Gets earlier every year?

[burlingtonbertram]

You can check a good cookbook if you like - you'll find many recipes for tarts in it!

I'm not sure that you've got the hang of giving recipe tips

[Farwa]

My bad!

[Moonraker]

Reading these posts it seems to me that Christmas can't come soon enough for most of you, never mind getting earlier every year!

[burlingtonbertram]

Must admit that I enjoy the run up to Christmas but then, after lunch on Christmas Day, my interest starts to wane. Still, at least no Christmas buffet 'festivities' with the in-laws these days

EDIT: forgot the afternoon pub crawl on Boxing Day. That's something to look forward to too.

[Lucky Star]

To me the buildup should begin no earlier than 1st of December. After that I really enjoy all the festivities and anticipation.

[Courtenay]

I'm going to see my family in Australia in mid-January, so will bring their Christmas presents with me to save postage. Gives me a few extra weeks to find and buy gifts.

[Moonraker]

Still, at least no Christmas buffet 'festivities' with the in-laws these days

We used to have buffet 'festivities' with my in-laws on New Year's Day at their country home. We opened presents and it was like another Christmas Day. We all had a wonderful time, but sadly they have now both passed away. Would love to relive some of them.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Christmas is memory making for kids. I always remember, finishing school a week before and just love looking forward to what lay ahead. Christmas morning, with pressies and a lovely dinner. Then in the evening, we'd all go along to my aunties where the family gathered. Then on Boxing Day the family would come to us for tea. Happy times when I look back.

[floragord]

Slightly to read that Selfridges have their Christmas arrangements up and running, including Santa's grotto - they say its mainly for overseas visitors who want to pick up something luscious to take home in time for the festive season - wouldn't the goodies be slightly past their sell-by come 25/12

[Courtenay]

Early August?! Now that IS the earliest I've ever heard of a store having its Christmas arrangements in place.

Of course, in Australia, local organisations and charities sometimes hold a "Christmas in July" lunch or dinner as a fundraiser, but that's just for the fun of eating hot and heavy northern hemisphere style winter food when it is actually winter for us. We still have the real Christmas in December!!

[floragord]

My first Christmas present purchase arrived today - a dear friend in Australia loved the
Dr Wayne Dyer DAILY INSPIRATION desk calendar I got her last year, and Watkins in Covent Garden only get 2 or 3 in - buying it at $8.50 online from the States incurs a postage/handling charge of $151.00, so I moved like greased lightning to obtain my prize locally!

[Katharine]

I think we can let you off with that one. I got my father a calendar last year from the Clacton Airshow as they were souvenir ones.

[Paul Austin]

I listen to the soft Christmas favourites on an internet radio station.
I find it soothing in times of stress.

[Stephen]

Funnily enough, I found myself humming 'Wombling Merry Christmas' at work yesterday!

[Moonraker]

My brother and his wife gave us our Christmas presents back in May. They live north of Inverness and only come down once a year.