I have a lot of shoes, I love shoes, im a bit of a woman like that I have some very nice Nikes with gold trim but I wouldn't leave them outside even if they were guarded.

Ohh I forgot to mention - you put only a single boot outside (to show your modesty) what makes it is less likely that it got stolen unless the thief had an amputation...

by now we could open a shoe thread, but unlike you I don't really care about shoes unless it is likely I find a surprise in them (and I am not talking about dead mice) ... so it would be your turn to open one

I must admit that I a weakness for carol-singing because it's about the only time when I'm actually allowed to sing in public ...

I join my sister's church's "choir" when they do it and the best thing about that we don't ask anyone for money, they just wish people a Merry Christmas and invite people to pop in to a service.

This year my sister's household is doing a "credit crunch" Christmas and no-one is allowed to buy present over the sum of £1! This has left to some creative shopping - I bought a 2002 football manger game for the PS2 from Game for 98p and a Dean Martin CD from Woolies for less than £1, for example.

I kind of like the idea with the credit crunch Christmas. Even though only one £ is almost a very difficult task!

No.1 son is off to kent to his out-laws-to-be, no.2 son wants to spend xmas in cornwall with his dad and granddad (his nan died in october, so its the first without her) and my friend who otherwise would have cat-sat for me while I'm in cornwall now can't, so it looks like I shall spend xmas alone at home.
My elderly friend Peter has just moved up here to a carehome nearby so I might book myself an xmas day dinner there.
Or I may just stay in bed with a sherry and a cheese sandwich and a good book.

I find that, particularly now - as I've just started living away form home- I do quite enjoy going home and spending time relaxing with my family
Also, xmas dinner is always good, because I'm not a bad cook, but could never make anything to compare to my mum's home-cooking! ^_^

Although i have one or two unpredictable family members i still look forward to exchanging gifts and watching my wee cousins opening their toys

My son thinks he's had all his Christmas pressies already - a trip to Birmingham to see Kanye West in concert and and mixing box for his music. I can't wait to see his face on Christmas morning when there'll be even more!!!!!!!

I just realised that I have not put up any decorations or tree, I have sent just one card this year and there is a stack of cards on the kitchen unit where I've opened them each morning, in fact my birthday cards from June are still up....
Oh dear.
I think my new year's resolution should be to pay more attention next december and get into the spirit of things!

I've not put any tree or decs up either.....not much point now

It doesn't matter if you haven't put any deccies up, as long as you are happy, have food, a roof over your head and are warm. What more could anyone need? x

Well apart from Ben, i shall be alone. My first Christmas without my parents as they are in Dubai and that will be hard, and far from being asked how i feel at this time of year or what i want, i am looking after others who may be sad and suffering at this time of year.

I am just grateful to have the aforementioned roof and food and warmth. I don't have anyone special to share it with....again......but you just have to get on with it. Me being miserable won't change any of that.