This year, I did at least have Christmas cards by the end of October (some pretty ones from Cancer Research and some slightly raunchy ones from Alchemy Gothic), and I even managed to find some very, very Gothy wrapping paper on special offer at Studio a few months back. Apart from one box of liquorice allsorts still outstanding, my shopping is also all done (although next year I'm determined to be more organised and have fancily-wrapped packages with handmade gift tags, posh ribbons and what-not all prepared by the end of November. But we'll see!).
Otherwise, Christmas seems to have taken me by surprise. (Next week? Really? Are you sure?) I have only just started writing my cards, and, eek! need to wrap half my presents by tomorrow as I am meeting a friend for coffee, then going out for a festive-y gathering at the pub. After that I will be away for a little while; I'm going to stay with my uncle in Oxford whom I haven't seen for about the last decade! Very excited! Mind you, since I don't post with tremendous regularity, you might not notice that I'm away...
I do love Christmas, though. I have all my favourite rituals, such as the Grand Christmas Eve Viewing of the Nightmare Before Christmas, the first mug of mulled wine, multiple chocolate advent calendars, dancing to Slade (shaddup, you) and eating all the chocolate baubles before Boxing Day.
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| Self, a couple of Christmas Eves ago. |
I have very little idea of what presents I might be getting, although I know Mum is giving me some money towards pre-ordering a skirt from The Snow Field and Dan (the boyfriend) has been dropping hints about an iPod! :-)
What are your festive-season rituals? Are you an organised shopper? And, what presents are you expecting? <3
I'm not organised at all I'm one of those terrible procrastinators of life that will just wait till the last minute. Sometimes I think it might be a genuine medical disorder haha Saying that I have bought a few presents already...haven't wrapped them yet though! I'm visiting my family in Hampshire this year so that will be fun :) Present wise I'm not expecting too much this year, everyone seems to be skint! I'm expecting books, a knitting starter kit (yes I'm turning into an old granny and want to start knitting my own stuff- don't mock me :p) and my boyfriend is getting me a "surprise" so I have no idea!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I am a knitter myself so there will be no mocking from this quarter!
DeleteAlso, I live in Hampshire XD
I have a 6 year old, so everyone in the immediate family forgoes exchanging gifts so we can all contribute as much as possible to the "Santa Fund". As for friends, we just pick up random things throughout the year that we may come across, and to me, these non-obligatory gifts are much more special. Even birthdays aren't an occasion for gifts; we all just throw money into the pot to put on a good party.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a really lovely way of doing things, instead of buying people stuff they don't need with money you don't have! :-)
DeleteOrganised? What? Actually, it's not been too bad, considering I've only bought for one person (it's all I can afford atm *sob*), but he's awful to buy for and then there's waiting for all of the presents bought online and worrying that they don't arrive...I've been drinking mulled wine and hot chocolate with candy canes and whipped cream since the beginning of the month!
ReplyDeleteI do know what you mean by it creeping up on you though, I've just not noticed at all, except for town getting more and more chaotic every time I go >.<
Mulled wine at the pub tonight, methinks! :-D
DeleteUgh, town is crazy. I dislike it >.<
Nothing wrong with Slade :)
ReplyDelete*high five*
DeleteAn organized shopper, I am not. I tend to be the person running around at the last minute desperately trying to think of a meaningful present wondering "is it really time already?!?"
ReplyDeleteI will also be partaking in a Christmas Eve Nightmare before Christmas watching :)
I hope you have a wonderful holiday!! :)
Thank you - and the same to you :-D
DeleteI did a short post on Xmas a while back http://rosesandvellum.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/christmas.html
ReplyDeletefor me it's mostly about family, but there are a few things I need for it to feel Christmassy. I actually organised myself in time to get things online posted out in time, which you really have to do if you want the presents to be there on the day! But there is some in person shopping that still needs to be done, I mostly only get online stuff like comics, books, and stuff for my boyfriend.
Thank you for the link! <3
DeleteOnline Christmas shopping scares me, I never seem to get it done early enough so I tend to take what for me is the safer option of tromping around the shops.
My dad spends nights before Christmas as Father Christmas either at the historical park where he works or at the hospital. I love telling people that of course I believe in Santa Claus; he is speed dial 4. I always know when the holiday is coming.
ReplyDeleteI was prepared this year. I bought a gift or two with each paycheck starting around Halloween. Nothing is wrapped; no cards; no chocolates either. That just seems wrong. My only real holiday tradition is to watch Christmas episodes of my favorite shows while eating cinnamon rolls. This year, I've discovered the joy of making the tube-sort in the waffle iron. Delightful!
Brilliant! Actually my friend Jo is an elf for our village Christmas party every year so perhaps I should start telling people I know Santa's little helper...?
DeleteOne tradition I have is to have a mini tree in my room! Last year, I decorated it in jewellery, this year, I'm going all fangirly, and doing a BBC Merlin theme tree, with an amigurumi Mordred on top! (Made by my sister, not me) My friends and I got together in November (!) to go shopping, so that makes me organised. :) Left to my own devices, I think I'd be rushing at the last minute!
ReplyDeletePresent wise, I'm definitely expecting books!
Aww that's so cute! I was thinking of getting a mini tree but I don't have the space (too much stuff!). I am a bit jealous of your amigurumi Mordred... ;-)
DeleteHehe, my sister knows well how to bribe me! (She's amazing at amigurumi, learnt it off YouTube! She wants to make an Etsy shop, and sell little fandom characters, actually.) :) I'm now begging her for a Morgana too, poor Mordred seems lonely ;)
DeleteFor the holidays, my mom and I get together (usually on christmas eve, as our holiday visiting and gift exchange) and do a bunch of baking. We always make shortbread, raspberry jam/frangipani tarts, and date-nut cookies rolled in sugar. My man and I curl up with the cat and watch the Charlie Brown and Garfield christmas specials (and sometimes the Lamb Chops Hanukkah special/whatever else sounds like fun), sometimes before bed on christmas eve, and sometimes over several days.
ReplyDeleteThis year I was pretty organized, and got most of my shopping done a month early, but I still have half an apron to sew and a set of chain mail jewery to weave, and time is running out! Better get on that...
I know I'm getting a super fluffy petticoat, and a rotary cutter and mat, and everything else is a surprise! We got the petticoat shipped to me for convenience sake, but now I can't open it for almost a week, and it's taunting me, haha.
DO NOT OPEN THE PETTICOAT, SARAH. DON'T DO IT! XDD
DeleteAre you thinking of becoming a vegetarian or a vegan? That's a great idea! This Christmas is my third as a vegan. We always have 7 dishes (with alternatives for me and and entirely vegan dessert for everyone) and in between each everyone is allowed to open a present :)
ReplyDeleteVegan. :-) That sounds like a brilliant idea; I wish I was good in the kitchen!
DeleteYou're so pretty :)
ReplyDeletevamppiv.blogspot.com