Am I the only person in Britain who just can't get started on Christmas Shopping?   I just can't get motivated :(  not feeling at all festive :(   Usually by now I've got it sorted know what everyone's having and got most of it bought   

BAHHHH HUMBUG!!!!

Awww whats wrong, do you usually get into christmas early or are you normally a bit like this??

I can now smell christmas and have the majority of presents already, i am really excited hehe :)

Anything i can do to get you in the spirit of things?? Think of that lovely smell and the relaxing time on christmas eve and then waking up to the smell of it on christmas day, and all the cool films and gifts and the fooodddd!!

Now that's just made it worse :(

Not a relaxing time for me, every Xmas eve is spent rushing round so we can be at MIL's for full Xmas dinner - which usually makes me ill :(  all I really want on Xmas eve is a snack - brown bread, smoked salmon - that sort of thing :( and then there's the fact that we're eating at about 1pm which is way to early for someone who normally eats at about 6pm :(

I do ALL the cooking at home too - so not really relaxing at all there, by the time I've cooked it I'm not hungry :(  don't get to sit and watch the films as I'm usually clearing up :(

My ideal Christmas would be to go AWAY to a remote cottage with the dogs, and OH, spend the time walking and coming back hungry for Lunch etc - but never going to happen - can't afford it and too many family to offend :(

Feeling really depressed now :(  Oh well at least I know why now :(   sitting here like Jack Dee :(

Always makes me wonder who's really happy at Christmas.  Most of us seem to spend time doing things we'd rather not being doing and / or with people we'd rather not be doing it with.  For most people there's so much pressure at Christmas to keep everyone happy.

> Am I the only person in Britain who just can't get started on Christmas Shopping?   I just can't get motivated

No.  In fact why have you brought this up! :-p

i havnt even bought one thing for christmas yet! if we had money id out there right now shopping but since my OH is in the building industry we really are counting our pennys! so im finding it hard to think of really nice but cheap presents! :-(

Kiger, if it makes you feel any better, we have the same problem this year - we have our own business and it's so quiet at the moment. we don't really buy many gifts, just my parents and our two boys (they are the problem) One wants an apple Imac and the other wants an LCD tv plus lots of other bits and bobs.We always tend to spend about £1000 on each of them but it just can't happen this year :-(

well just to let everyone know i have finished the xmas shopping, all wrapped up, on tuesday we are getting some of the freezer food in for xmas and i have just bought two boxes of cards to start on at the weekend,
the reason i am so early to do everything is i want money this year for the sales i have lost so much weight this year that i need some clothes that actually fit me now,
so i have got everything and the money i usually spend over xmas/dec period is staying in the bank for the jan sales.
which i must say i am looking forward to more than xmas this year
carolann

Whereas I just SMELL!! Nice of course! Rive Gauche! ;-)

I haven't even started and my Christmas will be 3 weeks early when my eldest is home from Afghanistan.  We are having Christmas dinner, prezzies, the whole lot and I only have a couple of weeks to get everything........*gulp*  Perhaps I should get started!!!

>We always tend to spend about £1000 on each of them

*faints*

I'm impressed! How on earth do you manage to save that much during the year to spend at Christmas? I've only saved about £150 this year (loss of one job) so that's all there is available for everyone's presents. My son wants a new monitor for his computer but that's totally out of the question.

We made a pact a few years ago.  We spend Xmas at home.  I do lunch (love it, prep. veggies etc. night before), glass of bubbly and wine while cooking.  Dogs go for walk while everything's cooking (tinsel collars the lot!), and we all sit (including the dogs) and have a lovely feast.  New year is when we have our family get together.  Works great for us.
P.S. Started Xmas shopping in September and have just a couple of pressies to get.  Am feeling ever so smug!  LOL

Ditto JG! As hubby was made redundant last year we have had a year and a half of belt tightening! I have just e-mailed my daughter, who very selfishly has FOUR children! I told her £20 each and that's the limit! Forget about presents for the adults! :-)

JG...I just realised where we're going wrong...we're not breeding enough puppies!!! ;-)

For everyone else...

THAT WAS A JOKE BY THE WAY! We have no intension of being BYB!!

>JG...I just realised where we're going wrong...we're not breeding enough puppies!!!

>For everyone else...

>THAT WAS A JOKE BY THE WAY! We have no intension of being BYB!!

