As a mother it is usually your job to make sure that a great Xmas is had by all. I know there are more single fathers and house husbands these days so I will let you be included in the things I am writing about as well.
I found the best way to make sure it is perfect is to write lists. I am a well-known list writer. From experience Xmas is hard work for whoever has to get all the presents and food. Every year we get to November and act like we don't know Xmas is December the 25th. It is on the calendar and it is a regular occurrence so why do people get surprised it is nearly here and panic. Panic buying results in presents that are bought for the sake of buying or as an afterthought. Those presents tend to be chocolates, biscuits, alcohol or bath packs. When you get these things you know there is no thought behind the gift.
So to prepare yourself in good time make several lists. I write a card list, a present list of people, a Xmas dinner list, a Boxing Day list and an extras list so sweets and drink. I know it is starting to sound like a military manoeuvre but it does insure you get everything because there is nothing worse than cooking the dinner Xmas morning and finding you forgot the stuffing. It can ruin the meal.
Let's start with cards. Over the years I have sent hundreds but in the last five I have a card book so apart from close family and friend I write down who I sent one to and then if I get one back. I know that sounds bad but if you don't send me a card for three years then I take you off the list and have actually saved a lot in cards and postage. So always keep it written down. If you do that you won't forget anyone.
I always put a chocolate list on the fridge in November for my adult sons. I used to get everything and put it out for anyone that visits but now they write what they want and that is all I get. I am not a drinker so if any drinks are going to be purchased they do that themselves.
The next thing I do is a present list so I write down everyone I have to get something for and ideas then once I have got what I need it is listed it next to their names and I cross them off. I do this purely because in the run up to the day I have bought and hidden so many things that I lose track. One year I couldn't find everything so if I had a list I know exactly what and where it is. I remember one year when my children were young I got all the presents under the tree and as we started to open them became aware that my youngest was about 5 presents short on the others and I was mortified but worse he was heartbroken. So I vowed that would never happen again and thankfully it hasn't.
Then we come to food which can make or break Xmas can't it? So I do a Xmas dinner list and because everyone comes to me on Boxing Day I do a buffet list. I don't forget anything like a vegetable that we only have on that one day a year. I do a massive dinner which just gets eaten by my two grown sons and myself. It is special as it is the only time we all sit at the table together but I ask myself "Why do I do 4 meats with three types of potato and eight veg?" Let me tell you it is habit after so many years I don't trim it back.
The problem I have is I never want anything and it drives my kids mad. Obviously they all love me and want to get me a nice present but I really am hard work. This year will be the exception as long as they have picked up on my gentle hints and club together. If they do I will be so happy. I want a ceiling fan that is new to the UK called a Fanaway EVO2 which I saw on a website recently. When it is not on it is just a light but the magic starts when you turn it on the blades come out and it is a fan. The same when you turn it off they disappear back into the body so it is just a light. It even comes with a remote control and I have decided this the only present I want this year plus my chocolate orange.
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