Merry Christmas To All…

 Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse… Well that’s a load of bull s**t if ever I heard any. Not a creature was stirring?? Have you been to any house on Christmas eve that is completely calm?! Nope me either and my house is no different.

Christmas Eve is probably my busiest day in the run up to Christmas because it’s getting all those last minute things done and ready for the BIG DAY…

1. Have I wrapped all the presents? I bloody hope so as I started in October! However, I am sure I shall be wrapping something at the last minute whether it’s mine to give or not (sideways glance at mother!!)

2.Have we got everything we could conceivably need from the shops before they close? I think we have bought out a supermarket chain by the looks of the cupboards and fridge! If not, brother-in-law on hand to make a mad dash for it – cheers Pete!

3. We got a really big tree this year and when stringing round the lights ( 420!!!!! Mother what possessed you to buy a string with 420 lights on it??) we discovered it wasn’t quite as secure in it’s stand as we thought… did look beautiful after though and we eventually managed to get it standing straight too (once we had got all our black and gold decs on it!!) Is it still standing? Yeah? Check!

4. Arrivals – Has everyone arrived? Are there any freak weather conditions we should know about where it snows out the front and the back of the house (random comment I made one year saying “OMG we’ve got loads of snow out the back of the house too” and never lived it down!!) Luckily it looks like everyone has arrived… we will be 11 for dinner on Christmas Eve and 9 on Christmas Day!!

5. Cooking – Have I made/prepped everything possible? Christmas Eve tends to be the day we spend 99.9% of it in the kitchen getting food and meals ready so we can then chill for the rest of the holiday. Mum and I have done a lot of prep already in the run up to Christmas, making things that last in the freezer or tins, like veggie sausage rolls and mince pies. Today is all about the last minute things like veg for Christmas Day and everything for the Christmas Eve Mexican (trust me amazing!!)

6. Kids – What are the kids doing? Are they entertained? This year will be slightly different for me having Alyssa, as the only children usually present are my now 9 year old nephew Rowan and well Me (the BIGGEST kid at Christmas EVER!!) We use the NORAD track santa website throughout the day, and then someone will be playing board games, making snacks and generally entertaining most of the day (a major plus of having so many people in the house to take turns!)

7. Christmas Jumpers – where are they and are we wearing them? For shame on those refusing to wear them… Christmas Jumpers are AWESOME!

8. Stockings – Are they hung up? Are the presents for each person in marked (OCD ORGANISER ALERT) bags ready to be filled just prior to going to bed? Bloody hope so as I am not unwrapping each present then rewrapping to find out who’s is who’s

9. Santa – Have we sorted Santa? Has he got his plate with the mince pie, the drink (whatever we find in the cupboard) and a carrot for rudolph? I think even without children in the house I would still have to do this!!

10. Enjoyment – Am I enjoying myself? You bet your bottom dollar (love musicals FYI) that I am. Christmas is manic, crazy, tiring, hardwork and a blimmin good time. I would not change it for the world.

I hope you got done everything you needed to do, but remember the thing that makes it really special is the people you are with and the smiles on their faces.

And he shouted “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!”