or finding a giving tree and finding a sense of joy in another way. I know it’s not what you want and it won’t be the same.

That's so kind of you thanks, sorry to dampen the thread. I usually just buy a lot of food, try my best with a tree, and just watch movies. I love being with my pets. I tried so hard last year and went all out on a huge pre made meal for my brother but he has stopped speaking to me so that was no use. No friends or family invite me to visit so it's made me question a LOT. I might try volunteering at a soup kitchen or do something for animals. I just hate to think this is my life now when I was once part of a family. Anyway. Thank you for the kind words.

It’s ok, to feel low and sad about the change. Could you write to your brother? Just to keep the contact going from your side.

Hi - there’s some great inspiration here, especially TKMaxx for snow globes & also chutneys for gifting.
I’ve got 2 large & 3 small C Cakes in the oven now, I’m hoping that they will work out ok!

I have ordered Shot in the Dark card game (Christmas edition) looks like a great "let's have a bicker" game. We love those.

Would you rather? Christmas edition book - again interesting conversations all round

And Christmas jokes card pack - because it wouldn't be Christmas without silly Dad jokes where you try to guess the punchline

So think that's it for the festive games bundle.

Bought a vintage soaked in booze Christmas pudding
x4 big toblerone bars - they can get wrapped and given to some teens I am sure

@Lalanbaba I love your dedication to roast potato testing! After years of cooking them in goose or duck fat, I swapped to beef dripping about 5 years ago and never looked back. Both for crispness as you say but I absolutely love the flavour. Roast potatoes in clotted cream sounds mad though! Did it really work?

I don't know if I want someone to talk me into or out of this expensive wrapping paper.

Or offer a similarly pretty, more reasonably priced, alternative.

@YourBrickTiger
I hope that this year, the gentle, loving spirit of Christmas will reach out and enfold you in its arms.

I've made Christmas chutney, written up the lists of what I have already got, and arranged to get the front door fixed, after I fell down the stairs and put my head through it. Don't want the in-laws making more comments about the state of the place.

Very kind thank you x

They did work, they were veery buttery but missed a bit of crisp to them.
The lady doing it insta is Fannychupp
@NoWordForFluffy I see you can get unflavoured coconut oil, would you recommend that? Not sure about regular one

@YourBrickTigerI hope you have a peaceful Christmas and indulge in a few things just for you.
Our local church have a Christmas lunch followed by a sing song around the piano on Christmas Day for anyone who wishes to join, perhaps worth looking at what’s on in your area.

I was shopping for a few birthday presents in a toy shop a couple of weeks ago and managed to pick up a few things for various people for Christmas as well. I want to bring as much home as possible at the end of November when I go for a weekend visit, rather than bringing them when I go home for Christmas (I am currently overseas for work for a couple of years).

I had the conversation with my DM about puddings over the weekend. She’s making me one 🤶

DH and I had the conversation about where - and then it got thrown on its head by events around us that are still uncertain - so neither of us have booked flights yet. But one of us will have to at some point.

I am taking a few much needed days off next week - some will be just rest and housework, and catching up on report writing. But I plan a day of sewing and a day of shopping for Christmas (see top point). And I need to add a checked suitcase to add to my trip booking.

I have brought all the stocking presents for DS and DSS, done my M&S order. Just need to start wrapping the kids presents and also buy partners gifts and for family

We used the regular one. Can't say I can taste coconut overly when using it. Maybe I have wonky tastebuds!