End of Year Dash or is that Crash!!
16 November 2007
It's now about 6 weeks until Christmas. Not that Christmas is the main event...no, far from it, but it does define an end point, a finishing line that we all seem to sprint to.
At the moment I feel like I'm at the blocks, ready to burst out and fang it for the finishing line. Not just a regular sprint, no, this is the hurdles and there are many of those to jump over before you even get to SEE the line.
Let's see how many hurdles we can tick off together...
Christmas Gifts: Right about now, you may be starting to think about what to buy your loved ones for Christmas. Thankfully this year it's just about the kids so the list of what to buy has been halved...think I'm down to about 5000ish great news for the hip pocket too! Don't need to add 'rob a bank' to my list of things to do this year...phew.
Panic not....I have a great Gift Guide to get you under way and in control. Email me at and i'll send you one.
School Concerts: Ususally proportional to the number of kids you have or look after from time to time unless you have very caring and sharing friends who invite you to THEIR kids concerts too just so they don't have to endure...ooops, slip of the keys...enjoy it all alone.
Can't help you out much there sorry. You're on you're own there girl!
Parties: Yours, his, theirs..they're probably the kids version of the concert commitment when you think about it. Some of you endure out of a sense of duty and others because you really want to!
Absolutely chill out about these ones. I have you covered. Get bang for you buck and wear a gorgeous printed cotton tunic with jeans and a bit of bling and your're in business. Then, when you eventually do head off on holiday, you can take it to the beach! See how to do that in Buy A Look. The Perfect White Shirt is a stand out winner in the versatility stakes so see how to take that from bar to beach and back again in Buy A Look - Dinner & Drinks. Then there are always our stunning silk kaftans and breath taking jewellry to add life to your LBD if you must go down that track.
Fund Raisers: Yes, even not-for-profits make a mad dash for the line before Christmas, though, I must say, unless you give gifts from them, they are competiting in a very tight fiscal space so...chose your favourites and prioritise! You may win lotto over the holidays or Santa might leave an envelope under the mistletoe for services rendered and then you can give more freely. As for dressing for them, refer to 'Parties' above.
Packing to go Away: If you're extra lucky like me, you get to pack for not only your holidays but temporary accommodation because you are moving house! Always a pleasure, living out of a suitcase for a month or two.
Packing for the family usually means my stuff is last to go in and consequently, the smallest pile. By the time I think about what they need, my brain goes into shutdown and I some how even for get the basics for me!
Anyway...I'll be working off my Week Away Packing List. See it in my colomn in the Packing List area of the website. Print it off and use it as a guide. It might just make sure you actually get to take what you need and give you a head start for making the most out of taking the least and looking fab in the process.
Close to Christmas Day: Decorating the tree, menu ideas, shopping for the feast, table decorations, drinks, nibbles, plates, glasses (never have enough glasses!), cuttlery, napkins blah blah blah...why? why such a fuss? Pare it right back and I promise you, your celebration will be far more enjoyable. Less is more remember. What would Nigella do? Chocolate covered prawns with piri piri sauce perhaps? No, forget that idea. Haven't got a menu planner. Sorry to disappoint.
New Year's Eve: For me, it's without a doubt, the most over-rated evening of celebration. Great when I did the B&S circuit (Bachelor's and Spister's balls...go the country!) but now...such a build up and a hassle to be honest. Fireworks on tv, a quiet drinks with your mates who are happy to crash out on the couch and keep it simple and relaxed...aaaah...can feel myself floating away already. Maybe it's the thought of a glass of bubbly...
So there is that word 'crash'. Such a clever little blogger I'm becoming, I can round out/off and leave with grace and elegance.
So does your dash look like mine? Does it finish with a New Year's Eve crash on the couch? All going well this year, mine will!
Bye bye busy women. Remember to lift up your skirt for those hurdles and take off the heels, can't afford for one of those little blighters to catch your hurdle as you fang it for the finish line.
H.G. xx.
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