Janty Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Sorry, don't mean to upset any Chrimbo-phobes but I love Christmas. Husband is allowed to be cynical up to 1st December then he's banned from making any comments. I made our Christmas puddings today. I have just ordered my Christmas bird from the butchers....a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey (all free range, of course). Southwold lights get switched on this weekend. We are collecting our lad from school, going for a bite to eat and then we will be joining the crowds and Father Christmas for carol singing. We always get our tree the first weekend in December. Can't wait. Hubby is getting all the Christmas stuff out of the loft and we are going to Wrentham to pick a nice blue spruce. I'm even going to start wrapping. I love wrapping and making the parcels look pretty soooooooo much. Hubby is getting me some battery hens on 22nd December. We are calling them Holly and Ivy. On Christmas Day we have Mum-in-Law, Dad-in-Law and Dad round for the day and I love to cook for everyone. I can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 Please forgive the enthusiasm.....I'm excited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Im putting my decorations up on Saturday inside and outside. Hubby brought me home some singing and dancing outdoor snowmen yesterday to put up the garden path - they are interactive - so as soon as anyone walks past they will be grooving and moovin!! I like getting in the Christmas spirit with my music, carols, nice food, decorations, spending time with family etc, what I HATE though is the over commercialism, the amount people expect you to spend on presents and the stress and worry it brings when you dont have pots of cash to spend on presents!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 If hubby is honest it's the over commercialisation of Christmas that he hates too. We prefer a simple, relaxed Christmas. There is lots of work to do but you can still make everybody feel relaxed and at ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 im always ill at Christmas though....always!! Last year I got septacaemia (sp!) a week before christmas , and every year before that I've had flu/colds/bronchitis etc. I stress out too much and it makes me ill. Im planning to be well this Christmas so I can enjoy it. Cant wait to put up my tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 Good luck with avoiding the illnesses. Lots of satsumas and citrus fruits need to be consumed. Humans can also have citricidal in water. Can't hurt. November is always my dodgy time for colds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlover Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 i must admit that i used to love christmas, but since the kids are getting older its getting more and more expensive, i dont know how we are going to afford it this year, i havent even really started with the presents and i havent got a clue when im going to be able to We used to go to mums for chrimbo dinner but my sister and her husband go too, which over the years her family have taken over christmas at my mums, her husband constantly shouting at my kids to behave themselves when they walk in front of the tv while hes sat on his big fat lazy back side and doest even try to keep control of his own kids. That are by the way spoilt rotten and love to flash their big expensive presents under my kids noses, so its staying at home and having a quiet christmas for us again this year. I did try to suggest that maybe we take it in turns to go to mums for christmas but got my head bit off in the process Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I quite like Christmas, but it's not technically christmas until at least December 10th as it's Dad's birthday, so therefore we celebrate his birthday instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlover Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 OMG it my dads birthday on the 10th too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I love christmas!! I've bought all the pressies and cards. We are having both sets of parents over for christmas day. The organic turkey from marks and spencer has been ordered. I stick to a strict budget and spend the same small amount on everyone. I nearly fainted though when I saw how much GHD straighteners are for our daughter, so she's just having them and a couple of small bits. Our son wants a snooker table! GREAT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I'm not usually one for getting into Christmas too early, I also recent the commercialism and expense of everything, and all the extra work, which, not wishing to sound like a martyr, somehow always ends on my shoulders, no matter how much I try to delegate. But this year will probably be our last cold Christmas for a while, so I'm really trying to put myself out into making it the best ever, and I've almost finished my shopping (unheard of for me) and have all the cards ready to write this weekend. We've already invited special people round to share time with us at Christmas, and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a corker of a Christmas Christmas tree still won't go up until school's broken up though and then we'll all decorate it together with mince pies and mulled wine to make the job easier, something to look forward to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Christmas Lights go on here on Friday - Chas n Dave are doing the honours! Then its off to garden centre for half-price Christmas tree over the weekend - will NOT be decorating it until 2 weeks before though. Layla is counting down the days till she can start on her advent calendar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Favourite time of year as some of you know Anyway friday is tree night, take that gig on saturday and shopping in london and then final lights up outside on sunday. Jimmy's Farm on the 8th and I'm ready to go BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 We are all ready present wise- and have bought the boy's birthday presents as their birthdays are in January We will put the tree up on the 8th when we have bought it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I can't believe all you organised lot! I thought I was doing quite well, got some of the pressies, and some of the cards, some of the food, some of the decorations, but still got at least 2/3 of the presents to buy (got 2/3 of the money to find to buy them yet as well ) I do love Christmas though, I've taken Saturday off work as the couple across the road from me are switching on their 37,000 lights at 5pm. So this weekend we're going to get our tree too and put up our decorations. I'll try not to get too ratty with the children and once they're all in bed, I'll take the tree decorations off, where it looks like Santa threw up on it, and put them on again a bit more organised!! Don't mind chaos, in fact I don't think you can be over decorated on the tree front when you have kids, but it does get to the stage where you can't actually see any tree any more! Then sit back and see how long it is before the dog chews it all!! