Not Really Relaxing

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I've put this in the R and C category although I never seem to relax in December. Does anyone besides me get a feeling of panic as December progresses and you realise how much there is to do? I have to really guard again getting anxious at this time of year and don't manage it all of the time. I still don't know if DS2 and family are coming to me for Boxing Day as I cannot get an answer out of him! One moment I am planning a hot and cold buffet menu and the next I am wondering if I will need to do anything. Anyone else slightly stressed?

[Nanto2girls]

Fortunately I am not stressed about Christmas. All done except for food shopping,and that will be done this weekend,to be honest being only us 2, I will only be getting a few things that I don't normally buy.
I think it would only be fair for your DS2 to give you an answer, one way or the other.
Hope your stress levels managed to drop though.

[Daisy]

BL - yes, yes and yes! Especially the food planning. On the Sunday (27th) we've got 20-22 people here for a family get together, and GD2's 2nd birthday! So birthday cake - tick. First of all I was going to rely on Mr W/rose and hang the cost - loads of party food ready made. Then when I looked at various dietary requirements it was't going to work - 1 gluten and dairy-free, 2 gluten-free and one no alcohol for medical reasons. Plus a fussy eater! So I've decided on Christmas Eve I'm going to cook a large ham and a joint of topside which I pot-roast and it always comes out tender and cuts well when cold. I'll buy ready made salads, potato salad, coleslaws etc, a nice big cheese board, I'll make mince pies this week and freeze them, Christmas cake just needs decorating and a bought chocolate log, and maybeI'll make a trifle. I'll make a GF birthday cake. GS2 has offered to make canapés. And I feel better for having made the decisions!

I'm incredibly relieved to have got the Christmas cards done and today I'm washing bedding for guest beds while I can dry it outside.

Have you tried making a list and ticking off things as they are done? I find that helps damp down that rising tide of panic. But come Christmas Eve I bet I'll be in the kitchen, peeling veg for Christmas Day while trying to watch the Carol Service.

I've noticed signs of panic already. At the dentist this morning I couldn't remember which brand of BP tablets I'm on, and trying to write an email I had a total mental block on how to spell "didn't" - it's not exactly a difficult word but I really struggled.

[Mimi]

I can't say I ever really got stressed about Christmas, even when we used to have our three children, dad MiL and mum and her husband I just sort of muddled through it. The only time I can say I was on 'edge' was if MIL decided to stay for a few days , we never really got on so bitting my tongue called for some effort on my part.
Now it's only the two of us and as we are spending Christmas Day at DS and DILs I don't even have the worry of cooking Christmas lunch, which is just as well as my new cooker doesn't arrive until the 30th of this month and the old one is very temperamental at the moment.

[Plantaholic]

I used to quite like preparing for Christmas and cooking the Christmas lunch except my husband used to like to pick the sprouts and dig the parsnips Christmas morning covered in dirst so no chance of getting a head start by preparing the veg. on Christmas Eve. My GS told his mother that he will cook the Christmas dinner to give her a rest. I have offered to do the veg. preparations, give everyone plenty of booze and they will love it.

[Shemadee]

I probably should be stressed and anxious as I just do each bit as I come to it! Still have presents to buy, not ordered the turkey or even written the cards! Probably need a kick up the btm!

[ZIZI]

Not stressed. Cards were sent last week. Christmas presents bought and wrapped including table presents for adults (just have to get two for the children). Going to son and dil to see Ben early am Christmas Day and drive to eldest son for mid afternoon lunch with son, dil, her parents, Joe, Sadie, middle son and one friend of dils. Cab booked for 7.30pm to get home. All (total of ten including kids) to us on Boxing Day for Buffett breakfast got lots in the freezer already received and ordered some extras from Sainsbury to be delivered 23rd December. Son or dil will drive my car back boxing morning. Christmas tree will go up this weekend when Joe and Sadie come. All presents have to go in the loft before my little people come at and they will take their Christmas Eve boxes home with them.

Once we have cleared up Boxing Day afternoon that is Christmas over for us.

I buy presents throughout the year and Christmas cards in January (although this year I had to buy more as they were on the top of the wardrobe and as I was pulling the bag off they all slid out and are wedged behind the wardrobe now!). I cannot abide the Christmas crush. Before I did on line grocery shopping I could go to Tesco at 7am and not be able to get a parking space, just cannot be doing it. We don't need a lot over Christmas so I shall just buy my normal, shops are only closed for one day after all.........

[Elisi]

I'm like Zizi, everything already done. Boxing Day is the end of it for us. Online also as hate crowds panicking in shops!

[Oma]

We enjoy the run up but don't have to do any cooking Christmas day we all go to DD , we do provide two types of pudding , cards sent all presents bought except for SIL,s stocking fillers and we going for them tomorrow , we do put on a buffet for family on New years day but most of that will come from M&S

[Sum1Ls]

I've done nowt. And I'm I'm not bovvered!

[ZIZI]

I have just ordered some table gifts for Joe and Sadie and a wine order from Naked Wines which I save £20 a month with, the wines are not super cheap but they a usually reliably good and the delivery service is excellent. So I am now finished except husbands sister's birthday/Christmas gift (birthday is 22nd December) which I buy on line from a plant/gift delivery company. In line with another thread somewhere on here I cannot do it at the moment because even after ten years of ordering from the same company I cannot for the life of me remember what it is called.

[Qwerty]

Lol let me guess Sum1 could childminding getting in the way! I must admit every time I bought a present I wrapped it up straight away, decs went up Sunday morning when we were childless so to speak, been buying food in for about a month and freezing it , cards written but not posted.
We have DD and family Xmas day and DS and family Boxing Day so my Xmas will start on the Sunday I hope

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I don't know why I get anxious as Christmas comes around every year and every year it is all fine on the day. I love your response though Sum1 :-)
Tonight I have done all the cards - about 50 - phew!

[ZIZI]

BL since Ben was born we do not do family cards, we all (sons and dils) make a donation either to Heart Line which is an on line support charity or GOSH. I only send about 20 cards these days and hand deliver about ten to old employees and people we used to know in our shop days, there are also some people that I email a card to.

[Daisy]

I've done nowt. And I'm I'm not bovvered!

Sum -love it!

I'm a traitor to the 'Christmas starts on 20 December' cause this year, because of our big gathering on the 27th. It dawned on us that quite a few of OH's large family will be in the area over Christmas, and as we all get older you can't help wondering how much longer the family will be 'complete'. The Sunday was the only day everyone was available and it just happens to be GD2's birthday, so we've invited her other grandparents as well. I just hope they don't feel overrun with Daisy-in-laws!! But it does mean I need to be a bit more organised. Next year - back to normal!!