Below is a collage of all the activities that convention says I should be doing at this time of year but I haven't quite found the Christmas spirit yet - I probably won't get round to any of them until the last minute.
Presents have been bought (but not wrapped); cards are waiting to be written; the tree hasn't been decorated yet - I think to myself - what's the rush - there are still two week to go - no need to panic. I do try to keep things fairly simple; Christmas Day here is a quiet, relaxed affair - and I am quite happy to keep it that way.
Elaine
Still not done a lot of those things here, you are quite normal and not alone! I hope that you enjoy a slow and steady approach to Christmas! xx
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for that Amy - slow and steady - good advice.
DeleteI am doing nothing but the basics this year as I am heading off to my son's house so I am leaving it all up to them!
ReplyDeleteLucky you.
DeleteWith all the bombardment of Holiday overload it is difficult to stay true to your thought of simplicity.
ReplyDeleteI like to celebrate the season of Winter, the coziness of the warm fire, the simmering soups, walks in the snow...
You have plenty of time, enjoy the slower pace and be content knowing you stood your ground and kept it simple.
Susan x
I agree, we do get bombarded, from all sides. It is so easy to get drawn in but I try not to let myself get swayed by the Christmas hype.
DeleteThat IS the spirit of Christmas (or part of it): the joy to indulge in time to spend. Beautiful photo - and a long list of "shoulds" (that I would only do if you want to). You are further in your preparations than I: no card painted until now...
ReplyDeleteI do like to appreciate the little things in the build up to Christmas and try not to let is get too overwhelming.
DeleteThat all looks, and sounds, good to me as I also like it quiet and relaxed. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteEasy does it - that's my motto.
DeleteElaine, you are ahead of me so don't feel bad. I don't like to be behind the game and will try this weekend to catch up though lots of rain is in the forecast. The present wrapping is a hard one to catch up on. Maybe if I would get up from my coffee and the internet, I would get it going.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, the computer is a distraction - but I did manage to get some parcels wrapped today that need to be posted - that's one thing ticked off the list.
DeleteWell, I wrwpped until 11 last night. I much prefer you approach. The doc orating is done and I cut back this year. Am I slowing down? Probably. And who wants to bake two weeks early. Around here the goodies will be gone. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI was reading a book today that said you should start preparing as early as August - what! - give me a break.
DeleteAbsolutely Elaine. I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteNice and easy does it eh Jessica.
DeleteI am glad to read that I am not the only one searching for a little Christmas spirit. Retailers have been trying to pound it into me since Halloween back in October. Perhaps it is a little backlash that makes me resist the urge to go holiday shopping. I have some presents to wrap, cards to write and there is no tree...yet anyway. Like you, I plan to keep it simple this year.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love your sparkly opener.
It's the only way for a stress-free Christmas in my opinion - hope you get through it all without a nervous breakdown Jennifer - :)
DeleteA charity concert I attend every year is the start of the Christmas spirit for me, and after that, like you, I like to take it slowly. May the Christmas spirit find you!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good way to start Freda. I am sure that I will find the Christmas spirit before long - it's usually when the village carol singers come round.
DeleteIf you are anything like me, you will have it all done up in time, with a pretty bow to boot! Once the mood strikes, and energy allows, I'm sure you'll give those little elves some sprite competition.
ReplyDeleteCD
Oh I have no worries on that score CD - I usually come up trumps in the end.
DeleteNothing whatsoever done here and it will likely remain that way. Christmas is pretty low key with us and if I have a tree it wont go up until Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had a tree for the last few years - just a decorated twig from the garden. I like to bring it in as late as possible and take it out as soon as possible. I don't want to sound all 'bah humbug' but Christmas just doesn't hold the appeal it used to.
DeleteI always think the true spirit of Christmas is a deepening into love and into the sacredness of family love. Who needs tinsel and bright paper wrap for that? At least, that's my theory, and over the past three years I've stuck to it, and had a much happier Christmas because of it. (But oh, I do love the cakes and decorations and pretty things really ... and for all my determination to keep Christmas/Solstice quiet and simple now, I wouldn't want to be rid of the child in my heart who loved the glory of the holiday.) Many blessings to you at this lovely time.
