Downhill to the Big Day

And with fingers crossed we don't crash in a big heap at the bottom! Cripes, where is all the time going? I've finished work though - yippee - I'm feeling festive and have already eaten my own weight in chocolates! Had lots of fun catching up with friends over the last few days, its been so nice to swap news and shopping traumas.

Much to do tomorrow, I've written at least five lists and have a plan of attack for the market and town that Montgomery would be proud of. I'm going to have to have a bit of a showdown with Woolworths though because they're very close to letting Father Christmas down and we can't be having that. Christmas Lesson No 1 - early December is not early enough for massive companies to live up to all their online promises. Next year I'm shopping online before the schools go back. Fingers crossed, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

On the home front nearly all the decorations are up thanks to my littlest man having some huge naps, perfect timing. I still haven't wrapped a thing though but Grandma is stepping into the breach on Friday so I'll be camped out in the sitting room with a pile of presents, pretty papers, festive tunes and plenty of chocolate to keep me going, I'm even looking forward to it. I've really enjoyed reading random thoughts about Christmas on Driftwood's blog and its inspired me too have bit more of a think and indulge in what I like best about it all.

• Fruits and foliage - I don't buy flowers in November and December. They feel so much like spring and I try to hold it back because the pre-Christmas anticipation zips by so quickly. Admittedly I go a bit bonkers in the New Year for daffs and buy a bunch of flowers a week until October. In midwinter though I love ilix, laurel, fir, holly, mistletoe, snow berries, fir cones and for Christmas we add bowls of satsumas, whole nuts, brightly wrapped sweets and cranberries.

• The wrist tape dispenser is a thing of beauty - and unbelievabely the one I bought last year has turned up, didn't vanish in the move and I've even remembered to buy a refill! No more snipping tape, tearing my hair out when I can't find the end of it, trying to unpeel it from the cat - aaggh! Someone is smiling on me.

• I do love Christmas cards - and I put up favourite ones we've been given in the past back up every year. I've got packets and packets and even hang up blank ones because the pictures are so lovely. Blimey, tragic or what, we do get some proper ones honestly!

• My dad's annual festive joke has passed on to my little family, "So kids, Christmas morning breakfast, what's it to be? Cereal or chocolates? Shall I get the milk?" - We eat lunch early to give the boys chance to play in the afternoon or go for a walk so we never have a big breakfast and treat of the year is choosing a curly-wurly if you really fancy it.
  

Hope everyone has a lovely, busy, but not too hectic week.