Christmas Corner

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Shocked into this by shiney's terrible confession that she sees no good in Christmas cards, I open my seasonal corner as a haven to all those of us who hold the celebration of Christmas as sacred.

The lights are twinkling around us, the tree is sitting in the corner (not decorated yet, as it is, even for the most keen of us, a little early), and Santa is still compiling his lists. (Because he knows, you know).

As I am in charge of the festive corner, Champagne is in order.

We know, natch, that all is a bit too soon. But, if you're a real Christmas Corner afficionado, you've probably started some of your Christmas shopping.

So here is a place for the like minded amongst us. Share shopping tips, a recipe or two - or just enjoy a virtual glass of bubbly.

You're fighting a losing battle, Scrooge, slimey!

OOh, lovely.
I have got almost all of my Christmas presents, plan to have it all done by mid-November.
Then I know how much I can afford to spend on wine champagne food.
I always get presents early as I hate the last minute present dash in December.

me too lizzylou, in fact i never pay full price for any pressies, i tend to get them in the sales throughout the year!

Hi Ruby

Well I have all of DDs presents and sticking fillers, bar one which us due end Nov (eek).

No idea what to get my parents or in-laws - tips gratefully received.

Need to do cards at some point but will wait till school is back.

It's the way to go, Lissie.
Have had some real bargains which are in the wardrobe, waiting to be wrapped.
For some reason, even though I buy everything early I am still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve

And this year I am remembering what I've bought and who for, so I don't end up duplicating and spending more than I should!

ah, i finish off wrapping pressies on christmas eve with hot mulled wine (although am getting mulled cider from M&S this year, yum) watching love actually we always wrap pyjama's and a book for ds to open christmas eve from jack frost. "he" drops it off while ds is in the bath and leave it outside with an icecube.

great pessie idea for inlaws, getting them a senior railcard so they can visit us for cheaper when dh is in the RAF!!

I AM christmas, IYKWIM..........!! so far I have
bought loads of non-perishable foods (most yummy so have asked parents to store it at theirs save me and DH scoffing it pre-yuletide)
organised xmas diary beginning 2nd dec (panto!!)
bought nearly all stocking fillers and some main presents
begun to think about mine and DCs xmas wardrobe ( have been veritably salivating in Monsoon but not yet committed to an outfit for DD, mine more likely to be matalan)
accumulated many many xmas catalogues for bedtime reading - oh joy!
Felt all warm and toasty on a daily basis envisaging the Christmas experience!!

Today i added to my stash of presents bought. I have now only my parents, ds' main and ex left to sort out and me and him from FC, plus ds' cousins. It is so easy when siblings get a monetary donation. Dsis asked me if i wanted vouchers or money and was relieved when i asked for money.

The christmas plan is outlined and now i know roughly where i will be and what i am doing for a good chunk. the rest will just be.

Making the christmas card list tonight. I will be glad when ds can write his own. I have had 41 extra cards to write this year due to ds starting school

Loving the fact that there are mince pies about. yum yum in my tum as ds would say

90% of shopping done and hidden (mostly bargains!!) - plans made for when exactly Xmas tree will be bought and go up etc etc - DD- 6 - (Queen of Christmas!) has written and distributed some cards, 2 have been posted. I have started buying Xmas food and can't wait.... 8 weeks on Friday. Lights are a twinkling!

I bought my last pressie last night, and starting the marathon job of wrapping - I was in my element with bows, ribbon and fancy paper

Oh yay! Can I join? My LO will be 8 months at Christmas, so now there is a kiddy on the scene and parents have become grandparents, the magic will be back in Christmas this year!

I've been planning presents since July, when I started scouring the web for ideas for homemade food and drink presents (I have a list, heck, I have a spreadsheet), and started making jams, trying out biscotti recipes etc. The cake is made. The mincemeat will be made when I get more jars. The pudding will be end of Nov - I do believe my Dad has a stash of shillings somewhere, which I may steal.

I'm awful for not getting round to cards, but as I bought a Santa suit for DS at a Nearly New last weekend I am soooooo going to dress him up and do a Christmas photo for homemade cards!

This site has lots of jars and bottles if anyone is making preserves/ sloe gin etc.
Jane Asher has things like these plastic Christmas tree boxes for sweets etc, plus loads of other packaging things.

We're going to be away from home for Christmas day, and a couple of days following. As DS is too small to care, shall we not bother with a tree? WWYD?

If I could just copy in this post from McDie79 (hope you don't mind!) from the Christmas hampers thread, this made me feel extremely twinkly:

"I am def going to add this into my christmas eve plan,which is

We are going to watch the Christmas torchlit parade in the next village to us(real reindeer pulling santa's sleigh,whilst everyone sings carols)then get the steam train to our village and have hot chocolate in the station hotel then more carols in the village garden.......walk home,find xmas eve hamper on doorstep.....make gingerbread house,bath,NEW pj's,watch 'The muppetts xmas carol',whilst drinking more hot chocolate and eating popcorn, xmas themed story then bed,aaah
Did I mention DD will only be 5 months old at christmas,well it will be a trial run for when she's old enough to get as excited as I am."

