So, how are we all doing ?

I am hosting Christmas this year but have not had to provide much in the way of food - DD and SiL had that in hand early. I was appointed Officer in Charge of alcoholic beverages and Christmas crackers! Being in my own home means that I will have a chance to pitch in and help. When I go to either of my children I am not allowed to lift a finger and I feel like a spare part. On Christmas Eve it will just be me here, reflecting on another year without my Mr Christmas, opening a new bottle of Bombay Sapphire and listening to some lovely seasonal music. DS and DiL are here on Boxing Day.
CanadianGran I love those sugars cookies! I have home made gingerbread men to decorate this afternoon.

Our build up to Christmas looks very different this year.
My lovely MIL died last Christmas so no trip to west wales this year.We miss her.My mum is now living in a care home.
DD has taken over hosting.

We have had a much quieter time reflecting on Christmas past but also embracing making new memories with the grandchildren.

Up at the crack this morning, to hit M&S when they opened at 7. Nice big FR turkey now sitting outside in a cool bag, with ice packs. And some canapés in the fridge.

I’ve even taken the giblets out - they’re simmering with onion, celery, carrot and sage - stock for the gravy.

And I made 2 1/2 dozen mince pies yesterday, but at the rate dh inhales them, I’ll probably have to make some more tomorrow.

Just a few presents still to wrap, but I’m still wondering at what point it’s going to dawn that I’ve forgotten something vital? 😱

Best wishes everyone🎄

They look lovely have a happy holiday!

I just need to sort out what meals I am cooking, take aways to be bought and eating out.
Food I need to still purchase.
6 for Christmas day standard Christmas dinner
10 for NYE buffet still not completed the list of food.
I am not baking anymore buy now.
The meals for daughter and family who are coming to stay for 6 nights. Need to think about what I am cooking.
I'll get there always have done in the past so no problem.
Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone.

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The sugar cookies…

Sorted. I have one small gift to wrap, and a trip to the liquor store to get some wine, but that's it really. DH and I will both prep dinner on 24th, so on Christmas day when the family arrive we can enjoy their company and dinner.

Saturday I finally got around to decorating sugar cookies with two of the GC. There were sprinkles and globs of icing everywhere, but it was fun. I had made the cookies at the beginning of December and had them in the freezer.

Some quite pretty, others not so much... but then I won't be the one eating them!

No tree, no decorations apart from my cards in cardholders. None of us had the energy after that horrible virus we all had. Fortunately 3 of us Christmas Day. Ive still to wrap my husbands gifts and also his birthday gifts as he was born on Hogmanay. My house is needing cleaned, you could stir it with a stick and I really don't have the energy. I'm also going to have to phone the dentist after Christmas. To all going through health issues- I get it. I do hope everyone makes good recovery. I feel this virus has ' done something ' not just physically but mentally. The fatigue is awful. Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and a good 2025.

Thought I was on the up after my dad’s passing in November. Tree finally up, food in the fridge after dragging myself round Sainsburys.
Noticed a queue half way down the road for Farm foods 😩 just feel sorry for the lives lost in that German Market- kind of put a dampener on Christmas now.

I enjoy Christmas Day, pootling in the kitchen all day making a huge dinner. The run up is stressful but only because my family just don't seem to get along and we dont see extended family as they don't get along either. Totally dysfunctional.

I enjoy the time off work, but not the waiting around for my 4 to get their ar@÷s in gear so we can actually decide to do anything.

I'm a restless soul and like to get up and out, but DH and DSs 22, 25, 27 will stay in bed for hours given the choice and then take ages to do anything once they do get up. I usually end up going off and doing something on my own.

Apart from cleaning the house, I don’t need to do anything. Today I was invited to my daughter’s, on 25th I going to my son, and on 27 to my daughter again, when the teenage grandchildren will be there again. So a good mix of company and time alone.
Today we had turkey, and I’ve been given a plateful for tomorrow too, so just need to cook veg, which I got from Aldi for 8p!!

