Week 46 - Christmas Gifts

Only 38 days until Christmas......

I’ve always had this side of things sorted early. Lists are usually made by October and the majority of presents brought and wrapped by the beginning of November.  Usually…..

This year has been different – time has gotten away on me and well here I am staring down the barrel of Christmas and I’m not organised.  Yes you know what is coming next….. a list.
Well truth be told I made one last week but I’ve lost it….. A bit of karma there, maybe my guardian angel didn’t like what I picked for people and hid the list from me.  I don’t know. All I know is I have to start again.

Just to make it more of a challenge, I’ve received some wonderful news this week and we’ve worked out a date where my husband’s family can get together prior.  This year was their year and with my current family situation LOML, Merman and I are going to spend Christmas with my dad instead.  I just can’t leave my dad alone and it would have been too difficult to bring him here.  My wonderful hubby said we have to go to my dad, that we can’t leave him alone which means we don’t get to spend Christmas with his family. 

So my wonderful in-laws have worked out a date so we can have our own Christmas celebration. I am so very lucky to be surrounded by people that understand my responsibilities to dad.

Oh yes  - the challenge….. the only time that suits everyone is the 2 December.  Yep the 2 December – yes that is two weeks away. Oh my – two weeks. Yes it now only 14 days until Christmas......

First things first. Breath deeply.  It’s going to be ok. 

We only buy for the kids.  So I only need to sort out gifts for a 24, 17, 7, 5 and 3 year old. Not too bad really.  I have most of the gifts already.  The older two are quite easy – I give money and a few little personal gifts.  The little ones are easy too at their ages it is all about quantity and not quality.  Actually thinking about it I am more organised than I thought.  I do have quite a few presents. I just need to get some clothes for the little ones and a few toys.

Thinking about this even further, I am loving the idea that we are celebrating Christmas early that means I can get xmas tee shirts for the kids so they will be able to get more wear out of them. 

This year I am going to give each family group (we are only a small family and there is three groups) a hamper to express my gratitude for their support and kindness during the past difficult months. So this works out really well too as it’s not a Christmas gift but things they can use at Christmas time.  Win Win win!

Best I be off and do a bit of shopping and wrapping.

Thanks Deb (http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/simplify-your-life-week-47-catch-up-week/ )

Week 45 - Traditions

Traditions are very important and none more important that family traditions.

For me this has always been the case and we have always kept the family traditions, this year will be no different.  My family celebrate Christmas eve and Christmas day. Both are simple affairs but meaningful to us.

This year we will be with my father and I am taking the Christmas eve celebrations to his aged care facility.  I have the dinning room booked and LOML, Merman and my nephew will be joining dad and his friend to celebrate.  It will be low key and simple.
On Christmas day we will join dad again in the home for lunch…….. not quite the festive feast but well we don’t need a big feast.
We will be visiting LOML’s family a week prior to Christmas and spending time with our great nieces and great nephew. The best part of Christmas – watching little ones open their presents.

Traditions are very important to me and I will always continue my family traditions.

Thanks Deb (http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/christmas-gifts-simplified/ )

Week 44 - Planning for Christmas

Well here we are the 4^th of November and Christmas is looming actually it is running full speed at me and what planning have I done………
Not a lot.
Yes I know that is very surprising by now I usually have all my lists made, half if not all of the present sorted and wrapped but this year it has been different.

For those who have been following my blog – I know you have heard this many times. The loss of my sister on the 22 July has really hit me for six.  Her passing has turned my world upside down… I’ve changed so many things, started many new things but most importantly have put myself out in the big wide world and not spent so much time at home making lists and plans…..

Deb’s reminder (http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/simplify-your-life-week-45-holidays-and-traditions/  ) to make some plans has jolted me into action.

It will be a simple Christmas this year as we will be with Dad but I still need to sort some things out. Presents for the great nieces and nephews, organising time together for family and friends, Christmas cards – I want to make and also some of the charity work I want to do.

So today is the day I start planning.

Presents – calls to make and see what is needed, wanted (and not wanted).

Cards – time to design a few cards and see how I go

Invites – first things first – who do I want to catch up with prior to Christmas or should I make it a new year event.

Charity – I am helping out with a fundraiser at work and it has taken a bit of time but it will be good – a 100 kids coming to a Christmas fair. 

Christmas – I have planned this already and it will be simple I am happy with the plans so far and it will be good. I will be with my boys…..

So its off the computer and into action……..