ReplyDeleteI have many happy memories of my childhood Chrstmases and could never hope to replicate them now - nor would I want to - I just want to feel the specialness of this season enhanced with friends and family rather than with piles of gifts and food.
DeleteStill far too early to be thinking about Christmas. Having said that, we've already celebrated Christmas with my son and family before they left for Australia 2 days ago. The tree is up, as are all the decorations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but then we spend Christmas on our own so the day doesn't need so much organisation than when lots of people descend to enjoy the festivities - will you celebrate again on Christmas Day or is one Christmas a year enough.
DeleteI agree with you. These days Christmas lasts too long. It starts too early and ends too late. If it were genuinely 12 days, I'd be happier! Having just got back from a holiday in the tropics, Christmas seems very "inappropriate" to me, in a sense.
ReplyDeleteI guess you need to re-acclimatise after your exotic wandering so - back down to earth and the reality of the Christmas season.
DeleteWe all have our different views on Christmas! I just adapt to the ways thing flow as they appear. It's different every year. This year, my preparations were early because I'm going away before Christmas and then come back at the last minute! I love your branches with Christmas lights and bokeh! Happy holiday season however you plan it this year!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely time away Sandra - and I am sure you have everything well organised for your return just before the festivities start.
DeleteI'm glad it isn't just me not feeling the Christmas spirit yet this year. I think if it would all start a bit later in the shops and etc then I wouldn't try to ignore it for a few weeks until it is too late. I have posted the cards now thank goodness. Your collage is lovely and very festive and I'm sure by Christmas we will be feeling festive too:)
ReplyDeleteYes I am sure the spirit will catch up with us both eventually - it always does. It just seems to come round quicker every year.
DeleteI am exactly the same as you. I rarely get in the mood, so much over-priced, over packaged tat in the shops and money being wasted right left and center. I'm a bit of a humbug and much prefer laid back and simple. It's all so excessive now isn't it? Hopefully we'll both get there in the end!!!xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's all the endless television advertising and the Christmas songs on the radio and in the supermarket - by the time Christmas comes you get so sick of it don't you. None of it makes me feel more Christmassy, in fact, just the opposite - I'm definitely of the 'keep it simple' school - Christmas does seem to bring out the best in people though - or shall we say - on the whole. I am sure come the 24th we will both be feeling it - if not we can get together and have a good moan.
DeleteI think we are on the same page in the same place. Decorations will go up on the solstice here, some cards have been written but only the internationals posted. Presents? Hmmm lost track.......
ReplyDeleteI rather like the idea of celebrating the Winter Solstice instead - bringing in the Yule log and doing a bit of Wassailing.
DeleteI must admit that I see Christmas as a time when nasty things usually happen in our family. As a result I am becoming more and more like Scrooge as the years go by. It's always a relief to get through to January relatively unscathed.
ReplyDeleteOh dear - that doesn't sound good - let's hope you get through it in one piece Sue.
DeleteWell I am so pleased to say ... that I've actually written and posted our Christmas cards. (Yippee!) It is part of the Christmas tradition that I sit with cards and address book in front of me, Christmas music playing and a glass of sherry just within my reach ... but I did forego the glass of sherry this year ... I replaced it with a glass of white wine. LOL!
ReplyDeleteBut that is all I've done - now onto the next task...
Slowly, surely we will get there.
I will be watching 'Strictly' very soon, well it is Saturday Night, and I do like this programme.
Wishing you a very pleasant Saturday evening ...
All the best Jan
I am sitting writing cards at the same time as watching Strictly but I keep getting distracted - ha!
DeleteThere's loads of time still! I never decorate until I finish work, and often not until Christmas Eve :-)
ReplyDeleteYes there is I am not panicking just wondering if I have time to do what needs doing - it will be fine!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Christmas Elaine ..... I did the tree today and will finish the other stuff tomorrow. Tree, wreath on the front door, a bit up the stairs and helibores in terracotta pots around and about the house and that's it. Simple but effective is my aim. I might post pictures on my blog !! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying I don't enjoy Christmas but I just don't feel the need to go overboard. Simple but effective sounds just right - I never intend to start making Christmas puddings in August or anything like that, that's for sure. look forward to seeing your pictures.
DeleteLovely images! Enjoy your Christmas preparations!
ReplyDeleteThank you. You too Sara.
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