The Edcawber Principle

beanielou

My plans are under review is all I am saying.

greent

Our plans haven't really changed - my mum will still visit Xmas day morning for a couple of hours (she lives 10 mins drive away). 2 friends were spending Xmas eve evening with us and that's now obviously not happening- although we will be doing a brief doorstep present 🎁exchange during the day. On the positive side of that, though, we can now get into our Xmas PJs earlier in the evening and also get to bed earlier! 😄😄 (They don't have kids so will have the luxury of waking up whenever they want to - possibly even something like 10am!) 

Other than that it will be Xmas as usual - the 6 of us hunkered up for several days, venturing out maybe for some walks and possibly to buy milk (we get through an insane amount) and otherwise playing games  building Leg0,  watching films, cooking/ eating, etc - hopefully just a very chilled time 👌 

turtlemoose

My plans haven't changed - I'm only spending time with my kids (8 and 4) and people who I'm already in a proper/official bubble with. We will video call with the family we would usually visit. 

ajmoney

My plans haven't changed either but that is because I don't really have any. I think my official bubble is coming round for Christmas dinner but we haven't actually spoken about it. If he doesn't there will be more food for me 

Suffolk_lass

We have our son joining us for Christmas Day only. I was supposed to be delivering dinner to a neighbour whose daughter lives in London (Tier 4) but they have adopted her in their bubble so she is able to go. She was so thrilled and I am happy for her. My Mum's gift box arrived safely and with my Sis and B-i-L there for Christmas the new portal tablet should get set up so we can talk more easily

Our bubble person is going to his old fiends (in their eighties) and their bubble person as he has not seen them since January. They have all been isolating to stay safe to meet each other (as has the Scottish part of my family). He will then isolate again until he comes here on 31st so he won't be on his own. Once again, he will connect up his van to our electricity and sleep in that.

I have yet to do the tidying and cleaning thing, although the sitting room looks quite nice with the tree, a net of lights from which the cards hang, and a bower over the inglenook bressumer. I have baked though - chocolate brownies, shortbread, mince pies and cake are all ready and consumption started. I also made my Grannies chocolate fudge recipe - more like tablet - but that has all gone  - (it is to these things I owe my [not] sylph-like figure). Last trip to shops tomorrow at 07.00 to collect my order from the butcher and both dustmen and postman were intercepted to hand cards and Christmas boxes to them.

Lots of walking in mind and two local campaigns to track and actively participate in so it won't be too slothful -

Merry Christmas, to you and yours, may it be relaxed, happy, low-key and enjoyable - oh and stay safe!

edinburgher

@beanielou - I hope everything works out ok with the plans

@Suffolk_lass I can't be the only person drooling at your baking chat? It sounds like lots of you are still looking forward to a lovely Christmas.

Thankfully the Scottish guidance has been updated, so we're allowed necessary childcare in Tier 4. DD is very excited to be spending a day with her Gran and Grandad and Mrs E and I are appreciating a few hours off to breathe!

Civil Service pension scheme update has arrived - slightly lower than I'd hoped for at £2,825/year - but not bad considering my relatively low wage when it was accrued. Year end pension calculation excluding state pensions is £232,490.65

Am starting to draw together more specific saving plans from January. I think target may be £1,000/month, but it would still be quite ambitious without cunning plans.

edinburgher

Ther's always something you forget! Took out a new breakdown cover policy with AutoAid today through the MSE link (hopefully £10 cashback). Our warranty ran out in October. Have added it to the YNAB budget for renewal next year, adding +5% to cover increases/inflation, as I always do.

Made a last minute dash to the shops as DD needs new school shoes. We weren't able to go to the Cl@rks outlet, so are now £40 worse off as a consequence! Shops starting to get busy, glad we were in and out by 10:00.

2 sleeps to go!

Suffolk_lass

Maybe Miss E would like to track Santa's progress? Not sure if you are content that it is run by the US military but I always look at the NORAD site on Christmas Eve - there are games, films and music as well as the radar tracker 9which is great for early geography insights (she says, trying to make it sound educational) - a bit of Christmas nonsense! Santa Tracker - It starts at about 09.00 and usually tots up the present count (you probably know all about this...) Merry Christmas

edinburgher

@Suffolk_lass - we have been happily tracking Santa since dinner, he was in Greece before DD went to sleep. Have a merry Christmas, thanks for all your support and ideas through the year 

edinburgher

We had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to the end of 2020, it has been a horrible year with very few silver linings. Please take care, avoid your families and friends and we'll all get vaccines soon enough.

Looking forward to coming back tomorrow with financial goals for the new year