We shall be NINE for Christmas this year. My oldest and his wife with the two boys, my daughter and her two boys over from Oz, plus Lady M and myself. Sadly Boo Boo and The Cherub will not be joining us; they will spend the holiday at their new home in Thailand. I don't think their Elves suits would fit any more anyway!
Nine may not sound a lot, but in our bijou home, with a bijou table that seats six, we are going to need some jiggling.
On the food-n-drink side there's no problem, but as far as fitting everyone in, it'll be a bit of a squeeze.
Prezzies are a real problem for me... what on earth does one buy for teenagers these days, when their only real interests are based inside their 'phones. Really, what does one buy for anyone?
In fact I have actually started buying presents; nothing excessively expensive, but I hope 'thoughtful'.
My aim is always to buy things that will soon disappear; chocks, gourmet treats, theatre tickets; in fact anything that will be eaten or quickly used, leaving no trace. I try not to give people 'things'; they usually either don't want them, they dislike them, or they don't fit. A box of good quality chocks is always welcome, and soon shows no trace of ever having existed.
As for Christmas cheer; my 'champagne' will come from Italy, my reds probably from Argentina, and the port from an English producer in Portugal. I already have a good stock.
My designated Christmas cupboard is already home to Chestnuts, Cranberry sauce, various Pickles, Mincemeat, Crackers, festive Serviettes, and all sorts of other Nonsense. I suppose with my daughter coming from Oz, it's all getting very exciting. I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year.
I'm now trying to forget about it for a month.
Sounds exciting, and with such a big gathering, it could get quite noisy. You'll be worn out by Boxing Day.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to put out your rusty Swedish Angel Chimes and candles. I tried to tempt you to polish it with Brasso last Christmas. It really does come up a treat.
We like the patina that age has given it. Ours is probably 70 years old.
DeleteThat sounds like the makings for a perfect Christmas.
ReplyDeleteA perfectly tiring Christmas.
DeleteYou seem to have things under control, at least your Christmas cupboard is quite full! Sorry, no suggestions for teenage presents....we are soon to have that dilemma ourselves. Re your comment to Pat about coffee, have you tried coffee bags? Waitrose ( other supermarkets are available) sell them. I am not really a coffee drinker but they produce a much nicer coffee than anything out of a jar!
ReplyDeleteWhen we had too many to get round our 8 seater
oval table, we got a large ( very large) sheet of plywood I think it was, and therefore made the table seat several more.
I'm thinking of getting a wallpapering table, and extending the legs (if needed). I'll look out for the coffee bags; I've never tried them Thanks.
DeleteRe coffee bags: In Oz, Ive been using Robert Timms coffee bags for ages. They are really good. Ask your daughter to bring you some for Christmas.
DeleteI might well do that. Thanks.
DeletePS. Are you familiar with the website " Wicked Uncle" ? It has many kids presents, shown in age groups. Only goes up to 12+ but you might find stocking fillers!
ReplyDeleteI've pretty much decided on Chocks with some folding stuff inside. I'm sure they'll like that.
DeleteWe like to finish all our shopping, other than fresh things by the end of November, and we should get the last few things in the coming days. Our teenagers we give money, they like to receive it and can put it towards what they want, and make saving in the January sales. We made the decision with siblings not to get presents, you can even have too many chocolates, biscuits and wine.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I've decided for the boys, chocks and cash.
DeleteKimbo's house looks bigger and I imagine they have got more dining space in their house. You could suggest preparing the Christmas feast over there or make it a joint operation with young KImbo as your sous chef.
ReplyDeleteHis house is about three times the size of ours but he's managed to organise it without a large dining area. I think we might make it a joint operation. We're not far apart.
DeleteHow lovely to have most of your family with you at Christmas Cro. I'm so pleased for you. We will be nine here as well. I like doing it and I think I shall put the dining table { which is usually in the dining room } in the new conservatory which is where the Christmas tree will be.
ReplyDeleteRegarding presents ..... I have to buy for all of ours plus my sister, brother-in-law, their children and their children and my cousins , their children and their children !!! I used to buy the children presents but now I give the older children money as I don't know what they are into and they change what they like daily ! I don't like giving money but that's what they want when they get older. It's still loads of presents to buy ! { and wrap .... that takes forever ! } With the grown ups { especially us oldies}, I tend to get consumables .... none of us need ' things ' anymore and we all love food and drink ! XXXX
Yes, consumables it is. I agree! Otherwise one risks buying things they don't want, in an age where 'nuance' is everything.
DeleteThat's great, Cro! Lady M must be in heaven. Consumables are always great gifts and just the thing for people that are traveling and won't want a bunch of "stuff" to carry back with them.
ReplyDeleteExactly my thoughts too. Yes, we're looking forward to it all.
DeleteMarvellous!! I can imagine how wonderful it will be. My family are all gathering in NZ this Xmas for a combined dinner. Only the Greek branch will be missing.
ReplyDeleteEdibles and drinkables make up most of our presents now.
I think we're all agreed on this. I still remember receiving gifts as, a much younger person, that I simply hid away before disposing of them.
DeleteDefinitely consumables - so they can all be eaten before the January diet!
ReplyDeleteAnd nothing to carry all the way back to Oz.
DeleteMoney is always a great gift, but seldom the right size.
ReplyDeleteHow very true!
DeleteAlthough it may seem impersonal, that age is always very happy with money or gift cards to some place where they can choose precisely what they want. How nice, though, that you'll have a 'full house' for the holidays! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI'm still at 'that age'; I would never say no to money! A classic Christmas on the books.
DeleteIt is always a challenge for gifts for the traveling folk because they have to take it all back with them. Theatre tickets are a great idea, a chance for you all to share a evening together. We once gathered ours all together and had a magnificent candle light meal in a castle. I had wild boar with a juniperberry sauce. That was a fine night.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful. I expect there'll be a few nights out, but maybe not in a castle.
DeleteYour Christmas sounds perfect surrounded by family. When my son was in his teens, one Christmas we started a stock portfolio for him and told him he could grow and diversify it. He loved it and it has grown.
ReplyDeleteI like that idea. What they do have is a wine cellar that is awaiting their 'coming of age'.
DeleteThis will be a Christmas to remember, and remember, when "we all squeezed in and were merry."
ReplyDelete'Squeezed in' it will certainly be; and I forgot to mention Billy (the dog).
DeleteI haven't yet begun to buy presents, most of my family are adults and have no "needs" that I can fill, so I will probably take the easy road and just give money inside a Christmas Card. I will buy actual gifts for the twins they'll be 18 months old, but what to buy when they have so much? perhaps a tiny wading pool and a swimsuit each. Summer is coming here.
ReplyDeleteI have always found present buying a real problem. For a while I bought people Pineapples, but I'm over that now.
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