I wish you a Kerry Christmas (Christmas in General)

Member Name: kezbomb

Product:	Christmas in General
Date:	19/12/01 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: My childrens faces on christmas morning, No mad rushing round at the best time of year

Disadvantages: Over eating

Christmas, the word that send shivers down the spine's of many people, But why?

I suppose all the rushing round getting in the festive food, the over expense of presents and what to buy, plus the family tension of where to spend the actual day are all parts that people hate about it.

Both me and my husband love Christmas, neither of us have ever had a bad experience so this is probably why.

So here is wishing you all a very 'Kerry Christmas'with a few of my tip's.

I start christmas in mid January when I go out and buy my christmas cards in the sales. I find that they dont really drop the prices a great deal until then.

Also I have always kept a diary for my day to day plans. In this I keep track of school holidays, trips, plus christmas activities so I know whether im coming or going! Keeping track of school things can be bad enough as it is, but when you have christmas on top of all that it can become very confusing.

In this diary I also write down what people want for christmas. I keep my ears open all year round, and when I hear someone say I could do with this or I like that I write it down so I can get an idea of what to buy them.

I start buying my presents at the beginning of October, so by the time it comes to christmas I am basically ready and not rushing round like an headless chicken, and can enjoy the festivities.

I wrap all my presents as I buy them, this way the children cant have a sneaky look at what we have bought them, and then I dont have a large pile awaiting me on the 24th of December.

I write all my cards out my christmas cards at the end of November so they are ready to give out at the beginning of December.

I also find Santa appears in the stores in November but dont let my children visit him like I see other moms do. My daughter usually ask's as soon as he gets there but every year she get's the same response, NO!!!
I let the
children visit Santa towards the last week before christmas, otherwise they will think they can see him every time I go shopping leading to even more expense.

I start to get my food in at the start of December. I dont go mad and buy loads, just a few more extras with my normal grocery, and before I know it my cupboards are buldging without me even realising it.

When the children break up from school they then get all the christmas films out so we can get into the festive mood. We love to watch scrooge, Santa clause, miracle on 34th street all the classical types.

On Christmas eve we shall be going to the local christian centre to attend the candle lit carol service. This is at 8pm as I feel the midnight one is a little too late for little ones.

Then they like to put out some milk and cookies for Santa, no sherry as he isnt allowed to drink and drive!!!

And as tradition I tuck them up in bed and read them the night before christmas, they love this ryhme, it always gets them excited.

Then me and my husband wait a few hours before putting out all the presents. In this time I do all the vegetable's for the next day, and cook the turkey, so then I can enjoy the childrens day with them instead of spending it in the kitchen all day.

The next morning im always the first down with my usual óh santa has'nt been, he must of forgotten' I think it is wearing a bit thin now, but they expect it every year.

Then we watch the children open up all their presents to the christmas tunes playing in the background. Then we open ours and phone people to thank them and wish them a merry christmas.

We always have lunch at home, turkey, pork, steamed veg, sprouts, cabbage, carrots etc, roast potatoes, yorkshires, and pig's in a wrap. ( sausage wrapped in bacon)

While we have lunch we pull our crackers so we can wear our party hats, we have a small glass of wine, or juice and then clean u
p ready to go out.

We go to visit my parents first so they can have their presents, and then up to my husbands parents for tea and more presents.

This is the way we have always done it and always will, we have no rows as we get to see everyone as well as spending the morning at home to play with toys. They like to also take a favourite present with them.

I just hope that everyone can have as wonderful a christmas as we have, but I know this isnt always possible. But I do feel that christmas is a family affair, and as long as you try and be with the ones you love you will have a wonderful day hopefully no matter how much you can afford to spend.

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