I want to be excited about this Christmas but all I feel is anxiety...

[misscathcart]

Its silly really. I had a horrible time last year and now my life is so different, I'm happy.
But everytime I think of Christmas I just feel sick!
I have made no plans yet, it is just me and dd at home as far as I know. I did think of asking some friends over and was quite excited about that but I found out that they are going away. I could have gone to see my family but they live 400 miles away and I didnt want dd not to see her dad at all, plus I didnt want to be away from home or my boyfriend either.
I'm not really worried about what to do on the day, I'll probably spend a bit of time at home and then pop round and see some people. My boyfriend will come over later on in the day I expect as he has to look after his brother during the daytime.

I want to make gifts for most people as I really dont have much money at all - but I'm a bit clueless about what to make. I was thinking biscuits etc but I'm stressed about the thought of having enough time to do it as near to the day as possible so they are nice and fresh...Any ideas?

The only people I want to buy for is dd, which is fine, and my boyfriend, which is where I am stumped....
I want to get him something quite special and personal but I just dont know where to start and that is stressing me too.
I know really that these are all small things that will fall into place but I seem to be working myself up so much about it all!
can someone set me straight please before I prepare to hibernate...

I don't really know what to say but saw this was about to drop out of active convos so am bumping......

ok, lets get organised.
break it down.
1st thing, look in your diary, choose a day for you and your dd to put up the tree and decs. Thats a gorgeous job for the 2 of you.

2nd take dd to the library on Monday and get yourself some cookery books, baking etc then sit down with a cuppa and browse them for gorgeous bicky ideas.
set aside a whole day to bake and prepare them, get yourself some nice wine and invite a pal round to talk to you while you bake. A couple of days before xmas will be fine.

As for boyfriend, well, someone will have a nice idea on here for a pressy, i need ideas for my dh so i will watch with interest.

I have made my own mincemeat this year for mince pies, and it was really easy. The mincemeat keeps for 3 years, so can be made in advance. I used the Delia recipe on-line.

I got some cheap cake box's from e-bay to put them too.

With regards to shopping and food etc, shop online for as much as possible if you can.

I know how you feel though, I keep thinking arrgghh, then trying to remind myself that we are just keeping it simple this year.

thanks
I have just checked a couple of dates in my diary and intend on setting them aside for baking etc.
Will spend this evening having a look for some recipes and ideas, instead of keep putting it off.
I'm sure once I have some plans and inspiration I'll be ok but at the moment I just keep worrying and seeing foul tasting burnt biscuits on a baking tray at 6pm on Christmas Eve...
A few practice runs might be in order - I guess dd is in for a few treats!

Any boyfriend gift ideas anyone?

I was very ill last Christmas so am a little anxious and money is also tight so I understand. I think you just want to make Christmas special.
You cannot beat delia's mincemeat and it is so satisfyying to make. I always take homemade mince pies wherever I go at Christmas

yes i second that actually!
M&S do those bottles of bux fizz dead dead cheap, you could give folk them for xmas morning!

two votes for delias mincemeat? maybe give that a try!
Sooo tonight I'm gonna get my notebook and knucle down with some ideas and planning.
I'm already feeling a bit better - thank you!
I can see what you are saying about the cookies - obviously I'd want to present them in nicely and that could bump the cost up.
Was thinking of getting dd to decorate some cheap cake boxes? Would be messy and hap-hazzard as she's not yet 2 but she loves sticking etc. Would that be cute - or just plain cheap??

I'm really like the mincemeat idea as it can be done in advance. I'm thinking jams and stuff too now. Never done anything like that before - is it easy?? How can I make it look pretty? Is a jar enough? a jar and biscuits seems better? Oh decisions!
Right I have to go out and will be back tonight with wine and notepad...

I give away the mincemeat in jars with festive ribbon we make our own labels as well.

Im getting a bit wound about Christmas too.I am working before and during and it is also DHs 30th birthday in December and am getting bogged down organising his surprise party.

Money is also an issue, as everything in our house has broken at once (fridge, TV) and the car tax reminder has just come through (plus DH's bday costing more than I thought)Plus its DD1's bday on Boxing day, and we now have a wedding to go to on 27th December which is a long way away, for which I have nothing to wear and we will have to boy gift etc.(Why o Why do people think its a good idea to get married at Christmas?No offence if anyone did, but from a totaly self obsessed point of view its a total nightmare!)

I feel like cancelling it this year which is a shame as I normally love Christmas

OP What kind of thing does yout BF like?I have bought DH some concert tickets for his birthday..maybe something like that?

OR don;t do baked ones -do some truffles or something in a jar. Not jam - something like this:

" It?s called a gift in a jar and the basic idea is to fill a decorated mason jar with a baking or cooking mix. Mix together a hot chocolate mix out of cocoa powder, sugar, powdered creamer and some spices and fill the Mason jar ¾ of the way with it. Top it off with a layer of miniature marshmallows. Make a little label with directions on how to turn this hot chocolate mix into hot cocoa by adding some warm milk."

Got this off some website ages ago but can't remember which one. Looked up gifts in jars or something similar.