Delia Smith Christmas Book | Family Affairs and other matters

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Thursday, December 24, 2009

This morning I was beginning to think about canceling Christmas as no sign of Christmas bible (aka Delia Smith Christmas cook book) anywhere in house. Hadn't realised my generation rely on it quite so heavily as had several friends offer to photocopy relevant pages and one was going to lend me whole book but my gorgeous youngest son came to the rescue as we were out panic buying very early and asked to borrow his pocket money for the next few months - NO DISCUSSION and then presented me with the NEW Delia Happy Christmas book. I love him. Phew. Had started trying to remember the order of the day whilst in bed this morning and it was not looking good:- 5.30am get up and put turkey in oven - is this really necessary when eating in evening? 6..00am Go back to bed 6.15am shout at children to go back to bed ? am What time does she say it's acceptable to have your first drink? ? am How much time does she allow for arguments? I am now calm. Am looking at new shiny book. Page 12 "Happiness is Getting a grip early - Make a plan". Skip to page 16. Too late to make a plan. "Christmas lasts for 8 days be prepared". Shit. Only prepared for tomorrow. Look at turkey recipe. Have forgotten bacon. Shit again. Look at time plan. Nothing to worry about - not making own stuffing, bread sauce, parsnips, cranberry sauce or gravy. In fact not making anything except turkey and roast potatoes. Slight concern that advice is to have first drink at 1.30pm. Will have to ignore that. Now got a mountain of presents to wrap and deliver. Panic mounting again now. Haven't got elf suit to wear to carol singing at ex husband's party so will go to see parents and brother and his wife instead. Much better. Have a great Christmas - may you get all the socks and pants that you have ever wanted.

TIPS FOR A STRESS FREE CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

7 Comments

Actually, I haven't worked out any tips on how to avoid Christmas stress, other than to start drinking now... I was doing OK until a moment ago and now I've lost my Delia Smith Christmas book which is a total disaster. Unless I follow her minute by minute instructions on how to get through the day I might as well cancel it now. WHERE IS IT? I bet one of my children have hidden it just to see how I cope. I can feel panic rising on the streets. I still haven't finished my Christmas shopping and my children have wrapped a few presents for me and now I can't remember who is getting what. My list isn't getting any shorter, but at least I've got a huge turkey taking up the entire fridge. I went to a lovely Christmas party last night - loads of kids and adults all together. My friend has given me a present - it's definitely a book. She's really in to crafts and is constantly trying to get me to do something creative.....so I've decided that it's most probably a book called "How To Knit Your Own Boyfriend". I texted her today and thanked her for the present. She sent back "Pink face, yellow hair. Green and red dungarees - tangerine scarf. Mmmm. Things are looking up! x" Can't wait.