Doing anything different this festive season?

This year, instead of me sweating to get everything done for everyone else and battling against time constraints and Mr Mum's ever changing shifts (Grrr!) I'm invoking a few changes to the family "traditions".

~ So, to begin with, I have set a "stocking" budget (yes, Mr Mum and the minimen still like to pretend, no matter how old they get!) and we will each draw a name out of the hat and be responsible for that person's stocking only. So, I only get the responsibility of *one* this year

~ This year, due to Mr Mum's shift schedule, plus the lads needing every spare moment for revision, the Christmas main meal will be held on Christmas Eve; less frantic and the cold cuts will make for tasty meals for the rest of the silly season.

~ A new item to the Christmas menu will be the introduction of my homegrown jeruselem artichokes

~ Gifts for family and friends will include homemade produce (mainly cakes) courtesy of the delicious eggs my chooks and quackers routinely produce, or something handmade by me. (No way am I putting my hard earned sheckles into shareholders bonus' this year )

~ And finally, I'm going back to my roots and doing some "gathering" on my Ozzy walks to supplement the decorations with natures bounty.

Do you think I should consider putting wine making equipment on my wish list? Because I'm now thinking ahead for next year ....

Anyone else doing anything different this festive season?

 

The lad, wife and I did that last year. We found some massive huge fir cones (I knew where to look ), and the lad painted them in all bright colours. We tied them to string and draped them about in strategic places in the living room. The lad even saved one for his nana

We'll probably do the same again this year, just because its fun and creative, and lets face it, anything that occupies a young kid when they're off school has got to be a good thing.

 

I shall be doing exactly the same as i've always done.....running around like a raving banshee....got to stick to tradition...blame my mother for thatcheese's and chutneys for christmas eve supper....chestnuts...mulled wine ...music and frantic attempts to keep the dogs away from the mince pie and Brandy for father christmas and the carrot for Rudolf..... i'll put my stocking out fall into bed exhausted and no doubt squiffy then wake up so excited i will feel ill....Imagine if i had kids

 

My dear daughter in Ireland is £ struggling along with the rest of the Emerald Isle. She has an Equestrian and Livery stables and cannot leave her horses over the season so I will not see her. I have sent her a Jaquie Lawson card + one year's subscription and suggested she sends her Christmas Cards on line to save a few pounds.
Me? I make bits and pieces too and I will NOT be joining in this revoltingly materialistic "spirit" of Christmas. I send money to the Salvation Army and every year I wrestle with my conscience over whether to go and help in a Charity kitchen on Christmas Day. It would do me more good than staying at home surrounded by too much food.
Has anyone done this, or can they advise me on how to go about it?
Jenny namaste

 

Well done you Mum for getting your act together ... or hopefully this year.

We have done 'our own thing' for years than I care to remember, just us doing what we want to which is going to a Chinese restaurant on the beach and for several years our Jewish friends have joined us as we hope they will again this year.

We are a diverse family spread around the world so we do what is comfortable to our lifestyle.

I take photographs and make my own e-mail cards now and keep in touch with those I love. xx

 

Last year and the year before I spent Christmas on my own, Son & Daughter in Law in Wales and me in Surrey with 3 dogs + elderly cat which I wouldn't dream of leaving and I would never put them into kennels either . Son & Daughter in Law in the same position, they too have pets they cannot leave so no choice but to just get on with it.
BUT......................I have now moved to Wales, so this Christmas will be so different, I shall see my family and be able to buy and wrap a gift for them I am even going to put up some decorations, feeling excited already!!

Val

 

Sounds lovely Val ... and I am sure you will all enjoy a very happy festive season!

 

Very happy for you Val. Going to be a special Christmas for you and your folks,
Jenny