After reading this I realised I ought to start my list, though I wonder what it all says about me….

• Christmas card list. Check those I have not heard from since last Christmas are still living. Have a glass of wine while wondering how to do this. Realise that sending a card with ‘Happy Christmas; I hope you are not dead.’ might annoy someone, so decide just to send a card and hope to get one back.

It has taken ten minutes to put one task on the list. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed with it all. Have another glug of wine

• Decide on a hiding place for presents, where the children won’t want to go. Only school comes to mind. Decide it will have to be the wardrobe again. This time I resolve to keep it locked so that the expressions of surprise, on opening their presents, aren’t feigned as they were last year, and the year before that.

• Create list of people to get presents for. Put possible presents next to the names - the result of hints and intercepted letters to Santa. Realise that a trip to Disneyland, a Wii and a humungus flat screen television are beyond my means. Gulp wine as I realise that nothing I buy will compare favourably with these.

• Christmas groceries list. Feel overwhelmed at the thought of the mega shop amidst the crowds and the bill when I succumb to all the extra display goodies that weren’t on the list. Consider doing online shop to avoid it all. Decide against as I might miss some really good Christmas display goodies.

Wonder why creating a to-do list is not enough, and why so many other lists are needed.

• Plan a cleanng fest before visitors, especially the ex-in laws attend. Feel depressed on reading the amount that needs doing. Glug wine. Decide the children and boyfriend should help and write a rota. Anticipate the rows and arguments that will result from this. Glug more wine.

• Christmas cake? (Question mark is because I think it might be too late to make one - especially by the time I get to this on my list..) I may have to move it to the grocery list.
• Christmas pudding? (Likewise.)

• Diary dates. A note to to make sure I add dinner dates, parties and other social occasions to my December diary so as not to miss anything or double book. Glug wine as I realise that so far the only things apart from Christmas day itself is the ex in-laws visit.

Feel light headed. Think sod lists, giggle, throw list away.

Drink 3 coffees, Retrieve crumpled list. Continue.