DD arrives late tonight. i will have most of the decorations up (trees, lights and outside lights). Food shopping and preparation is up to date, but cleaning is a bit behind hand, but that doesn't matter.

There are still 3 more days to go and tomorrow for a diversion I will be spending the afternoon in a kitchen showroom. DD is moving house and has bought one that is rather run down and tired and needs, among other things, a new kitchen. The company she favours has a showroom near us. No, I will not be tempted, we bought a kitchen from them 3 years ago and are very happy wirh it.

Sorted. I love Advent.

Tomorrow is our final Christmas lunch for our 4 daughters and their families (each have their own meal). Delighted it's almost over.

Christmas Lunch for us, as a couple, is planned and ready to cook. One more Lunch - my brother and his wife.

Only a couple of weeks until Epiphany and dec storage.

January skiing approaches.

A quiet one for me this year on my own, but will be going on a Twixmas break next weekend in a local hotel with food and entertainment provided, so looking forward to that. Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas spending it in the way they want

No need to apologise FriedGreenTomatoes2. 😁
It’s an easy mistake to make, our user names are similar sounding.

Low key, just the to of us for dinner. Seeing my DS and to DG in the morning which will be nice. I have all my food so I can avoid the shops now!

I have even bought a dvd to watch in the afternoon. I don’t much like Christmas, or at least the building up to it.

Grannybags

Wish it was 1st January

I wish it was April. My wish will come true! ( I think)

Apologies Ziplock! Of course I meant Ziggy. Mea culpa.
😮

I’m another one just ‘not in the mood’. I’ve been ill with various illnesses from September with no gaps. I’ve spent a lot of time just sitting on the settee with a hot blanket over me feeling sorry for myself and not at all like doing anything at all. The cards have been written, husband has put lights up outside and the tree has been put up very half heartedly. Some shopping has been done, turkey is ordered and that’s about it. It’ll be fine, just not up to my usual standard but I just don’t care very much.

I’ve been to my divorced DD’s for the last ten Christmas Days and I don’t want to go again, for reasons derided as silly or sorry excuses. Let me be alone with the dogs, my default position and my choice.

I’ve said no presents, I’ll do money for the GC.

I am sitting twiddling my thumbs whilst dear dil is slaving away in the kitchen. We are here until Boxing Day. Tomorrow all the family of three generations gathering for a weekend together, it rarely happens. 13of us anll for lunch and nine staying! Wish dil would give me a job to do but I cannot compete with her skill in the kitchen. I am just not used to sitting! She is making samosas at present and they smell fantastic. My dear son drove us up here yesterday so I am l lucky to be looked after so well and appreciate it but part of me wants to be slopping around in my old clothes at home!

We are waiting to go to the airport home after 6 days in New York . I did a lot of stuff before we went. Have a few presents to wrap when we get back and pick up meat from the farm shop on the 23rd or Xmas Eve but mostly all good. Looking forward to a nice Xmas Day with daughters and grandaughters , we love Xmas in our house

Thank all of you for your kind wishes. Six weeks minimum but I’m not sure what they are doing yet. It’s not too sore and may have a special splint.

Was it Rose who has the flu. Poor you and hope you are well soon.

Happy Christmas to all at Gransnet 💐💐

So sorry to read of your fall Ayse. I hope you’re not in too much discomfort. Wishing you a speedy recovery 💐

I’m expecting my Son, Dil and 2 youngest grandchildren and big daft Labrador to arrive shortly for the weekend. I filled the dog’s water bowl expecting her to be thirsty on arrival after the long car journey. Then I remembered when they arrived a few weeks ago the dog was so excited she jumped on the bowl of water and sent it flying. So I’ve emptied it again till they’ve arrived and calmed down 😆

I feel like I’m just going through the motions this Christmas and my heart's not in it . My best friend of 40 years died suddenly earlier this year and I miss her so much. She’s very much on my mind and I’m thinking of her husband and family facing their first Christmas without their lovely mum and gran.