General Chat

only about five and a half weeks to go to the big day.CHRISTMAS ans my house is goin to be a madhouse.14 people for dinner .has anyone got any tips for a stress free christmas apart from emigrating!!!!!xxxxx(:

delegate give everyone a job to do and by rights you could be sitting with your feet up!!!!!!!

could get my husband to cook the dinner while i sit there and drink to my hearts content.what do you think?xxxx(:

If I were mad enough to invite 14 people to dinner I would allocate them all jobs - entertaining children, laying the table, sorting drinks for everyone, etc. Then I would ensure that everyone had a drink or two to break the ice and relax. nell

Hi, I am the same having 14 people for Christmas Dinner and for the first time I am prepared to let people help, everyone is bringing something and then we can line it up buffett style and help ourselves. Don't forget its not about the meal being totally perfect its about good company and having a fun day, don't get stressed out by expecting to much from yourself, so what if its doesn'r look like the picture in a magazine the people will remember what a lovley day they had not what stuffing you served the meal with. Take a deap breath delagate what you can and enjoy the day too!! :O)) Regards Sheila

definetly will have a few glasses of wine and just go with the flowxxxxxx(:

Tell your husband its his turn this year as you will be too busy being the hostess love Helen x

Bagsy book Baz first for washing up!! Kxx

come round baz.there will be a glass of wine waiting for ya!!!!xxxxx(:

could always cadge a lift off of santa and go to lapland for the dayxxxxx(:

I had my first Christmas with my first son 12 years ago and we had in-laws, my family etc all descend over a period of 2 days. I found it very stressful as both mother-in-law and father-in-law were terminally ill and I don't remember any of it. Now its much better. We spend Xmas with just husband and sons. Get up late, have champagne for elevenses when we open the presents, husband and I do dinner. We eat it, children play, husband cleans up kitchen and I chill! Then we visit/receive other friends and relatives afterwards. nell

thanks some good ideas will take them on boardxxxxxx(:

I really hope you have a good time thats what christmas is all about, just enjoy having you family, friends and whoever pops in around you at this time of year, we will allow you a nervous breakdown after the new year Lots of love Helen xx

thanks helen i know that it will all be alright.thanks again.love and hugsxxxxx(:

Love and hugs lapland lovely we are all together in this xxxx

Hi Again, One thing I forgot to add is that we always go our for Christmas Eve lunch with a big group of family and friends , we have a great time and get back about tea time, then my husband and I normally prepare all the veg, so half the work is done for the next day and then relax and watch some festive movies and have a Baileys :O) no wonder I dont feel wound up the next day, the thing is not to make it into a chore, but more of a fun thing to do (like someone else said a Bucks Fizz with breakfast doesn't go amiss either!) Enjoy it! Sheila

sheila i love christmas eve and usually have a few tipples of whisky before bedtime.will get my veg and most of it done christmas eve so will take some of the pressure off.thanks again for handy tips and keepin me sane.love and hugsxxxx(:

Don't forget those mince pies Lisa! :)

christine thats if theres any left what with the lard shortage!!!!!xxxx(:

I am sure it will be brilliant for you:O) we started to go out on Christmas Eve, as we live in Germany and they celabrate Christmas on the 24th December here, so it goes very quite about luchtime here, while they all go off to church and visit family. So a group of us English get together about 25 - 30 of us and get in the mood by having lunch with our families, its get you in the spirit and it saves you cooking for both days you can conserve your energy for Christmas then. The thing I realised a few years ago is there is no point getting wound up for 1 meal the whole point of Christmas is being with people you care about!! and any major mistakes will be laughed about in sears to come even forgetting the bread sauce and peas!!! Sheila