I've started a list, well, more than one really.

You did start the OP with this sentence, henetha Dare I mention the C word? so anyone who didn't want to read further need not.

I'm sorry it's an unhappy time for you Floradora and I realise it's not always a jolly time for everyone.

I did think today, after we'd been out shopping where the decorations are already up and the 'C' music is playing, that the staff will be heartily sick of it all before the beginning of December!

I'm sorry that Christmas is difficult for you too, Floradora, but this is getting to the point where we will have no threads at all.

I don't read every thread, so I may have missed more, but over the past couple of days we've been told not to discuss the term 'grannies' when used as a generic for older women, not to mention our husbands getting in the way, not to give an opinion on whether people should RTFT and now this.

Nobody has to read anything that upsets them. If it is clear from the first couple of posts that a thread is going to be about something you (anyone) find difficult, you can just move to another one.

I used to love Christmas, but since I discovered his ‘affair’ at the Xmas Party , I just tolerate it now, for the sake of the GC. Having said that, I have bought Cards for the neighbours. My neighbour has just today, got her beautiful silver-lit outdoor Xmas tree in the garden.

I love lists and often have sub lists. Very satisfying to cross things off. On the kitchen table at the moment …..Christmas food list. And Sainsbury’s online order . Plus jobs to do.

Those who think it is still too early are not alone!

Well, I intend to continue to enjoy Christmas. Not every Christmas in my life has been fine and dandy, The first one after my sister died, she was in her mid-40s was difficult, as was those after each of our parent's deaths, and the one in 2020 which DH spent in hospital semi-cosncious with a hospital caught infection that was antibiotic resistance.

But no matter what the decorations went up and those of us able to gather together remembered the living, who could not be with us and the dead who would never be with us again.

To quote from the Libretto for Benjamin's Brittains opera, Albert Herring,^in the midst of life is death, death must come to one and all^

Others I know have other reasons to dislike Christmas and I would never force Cristmas on anyone who wanted to avoid it.

But to expand Doodledogs comments, if we were all to abstain from doing everything where someone would be made unhappy by it. We would all be sitting on our hands, doing nothing and gently starving to death.

I forgot the one where we were told not to say if we liked winter, as some people can't afford the heating bills. Seriously, the thread police are having a field day just now.

^Have any of you started to get organised yet? Some will think it's too early, but I like spreading the financial load a bit.
And what about food. Have you decided what to have yet?^

No, too early, but fine for others. We need to get the garden tended, the trees and shrubs ready, work to autumn done and dusted.

Food: we've 4 Christmas meals. Each of of daughters select for themselves and their children, GC, GGC - each on a different Advent Sunday (usually). We typically know what they prefer, but.. no definite plans, yet. We have our own Christmas feast, just us two, menu long set from when we became vegans (foods we love).

If people want to plan now, for whatever reasons -- have fun.

I gave in and today ordered Christmas Eve boxes for the GC who are sleeping here on Christmas Eve, along with reindeer food, hot chocolate & mugs, Christmas pj’s, and Santa’s flying license.

I make no apologies, I am carrying on the Christmas spirit of my parents who loved it and always made it special.

henetha, I used to do all that - but not anymore. I don't do any
shopping, cards or presents, just give the kids money for the grandkids, then order the same food as last year online (with my saved lists).

I do an early December 'Christmas' meal - to get the family gathering over with, then I'm a guest on the day itself. No tree or decorating, no special preparations - I just love it.

We bought our new Christmas tree today. Our 30 year old, much loved one finally fell apart last year and was consigned to the tip. We actually went out to look at plants to replace the ones chopped down to allow a new fence to be erected.

Out of interest - what is on Christmas 'lists' on November 7th. Just curious, do continue listing whilst I dawdle gardening.

Norah

Out of interest - what is on Christmas 'lists' on November 7th. Just curious, do continue listing whilst I dawdle gardening.

Remember not to miss last posting dates for overseas!

I’ve started today - if I can count that when I went shopping I got an advent calendar for the dog. That’s it so far. I’m not a stresser, and I don’t make any lists, I keep it all in my head, but it will happen regardless - we do a 7am foray to the supermarket a couple of days before for all the food and drink, our annual Waitrose extravagance of putting whatever we like in the trolley, it’s never failed us yet, and it’s part of our Christmas.