.. tis awricht.. some of us still have a sense of humour...

Although...

I have just told my family.. no presents.. BECAUSE.. I have just had a litter of pups.. and rather large vets bills (fainting smiley) ;-)

Nope I still refuse to even acknowledge Christmas, not December yet.

Always do my shopping two days before xmas, cant seem to get in the mood!! Usually running around xmas eve doing it but i atually like being out xmas eve!!

Shopping then pub

Always say i will get organized but i dont

The dogs usually have there presents brought first

I don't think about Christmas until December and it is quite low key here. Don't have enough money to spend much on presents but they are always appreciated by the recipients and are given and received with love which is all that matters for me :-)

going to change my avatar to a festive one but have been feeling the vibe for a while.  With being a body shop at home consultant I have been doing soft selling on xmas for the last month or so but going full on into it in the next few weeks.  My house has been smelling of gingerbread and vanilla spice oils for the burner for weeks. yum yum.

As for buying presents, I bought a couple at a dog show in the summer but nowt since then.

I have started, halfway there with presents :-) but have cut back on amount spent this year on people, it's just silly how much we can spend every year.
I LOVE Christmas but find it a emotional time, i have twelve for Christmas day, and with a new pup will have my hands full for sure.
Boxing day we will have to ourselves, the mil will have driven me potty by then :-P

    >We always tend to spend about £1000 on each of them

eek *faints*

*faints* here too *faints* again

I have never spent an enormous amount at Christmas and not even half that all told (for everyone and all the shopping!)  To me it's not about how much you spend but the thought put into the present ;) 
The first year I bought a Christmas pressie for daughter's OH, I spent about a tenner (well we didn't know if it was serious ;) )  but he was so impressed that I knew him well enough to get him something he really liked - A Sushi-making kit complete with book and everything except the fresh fish and vegetables ;) - he really loves Sushi and had been wanting to make it himself but had never mentioned it :-)   Last year I got him some books - he had never read the author but again I seemed to know just what was right and he's bought more by the same author :-D

This year I've tried dropping hints to MIL that she hasn't had a Christmas 'at home' (Germany) since I've known her.  But she won't go out there.  Not being nasty but I'd like one Christmas that I'd enjoy and haven't had that in 28 years :(  so never in our married life or before :( :(    We were REALLY ILL all last Christmas with the Stomach Virus and all she did was complain that we didn't want her down here (we were trying to prevent her getting it - she's 84!!)   We didn't have Christmas lunch till New Year's Day   maybe that's why I'm not interested :(

How dare anyone mention that horrid word ;-)

Spending it on my own this year and just can't get in the mood at all :-( Unless my friend lets me go up for Christmas Day and not Christmas Eve :-) Mind you, I'll have my hands full at Hogmanay this year. It looks like all the family will be here for my birthday :-D

I don't usually start thinking about the end of the year holidays until we are in December.

Dill, do what I do and leave all your shopping until either the week of Christmas or until Christmas Eve. I managed to do all my Christmas shopping last year on one day, I think the weekend before Christmas. But then again, I don't have children and I only really buy pressies for my OH, immediate family and close friends.

Dill I know what you mean - my daughter bounced in the other day and said It's Christmas in a few weeks in an excited tone - I cringed.  They are actually going to his parents this year so normally it would be just the two of us with my son and partner's parrot for company.  However parrot is staying home this year because they are expecting their first baby in Feb and they have not long taken on 2 kittens they are staying home this year.  So I have to make a bit of effort for her first Christmas in this country (she is Dutch)  However presents will be low key - we have helped both our children with buying their first homes so we are feeling a lot poorer.  It is still an absolute headache thinking of what to buy folks though - as for my granddaughter - it will be a pleasure to see her enjoying Christmassy things - she was singing Little Donkey yesterday. 

>A Sushi-making kit complete with book and everything except the fresh fish and vegetables

Dill thats exactly what my mum got for my OH last xmas - he loved it.  He still hasnt perfected the sushi though

Well at work I'm already on Dec 15th and in my mind I'm still in Oct 15th. Nothing bought and it won't be till I have to. Going away for Chrimbo, me the OH and 5 pooches. :):):):) Heaven

Don't fancy Turkey for Chrimbo dinner, any suggestions for something exotic and quick to cook and that won't take 3 hours to walk off after.  

