Seasons Greetings!

[lisa]

Hi All, I can't wait up until after midnight but as we are almost into December I thought I'd be the first to say Happy Christmas to everyone. I've started the cards and hope to get all of my shopping finished by the end of next weekend. I must admit that once I make a start I just want to get it all done. How is everyone else getting on, does anyone leave it until the last minute or is that just a man thing?!

I have seen the first house in the town with a tree up, I won't get one until about the 14th. I love Christmas decs but don't like them around for too long. I upset John today as I bought two new baubles, lost count of the amount of times that he told me that it is not even December yet!

Our town lights went up last Sunday and they do look lovely. We have to have a sign warning lorries about the height of them. it was touch and go as to whether the County Council were going to allow them but thankfully they did, ho, ho, ho. We also have a big tree that all the town folk put their own decs on. Last year it was bashed by the high winds though and half of them were lost! Hopefully it will look better this year.

Perhaps some of you clever folk could post piccies of any OTT houses in your area?

Once again, Seasons Greetings ;D

[fergie]

Thank you Lisa. I have to say I am a bit of a "bah humbug" and have some sympathy with John. Christmas gets earlier every year (and more expensive!). My other half is a Christmas eve shopper which though festive can lead to disappointment for the recipients of his gifts. Its hard to get excited about tumble dryer balls or an ironing board cover!! (Honestly!) I still do stockings for the family and fill them with little fun pressies,chocs etc. Mine is usually padded out with the contents of the fruit bowl and something bfrom the esso garage. I know its the thought that counts but....!

hope to be able to post some great illuminated houses (nearer the time!!) There's a whole street near us that goes really OTT.

[carol]

Just had to giggle at the tumble dryer balls !! I was remembering our conversation in the sea at Ftenagia, I think we were practising the synchronised swimming at the time ;D

[carol]

Having gone way off subject with the tumble dryer balls I would also like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas. My near neighbour already has her tree lit up in her window ( much too early for me ) but I have made the Christmas puds and almost finished the shopping and wrapped the presents, no cards written yet though. ;D

[jennifer]

Christmas greetings to you all! It snowed in Cheshire overnight so it all feels very festive at the moment

I took DS to the Scouts Carol Concert and we passed lots of houses with trees & decorations up Too early for me ... we'll put our tree up around the 14th. I'm very organised this year ... done all my shopping and thinking about starting the cards today as I have just realised the posting deadline for Singapore and Australia is the end of this week!

[Amanda]

And a Happy Christmas to one and all from us too.

I'm a bit more organised than usual as well this year. I've pretty much finished the Christmas present bit (went into town yesterday then mopped up any gaps on 'tinternet).

I've also made the cake and made a start on the cards, finishing off the overseas ones last night.

This morning we got the decorations down from the loft. I usually put mine up the first weekend because we have a party on the second Saturday, but I'm doing it a bit earlier this year as we've got Sunday lunch guests this weekend so I won't have much time for decorating.

I don't mind getting into the swing of it a bit early because I just love Advent and Christmas - it's such a happy time.

[Liz]

Seasons Greetings to you all .........I havn't done a thing and at the moment havn't got the inclination to do anything about it either ....but will have to get my a*se into gear or it will be tumble dryer balls all round ;D ;D

[lisa]

Crikey, I have a card to send to Australia, I had better get it done, I started writing them tonight, forgot how long it takes.

Well, I don't have a tumble dryer so hope that I don't get any balls in my stocking!

We have decided to spend a small amount and then get something bigger in the sales. I guess that many may do the same.

I'm looking forward to the piccies of the Christmas decs. Our neighbours have very tasteful lights on their tree, John thinks they are copy cats as we put lights on ours last year and they didn't!

Love the snow (on screen) now that I have got used to it. Had fun on black ice this morning. I was very shaken but thankfully I didn't damage myself or the car!

[fergie]

Watch out Lisa - you may not get balls in your stocking but JML do a huge range of other "useful" items according to other half. I'm worried that this year it may be the "nicer dicer" or the fabulous "groomit" for me. (Who needs useful presents?!) I think the problem lies with the fact that in the early days I said how much I like surprises at Christmas - big mistake!!

I am actually going to venture in to town tomorrow to the Christmas market which will be very festive and no doubt very crowded. Hopefully I won't be tempted to part with too much cash. My daughter's school choir are singing carols there so that should get me in the mood.

Lovely snow Liz - we don't have any real stuff down in the west country but its icy cold.

[lisa]

I really don't want any tumble dryer balls - I haven't got a tumble dryer!

Well we are ready, the cards are all posted, the presents are wrapped, the ornaments have been replaced with Christmas ones and the tree has been delivered and decorated. John even put the lights up outside too.

Even impressed myself!