So, the consensus of opinion in forum members replies , including PMRCanada , Louise Penycraig , Maria40 and Marilyn 1959 to the Festive Pacing post I wrote on Advent Day 1 is Online Shopping is the biggest bit of help you will give your aching joints this Festive Season.
And in the spirit of Pacing , and environmentally friendly recycling , I have decided to include an updated version of my post ( including the results and advice on avoiding Auntie Bees mistakes ) from last year on Fatigue Friendly , Guilt Free Gift and Food Buying for 2019.
Newbies won't have seen it , Brain Fog might mean that Experienced Members want a reminder , and now I can tell you the results , I decided an edit instead of a link , so , here we go!
I have just done all my Christmas shopping ( and wrapping) in the last two days from the comfort of my bed and it was definitely PMR/ GCA Pain Free.
Many of you are like Me. Struggling with Pain in the Cold or Heat , putting off dreaded lists and shopping trips in the hope you might feel better soon and able to get making or go shopping on another day.
Many will be feeling stressed , or guilty , especially if you are in Chronic Pain Year 1 , because you can't shop or make the usual Homemade gifts or Treats as you have always done before. The loss of the " Old Christmas Normal " bringing down your Cheer. But remember Festive Pacing and Fear Not : There is a Star on the Horizon!
Here's a stocking full of guilt free , budget friendly tips from Me to You , because , believe me kids , even if Margot Ledbetter in , ' The Good Life' , needed to learn that , "Christmas does not come in a van , it's about Family and Friends." With PMR, GCA , Fatigue or Chronic Pain the van may be the only way you can deliver Christmas Flare Free.
Buying gifts online , or by phone , is easy , budget friendly and stress free , especially through sites like Etsy , Folksy and Small Producers. Buying from these sites also gives a gift to these producers , often people whom are just like You. They work from Home because they have Health Issues or are Carers and running a Home Business is the only way they can share their Talents.
The foodie producers can even still provide those Homemade goodies you aren't up to making yourself and also cater for Special Dietary needs at a better quality and price than the High Street too.
Even the Big Boys, like Amazon and the Supermarkets , become your festive lifejackets . With more original gifts and the ability to send things gift wrapped direct to your loved ones door they save you the Pain of the shop , wrap and dash that daunts us All.
Christmas at , ' The Asylum' , as Chez Bee is affectionately known, is definitely coming in a van again this year. Including all my Food and Drink essentials booked from Supermarkets and Local Shops all delivered to my door. My Top Tip for food orders is book a slot now , as the delivery times close to Christmas are being snapped up. But don't fear , you can just choose to put a few items in your basket now , then slowly add to your order over a nice brew over the next few weeks, right up until the night before , which does take the stress out if it all.
Last year , I felt that I was getting a gift each day a delivery came . I even received Christmas cards , a free bar of chocolate and a brooch in with my orders as gifts from Sellers for my support so it was a lovely surprise for Me too.
My big mistake , which I want to help you to avoid , was not to be more specific about my delivery slots. I thought I would save time getting three deliveries in one day , but unfortunately all three vans turned up at once , putting on quite an embarrassing spectacle , blocking up the street just as the schools were being let out. My neighbours , and the kids on the bus may have been entertained and amused but it didn't do the job for reducing Stress , so take heed and stagger the times if you can.
The results of my purchases and gift suggestions from last year were a positive success with none of the Pain.
Foodie friends ( and my tummy!) loved the handmade Marshmallows , Vegan Nougat , Dairy Free Chocolates and Gluten Free Turkish Delight I got from Etsy. The producers were also happy to wrap and send my purchases to various addresses for the same cost as it would have been to do it myself but the bonus was without the Fuss.
Teens , Tweens and Inbetweens loved the unique books , games , T-shirts , DVDs and CDs bought from Amazon and eBay , stuff I wouldn't have found in a month of Sundays dragging myself around North Wales . With Prime membership I got it delivered free , and gift wrapped with tags , all in budget , much for a tenner , some for a £5 note all in! Even a last minute purchase on 20th December arrived on time.
Mr Bees Sister and Kids loved the ' Santa versus Jesus ' board game which meant Auntie Bee could still add a bit of humour and originality into the festivities. I was there in spirit , if not in body , post dinner japes , as in days Pre PMR/ GCA still provided by Yours Truly!
Beauty Queens raved about their smellies , purchased in the Black Friday Sales from Catch Kidston and Lush . All packed in quickly fillable baubles and gift bags for them to grab from the tree with no back aching sticky tape marathon required.
And Waitrose did it again for my hard to buy for Mother in Law , sending a top quality Poinsettia and Rose and Violet Creams , fresh , in perfect condition , and on a time that suited her. She apparently , even smiled!!!!
The whole Family literally cheered , entertained and fed in just two days without the Stress and Hell of shops , sticky tape , and the mile long Post Office Queue. And importantly , good old Mr. Bee enjoyed the break too from doing the torturous gift run and got to start the holiday early cuddled down with a mince pie and a DVD , a treat deserved now that he takes on more tasks my Pain just won't let me do.
I did go to the shops !!! The Llandudno Christmas Market but I did it for Fun not because I 'Had To'. Enjoying a stress free stroll around the stalls with hot chocolate breaks and noting the envious glares of those that dashed around bags hanging around them , shuddering in their wake. Looking probably they way I have done many times before.
I won't say I don't still have a pang for the " Old Christmas Normal" , I still sometimes miss being Santa's most energetic little helper , but I can honestly say the " New Christmas Normal' is now definitely Guilt Free. And , most importantly , the Smiles on people's Faces , including my own, under the new regime , is the Greatest Gift of All.
It might be Shop Bought but it is full of care and thought .
So Bring on the Van ! Margot had some sense after all!
Got any tips for shops or extra stress free shopping ideas forum friends , please add them in the replies below.
And today's photo is another kindly donated crochet cutie from the girl you know as Grandma xx
