Confessions of a Christmas Failure!

nearlyrich

I am so glad I read this thread, it has reminded me to get my Xmas table clothes and napkins down from the loft.

I have most things wrapped and ready to go but I haven't wrtten my cards yet LOL

hob

im not any where near done, im trying to to stress about it, if its not done by eve tho ill panic.lol

shelovestobuystuff

r.e the ironing.Make things easy for yourself.
I have found easy ways to do things over the years and my main one is with ironing which I absolutely detest doing anyway.Most fabrics just need thrown into the tumble drier with a damp cloth(I just wet a facecloth and chuck it in there with the dry creased items) to get the creases out,no need to iron.
One year I put the tablecloth on the table and it was a bit wrinkly so I sprayed it with water using one of those indoor plant watering sprays to damp it slightly,yes while it was on the table, and it dried perfectly flat,no ironing.
Heavy linens you just cannot cheat with though unfortunately,even I have to get the iron out for those.

*Louise*

Ladies....one thing strikes me while reading this thread......

There are NO MEN on here saying 'oh I have so much to do, I'm not organised etc etc'

You know what I think a lot of our problems come down to? We take on far too much and don't delegate enough. (I am guilty of it as well. )

We all try too hard to have everything 'perfect' and forget it's meant to be a relaxing time for us as well, but we seem to spend it all rushing around wrapping, cooking, cleaning etc and the whole thing just flies by in haze of visitors and discarded papers.

Well, as from tonight, hubby ISN'T going to be lazing on the sofa while I wrap over 100 gifts all by myself - he is getting a little pile to work on as well. And I'm going to allocate one course for Xmas dinner for him to be in charge of (and the washing up lol)

I AM organized for christmas....and it's going to be even easier once everyone pitches in and does their bit.

tiptoes

I clean the house from top to bottom last week before putting the tree up but know the house looks as bad as ever (worst as the the dog keeps dragging bits of the tree around.
Ive still not finnished shopping for and I'm working every day until christmas day and forget the food shopping. I was cooking for 10 but as the dog as know realised that he can reach the work top he keeps jumping up and trying to lick everything and didnt think people would enjoy there Turkey basted in dog slobber,lol

Muppet81

Louise - that is a very good point Christmas stressing is clearly a woman thing!

victory

I used to do all of Jamie Olivers flavoured butters, used to watch his xmas video avidly, buy for an army when there are the 4 of us only each xmas, I used to leave no stock left in Wilkinsons for all the xmas decorations I used to buy, I used to be so stressed and grumpy and nervous the day would not be 'perfect' the kids would not have a 'perfect dinner' we would starve, I would forget something, it would go so wrong and now? I don't make the butters, I buy a turkey crown, the veg, buy in lots of ready made things, bung it in the oven, spend the day with the kids, laugh, enjoy it, have fun with the family instead of being stuck in the kitchen resentful, I now post all cards/parcels/presents etc on the 1st week to get it out of the way, I make endless lists and tick off as I go, I don't buy for an army to enjoy turkey in febraury:rotfl: no one has suffered, I am more relaxed and at th end of the day I can look back on it and agree we have ALL enjoyed it:D

RoxieW

I have so much to do I feel sick to my stomach I also have that horrible feeling where u r sure you've forgotten something! I hate feeling out of control and lists are my best friend. I am having a party on tuesday so may as well do all my cleaning then lol - at least it'll b clean for the night! Do it too soon and its a wasted effort as u just have to redo lol.

Muppet81

Got to admit that I have been putting off running the vac round the house as I kept thinking that it will only get bitty again. The touble is that the sun has come out now and it shows the dust and bits up more :eek:

Mr M is off on his owrks do today so I am making the most of a day to myself to catch up on the outstanding jobs. Lists are my friend too but I am too good at making them and not acting on them.

Just making my veggie meal ready for Christmas day and getting it in the freezer so that will be one job out of the way. I am doing myself a chesnut and mushroom pate en coute this year but adding barley and sage to it for a change to "beef it up a bit" if fellow veggies will pardon the expression. I will do a nice red wine gravy to go with it. Might make a spare and have that tonight whilst Mr M is out gadding.

Was hoping to get my braised red cabbage done too but MR T delivered a red cabbage the size of a grapefruit :mad: . Best laid plans and all that.

Maybe, just maybe I am seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel but whatever, I am taking your comments to heart. What doesn't get done, doesn't get done. Simples!

shelovestobuystuff

I am allocating today to getting into the christmas spirit:D.
I just have not been able to get motivated.Today so far I have had a turkey and cranberry sandwich followed by a mini mince pie for lunch,watched a movie called "secret santa" which was on bbc2 earlier(very sentimental),am currently watching school kids in Kent playing in the snow on the mid day news as the schools there are closed,just about to switch off the Tv and put on a christmas cd and hoover as I dance to rockin around the christmas tree.
Pre prepared dinner for this evening,apple and pork sausages with apple stuffing and veg and just the cider gravy to be made later, so we will have more time to do christmassy stuff.
Later I will eventually get round to decorating the tree with the little one(we had a fairy light disaster and everywhere was sold out of white lights,I have to have white fairy lights, so we have had a bare tree for the last 3 days).Hubby finally some white globe lights in tesco yesterday,5th store he visited,poor thing.
If the tree doesnt take too long to decorate we will make the christmas cards for the neighbours tonight.
I bought a video for 20p this morning in a charity shop which we will play while we do the cards,its a sing a long disney one,christmas songs with mickey and friends.
Now if that lot doesnt get me feeling festive nothing will,well maybe I will just have to open some sherry;).