Now, where do you keep the mince pies around here?

< Uses hallowe'en witch persona to conjure up some magical, non-melting, non-slushing snow to decorate the outside of The Corner>

Oh it's never too early. I was in London last weekend and the department store I was in was already decorated for Christmas (tasteful but festive). So I felt compelled to make a teeny start on Christmas shopping.

I have resisted buying any more decorations so far (but it's hard!). I've got my Christmas cards though!

Does anyone else almost prefer the run-up to Christmas to the day itself?

I love Christmas too, have most of my presents as started in the Jan sales and just need to finish DH/DS now.

My M&S order came yesterday and I am in love with the gift bags so now getting the bug to wrap but will resist until nearer the time. The Thorntons order is calling me though so may hide it quickly before the teachers get no chocolates

Just remember I need new pj's for DS's christmas eve hamper so will have a nosy online for them today.

I'm not keen on mince pies or christmas cake though so do we have any chocolate alternatives

I fed and wrapped some of the 7 cakes I have to make yesterday and am not doing too bad with presents.

I saw these PJ's yesterday and am going to get the dc some this week.

www.poundstretcher.co.uk/aspxpages/products.aspx?pid=7?nm=clothing

Oh I don't wrap till the Xmas tree is up - then I put kids to bed, pour a glass of wine, put on the fire and miracle on 34th St and get wrapping!! It's a fantastic start to Xmas!

This year I've booked Breakfast with Santa at Warwick castle and front row seats at the panto on Xmas Eve!! how excited will we be?!

Yes, I think I might have found a pre-Christmas home here, if you'll have me? A place you can discuss Christmas in October, sounds like my idea of heaven. Now why didn't you open in January??

i work in a spermarket so will be working on run up but we are going to see FC at Blists Hill victorian village on 20th dec with dh's family (we do a proper family day out) toying with the idea of throwing a party for ds's preschool friends, since he starts primary school full time in january!

Some excellent Christmas Eve films here! Absolutely second Love Actually (which I could watch every day!). I'll also be watching The Polar Express and It's a Wonderful Life to get me in the Christmas mood. Must hunt out a copy of Muppets' Christmas Carol!

Is there a DVD player in here? Can I put Love Actually on now? Pleeeeeease!

as the owner of the most Christmas decorations in the western world can i please join? i was in Ikea on Saturday and my colletion will be added to big time with all the lovely Swedishy decorations gift bags etc etc etc in there whoopee!!

Ooh, yes Booden, I love the Ikea Christmas bit!

Have they got their Christmas stuff in? I'll have to do a trip once half-term is over...

Can I join too?????

Have been excited about Christmas since September when I bought my new fluffy pencil case!

Dp, dd and I wing it back to the UK to spend Christmas with my Mum and cannot wait.....have bought a few bits and bobs (quite a lot actually ) from ebay and whenever someone lobs a special offer/%off/free delivery thingummy into the mix I spend some more....

When MN is quiet I peruse websites like Christmastimeuk (thanks to goddess Nigella) and make lists.....

Am listing stuff on ebay in order to make a bit more space and cash for the influx...

Dd and I handmake cards for all our/her friends here in Italy...tradition dictates we do that whilst watching X fac or Strictly that my Mum records for me and sends over.....

Am an obsessive wrapper and trimmer (used to work in WHS and have done courses ) and love love love wrapping presents while listening to Radio 2 Christmas songs.

One of my earliest favouritest Christmas memories is walking home on Christmas Eve with my Mum from my Gran's and just tingling with excitement and thinking life just didn't get any better.....

I also want Nigella's Devon Stockholm crockery collection for my Christmas table.....

Do I qualify for membership????

Oh Fab, I love this place

I have bought the huge tin of quality streets and the advent calendars

A couple of stocking fillers are tucked away but need to sell some of the good condition toys to make way for the new ones!!

Going to get Xmas cake ingredients tonight and start that tomorrow, will be my first one so a bit worried.

Also making flavoured oil for prezzies for the 1st time.......

Going to put festive songs on every day from november

My mum is letting me have 2 of her huge outside light decs this year!!!

Now looking for Xmas wrap and a big hiding space upstairs....

hi BIWI , as you know i too love Christmas ( was sent to your corner last week by shiney ) i have just gotten home from Christmas shopping this morning so far i have all the dc's clothes in ( got delivered from next this morning ) & all of dd's Santa toys in & half of ds's , so getting there , but still have 20 more presents to buy in for family members & friends etc . can i have a glass of bubbly now pleasssse .

Sainsburys have a half price toy sale from Thursday