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?

Putting the fruit to soak to make the christmas cake.
It is only me that will eat it so a small one will suffice.
Not sure if is too late but will do.

Same here, baked it this morning - smells great. It’s not too late - I always do mine October half term. Just need to give it a little brandy occasionally.

I just fed last year's pudding, looks (and smells) delicious.

We have a new DGC born since last Christmas so I have ordered a new Christmas Eve plate for him and his big brother and a personalised first Christmas tree decoration for him ❤️

A Christmas candle from M&S. Went for the London scenes one.

This weekend I have started embroidering little table favours for my knit groups and quilting groups, small hoops to be hung on the tree and put away afterwards, but it is something I can whack out in the evening watching the TV.

I brought home 2 presents in my suitcase on an unexpected trip home. Saves space later next month. I may buy some cards to write on the return leg of this trip - it’s a good way to spend dead time in airports/on planes where seats are now so squished I cannot get my laptop out to work on).

My sister bought lots of M&S Christmas party food yesterday and her and my husband had it for tea last night as way of a taste test for our Christmas Eve buffet .

Just bought COOK food for Xmas day as we are going away

Apparently the turkey toasties in the party food range are supposed to be very good.

I got wrapping paper and extra ribbon yesterday, I have reused some of the ribbons for about 5 years now and still going strong.

Finished buying the contents of DD’s homemade advent calendar. I will organise them nearer the time.

I have bought some Snowman wrapping paper from M&S yesterday, I have spent some of my Tesco vouchers on drinks and biscuits for Christmas. I work in a school so tomorrow I plan to write the children’s Christmas cards. I will also write my other Christmas cards and work out how many stamps I need.

Oh I was lucky enough to go to Sostrene Grene this weekend so I bought a few unnecessary but beautiful things… but got cute ribbons, paper, gift bags and an adorable Christmas mouse for my adorable DGD 🥰
Also instructed encouraged DH to come back again if he needs ideas for my stocking! Sigh… I love it in there…

Will have to have a look at those. I need to go to Primark this week to get DD fluffy socks and a new make-up hair band.

I've managed to sneak a lot in this week despite not having much time - i've picked up almost everything I need for my team at works Christmas treats and blocked out diary time for different things. I've ordered the quality street bulk bag to refill the reusable tins, and I think I've just ordered the last bits for the final advent calendar, according to my notes I just have six scratchcards to get but I will try and put everything but them in the last two advents ready to go next week so I am not hunting around for bits two days before they need to be put out!

I have found a box to post my inlaws advents to them in, and now hunting for a box for my dads because I expected to hand deliver it but don't have a free weekend in November to do that now :( Yes I do 7 advents of various complexity. No, some years I don't know why 😆I do enjoy it though in general.

I've ordered a present intended for one friend but which would also be loved by another if I don't manage the hand made gift I have planned for her before she comes to stay next month. I have a backup plan if I have to swap things. I can't do any crafting until the floor in the lounge is finished and I have a table again and that is running a week late, so I all I can do is have a contingency

This weekend need to pot up the paperwhites and then begin the juggling to try and get them flowering at the right time for each recipient and us. Also check what the great niblings are currently eating so I can plan food for our family meetup.

I booked a musical on the 20th. DC have “outgrown” panto (possibly only for the duration their cool years). We can have a couple of hours of seeing the lights, window shopping and maybe a quick supper before the show. It’s been a while since we last traipsed into London for a pre-Christmas outing.

Made 6 jars of mincemeat. Not entirely sure why, other than it looks & smells nice - home-made is certainly not a bargain! Though I did put it in nice Bonne Maman jars in an attempt to make it look better

Duplicate. (Not 12 jars.)

Little Glass Christmas Trees that I ordered from Etsy arrived today... just checked them out and they are even better than the picture and inexpensive... I am wondering if I should get super organised and wrap them?

I bought 16 second class stamps. They cost almost £14! I’m still going to have to buy some more for Christmas cards.

Flippin eck @Starlight40thats a lot of money! Good idea to buy some early - it’s also helpful that I can keep my costs down by not having many friends

I make Christmas cards for family (I noticed my sister displays them from previous years, I hand paint them), but my list of who we send to is very, very short. I just can’t justify the postage. I do a donation to a wildlife park in Somerset that we love or another charity instead. It just is crippling to send to the old list of acquaintances and extended relatives these days.

Making your own cards is a such a lovely thing - I’d be delighted to be on the Christmas list for those!

I do cross stitch cards. About 8 of them, as that's as many as I can muster the energy for!

My Christmas cake (and extra loaf tin cake for early tasting 🤣) is in the oven! It smells amazing.