I never spend huge amounts intentionally but everything is so expensive - for example, games for the consoles average £40 each then clothes etc.........believe me, it soon adds up and last year, although we spent a lot of money, there wasn't much there - not piles of prezzies. Every year we say that they won't get as much but they always do and if I 'finish' buying before Christmas, I tend to buy them more if and when I have any spare money. They're getting older now though, Lewis at 16 knows full well that Mum and Dad are Santa so he's happy knowing that he's only getting the Mac and nothing else...........but I'm not comfortable with that, I'll have to get him some little inexpensive surprises. I do save like crazy, we have a separate account that the child benefit goes into that we set aside for Christmas and I add to it as and when we can.

Hi Pinky - how about a nut roast? Not too heavy and you can let a turkey "live and thrive"!
By the way I lurve Christmas and can't wait, even though I've still got loads of shopping to do. I put the Christmas tree up on December 1st, as well as the decorations, and have Christmas music wafting around the house too. Not quite time to get in the mood yet though.  

Well I hope my hands up.  In 48-72 hours ( of course with the use of my PC) I have just about done 80% of mine. really just to get my daughters now which is the biggy.. I even have my vouchers for thoses getting vouchers and money sleeves with the money in them hidden   I have bought all my cards, my family titled one, all my wrapping paper etc.  I cleaned my front formal room from top to bottom corner in preperation of my tree in 2 weeks time :-)  

I am going to be ready this year.

Been thinking about buying a wii  bundle for my husband but don't know that much about them any tips anyone?? I fancy the bowling and I love pac man not sure if Pac man is on Wii.. 

Well I hope my hands up I hope my hands up !!!!!!! err I Hope I held them up :-)

you do all the cooking????  isnt that normal for us women? i have done it all now 26 years!

In the 23 years my hubby and I have been living together, he's always cooked Christmas lunch and enjoys doing it, so I'm not going to stop him ;)

I really feel for those people struggling with the Credit Crunch this year, it's not going to be a happy time for many this year :(

Mine too...with the cooking!
He has taken delight in 'doing ' Christmas lunch for the past 20+ years, there have been a few exceptions when (as a policeman) he was obliged to work. Then I did it...happily.

It is an expensive time, but I still prefer the thrill and stress of leaving it as late as possible to shop and prepare. It seems to me to be part of the whole of the festivities.
Although one year I was brought down with a feirce urinary infection (rigors and all), it made me nervous as it was really close to Christmas and I could have been in trouble with nothing ready.
Being really prepared and to start shopping in the January sales to me is really, really boring.

Karen ;)

I,m waiting to see if an invite is forthcoming for christmas lunch as both girls have left home now.
It feels like no mans land at the moment I,d really like girls and partners home for christmas lunch but don,t want them to feel they have to arrange their day around us or make them feel pressured to invite us for lunch either.
It just needs someone to make the first move then we all know whats happening.

To be honest this christmas is not looking too good as I lost Inga last christmas eve unexpectedley and I,m already remembering every moment of that awful day.
I half wish we hadn,t had a holiday in october now and gone away for christmas instead that would maybe have taken the pressure of a bit.

I can't even think about Christmas at the moment, I am going on holiday on Monday for 10 days and will probably panic when I get back. 

It has been quite depressing seeing all the Christmas stuff in the shops when I haven't even had my annual holiday yet!

Cooking for us is definately a joint affair.  We both love doing the spread.   for 20 years my family have always came to me. I just love having it at home. 

Well I have the useuall xmas problem of do I invite mother. I hate it every year since my step dad died. She lives a long way from me so if she comes she will come for a week. Last time we had a spare bed but now we dont so it would mean daughter giving up her bed and bunking in with son. They will fight like cat and dog. Mum will moan about daughters room and daughter will moan about not being in her room.She Wont be able to have friends over to chill out if sharing a room with grandma. Hubby doesnt really get on with mother. he is good and doesnt show it but I know him well enough to know what he is thinking. So all in all if she comes it will ruin xmas for all of us. My sister has invited her as has her cousin but she hasnt given them a answer We are thinking she is holding out for me to ask. If she just came for the day no problem but she wont and i can hardly say you are not staying a week. I know i have to ask her even for her to say no.  But what if she says yes. Who do I upset most my mother or my family.

