Christmas Downsizing

 Hello everyone , how are you?

It's the time of year when all the shops have their new season of decorations out and displays of gorgeous things and all twinkly and bright, i love it. 

We went to Belton Garden Centre this week and they have all theirs out and it is breathtaking.

You name it they have it and in multiple colours. its quite overwhelming in places but i did have a good wander around and saw absolutely loads of bits and bobs i would love to buy.

But , this year me and hubby have decided to downsize our Christmas decoration collection. We have 2 trees, we now only need one. We no longer have the room for 2 so one has to go. I have ,over the almost 40 years we have been married, bought new baubles and ornaments every January in the sales and to be totally honest i have that many some have not been opened or used. I did a quick count and i could probably decorate 4 tree's with all i have. Tinsel is another thing i have bags of  and i never use it all. 

The time has come to downsize it all. I have ornaments , little Christmas houses, snowmen, fireguard with snowy scenes, Reindeers, you name it and i probably have it. Last year we did reorganize it all into storage boxes but i am thinking this is the year to go through it properly and have what we need and not what i fancy . 

Rolls and rolls of wrapping paper , gift bags and tags..too many to count plus extra cards, so i am not buying them at all this year i will use what i have and not buy any .

Food is another thing we go mad on, i fill my freezer like it's stockpile season, not this year. We are out on Boxing day so it's just Christmas day food i will get plus a few treats and that's all. I will try my hardest to stick to this. This year we were still eating buffet food in April so i think i can cut it right down and not starve. Chocolates are another thing we won't be having a lot of either. Too expensive and with the tubs being cut down in size it's not worth it. We are thinking of making all our own cakes and cookies again this year and giving them as gifts, which i would love to receive personally.

Gifts for family have already been discussed between me and the older girls, money for the grandchildren and a foodie treat for all from us. With 3 still at home we have also decided that last year was a success and will redo this year, they all got one thing they really wanted and then something they needed and a small gift bag of little things, they loved it and it was so much fun to watch the surprised looks on their faces with the littlest of things.

I know its way to early to think about it but 2 months today it is Christmas day. I love to be prepared and ready so i too can relax and enjoy the festive season. I do not like the hurry hurry quick quick of it all.

Before anyone says it, yes i know we have Halloween and Bonfire night but to be brutally honest neither of the girls or us are that bothered by it my children are all late 30's and late teens, we have some movies  to watch so we will be happy with that plus popcorn and hot chocolate, which is a hell of lot cheaper than it used to be when they were all little and needing costumes, sweets and anything else for just one night. Fireworks are not a thing either, we can just watch everyone else's and have jacket potatoes and fudge .

So that is my plan for next week to get the decorations out and go through them and down size it all, making it more manageable and not to buy any new stuff even if it is a bargain. 

Anyone else downsizing Christmas?

Take care

Love Ftm🍂