A thread for all those that need to tidy before Christmas

[TinselinaBumSquash]

Ok im at home, my kids are driving me nuts, my flat needs tiding before Christmas day as that will undoubtedly create much more mess.

I am making a list (and checking it twice!)of all the things i need to do, its the only thing that spurs me on.

Please join me.

So today (or before xmas) i have to..

*Load the Dishwasher
*Phone the hospital for DS's test results
*Phone the other hospital about picking up more meds
*Get a prescription into the chemist
*Do as much laundry as i can
*Do DS's medication
*Feed the Cat
*Wrap the rest of the pressies
*Get a bin bag and de clutter every room
*Take bin bags down the tip
*Deliver pressies to family
*Get to the cash point

what's all this craft and shit? and people starting in september? this thread is for lastminuters who either need to pull a couple of allnighters, spend our way out of trouble (hmph not really an option), or scrape by with everything slightly crap.

this morning I have got decorations and duvets from storage, informed parents and PILs about bedding, ordered partridges and pheasants from butcher, and written shopping lists for B&Q and Ikea. and I am only one washing load behind (but it's a handwash, boo).

I'm too scared to make a list. I think I might just shove things in cupboards until the New Year!!

I have 4 huge bags ready for the charity shop in my spare room, but snow has stopped me taking them anywhere. I sorted out kids toys too, but they have found them again and taken them back in their rooms so need to sort them all out again.

Started sorting the washing. The drawers now have socks and vests in them instead of the spare bed owning all our clothes. Just need to hang everything.

Have slightly cleared my room, but kitchen and front room etc need doing.

Cant get motivated as cant see anyone coming to me now due to snow.

right i need to;

clean oven
clean floors
clean bathroom
wash shower curtain
dust
move computer
move nappy change station
change bedding
put clothes away
buy present for friends DS
buy lightbulbs
morrisons shop
possibly wash sofa covers

am getting there!

further to the above I have:

bought decorations and crackers. (tesco and b&q are half price and I think will fall further)
wrapped and delivered nursery keyworkers' gifts
bought draught excluder products, window sealant.
bought wood floor varnish
bought knobs and locks for bathroom doors.
bought a mattress protector for new spare bed.
picked up small boy with high-ish temperature a couple of hours early from nursery.
commissioned dinner from
cleared half the crap from the living room so that task is now about 25% done
fed DS

Done:

• parcel arrived
• parking space still ours
• up to date on washing including handwash
• decorations marshalled
• varnish bought for wood floor

Partially done

• christmas cards - 40%
• making DS's play kitchen. 20% done
• clear bedroom and living room of crap and take to storage unit/loft - 25%
• hoovering upstairs - 80% (has lapsed since yesterday
• bedding requirements for visitors - 70%
• draught excluding - 30%
• meat order for Christmas Day

Yet to start

• grout tiles in kitchen and futility room
• varnish new wood floor
• clean the bathroom
• damp dust upstairs
• clear out DIY tools to shed
• wrap presents
• panic and buy more presents
• wrap them
• put up tree
• decorate tree
• be in for tesco delivery on Wed pm.
• buy cheese and booze from deli and offie.
• think about something nice to wear on C Day.
• check menu plan, try not to panic buy more food
• clean oven and surfaces
• buy ikea binlinerholder and install
• put up DS footprint ceramic picture
• put up herb pots

72 hours. oh crap.

Lexi - Grouting tiles 3 days before Christmas - are you mad woman? Just buy more booze - then your guests won't notice/remember your tiles!

I still need to:
Buy batteries
Buy food
Wrap DD's birthday presents (just after Christmas and we will be away until her birthday)
Buy vouchers for wedding just after Christmas
Buy parents' wedding anniversary card (again, just after Christmas - why does everyone in my family have stuff going on late December!?!)
Buy another (small) present for DP
Take DD to see lights on Oxford Street
Buy oats for reindeer food
Do craft stuff with DCs
Make Gingerbread house with DCs
Buy sticker books for mammoth train journey

Ha! thanks Guitargirl but it's not for show, it's so that water etc doesn't undo all the hard work of installing tiles and floor nicely.

My dad's done most of the work (and will be here doing more for the next two days) and my PILs won't notice.

PILs are supplying the booze, come to think of it so that knocks off one of my tasks, thanks for reminding me yay!

Wow grouting!

I have got my dad a present.

I have just remebered I have to throw DS a birthday party on the 30th! His birthday always gets forgotten amongst christmas plans. Thank goodness he will only be 2.

I'm finding it really hard to do anything bar the usual ticking over. DH is working all hours this week inc The Day Itself. I need an hour to shop without the children!

Can I join in please??

I have loads of things today. Not sure i'll get them all done in between feeding my 14 week old who seems to be going through the 4month growth spurt early.....

Anyway....

Breakfast for toddler and me. Check
Wash breakfast dishes.
Turn on tumble dryer. check
Fold up clean washing.
Put Nappies on to wash. check
Help toddler Christmas card for Dp from the boys. check
Sweep and scrub kitchen floor.
Ditto Bathroom.
Put toddlers clothes away.
Go through the baby's clothes ready to pass on anything too small.
Lunch.
Whilst boys are napping, fresh coffee and chill out time for me.

