Parents-in-law were delighted, if a little surprised, to receive our premature invitation to Christmas lunch but luckily, my lovely mother-in-law was happy to discuss the festive menu with me (we agreed on goose) and, joy of joys, some weeks later she cleverly managed to buy a Heston Blumenthal Hidden Orange Xmas Pudding,which is great news because Waitrose have sold out and they are already being auctioned on eBay.I’ve now wrapped the presents, stuffed my 19 year old Son’s stocking (bless him, he said “Yes, definitely” when I asked if he still wanted one even though he is now a grown up) and popped to the Post Office with my parcels. The goose and gammon are on order at the butcher. I’ve found out where we can buy a tree that you choose while it is still growing in a field (no dropping needles for us this year!), dug out the decorations and fairy lights and, last but not least, added a few Christmas touches to this blog. Anal? Who’s anal?!
Grace: all wrapped up for Christmas
Rather like Ellie’s husband who posted his Christmas cards on 15 November, I also decided to get everything and anything festive sorted out very early this year. My bemused Husband was asked to agree a potential gift list in August, but he didn’t seem to mind once he’d got over the shock (he was sunbathing at the time) and, in truth, I think he was relieved that he didn’t have to get too involved apart from when I asked him to write a few gift tags in early October. So I’ve been busy on the internet sourcing and buying the presents and playing ‘catch me if you can’ with delivery men (who I swear lay in wait until they see you leave your house, then screech up to your door only to gleefully thrust a “You were out when I called” note through the letterbox). I did go shopping too – not a problem as it transpired, because retailers also begin Christmas ridiculously early, so picked up some lovely presents and wrapping paper in early September. As to Christmas cards, am not doing them. I know it’s lazy and Scrooge-like, but I’ve got into the habit of sending them every other year – in truth, hardly anyone seems to notice and it’s a real saving on postage stamps.
There's a Hidden Ornge pudding on eBay for £200 so lucky you! John, Devon
What you going to do now you have Xmas sorted?!
OK Grace, can you come and sort out Christmas at our house now please! Judy x
Great idea about the Christmas cards. What about sending e-cards instead though?
Not a fan of e-cards but that's probably because they seem a poor alternative to the real thing. Which is a bit strong coming from me, seeing as I am not sending any thing at all this year! Grace x
I was prepared to like you all and this lovely blog, but this post means I cannot possibly! Any post that makes me appear a hapless slattern is not to be tolerated. However, I am secretly in awe that you have achieved all this when I have not even thought about Christmas yet. Never mind, my family are used to my "hit-and-miss" Christmases! Well done you. x
Go girl – nothing wrong with being organised! Just wish I was…..!!!!