A COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS-4 WEEKS TO GO

The Christmas cards are signed and addressed with several family and friends receiving the Di Mambro newsletter. The out of town parcels that have be ready for two weeks will be sent today after work. The Christmas decorations have been hauled from the closet and they are sitting on the dining room table as slowly items will find their place in the house. Since there is an abundance of items, not everything gets put out every year. For years all the little Santa items stayed in the big tins. Only the big Santas were put out. This year however the high shelf that holds my African and other craft items will display many of those items. My collection of Christmas books will be available to visiting grandchildren. The sideboard in the family room will hold the crèche and other books on the Holy story! I will draw the kiddies attention to the display. If they want they can play with the crèche items.  My outside lights look okay. We are one of two houses that have lights up on the street so far! There will be a work dinner next Tuesday and the hospital dinner/dance next Friday. Some store bought cupcakes and brownies nicely decorated are in the freezer, just in case a quick lunch or invite is given. All the holiday wine and booze has been bought. I love the German cat bottle wine. I use some for the Christmas dinner. Bottles to take to other dinners or functions are waiting as well as using red wine as part of two Christmas gifts took some consideration. Going to the LCBO- the Liquor Control Board of Ontario- on a Tuesday night when casually browsing and stocking up for the holiday season as well as beyond was enjoyable. In another two weeks all the stores will be rammed and the selection diminished. Wine does not go bad so buying weeks in advance really works.  Yes I check those last minute sales. If someone is short a gift or two, there are always gift cards!!! Getting the outside purchases done will leave me time to wrap presents over the next few weeks. When the gifts are for immediate family it can be a slow process. Nicely wrapped or the modern way- tissue and throw in a gift bag. Again being available for babysitting. 1/2 of Saturday while working on decorating, two of my grandchildren will be here. So finding a way to include them in the process or just providing some craft materials for them. Lots of movies available- Christmas and others if wanted. Or they may want to play in the yard. Lost most of the snow from last week's storm but the light dusting last night may be enough for them. Yes it is time to put my favourite CDs in the player. What is Christmas without music?  Adolph wants to buy the Christmas tree but this weekend is not for decorating it. So his idea to put it in a corner of the garage and it can be brought in the house and put up when this big Elf is ready.  I usually like to put up a fresh tree about 10 days before Christmas. Eventually I will buy an artificial one but not yet. Still like the smell of a real one in the house. I love the modern world with the online shopping! Especially for the grandchildren when trying to make sure I have the right sizes for clothes. If buying for one person store shopping is easy but I found the online purchases for 5 to be less stressful and manageable. Some jaunts to the stores will occur as the  Christmas decorations are always pleasurable to see.  In the midst of all the work, there are always sappy Christmas movies to watch. It is hard to believe that November is almost over! December will bring the pressure of getting ready for all the season's happenings. Stay calm and Christmas on! Four weeks to go!