Can I just say incase I am sounding really bad. Me and mother have never really got on. I left home at 16 and actually left the country to get away from her. She is a very difficult person to live with. If we keep our distance and talk on the phone regulaly we are fine but cannot spend any lenght of time together, A week is long enough and by which time we are both starting to niggle

Hey Lumphy,

Don't feel bad at all.   Why don't you just sit tight. She has had two offers so let her take one up this year.

As you say you are not 100% in a position bed wise etc so enjoy your Xmas with you OH and children for a change.

Xmas is such a precious time but trying. :-)

We ahve also had everyone here.Some from Mainland and parents from another island.
Bed hopping and room sharing...GRumbling children and awkward parents.
Now I only have 1 sister who comes as my mum and dad have both passed on.
I have no advise, as my home is the one they always felt most comfortable and at home in, and it was an effort, parents were both smokers.
I was happier than if they hadn't come.
I would have loved to have had my dad living here when he was alone but even alone there was not really room for long term.
So enjoy whta you have got while you have got it, but not at the expence of your own, they have to be with you on this.

Karen :)

why cant you just not issue an invite, after all she does have two already and you did have her to stay last year right?
You deserve to have a good christmas too.
I have a simular problem with my Mother as she has always for the last few years gone to my sister for the day and to be with her three grand kids.( i dont have kids ).
Leaving me and the oh to visit sis in law and kids in the morning and lunch with mum in law then back to spend some time with the three dogs and then over to sisters for tea and to spend time with mum and dad.
Then last year she threw a spanner in the works and didnt invite her for the day. just after 4.00pm for tea etc.
I asked her to come to me but she's really not to keen on the three dogs and she kept putting pressure on us to go to her for lunch.
My oh is not very keen on Mum ( long Story ) but we went anyway for my sake and to keep the peace but were 15 min late for lunch which she had ready for 1.30pm dispite me telling her we needed to see oh sister and mum in law and her two kids in the morning and that sis in laws husband only wanted us to come at 11.00am and leave at 1.30pm. ( he's a bit of a Wa***ker like that ( please exsuse the sware word).
Which caused a bit of a DO to say the least. Now this year she wanted to do the same but i told her about how i felt about that as it puts extra strain on me to go to her again but what about my oh mum who would like us to go to her for lunch?
So you see the point, it doesnt matter where you go someone will be upset so my advise is do what's best for you and your family and let others do as they please, its safer that way!!!LOL.

It dosent matter where you go someone will be upset

Well i have upset my parents this year...we are going away in our touring caravan for xmas...my son and his girlfriend are taking their caravan as well. Well ive had every xmas with my parents since getting married and thats over 30yrs and its time to have a break with my own family...we have always have xmas dinner at ours anyway every year because of the dogs...its easier from my point.
Im trying to get presents done early.
Im cooking xmas lunch in our caravan for all...thats going to be fun in a small space...i bound to forget something....if we dont freeze first.
Its all good fun....i hope.

Not Christmas, but I am dreading New Year's Eve.

I love the preparations for Christmas Day, as it is the one day when my family and my in-laws get together. My MIL isn't the easiest of people, she is a lovely lady but always wants to be the centre of attention and is incredibly jealous of other people. BUT within 5 minutes of arriving with a stoney face, my cheeky sister has her grinning like a cheshire cat. I don't know how she does it, but she can get away with saying anything to MIL, and always, always manages to break through the frosty exterior without causing offence.

I love planning what to buy everyone, and usually start shopping mid year. Sorry, but all my pressies are already bought and wrapped. What I enjoy now is picking a little silver charm for everyone, which I attach to a ring and use as a wine charm at the dinner table. Everyone takes them home and we are now on year 9, so not far off a charm bracelt each. It's nice looking through my 16 year old son's charms and remembering the stages of his life, like when he was gecko mad, then wanted to be a pilot, right up to his little silver golden retriever, when we got Jade. The men seem to appreciate them as much as the ladies. I also find tiny gifts, wrap them and label them and put them inside crackers, guests love pulling the crackers then swapping the little gifts around. Also inside the cracker is a lottery ticket each for the draw prior to Xmas Day. Between courses, hubby acts as bingo caller, and we all wait to see if we are winner.  Oh, and another thing I do is wrap scratch cards in gold paper and use them as place cards, again these are opened between courses. We do have a pact that if anyone wins over a £1000, it will be shared between us. It's a lot of work, but everyone seems to really appreciate the effot and have a lovely day. I do think Christmas is a time for families, and consider myself lucky that both families get on well enough for the day to be possible.

