General Chat

I always put on a little buffet for hubby me and the kids and anyone else that might call around, then we settle down to a good movie, then I try to get the kids to bed as early as possible but its getting harder now the eldest three are older, then I wait for them to get to sleep and we bring out the pressies as quietly as possible and display them ready for the big day, and finally get to bed for a few hours before they all get up again! whilst all this is going on a have a few much deserved drinks! Marie

I stay in a tizz till the shops have shut! If at in-laws we eat traditional Italian xmas eve dishes, spaghetti with nuts and fruit (might sound yeuk but its luvverly), salted cod and/or eel. I drink too much homemade red and sing xmas songs all the way home! (Mind you I start this on 1st Dec). Sort out santa & reindeers food then put kids to bed. then I eat santa's food and drink probably too much of santa's drink. Stick hands in soot and put santa's fingerprints around chimney area. Put xmas carols on the radio and prepare veg, wrap all the presents that I forgot and left behind the cupboard!! 2am I gradually feel tizz receding and go to bed. Cheers Kaz

hello! well this year we will prob have a few friends over, not for a party just the usual lot. Have a few drinks, eat loads of cakes and make them help me wrap pressies xxx

Last year we went to see Polar Express on Christmas Eve - fab way to build up the excitement for the kids! Not sure what we will do this year to match that though! I never cook Xmas eve - we always have fish n chips! Then once the kids are in bed the presents can be sorted. Will be a bit weird for all of us this year - first Xmas since we split up, so it will all be centred very much around the kids. Maz. XX

On Christmas eve, we get two Lobsters, some Crab meat,some Tiger Prawns and Shrimp. Then the missus makes up a bowl of her home made seafood dressing sauce, which contains Mayonaise,Tomato sauce and Worstershire sauce combined. We sit this on a big platter of Lettuce and mixed salads. Yum.... Then we all sit down and watch our local Carols by Candelight on the Tele. Tony Oz :>))

I will go into work at the homeless centre to put all the presents under the tree, and take the residents a few goodies to eat. then last min shop is the norm. then its home to cook, prepare, then my hubby and i go off to deliver the grandkids pressies at 3 different addresses. then we get home and get all the pressies out and put in the lounge. by about 11pm we might just get time to relax for a bit , still got 21 and 22yr olds at home so we will have all their friends round as well. I am told not to wake them early on xmas morning ,but i get so excited i have to, i put xmas music on so load just to wake them, they shout down the stairs, MUM BEHAVE. just can't help myself.lol Shirley Ann

:o))) Enjoying reading everyone elses rituals. The wrapping usually has happened a day or two before, so I will be following traditional and weird self imposed rituals of my own. For instance, an uncharacteristic compulsion to hoover, wash the kitchen floor, change all the bedding, and scrub the kids 'till they shine. Since no one visits our house over Christmas apart from Father Christmas, I must still be a believer! :o) We will probably go for a walk to deliver a few last presents and cards to 'little friends' at dusk. We like to take some supper to the ducks on the pond, under the village Christmas lights. Eldest will go into the close when it's dark. Her Dad will help her set a match to her rolled letter to Father Christmas so, as it burns, it gently circles into the sky (at least that's the theory!). This is what Hubby used to do with his father. After the girls bath, the stockings are hung up, including the cats, and a snack is put out for Father Christmas and the reindeers. Then the girls go to bed. All that is left then is to check the girls are asleep before placing the presents under the tree or stockings. The stocking presents are from Father Christmas. Usually only one 'special' with a few chocolate coins. Once hubby goes to bed (shhh, now don't tell) I sprinkle Father Christmas magic glitter from outside the girls room down the stairs to the stockings. Then exhausted, go to bed about midnight. Merry Christmas :o)

oh yes, RW has reminded me of a couple!! Give the kids a bath to calm them down, then look out of the window to see Santa go by with his lights flashing (no its NOT a plane lol!!). Will also have to check the NORAD site to see where Santa is .... SEVERAL times!! Santa gets a drink and snack, Rudolph's carrot goes on the step, stockings on the bedroom door handles. Kids have to be in bed by 10 latest or Santa will miss them out for not being asleep! Maz. XX

walk to pub intending to have a couple then go to midnight mass. have loads, get told off, stagger home. the end.

Christmas Eve morning will be tidying and cleaning up, might nip out for a couple of things Ive forgotten. All stops at 2pm, sit down watch tv then get stinking rotten drunk! wake up, get something to eat and drink some more, then were off to bed. Yvonne