Tis the most wonderful time of the year

24 Days of Christmas

I know that technically there are only TWEVLVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, but for me the festive season starts on the 1st December every year. It's when the Christmas tree goes up, the decorations start coming out, and the first advent calendar door is opened...

My husband is already very excited about the . I think he took the day off work to put it up - although I'm sure he'll deny it if I ask him. We have a new tree topper to try out - which lights up - very exciting, at least to us. Most of this evening will be clearing to non-Noel clutter, to pave the way for our month-long festivities. I love cleaning and clearing away - it helps with my OCD.

The early days of December will be awash with planning and logistics:
Where are we going to go for Christmas Day? And the raft of questions that come with that...
Are we going to my parents or staying at home?
How long do we stay?
What do we do about Indy (Akita/furbaby)?
Do I need to get more than just the Boxing Day ham?
What cookie recipes to bake - what shapes to make? Must make a list of ingredients!!
Order the Christmas jumpers... and accessories... I can wear last year's earring after all...
And who get forget the presents!!
Get those cards bought and stamped ready to sent. Especially the overseas ones!!

In fairness I may have started the actually planning in November...

We've already updated our (a new, snow covered, one), and I've bought this years clutch of Christmas baubles and tree decorations; gingerbread shapes and doves seem to be the order of the month, although I've also "invested" in new "Buon Natale" baubles for the mantle piece/fire place and a new, hand blown, glass bauble from the Bath glass shop/stall. I think I may have got a few Christmas 's and a caged stuffed with aromatic dried oranges, limes, cranberries, and cinnamon... hmmm Christmas smells.

My festive maternity, "Christmas pudding in the making" jumper is already ordered and awaiting delivery. And I've selected a few new cookie cutters to add to my growing collection; this year is , a polar bear, and a 3D and - I've yet to decide if I will go back and get the ... once it's back in stock...

I always set myself a budget when it comes to decorations - and I always blow it... usually by the second shop. I can't help it. I LOVE Christmas. Next year, for bump's first Christmas, is only going to be worse.

is the only time of year us adults can get away with reverting back to our childlike ways. The excitement and anticipation - but with added mulled wine/cider or egg nog. Unfortunately, or not as the case may be, I won't be participating in any alcohol this as I am 5 months in to producing my husband's and I's first little mini-mee or dragonoo. To be honest I don't like wine or cider, and I'm lactose intolerant so it's not THAT much of a disappointment. I will, however, miss the glass of Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning, and the Kir Royal around lunch time or early evening, but I have a lovely few bottles of mulled berry juice, which I hoard away every December, to get me threw the coming cold evening. It goes lovely with homemade mince pies!! I may have started the Christmas food shopping as well... but only the Christmas Eve panettone, Boxing Day chocolate bombs.

I've been pretty good so far this year with presents; my sister and both my nieces are already bought for. I've got a board game for my friends little girls and a little something for her and her husband as well. My mum has a new shawl ready to be wrapped, and Indy's present it sitting on top of the fridge out of sight. I've even started on the dreaded boys' presents. I do confess - I HATE buying for by dad and brother-in-law - I never know what to buy them - I'm stuck . I'm hoping inspiration strikes soon. I've started on my husband's ; the obligatory socks are already tucked away somewhere he wont find them. I also have half of my nephew's present. But there's still a way to go... And with the baby on the way I want to get bump presents for my mum and dad, my mother-in-law, and my husband. Lots of shopping ahead.

The coming weeks are going to be filled with Christmas markets, mulled berry juice drinking, mince pie and shortbread cookie baking, present shopping and wrapping, and Carol concert attending... and I can't wait.