Monday, 1 December 2025

What's Happening in December?

I usually schedule posts for 6am but this one is delayed due to waiting to open the first day of my coffee advent calendar so I could include a photo here - great excitement!

And the Christmas mug is out of the cupboard for the duration. The coffee for the 1st was Italian which is what I get from Aldi anyway. There is way more than enough to fill the press thing on my machine - probably enough for 3 mugs - I shall have to use the cafetière. I had frothy milk and chocolate sprinkles to celebrate the beginning of winter!


There are a dozen different flavours to try so I'm expecting two of each.

What's else is happening in December? ...........well, I'm going to be paying too many bills! Everything, everywhere all at once! 

There will be bills for dentist, hygienist, car repairs, boiler service and repairs, car insurance and there are still Christmas presents to finish sorting out. The grown up children are getting a small gift and money as I struggle with ideas, grandchildren are having toys, games or craft things of course, although even the 9 year old  grandson is liking money towards an x box - whatever that is! (I know it's a rather expensive game thing!). I didn't make chutneys etc for Christmas hampers for sister and sister in law this year, but have found some small things to put together for presents, including some items from charity shops but haven't a clue for BiL - neither has he.

There are Christmas cards and notes to write - not my favourite job - although I love receiving them so I keep sending. Stamps are ready, I think they are lovely and colourful this year.



What else is coming up? Well, friends from Essex are popping up for the afternoon next week.

And it will probably rain on the 13th! - that's the date of the one off Christmas car-boot sale, which will only happen in good weather.

Then  the ED and family are here from Surrey for Christmas. They are renting a cottage with room for all of us to go there for the day. It would be far too complicated for everyone to go to Surrey and my bungalow isn't big enough and she really wanted to host a big family Christmas. I'm on dessert duty (but not Christmas pud) and will take the umpteen  Christmas Crackers found at boot-sales.
Boxing Day will probably be me and BiL at my bungalow. He usually goes to his sister's home for Christmas Day. I asked him what he'd like to eat for Boxing Day - he said "food" - no help at all.πŸ™„ Although I will make a small Wartime Christmas Pudding - that was a success last year.

If December goes at the same speed as the rest of the year it will soon be 2026!


29 comments:

  1. I decided a few years ago when I saw the grandchildren's mound of toys that I would buy them all a ticket to the pantomime instead of more toys. I print a picture of the panto I have booked, paste it onto a blank card and give it to each of them like a voucher. We go just after Christmas so it is something they can look forward to when they are back to school and the long dreary January.
    Sounds like you will have a lovely family Christmas.

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    1. The Panto idea is lovely - my grandchildren aren't really old enough yet.

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  2. What a lovely idea to all get together on Christmas Day and it will be joyful for all the cousins rot be together. I was always the one detailed to bring home made cheesecake and trifles when we used to do big family events outwith our house. Don’t think anyone else could be bothered! Catriona

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    1. It's chaos when all 5 grandchildren are together! I'll be making the chocolate meringue thing I do + Brownies + plus something that isn't chocolate!

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  3. The Christmas mug looks lovely and the coffee advent calendar would be right up my alley also! It sounds like you have some really great plans especially the family get together. Jean in Winnipeg.

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    1. It will be nice to all be together for Christmas Day, it doesn't happen often

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  4. I loved this round up of what your Christmas will look like, a family time is so nice when it can be organised, I'll look forward to seeing what you do for the puds - I love puds!
    Your Christmas mug is so cute and the coffee advent a great idea.
    We just coughed up for car insurance too - bah humbug!
    Alison in Devon x

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    1. Chocolate Meringue cake, chocolate brownies and something that isn't chocolate!

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  5. I love that Christmas mug! I'm particular about my mugs. My mug today has Christmas geese. It's quite festive. Men are hard to shop for aren't they? Socks seem to always be good. Food is always my fallback. Happy 1st Day of Coffee Advent!

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    1. I only like this shape of mug - no idea why and I have to wash it by hand if I want to use everyday as the dishwasher only goes on every other day.
      BiL being a bachelor and not short of money buys anything he wants for himself - which is impossible at Christmas as he never has any ideas.

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  6. A bottle of Scottish malt always goes down well with us men folk.

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    1. Not so much for the men I know - they'd rather have beer

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  7. I feel the same way as you about Christmas cards. I shall try a different Sue's philosophy which she posted today (oh, now, what's the name her blog though!) Change got to get... so instead of 'I've got to write the Christmas cards to all my friends 😟' it becomes 'I get to write Christmas cards to all my friends! 😊 '
    Sounds like you have a lovely Christmas to look forward to.

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    1. This Sue; https://eatingwellonasmallbudget.blogspot.com/2025/12/blogmas-day-one-books-that-i-read-in.html?m=1

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    2. I love choosing cards to send and receiving them so I'd better cheer up about writing. Sue's blog had a good idea there.

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  8. I've started my advent jigsaw puzzle and it's going to be so cute! A small puzzle for each day and they will hook up to the days around them to make a large puzzle which I will have as my centerpiece on our Christmas table. They are pictures of vintage Christmas cards and very colorful.
    I'm gathering my family's wish lists and hope to get out this week to get it done. Not many weeks left, Sue!!

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    1. Your advent jigsaw sounds lovely - hope you have a nice big table!

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  9. Christmas with your family sounds lovely. Having everybody together is always best.
    December is a busy month of preparations and events. I love it all!

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    1. It will be a crazy day with 5 cousins aged 9 and under all together!

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  10. Crikey, just realised my car is booked in for MOT on Wednesday. Fingers crossed it gets through. I hope your repair won't be too expensive as December is an expensive month, isn't it.
    Love the mug!
    Angie

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    1. December is extra expensive this year - things going wrong everywhere - not what I'd planned!

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  11. Slowly getting ready for Christmas here. I have 2 shops before the date so hopefully will be well stocked on staples and just do a top up shop a few days before the holiday. Getting so excited to see the sons and have them with us together for a few days.

    God bless.

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    1. It will be lovely to see my grandsons who live around the other side of London as I've not seen them since April.

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  12. Pretty Christmas mug πŸŽ„πŸŽ„πŸŽ„

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  13. It sounds like a wonderful December with a lot of wonderful things to look forward to. Here as well. How lucky we are!

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    1. I will start to enjoy the preparations once dentist appointments are over and the car is repaired!

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  14. You have some lovely things happening in December.
    The Christmas coffee mug coming out and the nice coffee are fun small treats, a friend and I laugh at how easily pleased we are with small things theses days. I turned out a drawer and found an Advent calendar card I'd bought in the sales and forgotten, she turned out a drawer and found a new pair of unworn socks she'd forgotten. Joy unbounded!
    Penny

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