It's OCTOBER...The next person to mention Christmas...

[Nettac]

Will get their head decked with boughs of holly fa la la la la la la la la!

Just saying

The thought of hobbling round shops...

[nomoreheels]

I've bought my Christmas cards & have written my gift list but not ordered them yet. I intend doing the majority of it online this year, I find I need to be more organised nowadays so maybe start a little earlier than I would have done in the past. I have done it all online before but there are some things I need to see & feel before I buy this year.

Sorry to say it but it is only 7 weeks till Christmas, not quite as bad as when retailers start putting Christmas decs out for sale in August, now that does bug me!

[Nettac in reply to nomoreheels]

I don't mind Christmas, I just hate the overindulgence, advertising and stupid over spending. I'm afraid I don't really do Christmas. Strictly family only, and they get things they actually need.

[dtech in reply to Nettac]

Bah! Humbug! 😂🤣😂🤣

[Nettac in reply to dtech]

Indeed!

[helixhelix]

We spent some time in a small place on one of the smaller Canary Islands - la gomera. Christmas was great - it started on the 24th Dec when people rushed around putting decorations up, then on the 25th people drove round town dressed up as santa hurling sweets everywhere and making lots of happy noises. I think they also went to church at some point. And by 5pm it was done & dusted.... perfect.

[Nettac in reply to helixhelix]

Now that's what I'm talking about!

[nomoreheels in reply to helixhelix]

Until 6th January when the Kings come, then it all goes daft again!

[DaniBeeLcLa]

Hi Nettac! Me too!! Its Halloween next week!! Then Thanksgiving, then Christmas.

Though I have started shopping so my husband doesn't put it off until the last payday before Christmas and then we have to do it All At Once. Got my grandson a set of alphabet robots and my daughter is getting a bunch of unicorn stuff, so I've started collecting it. Daughter-in-law is getting coloring books.

[ldwilliams]

xmasclock.com/

[Nettac in reply to ldwilliams]

Hum bug!

[Gnarli]

I'm with you, Nettac. Anyone mentioning the festering period gets severely looked at. We keep it to just family too but there's an awful lot of us. 11 kids (+their spouses) and 11 grandkids plus assorted brothers, sisters etc. We're planning on sending electronic cards to those with the computers and sending the cash saved to charity. Oh flip, now I've depressed myself.

J

[Nettac in reply to Gnarli]

That's a lot of family Gnarli!

I used to get depressed about Christmas, mostly self inflicted stress over seeking perfection. I just don't bother any more. Those I love and care about get gifts, I don't send cards.

I will be staying with my son and his girlfriend this year, in a freezing cold house full of vegan hippies...Can't wait!! it will be lovely.

[Gnarli in reply to Nettac]

Brainfog. Its 6 kids plus their spouses. One of the kids is semi-detached from her OH cos he is an idiot. I reckon you have got it about right and wish I had your strength of character. Your yule sounds idyllic except for the freezing thing. I cannot cope with being cold so plenty of layers, wheat bags, hot water bottles, plug in throws etc. I hope you have an amazing time whatever

J

[Nettac in reply to Gnarli]

I'm taking gin and an electric blanket :-):-)

[Gnarli in reply to Nettac]

Make that scotch and I'd join you

J

[Happygranny1958]

I love Christmas but agree it starts too soon with shops starting the displays in September. At nursery yesterday this is what my three year old granddaughter was doing, Christmas pictures. I will try and add the picture but not sure if it will work lol. X

[Harimah]

It's the joy of it all, The expense, the Xmas dinner, The family party, The screaming kids, barking dogs, drunken relatives, The snow, The ice to slip on, The moaning Husband, The Xmas tree the cat keeps knocking over, The pine needles every where for weeks, The wine stains on the carpet, The slush in the hallway, And that amazing neon green vase Aunty Liz bought you, What a pity Hubby dropped it [ 3 times ] And last but not least the Xmas carols, Now does'n't that thrill you to bits

[Nettac in reply to Harimah]

Haha NO...but made me laugh!

[Gnarli in reply to Harimah]

No. Haha the Grinch is ALIVE!

[Harvey20]

Well said 😂😂😂

[Hels1989]

Sorry but.......I finished all my Christmas shopping 2 weeks ago 😬 but seriously as a single mum of 2, I have to be prepared and start early, I started in August. As I don’t go by how many months away it is I go by how many pay days until then.

I also work in retail so it’s either Christmas or summer patio furniture in the likes of a department store haha

Apologies again haha x

[Nettac in reply to Hels1989]

Don't apologise. Been there myself. Anyhow...we're not all the same. Be boring wouldn't it?

I'm 55. I reckon I can please myself now. :-)

[Hels1989 in reply to Nettac]

In all honestly I’m just trying my best to keep everything as normal as I can as we would normally do at Christmas. As last Christmas I had no signs of this disease and Christmas is my favourite time of year and I’m so sad that this one is gonna be tainted by this horrible disease xx

[Nettac in reply to Hels1989]

You are doing amazingly. Not sure I could manage with small children. My boy is 25 now, and moved out. I find it hard enough managing a dog!

[Harimah in reply to Hels1989]

Do what i'm planning to do, Collapse Xmas day morning and be bedridden until at least new years day [ stash a bottle of Advocaat in your nightstand first ] a rolled up magazine makes a great fog horn to bellow down to hubby for room service just turn a deaf ear to his moaning

[Nettac in reply to Harimah]

I only question the advocaat. I suspect this yellow custard slime may indeed be the preferred drink of Satan himself!

[dtech]

Having said Bah Humbug. I should say that when the kids were little we always had a great time at Xmas. Trouble was when they got older you start to realise how commercialised it is and it was just a long drag of a break. Too much food and drink and forced jollity and oh god when is it going to end! That went on until we had grandkids which restored the joy of seeing them open their presents when they come round and we have a big family get together.

Having said that the peace that descends when they all leave is great😉. And we are escaping the day after Boxing Day to Abu Dhabi so they can’t hang around 😂