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 I've got everyone's pressie except for Hubbie. Still don't know what to get him. Someone mentioned Christmas getting too expensive. My Mum-in-Law gets us all a chaity present. The grandchildren all get a chicken each (obviously not literally - it goes to a village in Africa). The card that the children get shows a picture of the chicken and sometimes it also shows a picture of the village that it goes to. We really like this as it helps to remind the children about the true spirit of Christmas. Some of the family weren't always as impressed though. Apparently there were a few temper tantrums at first. I love the extra work at Christmas. I get up really early on Christmas Day, work my socks off for an hour or so and get all the prep work done. I love having the family round but "Ooops, word censored!"ody is allowed to get stressy...it's not worth their lives! We have only got one miserable member of the family and every year he gets threatened that if he gets grumpy then he doesn't get fed. He likes my cooking too much to argue and we have a nice peaceful time. My son does describe me as a very scary woman! (I'm not really though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 My mum and I do the charity present thing between us, trouble is my children are a bit too ....... I was going to say spoilt, or selfish but that sounds too mean. They send Nanny a charity present - last year it was a goat - nanny goat geddit? but they'd be very disappointed if hey got a charity gift and nothing else. This year I have to say my mum has got me a years subscription to National Geographic cos I saw it on special offer about a month ago! I used the alternative gift catalogue last year for the profits from my Christmas thingy that I organise in our road, we got a years education for a child in Africa or something like that. Makes you feel good and it is a great reminder of how lucky we are and what else is really going on in the world. Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkleeeeee Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I LOVE CHRISTMAS AS WELL!!! OH hates it. he wants to leave the christmas tree outside this year. i do feel a bit sorry for it as it has done really well and looks good even though it was hit with the digger twice this year. but its not the same not having a tree. we have a new extension (which is to be our living room) and it is lovely. a tree would look great. i might leave the potted one outside and put some lovely lights on it and get one for inside. i am planning to have flour footsteps from the fireplace to the tree and back and hoof prints outside. mulled wine on the logburner and roasted chesnuts. it will be great. we have started making christmas crafts and cards and we are going to make some more felt decorations for the christmas tree tomorrow. i bought the pressies a couple of months ago but the kids main present is now £40 cheaper in the sale (and it already had £35 off when i bought it) so i am a bit gutted (i am thinking about sending it back and getting a refund and then buying the cheaper one ) we are having my family around on christmas eve, no-one here on christmas day, just us (because i want a realxing day and dont want to hear the moaning and arguments etc) and in laws on boxing day so we will be busy but i love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabergé Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Christmas proper for us starts really late. My son's birthday is 19th Dec so we always make a point of keeping it special. It's always so unfair for kids who have birthdays near Christmas when people say 'here's your present. It'll do for both' It's not the same.... So, no decorations or tree go up before 19/12. This year he turns 17 so everything is driving related. Frightens the life out of me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I love christmas too, I don;t believe in decorating before December but once that calender says DEC you can;t stop me! We are doubly excited this year as Ashley is 14 months now so last year he didn't get it but this year it will be magical. I never understood Parents saying they weren't having prezzies but just getting them for the Kids. BUT..... This year we are the same. I know he is young and doesn;t understand totally yet but I would rather spend more on him and see his little face then get a few CD's I will never listen too a DVD I'll watch once and some perfume that will either smell foul or sit in the drawer for years. Last year my Brother and his girlfriend got us all donated goods to Africa that suited our personalities. I gave chickens, Hubby who is a keen DIYer got/ gave equipment to build a bridge and My parents who are teachers got school books and stationary. I think a few BHWT sponsored chickens are in order this year. We haven;t started the shopping yet but are braving Chester and Cheshire Oaks on Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I have just ordered my Christmas bird from the butchers....a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey (all free range, of course). How long does that take to cook? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I was wondering that myself. A turkey takes long enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I adore Christmas too, & have been reallly looking forward to this years as all my family agreed to come to mine this year. My sister is a nurse & works alternate years & my brother a chef so likewise,therefore its rare for us all to be available. But last Christmas they all said they would be around & would love to come to mine However a couple of days ago my sister told me that my brother has invited her & my dad over to his this year,& they have botch accepted,leaving us all on our own I am really hurt by this,especially as my brothers house is small so there is no way we can go too,not that we have even been asked We even cancelled our vague plans to go away this year in anticipation of them all being here I hate it when people are inconsistant......................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Poor you cinnamon, I quite agree it is very annoying when people say one thing and then do another especially when you are going to a lot of trouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Ooooh....that is a shame Cinnamon. Is it too late to remind them that you were expecting them at your house? Tell them that you cancelled plans on the strength of this. Mind you if they then decide to come to you your brother will no doubt be upset. Happy Families eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
