I do not bother to get so organised about Christmas these days. Fifteen years ago, our family Christmas and the church calendar was utterly manic. I made Bob a special tee shirt listing all the events.Retirement has many blessings - and one of them is having time just to enjoy the season.
I don't really need to add to my seasonal decorations - and certainly I decluttered lots of stuff in the Autumn before retirement. We have no need of a staircase garland when you live in a bungalow, or the shelf with stocking hooks when there is no mantelpiece.
But I did succumb this week, and spent £2.50 on Charity shop bargains.
The needle-felted dog on his sled, and that red love-joy-peace mug really needed to come home with me! I did not succumb to the Musketeer Bear. There were at least 60 bears from this collection in a bin in the CS**, at £1 each. At their original prices, that would have cost someone over £300. Cute though they were, I did not fall for the charms of Caesar the Roman bear,nor Vik the Viking, nor Giorgio the Gondolier. But a serious arctophile like Gyles Brandreth would find lots of bargains here [**the new PACT charity shop in Dereham] Have you started 'Christmas Planning' yet?
I've got as far as thinking about it...
ReplyDelete😉
ReplyDeleteGoodness what a month!
ReplyDeleteAnd some say Pastors/Vicars/Priests only work on Sundays!
He was a lot younger back then!
DeleteOn wow, Bob did have a busy schedule, but mostly joyous no doubt. Our youngest son likes to have things organised so his family are visiting on the 22nd December, one panto booked with daughter Ang, her daughter and partner and Christmas cards ordered. Otherwise, I just want to enjoy Autumn.
ReplyDeleteNow the families are growing up, I just wait for them to let me know their plans. I'm grateful for our less busy schedule
DeleteWell, I have been assigning songs and parts to the year 1 and 2 classes because they need to get started on their nativity early so next week I have to start teaching the songs. Ks2, also I have to get started in order to get everything taught/learnt in time because Half term is a week late this year so I have one fewer weeks after the holiday to teach them. Feels absurdly early!
ReplyDeleteBob's year of 09 sounds crazy busy! Last year, I was absurdly busy. This year, I have a few concerts booked in. Not sure where we will be for Christmas. Kx
Teachers are as busy as ministers at Christmas time. I hope that once term ends, you&C have time to visit loved ones 🎶❤️👍
DeleteI have written some cards, and gathered gifts together. Slowly.
ReplyDeleteI just remembered that I got a few gifts in the summer and put them on the top shelf Ithe wardrobe. Thank you for the reminder!
DeleteI love when I find a cute Christmas bargain in a charity shop knowing that I have donated to the charity, saved things from landfill and will probably redonate on the future. Yes, I have started preparations for Christmas in my craft groups and then the Shedman and I spend Christmas together with not a thing in sight to show that it is any other day. Very glad to spend time with my very best friend and grateful that we can eat and heat without worry. Catriona
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence sums it up beautifully. To be with the ones you love is a blessing and a joy
DeleteI love the mug and felted dog, great finds in charity shops for Christmas. I have got my fruit for the Christmas cake, also bought a joint of beef that was discounted and it is tucked in the freezer. I've picked up a couple of presents too both for my sons and one for my husband. Nothing else though. The year 2009 looked manic for you both. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteWell organised! I like the sound of a joint of beef waiting in the freezer
DeleteThat was a very busy December for Bob!
ReplyDeleteI really haven't thought much about Christmas, yet. I should decide if I am making cards, again, or buying a box of them!
I send so very few cards these days. I have some left over from last year I can use
DeleteSuch a busy schedule back in the day !
ReplyDeleteI like the little felted dog. I have many boxes of Christmas decorations but the last couple of Christmas's they have stay tucked away in the eves. I do feel guilty about having so many but I do love them. I have many bought whilst on holiday in Italy so they are special. This year I will give them all an outing and declutter too.
Now is just the time to pass on Christmas decorations to charity shops 🎄
DeleteLovely little charity shop finds. I will probably do something similar, and I will try and look for a tiny china cup to hang on my Christmas tree as over the years it has gathered quite a collection of them. I don't need anything else, we will buy some special foodie treats a bottle or two of wine and we will be keeping it very simple. Hopefully Mum will be settled into a a nursing home by then and some of the day will be spent in Manchester.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that t-shirt, gosh he was a busy bunny that year, and no doubt that meant that you were equally busy!!
I hope your Mum's situation is soon resolved. Looking back I cannot believe how much we did back in those days
DeleteI have been looking in vain for a book of my mother's about planning for Christmas which starts from January! I think it was Katie Stewart.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find it
DeleteCertainly have started to think about it.
ReplyDeleteThose are nice charity shop finds.
Alison in Wales x
There is something about felted items which makes them particularly appealing, perhaps it is knowing that they are slowly crafted rather than mass produced. Warm heating, and joyful eating with good friends are the best! JanF
ReplyDeleteHand crafted is better than mass produced
DeleteI think it is time to see if I need to donate any Christmas decorations, now that the charity shops are ready to display them for sale. As for collectible critters, it crossed my mind when I looked at thirtyone:thirteen that someone might like to collect your mouse characters!
ReplyDeleteI'd better add another character to the shop then...
DeleteI'm just waiting on the Xmas Day offers to come pouring in because I AM NOT,NO WAY,NO HOW hosting this year again, especially since I no longer have a dishwasher! And I really mean it!!!I have, however, started squirrelling away some pressies because there are also birthdays in November and December.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the family hear your protestations!!!
DeleteI never start thinking about Christmas until OH’s birthday has gone - 28th October. Although I do buy my cards and paper in the January sales, which is currently sitting in moving boxes. Xx
ReplyDeletePacking to move around Christmas is difficult. Please put up some visible decorations though. I made the mistake of not putting any up December 2014 as we were moving in the January. We went away for a few days after Christmas and the house was burgled in our absence. The police said that no dex was a giveaway that we weren't around.
DeleteWe now have a confirmed moving date, next Friday! Just knew it would come round in a rush after weeks of hanging around. Xx
DeleteOh I'm so pleased for you! Hope all goes well and that the weather is kind on Moving Day
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