So disorganised - anyone else?

[PumpkinPie2016]

I have done pretty much zilch in terms of Christmas preparations-aargh!! 😳😳😳😳

For context, I work full time as a Head of Department in a school. For various reasons, work has been even more manic than normal. DH is also working and our son (age 12) has had a lot on at school with sports matches etc. It was also DS birthday last week. So, we are a very busy household (or at least that's the excuse I'm using 😂).

I have made a list of people I need to buy for.
I have ordered DS an oodie as one of his presents (yesterday).
I gave in an order at the butchers yesterday.

I'm not hosting Christmas day but will be taking starters and pigs in blankets.

I will be hosting my parents over night at one point over Christmas. Also got a friend and their 3 children over for a lunch between Christmas and New Year.

The tree isn't up yet- hoping to do it today.

Yeah, basically done virtually nothing and the next two weeks at school are absolutely manic - so much work to do, no winding down.

I cannot think what to buy my parents (in their 60s/70s, good health, love their caravan but it has everything, don't need 'stuff').

Is anyone else disorganised this year or does anyone have any hope for me 😂

Buy your parents somewhere they can take their caravan to - ie rent a pitch somewhere nice for a weekend? Or an event not related to the caravan at all: theatre, hotel stay, afternoon tea etc.

I’m not sure that’s disorganised? Honestly I don’t get the hype for one day,

i haven’t even started thinking about Xmas but im not stressed or worried about it. I’ll probably stick the tree up next weekend at some point (an hours job), ask the kids (adults) what they want as presents and order online, pop to Sainsbury’s a couple days before Xmas and load up the trolley with what is effectively roast lunch ingredients. Having friends over Xmas eve so will buy picky bits for a buffet at the same time

I mean, that is literally it, isn’t jt?? If people get so stressed about one day, then I’m sorry but that’s on them for trying to make it much bigger than it needs to be

I haven't started either. I'm a head of subject in a secondary school too and am currently away on a week-long residential trip abroad, getting home on Tuesday. I won't be putting my tree up until next weekend (that's normal timing for me), but I seriously need to get on with my Christmas shopping!

@HelloGreen I actually may do that - or, as you suggest, an experience they can do while away as I know a couple of sites they go to regularly. My other though was a voucher for a caravan supplies shop they use a lot.

It's not necessarily anything to do with 'hype' or even with 'getting stressed about just one day'. I love the Christmas period. It lasts a lot longer than just one day for us (we will be staying with family for 4 days over Christmas, then hosting at NY) and I thoroughly enjoy it when it arrives. I don't resent the fact that it takes money and preparation. I just have limited time in which to do things!

I havent done much yet

Yes, that's it for me @OttersMayHaveShifted I absolutely love Christmas and it does stretch more than a day for us too.

I wouldn't say we even do loads - I don't do things like Christmas bedding/Christmas eve boxes/matching pj's etc. It's a lot about spending time with people, enjoying nice food etc. But, it's the lack of time I have prior to actually do anything like go and buy presents that's hard - I'm utterly exhausted from work at the moment so that's not helping.

Logically, I know it will get sorted eventually but I like the majority done before term ends (both work and Christmas prep) so that I can have time to enjoy the holidays.

I’ve done even less than you and we’re hosting…
We’re in the middle of fairly extensive house renovations which are due to finish on the 19th 😬, so I haven’t had the headspace to deal with it yet.