Winter Is Here - Christmas Approaches...

I've been working on xmas gifts for MONTHS. I don't normally send out cards - i'm such a slacker - since we'll celebrate probably at my bro's or his girlfriend's I don't have to do that much except look nice for the meal. Since I have to work on the day, since its during the week (helpers paid by medicare don't get holidays) I have to work.

yup where has the year gone! seems like it was just spring time now aproching winter time. CHristmas like always only buy present for grand daughter no one else working so we won draw names this year! All I have to do is get SIL to get up the decorations starting the 1st of Nov. He says not till after Cheys birthdat thats the 18th but having party on the 15th Sat before . I love Christmas but is getting to be a sad time for me since hubby passed but I have to remeber that it was his favorite too.

Ugh Xmas....it comes up way too quickly once October hits...I dont knwo how we're pulling it off this yr...the kids and i are most likely going to spend it with the bf and the hubby will spend it with his mum..I havent even started the shopping though I really really should get a jump start on it over the next couple weeks...As for me and Xmas spirit..Well its never been a good time of yr for me goign right back to my childhood actually. I manage though and try to make the most of it since having kids of my own ya know...if it wasnt for them though, I wouldnt even bother with it which is how it was pre children.. hey wait a sec...CLOCKS WERE TURNED BACK LAST NIGHT??

I like to plan, but I don't tend to be a planner -- since most plans fail for me, lol. Soon it'll be halloween here, and I've some pies and cookies to make outta some pumpkins. As soon as it's November, then we'll need to be thinking about Thanksgiving -- which is another big thing for my family. THEN I can worry about christmas lol. I try to take things a month at a time and deal with things as they come.

Schedule? Schedule Darkwing - surely you know me better than that? To have a schedule I would have to be organised! lol I have started buying gifts for the kids and putting them away already but that is it! I don't think I need to buy cards apart from those that Niamh wants to send as i have so many left over from previous years and plenty of wrapping paper too but I do need to get going on the gift front! As far as wrapping goes - my best friend usually comes up a few days before Christmas and helps me to wrap up all my presents and anything left to do the other half does on Christmas Eve! We haven't even organised Christmas Dinner yet and by that I mean where it will be and what we will have! lol Oh well a hectic 9 weeks to come then! lol As for Christmas Spirit - anything apart from Gin works for me! lol xxxx

Please, don't remind me of the winter months, let alone Christmas! It's starting to freeze up here in Chicago, on top of the financial stress, the holidays are much less than priority right now! Taripre$

for me christmas is like any other day, I do not do much anymore, I have no money to entertain and I am disabled so we just have christmas dinner alone and if we can afford the traditional turkey we have it, if not we just have whatever we have in the house to eat.

Oh my goodness, so soon? I can't believe it!!! You know i honestly thought that everyone stopped posting on mylot other than a few people? I just don't get discussions in my inbox anymore, maybe one or 2 a day from annoying friends i'd rather not recieve from, that's mean to say but hey.... I guess i'm going to have to start coming to look for your discussions, as you and about 5 other people always put a smile on my face hehe... Oh no.... christmas.... time to spend money... damn. As for how i handle things? Well, i WING IT! Yes, i just do whatever, the meal, i usually end up going to my mother-in-laws house for dinner, but i want to make one here this year too to have some left overs all to myself, so i'm making one christmas eve. as for gifts, whatever, when i see something, and it suites someone, i get it, but i usually end up running out 2 days before christmas frantic because i don't want to be christmas eve shopping... So yeah, i just take things as they come, there's better chance to enjoy everything that comes your way that way..... miss ya lady.

Hi Darkwing, I just take it as it comes. We don't really have any plans for Christmas other than working during the holiday period. We are not expecting any visitors nor are we travelling away to visit family - it's too expensive. I do have to buy a few things for our son and nephew and neices, but I'm waiting for all the sales before I do that. We are going to keep it very low key this year. My son is looking forward to decorating the tree and placing HIS presents under it though LOL

