I am writing this on Christmas Eve. I am looking forward to the big day tomorrow. Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. I have such happy memories of when the boys were growing up. I would plan the day practically to the second. I would go to the midnight service at our local church and then come back to help Santa fill the stockings and eat the mince pie and carrot. At 0630 the boys could come into our room and open their stockings. Then breakfast at 0730, family presents at 0830 and a walk before lunch at 1300. The rest of the presents were at 1430 and then the Queen’s broadcast at 1500, followed by charades and a little more TV.
As the family grew up I have had to learn to be more relaxed about the plan. This year our youngest Martin and his girlfriend Cheryl are joining us. They have been under a lot of stress lately and they have asked for a lie in tomorrow, before a brunch and a late lunch. I have tried hard to accommodate this chilled approach to Christmas Day, but as it has got closer the lack of a plan has begun to get to me. So I have made a plan on a spreadsheet for our relaxed Christmas Day.
Just having this plan has made me feel better about the day. Mandy, Cheryl and Martin can stay in bed, while I complete the prep and then they can join me.
I know what you are thinking. What if others do not follow my plan? For instance what happens if they are not up for the 10am brunch? Well that is OK too. I know that if I complete everything on the plan in the right order, it will all come together. I can flex the times if I have too. Even better, because it is on a spreadsheet, I can adjust everything.
A happy Christmas for Pete is a well organised Christmas. A happy Christmas for others is an unstressed relaxed Christmas. All I need to achieve both – is a plan.
I hope you had a wonderful day and are enjoying the festive season. A very merry Christmas to you all.
Pete's Blog 
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