It begins

Right.

Now enough of this - whatever - that you're currently thinking about, because it is seriously time to get, well er, serious.

Because - and I know it's still August and the school summer holidays (just) - it's 122 Sleeps Until Christmas!!

Now.

I know that you know that I have a serious addiction to this particular festivity.

It makes me happy. Ok?

(Wanna talk about that?)

I adore the build-up, the music, the sparkly lights, the planning and prep, ooh just everything!!!

And ok there are also some blue notes in there too: 

I don't have a big family to share it with, just Man Wonderful, Gorgeous Daughter and her hubby (not sure if he's home or away yet) and the two babies.

My darling parents died a long time ago and I miss them desperately still.

There are folk I would love to spend Christmas with that I don't get to.

But hey.

It's still Christmas, ok?

We watch a Christmas DVD every evening we are home in December.

We go to the Carol concert.

We eat mince pies.

I drink mulled wine.

I send Christmas cards.

I put up the knitted nativity set that my mum made for my first ever classroom years and years ago.

We have home made Christmas stockings.

And a tree.

We have certain meals on certain days. (Gammon on Christmas Eve, Veggy roast on the Day, Roast Pork with crackling on Boxing Day.)

We eat cold cuts and cheeses and salads every evening.

Ohhhhhh!!!

So.

If like me you also are a complete loony and enjoy Christmas, then it really is time to start the planning, because there is something else I am obsessed with:

I don't own a credit card, and don't ever go into debt over Christmas.

It's not a surprise or an emergency.

It happens the same date every year.

I know how many cards I'll use, how many gifts I want to send. 

I also know my income and how much money I want to spend.

We give small gifts.

I make much of what I give.

For an example, last year I gave the following:

A hand-appliquéd cushion cover.

A hot water bottle with crocheted cover.

A knitted tea cosy.

A scarf and hat.

Knitted socks.

A huge mug stuffed with sachets of hot chocolate and marshmallows.

(Just to give you some examples.)

I also made little gifts for my class at school. They all had a cellophane cone filled with hot choc powder and mini marshmallows, and with a candy cane.

It is in making gifts that I can afford to give them, if you see what I mean?

If I had to purchase them ready made, or buy gifts, I well, I wouldn't.

I'd be like those Frugal folk who decided to give up all the niceties of life including smiling. 

So what do you do to make Christmas fun?

How do you manage the festivities and balance the spending?