Christmas 09 Debrief...what to do different next year?

[BekZ]

I will be putting money away regularly for Christmas as of our next pay.

[AnyDream]

Oh yeah, and I'll get my chrissy card labels printed early instead of waiting until the 11th hour and then having a total printing stuff-up and then not sending any cards at all because I can't stand the hand cramp involved in writing all the envelopes

Gosh Nikki, those ILs are slack!

Bekz - great idea - avoid the ouch factor.

[maz]

I will be putting money away regularly for Christmas as of our next pay.

I will be doing this aswell cause I have car rego and council rates bothe due early January.

I WONT be making enough food to feed an army

I WONT leave sending my christmas cards until the last moment (try the 23rd )

I DONT wnat to eat bloody chinese christmas eve cause my parents like it

I WILL be taking the ham out of the freezer 1 day before I need it.

AS a family we will be supporting a child from a 3rd world country and sending gifts not just for them but their whole family

[Spring Angel]

I'll be prepared and not be still doing present shopping at 8 1/2 months pregnant (lol).

[AngelPunks]

Next year will be totally different. New home and new life.

[Astrid]

Definitely good thread, as I have already been thinking about this

We will get the ham from the local smokehouse that does it themselves, rather than the butcher. Even though properly smoked it still had additives.
We will be getting a fresh free range turkey and roasting it ourselves. Have struggled to get proper smoked turkey breast down here.
For the dishes DH makes, he will be given the money and sent to the shop himself, I will not be responsible for his stuff again as he gives me half arsed info so I am destined to stuff it up.
We will be making our own pudding as we are no longer near the lovely man that made fantastic ones.
I will be putting Christmas money aside in the house instead of with the bill money, as we spent way to much bill money this year.
DH will be given the choice - a hotel room on Christmas day or a day with his family that does not involve him sleeping on the couch and watching Mythbusters.

[~Hestia~]

Hopefully not get sick Christmas Eve!!

[Rouge]

I don't think I'd change anything. Apart from the fact the kids got gastro the week before thanks to a Kinder break up party... noice.

OH I know. I'd take more photo's. I didn't get one photo of my gorgeous red, white & silver table. I didn't get one photo of the buffet of gorgeous food and snacks I prepared. I didn't get one photo of my DD belting out some awesome tunes on Band Hero... but I have all the memories in my head

I had a chuckle Nikki at yours, I LOVED waiting hand on foot for my family and friends, and yep I was on my feet from 9 am till 7pm but that was WORTH every second. Seeing how happy they were, seeing the empty plates and the full bellies. The mess that took us nearly 2 days to recover from. For me Christmas is all about making other's happy and seeing them happy was wonderful. And funnily this was the first year I didn't stress out. I just took every knock and bump as it came and worked with it or around it. I have no idea where I pulled my zen from but I hope it comes around next year!