Planning Ahead

Yes, it's that time of year already for me. Time to get the books out for ideas and inspiration and begin to makes notes. The odd little present or pack of cards has already come home with me and I feel no shame. I have learned my lesson the hard way several times. Preparation is the key.

I know - the leaves have hardly begun to turn yet have they? But I realised a few years ago, being the only female in the house, that if we (and me) are going to have the festive season we all enjoy then I just can't leave things until the advent calendars are opened.

As a working mum time is very short and although we have a small family and we like a pretty simple, traditional Christmas, there is still plenty to do and September marks the beginning of the preparations. And I enjoy it. I refuse to be a martyr to it. No one makes me do it and as my lovely dad has always said "Christmas is what you choose to make it" and for our family we like to be happy, joyful and relaxed.

I do find the whinging and moaning about Christmas quite tiring, especially as for most of us it's the only time of the year we truly stop and celebrate. I do appreciate it can be a difficult time of year for some, but I have noticed that it's often men who moan. Is it just me who wonders if there would be Christmas at all if women didn't get organised?

Yes the department stores are selling decorations already and it seems earlier every year, but there's a choice isn't there? (especially for those who don't actually have to do anything!) I just steer clear and don't go into these shops often and I choose not to be bothered by it. In our little town it's actually just the charity and card shops who have a few things out.

I might buy a tin of chocolates to stash away and begin to buy presents because spreading the cost has changed how I look at Christmas. I save a small amount of money over the year and I pick up a few things as the weeks roll by,  but the supermarket mince pies can definitely stay where they are!.

Everyone is different, some people enjoy the thrill of the last minute frenzy but I find that quite hard, so I do a little bit here and there so that come December I can enjoy, enjoying it when the time comes. I'm no domestic goddess though and there's always last minute things to do but I like to feel in control of it - if I can!

So this is my little stash of inspiration and ideas and I like to find a new festive book each year around now.  This one is on its way to me http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/our-christmas-book/ but I'd love to know if you have some favourite Christmas books, especially any vintage/interiors ones that make you anticipate the season to come. What are your favourites?