How are your Christmas preparations going?

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
I have got the presents, all from Amazon, have enough cards left from last year to use up, bought giftwrap and tags. But I have not sat down and actually wrapped or written anything - I intend to do it this afternoon as I usually have one focussed session to get it done.
There are far fewer cards to do, I have pruned the list drastically as stamps are too expensive now. Only family and a few closest friends, just the immediate neighbours. Presents only family and a sensible budget. My husband and I set ourselves a reasonable budget for each other, I buy practical useful rather predictable presents. Frivolity and money-wasting is a thing of the past.
I have a menu and list for food - only four of us for dinner. Non-perishables next week, fresh items about 3 days before Christmas day. We shall have a large chicken as nobody likes turkey. My husband bakes a lovely apple pie and makes a trifle and we shall have Xmas pudding of course - I love the rich taste.

How are your preparations going?
 

dilettante said:
Pretty good shape here, maybe more wrapping material for gifts needed. Actual plans for "the event" are still very loose though.
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Trouble is, if I ever relax, time flashes by and then comes that stress and horror that I won't get everything done. Always do though, it all gets done.
 

All gifts are bought. Gift bags & tissue paper are being delivered tomorrow. Thank you, Amazon!
Just the three of us for Xmas. Will have dinner at ours this year, though I think daughter would like to cook for us at her new condo .. we'll see.

We will have the usual - turkey, dressing, roasted carrots & brussels sprouts, gravy, etc.
 
We have a small family: our daughter, our son-in-law, and their two children. We sent them a big box from Omaha Steaks and gift cards from Amazon. (Our grand daughter is only 4 years old so for her we chose clothing and toys from Amazon. Our grandson is older and enjoys gift card at this point.)
 
My goal was to have everything done including wrapping by Thanksgiving... didn't quite make it and finished up with the wrapping yesterday because some deliveries were late. Actually I *thought* I was finished by Thanksgiving but then I "bought more junk." :sneaky:

Cards... nah, I just don't do it any longer and when I stopped sending, I stopped getting any, so there must have been a lot of "oh, I'd better send one in return" going on. There were many years that I sent out dozens of cards, and 85% of them with a handwritten letter enclosed... simply don't have the inclination to do that now.

I have everything except the freshest food/produce on hand for Christmas/Christmas Eve meals, too. So pretty much ready! 🎄🎅
 
After searching locally, I finally just ordered our Christmas Crackers, so I'm set.
Watching our guest trade their 'prizes' while wearing their Crowns, is a high point of
Christmas dinner for me.

Two 6 lb. Prime Rib boxes arrived yesterday from Kansas City Steaks.

Looking forward to my traditional socks and underwear, happens due to the sad story I tell of being a middle
child and that's all I got growing up. (wife knows better, but she enjoys saying 'Ah...' sad faced, when I open
my package from Santa.)
 
For everyone in the UK who hasn't ordered yet, you may not get it before Christmas..

Just read in the papers this morning..precisely what everyone needs this year again...

Christmas supplies heading to Britain could be delayed over the coming weeks in a threat to the festival season as the Panama Canal suffers its worst-ever drought.

Unprecedented conditions have seen water levels in the vital 50-mile shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans fall to their lowest since the mid-1900s.

Dozens of massive container ships carrying presents and festive items including Apple's new iPhones, TVs, exercise bikes, clothes and tree lights are experiencing delays of up to four weeks – and the crisis could yet last for several months.

Congestion in the canal could have a wider impact across the global supply chain - with experts warning that Christmas in the UK and Europe could be impacted.

The cost of food and energy prices could also rise because grains and fuels are among other major supplies transported through the canal now experiencing delays.

Experts have warned that the disruptions at the canal are likely to remain in place for 'some time to come', with some fearing the restrictions could continue into 2025.
Nearly 80 ships aiming to pass through the canal have been met with significant delays. Instead of the eight to ten hours it typically takes to transit through, ships are now waiting one to two weeks in line.
Some companies have paid as much as $4million (£3million) to move to the front of the queue and bypass wait times, Fox News reported.

This is compared to an average auction price of about $173,000 (£137,000) just one year ago.
UK Christmas supplies threatened by Panama Canal drought

78672009-12835233-image-a-43_1701912555131.jpg

Low water levels outside the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal on November 3 this year
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Bought all the cards, not written any yet though. Perhaps get around to it this w/end.

I don't buy my daughter or SIL presents any more.
She knows I only need my moisturers regularly - so we made this pact that we'll only buy silly stuff, give it unwrapped as then it won't be classed as a 'present'
She let it slip she's baking me a cake this year 😁

I always buy their dog something and wrap it up. 😊
 
I already got tissue papers and bags from the drugstore last week. It was all 50% off so even if they were scamming me I still feel good. Cheaper than online!

But I miscalculated and need more yet.
 
We don't celebrate Christmas. We do get together with Wife's three adult kids and 3 adult Grands for a dinner. No gifts. No lights no tree. None of the family are religious at all. Wife's 80th birthday is 3 days after December 25, so she grew up feeling cheated in terms of being recognized by her Parents. This year she will be the center of attention at a nice country club dinner with her family and friends from her past in the U of T life. JimB.
 
I stopped sending cards 20 years ago. I do like to decorate for Christmas. I only exchange gifts with a few people.

Since my Dil has to work every holiday we are celebrating on the 21st by going out for an expensive dinner and a stage show. We did that last year and really enjoyed it.
 
Pepper said:
Horribly! I always panic this time of year, so much to buy, to tip, to spend. Decorations will depend on what 🐈 🐈‍⬛ allow!
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Haha. And the F-U-N begins. You’ve got TWO kittens. Them things LOVE climbing up and hanging out in Christmas trees. They love eating tinsel and batting all those balls around. 😂🤣
Sorry but you’re screwed. 😱
 
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Got an invitation for Christmas from my ex and her husband, kids will be there this year with SOs and our one grandchild. So that sets my plans unless a blizzard shifts our schedules. Divorced about 28 years now, but we've always stayed on good terms.
 
We got our tree off the forest a couple weeks ago and brought it indoors last night. The wife has almost fully decorated the house, she loves doing that stuff. I got some coffee to give as presents to randoms. Our daughter is closing on a house next week so gifts are limited so she doesn't have to spend on that. Wife has been shopping for herself this year so that's a plus. Oh can't forget our anniversary on 12/26.......thanks for reminding me!
 
dilettante said:
Got an invitation for Christmas from my ex and her husband, kids will be there this year with SOs and our one grandchild. So that sets my plans unless a blizzard shifts our schedules. Divorced about 28 years now, but we've always stayed on good terms.
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That says a lot of positive about you in many ways. Hope you enjoy the day!
 
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