How much shopping have you done and do you feel calm and organised?

So we have less than 2 weeks to go till the big day and the pressure is starting to build. Early on in the month, it's great as there is a wonderful feeling of anticipation and excitement about putting up the decorations, making lists of things to organise and people to see. There is also the small matter of Christmas presents.

Every year, I start off feeling excited about having an excuse to spoil everyone I know. I see things in the shops and think 'that will be prefect for ...'. As the month progresses, however, I forget what I saw and who I need to buy for. It all becomes less enjoyable and more of a chore.

There are some who start planning Christmas in January. They are the smug ones who have completed their gift-buying by October and their wrapping by 1st December. They are clever as they spread the cost too.

I am not one of those. If I started that early, I would surely misplace most of the things or forget that I bought something and buy two. I bought a game for my son at the end of November and spent most of this weekend searching the house for it to no avail. I know it will turn up eventually - probably around March!

Anyway, Christmas will come and go. We will all have a lovely time with our families and it won't really matter who gets what or if I forgot someone. The embarrassment of someone arriving at my house with a present when I haven't got one for them only lasts a few days...!

So, I'm off to check my shopping list and my memory for who I forgot last year. Enjoy the shopping - 'tis but once a year that we can buy, buy, buy!