Dill it sounds as if you should just take off this year and don't worry about anyone else but yourself. You don't sound like a very happy chappy to be around at Christmas time anyway ;) :-p

If you offend some people,then so be it. 2 years ago i just didn't have the energy to face the family christmas chaos,so i spent the day at home with just me and the kids,it was utter bliss.Yeah, family had a word or two to say to me,but to be honest i couldn't care less,christmas is all about happiness,and to go through all the usual hassle just makes me miserable!

As for christmas shopping,i haven't bought one pressie yet,because no one knows what they want!!! It seems like all my nieces and nephews have everything already,because every time i ask,the reply is "i dunno" :rolleyes: More likely they can't come up with anything under 30 bucks,which is our budget for other peoples kids ;)

this is the first time in 7 years i am going to be near my parents and daughter for xmas, daughter is going to her mother in laws for xmas day , and then we are all going to my mums for boxing day which we are all looking forward to, we are not going on boxing day for lunch just tea, and all the cream cakes and gooey stuff we can eat before all going to our own homes again,
we all love each other but we all do not want to put upon each other over the xmas period which is quite stressful anyway.
carolann

For me Christmas Eve is the sticking point :(

It's non negotiable because MIL only has one son left - my OH so there's only the 2 grandchildren (if they turn up) other than my family :(    This is why I have suggested she go to her large family in Germany (just the once, before she's too old to travel) but she claims she would miss us :( :(     I can cope with her on Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Year's day, but Christmas Eve is just too much, it's the one day that would set me up for all the rest if I could just spend it how I want and eat what I want:( 

Sounds really petty I know :( but over-cooked sprouts and cabbage/broccoli really give me a bad tum :( and then there's the stress of trying to get everything ready for Christmas Day while rushing to get ready to go to hers earlier than I really have time for, and the stress of actually being there (nieces are really difficult to talk to, it's like getting blood from a stone :( )

Christmas...whats that...when is it ...god dont tell me its that time of year again lol ;)

I havent done any Christmas shopping...cant seem to summon up my usual enthusiasm this year.Maybe its cos money is so tight this year as it is for many people from what i can gather.
I usually love the choosing of the presies ,the wrapping up and taking them round to the people ive bought them for....but this year I am only going to have to buy for family as pennies are in short supply .

Im looking forward to Xmas day though.....Im spending it at home with O/H and the dogs......BLISS
Get up when we want,eat when we want...walk the dogs and watch rubbish christmas tele stuffing our faces with chocolate lol while drinking Tia Maria and  Fresh OJ...Bring it on
Cant wait :)

Not really thought much about Xmas yet, I still have birthday presents to buy.  One of the younger granddaughters will be 2 on Tuesday and my youngest sons birthday is on 13th December,  thats when I start Xmas shopping, older grandkids want money this year and the younger grandkids/gt granddaughter will get pressies.

Don't know what I am doing on Xmas day. I feel like just staying at home on my own with the dogs and hopefully a litter of pups and do my own thing, relax, relax, relax !!! with a litter !!!! no chance of relaxing LOL !!!!!

Hi Lumphy

Next time you speak to your Mum just casually mention that it's nice that she's been invited to your sister this year as you just don't have the room.  Some parents have a hard time relinquishing their parental control however old you are, don't let her manipulate you into having her over as you will just resent her for it.  I'm sure she will have just as nice a time at your sisters and then you will have a good day too.

Christmas can be hard work sometimes!

Must admit the Christmas spirit hasn't quite hit me yet either, I have been out today picking up a few prezzies for the boys, and ordered a few things online, I like to get my boys and hubby out of the way first and then do everyone else, some years I am already finished by now, but it does feel a bit like habit and shopping like a zombie at the moment, I'm waiting for the excitement to kick in, I think I shall put my Christmas tree up on Monday and get the drinks cabinet stocked up, that generally gets me going. :-)

> I feel like just staying at home on my own with the dogs and hopefully a litter of pups and do my own thing, relax, relax, relax !!! with a litter !!!! no chance of relaxing LOL !!!!

I am hopefully also expecting a litter around Christmas so have the perfect excuse not to have to go to anyones for Christmas, and if pushed will only go for an hour or so as won't leave the maiden bitch.