What I should be doing but don't know if i'll get around too.

Cleaning out junk drawer(s)
Sorting out paperwork.
Meal Planner
Online Shopping.

Right better get off my ass then..... Bleurg!

Have run around like a lunatic this morning to get as much done before rushing back so DP could go to work, still have to do:

Buy batteries
Buy food
Wrap DD's birthday presents (just after Christmas and we will be away until her birthday)
Buy vouchers for wedding just after Christmas
Buy parents' wedding anniversary card (again, just after Christmas - why does everyone in my family have stuff going on late December!?!)
Buy another (small) present for DP
Take DD to see lights on Oxford Street
Buy oats for reindeer food
Do craft stuff with DCs
Make Gingerbread house with DCs
Buy sticker books for mammoth train journey

Kitchen now looks as though a bomb has dropped on it though.

Spent most of the morning on a last-minute mad dash looking for a bloody stocking for DD. Were reading a story yesterday where the last page showed a picture of a chimney and 2 stockings. I explained that we don't have a chimney but Santa has a special magic key to our front door (bought from pound shop!). Then I casually mention that DS (aged nearly 2) has a Pingu stocking and that DD (aged nearly 4) has a Christmas sack. Cue one little girl with the most disappointed look on her face, I showed it to her and tried to explain that a sack had more space for pressies but she was absolutely crushed. I couldn't decide whether to feel sorry or cross! So, that meant me traipsing around every shop within a 5-mile radius this morning looking for a stocking with an angel on it.

Why do we do it to ourselves!?!

I haven't done nearly enough today....

Breakfast for toddler and me. check
Wash breakfast dishes. check
Turn on tumble dryer. check
Fold up clean washing.
Put Nappies on to wash. check
Help toddler Christmas card for Dp from the boys. check
Sweep and scrub kitchen floor. 1/2 check, swept but not scrubbed
Ditto Bathroom. see above
Put toddlers clothes away. check
Go through the baby's clothes ready to pass on anything too small. check
Lunch. check
Whilst boys are napping, fresh coffee and chill out time for me. double check

What I should be doing but don't know if i'll get around too.

Cleaning out junk drawer(s)
Sorting out paperwork.
Meal Planner
Online Shopping.

right i need to;

clean oven
clean floors
clean bathroom
wash shower curtain
dust
move computer
move nappy change station
change bedding
put clothes away
buy present for friends DS
buy lightbulbs
morrisons shop
possibly wash sofa covers

keep my mince pie consumption averaging three a day

I'm utterly screwed. yesterday I came down with something. had conjunctivitis which I've knocked on the head with eye drops, but today I am aching and shivery all over and really shouldn't be standing on chairs to fix hooks in the ceiling for decorations. DS wasn't well enough to go to nursery yesterday either so has been getting under our feet more than I'd planned (but cutely so that's ok).

no improvement on:

• christmas cards - 40%
• clearing crap - 25%
• hoovering - 80%
• draughts - 30%

tiny improvement/delegating/adjusting performance indicators:

• making DS's play kitchen. 25% done. (will not have functioning doors and might only be half painted).
• bedding requirements for visitors - 90%, bought some sheets at ikea.
• floor varnishing - 20% of kitchen. dining room won't get done.
• bathroom is clean! DH did it. I my DH.

must do today:
meat, cheese, booze, chestnuts, BOG ROLL, cereal
clear tools to shed
stuff to storage
put up tree

Yet to start/will be last minute/won't be done at all

• grout tiles in kitchen and futility room
• damp dust upstairs
• wrap presents
• decorate tree
• think about something nice to wear on C Day.
• clean oven and surfaces
• put up DS footprint ceramic picture
• put up herb pots

48 hours till the olds arrive. I DON'T want to spend christmas morning being fussy stressed mummy. I want to glide serenely through the day being luscious and homely. arse. the house is a tip, really. and I am not well.

and none of you care any more because you're all sorted and ready and sitting back with mince pies and sodding mulled wine

Ah Lexi, am sorry to hear you feel ill, hopefully adrenaline will see you through till Boxing Day! Ok, write-off the things that can't be achieved now - like Christmas cards and the thankless grouting and make a mini list of things that HAVE to be done - like wrapping presents, or at least bunging them in festive bags with recipients' names on. And bog roll. You could always fib, say your washing machine is broken and ask guests to bring their own bedding??

P.S. If it's any consolation I had to hot foot it down to the hell that is Oxford Street today to get a box of florentines which was to replace one that have already eaten when (apparently) they are DP's favourites. Went to four different M&Ss and the buggers are all sold out.

Good thread.

To do:

Clean kitchen work surfaces/table
sweep floor and mop
de-clutter
unload and load dw

polish living room
hoover
de-clutter

wipe bathroom over, sink, toilet, bath, shower

tidy girls bedroom and hoover

try and unblock sink

clean rabbits out, feed

check if we need any food etc

pick up xmas food -m&s

do at least 2 loads of washing
dry washing that is in now

wrap dh presants

drop xmas card off

get next door neighbour a gift