Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sun_Addict wrote: »

That sounds like an excellent plan for next Christmas HH I think the build up is the best bit.

Have a lovely day tomorrow xx

Nicnak wrote: »

Merry Christmas :xmastree: xxx

Your plan sounds like a good idea. x

Thanks SA and Nicnak, you too .

Onebrokelady

:santa2::xmastree::rudolf::xmassmile:xmassign::snow_laugMerry Christmas Hairy,I hope you and your family have a lovely time

badmemory

My sister (a deputy head at the time) always said that term on the run up to Christmas was the worst. She used to do her Christmas shopping in August. To reduce my stress I have spreadsheets that even include how many ounces of breadcrumbs I need!

Munchin

Morning HHD

I hope you had a really lovely Xmas and Santa was good .

jwil

Hope you had a lovely Christmas

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I've been doing a lot of thinking about Christmas. Every year I wing it and do everything in December and get all frazzled and stressed.

Well next year I've decided to do things differently. My aim is to have all my presents bought and wrapped by 30 November. I also want all my Christmas cards written by the end of November too. That way I can actually enjoy December .

This year I've been particularly frazzled because I've been busy at school and didn't break up until the 20th, I've been busy with my course, and worst of all I was ill for the last week of term so I didn't feel well enough to do very much. We missed two Christmas fairs we wanted to go to in November at NT places because we didn't realise when they were on due to not looking up the dates :mad:.

So next year things are going to be organised well in advance. I'm going to borrow OBL's idea of a notebook to write down all my Christmas planning for 2020. I'm also planning to buy my presents in sales throughout the year. I shall write down the dates of any Christmas fairs, etc, on my calendar in October to make sure we don't miss any. I want to put up the Christmas lights in November too and then just switch them on in December.

I love the idea of not having anything to do in December 2020 apart from Christmas events, so that I can relax and enjoy the build up to Christmas .

I was quite organised and had everything wrapped a couple of weeks before Christmas this year. It was amazing the difference it made on Christmas eve. I'm definitely doing it again, and like you, would like to be prepared even earlier next year.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Onebrokelady wrote: »

:santa2::xmastree::rudolf::xmassmile:xmassign::snow_laugMerry Christmas Hairy,I hope you and your family have a lovely time

Thanks OBL .

Munchin wrote: »

Morning HHD

I hope you had a really lovely Xmas and Santa was good .

Thanks Munchin .

HairyHandofDartmoor

badmemory wrote: »

My sister (a deputy head at the time) always said that term on the run up to Christmas was the worst. She used to do her Christmas shopping in August. To reduce my stress I have spreadsheets that even include how many ounces of breadcrumbs I need!

I can see why she does her shopping that early in the year! Your spreadsheets sound like an excellent idea.

jwil wrote: »

Hope you had a lovely Christmas



I was quite organised and had everything wrapped a couple of weeks before Christmas this year. It was amazing the difference it made on Christmas eve. I'm definitely doing it again, and like you, would like to be prepared even earlier next year.

You were very organised Jwil. I hate wrapping presents on Christmas eve but always seem to end up doing it. Next year is going to be different!

HairyHandofDartmoor

I've survived Christmas and I got as much enjoyment out of it as I possibly could have done.

I felt very sad at bedtime on Christmas eve and when I woke up on Christmas morning, knowing that I would be spending a second Christmas without my Mum. But DH, DS1 and I went for a walk in the woods after breakfast and took our travel mugs with hot drinks with us. It felt peaceful in the woods and we were lucky enough to have lovely sunshine. Being in nature helped me to feel more cheerful. We came home, opened our presents with all of our DS's and had a very late lunch. Then we all watched a film together.

Yesterday on Boxing Day DH and I went to the shops in the morning as a distraction because I started to feel sad again. Then in the afternoon DH, DS1, DS3 and I went to my stepdad and fiance's house for a late lunch and played cards in the evening. We met her son and partner who were very nice and we had an enjoyable time there.

Tonight we're having a family party at our house, so we have a lot of cleaning and tidying to do to prepare for it. But it's good to be busy.

I hope everyone has had a good Christmas .

teafor2

Morning HHD I think those emotions are to be expected. We always raise a glass to absent friends and family before our Christmas lunch and sadly every year there seems to be one more on the list

It sounds like you've had a lovely relaxed Christmas and I'm sure having all your DS's with you was the icing on the cake.

Enjoy your party, a family get together is the perfect tonic for lifting spirits. _party_ xx

Sun_Addict

I think Christmas makes us think about those no longer with us. I have many fond memories of my mum and they tend to come to the fore this time of year. I’m glad you had a nice couple of days with your boys and your stepdad.

Hope you enjoy your get together tonight