Norah

Out of interest - what is on Christmas 'lists' on November 7th. Just curious, do continue listing whilst I dawdle gardening.

Ideas, mainly. Ingredients to add to my food order when I think of a starter or remember that someone prefers one thing over another. Present ideas - I still do stockings for my children and partners as well as their presents. Chores that need to be done, eg create space in wardrobes and drawers for guests. Lists of things to make lists of - that sort of thing

Well I've got a very short list of cards that actually need posting (just as well, looking at the price of stamps) I buy cards in the January sales. I've got two birthdays to go before Christmas and two right after (including one on Boxing Day) so I just collect up anything I see that looks as if it will be a suitable present for someone. Hopefully it will all even out by the time they have to be handed over. Christmas dinner has been streamlined since DH died - just concentrating on what will be easy and what people are going to like. Small turkey joint instead a massive whole turkey for instance.

I've got one list of cards which are posted abroad and the dates they must be posted by. Another list of cards to post in the UK, another list of local cards I can deliver. And the same for gifts. I write down everyone's name and then ideas for gifts and tick them off when I've bought them.
Must admit the food list is not really started yet.
I quite like Christmas shopping. Although I'm not keen on Christmas itself.

I’ve been asked for the hardest list I write each Christmas, by my AS who wants to get organised. My wish list. So far I’ve come up with yoga socks. He thinks I’m being lavish as he bought me two pairs about 6 years ago!

As to my own planning, I’ve written a list of the lists I need to write.

Norah: 'make mincemeat.' I do this myself because 2 members of my family have nut and other allergies and making it myself is easier than searching the shelves trying to find mincemeat without any allergens.

Like GrannyGravy, I love Christmas. As an army brat I led a very peripatetic life, rarely had 2 Christmases in the same place, often in different countries, however, no matter what, we always celebrated Christmas day in exactly the same way, did the same things, ate the same food, had the same Christmas decorations. Fixed unchanging rituals in a constantly changing world

That's lovely, M0nica. I can see how that must have been a comfort.

M0nica

Norah: 'make mincemeat.' I do this myself because 2 members of my family have nut and other allergies and making it myself is easier than searching the shelves trying to find mincemeat without any allergens.

Like GrannyGravy, I love Christmas. As an army brat I led a very peripatetic life, rarely had 2 Christmases in the same place, often in different countries, however, no matter what, we always celebrated Christmas day in exactly the same way, did the same things, ate the same food, had the same Christmas decorations. Fixed unchanging rituals in a constantly changing world

We always celebrated Christmas in almost the exact same manner every year. There were so many of us that there were inevitable variances, but overall we still have the same rituals, foods, etc as when I was small. Mum made mincemeat, I make mincemeat - different recipe now (no suet) as vegans.

No lists. But, nice for those of you who don't lose lists!

Only just discovered this joyful thread. I have to get moving early because it’s my birthday at the end of the month
and our 3 DDs come for lunch On Their Own - treat in itself - but bear away wrapped presents for their families, 15 people in all.
My lists are in my head but I do keep track of the budget on a spreadsheet.
Re food DH and I will be alone as usual by choice. I book a Waitrose slot in Sept and plan and add. This year a small turkey and advance planning for several leftover meals. This is where I ought to be more list-ful.
I’d like an extra decoration or two - gave away too much to the DDs when we gave up the big indoor tree but can’t make lists for that.

nandad

As to my own planning, I’ve written a list of the lists I need to write.

Loving this

Doodledog Lists of things to make lists of - that sort of thing

I've 'in my head list' of when to change the bed linens for all beds and dishes for all meals - must be beyond 11/11 for such vast changes!

I'm impressed by all these lists. I know our daughters do some list-like things in a type of phone diary ?? - no lost papers.

No lists. But, nice for those of you who don't lose lists!
That's the beauty of spreadsheets, and refillable notebooks .

I also plan and add, winterwhite. I book a slot on the first day they open and revise the list a million times as I juggle the menus.

Re decorations - I have some that the children made when they were little (one with a photo of my daughter and Mr Dog which is stuck to a cardboard Christmas tree), and others that have been around for years. I suggested getting a new set of more co-ordinated ones a while ago, and it did not go down well . They have their own houses and trees, but mine has to remain a record of their childhoods. (I don't mind at all, of course, but their reaction was hilarious).