The FastDay Forum

not i. bought my first christmas present for the season today. that's early for me

as the host of the Christmas challenge im always thinking of how many days to Christmas. and its only 2 weekends of shopping left!

anyone all decorated, cooked, bought, wrapped and just.. ready?

I have have one online purchase that I hope arrives here on time and two online gaming vouchers to purchase. Then the shopping is done. Still need to wrap. No decorating or cooking as we are off to Melbourne for Christmas. So I think I'm very close. Oh nearly forgot the bottle of tequila to go with the cocktail glasses for my sister in law, wouldn't want to miss out on the Christmas margaritas
I really am hoping to avoid the shopping malls, Penrith Plaza was just awful today.

I'm done shopping, but I'm not finished wrapping yet. I have to finish early because we ship all of our gifts to Ohio since we won't be going in for the holidays this year. If we were going in, I probably would not have started shopping yet! It all gets done...

[carieoates]

Getting there....slowly.

You must be joking! We're off to town today but only because hubby has had a very quiet week and is bored. Might make the cake this weekend.

If you have to go to Penrith Plaza again @Wineoclock go around 3-4 pm its much quieter then while all the mums go to pick up school kids. I'm nearly done. I've delegated to hubbie this year for kids technical pressies and I got JH HI 5 gift vouchers for all the teenage nephews and nieces so I think I'm done!!! Also if anyone wants to buy a real paper book for a present my brother introduced me to the ' book depository' free postage world wide! The book he wanted coated $13.70 delivered instead of $29 in a shop.
Xxx julianns

We are only buying for the grandkids this year (and each other) and it's done! I have been buying little things when I see them and am pleased with my purchases. A max of £40 per child has produced gifts I think they'll like.
My goose is in the freezer and the pud is under the stairs. The champers is already cooling in the fridge in the caravan, along with a slab of prosciutto and a jar of stilton. Wine is in the rack in the garage and hub's port is safely stored.
Organised? Frighteningly so this year!!

I have bought all the presents and wrapped some of them. I have posted one card, but have all the rest to write. My cake is being fed on a fortnightly basis. The fruit and nut log is in the fridge.
I suppose that's the consolation of having had major abdominal surgery; I need to do something which isn't too physically demanding, so I'm much better prepared than is usual for me.

Bracken

Cakes were made a couple of weeks ago. Most of the pressie shopping is done. Most of the food is bought. No wrapping yet will do that next week while watching Christmas films. We need a santa smilie

The decorations are done, they are basic anyway, no tree here
The food is almost bought, just the smoked salmon and my big Toblerone are missing, All I'll need will be bought on Monday
No gifts, there are only adults and it something we gave up years ago. There may be little things like flowers but that will be it.

My xmas is always very simple so i' m more or less done..
only buy for kids - thats all done and wrapped..
Don't do cards,send donation to charity instead
Got a few deccies ready to go up,might buy a bit more tinsel
Thats about it ho ho ho! X

Most presents purchased and some wrapped as of last night - cards to write........
Some Xmas food stashed away - usually get the rest in M&S first thing Xmas Eve
Xmas decs down from the loft awaiting festooning!
I am perhaps a bit too laid back about it but hey - it's only one day (and if you're like I was unfortunate enough to be the other year and get flu, it is possible to miss the whole event!)

We've started buying presents for the kids but by no means done yet.
Not started wrapping but that's a job I enjoy so I'll do that one evening when I'm less busy with work and I'll watch a festive film and have some Bailey's and mince pies while I'm at it.
Don't know what I'm buying for Mum and brother yet.
OH and I just getting little token gifts, pretty much know what I'm getting for him.
No decs up yet, much to the kids' annoyance so that's tomorrow.
Cakes were done weeks ago, getting fed whenever I remember.
Still formulating Christmas Day menu and cocktails, we have my Mum and brother as well as us 4 for dinner but we don't do traditional turkey at all ever as the kids and I don't eat meat. This year I'm thinking of doing scallops and lobster and the meat eaters can join us and have pulled pork with theirs like a surf and turf. I'm a pastry chef though so I need to come up with a stunning dessert or everyone will be disappointed!!!
I've got so much work to do as well over the next few weeks so I'm distracted and stressed with that so I'm struggling to do anything to prepare for Christmas.

No gifts, there are only adults and it something we gave up years ago. There may be little things like flowers but that will be it.

What a fantastic idea. We should all start a movement round here. no presents once you turn over 18

Most presents purchased and some wrapped as of last night - cards to write........
Some Xmas food stashed away - usually get the rest in M&S first thing Xmas Eve
Xmas decs down from the loft awaiting festooning!
I am perhaps a bit too laid back about it but hey - it's only one day (and if you're like I was unfortunate enough to be the other year and get flu, it is possible to miss the whole event!)

@madcatlady I too have had flu...on THREE Christmases..proper flu that just floors you for a week or so,not just a bad cold or that namby pamby " man flu"
I also agree with you about staying laid back this time of year,so i wasnt too bothered missing those christmases! XX