Hi Darkwing, As soon as my daughters birthday is out of the way in September I start thinking about Christmas and in fact have already got all but one on my sons pressies and a fair amount towards my daughters and have my nephews, once the children reach eighteen we stop buying for in the family and friends circle so not too many more to organise. Cards though I tend to leave til last minute and it is a mad rush to get stamps and posted in time LOL. I did in fact have all my main Christmas meat too until last Friday when freezer went bang but was covered on insurance so it won't be egg and chips for dinner but frustrating at the waste of good food. New freezer arrives on Thursday so will do a shop then. I enjoy Christmas as it is one of the few times where we are all together as a family and we really enjoy. Huggles. Ellie :D

I Don't have the responsibility of cooking yet but when I do I know it's going to be a blast! lol! My fiance is a picky eater and as such I'd have to make him something for him (atleast a different side dish) and make sure everyone is happy with what's being served and prepared. Wow, it's just nine more weeks? It's hard to believe that it is almost Christmas again but it's beginning to look a little bit more like Christmas where I am too, atleast when it comes to leaves changing. I hope we have another snow blanketed Christmas. Well Merry Holiday Season!

I don't get stressed at Christmas time, if I did, everyone would get reindeer poop in their stockings. Just make your list and check it twice Darkwing Clause and everything will be okay.

Christmas is a lovely period and I guess I always look forward to it. However, things have changed over the past few years! I used to celebrate Christmas when I had my family with me but now they have passed on and so I live alone. Yes, I still love the Christmas season but no, I don't go out of my way to celebrate it. I love some of the Christmas movies that come on at this time of year. I probably stick up a tiny tree with some decorations but that's about it! I don't decorate my place with loads of decorations. I do tend to try and treat myself with a good meal come Christmas Day. It sounds like you really get into the spirit of christmas and that is good. I think that everyone's mood starts to pick up at this time of year! Andrew

ya so finally christmas is all around the corner..get prepared...

Because I believe that Thanksgiving is criminally overlooked in the headlong commercial rush to Christmas, I give very little thought to Christmas until Thanksgiving is passed. It is also because my kids have birthdays during Thanksgiving time. Other than special music at church to practice, the other things happen if they happen, and if they do not, then you know what, Christmas will still come. I have massive amounts of cleaning to get done, but it needs done anyway and has been too long neglected. If I get the chance, I will do address labels to send out cards, not organized there at all.

It has been a very fast moving year,but one that I will be glad to see end. I pray that the next year is much better for all of us than this one has been. I do need to get myself organized for Christmas. I will start my cards this week probably as we may be moving this month and it will make it that much harder on me getting things done. I have started my shopping so that helps a lot and I intend to do some more shopping next week after I get paid. Once my husband gets his check from the job that he is on now, I will get to buy the kids Cristmas and it will be done. Good luck on your planning.

the other day, a friend sent me an email that tells you exactly how long till christmas. and it counts down the seconds. just what i need to know! with everything thats happened this year, i havent done much. plus affording it is going to be hard. but i will do my best. but i have started. the kids have given me their wish lists. and they are certainly wishing. i try to explain to them that its tough times, but they dont understand or dont want to. i have got my fruit in soaking for starting cakes and puddings. but i have been thinking i want to try a different recipe, but not sure which or if i should. my other halfs family are coming down, and rachelle is coming up (my eldest) and my nephew and goddaughter and their tribe will be here as well. i have thought of writing a list, but thats as far as i have got with that, and i cant ever find a pen as they go missing. this week i want to get all the lights out and start checking them, instead of leaving them till i want to put them up and they dont work. but i am sure i will get there, and it will be a good day. it is usually hot, and i am hoping to have fresh vegies out of the garden as well. i am doing salads this year, not the vegies. i have ordered the ham, and will have pork and chicken as well. well there is 58 days 1 hour 45 minutes and 30 seconds to go, so i better get moving best wishes and take care

First of all I do not send cards out any more. I do have gifts planned which most of them are home made. We go to one or two Christmas parties and that is that. A pretty boring life. I work part time and my husband works two jobs so he does not have time to go to parties.

H Darkwing, OMG!!! do you have to remind me? glad you did, its geting scarey now and I have not done a thing, money is too tight and I have to think about presents buying and cards/stamps to buy, although i have sowme wrapping papers left over from last year, I still have to get some more, not forgetting the food as well. Nine weeks is not long enough so I will have to get my skates on, Christmas used to lovely but now its a one big mad rush, I would be glad when its all over. Bright Blessings. Tamara