buffie Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Am I as odd as I think I am? I listen to Christmas music from 6th Nov and started wrapping pressies yesterday!! Our Decs go up on friday 2nd Dec. Anyone want to join in this topic? I love Christmas!!!!! BBX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Very, very, very odd indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 (edited) Wrapping I've not even started shopping Made the sloe gin, & ordered the christmas cards. That's it for now Oh, and my family tradition is decs, including a real tree, go up Christmas Eve, with Christmas songs & carols on the CD in the background. Might even have the odd mince pie. Past couple of years impatient children & work on Christmas Eve have forced me to put them up the preceding Sunday, but it feels really odd to have them up so early. Also, the longer they're up the more dust they collect, and the more needles that get dropped. We have a short, sharp but highly enjoyable Christmas, can't do with it dragging on forever Edited November 15, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I am the same Buffy I have bought most of my pressies, and started wrapping them, christmas cards are all ready to go .........Emily wrote all her christmas cards 3 weeks ago I thought it was a little too early to take them into school but she looked so sad that I let her.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 We have decided this year to use the christmas break as exactly that. A break. No cooking, cleaning or running around after anyone. I don't want to put a dampner on your lovely festiveness B, but this year we are legging it to Norfolk to stay in a hotel with a gym and pool right over Christmas, so have decided not to put up any decorations at all and just relax and enjoy some time off work with feet up. I will be sending cards and wrapping up presents, but for me Chritsmas doesn't start until the week before. Never as early as December 2nd and definatly never in November. We have lots of birthdays to celebrate then. You are excitable Buffie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I've bought a few things but not much at all yet. Not inspired yet which is most unlike me who has usually got presents stashed under the bed by now! I made all the Christmas cards in a creative moment a few weeks ago and they just need writing. It's Stir Up Sunday this week so I'll be making the mincemeat and Christmas puddings then ready to mature with stirring help and wishes from the boys. The Christmas music comes out of the cupboard then and doesn't stop until 12th Night. Sloe Vodka bottled and ready to slurp as is the Elderberry Rob . Decorations don't go up until the week before as I can't stand clutter! It's mostly natural type stuff - nothing glitzy and glam - not me at all! The boys rooms on the other hand are like Blackpool Illuminations! The boys are going to help me make wrapping paper this year from cheapo brown paper from Ikea, some gold and silver inkpads and a selection of foam stamps. Wrapping paper is so expensive! We can soon knock out a few rolls!! We have traditional Christmas dinner complete with goose and Christmas pud on Christmas Eve then whizz over to my parents house so the boys can sing carols at the service at the Cathedral then we stay for the night and spend Christmas Day with them. They prefer roast beef on Christmas Day so we insist on having the traditional dinner the day before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 What is elderberry Rob Kate? I've never heard of that before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Yes, I wondered that too KateA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 It's delicious! Elderberries simmered with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, allspice and sugar until syrupy, strained then a goodly splurge of brandy is stirred in. Bottle the lot and serve diluted with hot water for a warming tipple in mid-winter! Yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Just posted recipe in recipe topic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Thanks Kate, it sounds good, I'll have a look at the recipe, and try to remember that one for next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I always sort out presents early but can't be doing with Christmas music in November Decorations and tree go up a week before Christmas - lots of ivy and gold ribbon. Christmas Eve we will take grandchildren, and my sister will be taking her little children, to the Christingle and Crib Service at Church. Carl and I will go again later for the Midnight Service Christmas Day is here as we have the most room and Christmas Tea is at daughter's house at the other end of the village, because they have a playroom for the children. We always used to walk down but now i have to go by car. We will fit in a walk at some time in the afternoon - over to the little park. Boxing Day - at MIL's ( ) Then it's Birthday - New Year - all in one week and that's it for another year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I always get sorted earlyish. This year I am LATE .. and have only got a few pressies wrapped and stashed. We are having a new kitchen put in next week, so I will write my cards then I think ..... . We are staying at home this year ... ordered the Turkey today ... and Grahams sister, OH and baby Ellie are coming for lunch on the 25th . Boxing day ... like Lesley .. at the MILs . Had an invite to Scotland for New Year again .. but are maybe getting a puppy, so will be homebound for the "bells". I get the tree and we usually put it up around the 16th Dec ... I love the smell of fresh christmas tree . The ladies will be getting a supply of mealworms, when I told Oh .. he just .... ( ) .. said he would have a nice new Neff oven for them instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I actually finished wrapping a week ago! They are all looking festive in my bedroom, waiting to be moved downstairs to go under the tree in December. Gorgeous red berry print paper from M&S this year ...... very glam! I tend to do this every year, leaving me the remainder of time in Decemeber before the children finish School to concentrate on stockings & the fridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Like some of you before (mostly called Kate?) we wait until it's nearly Christmas before decorating anything. It's usually before Christmas Eve, as that is a very busy day for us at church, but always after the end of the school term. I actually love Advent. The countdown to Christmas, the waiting and expectancy is so exciting. We don't have Advent Calendars with chocolates in as I think the whole point is that we are waiting. We have one Advent Calendar which the children take in turns to open. Inside is a picture and usually a Bible verse which we read out loud. We also have an Advent Candle which we burn each night and a special set of candles for Sundays. This has five candles on it (4 red and 1 gold) and we light one candle on the 1st Sunday in Advent, 2 on the 2nd etc. All 5 are lit on Christmas day. I hate the clutter of decorations, especially the tree, but I just have to put up with it for a few days before Christmas and 12 after! Often everyone's gone back to school and work and I'm left to take them down on my own! Each to his own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 The boys are going to help me make wrapping paper this year from cheapo brown paper from Ikea, some gold and silver inkpads and a selection of foam stamps. Wrapping paper is so expensive! We can soon knock out a few rolls!! I did that one year Kate, and tied it with raffia - very stylish! Another time I wrapped it all in the Financial Times (pink) and tied it with silver string. BB, you ought to get together with Rosie, she has been asking about getting the tree for weeks now Now that my sister has got herself sorted, we are having Christmas day here with my parents, then Rosie goes to her dad on boxing day. We will go to Phil's folks for lunch , then on to my sister (with her ready-made Waitrose buffet!) for the afternoon. I am off between Christma and new year - so some time for relaxing, then out for new year's eve and my birthday the next day - weeee. I'm looking forward to it and get pretty festive, but not like Buffie One part of my family are all Roman Catholics, so they do the church thing and spend all christmas on their knees - not for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 Well being 'Bossy Buffie' I have decided I'm not that odd BUT maybe different. Christmas time I recovered from anorexia soooo I suppose that's my excuse..I'll try to pass on the festive cheer early and keep updating me on your activities!! Well done Rosie, that's me gal'. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Kate said: We have traditional Christmas dinner complete with goose and Christmas pud on Christmas Eve then whizz over to my parents house so the boys can sing carols at the service at the Cathedral then we stay for the night and spend Christmas Day with them. They prefer roast beef on Christmas Day so we insist on having the traditional dinner the day before! Which Cathedral Kate? And do you mean your boys are choristers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I love christmas too - I like to think I strike a happy balance between casual preparation and obsessive christmas mania (a la Buffie ) I don't do anything until after my birthday which is at the end of this month - but once I get going! ... BTW - just off to check how you guys are doing on my pressie list ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Which Cathedral Kate? And do you mean your boys are choristers? Choristers? I wish !! No, right back to when I was a little girl, we've always gone to Peterborough Cathedral on Christmas Eve for the carol service in the early evening. The boys love it and as they don't sing "proper" carols at school, it's lovely for them to hear the traditional ones sung in such magnificent surroundings. It's not Christmas till we've done that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Aaaaaaaahhhhh - Birthdays! My Mums is on Christmas Eve My Dads is on New years day How unlucky is that ? Thats why I need to be so organised for the Festive season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Am I as odd as I think I am? I listen to Christmas music from 6th Nov and started wrapping pressies yesterday!! Our Decs go up on friday 2nd Dec. Anyone want to join in this topic? I love Christmas!!!!! BBX I'm sure its not odd, just organised. (Buffie, could I borrow you!) But I prefer chaos theory...no cards, shopping etc until Dec. Most of it in the week before 25th... some on 24th. Plus, Esther's birthday is 17th so we never start decorating until at least 18th, or after party, whichever falls later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Can someone please explain the whole christmas concept to me I don't understand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 (edited) I can Louise. It's all about being ripped off by capitalist, money grabbing companies - who aim their marketing at children, making life difficult for parents and making us all skint all year just for one day. Blame Coca Cola for commercialing Christmas by inventing Santa Claus and his 'red' coat and white beard. How did that come about from celebrating the birth of Jesus, which costs nothing. (sorry was that a bit strong? I hate these multi nationals who care for nothing more than profit, and will get at our good nature to increase the size of their bank accounts, as well as empoying as little people as possible to do all the work) Rant Over. Edited November 16, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Like some of you before (mostly called Kate?) we wait until it's nearly Christmas before decorating anything. It's usually before Christmas Eve, as that is a very busy day for us at church, but always after the end of the school term. I actually love Advent. The countdown to Christmas, the waiting and expectancy is so exciting. We don't have Advent Calendars with chocolates in as I think the whole point is that we are waiting. We have one Advent Calendar which the children take in turns to open. Inside is a picture and usually a Bible verse which we read out loud. Same here, Ginette. Also, I can never write cards early. I like to think of people as I write "Happy Christmas", I just can't do that in Nov. Anything could happen in a month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
